Quantum confinement effect on Gd2O3 clusters.

The evolution of the gap of a nanoscaled insulator material, namely, Gd(2)O(3), has been observed by means of vacuum ultraviolet excitation spectra of a dopant (Eu(3+)). The nanoparticles have been synthesized by the low energy cluster beam deposition technique and grown afterward by different annealing steps. A gap shift towards the blue is observed, similar to what is observed in semiconductor nanoparticles. Despite the strong ionic character of the material, the evolution exhibits a behavior similar to covalent materials. The evolution of the gap for Gd(2)O(3) follows the same empiric rule that has been derived for semiconductors (ZnO, CuBr, Si, and CdS). It shows that, in spite of the strong ionic character of the material (0.9 on the scale of Phillips), the amount of covalency is important enough for creating a significant delocalization of the electron with regard to its hole.

[Axonal neuropathy and chronic Codobromyl poisoning]. / Neuropathie axonale et intoxication chronique au Codobromyl.

We report a 56 year-old woman with a severe axonal neuropathy due to a chronic intoxication by a cough soothing (Codobromyl). Symptoms of codeine and alcohol intoxication were present. The problems of self medication are considered.

[Estrogen-progestogen agents and megaloblastic anemia]. / Oestro-progestatifs et anémie mégaloblastique.

TwO cases of megaloblastic anaemia, of which one was very severe, occurring in women who had been taking oestrogen-progestogen oral contraception over a long period of time, are reported. The authors take the opportunity, after having reviewed the literature, of pointing out the role of oestro-progestogen products in bringing about vitamin deficiencies. They discuss how and where oestrogen-progestogen products work on folic metabolism and emphasize that there is an associated factor which starts off the deficiencies.

[Early cerebral vascular accidents in treated Horton's disease. Responsibility of the corticoid treatment?]. / Accidents vasculaires cérébraux précoces au cours de maladies de Horton traitées. Responsabilité du traitement corticoïde?

Two cases of strokes in the vertebrobasilar territory were observed in patients with Horton's disease during the first week of treatment when the inflammatory process seemed clinically and biologically under control. The mechanisms of arterial ischaemia are discussed: specific localisation of giant cell arteritis, associated atherosclerosis, failure of therapy or a possible inducing role of steroid therapy as the chronology of these cases would suggest.

[Peritoneal cryptococcosis: discussion of clinical facts]. / Cryptococcose péritonéale: discussion d'un fait clinique.

The isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from peritoneal fluid is a rare event. The authors present the case of a patient with a post-hepatitis cirrhosis and from whom C. neoformans was isolated from the ascitic fluid. The pathogenicity, the origin, the portal of entry of the yeast are discussed.

[Rheumatic manifestations in the presence of antibodies to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. Apropos of 4 cases]. / Manifestations rhumatismales avec preésence d'anticorps anti-Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. A propos de quatre observations.

Rheumatic manifestations due to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis are apparently rare. We report four personal observations, including one of a patient with Reiter disease and significant titres of antibodies to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. In all four patients a non-specific syndrome, with fever and digestive symptoms, preceded the onset of joint disease. Both peripheral and axial joints were affected. One patient had HLA B27; the brother of another patient had spondyloarthropathy with HLA B27. Stool cultures were negative but they were all done at least three months after the acute episode. These rheumatic manifestations have many features in common with those described in Yersinia enterocolitica infections. Studies of larger series could improve our knowledge of the part played by the patients' constitution and widen the scope of reactive arthritis.

[Spontaneous peritonitis in a cirrhotic patient (author's transl)]. / Péritonite spontanée du cirrhotique.

A case of spontaneous peritonitis in a cirrhotic patient is reported. Because of marked peritoneal and hemodynamic signs, exploratory laparotomy was decided on. Such cases of spontaneous peritonitis, which mimick surgical affections, are very uncommon. Onset is usually insidious with increasing hepatic fluid as the only sign. Bacteriologic examination of the peritoneal fluid is often negative. Diagnosis should be considered if cytology shows more than 75 polynuclear leukocytes per mm. When bacteriology is negative, association of an aminoside with penicillin G and metronidazole seems to be the most satisfactory combination.

[Myasthenia gravis and asymptomatic monoclonal gammapathy. Detection of autoantibody activity of the monoclonal immunoglobulin]. / Myasthénie et gammapathie monoclonale "asymptomatique". Recherche d'une activité auto-anticorps de l'immunoglobuline monoclonale.

Simultaneous occurrence of "myasthenia gravis" and monoclonal "asymptomatic" gammapathy has been observed in a 83 years old patient. Antistriated muscle antibodies could be detected at a level of 1/1,000 but no antiacetylcholine receptors antibodies. The antibody activity is located both in the monoclonal IgG kappa and in the polyclonal IgG. This case illustrates the frequent occurrence of several auto-immune disorders in a same patient.

[Entamoeba polecki infestation in man. Review of the literature apropos of 2 case in Brest]. / Infestation à Entamoeba polecki chez l'homme. Revue de la littérature à propos d'une observation brestoise.

The authors report the observation of an entamoeba polecki infestation in a French woman in professional contact with pigs. Symptoms do not appear to be attributable to the amoeba-infestation but to an associated salmonellosis. The morphology and the pathogenicity of Entamoeba polecki are discussed.

[Acquired deficit in factor X associated with amyloidosis. One case (author's transl)]. / Déficit acquis en facteur X associé à une amyloïdose. Un cas.

A 75-year-old woman developed a haemorrhagic syndrome due to an acquired deficit in factor X whic resulted in death from gastrointestinal bleeding. This deficit was associated with primary amyloidosis. The relationship between the two conditions, the particular features of the haemostatic picutre and the ineffectiveness of replacement therapy are discussed.