Conséquences de la chimiothérapie anticancéreuse sur la fertilité de la femme

Sterility is a potential toxic effect of chemotherapy. This risk is well established for alkylating agents, but is less clearly defined for anthracyclines, methotrexate and fluorouracil and poorly defined for alkaloids, platinum, etoposide and taxanes. The main predictive factors for ovarian toxicity are the additive effect of cytotoxic drugs, the cumulative dose of each drug and the patient’s age. This effect of chemotherapy is evaluated on menstrual cycles, hormonal assays and the number of pregnancies observed in patient cohorts. Chemotherapy induces destruction of oocytes and granulosa cells. In mice, it has been shown that adriamycin may induce oocyte apoptosis, which can be prevented by modulation of cycle cell signalling (dysregulation of Bax gene or, on the contrary, expression of its antagonist gene Bcl-2 or inhibition of apoptosis with sphingosine-1-phosphate or caspase inhibitors). Clinical data in the literature are usually based on retrospective studies and are somewhat confused: global fertility after MOPP chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s disease is about 20%, adjuvant chemotherapy with CMF, F(A)C or TAC for breast cancer induces amenorrhea in 50% to 70% of cases, PVB or BEP chemotherapy for ovarian germ cell tumors has little effect on fertility when the uterus and one ovary can be preserved, and the majority of women treated with methotrexate, actinomycin D or various combinations for persistent trophoblastic disease remain fertile. Preservation of fertility is a major goal for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: in vitro fertilization could preserve the couple’s fertility, but is usually not feasible as it would delay initiation of chemotherapy until after stimulation of ovulation; oocyte or ovarian tissue cryopreservation is at the stage of research; oral contraceptives have not been demonstrated to be effective to preserve ovarian function; gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists prevent cyclophosphamide toxicity in rat and monkey ovaries, and a few pilot clinical studies suggest that chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea could be prevented by administration of GnRH analogues simultaneously to chemotherapy, but randomised studies are necessary.     

Apports de la géologie et de la géomorphologie à l’étude du mégalithisme : identifier,interpréter,dater

The contribution of geology and geomorphology to architectural and technological study of the Atlantic coast of France megaliths is important and can be grouped into three main axes: to identify, interpret and dating. Identification refers to the sourcing of the megalithic materiel from 0 to 7 km, sometimes around 10 km, or even exceptionally around 30 km. It is never the entire supply that is affected by such long distances but only a few blocks, some of them are remarkably well staged in the megalithic architecture. Another contribution lies in a fresh look at the management of stone recognized through the modes of acquisition, transformation and use of the raw material. More particularly, the geomorphology associated with technological reading offers tools for recognizing ancient standing stones. In the context of the interpretation of funerary chambers, the two sciences open a large window on the modalities of the internal structuring of monuments. From the entrance to the end of the chamber, the organization and use of the space is documented, sometimes a symbolic coding emerges from the mineral walls. This symbolic coding is based on particular petrography, on surface conditions operating a subdivision of space, on granulometries and homogeneities of differentiated surfaces. The internal organization can also be marked with natural “patterns”, which refer to a completely new aspect of Neolithic thought. Finally, the last axis concerns relative dating, by recognizing forms of postmegalithic fossil erosion, geomorphology makes it possible to identify reused stelae. A very important tool in a current research context where an important episode of reuse of standing stones at the end of the middle Neolithic is anticipated in the construction of dolmens in the south of France.     

Joseph-Pierre Pétrequin (1809–1876): chirurgien, anatomiste, historien de la médecine, fondateur de la Faculté médicale lyonnaise et son procédé chirurgical original pour la cure de la gangrène de la verge

Pétrequin was an outstanding anatomist, surgeon, medical historian, and founder of the Lyon School of Medicine. This article describes his scientific contribution with particular emphasis on his original surgical procedure for the treatment of penile gangrene.     

La détermination sérologique de la poliomyélite asymptomatique dans la famille

Résumé Dans 4 familles où se trouvait un malade atteint de poliomyélite on a examiné les sérums de la phase aiguë et de la phase de convalescence des malades et des autres membres de famille pour chercher la présence d'anticorps neutralisant trois souches du virus poliomyélitique (Lansing, SK et MM) et le virus de la chorioméningite lymphocytaire. Dans deux familles au moins, les recherches indiquent que les anticorps contre la souche Lansing ne se forment que comme conséquence spécifique d'une infection, éventuellement asymptomatique, par un virus poliomyélitique d'une structure antigène apparentée à celle de la souche Lansing. Dans une famille le sérum de la phase aiguë d'un malade et le sérum de sa mère, contenaient des anticorps tandis que le sérum de son père et d'une soeur ne neutralisait pas la souche Lansing. Dix semaines après, les sérums du père et de la soeur avaient obtenu un pouvoir neutralisant contre cette souche, bien que ni l'un ni l'autre n'aient été malades. Ceci pourrait indiquer la possibilité d'une infection par contact direct dans la famille.     

Efficacité de la mémoire associative inhérente à la potentiation post-tétanique

An associative memory is modeled in networks of cells that are assumed to have the short-term plasticity of the neuromuscular junction of the frog. The data relating synaptic transmission efficiency and stimulation frequency for post-tetanic potentiation of the neuromuscular junction are represented by polynomial expansions. Simulation of storage and retrieval demonstrates that functional associative memory is feasible based on this particular synaptic plasticity. Retrieval reaches a maximum efficiency at a delay of three minutes after storage and is lost after about 9 min. The signal to noise ratio of the retrieved pattern drops steadily as additional associations are stored in memory but retrieval appears to be possible with up to four stored associations. Although the data are derived from synapses not normally proposed as a basis for memory functions, the results here will generalize to other synaptic junctions located more centrally that have similar characteristics. This simulation technique allows the efficiency of associative memory based on various types of synaptic plasticity to be evaluated.     

Contribution a la connaissance des propriétés du virus de la densonucléose

Résumé Le virus de la densonucléose est thermorésistant. Il n'est pas inactivé après traitement avec des solvants de lipides. Aucun pouvoir hémagglutinant n'a été mis en évidence avec des érythrocytes d'espèces variées. Ces propriétés sont comparées à celles desParvovirus.

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Summary The densonucleosis virus is thermoresistant. It is not inactivated after treatment with lipid solvents. Attempts to demonstrate hemagglutination of DNV, using different erythrocytes, were unsuccessful. These properties are compared to those of Parvoviruses.

     

Eléments d'observation sur la cinématique,la dynamique et l'énergétique de la locomotion dans le courant chez une larve de Trichoptère à fourreau

Observations on the kinetics, dynamics and energetics of the locomotion in the current of a case-bearing Trichoptera larva. The locomotion of Trichoptera larvae was studied by means of films. It follows a sequence similar to that usually observed in walking insects, with protraction of legs from behind to forward (Fig. 1). The walking is slow. In a current, the sequence of protraction is often modified by supplementary protractions of the anterior and middle legs (exploration or skidding). The locomotion includes phase a (advance of the body) and phase b (case towing, with protractcion of posterior leg). These two phases are more clearly separated in a current than with a force (Fig. 4, 5). These two phases agree perfectly with the basic pattern described by Denis (1968) for the larval case construction. The current causes a decrease in the mean locomotion speed (L_m) by shortening and above all separating the towing phases, which are the only moments for the rapid advance of the case (Tabl. I). Turbulent water causes the case to vibrate and these vibrations vary in amplitude (from 0.1 to 2 mm) with water velocity, but not significantly. The frequency of the vibrations does not seem to go above 15 oscillations per second (above 20 cm/s), but it is possible that higher frequencies could not be correctly registered at 64 pictures per second. These vibrations may be the cause of the higher activity in the current than under a traction force without vibrations (Bournaud, 1973). The coefficient of resistance (C_w) of the larva-case complex is high (near 0,89) at velocities above 55 cm/s, but is much higher at velocities below 55 cm/s (Fig. 7). So the case of M. testacea is better adapted to high current velocities. The 55 cm/s limit also corresponds to the velocity for changes in aspects of the behaviour of this species: rate of activity, beginning of rheokinesis stage, disappearance of negative locomotion. The minimum quantity of energy necessary for regular locomotion is from 2.6 to 3.3 × 10⁻³ kgm/s/kg fresh weight, at the rheokinesis stage (absolute maximum: 10.2 × 10⁻³ kgm/s/kg). The real energetic expenditure (R_g), including the rate of activity, is much lower (0.03 to 1 × 10⁻³ kgm/s/kg), while the energetic expenditure during the towing phases (instantaneous rheokinesis) is much higher (up to 50 × 10⁻³ kgm/s/kg) (Tabl. II). However all these values are lower than those found in the animal kingdom, and the mean traction strength of M. testacea is very high (up to 29 times the larval weight). Therefore this species uses more of its energy in traction than in speed, the opposite to the situation in fishes. It is an ethological adaptation to life in a current, reinforced by the necessity of pulling a case which increases the force of the current. The available energy E obtained by the consumption of oxygen is 86.3 × 10⁻³ kgm/s/kg in still water. It is larger than (or equal to) the instantaneous rheokinesis (R_i) in the current. Only part of the energy E is transformed into muscular energy measured by R_i. Since a 30 cm/s current produces an increase in metabolism of about 30 × 10⁻³ kgm/s/kg, the needs for muscular energy R_i increase too fast to be covered only by the basal level of metabolism in still water. In fact, only a part of the muscular energy R_i (about 1 to 3%) is transformed into strictly locomotion R_g, so that this energy requirement needs less than 1/1000 of the energy obtained by metabolism in still water (Tabl. II).     

Étude de la variabilité de la clairance hépatique de la mébrofénine-99mTc en scintigraphie hépatobiliaire

AimThe purpose of this study was to investigate some of the parameters likely to influence mebrofenin-^99mTc hepatic clearance calculation and inter-and intra-observers reproducibility.Materials and methodsHepatic clearance (%/min m²) of 30 scintigraphies was calculated from the values of hepatic, cardiac, and total activities, according to the method recommended in the literature. We studied: 1) impact of injection–acquisition delay variations; 2) acquisition type: anterior face only (FA) or geometric mean (GM); 3) clearances calculated according to four different body surface area (BSA) formulas; 4) intra-and inter-observers reproducibility for three observers (two evaluations for each observer).Results1) Clearance differences between different studied intervals were statistically significant, more important if the studied interval was far from reference interval (150–350 secondes) and even more when the interval studied was too early (110–310 secondes). 2) There was a statistically significant difference between clearance calculated using either FA or GM datasets (0.85 %/min m²). 3) There were small but statistically significant differences for four of the clearance comparisons using different BSA formulas. 4) Despite differences in size of cardiac and hepatic regions of interest (ROI), intra-observer reproducibility of hepatic clearance was excellent for each observer. Inter-observers reproducibility was also excellent (r = 0.982).ConclusionHepatic clearance of mebrofenin-^99mTc appears to be a highly reproducible method provided that acquisition and clearance calculation are standardized. It provides additionnal functional information to morphological and biological data usually performed before major hepatectomy. Thereby, the definition of a standardized protocol would enable realization of multicentric studies.     

Effets de la température sur la croissance de deux algues vertes du fleuve St-Laurent,secteur de Gentilly,Québec

Two abundant phytoplankters from the St-Lawrence river: Scenedesmus spinosus Chodat 1913 and Pediastrum boryanum (Turp.) Menegh (Chlorophyta, Chlorococca) were sampled, isolated and cultured in monospecific culture. Growth responses were measured after acclimation to different temperatures and after thermal shock treatments.Post-acclimation specific growth rates followed similar patterns with optimal temperatures at about 24°C (S. spinosus) and 26°C (P. boryanum). Final densities were much less influenced by temperature in S. spinosus than in P. boryanum. Post-treatment responses depended on the temperature level maintained after treatment rather than on treatment conditions. No treatment seemed to delay the exponential growth phase. The time needed to reach final densities corresponding to stationary growth phase was not influenced by any thermal treatment. In situ thermal effects at Gentilly nuclear site could be more severe, due to differences in time-temperature history experienced by the algae.

     

Quelques considérations sur l'enseignement de la médecine physique et de la réhabilitation

Particularly since World War II physical medicine and rehabilitation have assumed a growing importance. The efforts of the Canadian Association of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, following a survey of Canadian universities, to increase the theoretical and practical teaching of physiatrics are emphasized. It is considered important that the teaching of physical medicine and rehabilitation should be carried out concurrently with other medical and surgical teaching programs. Paramedical and auxiliary rehabilitation personnel should participate in the teaching program. The number of hours devoted to physiatrics should be increased, and the medical student should be permitted to choose physical medicine and rehabilitation as a part of his internship program.     

Les néoblastes dans la régénération antérieure deDendrocoelum lacteum,Turbellarié triclade

Résumé Les néoblastes de la région postérieure du corps de la PlanaireD. lacteum ont les mêmes propriétés migratrices et histogénétiques que les néoblastes de la région prépharyngienne. En cas de section transversale à quelque niveau que ce soit, les néoblastes du fragment postérieur se déplacent d'arrière en avant pour s'accumuler en un bourgeon de régénération normal. Mais la différenciation de ces cellules ne se produit qu'en cas de section nettement antérieure à la racine du pharynx (alors il y a régénération). Après une section postérieure à la racine du pharynx, les néoblastes dégénèrent.

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Neoblasts in the anterior regeneration ofDendrocoelum lacteum, Turbellaria tricladida

Summary Neoblasts of the posterior region of the body in the PlanarianD. lacteum have the same migratory and histogenetic properties as neoblasts of the prepharyngeal region. With transverse cuts at whatever level, neoblasts of the posterior fragment migrate forward to accumulate as a normal regeneration bud. But differentiation of these cells only occurs in ease of a section clearly anterior to the root of the pharynx (regeneration then follows). After a transection posterior to this level, the neoblasts degenerate.

     

Influence de la densité de population larvaire sur la taille des adultes,la durée de développement et la fréquence de la diapause chezPteromalus puparum L. [Hym., Chalcidien]

Summary The parasitoid waspPteromalus puparum was reared for many generations under controlled laboratory conditions: larval development in diapausing pupae ofPieris brassicae, 14 hours photoperiod, temperature of 21 °C or 25 °C. The fluctuations in the density of population appear to be the main source of variation for larval development. An increase in the number of larvae living in the same host pupa results in a decrease of adult size, a reduction of developmental time and a diminution of incidence of larval diapause. According to these results, it appears that a high population density hastens the occurrence of metamorphosis and makes it easier. It is suggested that various nervous stimulations, such as food shortage and interactions between larvae, may induce the onset of neurosecretion by the brain.      

La genre Scinaia (Rhodophycées,Nemalionales) de la Méditerranée occidentale

Abstract

The genus Scinaia (Rhodopbyta. Nemalionales) of the western Mediterranean sea. Only 3 species of Scinaia are to be found in Western Mediterranean sea. Scinaia complanala, S. furcellata and S. turgida. Scinaia sanctaluciana Funk is considered as a juvenile thallus of Scinaia complanala. Scinaia turgida is recorded for the first time in the Tyrrhenian sea since MAZZA (1902, 1903). A new anatomical character for the distinction of the Scinaia complanala and Scinaia turgida is also given.