Délégation Centre-Est

Abstract The relationships between the composition and the crystallization temperature of chlorites and illites have been investigated in different geothermal fields and in particular the Los Azufres system in Mexico, considered to be a natural analogue to experimental laboratories, as the main changes in physical and chemical conditions and mineralogy are related to progressively increasing temperature with depth. Temperature was estimated from combined geothermometric approaches, and especially from fluid inclusion studies on quartz coexisting with clays. The Al(IV) content in the tetrahedral site of chlorites, and the K content and total interlayer occupancy of illites increase with temperature. These chemical changes are mainly related to the marked decrease in the molar fraction of the Si(IV)-rich end-members (kaolinite for chlorites, and pyrophyllite for illites) which become negligible at ∼300°C. Other chemical changes, such as the variation in Fe and Mg contents, are partly influenced by temperature, but are strongly dependent on the geological environment, and consequently on the solution composition. The empirical relationships between chemical variables and temperature were calibrated from 150–300°C, but extrapolations at lower and higher temperatures seem possible for chlorites. Such geothermometers provide tools for estimating the crystallization temperature of the clays, and are important for the study of diagenetic, hydrothermal and low-T metamorphic processes.

BACKGROUND: The fragile X syndrome, the most common form of inherited mental retardation, is caused by mutations that increase the size of a specific DNA fragment of the X chromosome (in Xq27.3). Affected persons have both a full mutation and abnormal DNA methylation. Persons with a smaller increase in the size of this DNA fragment (a premutation) have little or no risk of retardation but are at high risk of having affected children or grandchildren. The passage from premutation to full-mutation status occurs only with transmission from the mother. We have devised a method of identifying carriers of these mutations by direct DNA analysis. METHOD: We studied 511 persons from 63 families with the fragile X syndrome. Mutations and abnormal methylation were detected by Southern blotting with a probe adjacent to the mutation target. Analysis of EcoRI and EagI digests of DNA distinguished clearly in a single test between the normal genotype, the premutation, and the full mutation. RESULTS: DNA analysis unambiguously established the genetic status at the fragile X locus for all samples tested. This method was much more powerful and reliable than cytogenetic testing or segregation studies with closely linked polymorphic markers. The frequency of mental retardation in persons with premutations was similar to that in the general population, whereas all 103 males and 31 of 59 females with full mutations had mental retardation. About 15 percent of those with full mutations had some cells carrying only the premutation. All the mothers of affected children were carriers of either a premutation or a full mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Direct diagnosis by DNA analysis is now an efficient and reliable primary test for the diagnosis of the fragile X syndrome after birth, as well as for prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the contribution of leptin (an adipose tissue-derived hormone) to the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA), by determining the level of leptin in both synovial fluid (SF) and cartilage specimens obtained from human joints. We also investigated the effect of leptin on cartilage, using intraarticular injections of leptin in rats. METHODS: Leptin levels in SF samples obtained from OA patients undergoing either knee replacement surgery or knee arthroscopy were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, histologic sections of articular cartilage and osteophytes obtained during surgery for total knee replacement were graded using the Mankin score, and were immunostained using antibodies to leptin, transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). For experimental studies, various doses of leptin (10, 30, 100, and 300 microg) were injected into the knee joints of rats. Tibial plateaus were collected and processed for proteoglycan synthesis by radiolabeled sulfate incorporation, and for expression of leptin, its receptor (Ob-Rb), and growth factors by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Leptin was observed in SF obtained from human OA-affected joints, and leptin concentrations correlated with the body mass index. Marked expression of the protein was observed in OA cartilage and in osteophytes, while in normal cartilage, few chondrocytes produced leptin. Furthermore, the pattern and level of leptin expression were related to the grade of cartilage destruction and paralleled those of growth factors (IGF-1 and TGFbeta1). Animal studies showed that leptin strongly stimulated anabolic functions of chondrocytes and induced the synthesis of IGF-1 and TGFbeta1 in cartilage at both the messenger RNA and the protein levels. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest a new peripheral function of leptin as a key regulator of chondrocyte metabolism, and indicate that leptin may play an important role in the pathophysiology of OA.

Currently, the emergence and ongoing dissemination of antimicrobial resistance among bacteria are critical health and economic issue, leading to increased rates of morbidity and mortality related to bacterial infections. Research and development for new antimicrobial agents is currently needed to overcome this problem. Among the different approaches studied, bacteriocins seem to be a promising possibility. These molecules are peptides naturally synthesized by ribosomes, produced by both Gram-positive bacteria (GPB) and Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), which will allow these bacteriocin producers to survive in highly competitive polymicrobial environment. Bacteriocins exhibit antimicrobial activity with variable spectrum depending on the peptide, which may target several bacteria. Already used in some areas such as agro-food, bacteriocins may be considered as interesting candidates for further development as antimicrobial agents used in health contexts, particularly considering the issue of antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this review is to present an updated global report on the biology of bacteriocins produced by GPB and GNB, as well as their antibacterial activity against relevant bacterial pathogens, and especially against multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD); nevertheless, its use has been limited by the risk of transplantation-related mortality (TRM). Between November 1988 and December 2004, 87 consecutive patients with severe SCD ranging from 2 to 22 years of age received transplants in France. Cerebral vasculopathy was the principal indication for transplantation (55 patients). All the patients received grafts from a sibling donor after a myeloablative conditioning regimen (CR). The only change in the CR during the study period was the introduction of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) in March 1992. The rejection rate was 22.6% before the use of ATG but 3% thereafter. With a median follow-up of 6 years (range, 2.0 to 17.9 years), the overall and event-free survival (EFS) rates were 93.1% and 86.1%, respectively. Graft versus host disease (GVHD) was the main cause of TRM. Importantly, cord blood transplant recipients did not develop GVHD. No new ischemic lesions were detected after engraftment, and cerebral velocities were significantly reduced. The outcome improved significantly with time: the EFS rate among the 44 patients receiving transplants after January 2000 was 95.3%. These results indicate that HLA-identical sibling HSCT after myeloablative conditioning with ATG should be considered as a standard of care for SCD children who are at high risk for stroke.

PURPOSE: To compare the quality of life (QoL) of patients receiving oxaliplatin, irinotecan, fluorouracil, and leucovorin (FOLFIRINOX) or gemcitabine as first-line chemotherapy and to assess whether pretreatment QoL predicts survival in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred forty-two patients with performance status 0 or 1 were randomly assigned to receive FOLFIRINOX (oxaliplatin, 85 mg/m(2); irinotecan, 180 mg/m(2); leucovorin, 400 mg/m(2); and fluorouracil, 400 mg/m(2) bolus followed by 2,400 mg/m(2) 46-hour continuous infusion, once every 2 weeks) or gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m(2) weekly for 7 of 8 weeks and then weekly for 3 of 4 weeks. QoL was assessed using European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 every 2 weeks. RESULTS: Improvement in global health status (GHS; P < .001) was observed in the FOLFIRINOX arm and improvement in emotional functioning (P < .001) was observed in both arms, along with a decrease in pain, insomnia, anorexia, and constipation in both arms. A significant increase in diarrhea was observed in the FOLFIRINOX arm during the first 2 months of chemotherapy. Time until definitive deterioration ≥ 20 points was significantly longer for FOLFIRINOX compared with gemcitabine for GHS, physical, role, cognitive, and social functioning, and six symptom domains (fatigue, nausea/vomiting, pain, dyspnea, anorexia, and constipation). Physical functioning, constipation, and dyspnea were independent significant prognostic factors for survival with treatment arm, age older than 65 years, and low serum albumin. CONCLUSION: FOLFIRINOX significantly reduces QoL impairment compared with gemcitabine in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, baseline QoL scores improved estimation of survival probability when added to baseline clinical and demographic variables.

Fungi play crucially important roles in the biosphere, mediating many ecological processes. Despite this, the fungal diversity in natural habitats is poorly known. Using newly designed fungal-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers ([1][1]), we examined total fungal diversity in a

Research Article| October 01, 1986 Dominant c slip in naturally deformed quartz: Implications for dramatic plastic softening at high temperature David Mainprice; David Mainprice 1Laboratoire de Tectonophysique, 44072 Nantes, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jean-Luc Bouchez; Jean-Luc Bouchez 1Laboratoire de Tectonophysique, 44072 Nantes, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Philippe Blumenfeld; Philippe Blumenfeld 2Centre de Recherche sur la Géologie de I'Uranium, 54501 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar José Maria Tubià José Maria Tubià 3Universidad del Pai Vasco, Apartado 644, Bilbao, Spain Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information David Mainprice 1Laboratoire de Tectonophysique, 44072 Nantes, France Jean-Luc Bouchez 1Laboratoire de Tectonophysique, 44072 Nantes, France Philippe Blumenfeld 2Centre de Recherche sur la Géologie de I'Uranium, 54501 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France José Maria Tubià 3Universidad del Pai Vasco, Apartado 644, Bilbao, Spain Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1986) 14 (10): 819–822. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1986)14<819:DCSIND>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation David Mainprice, Jean-Luc Bouchez, Philippe Blumenfeld, José Maria Tubià; Dominant c slip in naturally deformed quartz: Implications for dramatic plastic softening at high temperature. Geology 1986;; 14 (10): 819–822. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1986)14<819:DCSIND>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract A combined microstructural, X-ray texture goniometry and transmission electron microscopy study has been undertaken to document rare examples of c direction of slip in naturally deformed quartz. The presence of optically visible basal (0001) subgrain boundaries and strong concentrations of c axes parallel to the inferred shearing direction (close to the stretching lineation) are considered characteristic of c slip. Dominant c slip appears to be limited to high-temperature (>650 °C) and possibly hydrous conditions. The possibility of plastic softening associated with the relatively easy glide on this system is discussed. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.

Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in 1992-93 in 129 nuclear families, including 258 parents and 183 children, and was analyzed for familial resemblance factors. BMD measurements were adjusted on weight and age. Segregation analysis rejected the monogenic hypothesis and exhibited a strong polygenic component. Variance components analysis was then used to estimate the parameters of a multivariate normal model including an additive polygenic component, a common environment factor, and a residual specific to each individual. The genetic component was independent of sex and age. The common environmental factor was not significant. The variance of the residual specific factor appeared to be a quadratic function of age, reaching its minimum value at 26.4 years. Consequently, the maximum value for heritability (ratio of genetic variance to total variance) is observed at this age (h2 = 0.84). According to this model, the correlation between two relatives is a function of the ages of each individual in the pair.

Abstract Three major categories of ore deposits—granite-related sensu stricto—were selected for detailed analysis: disseminated magmatic mineralization in granites themselves (rare metal granites); hydrothermal deposits, imprinted on the granites and their immediate vicinity (vein and greisen type); and late-magmatic pegmatites largely spread around parental granitic plutons (rare element pegmatites). Rare metal granites with disseminated magmatic mineralization show broad diversity in the bulk composition and metal enrichment. Peralkaline (with REE, Zr, Nb, U, and Th mineralization), low phosphorus pera-luminous (with mainly Nb, Ta, and Sn), and high phosphorus peraluminous types (dominantly with Ta, Sn, and Li) are distinguished, approaching a continuum from mantle derived to crustal in origin. The shallow-seated, highly fractionated rare metal granites may be formed by protracted differentiation of huge magma chambers, but low-degree anatexis of source lithologies is a preferred model. It provides an initial enrichment in rare metals, facilitates fractionation and water saturation during ascent to shallow crustal levels, and permits saturation in ore minerals at the magmatic stage. Unmixing of a hydrothermal fluid may ultimately assist the most extreme enrichment in rare metals in the top of granitic cupolas, but the quantitative roles of enrichment versus a mere redistribution during this process are not well understood. Vein- and greisen-type hydrothermal mineralization is connected with shallow-seated granites with felsic, “minimum-melt” compositions. The granites are relatively K rich, metaluminous to peraluminous, magnetite (Mo-W) to ilmenite series types (Sn-W) and are highly fractionated, although less so than rare metal granites or the pegmatite-generating ones. The broad compositional variations in the Sn-, W -, and Mo-mineralized granites reflect the interplay of numerous variables, from the protoliths to the fractional crystallization and aqueous fluid-melt processes. Ore-forming aqueous fluids exsolved from the shallow intrusions generate the mineralization, but metal leaching from consolidated granites is locally documented. Regional zoning may be well expressed in the W-Sn-Mo succession, and also in the outer halo of Cu-Pb, Zn-Ag, Sb and similar sulfide assemblages. These low-temperature associations are locally generated by the high-heat–producing effects of the U- and Th-enriched granites on host rocks, but they are not related to the Sn-, W -, or Mo-bearing post-magmatic fluids. Economically significant granitic pegmatites belong to the LCT family of the rare element class, enriched in Li, Rb, Cs, Be, B, P, Sn, and Ta. Parent granites are dominantly peraluminous S and I types mobilized mainly from middle (to upper) crust. Differentiation produces highly evolved, Na-enriched leucogranitic melts that further fractionate to residual rare element pegmatite magmas. Multistage differentiation of huge batholithic granites, as well as a fractionation of small leucogranites pre-enriched by a relatively low percentage anatexis, are documented. The parent granite and pegmatite melts are volatile rich but water undersaturated until the very last stages of consolidation. The high proportion of volatile species in the final evolved melts facilitates ex-tensive dissolution of water and is suspected to promote exsolution of hydrosaline fluids. Low viscosity, thermal stability, and high mobility of the melts and of components within melt batches all promote fractionation; some rare element pegmatites represent the geochemically most evolved igneous rocks ever encountered. Mineralization is shown to be of primary magmatic descent, intrinsic to the magmatic to hydrothermal evolution of the pegmatites. Peraluminous rare metal granites with magmatic disseminated orebodies are locally associated with vein-and greisen-type mineralization, both requiring water saturation. However, significant hydrothermal deposits are generated dominantly from granites that lack magmatic disseminations. In contrast, substantial rare element pegmatites are not associated with either of these categories, as pegmatites form from deeper seated granitic magmas, water-rich but undersaturated until the very last stages of pegmatite consolidation. However, all three types of granite-related deposits treated here have a common link: current research supports internal derivation and enrichment of metals from the granitic melts themselves, as opposed to leaching from the host rocks, and the diversity of mineralization in each category is ascribed to the diversity of metamorphic protoliths from which the granites were mobilized.

BACKGROUND: NETSARC (netsarc.org) is a network of 26 sarcoma reference centers with specialized multidisciplinary tumor boards (MDTB) aiming to improve the outcome of sarcoma patients. Since 2010, presentation to an MDTB and expert pathological review are mandatory for sarcoma patients nationwide. In the present work, the impact of surgery in a reference center on the survival of sarcoma patients investigated using this national NETSARC registry. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients' characteristics and follow-up are prospectively collected and data monitored. Descriptive, uni- and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors were conducted in the entire series (N = 35 784) and in the subgroup of incident patient population (N = 29 497). RESULTS: Among the 35 784 patients, 155 different histological subtypes were reported. 4310 (11.6%) patients were metastatic at diagnosis. Previous cancer, previous radiotherapy, neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), and Li-Fraumeni syndrome were reported in 12.5%, 3.6%, 0.7%, and 0.1% of patients respectively. Among the 29 497 incident patients, 25 851 (87.6%) patients had surgical removal of the sarcoma, including 9949 (33.7%) operated in a NETSARC center. Location, grade, age, size, depth, histotypes, gender, NF1, and surgery outside a NETSARC center all correlated to overall survival (OS), local relapse free survival (LRFS), and event-free survival (EFS) in the incident patient population. NF1 history was one of the strongest adverse prognostic factors for LRFS, EFS, and OS. Presentation to an MDTB was associated with an improved LRFS and EFS, but was an adverse prognostic factor for OS if surgery was not carried out in a reference center. In multivariate analysis, surgery in a NETSARC center was positively correlated with LRFS, EFS, and OS [P < 0.001 for all, with a hazard ratio of 0.681 (95% CI 0.618-0.749) for OS]. CONCLUSION: This nationwide registry of sarcoma patients shows that surgical treatment in a reference center reduces the risk of relapse and death.

The first review of synthetic strategies and engineering applications of hollow carbon spheres is given herein.

The human genome sequence defines our inherent biological potential; the realization of the biology encoded therein requires knowledge of the function of each gene. Currently, our knowledge in this area is still limited. Several lines of investigation have been used to elucidate the structure and function of the genes in the human genome. Even so, gene prediction remains a difficult task, as the varieties of transcripts of a gene may vary to a great extent. We thus performed an exhaustive integrative characterization of 41,118 full-length cDNAs that capture the gene transcripts as complete functional cassettes, providing an unequivocal report of structural and functional diversity at the gene level. Our international collaboration has validated 21,037 human gene candidates by analysis of high-quality full-length cDNA clones through curation using unified criteria. This led to the identification of 5,155 new gene candidates. It also manifested the most reliable way to control the quality of the cDNA clones. We have developed a human gene database, called the H-Invitational Database (H-InvDB; http://www.h-invitational.jp/). It provides the following: integrative annotation of human genes, description of gene structures, details of novel alternative splicing isoforms, non-protein-coding RNAs, functional domains, subcellular localizations, metabolic pathways, predictions of protein three-dimensional structure, mapping of known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), identification of polymorphic microsatellite repeats within human genes, and comparative results with mouse full-length cDNAs. The H-InvDB analysis has shown that up to 4% of the human genome sequence (National Center for Biotechnology Information build 34 assembly) may contain misassembled or missing regions. We found that 6.5% of the human gene candidates (1,377 loci) did not have a good protein-coding open reading frame, of which 296 loci are strong candidates for non-protein-coding RNA genes. In addition, among 72,027 uniquely mapped SNPs and insertions/deletions localized within human genes, 13,215 nonsynonymous SNPs, 315 nonsense SNPs, and 452 indels occurred in coding regions. Together with 25 polymorphic microsatellite repeats present in coding regions, they may alter protein structure, causing phenotypic effects or resulting in disease. The H-InvDB platform represents a substantial contribution to resources needed for the exploration of human biology and pathology.

BACKGROUND: Environmental nuisances, including ambient air pollution, are thought to contribute to social inequalities in health. There are two major mechanisms, which may act independently or synergistically, through which air pollution may play this role. Disadvantaged groups are recognized as being more often exposed to air pollution (differential exposure) and may also be more susceptible to the resultant health effects (differential susceptibility). METHOD: European research articles were obtained through a literature search in the Medline database using keywords 'Socioeconomic Factors, Air Pollution, Health' and synonymous expressions. RESULTS: Some studies found that poorer people were more exposed to air pollution whereas the reverse was observed in other papers. A general pattern, however, is that, irrespective of exposure, subjects of low socio-economic status experience greater health effects of air pollution. So far as we are aware, no European study has explored this relationship among children. CONCLUSION: The housing market biases land use decisions and may explain why some subgroups suffer from both a low socio-economic status and high exposure to air pollution. Some data may be based on inaccurate exposure assessment. Cumulative exposures should be taken into account to explore health problems more accurately. The issue of exposure and health inequalities in relation to ambient air quality is complex and calls for global appraisal. There is no single pattern. Policies aimed at reducing the root causes of these inequalities could be based on urban multipolarity and diversity, two attributes that require long-term urban planning.

Integers without large prime factors

To evaluate prospectively the effect on mortality of wine drinking in Eastern France, we conducted an analysis on 34,014 consecutive middle-aged men coming for a comprehensive health appraisal between 1978 and 1983. We evaluated education, physical activity, smoking, and drinking habits by a questionnaire. Electrocardiogram, blood pressure, serum total cholesterol, and γ-glutamyltransferase level were routinely measured. Seventy-seven per cent of the subjects drank wine; there was little difference between social classes in this proportion. We evaluated mortality over 10–15 years of follow-up. We estimated the relative risk (RR) of death by Cox proportional hazard models using nondrinkers as the reference and adjusting for six covariables. For an intake of 22–32 and 33–54 gm of alcohol per day, the RR of all-cause death was 0.70 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.59–0.82] and 0.76 (95% CI = 0.66–0.87), respectively. The lower mortality resulted from fewer deaths from cardiovascular disease and cancer. Above 128 gm per day of alcohol consumption, the RR was 1.37 (95% CI = 1.16–1.61). A moderate intake of wine (2–5 glasses per day) was associated with a 24–31% reduction in all-cause mortality, a proportion that was similar for smokers, ex-smokers, and nonsmokers.

With the development of technologies in recent decades and the imposition of international standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, car manufacturers have turned their attention to new technologies related to electric/hybrid vehicles and electric fuel cell vehicles. This paper focuses on electric fuel cell vehicles, which optimally combine the fuel cell system with hybrid energy storage systems, represented by batteries and ultracapacitors, to meet the dynamic power demand required by the electric motor and auxiliary systems. This paper compares the latest proposed topologies for fuel cell electric vehicles and reveals the new technologies and DC/DC converters involved to generate up-to-date information for researchers and developers interested in this specialized field. From a software point of view, the latest energy management strategies are analyzed and compared with the reference strategies, taking into account performance indicators such as energy efficiency, hydrogen consumption and degradation of the subsystems involved, which is the main challenge for car developers. The advantages and disadvantages of three types of strategies (rule-based strategies, optimization-based strategies and learning-based strategies) are discussed. Thus, future software developers can focus on new control algorithms in the area of artificial intelligence developed to meet the challenges posed by new technologies for autonomous vehicles.

The Beauvoir topaz lepidolite albite granite (French Massif Central) is the latest intrusion in a Variscan peraluminous granitic complex composed of three units successively emplaced: the concealed La Bosse granite, the Colettes two-mica granite, and the Beauvoir granite. The 900-m-deep drill hole of the Geologie Profonde de la France deep drilling program of the continental crust has provided a continuously cored section of the Beauvoir granite. The exposed section of the Beauvoir granite is presently mined for kaolin in the upper 200 m. It also represents a huge subeconomic disseminated Li, Sn, Ta, Be deposit sharing many characteristics with rare metal-bearing pegmatites. Compared to similar Li-F-rich igneous bodies, the Beauvoir granite is strongly enriched in Sn (200-1,400 ppm), Ta (20-400 ppm), and Be (20-300 ppm). Li is located in lepidolite and amblygonite, Ta and Nb mainly in columbo-tantalite and uranium-rich microlite, and Sn in cassiterite. Be is located in lepidolite crystals and in unidentified mineral(s). The major element composition of the Beauvoir granite is similar to that of Macusani volcanic glasses of Peru and ongonite subvolcanic rocks of Mongolia. The main structural, textural, mineralogical, and geochemical characteristics of the Beauvoir granite can be explained by extreme fractionation of F- and Li-rich magmas and associated fluid phases. Most trace elements show a strong upward enrichment. The high f (sub O 2 ) , low solidus temperature, and high fluorine content of the Beauvoir magma have considerably reduced Sn and W fractionation in the expelled magmatic fluid despite its high chlorine content (25-30 wt % NaCl equiv). However, F- and Li-enriched geochemical halos have developed in the enclosing mica schist in response to the boiling of the magmatic fluid. The relatively deep emplacement of the granite (3 km) has limited the development of hydraulic fracturing and subsequent hydrothermal circulation and mineralization. Thus, despite the very high specialization of the Beauvoir granite, no significant vein-type mineralization is directly related to it. The La Bosse quartz-ferberite stockwork was developed before the emplacement of the Colettes and Beauvoir granites and is related to the earlier concealed La Bosse granite.

Chronic excessive alcohol consumption induces cognitive impairments mainly affecting executive functions, episodic memory, and visuospatial capacities related to multiple brain lesions. These cognitive impairments not only determine everyday management of these patients, but also impact on the efficacy of management and may compromise the abstinence prognosis. Maintenance of lasting abstinence is associated with cognitive recovery in these patients, but some impairments may persist and interfere with the good conduct and the efficacy of management. It therefore appears essential to clearly define neuropsychological management designed to identify and evaluate the type and severity of alcohol-related cognitive impairments. It is also essential to develop cognitive remediation therapy so that the patient can fully benefit from the management proposed in addiction medicine units.

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) is the initial and rate-limiting enzyme of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) catabolism. We report lymphocytic DPD data concerning a group of 53 patients (23 men, 30 women, mean age 58, range 36-73), treated by 5-FU-based chemotherapy in different French institutions and who developed unanticipated 5-FU-related toxicity. Lymphocyte samples (standard collection procedure) were sent to us for DPD determination (biochemical method). Among the whole group of 53 patients, 19 had a significant DPD deficiency (DD; below 150 fmol min(-1) mg(-1) protein, i.e. less than 70% of the mean value observed from previous population study). There was a greater majority of women in the DD group (15 out of 19, 79%) compared with the remaining 34 patients (15 out of 34, 44%, P<0.014). Toxicity was often severe, leading to patient death in two cases (both women). The toxicity score (sum of WHO grading, theoretical range 0-20) was twice as high in patients with marked DD (below 100 pmol min(-1) mg(-1) protein, n = 11, mean score = 13.2) compared with patients with moderate DD (between 150 and 100 pmol min(-1) mg(-1) protein, n = 8, mean score = 6.8), P = 0.008. In the DD group, there was a high frequency of neurotoxic syndromes (7 out of 19, 37%). The two deceased patients both had severe neurotoxicity. The occurrence of cardiac toxicity was relatively rare (1 out of 19, 5%). These data suggest that women are particularly prone to DPD deficiency and allow a more precise definition of the DD toxicity profile.