Influence of electron donors and acceptors on the bioremediation of soil contaminated with trichloroethene and nickel: laboratory- and pilot-scale study.

Laboratory- and pilot-scale studies were conducted in order to adjust and optimize the in-situ conditions for bioremediation of a soil contaminated with trichlororethene (TCE) and nickel. Results from laboratory studies showed that the indigenous microorganisms of the soil were limited by the type of electron donor. A better TCE dechlorination was obtained when the electron donor was composed of a mixture of methanol and lactate, as compared to that with methanol alone. Addition of up to 10 mM of sulphate as external electron acceptor (in combination with TCE) and with a mixture of methanol and lactate as electron donor had no significant effect on the TCE reducing activity of indigenous microorganisms of the soil, while higher concentrations (15 and 20 mM) yielded a lower dechlorination. Long term operation of a large pilot-scale soil reactor demonstrated the feasibility of a single-process in situ soil remediation. Results showed that, on one hand, TCE was progressively and stepwise reduced to cis-dichloroethene (DCE), vinyl chloride (VC) and finally to ethene, using only the indigenous microorganisms of the soil. On the other hand, stimulating the activity of sulphate-reducing bacteria of the soil with the addition of sulphate as electron acceptor was efficient in precipitating nickel as nickel sulphide.

Production of retroviral vectors for gene therapy with the human packaging cell line FLYRD18.

The development of gene therapy is hampered by the difficulty of producing large stocks of retroviral vectors at high titer. This study aimed to improve culture conditions and to intensify the production of retroviruses by FLYRD18, a packaging cell line derived from the HT1080 human fibrosarcoma line. Batch virus production proved to be feasible in unsupplemented basal medium and provided significantly higher titers and productivities than medium supplemented with 10% serum. For longer-term production, however, AIM-V complete serum-free medium and basal medium supplemented with 2% serum gave superior results. Serum supplementation should nevertheless be optimized to take into account the presence of inhibitors of viral production. In monolayer cultures with 0.2 mL/cm(2), the cell concentration was increased up to 2 x 10(6) cells/mL without loss of cell productivity. A semicontinuous production process, which enables the collection of larger amounts of viruses from the same culture, has also been successfully used. Suspension culture processes were prevented by the anchorage dependency of the FLYRD18 cell line. Microcarrier cultures were able to produce viruses but will require further investigation and optimization for their performance to become competitive with monolayer cultures. In the course of this study, more than a 10-fold increase of titer has been achieved.

Direct probing of the surface ultrastructure and molecular interactions of dormant and germinating spores of Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to probe, under physiological conditions, the surface ultrastructure and molecular interactions of spores of the filamentous fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium. High-resolution images revealed that the surface of dormant spores was uniformly covered with rodlets having a periodicity of 10 +/- 1 nm, which is in agreement with earlier freeze-etching measurements. In contrast, germinating spores had a very smooth surface partially covered with rough granular structures. Force-distance curve measurements demonstrated that the changes in spore surface ultrastructure during germination are correlated with profound modifications of molecular interactions: while dormant spores showed no adhesion with the AFM probe, germinating spores exhibited strong adhesion forces, of 9 +/- 2 nN magnitude. These forces are attributed to polysaccharide binding and suggested to be responsible for spore aggregation. This study represents the first direct characterization of the surface ultrastructure and molecular interactions of living fungal spores at the nanometer scale and offers new prospects for mapping microbial cell surface properties under native conditions.

Improved titers of retroviral vectors from the human FLYRD18 packaging cell line in serum- and protein-free medium.

The influence of serum on the production of retroviral vectors by the HT1080 human fibrosarcoma-derived packaging cell line FLYRD18 was investigated. A fourfold increase in virus titer was observed under serum-free conditions, as compared with medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum. A similar improvement was also seen for bulk transduction efficiency. Serum had a negative and dose-dependent effect on titer without affecting cell growth, virus stability, or infectivity. In contrast to virus from NIH 3T3-derived packaging cells [Hanenberg, H., et al. (1996). Nature Med. 2, 876-882], the FLYRD18-derived virus did not adhere to fibronectin or serum proteins adsorbed at the surface of culture flasks. Electron microscopy supports the conclusion that the effect of serum is at the level of virus production by the cells. Addition of soybean trypsin inhibitor had an inhibitory effect on virus production, while pretreatment of serum with trypsin was found to enhance the retroviral titer. These results suggest that protease inhibitors present in serum may be responsible for the inhibition of virus production. The exact mechanism remains, however, to be determined. As compared with medium supplemented with 10% serum, the combination of increased virus titer and absence of exogenous protein under serum-free conditions resulted in a 300-fold increase in the virus:total protein ratio in the supernatants harvested from the FLYRD18 packaging line. This improvement enhances prospects for further concentration and purification of the virus.

Immobilization of fungal spores by adhesion.

Immobilization of conidiospores of Phanerochaete chrysosporium by adhesion was investigated in static and flow conditions on flat and on porous supports. Reducing the electrostatic repulsion between the spores and the support by adsorption of polycations on the support allows a better adhesion efficiency and a higher density of adhering spores and does not affect germination and growth. Formation of spore aggregates either in the suspension (high ionic strength) or on the support tends to decrease the surface coverage and to give an inhomogeneous distribution of adhering spores due to detachment of aggregates. The density of spores adhering from a flowing suspension is lower as compared with static conditions and does not exceed about 2% of surface coverage; this is due to the influence of tangential forces, to the short contact time with the surface, and to perturbation of the hydrodynamics along the surface by the previously immobilized spores. Obtaining a high coverage of the support by immobilized spores requires the absence of a tangential motion. (c) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

[Quality of life of patients during treatment of type I diabetes. Importance of a questionnaire focused on the subjective quality of life]. / Qualité de vie des patients au cours du traitement du diabète de type 1. Intérêt d'un questionnaire centré sur la qualité de vie subjective.

The aims of this study were 1) to study the quality of life in diabetic patients receiving one of two different forms of insulin delivery and 2) to check in this disease, the reliability and responsiveness of a questionnaire (SQLP: subjective quality of life profile) which we have previously used and validated in other pathological states. A total of 743 Type 1 diabetic subjects, receiving two different forms of insulin injection completed this questionnaire twice, at a monthly interval. These patients stressed a certain number of somatic manifestations as well as their difficulty to move around or perform every-day life activities. The results from this trial show that the questionnaire was capable of demonstrating that the easiest mode of insulin injection was selectively and significantly related to a higher satisfaction with being able to move around.

Detection of rodlets in the outer wall region of conidiospores of Phanerochaete chrysosporium.

The surface morphology of the conidiospores of Phanerochaete chrysosporium was investigated using freeze-etching. A multilayered structure composed of rodlets was detected. The rodlets had a diameter of 10.2 +/- 0.5 nm and were organised as long parallel fibres. Granules, smooth materials, and bark-like structures were found to cover part of this rodlet layer. During germination, the outer pellicle of the spore wall became fragmented and residual aggregates with rodlets were disseminated on the new conidiospore surface. The latter, as well as the germ tube, was composed of fibrillar material.

Evaluation of treatment effects on patients' quality of life: what approach? From the concepts to the instruments.

A critical review of currently used methods to evaluate quality of life in therapeutic trials (economic approach and medical approach) is presented. A new approach focused on subjective quality of life was developed. As efficient as the others it has the advantage to refer to a greater extent to the initial concepts which contributed to the emergence of this new field of research and to bring forward the patient point of view.

Crisis intervention in depressed patients with and without DSM-III-R personality disorders.

We compared the relationships between response to a crisis intervention program and long-term outcome in 31 depressed outpatients with and without DSM-III-R personality disorders (PD). The presence of PD predicted a poorer 2-year outcome. PD subjects with better working alliance and increased insight at termination of crisis intervention had increased compliance with long-term psychiatric treatment (p < .005) and better 2-year outcome (p < .005). Increased compliance with long-term psychiatric treatment predicted better long-term outcome in PD patients (p < .005). None of these significant relationships was observed in the comparison group without PD, suggesting that establishing an effective treatment process may be especially important for outcome in PD patients.

Surface properties of the conidiospores of Phanerochaete chrysosporium and their relevance to pellet formation.

The conidiospores of the white rot basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium tend to aggregate during swelling and germination in agitated liquid medium; as time passes, the initial aggregates tend to associate together and to capture conidiospores that remain isolated. The surface chemical compositions of the conidiospores and of developed hyphae were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The data were interpreted by modelling the surface in terms of proteins, polysaccharides and hydrocarbonlike compounds. The surface molecular composition of the dormant conidiospores was estimated to be about 45% proteins, 20% carbohydrates, and 35% hydrocarbonlike compounds. There was an increase in the polysaccharide content during germination. Later, when the hyphae were developed, the polysaccharide content became still higher, and the protein content dropped. The initial step of aggregation is attributed to polysaccharide bridging; its occurrence cannot be explained by a change of the overall hydrophobicity or electrical properties of the conidiospores.

[Childhood difficulties: representations by the family and caregivers; value of interviews]. / Les difficultés de l'enfant: représentations de la famille et des soignants; intérêt d'une enquête.

This investigation was conducted in 7 consultation centers in child psychiatry of the Lyon region (France). The aim was to evaluate the influence of the care professional's response to the demands of the consulting party, on the evolution of the child. The investigation is based on what is said about the difficulties of the child, as manifested in the way care professionals, parents and children perceive them. Relevant instruments and a reliable methodology are used in assessing these various parameters. Results indicate that what happens in the first interview might be more important than the effective type of intervention in determining the evolution of the subsequent intervention.

[Crisis intervention: assessment process and long-term follow-up of patients]. / Intervention de crise: processus de focalisation et évolution à long terme des patients.

The aim of this work, which was performed in a Crisis Centre in Geneva, Switzerland, was to study the relationship between a patient's long-term follow-up and the range of the patient's difficulties as assessed during screening by a clinician. Out of the 78 patients who were referred to the Centre during a two-month period in 1985, 31 were followed-up during a complete crisis intervention program. All these patients with severe symptoms would have been hospitalized if they had not been transferred to this program. The clinician's opinion of these patients' difficulties was obtained by using a questionnaire containing open-response questions. The data obtained was then subjected to specific content analysis. The patients' clinical state, diagnosis and changes during therapy were also assessed, using various questionnaires. Our results show that there is a negative correlation between the number or range of difficulties attributed and noted by the clinician and the long-term evolution of the patient, especially after two years. This relationship is dependent on the number, not the type of difficulties noted. Thus, although it is not possible to generalize these results, we have shown that it is possible to study parameters involved in the process of a psychotherapeutic-type treatment, using a questionnaire. We have also shown that crisis intervention can be considered as an especially interesting analogue of the early steps of psychotherapy, spread over a longer period. This is an aspect which is rarely studied.

[Study of the uni-dimensionality of the Yesavage-Brinck geriatric depression scale. Comparison between classical methods and Rasch's model]. / Etude sur l'unidimensionnalité de l'échelle de dépression gériatrique de Yesavage et Brink. Comparaison entre méthodes classiques et modèle de Rasch.

The authors present a contribution to the french validation of the self-rating questionnaire of the depression in the elderly proposed by Yesavage and Brink (1982), the Geriatric Depression Scale (30 items). This study focusses on the assessment of the homogeneity and of the unidimensionality of this scale. 99 aged women living in old-people homes or attending a geriatric somatic day-hospital, not known to be psychiatrically ill, filled the GDS and were interviewed by either a psychiatrist or by a clinical psychologist. This interview yielded 44 cases of Major Depressive Disorder or of Dysthymia (DSM III). Firstly, we have applied the classical correlational methods of assessment of scale Reliability and Construct Validity: Cronbach's coefficient alpha and item-total correlations (homogeneity) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) without rotation. Then, we have performed a Rasch Model Analysis: this method which belongs to the general frame of Latent Trait Theory relies on a probabilistic model of subject's response to individual questions. In the Rasch model, the response probability of a given subject to a given item is a logistic function of the difference between the item location parameter and the subject location parameter along a single continuous latent dimension. Our results have shown that the Cronbach's alpha was very high (.902) and that the item-total correlations were quite satisfactory (mean .470), thus giving a strong impression of homogeneity (similar to unidimensionality for many authors).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Quality of life assessment in therapeutic trials: rationale for and presentation of a more appropriate instrument.

In therapeutic trials, quality of life studies are usually based on a health model which results in a restrictive view. Therefore, it is important to clearly define the concept of the quality of life, since ambiguous concepts can alter the results. The key to this problem is the clear distinction between the two components of the quality of life, ie subjective and objective. This latter component is the only one considered in the current medical approach. The use of the subjective quality of life introduces a number of methodological problems not found when the objective quality of life is assessed, and thus requires a specific model which can be derived from the model of life goals used by sociologists. This model is presented here and illustrated with some results obtained with a new questionnaire, the Subjective Quality of Life Profile (SQLP) questionnaire. We suggest that both subjective and objective quality of life studies should be considered in order to emphasize the humanistic approach to therapeutic indications.

[Outcome of care in a pediatric psychiatry outpatient clinic: "photography" of seven consultation centers]. / Le parcours des consultants en pédopsychiatrie: "photographie" de sept centres de consultation.

A survey was carried out on 7 pedopsychiatric outpatient centres in the area of Lyon in order to evaluate the general outcome of care in consulting children and their families. Five public centres (centres médico-psychologiques) and 2 non-profit making private centres (centre médico-psychopédagogiques and centre d'action médico-sociale précoce) were part of the survey which included 706 children and adolescents. The survey showed that many children stop attending these centres; although, the numbers were significantly higher in the public centres compared with the non-profit making private centres. The authors suggest that differences in status and management between the two types of centres, leading to different conditions of functioning, on a practical as well as on a symbolic level, may be responsible, at least in part, for the different outcome in care between the 2 types of centres.

[Research on psychotherapies. Methodology]. / Recherche sur les psychothérapies. Méthodologie.

"Assessment" (of outcome and of factors of outcome) and "psychotherapy" are first defined. Although the aims of these surveys are deeply varying depending on their initiators (therapists or administrations), they share the same objects and the same methodological problems. This common problematic is specific, different from those prevailing for epidemiology or therapeutic trials; it also varies depending on the psychiatric and cultural background (for instance, depending on the side of the ocean). The choice of variables is discussed for objects (patients, families, therapists, institutions), sources (self and hetero-questionnaires) and exploratory levels (from symptoms to subjective quality of life). This leads to the choice of instruments, the interest of open ended questions and specific modalities of responses being emphasized. After a discussion of several methods of outcome assessment, the study of factors of change includes a comparison of the naturalistic and experimental approaches. Although these studies encounter some risks and limitations, they have an obvious clinical interest.

[The questionnaire "Profile of the subjective quality of life". First data of validation]. / Le questionnaire "Profil de la qualité de la vie subjective" (PQVS). Premiers éléments de validation.

The questionnaire "Profile of the Subjective Quality of Life" (in french, PQVS) is devoted to the assessment of quality of life in therapeutic trials. On a sample of 588 subjects, factorial analysis confirm that it is not restricted to the assessment of the health, as most of the instruments actually available for that purpose. Its internal consistency is high. Correlations clearly show that its specific questions assessing the degrees of a) satisfaction and b) involvement (concerning each item) are clearly understood as having different meanings. Multiple regressions demonstrate that these specific questions strongly contribute to the explanation of the global quality of life or of the satisfaction concerning each item. Its reliability is good. It is very well accepted, and completed in no more than 15 to 30 minutes. This questionnaire is thus matching the criteria defining an effective assessment of the quality of life.

Incidence of large oesophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis: application to prophylaxis of first bleeding.

Because several studies have suggested that beta blockers are effective in the prophylaxis of first variceal bleeding in cirrhosis, screening for oesophageal varices might be appropriate. We prospectively studied 84 cirrhotic patients without obvious evidence of large oesophageal varices and previous bleeding during a mean follow up of 16 months. At entry to the study 41 patients had no oesophageal varices and in 43 these were grade 1. The subsequent percentages of patients without large oesophageal varices were 74% at one year and 52% at two years. Univariate analysis showed that a longer duration of cirrhosis (p less than 0.05) and grade 1 oesophageal varices at entry (p less than 0.001) were predictive factors for the occurrence of large oesophageal varices, whereas, multivariate analysis showed that the initial size of the oesophageal varices (p less than 0.001), a high initial Child-Pugh score, and a smaller improvement in Child-Pugh score during the study were independent risk factors. Among patients with grades 0 and 1 oesophageal varices at the start of the study the proportions with large oesophageal varices at two years were 31% and 70% respectively. We have calculated that, accepting a maximum risk of first bleeding of 10% without prophylactic treatment, a patient without oesophageal varices should be screened endoscopically every other year, while a patient with grade 1 disease should benefit from one annual upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Development and use of a self-administered questionnaire for assessment of psychologic attitudes toward pregnancy and their relation to a subsequent premature birth.

This paper describes both the development of and results of the use of a self-administered questionnaire designed specifically to investigate the relation between the psychologic attitudes of pregnant women toward pregnancy and an eventual subsequent premature birth. The questionnaire (entitled Pregnancy Psychologic Attitudes Test--in relation to Premature Birth [PPAT(p)]) was derived from the synthesis of interviews with women who had given birth prematurely, comprised 40 questions grouped in six dimensions, and was used in a prospective survey. All women who had an antenatal visit in their fifth to sixth month of pregnancy in one of four maternity hospitals in Lyon, France, between October 1983 and March 1985 were asked to complete this questionnaire. A quantitative PPAT(p) score (ranging from 0 to 6) was constructed in a working sample (n = 643), and its relation with a subsequent premature birth was analyzed in a study sample (n = 1,500). Application of the logistic regression model showed, after controlling for personal and medical factors, that this relation was statistically significant. The risk of premature birth increased from 1 to 1.5 when the PPAT(p) score increased one point (p less than 0.001). This study contributes to a better understanding of psychologic factors that may affect pregnant women and be associated with premature birth. This new component must be considered in the development of policies for preventing premature birth.

[Functional study, in man, of congestive gastropathy in cirrhosis by measurement of potential difference]. / Etude fonctionnelle, chez l'homme, de la gastropathie congestive au cours de la cirrhose par la mesure de la différence de potentiel.

The morphologic features of the gastric mucosa in patients with cirrhosis have been well investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate its functional disruption by measuring the gastric potential difference. Forty patients were investigated, 12 control subjects and 28 consecutive cirrhotic patients with endoscopically proved congestive gastropathy. Potential difference was measured the morning, on an empty stomach, at least 3 days after endoscopy; the method used a double channel gastric perfused probe placed under fluoroscopy 10 cm above the cardia, and a subcutaneous reference, both connected to a millivoltimeter via gelose agar-KCl bridges. Potential difference was recorded in each case 20 min before (baseline) and after local instillation of lysine acetylsalicylate (500 mg) as a provocative test. Cirrhotic patients had significantly lower basal potential difference than controls (-28.3 +/- 1.5 mV vs -33.8 +/- 1.3mV, p = 0.007). Potential difference was significantly lower in patients with severe gastropathy than in patients with mild gastropathy (-20.5 +/- 2.1 and -28.9 +/- 1.6 mV, respectively, p less than 0.01). After stimulation with acetylsalicylate, the area under curve and the irritability index were greater in patients with gastropathy (81.4 +/- 12.8 vs 41.2 +/- 8.6 mV.min, p = 0.032 and 0.935 +/- 0.19 vs 0.290 +/- 0.07 mV.mV.min, p = 0.022, respectively). These differences were explained by a higher drop in potential difference (delta DPmax/baseline; 28.1 +/- 3 vs 16.1 +/- 3 p. 100, p = 0.006) whereas basal return time remained unchanged (16.2 +/- 2.1 vs 13.7 +/- 2.2 min).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)