Peanut allergy: is maternal transmission of antigens during pregnancy and breastfeeding a risk factor?

BACKGROUND: Peanut allergy is an important public health problem in western countries. However, the risk factors associated with this allergy remain uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the consumption of peanuts during pregnancy and breastfeeding is a risk factor for peanut allergy in infants. METHODS: We enrolled 403 infants in a case-control study. The cases were infants aged 18 months or less with a diagnosis of peanut allergy based on a history of clinical reaction after exposure to peanuts and the presence of peanut-specific immunoglobulin E. Controls were age-matched infants with no known clinical history or signs of atopic disease. The mothers of the children filled out a detailed questionnaire about maternal diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding, the infant's diet, the presence of peanut products in the infant's environment, and family history of atopy. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of cases was 1.23 (0.03) years. The groups were comparable in terms of the rate and duration of breastfeeding. However, the reported consumption of peanuts during pregnancy and breastfeeding was higher in the case group and associated with an increased risk of peanut allergy in offspring (odds ratio [OR], 4.22 [95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57-11.30 and OR, 2.28 [95% CI, 1.31-3.97] for pregnancy and breastfeeding, respectively). Overall, the infants with peanut allergy did not seem to be more exposed to peanut products in their environment than the controls. CONCLUSION: Early exposure to peanut allergens, whether in utero or through human breast milk, seems to increase the risk of developing peanut allergy.

A novel phenotype related to partial loss of function mutations of the follicle stimulating hormone receptor.

A single natural loss of function mutation of the follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) has been described to date. Present in the Finnish population it markedly impairs receptor function, blocking follicle development at the primary stage and presenting as primary amenorrhea with atrophic ovaries. When Western European women with this phenotype were examined for FSHR mutations the result was negative, suggesting that other etiologies corresponding to this clinical pattern are markedly more frequent. We now describe a novel phenotype related to mutations provoking a partial loss of function of the FSHR. A woman with secondary amenorrhea had very high plasma gonadotropin concentrations (especially FSH), contrasting with normal sized ovaries and antral follicles up to 5 mm at ultrasonography. Histological and immunohistochemical examination of the ovaries showed normal follicular development up to the small antral stage and a disruption at further stages. The patient was found to carry compound heterozygotic mutations of the FSHR gene: Ile160Thr and Arg573Cys substitutions located, respectively, in the extracellular domain and in the third intracellular loop of the receptor. The mutated receptors, when expressed in COS-7 cells, showed partial functional impairment, consistent with the clinical and histological observations: the first mutation impaired cell surface expression and the second altered signal transduction of the receptor. This observation suggests that a limited FSH effect is sufficient to promote follicular growth up to the small antral stage. Further development necessitates strong FSH stimulation. The contrast between very high FSH levels and normal sized ovaries with antral follicles may thus be characteristic of such patients.

Small femoral offset is a risk factor for lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury during total hip arthroplasty using a direct anterior approach.

INTRODUCTION: Lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) injury is a risk specific to the direct anterior approach (DAA) for total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, prevention strategies have not been established. This study aimed to identify the predisposing factors determining LFCN injury during THA via a DAA. HYPOTHESIS: Patients with LFCN injury after THA via DAA would demonstrate predisposing factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: LFCN injury was identified using a patient questionnaire. Potential factors predisposing to LFCN injury were identified in four categories in patient records: patient factors (age, sex, BMI, diagnosis and range of hip motion), surgical factors (surgical time and surgeon's experience of the DAA), preoperative radiographic factors (neck-shaft angle, femoral offset, acetabular offset, total offset and length of muscle on computed tomography axial image) and radiographic changes (differences between each offset pre- and post-surgery). Multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors for LFCN injury during this surgery. RESULTS: After application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 102 hips (28 with LFCN injury; 74 without) in 102 patients (17 males, 85 females; mean age 66.0 years [range, 26-88 years]) were included. Univariate analysis of patients with and without LFCN injury revealed that small preoperative femoral offset and short preoperative long axis of the tensor fascia lata were statistically significant risk factors for LFCN injury (P=0.004, and P=0.01, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that small preoperative femoral offset was the only independent risk factor for LFCN injury (odds ratio, 0.895; 95% Confidence Interval, 0.817-0.981; P=0.0018). DISCUSSION: Smaller femoral offset was a significant risk factor for LFCN injury following THA via a DAA. Our recommendations are that careful attention should be paid to the skin-fascia incision and subcutaneous exposure, and that excessive retraction of the sartorius muscle and tensor fascia lata should be avoided, to reduce the risk of LFCN injury in patients with a small femoral offset. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective historical cohort study.

New natural inactivating mutations of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor: correlations between receptor function and phenotype.

Premature ovarian failure occurs in almost 1% of women under age 40. Molecular alterations of the FSH receptor (FSHR) have recently been described. A first homozygous mutation of the FSHR was identified in Finland. More recently, we described two new mutations of the FSHR in a woman presenting a partial FSH-resistance syndrome (patient 1). We now report new molecular alterations of the FSHR in another woman (patient 2) who presented at the age of 19 with primary amenorrhea contrasting with normal pubertal development. She had high plasma FSH, and numerous ovarian follicles up to 3 mm in size were evidenced by ultrasonography. Histological and immunohistochemical examination of ovarian biopsies revealed the presence of a normal follicular development up to the antral stage and disruption at further stages. DNA sequencing showed two heterozygous mutations: Asp224Val in the extracellular domain and Leu601Val in the third extracellular loop of FSHR. Cells transfected with expression vectors encoding the wild type or the mutated Leu601Val receptors bound hormone with similar affinity, whereas binding was barely detectable with the Asp224Val mutant. Confocal microscopy showed the latter to have an impaired targeting to the cell membrane. This was confirmed by its accumulation as a mannose-rich precursor. Adenylate cyclase stimulation by FSH of the Leu601Val mutant receptor showed a 12+/-3% residual activity, whereas in patient 1 a 24+/-4% residual activity was detected for the Arg573Cys mutant receptor. These results are in keeping with the fact that estradiol and inhibin B levels were higher in patient 1 and that stimulation with recombinant FSH did not increase follicular size, estradiol, or inhibin B levels in patient 2 in contrast to what was observed for patient 1. Thus, differences in the residual activity of mutated FSHR led to differences in the clinical, biological, and histological phenotypes of the patient.

[Global risk management]. / Gestion globale des risques.

Risk management is a fundamental component of any successful company, whether it is in economic, societal or environmental aspect. Risk management is an especially important activity for companies that optimal security challenge of products and services is great. This is the case especially for the health sector institutions. Risk management is therefore a decision support tool and a means to ensure the sustainability of an organization. In this context, what methods and approaches implemented to manage the risks? Through this state of the art, we are interested in the concept of risk and risk management processes. Then we focus on the different methods of risk management and the criteria for choosing among these methods. Finally we highlight the need to supplement these methods by a systemic and global approach including through risk assessment by the audits.

Delayed puberty and primary amenorrhea associated with a novel mutation of the human follicle-stimulating hormone receptor: clinical, histological, and molecular studies.

Inactivating mutations of the FSH receptor have been described in rare cases of premature ovarian failure. Only one mutation was associated with a complete phenotype, including delayed puberty, primary amenorrhea, and small ovaries. We describe here a new patient presenting a similar complete phenotype of premature ovarian failure, with high plasma FSH levels associated with very low estrogen and inhibin B levels. No biological response to high doses of recombinant FSH was detected. A novel homozygous Pro(519)Thr mutation was found in this patient. This mutation is located in the second extracellular loop of the FSH receptor, within a motif highly conserved in gonadotropin and TSH receptors. The mutation totally impairs adenylate cyclase stimulation in vitro. FSH binding experiments and confocal microscopy showed that this mutation alters the cell surface targeting of the mutated receptor, which remains trapped intracellularly. Histological studies of the ovaries of the patient showed an increase in the density of small follicles compared with age-matched normal women. A complete block in follicular maturation after the primary stage was also observed. Immunocytochemical studies allowed detection of the expression of c-Kit and proliferation cellular nuclear antigen, whereas no apoptosis was shown by the 3'-end-labeling method. This observation supports the concept that in humans FSH seems mandatory for the initiation of follicular growth only after the primary stage. In our patient complete FSH resistance yields infertility, which is remarkably associated with the persistence of a high number of small follicles.

Fluorocarbons: a potential treatment of cerebral air embolism in open-heart surgery.

This study was designed to assess whether an oxygenated fluorocarbon solution could reduce ischemic brain damage related to arterial air embolism. Air embolism was produced by injecting air bubbles into the carotid artery of barbiturate-anesthetized rats breathing 100% oxygen. Results were assessed on electrocorticogram. In an additional set of experiments, mass spectrometry was used to provide continuous monitoring of intracerebral tissue oxygen (PO2) and carbon dioxide (PCO2) tensions and intermittent measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF). Fluorocarbon or saline solution (containing the emulsifying agent of fluorocarbons) was given intravenously after the initial air embolism (0.2 ml), and injections of air (0.1 ml) were repeated thereafter every five minutes. The maximal amount of air required to achieve complete and irreversible flattening of the electrocorticogram was 1.60 +/- 0.06 ml (mean +/- standard error of the mean) in the saline-treated rats and 5.20 +/- 0.44 ml in the fluorocarbon-treated group (p less than 10(-7)). In the second experiment, air embolism caused CBF to rise in both groups, the average percent of increase being higher in treated (41.6%) than in control animals (38.3%) (p less than 0.02). However, in the control group, the increase in CBF did not prevent intracerebral tissue PO2 from decreasing by 7.4 +/- 7.0% over the same period; conversely, in the fluorocarbon group, PO2 levels fell by only 2.5 +/- 3.7% (p less than 0.001 versus controls), but this time-averaged percentage was calculated over a longer period of cumulative ischemia because of the greater number of air emboli tolerated by treated animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Nuclear origin of the centrifugal visual pathway in birds of prey.

The isthmo-optic nucleus (NIO) at the origin of the retinopetal pathway was examined in 12 birds of prey (strigiforms and falconiforms) using cytoarchitectonic methods and after the intraocular injection of the regrograde tracers Rhodamine beta-isothiocyanate and Fast blue. The NIO was found to be poorly differentiated and reticular in appearance and depending on the species contained between 900 and 1400 neurons. These values are approximately 10 times less than those recorded in the pigeon and chicken. As in the latter species, the experimental data obtained in the strigiform Tyto alba showed the presence of retinopetal ectopic neurons bilaterally. However the ipsilateral contingent was proportionally larger in the nocturnal raptor. The functional significance of the poorly developed centrifugal visual system in birds of prey is discussed.

Time course of degeneration of the visual system induced by spontaneous glaucoma in the albino quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

The retinal projection of an imperfect albino quail mutant with a sex-linked recessive gene was examined 2 weeks-16 months post-hatch using various histological methods. During the first weeks the visual system was normal. Initial signs of buphthalmos, a form of spontaneous glaucoma, appeared between the 3d and 5th months. Its development induced a degeneration of the retinal projections according to a relatively precise sequence progressing from the mesencephalic tegmentum to the optic tectum, then from the pretectum to the thalamus. The data suggest that the degeneration of the optic axons results from their mechanical compression due to the increased intraocular pressure.

Osseous sequestration in cattle: 110 cases (1987-1997).

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors for development of sequestra in cattle and identify factors associated with a successful outcome. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 110 cattle. PROCEDURE: Medical records of cattle treated at veterinary teaching hospitals in North America were reviewed. To determine risk factors for osseous sequestration, breed, age, and sex of cattle with osseous sequestration were compared with breed, age, and sex of all other cattle admitted during the study period. RESULTS: 110 cattle were included in the study. Three had 2 sequestra; thus, 113 lesions were identified. Most sequestra were associated with the bones of the extremities, most commonly the third metacarpal or third metatarsal bone. Ninety-two animals were treated surgically (i.e., sequestrectomy), 7 were treated medically, 3 were initially treated medically and were then treated surgically, and 8 were not treated. Follow-up information was available for 65 animals treated surgically and 6 animals treated medically. Fifty-one (78%) animals treated surgically and 5 animals treated medically had a successful outcome. Cattle that were 6 months to 2 years old had a significantly increased risk of developing a sequestrum, compared with cattle < 6 months old. Cattle in which sequestrectomy was performed with the aid of local anesthesia were significantly more likely to undergo 2 or more surgical procedures than were cattle in which sequestrectomy was performed with the aid of general anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that sequestrectomy will result in a successful outcome for most cattle with osseous sequestration.

[Color and pulsed Doppler ultrasonography imaging of tubal ectopic pregnancy: study of 100 cases]. / Les aspects en Doppler couleur et pulsé de la grossesse extra-utérine tubaire: expérience à propos de 100 cas.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the color-Doppler findings and the spectral forms of pulsed Doppler in tubal ectopic pregnancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study of one hundred patients with tubal ectopic pregnancies was carried out in the emergency ward by two operators from January 1993 to March 1999. Following transabdominal and/or endovaginal sonography of the pelvis, color Doppler of the adnexa and of any suspected latero-uterine abnormal vascularity were studied with pulsed Doppler. The diastolic index (D/S) was measured on 4 consecutive complexes. RESULTS: Sixty-six peripheral hypervascularizations, 27 irregular hypervascularizations and 7 false negatives were found with color Doppler. The pulsed Doppler spectrum revealed a low-impedance flow in 47 cases (D/S index > or = 0.35) and a high-impedance flow in 46 cases (D/S index < 0.35). The latter spectrum was found in 7 cases of tubal rupture with massive hemorrhage and 39 cases of barely evolutive ectopic pregnancies. CONCLUSION: Color Doppler facilitated the diagnosis of small ectopic pregnancies (gestational sac less than 1 cm and echogenic lesions less than 2 cm in maximum diameter). Our work with pulsed Doppler revealed the frequence of high-impedance flow which, in the absence of massive hemoperitoneum, strongly suggests a barely evolutive ectopic pregnancy.

[Ultrasonography of placenta previa at the third trimester of pregnancy: research for signs of placenta accreta/percreta and vasa previa. Prospective color and pulsed Doppler ultrasonography study of 45 cases]. / Placentas bas insérés échographiquement au 3e trimestre de la grossesse: recherche de signes de placenta accreta/percreta et de vaisseaux praevia. Etude prospective en échographie Doppler couleur et pulsé de 45 cas.

OBJECTIVES: In a population of 45 placenta previa observed at third trimester of gestation we have tried to make the prenatal diagnosis of placenta percreta and vasa previa with color and pulsed Doppler ultrasonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a transabdominal sonography with full bladder and a transvaginal sonography with empty bladder. The first images obtained showed 20 placenta previa over the internal cervical os, 3 marginal and 22 low-lying placenta previa. We tried to find evidence of placenta percreta with gray-scale ultrasonography (loss of normal hypoechoic retroplacental myometrial zone, focal disruption of the uterine serosa and surrounding tissues, presence of intra placental lacunae) and with color and pulsed Doppler (arterial vessels with a diastolic flow value less than the flow value of a spiral artery behind the placenta, arterial vessels crossing from the placenta to surrounding tissues, intraplacental lacunae with arterial flow). We tried to find evidence of vasa previa in color and pulsed Doppler (a fetal vessel in seen above the lower segment of the uterus and below the fetal head. There is no change in the location of the vessel despite positional changes in both mother and fetus). The positivity of one sign in gray-scale ultrasonography or in color and pulsed Doppler led us to believe that the patient was affected by the anomaly. The final diagnosis of abnormal adherence of the placenta and of vasa previa was made on histological examination. RESULTS: Among the 20 placenta previa over the internal cervical os, we found 1 placenta percreta, 1 placenta accreta and 3 cases of vasa previa. In spite of our limited sample of cases of abnormal adherences, our results showed that gray-scale ultrasonography was sufficient to make a prenatal diagnosis of placenta accreta/percreta. Negative predictive value is 100% on a sample of 43 patients with no abnormal placental adherence. Color and pulsed Doppler brought no further evidence. In our population, color and pulsed Doppler had 100% positive predictive value for diagnosis of vasa previa. CONCLUSION: We found the only 2 cases of abnormal adherent placental fragments and the 3 cases of vasa previa present in our population. The study of the lower segment of the uterus should be thorough as abnormal zones may be small-sized. Color Doppler is the reference technique for sighting vasa previa and gray-scale ultrasonography for abnormal adherences of the placenta.

[Prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa with velamentous cord insertion, using Doppler color echography]. / Diagnostic anténatal de vaisseaux praevia, avec insertion vélamenteuse du cordon, grâce à l'échographie-Doppler couleur.

We report a case of prenatal diagnosis of vasa previa, using colour Doppler imaging. This affection is rare, but can be responsible for very severe fetal complications during the delivery. Elements of the diagnosis were demonstrated in the clinical case and discussed. This is a new use of transvaginal colour Doppler in Obstetrics.

[Does ultrasound have an adverse effect on the fertility of women?]. / Les ultrasons ont-ils un effet nocif sur la fécondité des femmes?

Fifty women who were subfertile received artificial insemination from donors (A.I.D.) with ultrasound monitoring of ovulation. They were compared with an identical number of women who were inseminated without ultrasound control. The series side by side showed that there was a lower fertilisation rate in those who were monitored (4.2% compared with 6.2%) per month on an average over six months as compared with those who were not monitored by ultrasound, and those who were monitored took significantly longer to become pregnant than those who were not monitored. Because of these results the authors wonder whether ultrasounds are harmful for ovulation.

[Prenatal diagnosis of a placenta praevia percreta with color Doppler. A case report. Review of the literature]. / Diagnostic anténatal d'un placenta praevia percreta grâce au Doppler couleur. A propos d'un cas. Revue de la littérature.

Placenta praevia percreta, with bladder invasion, was diagnosed at 29 weeks of amenorrhoea with colour Doppler which visualized vascular bundles leaving the placenta and reaching the lower part of the bladder. These bundles were identified as including arterial elements with pulsed Doppler. The criteria for the diagnosis of placenta accreta with ultrasonography and colour Doppler have been presented in the literature. This prenatal diagnosis allowed adapted preoperative management and intensive care, however air embolism could not be avoided and the patient died at the end of the operation.

[The management of risks by the global risk analysis]. / Le management des risques par l'analyse globale des risques.

After a reminder on the fundamental concepts of the management of risk, the author describes the overall analysis of risk (AGR), name given by the author to the up-to-date APR method which after several changes of the initial process aims to cover a perimeter of analysis and broader management both at the level of structural that business risks of any kind throughout the system development life cycle, of the study of its feasibility to dismantling.

[The obstetrics and gynaecology departments in the French public hospitals: an updated overview]. / État des lieux des services de gynécologie-obstétrique dans les centres hospitaliers publics français.

Restructuring the surgery and gynecology-obstetrics departments taking place now raise many interrogations. It appears as a mandatory necessity to some people and as a tribute to financial strategies to others to the detriment of quality and accessibility of care. Its effect is to clarify a good amount of socioeconomical and medical indicators. The plans of perinatality for the obstetrical aspect and the thresholds of activity for the surgical aspect constitute the major lines of these restructurings. A survey soliciting all the French public hospitals was used to assess the state of obstetrics and gynecology departments in the light of these recent restructurings. Medical demography, preserving and improving the quality and continuity of care, efficiency of the technical supports are discriminating criteria of the involved challenges. Such restructurings have an impact on the doctor's lives, which looks globally positive and a good omen to complete this remodeling process. The activity was safeguarded by a redistribution and a refocusing of institutions. One should not minimize the social impact of these changes, with a potential deterioration of working conditions (internal professional reclassifications, mobility obligation towards other sites). It thus appears that the deep changes which affect the small size institutions will be able to achieve well only if they are clearly done (information) and truly integrated in their medical project.

[Management of umbilical cord prolapse and neonatal outcomes]. / Procidence du cordon: prise en charge obstétricale et conséquences néonatales.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the obstetrical management of umbilical cord prolapse and the neonatal outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective study of 57 prolapses of umbilical cord between 1998 and 2009. Arterial pH of umbilical cord, Apgar score and diagnosis delivery time (DDT) were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of the cord prolapse was of 1.25 for 1000 deliveries. Cord prolapse occurred with the artificial rupture of membranes in 24 cases (42%) out of 57. There were 48 caesarean births. There were three hydramnios and seven cases of twin pregnancy. The mean pH in the umbilical arteries was 7.15 ± 0.13 in 27 cases. The mean Apgar for the 57 newborns was 6 ± 3 at 1 min and 8 ± 3 at 5 min. The mean DDT was 18 ± 8 min (range: 3-44). In 17 cases out of 27, the mean arterial umbilical pH was 7.07 ± 0.09. Fifteen newborns (26%) had a 5-minute Apgar score less than 7 and were admitted in intensive care unit. The mean Apgar score in the nine vaginal deliveries was 8 ± 4 min. In case of cephalic presentations without associated foetal or maternal pathologies there was a tendency of a better pH when the DDT was shorter. In non-cephalic presentations (14 cases), the mean Apgar score was 8 ± 3 at 5 min. The mean pH measured in eight cases was 7.20 ± 0.13 with mean DDT of 20 minutes. CONCLUSION: The umbilical cord prolapse remains a serious event for the newborns. The reduction of the DDT in cephalic presentation seems to be correlated to a better neonatal state. The caesarean section is the preferential way of childbirth.

[Fetal hepatosplenomegaly in the third trimester: A sign of leukemia in fetuses with Down syndrome]. / Hépatosplénomégalie fœtale au troisième trimestre : un signe d'appel de leucémie chez les fœtus porteurs de trisomie 21.

Risk for leukemic conditions increases in individuals with Down syndrome. We report a third trimester antenatal diagnosis of leukemia in a Down syndrome fetus. The third trimester ultrasound examination revealed a hepatosplenomegaly, which may suggest a myelopoiesis disorder. A review of the literature of eight cases described antenatally and 14 cases in the immediate neonatal period is presented.