Identification of inhibitor-of-differentiation 2 (Id2) as a modulator of neuronal apoptosis.

Inhibitor-of-differentiation 2 (Id2) belongs to a family of transcriptional modulators that are characterized by a helix loop helix region but lack the basic amino acid domain. During development, Id2 antagonizes differentiation mediated by the retinoblastoma protein, probably by scavenging downstream E-box basic helix-loop-helix proteins. Here, using differential display RT-PCR, we identify Id2 as an induced gene during serum and potassium deprivation-induced apoptosis of cerebellar granule neurons. Consistent with a biological role for induced Id2 messenger RNA and protein expression in neuronal cell death, expression of Id2 antisense RNA, or targeted deletion of the Id2 gene in neurons from Id2 knock-out mice, protect from apoptosis. Further, gene transfer- mediated overexpression of Id2 induces neuronal cell death both in high potassium and low potassium conditions. Thus, the present study defines a role for Id2 in the modulation of neuronal apoptosis.

Homeopathic Arnica in postoperative haematomas: a double-blind study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether homeopathic Arnica can reduce postoperative haematomas in venous surgery. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective, multicentric, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: 130 consecutive patients undergoing saphenous stripping (204 legs), hospitalized in a clinic. INTERVENTIONS: A homeopathic medicine (Arnica CH5) and an indistinguishable placebo, administered sublingually by a nurse the night before and immediately after the operation. OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical evaluation of haematomas 6 days postoperatively. RESULTS: Groups were well matched (sex, age, history of bleeding or thrombosis, drug intake, previous intake of homeopathic drugs, type of operation and anaesthesia, operator). One drop-out has been replaced. No statistically significant difference in postoperative haematomas was found between the Arnica and placebo groups (p = 0.342). Subanalysis of all other items did not reveal any statistical difference either. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, with this dosage, we did not observe any preventive effect of homeopathic Arnica CH5 on poststripping haematomas.

Evidence for interaction of the fusion protein alpha-SNAP with membrane lipid.

alpha-SNAP [soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF)-attachment protein] is required for fusion of transport vesicles with their target membrane. In this study, we have examined the membrane-binding properties of alpha-SNAP. We have found that in several tissues a much larger amount of alpha-SNAP per unit weight of protein is bound to membranes than is free in the cytosol. Biochemical analysis shows that a fraction of alpha-SNAP behaves in ways characteristic of hydrophobic, lipid-associated proteins. These findings suggest that membrane binding may be accounted for, at least in part, by interaction with membrane lipid. Consistent with this idea, binding of newly synthesized alpha-SNAP to brain membranes was found to be independent of functional SNAP receptors and could be accounted for by direct binding of alpha-SNAP to membrane lipid. Furthermore, membrane lipid enhanced the ability of alpha-SNAP to stimulate NSF-dependent ATPase activity.

[Quantitative measure of the output of the deep abdominal vessels with a new device Duplex. Preliminary results]. / Mesure quantitative du débit de vaisseaux abdominaux profonds par un nouvel appareil Duplex. Résultats préliminaires.

Deep abdominal vessels blood flow can be measured noninvasively with the relation Q = V x A, where Q = flow, V = blood velocity and A = area of the considered vessel. In most Duplex devices, V is only calculated as a mean by the Doppler effect and A estimated by an echograph. Our newly developed multi-gated pulsed Doppler provides the velocity profile across the vessel, so minimizing errors in flow determination. On fifty healthy volunteers, we found flow of 717 +/- 238 ml/min for the portal vein, 1594 +/- 293 ml/min for the upper abdominal aorta and 794 +/- 168 ml/min for the lower aorta. These results are obtained through many technical and practical problems, but are feasible, even if still subject to errors. Further investigation will determine if the technique is also suitable for patients. Better assessment of deep abdominal vessels hemodynamics may be expected.

[Gastroesophageal reflux: long-term results of surgical management]. / Reflux gastro-oesophagien: résultats à long terme du traitement chirurgical.

73 patients presenting with hiatus hernia and reflux oesophagitis verified endoscopically, were controlled and checked by endoscopy 5 to 15 years after surgical correction of reflux. In half of these cases the intervention consisted of a "fundoplicatio" and in the other half, of a "hemi-fundoplicatio" or closure of the angle of His. The long-term results show a higher degree of efficiency of the "fundoplicatio" particularly that which concerns the curing of the oesophagitis. The adjunction of a vagotomy-pyloroplasty in 9 patients showed an increase in the frequency of bile reflux in the stomach. The absence of cancer in the oesophagus in the 73 patients controlled after a period of many years, suggests that correction of the reflux and of the oesophagitis constitutes a high measure of efficiency.