Multi-microscopy nanoscale characterization of the doping profile in a hybrid Mg/Ge-doped tunnel junction.

A multi-microscopy investigation of a GaN tunnel junction (TJ) grown on an InGaN-based light emitting diode (LED) has been performed. The TJ consists of a heavily Ge-doped n-type GaN layer grown by ammonia-based molecular-beam epitaxy on a heavily Mg-doped p-type GaN thin layer, grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. A correlation of atom probe tomography, electron holography and secondary ion mass spectrometry has been performed in order to investigate the nm-scale distribution of both Mg and Ge at the TJ. Experimental results reveal that Mg segregates at the TJ interface, and diffuses into the Ge-doped layer. As a result, the dopant concentration and distribution differ significantly from the nominal values. Despite this, electron holography reveals a TJ depletion width of ∼7 nm, in agreement with band diagram simulations using the experimentally determined dopant distribution.

[Intrepretation of elevated transaminase levels in a pregnancy after a liver transplantation]. / Interprétation d'une augmentation des transaminases lors d'une grossesse après une transplantation hépatique.

A young woman became pregnant 36 months after a liver transplant following an episode of fulminant hepatitis A. At 38 weeks gestation, she delivered by cesarean section following an isolated and moderate elevation of her transaminase enzymes, indicating rejection of the graft. This was later confirmed by liver biopsy. Following augmentation of steroid therapy her postnatal progress was good. The infant progressed quite well. This case raises the question of the management of pregnant women following liver transplantation, with elevated transaminase levels.

[Luteinized cystic hyperplasia of the ovaries during pregnancy. A case report]. / Hyperplasie kystique lutéinisée des ovaires au cours de la grossesse. A propos d'un cas.

Multiple lutein cyst (MLC) and luteoma are two aspects of ovarian hyperplasia induced by high levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). Using a case report of MLC, the authors compare it with luteoma (the anatomoclinical and pathogenic data). Luteoma are more frequent with multipara, whereas MLC are more often seen with paucipara. Maternal virilization can occur in both cases but MLC does not seem to be responsible for fetal virilization. The fetus could be protected by the placenta, thanks to increased aromatase activity and sex binding globulin production. MLC and luteoma are usually found by chance. The pathology must be known, because of their spontaneous regression after delivery. So, the attitude will be conservative under the control of biopsies.

[Mycoplasma infection: a disease of reproduction? Apropos of 271 cases]. / Infection à Mycoplasme: maladie de la reproduction? A propos de 271 cas.

We investigated by culture the presence of mycoplasmal infection in all reproductive abnormalities. 271 charts were studied, comprising problems of sterility with abnormal sperm, cystitis, urethritis, spontaneous abortions, fetal death in utero, premature deliveries and small for gestational age fetuses. Antimycoplasmal therapy lead to recovery in cases where this infection was the only cause, notably in sterility. Is Mycoplasma a risk factor or does it simply represent current infection?

[Pregnancy in a patient with an isotopic pacemaker placed for surgical atrioventricular block following treatment of tetralogy of Fallot. Apropos of a case. Review of the literature]. / Grossesse chez une patiente porteuse d'un pacemaker atomique pour bloc auriculo-ventriculaire chirurgical après cure d'une tétraologie de Fallot. A propos d'un cas. Revue de la littérature.

We report on a patient with an isotopic pacemaker who had a subsequent normal pregnancy. This device was implanted because of a surgically-induced atrioventricular block which occurred during an operation for tetralogy of Fallot. The pregnancy and postpartum course were normal and without complications.

[Ovarian hyperstimulation: treatment of voluminous cysts by percelioscopic puncture]. / L'hyperstimulation ovarienne: traitement des kystes volumineux par ponction percoelioscopique.

Enlarged fluid-filled cysts are a complication encountered with ovarian overstimulation. In order to hasten their resolution, and to avoid the possibility of adnexal torsion, we drained cysts greater than 4 cm in diameter by laparoscopic puncture.

[9 years of systematic cytologic examinations of expressed galactophorous discharge. Detection of cancerous and precancerous conditions]. / Neuf ans d'examens cytologiques systématiques d'écoulements galactophoriques provoqués. Dépistage des états précancéreux et cancéreux.

Nine years of experience performing cytologic examinations on expressed breast discharge has enabled the identification of precancerous and cancerous conditions of the breast. Three thousand women were monitored. The only abnormal findings were cytologic (clinical and radiological examinations were normal). One case of atypical hyperplasia, 3 cases of cancer in situ, and 2 invasive cancers were identified upon histologic examination. Three women were lost to follow-up and subsequently developed invasive cancer.

[The "white" cervix: a new anatomo-clinical entity?]. / Le col "blanc": nouvelle entité anatomoclinique?

The authors describe a very particular histologic pattern of the cervical epithelium. Many types of histologic lesions are involved and are almost always found in association one with another. This particular histologic pattern is characterized principally by well-differentiated epithelium, immature, with early necrosis of the superficial layers, associated with metaplastic endocervicitis. In addition to this particular association, there is a remarkable finding: this histologic pattern was found consistently in fifteen cases selected uniquely from their appearance at colposcopy. Could this be a new anatomic-histologic entity?

[Improvement in feto-neonatal prognosis in twin pregnancies. Comparison of 2 series of 158 pregnancies before and after establishing a therapeutic protocol]. / Amélioration du pronostic foeto-néonatal des grossesses gémellaires. Comparaison de deux séries de 158 grossesses avant et aprés établissement d'un protocole thérapeutique.

We undertook certain measures in twin pregnancies: early screening during the second month of gestation with routine ultrasonography, cerclage of the cervix, cessation of work, with rest, hospitalization at 7 3/4 month's gestation for daily cardiotocographic monitoring, identical indications for cesarean section as for a single fetus. The outcome was clearly improved in 158 pregnancies when compared to an equal number of twin pregnancies from an earlier period.

[Second-trimester abortions induced by dinoprost]. / Avortements au cours du deuxième trimestre de la grossesse provoqués par dinoprost.

The authors evaluated the usefulness of prostaglandin F2 alpha in inducing second trimester abortions in two consecutive groups of patients. Progressive and fractionated intracervical instillation of 10 ml of Tylose gel containing 10 mg of Prostine F2 alpha is the least traumatic method of uterine evacuation in the majority of cases (18 out of 24 cases). Advantages of this method consist of the ease with which it can be performed, that it may be repeated on subsequent days, and that there have been no serious complications. In case of failure, the authors recommend using an intraamnionic injection (usually performed only once) of 40 mg of Prostine F2 alpha diluted in 20 ml of normal saline solution. This more involved method requires an experienced physician and ultrasonography, but is very effective (31 cases out of 3). Exceptionally, this can be repeated after a several day interval if the initial injection fails (2 out of 3). These methods avoid recourse to surgery (except in the case of uterine scarring) in the induction of second trimester abortions.

[Familial Wiedeman-Beckwith syndrome: prenatal echography diagnosis and histologic confirmation]. / Syndrome de Wiedeman Beckwith-familial: diagnostic anténatal echographique et confirmation histologique.

A new family with Wiedeman-Beckwith Syndrome is reported. All the affected subjects are conceived from normal sisters. In two cases, antenatal diagnosis has been established by ultrasound examination which showed an exomphalos. In one case, pathological examination of the abortus product confirmed the diagnosis.

[Herpes gestationis: immunologic findings]. / Herpes gestationis: apports de l'immunologie.

The treatment of herpes gestationis has been considerably changed in recent years by progress in electron microscopy and immunology. Herpes gestationis, a rare polymorphic vesiculo-bullous pruriginous dermatosis, occurs during pregnancy or the post-partum period. It evolves by acute periods of several weeks, and relapses during later pregnancies or on taking oestro-progestagens. Histologically, the bulla is situated at the dermo-epidermic junction. The epidermal oedema is both intra and extra-cellular. The ultrastructural studies show the importance of the oedema and the changes in the plasma membrane of the basal cells in the onset of the vesicles and the bullae. The immunological inquiry gives diagnostic certainly when one discovers under indirect immuno-fluorescence, a specific serum factor, the herpes gestationis factor. These ultrastructural and immunological data suggest a relationship between herpes gestationis and bullous pemphigus (Lever's disease). In treatment, the possible pathogenic role of prolactin suggests the use of bromocriptin during the postpartum period. The efficacy and innocuity of vitamin B6 make corticosteroids rarely necessary.

[Systematic cytological examination of discharges from the breast in young women. The value of screening for cancer of the breast and for borderline states (author's transl)]. / L'examen cytologique systématique de l'écoulement du sein chez la femme jeune. Intérêt dans le dépistage du cancer du sein et des états frontières.

The authors have used the cytological investigation of the liquid discharge from the breast to search systematically for cancerous states and, more usually, for borderline conditions in the breast. Using a simple technique it has been possible to obtain some discharge from the breast more or less easily. In 15 per 1000 cases cytological abnormalities have been found, which means that there were 39 pathological discharges in the 2490 women who were examined over five years. 27 of these were benign lesions and 12 of them were suspect. Of these latter three borderline conditions were found and one invasive cancer was found. All four were asymptomatic. It is therefore worth while examining discharges from the breast in screening for borderline conditions in young women.

[Gonad function of women with homogenous karyotype XO or with mosaic form. Five case histories of fertile women (author's transl)]. / La fonction gonadique des femmes à caryotype XO homogène ou en mosaïque numérique. A propos de cinq observations de femmes fertiles.

The authors report five cases of fertile women who have Karyotype XO. After a short review of the classification of Turner's syndrome and of the physiopathology of the defective gonads in these patients, 79 cases in the literature and these 5 cases were reviewed and they allow us: a precise description of the morphology of these patients, which is dominated by the high incidence of small growth and the presence of the various degrees of malformations often found in Turner's syndrome; to study the gonad structure and function of these patients who have spontaneous menstruation. And finally to analyse the prognosis of pregnancies that have occurred in 33 women with an XO clone. These women have not only a raised incidence of spontaneous abortions at 32% but also frequent fetal malformations and chromosome abnormalities in the products of conception. It is therefore vital to carry out early amniocentesis in these patients.

[Congenital malformations. 1,238 cases of malformed infants in a 25-year (1950 to 1974) continuous series of 49,665 deliveries. Epidemiological and statistical study]. / Contribution à l'étude des malformations congénitales. A propos de 1 238 cas d'enfants malformés pour 49 665 accouchements en série continue de 25 ans (1950 à 1974). Etude épidémiologique statistique.

In a study carried on 25 years and about 50 000 births, the authors analyse 1 238 malformed children, with two purposes: 1. to determine a maternal population with high risk of malformations, in order to have a better survey and to look for many anomalies before the birth: 2. to make a "portrait" of the malformed child in order to suspect the existence of congenital anomalies during the obligatory examination in neo-natal time.

[Serial complement (C3 and CH 50) and immunoglobulin levels in toxaemic pregnancy (author's transl)]. / Complément (C3 et CH 50) et immuno-globulines sériques au cours de la toxémie gravidique.

The fraction of complement C3, the total complement activity and the levels of IgG, IgA and IgM immunoglobulins have been estimated in the third trimester of pregnancy in 70 control pregnant women and in 38 hypertensive pregnant women who presented either with "pure toxaemia" or with "superimposed toxaemia". The level of IgG is definitely but not significantly lowered in cases of "pure toxaemia". The other parameters that were studied showed no notable changes in comparison with control pregnant women.

[Forceps delivery under local-regional anesthesia in current obstetrical practice. Apropos of 400 cases]. / Forceps sous anesthésie loco-régionale en pratique obstétricale courante. A propos de 400 cas

We herewith report 400 cases of forceps delivery under local regional block anesthesia of the internal pudental nerves. They were carried out together with routine episiotomy. The indications were the purely classical ones and the results were good. There were very few fetal complications and these were in all instances mild. There were very few maternal complications. So long as some precautious are taken we have in our hands an excellent method for extracting a baby with instruments and it should not have come into disrepute as it has (in comparison with the vacuum extractor).