First successful pregnancy outcome after twelve abortions in a Tunisian-woman with the rare p phenotype.

INTRODUCTION: Anti-PP1P k alloantibody, is produced in the serum of individuals with the rare p phenotype. It is associated with severe haemolytic transfusion reactions, recurrent spontaneous early abortions as well as haemolytic disease of the foetus and newborn. Anti-PP1P k alloimmunization in pregnancy differ from others in their physiopathology. It seems that the placenta would be the main target of anti-PP1P k antibody. CASE REPORT: This report concerns a 35 year old female, with a history of a high incidence (12) of early and recurrent miscarriages. She was found to have the extremely rare p phenotype and anti-PP1P k antibody in her serum. Her 13th pregnancy was successfully managed by plasmapheresis. No substitution fluid was added. Oral hydration was recommended before and after the apheresis sessions. 12 plasmapheresis cycles were performed before a healthy term female infant weighing 3kg600g, was delivered by caesarean section at 38 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSION: Plasmapheresis seems to be the treatment of choice in the management of anti-PP1P k fetomaternal incompatibilities. However in this case, we opted for an original and less expensive protocol. We did resort, neither to substitution fluid nor to intravenous immunoglobulin.

Beneficial role of vanillin, a polyphenolic flavoring agent, on maneb-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, and liver histological changes in Swiss albino mice.

Vanillin, a widely used flavoring agent, has antimutagenic and antioxidant properties. The current study was performed to evaluate its beneficial role against hepatotoxicity induced by maneb, a dithiocarbamate fungicide. Mice were divided into four groups of six each: group 1, serving as negative controls which received by intraperitoneal way only distilled water, a solvent of maneb; group 2, received daily, by intraperitoneal way, maneb (30 mg kg-1 body weight (BW)); group 3, received maneb at the same dose of group 2 and 50 mg kg-1 BW of vanillin by intraperitoneal way; and group 4, serving as positive controls, received daily only vanillin. After 10 days of treatment, mice of all groups were killed. Our results showed that vanillin significantly reduced the elevated hepatic levels of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and advanced oxidation protein product and attenuated DNA fragmentation induced by maneb. In addition, vanillin modulated the alterations of antioxidant status: enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and nonenzymatic (reduced glutathione, nonprotein thiol, and vitamin C) antioxidants in the liver of maneb-treated mice. This natural compound was also able to ameliorate plasma biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, and total protein). The protective effect of vanillin was further evident through the histopathological changes produced by maneb in the liver tissue. Thus, we concluded that vanillin might be beneficial against maneb-induced hepatic damage in mice.

Robust sensorless vector control of an induction machine using Multiobjective Adaptive Fuzzy Luenberger Observer.

This paper presents an inherent speed estimation scheme associated to the Indirect Field Oriented Control in case of Induction motor sensorless control. Indeed, through the design of a Multiobjective Adaptive Fuzzy Luenberger Observer, the speed sensorless control issue even at low speed, the observer poles' assignment issues and the speed estimation's sensitivity to rotor resistance uncertainties issue are treated concurrently. First of all, the structure of the proposed Takagi-Sugeno adaptive observer is described. Secondly, based on Lyapunov theory, observer gains are designed and a fuzzy speed estimation scheme is provided. The design's objectives consist of minimizing the sensitivity of the proposed observer to rotor resistance uncertainties (using the L2 techniques) and to guarantee a specified observer dynamic performances through a D-stability analysis. The design conditions are formulated into Linear Matrix Inequalities terms. Finally, experiments are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed results regardless of uncertainties in the rotor resistance.

Penconazole alters redox status, cholinergic function, and membrane-bound ATPases in the cerebrum and cerebellum of adult rats.

Pesticides exposure causes usually harmful effects to the environment and human health. The present study aimed to investigate the potential toxic effects of penconazole, a triazole fungicide, on the cerebrum and cerebellum of adult rats. Penconazole was administered intraperitoneally to male Wistar rats at a dose of 67 mg kg-1 body weight every 2 days during 9 days. Results showed that penconazole induced oxidative stress in rat cerebrum and cerebellum tissues. In fact, we have found a significant increase in malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and advanced oxidation protein product levels, as well as an alteration of the antioxidant status, enzymatic (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and nonenzymatic (glutathione), the cholinergic function, and membrane-bound ATPases (Na+/K+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase). Penconazole also provoked histological alterations marked by pyknotic and vacuolated neurons in the cerebrum and apoptosis and edema in the cerebellum Purkinje cells' layer. Therefore, the use of this neurotoxicant fungicide must be regularly monitored in the environment.

[Circumscribed non-tuberculous osteomyelitis in children. Apropos of 31 cases]. / Les ostéomyélites circonscrites non tuberculeuses de l'enfant. A propos de 31 cas.

Over the last eight years (1975-1983) a total of 31 cases of circumscribed non-tuberculous osteomyelitis in children have been treated as against 21 cases of classical acute osteomyelitis, suggesting transformation of the mode of presentation of this disease. Lesions were located in the pelvis (8 cases), the calcaneum (3 cases) and the long bones (20 cases), the metaphysis being affected in the latter in 13 patients, the diaphysis in 4 and the epiphysis in three. Specific radiologic images for each location are defined. Clinical expression was subacute and signs of infection inconstant. Differential diagnosis is discussed in relation to each region involved, a positive diagnosis depending on clinical, biologic and radiologic findings, with the need for biopsy in case of doubt. The latter was necessary in 12 of the 31 children. Diagnosis was confirmed in all cases by the favorable outcome from treatment.

[Nephroblastoma with egg-shell peripheral calcifications. Apropos of 3 cases]. / Les néphroblastomes avec calcifications périphériques "en coque". A propos de 3 observations.

Three cases of nephroblastoma presented "egg-shell" peripheral calcifications of pseudocystic appearance of radiology. These peripheral lesions are compared with the more commonly reported central calcifications. Their pathology is unknown and they lack prognostic significance of any importance. As for all nephroblastomas the diagnosis is based on straight abdomen images, intravenous urography, ultrasound and computed tomography. Differential diagnosis is basically from renal adenocarcinoma in children, the latter often exhibiting similar calcifications, the distinction between the two types of tumor depending on age of onset. These calcified lesions are non-specific findings and various diagnoses are discussed.

[Congenital toxoplasmosis and transfontanelle brain echography. Apropos of 8 cases observed in newborn infants and infants]. / Toxoplasmose congénitale et échographie encéphalique trans-fontanellaire. A propos de 8 cas observés chez des nouveau-nés et des nourrissons.

The undeniable value of brain ultrasound imaging in the detection of ventricular dilatation is emphasized, and a classification of intracranial calcifications proposed: hyperechogenic, nodular and irregular large images and those without a posterior shadow cone. Comparison between simple films and particularly computed tomography images was conducted in the cases studied.

[Rare causes of ossification of the posterior common vertebral ligament causing cervical compression. Apropos of 2 cases]. / Causes rares de l'ossification du ligament vertébral commun postérieur responsable de compression cervicale. A propos de 2 observations.

The ossification of the posterior longitudinal is always responsible of cervical myelopathy. Radiological study and the CT scan, are able to precise the level, the morphologic and associated abnormalities of this lesion. Two cases of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligamentum with cervical myelopathy are reported. The radiologic studies determined the etiology, in the first case, it was fluorosis and the second DISH disease.

[Uncommon etiology of cruralgia]. / Etiologie inhabituelle de cruralgie.

A 58 year old man suffered from low back pain. Physical examination showed asymmetry of the quadriceps and slight motor deficiency of right leg. Plain radiography of the pelvis revealed a large osteophyte, developed anteriorly at the low part of the right sacro iliac joint. CT exam of lumbar spin was normal. But, it confirmed osteophyte of right sacro iliac. Percutaneous injection of a small quantity of xylocaine under CT guidance in the site of the osteophyte behind crural muscle was marked by immediate disappearance of the pain, confirming the site of conflict between the crural nerve and the osteophyte. The patient was treated by injection of corticosteroid at the same location. Recovery was good.

[Meningeal melanocytoma: a rare meningeal tumor]. / Une tumeur méningée rare: mélanocytome méningé

Meningeal melanocytoma is a rare benign pigmented tumor. It develops from melanocytes normally present in the meninges of the posterior fossa and medulla. It is an extra axial tumor, that manifests due to compression of adjacent structures. The authors report a case of meningeal melanocytoma located at the foramen magnum. They insist on the characteristic paramagnetic signal of the tumor on the different MRI sequences.

[Superior caval syndrome caused by chronic mediastinitis in Behçet's disease]. / Syndrome cave supérieur par médiastinite chronique au cours d'une maladie de Behçet.

We report a case of Behçet disease complicated by superior vena cava syndrome secondary to extrinsic compression by mediastinal fibrosis. This association is not reported in literature. The habituel etiology of vena cava syndrome in Behçet disease is venous thrombosis. Radiological investigations of this syndrome are necessary to avoid an useless anticoagulant therapy.

[Chylothorax caused by thrombosis of the superior vena cava in Behçet's disease]. / Chylothorax par thrombose de la veine cave supérieure au cours d'une maladie de Behçet.

The occurrence of chylothorax due to thrombosis of the subclavicular venous drainage is reported. This occurred in a young adult with previously undiagnosed Behçet's disease which had been developing over three years. Venous thromboses during the course of Behçet's disease are extremely frequent and are currently one of the diagnostic criteria. When these thromboses involve the central veins, in particularly the superior vena cava or one of its branches a chylothorax is possible due to blockage of the lymphatic circulation and may be a grave complication, given its location.

[A new case of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome]. / Syndrome d'entérocolite induit par les protéines alimentaires, à propos d'une observation.

We report a case of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) with milk whose signs of milk intolerance began in the 1st days of life, consisting in minor and nonspecific symptoms. The 3 foods in question were cow's milk, soja, and wheat. The diagnosis of FPIES was suspected at the age of 9 months, after 3 hospitalizations for vomiting, sometimes associated with lethargy and hypotension, which occurred around 2h after cow's milk ingestion. Symptoms were not associated with positive specific IgE and cutaneous tests. Signs then occurred with soja and wheat. Because of the late diagnosis, 3 anaphylactic shock episodes occurred. FPIES is an uncommon cell-mediated food allergy reaction. This syndrome is characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms, especially severe vomiting, sometimes associated with anaphylactic shock. Usually signs occur 2h after ingestion. These reactions begin early, in the 1st months of life, and regress by the age of 3 years in 38-100% of cases depending on the responsible food. They are usually induced by cow's milk and soy proteins. Diagnosis is difficult and delayed because of nonspecific symptoms. Oral food challenge is the only examination that confirms the diagnosis. Treatment involves the exclusion of the specific food involved. Severe reactions require treatment of shock and adjunction of corticosteroids.