Biodegradation capability of Absidia fusca Linnemann towards environmental pollutants.

The purpose of this work was to study the bioremediation capability of Absidia fusca Linnemann (Zygomycete) towards different classes of xenobiotics (lignin-derived compounds, chloroaromatic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) the presence of which in contaminated soils, water and sediments poses a significant risk to the environment and human health. Two strains from different origins were compared. One was from an official collection and grown in non-inducing conditions, while the other was isolated during the course of the survey of fungal flora in a polluted soil from Annaba (Algeria). All data were analyzed and results validated via a statistical treatment. We showed the effect of the factors studied (origin of the strain, xenobiotic) but also the interactions between these factors. The strain of A. fusca isolated from a polluted soil was able to efficiently degrade most of the xenobiotics tested, particularly: pentachlorophenol, phenol, catechol, guaiacol and ferulic acid. This property also existed in the other strain but at a very low level.

CEA, CYFRA21-1 and SCC in non-small cell lung cancer.

CEA, SCC and CYFRA 21-1 were measured in samples of serum coming from 105 'Non small cell lung cancer' (NSCLC) patients. The present study has been carried out to compare these markers, to analyse their prognostic significance and to determine the best combination of tumor markers. The median value and interquartile range were: CYFRA 21-1: 2,3 ng/ml, CEA: 3,7 ng/ml, SCC: 1,2 ng/ml. CEA demonstrated higher values in adenocarcinomas (P = 0.04). SCC and CYFRA 21-1 were comparable in the different histologic groups. CYFRA 21-1 and CEA values were dependant on tumor stage. Advanced tumors (T3 and T4) demonstrated higher serum CYFRA 21-1 level (P = 0.0006). CYFRA 21-1 was higher than 3,3 ng/ml in 36% of patients. CEA was higher than 5 ng/ml in 38% of patients and SCC was higher than 2 ng/ml in 27% of patients. Patients with a high CEA and CYFRA21-1 serum level had a shorter survival than those with a normal serum level. In a Cox regression analysis four variables (TNM stage, age, CYFRA 21-1 and CEA level) were found to be significant in the prediction of survival; CYFRA 21-1 level had the lowest P value (P = 0.0002). The current study suggests the use of a combination of CEA and CYFRA 21-1 in the clinical care of NSCLC.

Intrarectal diazepam in epileptic adults.

Intrarectally (i.r.) administered diazepam (DZP) solution at doses of 20 and 30 mg in the treatment of serial seizures was studied in 39 adult patients with refractory partial epilepsy. Patients were randomly distributed into two groups (20 mg, n = 21; 30 mg, n = 18). Plasma levels of DZP were assessed over 24 h following i.r. injection. The efficacy of i.r. DZP in the treatment of serial seizures in adults was confirmed; onset of effect was noted approximately 10 min after the injection, and the effective dose was 0.50 mg/kg. Tolerance and acceptability were good. Intrarectal injection of DZP can be performed even by unskilled personnel and may be recommended in patients with serial seizures in the hope of preventing development of status epilepticus.

[Determination of tumor marker CA 125 in the cancer of the ovary: comparison of immunoenzyme and immunoradiometry methods]. / Dosage du marqueur tumoral CA 125 dans les cancers de l'ovaire: comparaison des méthodes immunoenzymatique et immunoradiométrique.

CA 125, tumor marker newly appeared, is used in ovarian carcinomas. Its determination in serum is an important progress, not only in diagnosis but above all at the time of monitoring of clinical course during the treatment. The determination is possible with immunoradiometric assay (IRA) or enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The comparative study show a good correlation between these two methods. Both give comparable results. The choice for either method depends on equipment of laboratory.

[Prognostic value of estradiol and progesterone receptors in stage I and II breast cancer with an adjuvant treatment]. / Etude de la valeur pronostique des récepteurs à l'estradiol et à la progestérone dans les cancers du sein stade I, II UICC, soumis à un traitement adjuvant.

Forty-seven stage T1, 225 stage T2, treated from January 1977 to December 1982 were studied. The median followup is 31 months (18-92) and the median age 57.5 years (26-92). On the 247 axillary clearances performed, there were 53% N- and 47% N+. The dextran coal method was used for the receptors dosage with R 2858 as ligand for estradiol and R 5020 for progesterone: positivity threshold was set at 10 fmoles. The RE+/RP+ group represents 40%, the RE+/RP- group 30%, the RE-/RP- group 7%, the RE-/RP- group 23%. The radio-surgical combination was systematic, with or without conservative treatment, followed by an adjuvant chemotherapy (15%), an hormonotherapy (34%), a chemohormonoprophylaxy (23%), within a protocol balancing the systemic treatment according to the following poor prognosis factors: axillary clearance positivity, grade 3 SBR, cytological grade 3. The crude actuarial survival is 96 +/- 4% (RE+ RP+); 73 +/- 15% (RE+ RP-); 78 +/- 12% (RE- RP-) and the disease-free survival was 84 +/- 9% (RE+ RP+); 68 +/- 15% (RE+ RP-), 67 +/- 14% (RE- RP-) with a significant difference between RE+ RP+ and RE+ RP- (P less than 10(-3)) and RE+ RP+ and RE- RP- (P less than 10(-5)). The crude actuarial survival and the disease free survival are studied according to menopausal status, Scarff-Bloom grade, and N+/N- axillary status. For N- patients, there is no significant difference for the disease-free survival, 84 +/- 14% (RE+ RP+); 85 +/- 11% (RE+ RP-); 79 +/- 15% (RE- RP-), as there is no difference for the five year disease-free survival between N- RE+ RP+ patients (84 +/- 14%) and N+ RE+ RP+ patients (84 +/- 13%).

Value of cytoprognostic classification in breast carcinomas.

Two hundred and four cases of breast carcinoma were classified according to cytological features, and these were related to prognosis. A disease free interval of seven years was 95% for patients with grade I, 70% for those with grade II, and 45% for those with grade III tumours. The risk of recurrence was also related to tumour size and the presence or absence of steroid receptors in the tumour. Cytological classification of breast carcinoma based on fine needle aspiration provides valuable information concerning the prognosis of patients, which is relevant to their clinical management.