Distress, Suicidality, and Affective Disorders at the Time of Social Networks.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We reviewed how scholars recently addressed the complex relationship that binds distress, affective disorders, and suicidal behaviors on the one hand and social networking on the other. We considered the latest machine learning performances in detecting affective-related outcomes from social media data, and reviewed understandings of how, why, and with what consequences distressed individuals use social network sites. Finally, we examined how these insights may concretely instantiate on the individual level with a qualitative case series. RECENT FINDINGS: Machine learning classifiers are progressively stabilizing with moderate to high performances in detecting affective-related diagnosis, symptoms, and risks from social media linguistic markers. Qualitatively, such markers appear to translate ambivalent and socially constrained motivations such as self-disclosure, passive support seeking, and connectedness reinforcement. Binding data science and psychosocial research appears as the unique condition to ground a translational web-clinic for treating and preventing affective-related issues on social media.

Liver fibrosis is associated with cutaneous inflammation in the imiquimod-induced murine model of psoriasiform dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis exhibits several extracutaneous manifestations. Little is known about hepatic parameters specifically associated with psoriasis. OBJECTIVES: To study whether psoriasiform dermatitis is associated with liver injury. METHODS: We studied liver parameters of inflammation and fibrosis in a murine model of psoriasiform dermatitis induced by topical application of imiquimod for 9 weeks. RESULTS: Topical treatment with imiquimod induced a form of psoriasiform dermatitis reminiscent of the human disorder, characterized by thickened and scaly skin, psoriasiform epidermal hyperplasia, altered keratinocyte differentiation and cutaneous overexpression of interleukin-17A. Mice with dermatitis displayed hepatitis, as shown by elevation of plasma transaminase levels, as well as portal and periportal hepatitis, characterized by T-lymphocyte (CD3ε+ ) and polymorphonuclear cell (Gr1+ ) infiltrates. The hepatitis progressed towards liver fibrogenesis, as shown by excessive Sirius red staining, which is consistent with the expression of α-smooth muscle actin by hepatic stellate cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that liver inflammation and fibrosis are associated with experimental psoriasiform dermatitis. Our results suggest that psoriatic inflammation may be associated with specific liver injury.

Sperm RNA preparation for transcriptomic analysis: Review of the techniques and personal experience.

In the last 10 years, several approaches, including microarrays, have been applied to investigate sperm transcript levels. However, success using microarray profiling is highly dependent of the quality of the RNA obtained. Therefore, the development of methods that deliver highly purified and intact RNA is of utmost importance. The three steps used to achieve this goal, purification of spermatozoa, RNA extraction and evaluation of RNA quality, are reviewed. Following that review and preliminary experiments, we processed sperm samples from seven normozoospermic men with a combination of gradient centrifugation and somatic cell lysis. RNA was extracted using the NucleoSpin RNA XS kit (Macherey-Nagel) and its purity checked using the BioAnalyzer. Hybridisation was done on Agilent SurePrint G3 Human GE 8 × 60K V2 microarrays. We identified 900 transcripts among the 1000 high abundance sperm transcripts reported in the literature. These genes are known to be involved in several biological processes, notably spermatogenesis, transcription regulation, cell growth and differentiation, sperm motility and capacitation, fertilisation, and embryogenesis. Therefore, our methodology is highly suitable for sperm transcriptomic analyses and can be used, notably, to compare mRNA profiles between fertile and infertile males.

Distinct expression of interleukin (IL)-36α, ß and γ, their antagonist IL-36Ra and IL-38 in psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease.

Interleukin (IL)-36α, IL-36ß and IL-36γ are expressed highly in skin and are involved in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, while the antagonists IL-36Ra or IL-38, another potential IL-36 inhibitor, limit uncontrolled inflammation. The expression and role of IL-36 cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Crohn's disease (CD) is currently debated. Here, we observed that during imiquimod-induced mouse skin inflammation and in human psoriasis, expression of IL-36α, γ and IL-36Ra, but not IL-36ß and IL-38 mRNA, was induced and correlated with IL-1ß and T helper type 17 (Th17) cytokines (IL-17A, IL-22, IL-23, CCL20). In mice with collagen-induced arthritis and in the synovium of patients with RA, IL-36α, ß, γ, IL-36Ra and IL-38 were all elevated and correlated with IL-1ß, CCL3, CCL4 and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), but not with Th17 cytokines. In the colon of mice with dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis and in patients with CD, only IL-36α, γ and IL-38 were induced at relatively low levels and correlated with IL-1ß and IL-17A. We suggest that only a minor subgroup of patients with RA (17-29%) or CD (25%) had an elevated IL-36 agonists/antagonists ratio, versus 93% of patients with psoriasis. By immunohistochemistry, IL-36 cytokines were produced by various cell types in skin, synovium and colonic mucosa such as keratinocytes, CD68⁺ macrophages, dendritic/Langerhans cells and CD79α⁺ plasma cells. In primary cultures of monocytes or inflammatory macrophages (M1), IL-36ß and IL-36Ra were produced constitutively, but IL-36α, γ and IL-38 were produced after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. These distinct expression profiles may help to explain why only subgroups of RA and CD patients have a potentially elevated IL-36 agonists/antagonists ratio.

Cross-reactivity to fish and chicken meat - a new clinical syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Fish is one of the most allergenic foods. While clinical cross-reactivity among different fishes is a widely accepted feature of fish allergy, associations with other food allergies are not well understood. This study aims at analyzing the relevance of clinical cross-reactivity between fish and chicken meat in patients with allergy to chicken meat without sensitization to hen's eggs. METHODS: Patients with food allergy to fish and chicken meat (n = 29) or chicken meat only (n = 7) were recruited. IgE-reactive chicken proteins were identified (Edman, MS analysis) and quantified (ELISA). Allergens were used in IgE ELISA and skin testing. RESULTS: Chicken parvalbumin and two new allergens, aldolase and enolase, were identified at 12, 40, and 50 kDa, respectively. They were recognized by sIgE of 61%, 75%, and 83% of all patient sera which were in the majority of the cases positive for the fish homologues as well. Fish and chicken meat allergens were highly cross-reactive while high inhibition rates with fish or chicken allergens correlated with the patients' primary sensitization to fish or chicken. In cooked or roasted foods, enolase and aldolase were detectable in chicken breast while parvalbumin was detectable in chicken legs and wings. CONCLUSIONS: Fish and chicken meat are cross-reactive foods; both fish-allergic and chicken meat-allergic patients might be at risk of developing a food allergy to chicken meat or to fish, respectively. This clinical phenomenon is proposed to be termed 'fish-chicken syndrome' with cross-reactive allergens involved being parvalbumins, enolases, and aldolases.

IL-1beta mediates MMP secretion and IL-1beta neosynthesis via upregulation of p22(phox) and NOX4 activity in human articular chondrocytes.

OBJECTIVES: Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by a progressive alteration of the biochemical properties of the articular cartilage. Inflammation plays a major role in OA, particularly through the cytokine Interleukine-1ß, promoting reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) synthesis by the chondrocytes, orchestrating matrix proteolysis. NADPH oxidases (NOX) are membrane enzymes dedicated to the production of ROS. Role of oxidative stress is well established in OA; however, contribution of NOX in this process is still poorly documented. In this study, we addressed the role of NOX in primary human articular chondrocytes (HAC) upon inflammatory conditions--namely IL-1ß and OA. DESIGN: HAC were collected from patients undergoing hip surgery. Chondrocytes were treated with IL-1ß and NOX inhibitors Diphenylene Iodonium, GKT136901, Tiron and Heme oxygenase-1 before MMP expression and NOX activity assessment. Finally, NOX4 expression was compared between OA and non OA parts of hip cartilage (n = 14). RESULTS: This study establishes for the first time in human that NOX4 is the main NOX isoform expressed in chondrocytes. We found a significant upregulation of NOX4 mRNA in OA chondrocytes. Expression of NOX4/p22(phox) as well as ROS production is enhanced by IL-1ß. On the other hand, the use of NOX4 inhibitors decreased IL-1ß-induced collagenase synthesis by chondrocytes. Moreover, our study support the existence of a redox dependant loop sustaining pro-catabolic pathways induced by IL-1ß. CONCLUSIONS: This study points out NOX4 as a new putative target in OA and suggests that NOX-targeted therapies could be of interest for the causal treatment of the pathology.

Phosphine and phosphine oxide groups in metal-organic frameworks detected by P K-edge XAS.

Phosphine metal-organic frameworks (P-MOFs) are crystalline porous coordination polymers that contain phosphorus functional groups within their pores. We present the use of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the P K-edge to determine the phosphine to phosphine oxide ratio in two P-MOFs with MIL-101 topology. The phosphorus oxidation state is of particular interest as it strongly influences the coordination affinity of these materials for transition metals. This method can determine the oxidation state of phosphorus even when the material contains paramagnetic nuclei, differently from NMR spectroscopy. We observed that phosphine in LSK-15 accounts for 72 ± 4% of the total phosphorus groups and that LSK-12 contains only phosphine oxide.

Balanced complex chromosome rearrangement in male infertility: case report and literature review.

Complex chromosome rearrangements (CCRs) are structural rearrangements involving at least three chromosomes and three or more chromosome breakpoints. Generally, balanced CCR carriers have a normal phenotype but they are at a higher reproductive risk. Azoospermia was discovered in the male partner of a couple with primary infertility. Conventional cytogenetics identified a CCR refined by fluorescent in situ hybridisation. The CCR involved three chromosomes, four breakpoints and an insertion. A literature search identified 43 phenotypically normal males referred for reproductive problems presenting a CCR. More males were ascertained because of spermatogenesis failure or disturbances than because of repeated abortions and/or birth of a malformed child. Male carriers of CCR produce a high frequency of chromosomally abnormal spermatozoa due to the aberrant segregation of the rearranged chromosomes. The number of chromosomes and breakpoints involved in the rearrangement, the position of breakpoints, the relative size of the resultant chromosomes and the presence or absence of recombination inside the paired-rearranged segments are presumed to affect the fertility of the carrier. Testicular biopsy should not be performed in males with azoospermia. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection should not be proposed as a procedure for treating the infertility of CCR male carriers as a successful result is unlikely.

Association of peripheral neuropathy with circulating advanced glycation end products, soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products and other risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy remains uncertain and nonenzymatic glycoxidation is one of the contributing mechanisms. The aim of this study was to assess the respective relationship of diabetic peripheral neuropathy with glycoxidation, compared with other identified risk factors, in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We included 198 patients with type 2 diabetes and high risk for vascular complications. Circulating concentrations of three advanced glycation end products (carboxymethyllysine, methyl-glyoxal-hydroimidazolone-1, pentosidine) and of their soluble receptor (sRAGE) were measured. Peripheral neuropathy was assessed by the neuropathy disability score and by the monofilament test and defined as either an abnormal monofilament test and/or a neuropathy disability score ≥6. Multivariate regression analyses were performed adjusting for potential confounding factors for neuropathy: age, gender, diabetes duration, current smoking, systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, height, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, glycated haemoglobin, estimated glomerular filtration rate and lipid profile. RESULTS: Prevalence of peripheral neuropathy was 20.7%. sRAGE and carboxymethyllysine were independently and positively associated with the presence of peripheral neuropathy. No significant association was found between peripheral neuropathy and methyl-glyoxal-hydroimidazolone-1 or pentosidine. Waist circumference, height and peripheral arterial occlusive disease were independently associated with peripheral neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: Carboxymethyllysine and sRAGE were independently associated with peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes. Although the conclusions are limited by the absence of a healthy control population, this study confirms the relationship between advanced glycoxidation and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, independently of other risk factors.

Identification of enolases and aldolases as important fish allergens in cod, salmon and tuna: component resolved diagnosis using parvalbumin and the new allergens.

BACKGROUND: The majority of fish-allergic patients are sensitized to parvalbumin, known to be the cause of important IgE cross-reactivity among fish species. Little is known about the importance of fish allergens other than parvalbumin. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize hitherto undefined fish allergens in three commonly consumed fish species, cod, salmon and tuna, and to evaluate their importance for in vitro IgE-diagnosis in addition to parvalbumin and fish gelatin. METHODS: Sixty-two patients were diagnosed by clinical history, skin prick tests and specific IgE to fish extracts. Two new fish allergens from cod, salmon and tuna were identified by microsequencing. These proteins were characterized by immunoblot, ELISA and mediator release assay. Purified parvalbumin, enolase, aldolase and fish gelatin were used for quantification of specific IgE in ELISA. RESULTS: Parvalbumin and two other allergens of 50 and 40 kDa were detected in IgE-immunoblots of cod, salmon and tuna extracts by most patient sera. The 50 and 40 kDa proteins were identified as beta-enolase and fructose-bisphosphate aldolase A respectively. Both purified enzymes showed allergenic activity in the mediator release assay. Indeed, 72.6% of the patients were sensitized to parvalbumin, 20% of these had specific IgE to salmon parvalbumin only. IgE to enolases were found in 62.9% (0.5-95.0 kUA /L), to aldolases in 50.0% (0.4-26.0 kUA /L) and to fish gelatin in 19.3% (0.4-20.0 kUA /L) of the patients. Inter-species cross-reactivity, even though limited, was found for enolases and aldolases by IgE-inhibition ELISA. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Fish enolase and aldolase have been identified as important new fish allergens. In fish allergy diagnosis, IgE to enolase and aldolase are especially relevant when IgE to parvalbumin are absent.

Molecular cytogenetic and genetic aspects of globozoospermia: a review.

Infertility is estimated to affect up to 15% of couples of reproductive age. Among the male factors, globozoospermia (also called round-headed sperm syndrome) is a rare type of teratozoospermia accounting for <0.1% of male infertility. Lack of acrosome, whose production is a postmeiotic event in spermatogenesis, and round sperm head are its main characteristics. The acrosomeless spermatozoon is unable to go through the zona pellucida and fuse with the oolemma of the oocyte, and fertilisation failures have been attributed to a deficiency in oocyte activation capacity, even when intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is attempted. The pathogenesis of this anomaly is still unclear but genetic factors are likely to be involved. DNA fragmentation rate has been reported for 16 globozoospermic males, usually using the terminal uridine nick-end labelling (TUNEL) assay. Most of the patients had a DNA fragmentation index (DFI) higher than that in fertile men. The rate of aneuploidy for some specific chromosomes was increased in 12 among the 26 globozoospermic males reported in the literature. The same results (high DFI and aneuploidy rates) were observed in infertile males compared to fertile men, notably in those with oligoasthenozoospermia or teratozoospermia, independently of the origins. Mutations or deletions in three genes, SPATA16, PICK1 and DPY19L2, have been shown to be responsible for globozoospermia. Proteins coded by the first two genes localise to the Golgi apparatus and the proacrosomal granules that are transported in the acrosome. It is likely that other proteins involved in the acrosome formation remain to be identified.

The association of statins and taxanes: an efficient combination trigger of cancer cell apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Cancer cell killing might be achieved by the combined use of available drugs. Statins are major anti-hypercholesterolemia drugs, which also trigger apoptosis of many cancer cell types, while docetaxel is a potent microtubule-stabilising agent. METHODS: Here, we looked at the combined effects of lovastatin and docetaxel in cancer cells. RESULTS: Whole transcriptome microarrays in HGT-1 gastric cancer cells demonstrated that lovastatin strongly suppressed expression of genes involved in cell division, while docetaxel had very little transcriptional effects. Both drugs triggered apoptosis, and their combination was more than additive. A marked rise in the cell-cycle inhibitor p21, together with reduction of aurora kinases A and B, cyclins B1 and D1 proteins was induced by lovastatin alone or in combination with docetaxel. The drug treatments induced the proteolytic cleavage of procaspase-3, a drop of the anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 protein, Poly-ADP-Ribose Polymerase and Bax. Strikingly, docetaxel-resistant HGT-1 cell derivatives overexpressing the MDR-1 gene were much more sensitive to lovastatin than docetaxel-sensitive cells. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the association of lovastatin and docetaxel, or lovastatin alone, shows promise as plausible anticancer strategies, either as a direct therapeutic approach or following acquired P-glycoprotein-dependent resistance.

Nitrogen and Iron Availability Drive Metabolic Remodeling and Natural Selection of Diverse Phytoplankton during Experimental Upwelling.

Nearly half of carbon fixation and primary production originates from marine phytoplankton, and much of it occurs in episodic blooms in upwelling regimes. Here, we simulated blooms limited by nitrogen and iron by incubating Monterey Bay surface waters with subnutricline waters and inorganic nutrients and measured the whole-community transcriptomic response during mid- and late-bloom conditions. Cell counts revealed that centric and pennate diatoms (largely Pseudo-nitzschia and Chaetoceros spp.) were the major blooming taxa, but dinoflagellates, prasinophytes, and prymnesiophytes also increased. Viral mRNA significantly increased in late bloom and likely played a role in the bloom's demise. We observed conserved shifts in the genetic similarity of phytoplankton populations to cultivated strains, indicating adaptive population-level changes in community composition. Additionally, the density of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) declined in late-bloom samples for most taxa, indicating a loss of intraspecific diversity as a result of competition and a selective sweep of adaptive alleles. We noted differences between mid- and late-bloom metabolism and differential regulation of light-harvesting complexes (LHCs) under nutrient stress. While most LHCs are diminished under nutrient stress, we showed that diverse taxa upregulated specialized, energy-dissipating LHCs in low iron. We also suggest the relative expression of NRT2 compared to the expression of GSII as a marker of cellular nitrogen status and the relative expression of iron starvation-induced protein genes (ISIP1, ISIP2, and ISIP3) compared to the expression of the thiamine biosynthesis gene (thiC) as a marker of iron status in natural diatom communities. IMPORTANCE Iron and nitrogen are the nutrients that most commonly limit phytoplankton growth in the world's oceans. The utilization of these resources by phytoplankton sets the biomass available to marine systems and is of particular interest in high-nutrient, low-chlorophyll (HNLC) coastal fisheries. Previous research has described the biogeography of phytoplankton in HNLC regions and the transcriptional responses of representative taxa to nutrient limitation. However, the differential transcriptional responses of whole phytoplankton communities to iron and nitrogen limitation has not been previously described, nor has the selective pressure that these competitive bloom environments exert on major players. In addition to describing changes in the physiology of diverse phytoplankton, we suggest practical indicators of cellular nitrogen and iron status for future monitoring.

Aneuploidy and DNA fragmentation in sperm of carriers of a constitutional chromosomal abnormality.

Among various causes responsible for infertility, it has been admitted for a long time that male infertility can be due to impaired spermatogenesis and/or balanced structural chromosomal abnormalities. Sperm DNA fragmentation is also considered as another cause of infertility. Most of the studies on male infertility have concerned either aneuploidy in the sperm of carriers of constitutional chromosomal abnormalities or sperm DNA fragmentation. This review is aimed at analyzing these 2 parameters in the same patients. Furthermore, we present work on the study of these 2 parameters in the same gametes of 4 carriers of a balanced chromosomal abnormality. Meiotic segregation was analyzed by fluorescent in situ hybridization and DNA fragmentation was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay. It was shown that aneuploidy and DNA fragmentation were increased in the sperm of carriers of a balanced chromosomal abnormality. For all 4 carriers of a balanced structural abnormality, there was a 2-5 times higher proportion of spermatozoa with unbalanced chromosomal content and fragmented DNA than among those with normal/balanced content. Moreover, we found a non-random distribution with more gametes with DNA fragmentation when these arose from a particular segregation mode. The mechanism which would tend to explain our results is abortive apoptosis. In conclusion, both meiotic segregation and DNA fragmentation studies should be integrated in the genetic exploration of male carriers of a chromosomal structural abnormality.

Study of aneuploidy and DNA fragmentation in gametes of patients with severe teratozoospermia.

This study investigated meiotic segregation in spermatozoa to determine if severe teratozoospermia should prevent the use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) because of the high production of gametes with chromosomal aneuploidies and analysed DNA fragmentation in gametes from the same semen to determine if DNA integrity was worse in patients with severe teratozoospermia. Sperm samples from 12 infertile patients were studied by fluorescence in-situ hybridization for chromosomes X, Y, 13, 18 and 21 and by TdT (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase)-mediated dUDP nick-end labelling. Four patients with a majority of macrocephalic forms with multiple flagella had more than 99% spermatozoa with abnormal chromosomal content. The other patients (globozoospermia or other abnormalities concerning sperm heads) had no increased aneuploidy or a slightly significant increase (P<0.05). The rate of DNA fragmentation was significantly higher in infertile patients than in the controls (P<0.001; 14.3% versus 1.20%, respectively) but presented important variability. Therefore, ICSI should not be attempted if men have macrocephalic gametes with multiple flagella but morphology is not always a good predictor of chromosomal content, depending upon the kind of teratozoospermia. Evaluation of the rate of aneuploidy and DNA fragmentation in gametes of patients with severe teratozoospermia is recommended.

Sampling strategy for bacteriological diagnosis of intrathoracic tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is the most frequent site of TB and the one leading its spread worldwide. Multiple specimens are commonly collected for TB diagnosis including those requiring invasive procedures. This study aimed to review the sampling strategy for the microbiological diagnosis of pulmonary TB. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of collected samples from September 1st 2014 to May 1st 2016 in the Bacteriology laboratory of Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital (Paris, France) was performed. All the samples collected in patients aged over 18 years for the bacteriological diagnosis of pulmonary TB were included. RESULTS: A total of 6267 samples were collected in 2187 patients. One hundred and twenty-six patients (6%) had a culture confirmed pulmonary TB. Among them, multiple sputum collections were sufficient for TB diagnosis in 63.5%, gastric lavages permitted to avoid bronchoscopy in only 7.1%, and bronchoscopy was necessary in 29.4%. The culture positivity of sputa (8.6%) was higher than that of bronchial aspirations (3.1%), bronchiolo-alveolar lavages (BAL) (2.3%) or gastric lavages (4.8%) (P<0.001). From its 70.0% theoretical PPV value, the 46.1% selection in bronchial aspirations allocated to molecular test increased PPV up to 88.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our data, we suggest to collect sputum consistently. If smear negative a bronchoscopy should be performed and molecular diagnosis be performed on a subset of bronchial aspirations based on expertise of the bronchoscopist.

A study of meiotic segregation of chromosomes in spermatozoa of translocation carriers using fluorescent in situ hybridisation.

In the infertile male population, there is a 2-20-time higher probability of having a structural chromosomal abnormality than in general population. Generally, these men have a normal phenotype but they can have sperm abnormalities. As they can produce a variable proportion of unbalanced gametes, it is important to evaluate the percentage of unbalanced chromosomal spermatozoa to assess the risk of injecting a chromosomally unbalanced gamete during ICSI procedure. We report here the meiotic segregation analysis of chromosomes in spermatozoa of 12 men with a balanced reciprocal translocation and 4 men with a Robertsonian translocation using a fluorescent in situ hybridisation analysis. The frequencies of normal or balanced spermatozoa ranged from 34.4% to 49.1% in balanced reciprocal translocation carriers. For Robertsonian translocation, the frequencies of normal or balanced spermatozoa ranged from 78.4% to 91.2%. These analyses allow us to define the orientation of genetic counselling according to the results of meiotic segregation obtained. As a last resort, it could then be discussed of the possibility of having recourse to donor spermatozoa or adoption.

[Treatment by fat tissue transfer for radiation injury in childhood facial cancer]. / Traitement par transfert graisseux des séquelles postradiques de tumeur faciale maligne de l'enfance.

The radiation treatment of malignant facial tumors in children may induce major functional and cosmetic sequelae, mainly due to uneven growth of the bones and soft tissues, resulting in facial asymmetry and hemihypotrophy at adult age. Although fat transfer has proven effective for facial cosmetic treatment, few studies have demonstrated the benefit of the technique in heavily irradiated tissues. The techniques generally used for the treatment of facial asymmetry or hypotrophy are ill-adapted to irradiated patients. Indeed, procedures such as skin detachment, osteotomy and vascular suture are risky because of radiation-induced damage. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential benefits of fat transfer for the correction of sequelae of facial irradiation. Four patients (two males and two females) aged 27, 25, 16 and 13 years underwent fat grafting for the correction of facial asymmetry or hypotrophy induced by cancer radiation treatment during childhood (radiation dose of more than 50Gy). One to three grafting sessions were required, depending on the cases. After a median follow-up of 3.9 years, cosmetic results were considered satisfactory by both the patient and the surgeon in all four cases. Fat transfer remarkably improved the cosmetic appearance of the patients, without deleterious consequences for the vitality of tissues. In addition, a restoration of skin trophicity was observed, thus confirming the benefit of grafting adipocytes into the irradiated integument. In conclusion, fat grafting appears to be a simple and easily reusable technique which makes it possible to obtain the best morphological and cosmetic results in irradiated patients, whereas avoiding complex and potentially hazardous procedures.

[Molecular diagnosis of tuberculosis]. / Place de la biologie moléculaire dans le diagnostic de la tuberculose.

Tuberculosis is caused by the M. tuberculosis complex. Its slow growth delays the bacteriological diagnosis based on phenotypic tests. Molecular biology has significantly reduced this delay, notably thanks to the deployment of the Xpert® MTB/RIF test (Cepheid), which detects the M. tuberculosis complex and rifampicin resistance in 2hours. Other tests detecting isoniazid and second-line antituberculous drugs resistance have been developed. However, the performances of molecular tests are significantly reduced if the acid-fast bacilli microscopy screening is negative. It is therefore crucial to limit their indication to strong clinical suspicions. Resistance detection tests only explore certain characterized positions; however, not all drug-resistance mutations are known. Moreover, the performances vary for different antituberculous drugs. The advent of genomic sequencing is promising. Its integration into routine workflow still needs to be evaluated and the data analysis remains to be standardized. The rise of molecular biology techniques has revolutionized the diagnosis of tuberculosis and drug resistance. However, they remain screening tests; results still have to be confirmed by phenotypic reference methods.

Decrease of spermatozoa with an unbalanced chromosome content after cell sorting in men carrying a structural chromosomal abnormality.

BACKGROUND: We showed that in men with a constitutional chromosomal abnormality, DNA fragmentation was significantly higher in chromosomally unbalanced spermatozoa than in spermatozoa with a normal or balanced chromosomal content. These results could be explained by a phenomenon already described in infertile men: abortive apoptosis. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether magnetic-activated cell separation could select spermatozoa with lower levels of DNA fragmentation and unbalanced chromosome content in men carrying a structural chromosomal abnormality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The spermatozoa of ten males with a chromosomal rearrangement were separated into two populations using magnetic-activated cell separation (annexin V (-) and annexin V (+) fractions), in order to study meiotic segregation by fluorescence in situ hybridization, the percentage of spermatozoa with an externalization of phosphatidylserine by annexin V staining and DNA fragmentation by TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling on the whole ejaculate and on selected spermatozoa in the same patient. RESULTS: For all patients, the percentage of spermatozoa with externalization of phosphatidylserine decreased in the annexin V (-) fraction and increased in the annexin V (+) fraction as compared to the frozen-thawed semen sample. The rates of DNA fragmentation were statistically much lower in the annexin V (-) fraction when compared to the rate before magnetic-activated cell separation for all but one patient. Conversely, we observed a statistically significantly higher rate of DNA fragmentation in the annexin V (+) fraction for six patients. After magnetic-activated cell separation, there was a significant increase of normal/balanced spermatozoa in the fraction of annexin V (-) for all patients. Conversely, we observed a significant decrease in the fraction of annexin V (+) for seven patients. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic-activated cell separation is a promising tool for increasing the selection of healthy spermatozoa, with a decrease in the number of spermatozoa with externalization of phosphatidylserine, DNA fragmentation, and chromosome unbalance, for use in assisted reproductive technologies such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection for males with a chromosomal structural abnormality.