Hydration of inorganic phosphates in crystal lattices and in aqueous solution. An experimental and theoretical study.

B3LYP/6-31G* and 6-311++G** calculations have been carried out in order to study the hydration of phosphates in aqueous media. Optimized geometries and relative stabilities for PO4(-3), HPO(4)-2, H2PO4(-1) have been calculated considering the interaction with one, two, three, four and five discrete water molecules and taking into account the solvent effect by using the self-consistent reaction field theory (Onsager and PCM methods). The role of specific and bulk contributions of solvent effect on the observable properties of phosphate compounds is analysed. Good agreement between theoretical and available experimental results of harmonic vibration frequencies is found. Significant effects on the geometrical and vibrational frequencies are found for those studied phosphate anions. The results presented here provide a first step toward the understanding of the phosphate group as a hydration sensor in lipid bilayers.

[Skin cancer diagnosis by dermatologists in the region of Champagne-Ardenne: a prospective study]. / Etude prospective de l'incidence des cancers cutanés dépistés en pratique dermatologique dans la région Champagne-Ardenne.

INTRODUCTION: The exact incidence of skin cancers is not well established in France as in other european countries, except for cutaneous melanoma. It is the same for the part taken by dermatologists in the screening of skin malignancies. We have therefore planned a prospective study in the Champagne-Ardenne region to determine the incidence of the various types of skin cancers diagnosed by dermatologists. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A prospective study was performed within a 4-month period at the end of 1998 with the participation of the dermatologists of the Champagne-Ardenne and the south of Aisne. The new incident cases of skin cancers confirmed histologically were recorded using a questionnaire including the type of tumour, demographic data of the patient and type of practice of the dermatologist. Parallely, the pathology laboratories of the same region were asked about the number of squamous and basal cell carcinomas and melanomas diagnosed histologically during the same period of time. RESULTS: The rate of participation of dermatologists was 86 p. 100. During the study period, 898 skin cancers were diagnosed in 794 patients (408 women and 386 men; mean age 70.1 years) including 643 basal cell carcinomas, 123 squamous cell carcinomas, 48 Bowen diseases, 53 melanomas, 7 lymphomas and 24 other tumours. More than 80 p. 100 of patients were primarily seen in private practice. Ten of 13 pathology laboratories of the region replied to the inquiry. From these pathological data, 585 basal cell carcinomas, 125 squamous cell carcinomas and 44 melanomas were recorded during the same period of time. DISCUSSION: This study shows that the oncologic clinical practice of dermatologists in our region is considerable. Taking into account both participation and exhaustivity rates, one can estimate at more than 3,500 the annual number of skin cancers diagnosed by dermatologists in our region, with an expected distribution of the various types of cancers. The essential role of the dermatologists in screening skin malignancies is confirmed by data provided by pathology laboratories. This role is a french characteristic and cannot by applied to other industrialized countries.

Hepatic angiomyolipoma. A report of four cases with immunohistochemical and DNA-flow cytometric studies.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the pathologic features in four cases of hepatic angiomyolipoma, a rare benign mesenchymal tumor of the liver. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of surgical specimens from four patients, with immunohistochemical and flow cytometric studies. RESULTS: None of the patients carried a diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis. All four tumors were large and well circumscribed, and one patient had multiple lesions. The neoplasms were composed of numerous vessels and exhibited a predominance of epithelioid smooth muscle cells. The low amount of fat in these four cases was not sufficient to produce characteristic images that would allow diagnosis of angiomyolipoma before surgical resection. All tumors exhibited strong staining with HMB45 and anti-smooth muscle actin antibodies, whereas no positivity was observed with estrogen and progesterone receptor antibodies. Flow cytometry revealed a diploid DNA pattern in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our four cases demonstrate that it is difficult to differentiate hepatic angiomyolipoma from other liver tumors when the amount of fat is low. HMB45 positivity of smooth muscle cells appears to be very helpful in reaching a pathological diagnosis of hepatic angiomyolipoma. The DNA-diploid pattern observed in all cases could be considered a new argument for the benign nature of hepatic angiomyolipoma.

[Intramural pseudo-diverticulosis of the esophagus or cystic esophagitis? Study of an unusual surgical case]. / Pseudo-diverticulose intramurale de l'oesophage ou oesophagite kystique? Etude d'un cas original opéré.

The authors report an unusual case of oesophageal pseudo-diverticulosis. A 63-year-old male patient presented with dysphagia. A preoperative diagnosis of oesophageal intramural tumour was made on radiological and endoscopic abnormalities. The histopathological study of the involved oesophagus showed a pseudocystic dilatation of glandular ducts in the submucosa with a lymphocytic infiltrate. The authors review the relevant literature on oesophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis and suggest a possible pathogenesis for this rare and benign entity.

[Primary lymphoma on a pouch following collapse therapy]. / Lymphome primitif sur poche séquellaire de collapsothérapie.

The development, often after a long delay, of cancer in post-pneumothorax pouches is well known. A case of lymphoma developed on such a pouch is reported. Although cases of lymphoma developed on pulmonary scars have been published, we were unable to find in the literature cases of lymphoma developed on a sequela of old therapeutic pneumothorax.

Pus, deoxyribonucleic acid, and sputum viscosity.

On 100 sputum specimens selected from patients suffering from chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, asthma, and cystic fibrosis total deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content has been related to macroscopic type, to total dry weight yield, and to the apparent viscosity of the secretion at 1350 s-1: since DNA may be present, either as fibres or within cells, in one-third of the specimens the contribution of each form to the apparent viscosity was assessed. The effect on sputum viscosity of the addition of DNA in vitro has also been studied. Whereas between mucoid, mucopurulent, and purulent macroscopic types a significant difference in total DNA and dry weight yield has been found, viscosity was not significantly correlated with purulence. Similarly, the concentration of either cells or fibres correlated significantly with total DNA but not with viscosity. The in vitro addition of DNA to sputum caused a significant increase in its viscosity, and reasons for the differences between the iv vivo and in vitro effect are discussed. Certain constituents of purulent sputum tend to increase viscosity and others to reduce it, and the influence of these varies in the several diseases studied.

Bronchial secretion from normal human airways after inhalation of prostaglandin F2alpha, acetylcholine, histamine, and citric acid.

Sputum produced by normal subjects after inhalation of prostaglandin F2alpha, acetylcholine, histamine, and citric acid has been analysed. Prostaglandin F2alpha was the most effective of the drugs in promoting sputum production. The material expectorated after inhalation of prostaglandin F2alpha shows the characteristics of mucoid sputum from patients with chronic bronchitis. The apparent viscosity and the concentration of marker substances for bronchial glycoprotein was in the lower part of the range found in mucoid chronic bronchitic sputum. The concentration of marker substances for serum glycoproteins and tissue fluid transudate were below the range found in chronic bronchitis, indicating that, in disease states, in addition to bronchial mucus there is a marked tissue fluid transudate component. Sputum produced after inhalation of acetylcholine and histamine contained relatively more tissue fluid transudate than sputum produced after inhalation of prostaglandin F2alpha, Sputum produced after inhalation of prostaglandin F2alpha, is of special value in indicating the nature of secretion from normal airways.