Impact du délai diagnostique sur la survie du cancer du testicule

Objectives

Testicular cancer is the leading cancer of young adults and its incidence is increasing in almost all industrialized countries. The survival rate after testicular cancer is 95%, all stages combined, but a group of patients with poor prognosis still fails to respond to treatment. The time to diagnosis is defined as the time in months between perception of the first symptoms of testicular cancer by the patient and the diagnosis of the disease by the doctor. The objective of this study is to determine whether the time to diagnosis has a prognostic value, particularly whether it is correlated with the stage of the disease and survival.

Material and Methods

The time to diagnosis was studied in 542 patients with a diagnosis of testicular cancer between 1983 and 2002 in the Midi-Pyrenées region. Information concerning the disease and treatments contained in medical files was collected on a summary document. The time to diagnosis was correlated with prognostic parameters, including stage and survival.

Results

The mean time to diagnosis was 3.7±5.1 months and was longer for seminomas (4.9±6.1 months) than for non-seminomatous germ cell tumours (NSGCT) (2.8 ±4.0 months). The time to diagnosis was correlated with the stage of the disease and the 5-year survival on the overall population and in the NSGCT group, but not in the seminoma group.

Conclusions

Early diagnosis has a prognostic value (correlation with stage of the disease and 5-year survival rate). Testicular cancer information campaigns should therefore be envisaged.     

Agressivité de Conidiobolus obscurus vis à-vis du puceron du pois

Résumé L'influence de différents facteurs physiques (température, pH, lumière, pression osmotique) et nutritionnels (sels, vitamines, sucres et hydrolysats de protéine) a été étudiée sur la germination des conidies primaires de Conidiobolus obscurus. Les germinations globales les plus élevées sont obtenues à 24 °C, à la lumière sur un milieu gélosé contenant du glucose et des vitamines ou de l'extrait de levure. Une température comprise entre 19 et 24 °C, un pH basique (8–10), l'obscurité et la présence de glucose et/ ou d'hydrolysats de protéine stimulent l'émission de tubes germinatifs. Les souches ont pu être classées en 2 groupes en fonction de leur mode de germination in vitro et de leur agressivité vis-à-vis du puceron du pois.

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Different physical (temperature, pH, light and osmotic pressure) and nutritional factors (salts, vitamins, sugars and protein hydrolysates) were tested on the germination of primary conidia of Conidiobolus obscurus. The most important total germination levels were obtained at 24 C, in continuous light on an agar medium containing dextrose and vitamins or yeast extract. Temperatures ranging from 19 to 24°, a basic pH (8–10), darkness and the presence of dextrose and/ or protein hydrolysates stimulated the formation of germ tubes. The strains of C. obscurus studied were classified in 2 groups depending on their aggressivity against the pea aphid and their mode of germination in vitro.

     

Isolement du vernodalin et du vernolepin a partir de Vernonia guineensis: Authenticité du squelette elemane

The isolation of vernoladin and vernolepin is reported. The authenticity of the occurrence of the elemane skeleton in nature is discussed, and a biosynthetic scheme concerning the genus Vernonia is proposed.     

Ultrastructure du mucus (cellules caliciformes du côlon) et des granulations des mastocytes du côlon

Résumé Les auteurs ont étudié la biréfringence du mucus du côlon chez le rat, le cobaye et le lapin, au moyen des colorations métachromatiques au bleu de toluidine et aux acridines. Ils démontrent une biréfringence positive du mucus extracellulaire. Les granulations des mastocytes, dans le même matériel, sont anisotropes. L'anisotropie du mucus et des granulations des mastocytes est présente après fixation-coloration simultanée au bleu Alcian et au vert Alcian. La biréfringence du mucus extracellulaire reste également positive avec les phtalocyanines. En microscopie électronique, les auteurs démontrent, à l'aide du bleu Alcian, une structure filamenteuse parallèle du mucus s'échappant de la cellule. Un aspect hétérogène des granulations des mastocytes est aussi mis en évidence par cette méthode. Ils discutent l'aspect de la réaction métachromatique en fonction de l'anisotropie d'une structure.

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Ultrastructure of mucus in goblet cells and of granules of mastocytes in colonAnisotropy, metachromasia and electron microscopy

Summary The authors have investigated the birefringence of the colic mucus in the guinea pig, the rat and the rabbit before and after of metachromatical staining with toluidine blue and with acridines. They demonstrate a positive birefringence of the extracellular mucus. The granulations of the mast cells in the same animals are anisotropic. The anisotropy can be seen in the mucus and in the granulations of the mast cells after a combined fixation and staining with a mixture of glutaraldehyde and Alcian blue or Alcian green. The birefringence of the extracellular mucus also remains positive with these phtalocyanin dyes. Using the electron microscope, the authors demonstrate, by means of Alcian blue, a filamentous structure with a parallel orientation in the mucus while it flows out of the cells. The same method allows the vizualisation of a heterogenous aspect in the granulations of the mast cells. They discuss the theoretical aspects of the metachromatical reaction in relation with the anisotropy of a structure.

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Nous remercions vivement le Prof. G. Romhányi de l'Université de Pecs (Hongrie) d'avoir bien voulu examiner nos préparations et de nous avoir conseillé dans l'élaboration de ce travail.Nous remercions sincèrement le Dr. J. E. Scott du Canadian Red Cross Memorial Hospital, Taplow, Maidenhead, Berks (Angleterre) d'avoir examiné nos courbes spectrophotométriques du bleu Alcian-héparine et de nous avoir donné son avis.Ce travail a été partiellement réalisé grâce au crédit no 3. 141. 69 du Fonds National Suisse pour le Développement de la Recherche Scientifique.     

Monogènes Dactylogyridae parasites de Cyprinidae du genreBarbus d'Afrique du Nord

Resumé Quinze nouvelles espèces de Monogènes Dactylogyridae sont décrites chez quinze espèces deBarbus (Teleostei, Cyprinidae) appartenant aux sous-genresB. (Barbus) etB. (Labeobarbus) en Afrique du Nord. Les barbeaux examinés proviennent des différents bassins hydrographiques du Maroc et d'une localité nommée Hamman Bourgiba en Tunisie. Dans cette dernière région, le genreBarbus n'est représenté que par une seule espèce:Barbus (B.) callensis. Au Maroc, on en dénombre actuellement quatorze dont quatre appartiennent au sous-genreLabeobarbus: il s'agit deBarbus (L.) fritschii; B. (L.) harteti; B. (L.) paytonii etB. (L.) reinii. Les dix espèces appartenant au sous-genreBarbus sont:Barbus (B.) figuiensis; B. (B.) ksibi; B. (B.) lepineyi; B. (B.) magniatlantis; B. (B.) massaensis; B. (B.) moulouyensis; B. (B.) nasus; B. (B.) pallaryi; B. (B.) setivemensis etB. (B.) issenensis.Chaque sous-genre possède son propre pool parasitaire, à l'exception deDactylogyrus marocanus n. sp., recontré sur des espèces appartenant aux deux sous-genres (B. (L.) fritschii, B. (L.) paytonii, B. (L.) harteti, B. (L.) reinii, B. (L.) nasus, B. (B.) setivimensis, B. (B.) ksibi). Sur les cinqDactylogyrus parasitant lesLabeobarbus, trois présentent une spécificité stricte vis à vis de leur hôte. Il s'agit deDactylogyrus reinii n. sp. surB. (L.) reinii; D. volutus n. sp. etD. zatensis n. sp. surB. (L.) fritschii. Les espècesD. oumiensis n. sp. etD. kulindrii n. sp. présentent une spécifité stenoxène et parasitent respectivementB. (L.) harteti, B. (L.) paytonii, B. (L.) reinii etB. (L.) fritschii, B. (L.) reinii.Nous avons recontré neufDactylogyrus chez les poisson-hôtes appartenent au sous-genreBarbus. Six d'entre eux ont une spécificité oïoxène; ce sont:D. guirensis n. sp.,D. atlasensis n. sp. etD. draaensis n. sp. surB. (B.) pallaryi; D. borjensis n. sp. surB. (B.) nasus etD. heteromorphus n. sp. etD. tunisiensis n. sp. surB. (B.) callensis. Les trois autres parasites ont un spectre d'hôtes plus large. Il s'agit deD. ksibii n. sp. recontré chezB. (B.) ksibi, B. (B.) setivimensis etB. (B.) magniatlantis; D. ksibioïdes n. sp. recontré chezB. (B.) setivimensis etB. (B.) moulouyensis. L'espèceD. fimbriphallus n. sp. stenoxène, se recontre chez les poisson-hôtes du versant Sud de l'Atlas et de la façade méditerranéenne à savoir:B. (B.) figuiensis, B. (B.) lepineyi, B. (B.) massaensis, B. (B.) moulouyensis, B. (B.) pallaryi etB. (B.) issenensis.Le rôle des Dactylogyridae en tant que marqueurs biogéographiques, phylogénétiques et taxonomiques est discuté à partir de la composition spécifique des communautés de Monogènes rencontrés et de leurs différents types morphologiques.

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Fifteen new species of the Dactylogyridae (Monogenea) parasitic on fifteen species of barbels (Barbus) from North Africa (Teleostei, Cyprinidae) are described. The fishes studied belong to two subgenera,B. (Labeobarbus) andB. (Barbus), collected from various hydrographical basins of Morocco and from the Hamman Bourgiba locality in Tunisia. In the latter area, the genusBarbus is represented by onlyBarbus (Barbus) callensis. In Morocco, fourteen species are listed, four of which belong to the subgenusLabeobarbus; these areBarbus (L.) fritschii; B. (L.) harteti; B. (L.) paytonii andB. (L.) reinii. The other ten species belong to the subgenusBarbus: these areBarbus (B.) figuiensis; B. (B.) ksibi; B. (B.) lepineyi; B. (B.) magniatlantis; B. (B.) massaensis; B. (B.) moulouyensis; B. (B.) nasus; B. (B.) pallaryi; B. (B.) setivimensis andB. (B.) issenensis. Each of the two subgenera has its unique parasitic fauna, except forDactylogyrus marocanus n. sp. collected on species belonging to both subgenera (B. (L.) fritschii, B. (L.) paytonii, B. (L.) harteti, B. (L.) reinii, B. (B.) nasus, B. (B.) setivimensis andB. (B.) ksibi). Of the five monogeneans found onLabeobarbus, three appear to be specific to one host: they areDactylogyrus reinii n. sp. onB. (L.) reinii, andD. volutus n. sp. andD. zatensis n. sp. onB. (L.) fritschii. D. kulindrii n. sp. parasitisedB. (L.) reinii andB. (L.) fritschii; andD. oumiensis n. sp. occurred onB. (L.) reinii, B. (L.) paytonii andB. (L.) harteti. NineDactylogyrus species were found in fishes belonging to the subgenusBarbus. Six of them have an oïoxenous specificity: these areD. guirensis n. sp.,D. atlasensis n. sp. andD. draaensis n. sp. onB. (B.) pallaryi; D. borjensis n. sp. onB. (B.) nasus andD. heteromorphus n. sp. andD. tunisiensis n. sp. on(B.) callensis. These other three have a wider range of hosts: they areD. ksibii n. sp. collected fromB. (B.) ksibi, B. (B.) setivimensis andB. (B.) magniatlantis, andD. ksibioïdes n. sp. found onB. (B.) setivimensis andB. (B.) moulouyensis. D. fimbriphallus n. sp. is a characteristic parasite of fishes from the southern side of the Atlas mountains and the Mediterranean coast (B. (B.) figuiensis, B. (B.) lepineyi, B. (B.) massaensis, B. (B.) moulouyensis, B. (B.) pallaryi andB. (B.) issenensis).The role of dactylogyrids as biogeographical phylogenetic and taxonomic indicators is discussed in relation to the specific structure of the monogenean communities and the different morphological types found.

     

Études du Paléolithique du Japon à partir des téphras

Many studies and discussions have been made on the problem of when the earliest human beings appeared in Japan. In general, hominid fossils in the latest Pleistocene are not preserved except for coralline limestone sequence in Ryukyu islands, but earlier Paleolithic tools were excavated from volcanic ash soil with a ¹⁴C age of about 30,000–35,000 yr. BP or younger at several archeological sites in almost all Japan. Recent studies, however, show a need for revision and refinement of these ages because calibration techniques have progressed from conventional to calendar ages and high-resolution oxygen isotope chronology has given a global standard sequence. Aïra-Tn tephra (AT), the most important time-marker of the Paleolithic age in Japan, was formerly dated at 21,000–22,000 yr ¹⁴C BP by conventional radiocarbon methods but was dated again at ca. 24,500 yr ¹⁴C BP by accelerated mass spectrometry radiocarbon methods. However, it has been further calibrated to a high-resolution calendar age of 30,000 cal yr. by varve chronology of lake sediments of Suigetsu of central Japan, well matched with combined date between oxygen isotope dates based and calibration from AMS radiocarbon dates. As the earliest Paleolithic tools in south Kanto are found in volcanic ash soil significantly below AT ash and above Sambe-Ikeda ash (SI, ca.46 ka), just above the oxygen isotopic stage 3.3, they are estimated to be dated slightly older than 40 ka. Palaeo-environment at that time is estimated mild to cool climate and relatively low sea level after the oxygen isotope stage 3.3. Sill land bridges between Japan islands and continents have not been formed at major straits. We have not yet obtained useful data for calibration older than ca. 45 ka. Also, correlation of oxygen isotopic fluctuation with the terrestrial sequences is incomplete in Stage 3.     

Origines du peuplement mammalien en Afrique du Nord durant le miocène terminal

The late Miocene North African mammalianassemblage is considered here from three viewpoints: survivals, extinctions, and immigrations. The Eurasiatic affinities of the large mammals slightly prevail over the Ethiopian affinities. Amongst the North African large mammals, 4 to 8 taxa are Eurasiatic immigrants, while 4 to 6 are of Subsaharian origin. Contrarily, the micromammalian fauna is highly endemic, with only one species, a murid (Paraethomys miocaenicus), considered here as being related to an Asiatic form (Karnimata darwini). Our study of Eurasian and African Miocene faunas reveals that during the late Astaracian-early Turolian interval, the Saharo-Arabic belt permitted very little latitudinal faunal exchanges. However, during the middle and late Turolian such faunal exchanges became frequent. The micromammal record unequivocally indicates that a brief period of faunal exchange occurred between Africa and western Europe at the end of the Miocene, corresponding with the Messinian Salinity Crisis. The increased intercontinental faunal exchange between Africa and Eurasia during the late Miocene coincides with, and counterbalances the extinction of more than 10 taxa at the Mio/Pliocene boundary.     

Aspects toxiques du cuivre sur la biomasse et la productivité du phytoplancton de la rivière du Saguenay,Québec

In 1979 and 1980, batch culture experiments were conducted to observe the inhibitory effect of copper ion (concentrations of 10, 50, 100, 200 and 400 µg Cu · l^–1) on the standing crops and photosynthesis of phytoplankton of the Saguenay River (for 124 hours) and in Chlorella vulgaris (for 8 days). These algal assays were carried out using the surface water of the Saguenay River. In natural populatoins of phytoplankton, it was found that photosynthesis was more sensitive than growth: at the lowest concentrations, such as 10 µg Cu · 1^–1, copper seemed to increase the chlorophyll concentrations whereas the rates of primary production show a decrease of 60% with respect to the control. At higher concentrations of copper, the effect is weak in chlorophyll concentrations and more pronounced in the rates of primary production (decrease of 86 to 90%). The pennate diatoms are dominant (in all the samples) and these organisms are known as relatively resistant to copper. In Chlorella vulgaris, it was observed that with 100 µg Cu · 1^–1, chlorophyll concentrations and rates of photosynthesis respectively decrease by 63 and 99% with respect to the control. At higher concentrations of copper, a maximum decrease of 70% and 99% respectively for chlorophyll concentrations and rates of primaryproduction are observed.

     

Expression in vitro du gène de l'aromatase dans les cellules testiculaires du rat

The ability of the male gonad to convert androgens into estrogens is well known ; the microsomal enzymatic complex involved in this transformation is named aromatase and is composed of a specific cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) and a ubiquitous reductase. Using a highly specific RT-PCR method we have measured the amount of P450arom mRNA in purified Leydig and Sertoli cells prepared from 20, 40 and 70–80 day-old rats. The amount of P450arom mRNA in the Leydig cells is independent of age (40 × 10⁻³ attomoles/μg of total RNA); in contrast, in the immature rat Sertoli cells, after 5 days of culture the amount of P450arom mRNA is 20-fold lower when compared to that of 20-day-old rat Sertoli cells (71 × 10⁻³ attomoles/μg of total RNA). Nevertheless, irrespective of the age, the addition of either FSH or dbcAMP for 6 h increases the level of P450arom mRNA in the rat Sertoli cell preparations. Therefore, we evidenced that during testicular maturation not only the Leydig cells but also the Sertoli cells of the rat have the capacity to express the gene for cytochrome P450 aromatase.     

Deux fougères fertiles du Stéphanien du Massif Central (France)

Two fertile ferns from the Stephanian of the Massif Central (France) are described in detail. One has been found in the Blanzy basin and is assigned to Oligocarpia (Sphenopteris) leptophylla (Bunbury) nov. comb., according to the morphology of the sterile pinnae and of the fructifications. Its spores agree with the «sporae dispersae Granulatisporites parvus (Ibr.) Potonié and Kremp. The other fern has been collected in the St Etienne basin and is assigned to Senftenbergia plumosa (Artis) Radforth var. ligerensis nov. var. Its spores agree with the morphographic genus Raistrickia (S., W. and B.) Potonié and Kremp but do not look like any described species; therefore the new species name R. polymorpha nov. sp. has been given to that spore.     

Epidémiologie du risque cardio-vasculaire

L’épidémiologie des maladies cardio-vasculaires est étonnante, et apparemment contradictoire.     

Les responsabilités du biologistes

The responsabilities of the professionals are numerous and various. As an exemple, we discuss the french law (29 july 1994) about the practice of reproductive biology. There are three levels of responsabilities:

? civil liability concern the damage to somebody, the means, information, confidentiality.

? penal code concern the integrity of somebody, the safety of the staff and of the patients.

? administrative.

All the professionals must be aware of the legislation and the penalties they might incur.     

Alcaloïdes du Pandaca ochrascens

From leaves and root bark of Pandaca ochrascens ten alkaloids were isolated: apparicine, akuammicine, dehydro-19,20 condylocarpine, akuammidine, epi-16 dehydro-14,15 vincamine, ibogaine, iboluteine, ibogaline and also two new alkaloids, epi-19 ibogaine or (19R) 19-hydroxyibogaine and epi-19 iboxygaline or (19R) 19-hydroxyibogaline. The absolute configuration at C₁₉ of these new alkaloids and other alkaloids hydroxylated on 19 of the Iboga type is discussed.