Nano-odontology: nanostructured assemblies for endodontic regeneration.

The vitality of the pulp is so fundamental to the functional life of the tooth that new strategies are required to avoid the removal of the whole pulp following irreversible pulpitis and to regenerate the lost endodontic tissues. Nano-odontology would provide suitable solutions for pulp tissue conservative and regenerative approaches. In our group, we have shown that when covalently coupled to Poly-Glutamic Acid (PGA) the incorporation of an anti-inflammatory hormone (melanocortin, a-MSH) into the multilayered films Poly-L-Lysine (PLL)/PGA increases the anti-inflammatory reaction of pulp fibroblasts and macrophages stimulated by LPS (Lipo-Polysaccharides). Recently, usual linear PLL polymers have been chemically grafted for making new Dendrigraft polymers (DGLG4) whose higher branching ratios can give useful properties. The objective is to use nanostructured assemblies containing DGLG4 and PGA-alpha-MSH to design a new nanomaterial. These nanostructured assemblies (DGLG4-PGA-alpha-MSH)n constitute a thick reservoir of the anti-inflammatory peptide and promote adhesion and proliferation of pulp fibroblast on the biomaterial surface. These nanostructured films could be adapted for an endodontic regeneration application to target pulp connective tissue regeneration. Firstly, the crucial reduction of inflammation could be helpful by using PGA-alpha-MSH and secondly the initiation of the regeneration of the connective tissue will be promoted by the whole nanostructured film of which allows pulp cells colonisation.

Heavy metal vaporization and abatement during thermal treatment of modified wastes.

This study examines the vaporization percentage and partitioning of heavy metals Cd, Pb and Zn during thermal treatment of wastes with added PVC, heavy metals or phosphate, and the efficiency of sorbents for removal of these metallic compounds in flue gas of an industrial solid waste incinerator. Firstly, vaporization experiments were carried out to determine the behavior of heavy metals during combustion under various conditions (type of waste, temperature, presence of chloride or phosphate ...). The experimental results show relatively high vaporization percentage of metallic compounds within fly ash and limestone matrix while heavy metals within sediments treated with phosphoric acid are less volatile. Vaporization of metals increases with increasing temperature and with chloride addition. The thermal behavior of the selected heavy metals and their removal by sorbents (sodium bicarbonate, activated carbon) was also studied in an industrial solid waste incinerator. These pilot scale experiments confirm that heavy metals are concentrated in fly ashes and cyclone residues, thus effectively controlling their release to the atmosphere.

[Late pulmonary metastases of uterine choriocarcinoma: apropos of a case occurring 19 years after hysterectomy for choriocarcinoma. Review of the literature]. / Les métastases pulmonaires tardives des chorio-carcinomes utérins: à propos d'un cas survenu 19 ans après une hystérectomie pour chorio-carcinome.

The authors report a case of pulmonary metastasis which exceptionally occurred 19 years after hysterectomy for uterine choriocarcinoma. They use this opportunity to take stock of our present knowledge concerning this subject by reviewing a vast literature. This case is of interest, as it provides a new element to the theoretical study of carcinogenesis.

[Asbestosis. Apropos of one case]. / L'asbestose. A propos d'une observation.

Having reported a very complete observation of a patient with asbestosis, as well as silicosis, hitherto undiscovered tuberculosis and a pleural mesothelioma, the authors sum up our present knowledge on the consequences of inhaling asbestos dust. Clinical signs are numerous, benign or malignant, the risks of pleural and broncho-pulmonary cancer being greater in people exposed to asbestos. Diagnosis rests mainly on professional anamnesis and on the presence of great quantities of asbestos bodies in the sputum. Any pleural thickening on X ray should always suggest the development of a mesothelioma. As it now gives right to legal compensation, it is recommended to authentify the malignancy of the thickening by surgery.