Photocatalytic abatement results from a model street canyon.

During the European Life+ project PhotoPAQ (Demonstration of Photocatalytic remediation Processes on Air Quality), photocatalytic remediation of nitrogen oxides (NOx), ozone (O3), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and airborne particles on photocatalytic cementitious coating materials was studied in an artificial street canyon setup by comparing with a colocated nonactive reference canyon of the same dimension (5 × 5 × 53 m). Although the photocatalytic material showed reasonably high activity in laboratory studies, no significant reduction of NOx, O3, and VOCs and no impact on particle mass, size distribution, and chemical composition were observed in the field campaign. When comparing nighttime and daytime correlation plots of the two canyons, an average upper limit NOx remediation of ≤2% was derived. This result is consistent only with three recent field studies on photocatalytic NOx remediation in the urban atmosphere, whereas much higher reductions were obtained in most other field investigations. Reasons for the controversial results are discussed, and a more consistent picture of the quantitative remediation is obtained after extrapolation of the results from the various field campaigns to realistic main urban street canyon conditions.

Construction of a photocatalytic de-polluting field site in the Leopold II tunnel in Brussels.

Within the framework of the European Life+-funded project PhotoPAQ (Demonstration of Photocatalytic remediation Processes on Air Quality), which was aimed at demonstrating the effectiveness of photocatalytic coating materials on a realistic scale, a photocatalytic de-polluting field site was set up in the Leopold II tunnel in Brussels, Belgium. For that purpose, photocatalytic cementitious materials were applied on the side walls and ceiling of selected test sections inside a one-way tunnel tube. This article presents the configuration of the test sections used and the preparation and implementation of the measuring campaigns inside the Leopold II tunnel. While emphasizing on how to implement measuring campaigns under such conditions, difficulties encountered during these extensive field campaigns are presented and discussed. This included the severe de-activation observed for the investigated material under the polluted tunnel conditions, which was revealed by additional laboratory experiments on photocatalytic samples that were exposed to tunnel air. Finally, recommendations for future applications of photocatalytic building materials inside tunnels are given.

Bioactive acridone alkaloids from Swinglea glutinosa.

A new prenylated acridone alkaloid, 1,3,5-trihydroxy-2,8-bis(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-10-methyl-9-acridone (1), was isolated from the stembark of Swinglea glutinosa, along with three known acridone alkaloids, 5-hydroxynoracronycine (2), 1,3,5-trihydroxy-4-methoxy-2-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-10-methyl-9-acridone (3), and 1,3,5-trihydroxy-4-methoxy-10-methylacridone (4). The isolated alkaloids were assessed in vitro against chloroquine-sensitive and -resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains and for cytotoxicity using HeLa cells.

[Multiple eccrine hydrocystomas of the eyelids in the framework of Schöpf syndrome. A case report]. / Hidrocystomes eccrines multiples des paupières dans le cadre du syndrome de Schöpf. A propos d'un cas.

Schöpf-Schultz-Passarge syndrome is a rare ectodermal dysplasia described by Schöpf in 1971. The disease is characterized by hypodontia, hypotrichosis, palmoplantar keratoderma, hypoplastic nails and eyelid hydrocystomas. We report the case of a 71-year-old man, the first French description of this syndrome, who remarkably presented all the signs. The patient also had skin tumors, multiple eccrime hidrocystomas and aspectific macular degeneration. A review of the literature is discussed.

[Pseudophakia and aptitude of aviation personnel]. / Pseudophakie et aptitude du personnel navigant.

UNLABELLED: Because of sensorial disruptions, aphakia post-cataract surgery is a cause of unfitness for the job of aeronautics flying personnel. Its correction thanks to intraocular lenses and a correct functional check-up permit to reconsider the fitness through a derogation given by the competent authorities. EQUIPMENT AND METHODS: The authors realized a retrospective study on the 5 last years. 27 flying personnel, 24 to 76 years old, went through a cataract surgery with implantation. The check-up includes a chemical exam completed by a morphoscopic, coloured and spatial study. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The files are more or less well-documented according to their origin. The flying personnel have an average of 4,010 flying hours. The average post-operative hindsight is 30 months. 3 wear intraocular lenses of rear chamber among which 1 is multifocal. 7 were examinated at the CPEMPN with satisfying morphoscopic, coloured and luminous sense compatible with the fitness. 4 are declared permanent unfit (1 professional pilot with bad results, 1 private pilot with other pathologies, 1 inexperienced stewardess getting through the admission visit with insufficient post-operative hindsight, 1 professional pilot declared unfit for its military activity in the reserve). 4 are qualified with restriction. 20 are qualified without restriction. CONCLUSION: The correction of aphakia with intraocular lenses permits in most cases to obtain good functional results compatible with the flying aptitude.

[Dacryocystography using CT and MRI. Comparative study apropos of 13 clinical cases]. / La dacryocystographie en TDM et IRM. Etude comparative à propos de 13 cas cliniques.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of a dacryocystography and a watersoluble computed tomographic dacryocystography were compared in 13 prospective cases after facial traumas, infections or without previous history. All had either watering eyes, ephiphora or dacryocystitis. This study demonstrated the superiority of computed tomography which must be used in first intention for complexe problems of the lacrimal drainage system. Only tumoral pathology (very rare) requires Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Combined computed tomography and dacryocystography in the same time provide diagnostic precision and less radiation. Confortable for the patient by helicoidal acquisition, computed tomography is cheaper than a Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

[Oculo-palpebral complication of vaccination. Review of the literature]. / Les complications oculo-palpébrales des vaccinations. Revue de la littérature.

Post-vaccination eyes and eyelid complications are seldom seen. Clinically different, they are not only due to the small-pox vaccination which is no longer performed but may also be seen with various kinds of viral vaccines as well as bacterial vaccines except for polymyelitis and tetanus. We believe that vaccination contraindications, direction for use and propylactic treatment are useful.

Dietary monounsaturated fatty acids enhance cholesterol efflux from human fibroblasts. Relation to fluidity, phospholipid fatty acid composition, overall composition, and size of HDL3.

This study was designed to determine whether modifications induced by dietary fats on the high-density lipoprotein3 (HDL3) physicochemical characteristics could affect cholesterol efflux and intracellular cholesterol content, leading to upregulation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor activity from cultured fibroblasts. Serum HDL3S were obtained from 12 healthy women aged 26 to 49 years who adhered to four 7-week isocaloric diets containing 30% of the caloric intake as fat. Of the total calories, 15.6% of each diet was provided by (1) milk fats, rich in saturated fatty acids; (2) sunflower oil, rich in n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids; (3) olive oil, rich in monounsaturated fatty acids; and (4) rapeseed oil, rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. HDL3 isolated after the monounsaturated fatty acid diet induced the greatest cellular [3H]free cholesterol efflux, reduced the content of intracellular cholesterol, and enhanced 125I-LDL degradation. Univariate regression analyses suggested that the increased capacity of HDL3 to promote cellular [3H]free cholesterol efflux was in part due to its greater fluidity, higher cholesteryl ester content, elevated linoleic to linolenic acid ratio in phospholipids, and its smaller size. In conclusion dietary fats induced physicochemical changes in HDL3, which strongly modulated cellular cholesterol homeostasis in vitro. These data also suggest a novel mechanism by which dietary fats exert their effect on atherosclerosis.

Betaine use by rhizosphere bacteria: genes essential for trigonelline, stachydrine, and carnitine catabolism in Rhizobium meliloti are located on pSym in the symbiotic region.

Rhizobium meliloti is known to use betaines synthesized by its host, Medicago sativa, as osmoprotectants and sources of energy. It is shown in the present report that the symbiotic megaplasmid (pSym) of R. meliloti RCR2011 encodes functions essential to the catabolism of three betaines, trigonelline (nicotinic acid N-methylbetaine), stachydrine (proline betaine or dimethylproline), and carnitine (gamma-trimethyl-beta-hydroxybutyrobetaine). Preliminary evidence is presented showing that functions on pSym also influence the catabolism of choline and its oxidative product, glycine betaine. Genes implicated in betaine catabolism are found in the symbiotic region of pSym. Trigonelline catabolism functions lie between two clusters of symbiotic genes, nifKDH and nok/fixVI'. Stachydrine and carnitine functions lie to the right of trigonelline catabolism functions, immediately to the right of fixVI'. Information necessary to choline and glycine betaine catabolism is probably encoded to the right of stachydrine catabolism functions.

Effects of dietary fats on the fluidity of human high-density lipoprotein: influence of the overall composition and phospholipid fatty acids.

The present study was undertaken to analyze whether the changes induced by dietary manipulations in the chemical composition of HDL, particularly in total phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin fatty acid composition, modified their fluidity. 12 healthy women, aged 26-49 years were studied. They consumed, over periods of 5 weeks, various isocaloric diets, each containing 30% of the calories as fat. 15.6% of the total calories were provided successively by olive oil, soybean oil, corn oil, and milk fats. The HDL fluorescence anisotropy was measured with 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) by fluorescence polarization. The HDL from the monounsaturated diet, olive oil, were the most fluid particles. The HDL fluorescence anisotropy was positively correlated with their free cholesterol percentage and negatively correlated with their triacylglycerol content and their triacylglycerol/phospholipid ratio. Moreover, the HDL fluorescence anisotropy was negatively correlated with the percentage of oleic acid in their total phospholipids and particularly in the phosphatidylcholine. These results suggest that the percentages of triacylglycerol and oleic acid in phospholipids of HDL have a fluidifying effect on these lipoproteins.

[Unilateral Purtscher's retinopathy and seat belts]. / Rétinopathie de Purtscher unilatérale et ceinture de securité.

The authors report 2 cases of unilateral PURTSCHER'S retinopathia who became at the time of a car injury. They discuss about different possible mechanisms of this affection mainly a security belt wearing and tough slow down.

[Oculomotor equilibrium and aviation activities]. / Equilibre oculo-moteur et activités aéronautiques.

A good oculomotor equilibrium warrants flight safety. It is indeed directly linked with depth vision an may decompensate, causing a deficit or a diplopia. It is therefore very important to screen pilots carefully and to have periodical examinations to check the oculomotor equilibrium.

[Aids for low vision--strategic approach]. / Les aides à la basse vision--approche stratégique.

There are currently methods to rehabilitate the remaining visual function of visually impaired people. Treatment stages and tests are based on classical physiology of vision and still remain strictly experimental. Recent investigations showed that the visual system, as a whole, operates as a space frequency analyzer. There are reception to each spatial frequency. They have to be assessed with accuracy before any rehabilitation attempting to develop channels which are still functional by elective stimulation. This stimulation must have a maximum determined energetic efficiency. The study of the Fourier spectrum on two different images demonstrates this possibility and starts opening the way for specific research.

A plasmid of Rhizobium meliloti 41 encodes catabolism of two compounds from root exudate of Calystegium sepium.

Our objectives were to identify substances produced by plant roots that might act as nutritional mediators of specific plant-bacterium relationships and to delineate the bacterial genes responsible for catabolizing these substances. We discovered new compounds, which we call calystegins, that have the characteristics of nutritional mediators. They were detected in only 3 of 105 species of higher plants examined: Calystegia sepium, Convolvulus arvensis (both of the Convolvulaceae family), and Atropa belladonna. Calystegins are abundant in organs in contact with the rhizosphere and are not found, or are observed only in small quantities, in aerial plant parts. Just as the synthesis of calystegins is infrequent in the plant kingdom, their catabolism is rare among rhizosphere bacteria that associate with plants and influence their growth. Of 42 such bacteria tested, only one (Rhizobium meliloti 41) was able to catabolize calystegins and use them as a sole source of carbon and nitrogen. The calystegin catabolism gene(s) (cac) in this strain is located on a self-transmissible plasmid (pRme41a), which is not essential to nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with legumes. We suggest that under natural conditions calystegins provide an exclusive carbon and nitrogen source to rhizosphere bacteria which are able to catabolize these compounds. Calystegins (and the corresponding microbial catabolic genes) might be used to analyze and possibly modify rhizosphere ecology.

[Standard values for serum esterified fatty acids in adult women in good health]. / Valeurs standard des acides gras estérifiés du sérum chez la femme adulte en bonne santé.

Serum was obtained from two groups of 23 healthy female volunteers to determine the standard values of esterified fatty acids (EFA) contained in phospholipids, triglycerides and cholesterol. One group consumed an 'optimal' diet in regard to lipid and caloric content, under strictly controlled conditions, the other a free diet. All lipid fractions in serum from both groups were in the physiologic range so that the levels of EFA could be expected to be in the normal range. These data are comparable to those obtained from other series but they differ strongly from values established among the Eskimos, who have very low serum levels of arachidonic acid due to their traditional diet and probably to genetic factors. Determination of the standard values of EFA in healthy caucasian women may contribute to a better assessment of role of the therapeutic intervention on lipid parameters considered as atherogenic risk factors.

[Clinical value of the colored contrast sensitivity test. Preliminary note]. / Intérêt clinique de l'examen de la sensibilité au contraste coloré. Note préliminaire.

Evaluation of color contrast sensitivity is a new test for the assessment of visual capacity and especially of light stimulation transfer along the optic pathway. The color technique yields more accurate results. It is combined with previously existing functional examinations and allows very early detection of subclinical signs of starting pathological processes.