[Acute allergic colitis caused by ACTH]. / Colite allergique aiguë à l'ACTH.

The case of a woman suffering from urticaria of the colon is reported. The original endoscopic images were described and its allergic (corticotrophin) origin was documented through clinical arguments and in vivo and in vitro tests. The term acute allergic colitis seems to be more suitable taking into account the distribution, the cause and the development of this disease.

RNA structural elements for expression in Escherichia coli. Alpha 1-antitrypsin synthesis using translation control elements based on the cII ribosome-binding site of phage lambda.

Analysis of a series of lambda cII::alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT) gene fusions of different sizes showed that increased alpha 1AT expression correlated with the stabilisation of a particular computer-predicted RNA secondary structure. Moreover, significant synthesis of unfused alpha 1AT was achieved by reconstruction of this conformation to permit interaction between the upstream region of the ribosome-binding site and the first part of the alpha 1AT coding sequence. This high-level expression was dependent upon certain silent point mutations in the coding sequence, indicating that RNA primary and secondary structure determinants can operate in concert to dictate the efficiency of protein synthesis.

[Paraplegia with a cauda equina syndrome due to stenosis of the spinal canal caused by tabes arthropathy]. / Paraplésie avec syndrome de la queue de cheval due a une sténose du canal rachidien par arthropatie tabétique.

The authors present a case of cauda equina paraparesis due to compression by tabetic osteo-arthropathy. Diagnosis was confirmed by the typical clinical picture of tabes and by the history of a chancre 53 years earlier. Radiography of the spine showed vertibral osteo-arthropathy. Opaque contrast myelography showed compression at the D 11/D 12 and L 4/L 5 levels, with poor contrast filling athe the L 1/L 3 level. Surgical treatment by decompressive laminectomies from D 12 to L 4 led to a satisfactory result with motor recovery and regression of the cauda equina syndrome.