About A Rare Cause Of Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Introduction: Primary hyperparathyroïdism is observed in 35 to 44 subjects/ 100000 persons. The increased production of parathyroid hormones is secondary to primary glandular modifications consisting mainly in adenomas. The authors report a clear-cell hyperplasia causing primary hyperparathyroidism. Observation: We report the case of a 25-year-old man who was admitted to explore pathologic fractures of the left arm and a malignant hypercalcaemia. Complementary laboratory tests revealed primary hyperparathyroidism. A multiple endocrine neoplasia was excluded by radiologic examinations. Cervical ultra-sound examination revealed 2 parathyroid adenomas and per-operative exploration showed 3 « adenomas ». Microscopic examination of the 4 parathyroid glands specimen concluded to a clear cell hyperplasia. Conclusion: Clear cell hyperplasia is a benign cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. The diagnosis is based upon histologic findings and examination of the 4 glands

MVA.85A Boosting of BCG and an Attenuated, phoP Deficient M. tuberculosis Vaccine Both Show Protective Efficacy Against Tuberculosis in Rhesus Macaques

BACKGROUND: Continuous high global tuberculosis (TB) mortality rates and variable vaccine efficacy of Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) motivate the search for better vaccine regimes. Relevant models are required to downselect the most promising vaccines entering clinical efficacy testing and to identify correlates of protection. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Here, we evaluated immunogenicity and protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in rhesus monkeys with two novel strategies: BCG boosted by modified vaccinia virus Ankara expressing antigen 85A (MVA.85A), and attenuated M. tuberculosis with a disrupted phoP gene (SO2) as a single-dose vaccine. Both strategies were well tolerated, and immunogenic as evidenced by induction of specific IFNgamma responses. Antigen 85A-specific IFNgamma secretion was specifically increased by MVA.85A boosting. Importantly, both MVA.85A and SO2 treatment significantly reduced pathology and chest X-ray scores upon infectious challenge with M. tuberculosis Erdman strain. MVA.85A and SO2 treatment also showed reduced average lung bacterial counts (1.0 and 1.2 log respectively, compared with 0.4 log for BCG) and significant protective effect by reduction in C-reactive protein levels, body weight loss, and decrease of erythrocyte-associated hematologic parameters (MCV, MCH, Hb, Ht) as markers of inflammatory infection, all relative to non-vaccinated controls. Lymphocyte stimulation revealed Ag85A-induced IFNgamma levels post-infection as the strongest immunocorrelate for protection (spearman's rho: -0.60). CONCLUSIONS: Both the BCG/MVA.85A prime-boost regime and the novel live attenuated, phoP deficient TB vaccine candidate SO2 showed significant protective efficacy by various parameters in rhesus macaques. Considering the phylogenetic relationship between macaque and man and the similarity in manifestations of TB disease, these data support further development of these primary and combination TB vaccine candidates

Electrochemical characterization of self-assembled monolayer films of metallophtalocyanines complexes for hydroquinone detection

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Ab initio calculations of electronic structure of the BaCs molecule: adiabatic potential energy curves, spectroscopic constants, spin–orbit effect and permanent and transition electric dipole moments

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Leishmaniose endonasale primitive à Leishmania infantum MON-80 en Tunisie

International audienceBackground. - Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in Central and South America. It causes massive mutilating and disfiguring lesions and can lead to destruction of facial structures. In Tunisia, leishmaniasis of the mucous membranes is rare, usually developing as a complication of cutaneous leishmaniasis via direct extension. We report the first case in Tunisia of isolated and primary nasal leishmaniasis. Case report. - A 70-year-old man with a history of nephrectomy for renal lithiasis was seen with a painless nodule that had been present for one month. The latter was erythematous, polypoid and firm, with a diameter of 2 cm, and was situated in the right endonasal mucosa. The diagnosis of leishmaniasis was confirmed by histological and direct examinations revealing high numbers of amastigotes of Leishmania. Culture of the offending organism in NNN medium and isoenzymatic characterization resulted in identification of MON-80 Leishmania infantum leishmaniasis. The outcome was good with treatment, and the nodule was deflated after six months. Discussion. - There have been few reports of similar cases of primary and isolated mucosal leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum. Our case is also unusual in that zymodeme MON80 is only rarely a cause of Mediterranean leishmaniasis. (c) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits reserves

EIS field effect structures functionalized by p-tert-butylcalix[6]arene for Ni2+ detection

The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TXG-4D9DFG8-1&_user=884697&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000047341&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=884697&md5=82925c8b0d6d8e4037c2d52c5965cafaInternational audienceIn this work, we present the modification of above structures with a thin layer of p-tert-butyl-calix[6]arene deposited by spin-coating process. Capacitance and impedance measurements show that this sensitive thin films can he used to nickel detection. It is shown that developed chemical sensors with silicon nitride insulating substrate exhibit good stability due to the excellent adhesion of the film, high sensitivity and good selectivity. These interesting performances could not be achieved in the case of spin-coated p-tert-butyl-calix[6]arene thin layer on Si/SiO2 heterostructure treated in the same conditions. The results were simulated by an extended site binding model which carry out that the sensitivity of the sensor is due to electrochemical phenomena between the functionalized surface and the ions of the m he electrolyte. To analyze electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results and determine fundamental physical processes which govern the response of the system, an electrical equivalent circuit is proposed

Impedance spectroscopic investigations of ITO modified by new azo-calix[4]arene immobilised into an electroconducting polymer (MEH-PPV)

International audienceA sensing material based on calix[4]arene molecules (Azo-C[4]) dispersed in a conjugated polymer (MEHPPV) is deposited by spin coating onto a transparent conducting substrate (ITO) to fabricate new chemical sensors. The electrochemical properties of the sensor are investigated by impedance spectroscopy. Transfer and ion diffusion processes of metal cations (Cu2+, Eu3+) in the Azo-C[4]-MEHPPV membranes are studied. The calixarene molecule behaviour into the polymer membranes is characterised by impedance spectroscopy showing the cation complexation by both, Azo-calix[4]arene and MEHPPV, components of the membrane. The differences in selectivity are found to be represented by variations in the bulk resistance of the membrane (Rm) and in the charge transfer resistance (Rtc) of the interface. The impedance behaviour of the Azo-C[4]-MEHPPV electrodes is modelled by an equivalent electrical circuit. Optical excitation tests of these membranes show that the sensing activity of the calixarene molecules entrapped in the polymer matrix is preserved