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Expression of Gal alpha 1-3Gal cell surface residues has been correlated with the metastatic potential of murine tumor cells. We report that Gal alpha 1-3Gal residues are expressed at the cell surface of malignant human cancer cells, including four cell lines and 50% of the malignant breast specimens obtained by aspiration biopsy. In contrast, all benign breast biopsies and normal cells were Gal alpha 1-3Gal negative. Affinity-purified anti-alpha-galactosyl IgG (anti-Gal) antibody, which specifically recognizes Gal alpha 1-3Gal residues, significantly inhibited cell attachment in two in vitro assays thought to indicate tumor cell extravasation of the circulatory system during the metastatic process: attachment to perfused human umbilical vein endothelium, and attachment to isolated laminin. Since anti-Gal antibody is a natural component of all human sera, we propose that it may be part of the natural antitumor defense system in humans.

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Pregnancy induces anatomical and physiological changes in the urinary tract. In this condition a bacteriuria, even asymptomatic, may lead more frequently to pyelonephritis. Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women has therefore got to be treated. According to recent studies, long course antibiotherapy did not prove to be more effective than a single-dose one in the case of non-complicated bacteriuria. Moreover, the maternal and foetal toxicity should be reduced in the latter regimen. In this paper we present the preliminary results of our study comparing a single-dose treatment by fosfomycin trometamol (3 g) and nitrofurantoin (200 mg per day during a week).