Effects on cell viability of three zebrafish testicular cell or tissue cryopreservation methods.

In this work, three cryopreservation procedures were tested in order to obtain efficiently viable testicular cells after cryopreservation. Testicular cells of Wild type zebrafish males were frozen using an equilibrium protocol and testicular tissue fragments were cryopreserved with equilibrium freezing and vitrification procedures. Results showed that vitrification was significantly more efficient than freezing in terms of final cell survival (cell freezing: 14.4%, tissue freezing: 77.4%-85.5%, tissue vitrification: 94%). It must be noted that, in live cells, the presence of pseudopodia was frequently observed, which indicated their spermatogonial nature. Based on these results, the authors suggest that vitrification, with the subsequent elimination of connective tissue after warming, offers the best combination to rescue live testicular cells as a genetic conservation procedure in zebrafish.

[Myocardial bridging and coronary spasm on effort]. / Pont myocardique et spasme coronaire à l'effort.

The discovery of myocardial bridging during coronary angiographies is common. Yet these bridges are rarely the origin of acute coronary syndrome. We report the case of an active 45 year old man with no cardiovascular risk factors who had acute coronary syndrome. Emergency coronary angiography just revealed two myocardial bridges on the anterior interventricular artery which did not explain this acute episode. A subsequent second angiogram together with endocoronary echography demonstrated that there was no atheroma and a methergin test set off diffuse coronary spasm. The association of myocardial bridging and coronary spasm has only rarely been reported in the literature. We describe the clinical, therapeutic and prognostic characteristics.

Complications of the pump pocket may represent a significant cause of incidents with implanted systems for intraperitoneal insulin delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To increase awareness of adverse events associated with the use of programmable implantable pumps (PIPs). CASES: There were 7 cases of complications associated with the pump-pocket among 40 patients treated by PIP, and we searched for risk factors. RESULTS: Seven of 40 type I diabetic patients treated by PIP presented severe complications of the pump-pocket, resulting in five definitive explanations and nine other surgical interventions. The lesions included an exudative reaction in the pump-pocket and a skin retraction or atrophy, which were complicated by skin erosion in five patients. Coagulase-negative staphylococcus was identified in the pump-pocket in four patients, including three cases of skin erosion. No specific risk of local complications could be attributed to age, sex, duration of diabetes, body mass index, presence of retinopathy or peripheral neuropathy, HbA1c level since implantation, depth of implantation in the abdominal wall, or duration of experience with PIP. Usual physical activity corresponding to > 2,000 kcal energy expenditure per week, estimated by a questionnaire, appeared to be the only identified significant risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: From these results, we suggest that physical activity should be limited to moderate exercise and exclude vigorous efforts in diabetic patients treated by PIP to avoid an increased risk of complications at the implantation site.

Supervivencia de pacientes con metástasis cervical de primario desconocido en el Instituto Nacional de Oncología y Radiobiología. 2007-2012

Resumen Introducción: Las metástasis cervicales con primario oculto representan el 5% de los tumores de cabeza y cuello. Su diagnóstico y tratamiento han sufrido modificaciones con los años según las diferentes investigaciones, con vistas a mayores tasas de supervivencia. Objetivo: Determinar la supervivencia global y según diferentes variables. Material y Método: Investigación retrospectiva, descriptiva y longitudinal de 96 pacientes diagnosticados en el Instituto Nacional de Oncología y Radiobiología (INOR) en el periodo 2007-2012, manteniéndose el seguimiento hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2017. Resultados: De los pacientes estudiados, 65 eran hombres (67,7%) y 31 mujeres (32,3%), para una razón de 2,1:1, con una media de edad de 61,4 años. El tabaquismo estuvo presente en el 64,6% de la población. El nivel ganglionar más afectado fue el II y 41 pacientes (42,7%) presentaron una enfermedad N1 al diagnóstico. En 42 pacientes (43,8%) estuvo presente el grado histológico poco diferenciado. Al 70,9% se les practicó cirugía con adyuvancia o sin ella y el 86,5% tuvo respuesta completa. El tumor primario apareció en el 13,5% de los casos, más frecuente en amígdala. La supervivencia global a los 5 años fue del 74% y resultaron variables determinantes de supervivencia el estado ganglionar y la extensión extraganglionar. Los resultados coinciden con la literatura revisada. Conclusión: La supervivencia global a los 5 años de los pacientes con metástasis cervical de primario oculto es elevada, tiene tendencia a mejorar con el paso de los años y está determinada por el estado ganglionar y la extensión extracapsular de forma inversamente proporcional.

Abstract Introduction: Cervical metastases with occult primary represent 5% of head and neck tumors. Its diagnosis and treatment have been modified over the years according to different investigations, with a view to higher survival rates. Aim: To determine the overall survival and according to different variables. Material and Method: A retrospective, descriptive and longitudinal investigation of 96 patients diagnosed at INOR in the period 2007-2012 was carried out, with follow-up until December 31, 2017. Results: Of the patients studied, 65 were men (67.7%) and 31 women (32.3%), for a ratio of 2.1: 1, with a mean age of 61.4 years. Smoking was present in the 64.6% of the population. The most affected lymph node level was level II and 42 patients (43.8%) presented N1 disease at diagnosis. Poorly differentiated histological grade was present in 42 patients (43.8%). 70.9% underwent surgery with or without adjuvant surgery and 86.5% had a complete response. The primary tumor appeared in 13.5% of cases, more frequent in the amygdala. Overall survival at 5 years was 74%, and survival variables were lymph node status and extranodal extension. The results coincide with the reviewed literature. Conclusion: The overall 5-year survival of patients with occult primary cervical metastasis is high, tends to improve over the years, and is determined by lymph node status and extracapsular extension in an inversely proportional manner.

Involvement of bulbospinal pathways in the antinociceptive effect of clomipramine in the rat.

The involvement of bulbospinal pathways in the antinociceptive effect of clomipramine in experimental pain was studied. The antinociceptive effect of the antidepressant (0.5 mg/kg), intravenously injected, was evaluated after a unilateral lesion of the dorsolateral funiculus. The results showed that this effect was suppressed only in the hindpaw ipsilateral to the dorsolateral funiculus lesion, and suggest that the antinociceptive effect of antidepressants needs intact descending inhibitory bulbospinal pathways.

Effects of clomipramine and desipramine on a C-fiber reflex in rats.

A C-fiber nociceptive reflex evoked by electrical stimulation within the territory of the sural nerve, was recorded from the ipsilateral biceps femoris muscle in urethane anesthetized rats. Intravenously administered clomipramine and desipramine produced a dose-dependent depression of the C-fiber reflex. High doses of intrathecal desipramine also inhibited the C-fiber reflex, while similar intrathecal doses of clomipramine produced only a modest inhibition of the response. Intracerebroventricular administration of clomipramine decreased dose-dependently the C-fiber reflex whereas intracerebroventricular desipramine increased this reflex. These findings suggest that tricyclic antidepressants with noradrenergic selectivity, as desipramine, inhibit the spinal processing of C inputs by acting directly at the spinal cord level, while those with serotonergic spectra, as clomipramine, depress the C-fiber-evoked spinal reflex by acting at a supraspinal modulatory site.

Antinociceptive effect of clomipramine in monoarthritic rats as revealed by the paw pressure test and the C-fiber-evoked reflex.

The antinociceptive effect of clomipramine was studied in monoarthritic rats by using the paw pressure test and the C-fiber-evoked reflex. Monoarthritis was produced by intra-articular injection of complete Freund's adjuvant into the tibio-tarsal joint. Joint circumference as well as vocalization threshold to graded paw pressure were evaluated weekly during a 14-week period after the intra-articular injection. At week 8, monoarthritic and vehicle-injected control rats were given either clomipramine or saline and both the paw pressure threshold and inhibition of the C-fiber-evoked reflex response were evaluated. Results showed that (i) 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 mg/kg, i.v. of clomipramine induced significantly greater dose-dependent antinociception to paw pressure testing in the monoarthritic group, as compared to the control one; and (ii) 0.75, 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 mg/kg, i.v. of clomipramine exerted significantly higher dose-dependent inhibition of the C-reflex activity in monoarthritic rats than in controls. Results suggest that the higher sensitivity to clomipramine in monoarthritic rats could be related to adaptive changes occurring in monoamine metabolism or in other neurotransmitter systems during chronic pain.

A method to perform direct transcutaneous intrathecal injection in rats.

This work describes a method for performing direct intrathecal (i.t.) injections in rats without introducing a spinal catheter. Its ease of use in awake animals yields rapid and reproducible results with no sign of motor impairment. The quality of each injection was ensured by the observation of an injection-induced tail-flick. A 10-microL injection of methylene blue was well localized yielding a very limited diffusion along the spinal cord. The method was validated by demonstrating that morphine (i.t.) had a marked antinociceptive effect and that naloxone (i.t.) blocked the effect of systemic (s.c.) morphine in mononeuropathic rat.

Pretibial myxedema and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin treatment.

Seven patients affected by Graves' ophthalmopathy and pretibial myxedema (four patients with nodular form, two with diffuse, and one with elephanthiasic form) have been treated with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins. We have observed (a) clinical improvement of pretibial myxedema and Graves' ophthalmopathy in all patients, (b) a reduction of pretibial skin thickness, by ultrasonography evaluation, in four patients, (c) a reduction of mucopolysaccharide skin content in three patients, (d) disappearance of lymphocytic skin infiltration and IgG deposition in two patients, and (e) a parallel reduction of the titer of circulating autoantibodies as antithyroglobulin, antimicrosomal, anti-TSH receptor, and of non-organ-specific antibodies as antinuclear, anti-smooth muscle cells, and anti-mitochondrial. In comparison two patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy and pretibial myxedema treated with systemic corticosteroids did not present any improvement of the cutaneous ailment. Therefore, this study suggests that intravenous immunoglobulins are effective in the treatment of pretibial myxedema and may have an immunomodulant action in patients with Graves' disease and related disorders.

Semantic features and semantic categories: differences in rapid activation of the lexicon.

Robust priming was shown in a semantic categorization task for prime-target pairs which shared semantic features (e.g., pumpkin-squash). Priming facilitation for these pairs was demonstrated at extremely rapid prime exposures (28 and 43 ms) and increased with prime duration. The onset and amount of facilitation differed significantly for these semantic, nonassociative pairs and for associative-semantic prime-target pairs (e.g., cow-bull). The latter pairs produced facilitation, but later (at prime-target SOAs of 70 and 200 ms) and of lesser magnitude. These results are discussed in relation to three current models of semantic memory: spreading activation, compound cue, and distributed models.

Finding the locus of semantic satiation: an electrophysiological attempt.

The present study examined the effect of massed repetition of an initial category name upon the subsequent semantic categorization of a target word by means of an electrophysiological measure of semantic processing: the N400. Results showed the classic N400 effect, whereby evoked potentials were more negative for targets that were not members of the repeated category than for member targets. Moreover, repetition of the category name led to an increased and sustained positivity. The N400 effect was not modified, however, by repetition. Hence, insomuch as the N400 reflects meaning integration processes, these results do not support the hypothesis that massed repetition exerts its influence at the level of meaning integration.

[Hypertension. New French recommendations]. / Hypertension artérielle. Les nouvelles recommandations françaises.

The field of hypertensive medicine is constantly and rapidly changing, especially with regards to treatment. In view of its high incidence and its complications, it is a major public health concern. This explains the periodic publication of national or international recommendations with the object of informing practitioners of the latest publications in a form applicable to clinical medicine. In France, the "Agence Nationale d'Accréditation et d'Evaluation en Santé" (ANAES) has recently published its recommendations for the management of hypertension. The dominant issues are the recognition of validated electronic sphygmomanometers for measuring the blood pressure in the out-patient setting, the evaluation of individual cardiovascular risk for treatment choice, the value of non-pharmacological interventions, the tailoring of antihypertensive treatment and the abandon of the concept of equal benefit of comparable blood pressure lowering irrespective of the molecule used.

[Periarteritis nodosa-type vasculitis and infection with human immunodeficiency virus]. / Vascularite type périartérite noueuse et infection par le virus de l'immuno-déficience humaine.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may be responsible for several types of vasculitis: leucocytoclastic vasculitis, granulomatous angiitis, angiitis associated with lymphoproliferative syndromes or necrotizing vasculitis including periarteritis nodosa (PAN). We report a case of PAN in a 62-year old HIV1-positive woman. The patient had no co-occurrent hepatitis B virus infection and was negative for antinuclear antibodies. She presented with sicca syndrome, necrotic purpura, myalgias and polyneuropathy. Skin, muscle and nerve biopsies showed signs of necrotizing vasculitis. Multiple microaneurysms typical of PAN were present on branches of the abdominal aorta. The symptoms due to vasculitis regressed after treatment with corticosteroids in bolus injections and plasmapheresis. AZT was not given owing to intolerance. The literature on vasculitis associated with HIV infection is reviewed.

[An unusual cause of oxygen desaturation: isorhythmic atrioventricular dissociation]. / Une cause inhabituelle de désaturation en oxygène: la dissociation auriculoventriculaire isorythmique.

A 69-year-old man, with a history of angina pectoris treated with verapamil, was admitted in the intensive care unit after a right liver resection. On admission, the chest X ray and the arterial blood gases (PaO2/FlO2 = 320) were normal. There after, the patient exhibited brief decreases of SpO2 (at 82%) which were spontaneously reversible. The ECG showed an isorhythmic atrioventricular dissociation associated with SpO2 falls. The SpO2 returned to normal values when cardiac rhythm became sinusal again. This case shows that in case of an important and brief decrease in SpO2, unexplained by a respiratory cause, a decrease of arterial pressure due to rhythmic disease should be considered.

[The importance of lipoprotein(a) as a predictive factor of coronary atherosclerosis]. / Importance de la lipoprotéine(a) comme facteur prédictif de l'athérosclérose coronarienne.

OBJECTIVE: The predictive value of lipoprotein(a), Lp(a), for coronary artery disease, is strongly suspected, though unproven. The normal serum level is 0.3 g/l. We searched for correlations between serum Lp(a) levels and coronary artery disease in a population of patients hospitalized in a general cardiology unit. METHOD: Serum Lp(a) was assayed in all patients consecutively hospitalized during 1994 in the Valence hospital cardiology unit. Two groups were distinguished: patients with coronary artery disease (n = 444) and those presumed free of coronary artery disease (n = 555). Coronography were performed when required. Serum Lp(a) levels were compared for the following variables: age, sex, smoking habits, blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoproteins A1 and A2. Univariate, then multivariate analysis were performed first patients of all ages, then for those aged more and less than 60 years. RESULTS: Univariate analysis demonstrated that Lp(a) > 0.3 g/l was associated with coronary heart disease (OR = 1.33; p = 0.03), although this correlation was no longer significant after adjustment for other known risk factors (OR = 1.28; p = 0.07), except in the subgroup of patients over 60 years of age (OR = 1.37; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: There was a non-significant trend favoring an association between serum Lp(a) level > 0.3 g/l and the development of coronary artery disease.

[Erythropoietin alone or as an adjuvant for the autologous blood donation program in major orthopedic surgery]. / Eritropoyetina sola o como coadyuvante del programa de donación de sangre autóloga en cirugía ortopédica mayor.

BACKGROUND: Patients with anemia undergoing elective joint replacement are often excluded from preoperative autologous donation (PAD). The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of preoperative erythropoietin (epoetin alpha) as an adjuvant treatment to PAD versus preoperative erythropoietin alfa alone in patients with mild anemia undergoing major orthopedic surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study enrolled 75 patients scheduled for total joint arthropalsty of the hip or knee or spinal surgery and with a hemoglobin (Hb) concentration between 10 and 13 g/dL. Group 1 patients were assigned to receive weekly doses of subcutaneous epoetin alpha (40,000 IU) 21, 14, and 7 days before surgery and to participate in the PAD program; group 2 patients were excluded from the PAD program and received 2 doses of epoetin alpha every week over the same period. RESULTS: Group 1 (n = 39) and group 2 (n = 36) were similar with respect to patient characteristics, biological parameters, and surgical procedures, In group 1, mean preoperative Hb rose fom 12.5 g/dL to 12.8 g/dL, patients received a mean 5.1 doses of epoetin alpha, and they gave a mean 1.9 units of autologus blood and 1 received allogenic blood. In group 30.7% received transfusions of autologous blood and 1 received allogenic blood. In group 2, preoperative Hb increased from 11.7 g/dL to 13.5 g/dL, patients received 3.8 doses of epoetin alpha, and 3 were transfused with allogenic blood (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Epoetin alpha alone and erythropoietin as a adjuvant to a PAD program are equally effective in reducing allogenic transfusion during hip and knee arthroplasty and spinal column surgery of up to 3 spaces.

[Decrease in isoflurane requirements and of postoperative pain with preanesthetic intrathecal morphine]. / Disminución de las necesidades de isoflurano y del dolor postoperatorio con morfina intratecal preanestésica.

OBJECTIVES: 1) To determine whether preanesthetic intrathecal administration of 0.5 mg morphine reduces isoflurane requirements for anesthetic maintenance. 2) To assess the duration of postoperative analgesia and the type and frequency of complications attributable to the procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 45 adults were distributed into 3 groups of 15 patients each based on site of surgery and site of preanesthetic (30 min) injection of 0.5 mg pure morphine. Control group (C0) patients underwent lumbar surgery and received subcutaneous morphine. Group C0.5 patients also underwent lumbar surgery but received intrathecal morphine. Group A0.5 patients underwent long-duration high abdominal surgery and received intrathecal morphine. Anesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide (60%) in oxygen (40%) and a variable concentration of isoflurane. Isoflurane needs were assessed by averaging six consecutive measurements of end-tidal isoflurane pressure (M30FETiso) taken at intervals of 5 min. Postoperative analgesia was evaluated by means of a visual analog scale that was converted to numerical units (VASn). RESULTS: M30FETiso in group C0 (0.8%) was always higher (p < 0.01) than in the other two groups. M30FETiso in group A0.5 was higher (p < 0.01) than in group C0.5 during the first 150 min of surgery. After 180 min, there were no differences in M30FETiso (0.10-0.16%) between the two groups receiving intrathecal morphine. VASn results (mean +/- SD) in the first 4 hours were higher in group C0 (7.33 +/- 0.6) than in group C0.5 (1.13 +/- 0.35) and group A0.5 (1.07 +/- 0.26). The time of morphine-dependent analgesia was shorter (p < 0.01) in group C0 (0.62 +/- 0.38 hours) than in groups C0.5 (30.4 +/- 5.11 hours) and A0.5 (28 +/- 4.34 hours). There were no significant differences between the two groups receiving intrathecal morphine. CONCLUSIONS: Preanesthetic subarachnoid lumbar injection of 0.5 mg of pure morphine reduced early requirements for isoflurane in lumbar surgery (0.14% after 60 min). This reduction was initially less in patients undergoing abdominal surgery (0.44% at 60 min) but was the same after 150 min. Postoperative analgesia was long-term and independent of type or duration of surgery. There was no respiratory depression after surgery and the incidence of postoperative complications was similar in the two groups that received subarachnoid morphine.

Sponges as sentinels: patterns of spatial and intra-individual variation in trace metal concentration.

If sponges are to be effective biomonitors we require a better understanding of the spatial scales over which metals vary in these organisms. We determined how concentration of Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb, Hg and Se varied over four spatial scales for two common estuarine sponge species in the Sydney region. We examined variability with a fully nested sampling design; between coastal lakes, within coastal lakes, between sponges and within sponges. Calculation of variance components confirmed that 'within-sponge' variation in Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb and Se concentrations were low (1-14%) relative to the two largest spatial scales (49-98%) examined. In contrast, Hg concentrations exhibited marked variability 'between-sponges' and were below detection at one location. There was little evidence that sponge size was a good predictor of metal concentration. Taken together, these outcomes confirm that fragments of these sponges could be successfully transplanted and therefore show promise as biomonitors of metal contamination.