Age-dependent changes in porcine alveolar macrophage function during the postnatal period of alveolarization.

During early postnatal ontogeny in most mammals, the lung is structurally and functionally immature. In some species with relatively altricial lung morphology, there is evidence of a coupling between functional maturity of the pulmonary cellular immune system and alveolar maturation. Herein, we examine changes in alveolar macrophage (AM) number and function occurring during alveolarization in a more precocial species, the pig, to determine if heightened oxidative metabolism and phagocytic ability is similarly delayed until completion of lung morphogenesis. We assessed cell differential in lavage fluid and evaluated two main functional parameters of AM phagocytic response, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and particle internalization. AM functional maturation occurred mainly during the first postnatal week: the proportion of AMs, ROS generation, and phagocytosis all increased significantly. These results suggest maturational improvement of the impaired AM-based pulmonary immune system of the neonate piglet occurs during the postnatal period of rapid alveolarization.

[Cardiac amyloidosis]. / Le cas clinique du mois. Amyloïdose cardiaque de type AL: a propos d'un cas.

We present a case of a 54-year-old female presenting with renal failure and, two years later, heart failure, both due to primary systemic amyloidosis. The case gives us the opportunity to review the litterature on the topic.

[Neuroendocrine tumors of the appendix]. / Tumeurs neuroendocrines appendiculaires: à propos d'un cas, de l'histologie à la thérapeutique.

An 19-year-old woman was admitted for acute appendicitis. The histological study of the appendix revealed a tubular variant of endocrine carcinoma of the appendix. Neuroendocrine tumors ("NETs") of the appendix are rare tumors which are usually detected incidentally, affecting 0.3% to 0.9% of appendectomies. Depending on their size, but also on some other factors, including histologic type, these tumors will require specific treatment; sometimes appendectomy will not be sufficient.

[Clinical case of the month. Liver transplantation for hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma]. / Transplantation hépatique pour un hémangio-endothéliome épithélioïde du foie.

The epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a rare malignant vascular lesion that may occur within the liver. In the hepatic multifocal and bilobar forms, liver transplantation is indicated as the curative management. In this case report, the authors describe the diagnosis and the management of a 52-year-old woman who was diagnosed with hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma and who underwent successful liver transplantation.

[Barrett's esophagus: overview]. / Oesophage de Barrett: mise au point.

Barrett's oesophagus (BE) is a segment of columnar lined epithelium in the distal oesophagus, above the gastrooesophageal junction. So it is important to localize this junction endoscopically; the proximal margin of the gastric folds is the anatomic landmark. Another important feature of BE is the specialized intestinal metaplasia. In the aetiology of this condition, acid reflux is a primary event but there is evidence that other factors are causal. As BE is a well known premalignant condition, detection of dysplastic epithelium and its severity is the crucial element. Practical guidelines are presented for endoscopic surveillance program. The purpose is the early detection of high grade dysplasia and carcinoma to advise oesophagectomy or endoscopic ablation therapy for patients unfit to undergo surgery.

Budd-Chiari syndrome complicating hepatic sarcoidosis: definitive treatment by liver transplantation: a case report.

Sarcoidotic involvement of the liver is frequent, albeit uncommonly symptomatic. Severe complications are rare, but may seldom require liver transplantation. Budd-Chiari syndrome has been described in a few patients with hepatic sarcoidosis. Herein we have reported the case of a young woman suffering from hepatic sarcoidosis who developed severe cholestasis and chronic Budd-Chiari syndrome. She successfully underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and is asymptomatic with normal liver function at 3 years follow-up. Histopathological assessment of the liver explant demonstrated a florid granulomatous process, with involvement of the large intrahepatic veins, providing an anatomical basis for the vascular flow disturbances. This case adds further evidence that liver transplantation may be the curative treatment for complicated sarcoidotic liver disease.