Effect of dietary supplementation with different sources of selenium on growth response, selenium blood levels and meat quality of intensively finished Charolais young bulls.

The study aimed at comparing three strategies of supplementing selenium (Se) during the finishing period of Charolais young bulls: (1) administration of sodium selenite throughout the finishing (NaSe); (2) administration of an Se-enriched yeast strain (Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC R397) throughout the finishing (Se-Y); (3) administration of sodium selenite for 140 days replaced by Se-enriched yeast during the last 70 days of finishing (Switch). Eighty-four young bulls (mean initial BW=434.2±31.9 kg; mean age=382±52 days) were stratified by live weight and equally assigned to one of three Se treatments. Experimental groups were fed the same diets and the inclusion rate of the different treatments was targeted to achieve 0.3 mg of Se/kg of dry matter (DM) in the complete feed. The average daily gain of bulls was 1.36 kg/d and no differences due to Se treatment were recorded. Dry matter intake and feed conversion ratio were not affected by Se treatment resulting in, on average, 10.3 kg/d and 7.65, respectively. Repeated blood samples were taken at days 0, 120, 180 and 210 of finishing to assess the Se status of the animals. As compared to NaSe, both organic Se treatments (Se-Y and Switch) increased plasma Se in the last two sampling sessions according to a significant treatment×time interaction (P<0.001). A similar trend was observed for serum total antioxidant status of the young bulls, whereas there was only a significant time effect (P<0.001) on glutathione peroxidase activity that was raised by all Se treatments. The finishing period lasted 210 days and at the abattoir there were no differences across Se treatments in carcass weight and dressing percentage. A higher Se content in the Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle was instead observed in Se-Y samples as compared with NaSe (0.85 v. 0.47 mg/kg DM; P<0.05). Meat quality evaluation was carried out on LT samples after 6 and 11 days of ageing under a vacuum package. Regardless of ageing time, meat from young bulls supplemented with Se yeast had higher colour lightness (L*) values than those receiving NaSe (38.1 v. 36.6; P<0.01) and showed a significant decrease in shear force (3.69 v. 4.22 kg/cm2; P<0.01). The outcomes of the study suggest that the provision of Se yeast throughout the finishing period is a strategy to increase the benefits of the replacement of sodium selenite with organic selenium in beef cattle.

Impaired laryngeal mobility and entrapment neuropathies.

Entrapment neuropathies are rarely mentioned in phoniatrics because a definite diagnosis is very difficult to make. However, several clinical examples described here strongly support this etiology, which should now be considered in the diagnosis of both partial and complete laryngeal immobility as well as in minor neuromuscular disorders.

Temporomandibular dysfunction and dysphonia (TMD).

Freedom of the manducatory apparatus is critical to economical and accurate vocal production. Two types of dysfunction will be discussed: global muscular hypertonia of the muscular manducatory system and dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Hypertonia occurs in a high number of dysphonic patients. It impairs mandibular mobility and also induces chronic hypertonia of the tongue muscles, hyoid apparatus and occipitocervical joint through the neuromuscular facilitation process. TMJ can be a major source of mandibular kinetics impairment. Its pathogenic effects are most deeply felt in singers, who often have their mouths wide open, especially when singing notes in the upper register. Affected singers generally use an avoidance or compensation strategy which is detrimental to optimal use of resonance cavities and vocal sound articulation. It is consequently vital to understand TMJ pathophysiology and to include an examination of the manducatory apparatus in any clinical evaluation of dysphonia.

[The tensegrity concept applied to the laryngeal biodynamics]. / Du concept de tenségrité à la biodynamique laryngée.

The knowledge of spaces and sliding ways of the forehead part of the neck must be accomplished, however the microscopic observation of these sliding ways shows in fact a real concrete material continuity, through the existence of a binding tissue between the sliding structures. This tissue is shaped in a web form system of multimicrovacuolar collagenic fibers. It respects the functional unit, while saving the relative independance of moving between the different structures concerned. The architectural features of any living tissue may be reported to a tensegrity system. The word of tensegrity is a portmanteau of tensional-integrity, as proposed by the american architect Richard Buckmister Fuller. Following tensegrity the laryngeal biodynamic behaviour is based on two sets of tensions and compressions applied on itself. The laryngeal system is therefore in a constant balance of tissular tensions. The multimicrovacuolar system has a main place. This new point of view may be applied to the laryngeal dysfunctions.

[Human skull development and voice disorders]. / De l'hominisation du crâne à la dysphonie fonctionnelle.

The hominisation of the skull comes with the bipedic posture, due to a network of muscular and aponevrotic forces applied to the cranio-facial skeleton. A brief sight of the morphogenetic origine and issues of these forces help to understand more clearly the postural statement of the larynx, his functions, and his many extrinsic biomechanical bounds; then further his most frequently dysfunctions. The larynx is surrounded by several effective systems of protection: active, activo-passive, passive. The architectural features of the components of the laryngeal system allows us to consider the laryngeal function as an auto-balanced system. All the forces engaged are auto-balanced in a continuum of tension. This lead us to the concept of tensegrity system, neologism coming from tensional integrity described by Buckminster Fuller. The laryngeal employement by extrinsic system is pathological in case of chronicity. Any osteopathic treatment, which aims to restore the losses of laryngeal mobility, has to release first the peripherical structures involved in the laryngeal defense, before normalising the larynx itself Finally, the larynx recovers his functions in a tensegrity system.

[Manual care in speech rehabilitation]. / Les gestes de thérapie manuelle en reeducation de la voix.

The speech therapists work on voice rehabilitation, with different kinds of formation. The dysfunctions of the vocal gesture may have various causes, and manual therapy is some time usefull to correct them. A study shows that using manual therapy is already effective after 10 voice sessions.

Chronic disseminated histoplasmosis in an apparently immuno-competent Belgian patient.

A 77 year-old Belgian man was admitted for weight loss and elevated liver enzymes. He used to live in Central Africa until 1986 and denied any travel outside Belgium during the last decade. Physical examination was unremarkable except for a lip ulceration. Blood tests showed increases of liver enzymes and CEA. In the search of an abdominal cancer, CT showed a normal liver but enlarged surrenal glands, while colonoscopy disclosed multiple mucosal lesions. Colic and lip biopsies identified Histoplasma capsulatum var capsulatum. HIV serology was negative. Lymphocyte count was normal but lymphocyte function was depressed. The patient dramatically improved under oral treatment with Itraconazole 400 mg daily for six months. This case indicates that chronic disseminated Histoplasmosis can reactivate in a healthy and apparently non-immunocompromised person living in Europe.

[Objective analysis of postural tonus using Fukuda's test. An attempt at correlation with vocal cord lesions]. / Objectivation du tonus postural par le test de Fukuda. Essai de corrélations avec les lésions vocales.

The authors summarise a study carried out in the University Hospital of Liège which attempts to correlate vocal cord pathology, posture, and the concept of muscular chains. They have hoped to develop the concept that a postural disorder may be the origin of demonstrable asymmetrical vocal cord disorders. Could there be a bilateral causal relationship between postural disorder and a predominately vocal pathology? How could more precise and long-lasting treatment be instituted?

[lymphocytic colitis associated with lansoprazole treatment]. / Colite lymphocytaire associée à la prise de lansoprazole.

We report two cases of lymphocytic colitis with severe diarrhea in patients treated by lansoprazole for six weeks. Complete remission occurred rapidly after lansoprazole withdrawal.

Intramolecular electron density redistribution upon hydrogen bond formation in the anion methyl orange at the water/1,2-dichloroethane interface probed by phase interference second harmonic generation

Surface second harmonic generation (SSHG) studies of the azobenzene derivative p-dimethylaminoazobenzene sulfonate, often referred as Methyl Orange (MO), at the neat water/1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) interface is reported. The two forms of the anionic MO dye, which are usually observed in bulk solution, with one form being hydrogen bonded to a water molecule through the azo nitrogens (MO/H2O) and the other form not being hydrogen bonded (MO) have also been observed at the water/DCE interface. Their equilibrium constant has been compared with the corresponding bulk solution and found to be identical. The adsorption equilibrium of the two forms has been determined and the Gibbs energy of adsorption measured to be -30 kJmol(-1) for both forms. From a light polarisation analysis of the SH signal, the angle of orientation of the MO transition dipole moment was found to be 34 +/- 2 degrees for MO and 43 +/- 2 degrees for MO/H2O under the assumption of a Dirac delta function for the angle distribution, a difference explained by the different solvation properties of the two forms. Furthermore, the wavelength dependence analysis of these data revealed an interference pattern resulting from the electronic density redistribution within the hydrated anionic form occurring upon the formation of the hydrogen bond with a water molecule. This interference pattern was clearly evidenced with the use of another dye at the interface in order to define a phase reference to both forms of Methyl Orange.

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) gene polymorphism influences TNF-alpha production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated whole blood cell culture in healthy humans.

TNF-alpha is involved in infectious and immuno-inflammatory diseases. Different individuals may have different capacities for TNF-alpha production. This might determine a predisposition to develop some complications or phenotypes of these diseases. The aims of our study were to assess the inter-individual variability of TNF-alpha production and to correlate this variability to a single base pair polymorphism located at position -308 in TNF gene. We studied 62 healthy individuals. TNF-alpha production after LPS stimulation was evaluated using a whole blood cell culture model. The TNF gene polymorphism was studied by an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. Other cytokines produced in the culture, soluble CD14 concentrations and expression of CD14 on blood cells were also measured. Among the 62 individuals, 57 were successfully genotyped. There were 41 TNF1 homozygotes and 16 TNF1/TNF2 heterozygotes. TNF-alpha production after LPS stimulation of whole blood cell culture was higher among TNF2 carriers than among TNFI homozygotes (929pg/ml (480-1473pg/ml) versus 521 pg/ ml (178-1307 pg/ml); P<0.05). This difference was even more significant after correction of TNF-alpha production for CD14 expression on blood cells. In conclusion, the single base pair polymorphism at position -308 in the TNF gene may influence TNF-alpha production in healthy individuals.

In vitro demonstration of a mitogenic activity in renal tissue extracts during regenerative hyperplasia.

Normal rat kidney (NRK-52E) cells, an established cell line of renal origin, were used as a bioassay system to reveal a possible mitogenic activity in tissue extracts prepared from kidneys undergoing tubular regeneration. Acute tubular injury was induced in female Wistar rats by a 4-day treatment with gentamicin at daily doses of 50 or 100 mg/kg twice daily. Animals were killed either 1 or 4 days after cessation of gentamicin administration. Proximal tubule regeneration in treated animals was confirmed by morphological examination after proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining. Tissue extracts from regenerating kidneys stimulated DNA synthesis in growth-arrested cells to a higher extent than extracts from intact kidneys. Sera from treated and control animals showed no difference with respect to mitogenic activity. The mitogenic effect of tissue extracts was sensitive to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor tyrphostin A46. The cell proliferative response to regenerating kidney extracts, but not that to intact kidney extracts, was partly suppressed by the addition of anti-insulin-like growth factor I (anti-IGF-I) antiserum. These data indicate that nephrogenic repair entails an elevation of biologically active IGF-I in kidney tissue.

Renal epidermal growth factor precursor: proteolytic processing in an in vitro cell-free system.

The enzymatic processing of the membrane-bound renal epidermal growth factor precursor (proEGF) could be an important step in the control of nephrogenic repair consecutive to kidney insult. The enzyme machinery responsible for that processing was examined in a cell-free system consisting of renal membranes isolated from kidney homogenates by differential centrifugation, and incubated in vitro. After a 24-h incubation at 37 degrees C, 6-14% of membrane-bound proEGF was processed and soluble products with EGF immunoreactivity were released. As revealed by HPLC and Western blotting analysis, the products of proEGF proteolysis consisted of 6 kDa EGF (the molecular weight of mature EGF) and two polypeptides with molecular weights around 45 kDa. Interestingly the 45 kDa EGF forms, like the 6 kDa EGF, exhibited mitogenic activity toward growth-arrested NRK-52E renal cell line. The kinetic study of proEGF degradation gave data consistent with the 45 kDa product(s) being processing intermediate(s) between proEGF and 6 kDa EGF. The enzymatic activity responsible for proEGF nicking was inhibited by divalent heavy metal ions (Cu2+ or Zn2+) and several protease inhibitors (aprotinin, PMSF, leupeptin, soybean trypsin inhibitor), suggesting that proEGF is processed by kallikrein-like serine proteases present in the membrane preparations. Along with previous studies, the current observations suggest that renal kallikreins might play a role in renal tubular regeneration by promoting the release of soluble EGF in renal tissue.

Total body irradiation: clinical experience at the Institute Jules Bordet.

Our clinical experience with 58 patients receiving TBI as part of their treatment for a malignant hematopoietic disease suggests the following comments: 6 daily fractions of 2 Gy given over 6 days have a similar antitumoral effect as a single dose of 10 Gy, using a low dose rate, but with less toxicity. 7 daily fractions of 2.25 Gy given over 8 days exceed normal lung tolerance. No leukemia recurrence was observed among patients treated with 6 times 2 Gy but the maximal period of observation is only 560 days. On the other hand, a relapse was seen 2 years after 7 times 2.25 Gy. This may suggest the necessity to find a more effective drug regimen or to deliver additional radiation to possible sanctuary sites for chemotherapy.

[Peroperative radiotherapy]. / La radiothérapie per-opératoire.

Tolerance of normal tissues limits the radiation dose which can be safely delivered to tumors especially for gastro-intestinal cancers. Intraoperative radiotherapy is a specialized technique for treating infradiaphragmatic and deeply located tumors allowing to deliver a high dose to the tumor while avoiding surrounding normal tissues which can be moved aside. The authors describe the technique and review indications and possibilities.