Physicochemical and crystallographic evidence for polymorphism of the racemic ethyl (2-chloromethyl-2,3-dihydro-5H-oxazolo [3, 2-a]pyrimidin-5-one)-6-carboxylate.

The various crystalline forms of an original bicyclic compound [ethyl (2-chloromethyl-2,3-dihydro-5H-oxazolo[3, 2-a]pyrimidin-5-one)-6-carboxylate); EOC] have been obtained and characterized by powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy. At 4 degrees C in methanol, a monoclinic racemate (form II) crystallized from the racemic mixture, whereas at 20 degrees C, an orthorhombic racemate (form I) was isolated in trichloroethylene. By increasing the temperature, a solid-solid transition from the stable form II to the stable form I was observed with a Guinier-Simon camera. A I --> II transformation was observed at ambient temperature by DSC.

Treatment of verrucous carcinoma with recombinant alfa-interferon.

BACKGROUND: Verrucous carcinoma is an uncommon neoplasm whose medical treatment is not well defined. OBJECTIVE: We report the clinical effects of recombinant alpha-interferon (IFN) with varying dispensing routes on the tumor size in 3 patients exhibiting three different subtypes of verrucous carcinoma. OBSERVATIONS: In case 1, an oral florid papillomatosis of the upper gingiva, a stabilization of the lesion size was observed after the administration of a cumulative dose of 45 million IU of IFN alfa-2b. The patient died after discontinuation of the treatment due to hepatic toxicity. In case 2, a giant condyloma acuminatum of the penis, treatment with a cumulative dose of 522 million IU of IFN alfa-2a first resulted in stabilization of the disease, and no evidence of recurrence was observed after surgical treatment. In case 3, a verrucous carcinoma of the leg, a mild decrease in lesion size was observed after the administration of a cumulative dose of 174 million IU. Surgery was finally required. CONCLUSION: In reducing the growth of the tumor, treatment by IFN appears to be an adjuvant therapy of verrucous carcinoma, but it never prevents surgery or death.

[Periarteritis nodosa and parvovirus B19 infection]. / Périartérite noueuse et infection par le parvovirus B19.

The authors report a case of polyarteritis nodosa which coincide with serological conversion to parvovirus B19. After review of the literature, they recall the role of this virus in human pathology and also the role of different infectious agents in the PAN pathogenesis.