Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy of the binding of nucleotide excision repair protein XPC-hHr23B with DNA substrates.

The interaction of the nucleotide excision repair (NER) protein dimeric complex XPC-hHR23B, which is implicated in the DNA damage recognition step, with three Cy3.5 labeled 90-bp double-stranded DNA substrates (unmodified, with a central unpaired region, and cholesterol modified) and a 90-mer single-strand DNA was investigated in solution by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Autocorrelation functions obtained in the presence of an excess of protein show larger diffusion times (tau (d)) than for free DNA, indicating the presence of DNA-protein bound complexes. The fraction of DNA bound (theta), as a way to describe the percentage of protein bound to DNA, was directly estimated from FCS data. A significantly stronger binding capability for the cholesterol modified substrate (78% DNA bound) than for other double-stranded DNA substrates was observed, while the lowest affinity was found for the single-stranded DNA (27%). This is in accordance with a damage recognition role of the XPC protein. The similar affinity of XPC for undamaged and 'bubble' DNA substrates (58% and 55%, respectively) indicates that XPC does not specifically bind to this type of DNA substrate comprising a large (30-nt) central unpaired region.

[Atypical abdominal pain in the first trimester of pregnancy]. / Douleurs abdominales atypiques au premier trimestre de la grossesse.

We report the case of a 22-year-old woman who presented a violent epigastric pain at eight-weeks gestation. Superior mesenteric vein thrombosis was detected, with an extension to portal vein and remaining blood flow. Screening for thrombophilia revealed a heterozygote prothrombin gene mutation. Portal vein thrombosis is uncommon and difficult to diagnose. Diagnosis is made by Doppler ultrasound, a second intention test to be done in case of unusual upper abdominal pain during pregnancy.

Cardiolipin packing ability studied by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction.

We report a grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) study of pure and mixed Langmuir monolayers of tetramyristoyl cardiolipin (TMCL) and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) at 22 degrees C. The mixing behavior of the two components was investigated at two different surface pressures, 4 and 25mNm(-1). Cardiolipins are found to be in a liquid-condensed (LC) phase at 4mNm(-1) whereas the DPPC molecules appear disordered. At 25mNm(-1), cardiolipins are in a solid phase with their aliphatic chains perpendicular to the interface whereas the DPPC molecules are in the LC phase. At this surface pressure, increasing the amounts of TMCL to DPPC leads to a reduction in tilt angle of the aliphatic chains from nearly 30 degrees for pure DPPC to almost 0 degrees in a 1:1 molar ratio of DPPC and TMCL. At this composition, we also found the closest packing of the aliphatic chains. Further increase of the amount of TMCL does not change the lattice or the tilt and the thermodynamic analysis confirms a partial phase separation. Such a behavior was not observed at 4mNm(-1) where the two phospholipids are miscible at all the compositions studied. Addition of TMCL clearly induces a structuring of the mixed monolayers and increases order by a tight packing in the lipid acyl chains.

Surface enhanced Raman scattering of a lipid Langmuir monolayer at the air-water interface.

Surface enhanced Raman spectra were recorded from a phospholipid monolayer directly at the air-water interface. We used an organized monolayer of negatively charged tetramyristoyl cardiolipins as a template for the electrochemical generation of silver deposits. This two-dimensional electrodeposition of silver under potentiostatic control was the substrate for enhancement of Raman spectra. We report the optimized conditions for the Raman enhancement, the microscopic observations of the deposits, and their characterization by atomic force microscopy. Laser excitation at 514.5 nm leads to intense and reproducible surface enhanced Raman scattering spectra recorded in situ from one monolayer of cardiolipin, using 0.5 mol % of 10N nonyl acridine orange or 5 mol % of acridine in the film, and demonstrates the possibility of estimating the pH at the metal/phospholipidic film interface.

[Quality. A universal story, as old as the hills]. / La qualité. Une histoire universelle, vieille comme le monde.

If one were to define Quality today, it would be tempting simply to refer to ISO Norm 9000-2000 where quality is described as the aptitude of the intrinsic characteristics of a product, a system, or a process to satisfy the demands of clients and other interested parties. What is more interesting is to understand how the present notion of quality was fashioned. The process has involved several phases requiring centuries of experience. The idea of checking was first brought forward during an early phase, which ran from the invention of writing to the beginning of the 20th century. This first phase developed slowly and was marked by the invention of measuring instruments and standards. It saw the birth of industrial production which deprived the craftsman of the produced article. The second phase brought forward the notion that checking alone is insufficient. This led to a new concept, Quality Assurance, made possible by the development of mathematical tools (statistics) aimed at controlling the production process. The next phase first appeared in Japan. Faced with the problem of industrial reconstruction after World War II, the Japanese developed a new mode of production management where the two notions of checking and quality assurance were integrated into very concept of the industrial firm. The last phase corresponds to the response of western industry to Japanese competition. Quality is now conceived as a strategic marketing tool playing an essential role in management. Tracing the history of Quality to its origin in ancient times raises the intriguing question as to its profound, possibly archetypic, source.

The lower labial branches of the mental nerve: anatomic variations and surgical relevance.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the cause of injuries of the lower labial branches (LLB) of the mental nerve (MN) after biopsy of minor salivary glands (BMSG), labial nodule excision, or symphyseal bone procedures using a labial approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-two MN were dissected in 16 cadavers to trace the labial branches. The following factors were recorded: 1) the number of LLB; 2) the angle between the medial LLB and the fibers of the orbicularis oris muscle; 3) the anastomoses between the lateral branches; and 4) the midline crossover innervation of the LLB. The number of branches on each side, as well as values of the angle between the nerves and superficial fibers of the orbicularis oris muscle, were compared using the Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: The mean number of LLB was 2 (SEM, 1; range, 1 to 4); the average angle between the medial LLB and the fibers of the orbicularis oris muscle was 36 degrees (SEM, 2 degrees ), without any statistical difference between the two sides (P = .78); an anastomosis between the 2 lateral branches of the LLB was observed in only 1 case; and the mean midline crossover innervation of the LLB was 25% (SEM, 14%) of the intercommisural distance. This crossover innervation was present only on the ventral surface of the lip. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that injuries to the LLB could be prevented if the incision(s) are made horizontally on the dorsal aspect of the lower lip, and the angle between the incision and the long axis of the lip is approximately 36 degrees . In the case of symphyseal bone procedures using a labial route, a "U"-shaped incision parallel to the LLB is suggested.

In-vitro activity of spiramycin and metronidazole alone or in combination against clinical isolates from odontogenic abscesses.

One hundred and forty-eight isolates of bacteria from 20 intraoral odontogenic abscesses were tested for their susceptibility to spiramycin and metronidazole alone or in combination. All isolates, except Rothia spp. (one), Enterococcus avium (three), Haemophilus parainfluenzae (one) and Staphylococcus aureus (one) were sensitive to spiramycin and/or metronidazole. Among the anaerobes, spiramycin as well as metronidazole showed good antimicrobial activity against species of Prevotella, Eubacterium, Peptostreptococcus, Bacteroides and Porphyromonas. All the aerobes were resistant to metronidazole. A potential synergic effect was found in 17% of the clinical isolates tested, as the MICs of spiramycin and metronidazole for 25 isolates (21 isolates of Eubacterium, two of lactobacilli, one strain of Peptostreptococcus sp. and one Clostridium clostridiiforme) were significantly reduced by the addition of the other antibiotic.

The mandibular body bone (MBB) graft: an alternative source of membranous bone.

The use of mandibular body bone (MBB) as an alternative source of membranous bone graft is described. The MBB technique is a simple, safe and rapid method of obtaining cortical bone for grafting. Furthermore MBB is membranous bone, which has been reported to be more dimensionally stable after grafting than is endochondral bone. The donor site is more readily accessible than is that for cranial bone, the other source of membranous bone. Two 1.5 x 3 cm rectangular grafts are generally available. We recommend the use of MBB in situations where the technique provides sufficient bone.

[Allergic manifestations]. / Manifestations allergiques.

Physiologic principles, mediators, drugs and biologic agents involved in allergic reactions such as skin eruptions, local swelling and anaphylaxis are exposed. Then, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and preventive modalities are described.

[Behavioral disturbances and psychosomatic manifestations]. / Troubles du comportement et manifestations psychosomatiques.

The psychological and psychiatrical behaviour troubles and the psychosomatical manifestations are very frequent in dental and oral surgery practice. Their variable expression is sometimes confuse for the practitioner who should quickly find the differential diagnosis with the imperative medical emergency. His attitude must be quiet and kind, still watching over the vital functions and waiting for the more frequent spontaneous favourable evolution.

[Vasovagal syndrome]. / Le malaise vaso-vagal.

The vaso-vagal syndrome, the most frequent accident may appear during dental treatments, can involve breve conscience loss. In case of important bradycardia, the medical treatment consists in an intravenous injection of atropine sulfate. Prevention of this syndrome consists in an anxiolytic and/or vagolytic premedication.

[Emergency drugs]. / Médicaments d'urgence.

After setting the essential rules of the emergency prescription in the dental office, the authors consider successively from a standpoint of properties, indications, contra-indications, danger of associating medications, presentation, use and posology. The medicines used in order to treat the different emergency situations that can arise in a dental practice.

[Hairy leukoplakia: current concepts]. / La leucoplasie chevelue: données actuelles.

Current data about oral hairy leukoplakia are reported. Clinical manifestations, histological and ultrastructural features and pathogenic mechanisms are firstly described. Then diagnosis are exposed. Finally, management is discussed.

Synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint possibly secondary to trauma. A case report.

A histologically confirmed case of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint associated with a glenoid fossa callus is described. The lesion appeared 6 years after trauma to the chin. Conservative surgical treatment without excision of the synovial membrane or meniscus but including arthroplasty of both the eminence and the lateral side of the glenoid fossa was successful. The possible role of trauma in the etiology of synovial chondromatosis is discussed.

[Etiopathology of dry socket: current data]. / Etiopathogénie de l'alvéolite sèche: données actuelles.

This review of the literature presents the current data and controversies regarding the etiology and pathogenesis of dry socket. After presenting arguments which support the theory of clot non-formation and those supporting its malformation, the thesis of fibrinolysis is discussed along with its mechanisms and origins. Finally, the various factors which could encourage this pathology are reviewed and the therapeutic and preventive management are presented.

Effects of quinolones on tumor necrosis factor production by human monocytes.

Previous studies have shown that in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human monocytes, interleukin 1 (IL-1) production is altered by quinoline derivative antibiotics (quinolones), in a way which depends both on the dose and on the agents used. Given that IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) are produced in response to LPS and have some overlapping and synergistic activities, we sought to determine if TNF production was altered under the above-mentioned conditions. We investigated the effects of three quinolones: ciprofloxacin (Cip), pefloxacin (Pef) and ofloxacin (Ofl). These quinolones were found to decrease extracellular TNF production in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations higher than 25 micrograms/ml as previously described by our laboratory with regard to IL-1 production. Moreover, the order of the extracellular decrease in TNF and IL-1 induced by each drug was similar. However, in contrast to IL-1 activity, the quinolones studied also reduced cell-associated TNF. The kinetics of TNF production suggested that the quinolones affected TNF production at a very early step, probably during TNF synthesis rather than during its secretion into the extracellular medium. Furthermore, the quinolone-induced accumulation of intracellular cAMP could explain the extracellular decrease in both IL-1 and TNF production.

[Alveolar anesthesia]. / L'anésthesie tubérositaire.

Tuberosity anesthesia is a loco-regional anesthesia aiming at anesthetizing with a single injection the superoposterior alveolar nerves, by approaching the maxillary tuberosity through a direct anteroexternal pathway. This anesthesia involves an area located behind the pyramidal process of the maxillary bone which includes the molars, gingival buccal mucosa, sinus bone and mucosa. Well-tolerated by the patient, since it is practically a painless procedure, tuberosity anesthesia is the preferred method to perform surgery in the posterior maxillary area. Its administration may be extended without condition to treatment of the upper molars: custy + crown + bridge preparations on vital teeth, pulpectomies, thanks to the rapid onset and efficacy of the anesthesia obtained. The only contraindication involves patients with vascular or hematologic disorders, ruling out procedures where a blood vessel might be injured with a needle. In that case, intraligamentary or transcortical instillation is indicated since para-apical anesthesia is not a valid alternative due to the proximity of the external alveolar artery.