Color image retrieval: from low-level representation to high-level concept.

This work takes place within the framework of color image retrieval in specialized databases. A CBIR scheme has been proposed allowing to use a description thanks to low-level features in the framework of a high-level concept using a knowledge management. Starting from a representation of the three most frequently used features i.e. color, texture and shape, cooperation techniques are proposed in order to use the expert knowledge in the combination process. Two types of cooperation have been defined; the first is without categorization and the second with categorization. The second approach allows to make a selection of the query category in order to simplify queries in large image databases. Finally, in order to avoid the standard relevance feedback stage, a competition technique has been proposed allowing an unsupervised refinement of the submitted query. The proposed techniques have shown their performances and their robustness and are generalizable to all types of image databases.

Study of the toxicity of a new lipid complex formulation of amphotericin B.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of a new lipid complex formulation of amphotericin B (LC-AmB) produced by a simple process. METHODS: Toxicity was evaluated after daily administration for 21 consecutive days in female CD1 mice. Doses of LC-AmB up to 20 mg/kg were used, and compared with Fungizone at 0.5 mg/kg and Abelcet at 10 mg/kg. Acute toxicity after a single bolus injection was also determined, as well as the haemolytic activity and toxicity to mouse macrophages in vitro. RESULTS: LC-AmB reduced both the haemolytic activity of amphotericin B and its toxicity towards mouse peritoneal macrophages. Its acute toxicity (LD50 > 200 mg/kg in CD1 mice) was similar to that in the literature for the least toxic lipid formulations of amphotericin B. The relative liver weight increased slightly in mice treated daily with a dose of 20 mg/kg LC-AmB, as did the kidney weight in this group and the group treated with Fungizone. There was also a dose-dependent decrease in the haematocrit with all formulations. All treatments caused significant increases in transaminase levels. Total hepatic CYP 450 was slightly but not significantly increased in the groups treated with 20 mg/kg LC-AmB, Abelcet and Fungizone. However, expression of some isoforms of CYP 450 was reduced, the most marked being the hepatic CYP 3A1 after treatment with 20 mg/kg LC-AmB, Abelcet and Fungizone. The effects on hepatic function are probably related to accumulation in organs rich in phagocytic cells. CONCLUSION: LC-AmB did not induce any new toxicity compared with Abelcet and Fungizone.

Reduction of no synthase expression and tumor necrosis factor alpha production in macrophages by amphotericin B lipid carriers.

The present study compared the abilities of different lipid carriers of amphotericin B (AMB) to activate murine peritoneal macrophages, as assessed by their capacities to produce nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). Although AMB alone did not induce NO production, synergy was observed with gamma interferon but not with lipopolysaccharide. This synergy could not be explained by the mobilization of the nuclear activation factor NF-kappaB by AMB. On the other hand, AMB induced TNF-alpha production without a costimulator and no synergy was observed. Anti-TNF-alpha antibodies did not influence NO production, and an inhibitor of NO synthase did not affect TNF-alpha production, indicating that the production of one of these effector molecules was independent of that of the other. The incorporation of AMB into lipid carriers reduced NO and TNF-alpha production with all formulations but more so with liposomes than with lipid complexes. NO production was correlated with the induction of NO synthase II, revealed by Western blotting. The extent of association of AMB with macrophages depended on the formulation, especially on the AMB/lipids ratio: the higher the ratio was, the greater the AMB association with macrophages. However, there was no clear correlation between AMB association with macrophages, whether internalized or bound to the membrane, and immunostimulating effects. These results may explain the reduced toxicities of lipid-based formulations of AMB.

[Apropos of a case of lesional pulmonary edema advancing to fibrosis with cartilage metaplasia]. / A propos d'un cas d'oedème pulmonaire lésionnel ayant évolué vers la fibrose avec métaplasie cartilagineuse.

The non-hemodynamic pulmonary oedema by increase alveolo-capillary permeability or Adult Respiratory distress Syndrome (ARDS), has many causes and determine an acute insufficiency respiratory who needed mechanic ventilation. It can above all progressing to interstitial fibrosis after deadly. The writer present lesional pulmonary oedema case which evolved to fibrosis in a 17 old patient. This patient has been operated for duodenal ulcer with bi-vagotomy and antrectomy and presented a post operatory shock. The particularity of this observation is The fibrosis evolution to an cartilaginous metaplasia. The lesional pulmonary oedema has usually serious prognosis because the mortality is from 50 to 80% in the literature review.

[Endosalpingosis: apropos of a case of colonic localization]. / L'endosalpingiose: à propos d'un cas à localisation colique.

The endosalpingosis is a benign affection which is in the most often asymptomatic. It means the presence of tubal mucosa in ectopic location; often in the tubal wall; the pelvic peritoneal and adjacent lymph node. We present here a colic endosalpingosis case with intestinal occlusion. We review in this purpose the literature, and discuss the etiopathogenicity. It shows that a previously tubal affection can have a great part in the birth of this pathology.

[Usefulness of combined captopril-labetalol treatment in resistant hypertension (author's transl)]. / Intérêt de l'association captopril et labétalol dans le traitement de l'hypertension réfractaire.

Fifteen patients with severe or malignant resistant arterial hypertension were treated by simultaneous administration of captopril and labetalol. Seven patients (group A) were given captopril alone and 8 patients (group B) labetalol alone without noticeable results. However, when the two drugs were given jointly a significant fall in mean arterial pressure from 165 +/- 19.8 (+/- 1 S.D.) to 102.4 +/- 15.1 mmHg (p less than 0.001) in group A patients and from 162.7 +/- 20 to 117 +/- 21.4 mmHg (p less than 0.05) in group B patients was observed. There were no significant changes in heart rate, a few side-effects were recorded. The captopril-labetalol combination may be considered as a useful alternative treatment of resistant arterial hypertension.

[Combined captopril and labetalol treatment of malignant arterial hypertension (author's transl)]. / Traitement de l'hypertension artérielle maligne par l'association captopril et labétalol.

Five patients with malignant arterial hypertension and terminal (3) or advanced (2) renal failure were treated with the alpha-beta blocker labetalol and the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril. Labetalol alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents had been ineffective in two cases and captopril alone in one; yet hypertension was rapidly controlled when the two drugs were given together. The return of blood pressure to normal levels brought about regression of digitalis-resistant cardiac failure in 2 patients and slight improvement of renal function in 2 other patients. The captopril-labetalol combination probably has a synergistic effect, and although its mechanism remains obscure this effect may be used to treat patients with severe or malignant arterial hypertension.