Contribution à l'etude des thecamoebiens de la Province de Buenos Aires

Résumé La faune des Thécamoebiens fut étudiée dans deux étangs (La Brava et De los Padres) situe dans la Province de Buenos Aires (Argentina). Le nombre d'espèces trouvé en tout a été de 14, quelques-unes desquelles représentées par de différentes formae. Une nouvelle forma Centropyxis compressa (Cushman), forma brava n.f. a été trouvée et décrite, et une espèce de Pontigulasia a été proposée en nomenclatura aperta.

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Summary The Thecamoebiens of two lakes (La Brava and de los Padres) located in the Province of Buenos Aires (Argentina) were studied. The total number of species found is 14, several of them are represented by various formae. A new forma was found and described, namely Centropyxis compressa (Cushman), forma brava n.f. and one species of Pontigulasia was put in nomenclatura aperta.

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Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Universidad de Buenos Aires     

Les traumatismes de la verge: à propos de 23 cas

The authors report 23 cases of penile injuries based on a retrospective study of their urological practice in Senegal. The various cases were distributed as follows: fracture of the penis (19 cases), corpora cavernosa and urethral gunshot injuries (2 cases), rupture of the superficial dorsal vein of the penis (1 case) and laceration of the penile skin (1 case). The mean age of these patients was 32.4 years. Early surgical treatment of all penile fractures reduces the complication rate.     

Contribution à l'étude de la bryoflore Lorraine

Contribution to the knowledge of the bryophyte flora of Lorraine (France). The bryophyte flora of Lorraine (France), which was not extensively studied during the second half of this century, has been visited again over the last four years. Seligeria acutifolia Lindb. has been collected for the first time in that region. New localities of several rare or poorly known bryophytes are given. A perspective view is proposed as to the future of bryological research in Lorraine.     

Etude de la Faune submicroscopique de quelques tourbières à sphagnum

Sans résumé     

Les tumeurs testiculaires à cellules de Leydig: à propos de quatre cas et revue de la littérature

Introduction

Leydig cell tumors of the testis are uncommon, and represent 1 to 3% of all testicular tumors, it’s the most common of sex cord stromal tumors. They can be found in all age groups, but they mainly occur in subjects aged 15 to 50 years (50%), 25% occurring in older men and a little less than 20% in children aged 5 to 9 years. The most common revealing symptom is gynecomastia in adults, whereas in children it is isosexual pseudo-precocious puberty. They pose a problem during diagnosis, nonpalpable tumors, and during the choice of surgical treatment, because it is difficult to make a clear distinction between benign and malignant tumors.

Material and methods

We describe four different presentations of this disease. The parameters studied were: age, revealing symptom, hormonal profile, type of treatment, and mode of evolution.

Results

The average age of our patients was 37.5 years. The first revealing symptom was a unilateral increasing size of purse in two cases, a bilateral increasing size of purse in one case, and gynecomastia in the last one. In all cases testosterone was normal or low, and oestradiol was normal or elevated. Our four patients underwent an orchidectomy, associated with an enucleation of the contralateral testis in only one case. A favorable evolution was observed in every case for a mean follow-up of 15 months.

Conclusion

On the basis of four different clinical observations and the analysis of the literature, the aim of this review is to present the various clinical, biological, radiological, pathological and therapeutic aspects of Leydig cell tumors of the testis.     

Hommage à rené delépine à l'occasion de son départ à la retraite

A tribute to René Delépine on the occasion of his retirement. The career of René Delépine is reviewed on the occasion of his retirement. When he was a student, a meeting with Jean Feldmann led to a lifelong inclination towards phycology. Eventually appointed to the position of assistant professor at the University of Paris-VI (University Pierre-et-Marie-Curie), René Delépine worked and published primarily on the taxonomy of antarctic and subantarctic marine algae but he was also interested in seaweed aquaculture and utilizations. After organizing the national colloque ValVA (Valorisation des végétaux aquatiques), he became increasingly involved in the commercial application of seaweeds. His main activity, however, remained university teaching for which he was always enthusiastic, especially for teaching in the field and on the subject of the utilizations of algae. A list of his publications is given at the end of this article.     

Localisations ultrastructurales dans le labyrinthe du placenta de chatte de la phosphatase acide de la thiamine pyrophosphatase et de la coloration par l'acide phosphotungstique à bas pH

Résumé Les localisations de la phosphatase acide (ACPase) et de la thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase) ont été recherchées dans le labyrinthe du placenta de chatte, durant les derniers jours de la gestation. L'ACPase est essentielement localisée au niveau du syncytiotrophoblaste, et dans la substance inerte interstitielle (S.I.I.) qui sépare les tissus foetaux des tissus maternels. La présence du produit de réaction, dans la lumière du système tubulaire lisse du syncytiotrophoblaste communicant avec la S.I.I., semble indiquer une origine syncytiotrophoblastique de l'activité ACPase de la S.I.I.L'activité TPPase se manifeste dans le syncytiotrophoblaste, rarement dans la Golgi mais toujours dans la lumière du système tubulaire. La présence de ces tubules TPPase positifs à la proximité de l'appareil de Golgi, semble indiquer une origine golgienne de ces structures qui pourraient véhiculer les phosphatases vers la S.I.I.Après action de l'acide phosphotungstique à bas pH, le cell coat de la face hémale de l'endothélium maternel est toujours bien visualisé, par contre la surface du syncytiotrophoblaste baignée par la S.I.I. n'est jamais marquée. Le dépôt intense de la lumière des tubules est en continuité avec celui de la S.I.I.L'activité ACPase de la S.I.I. doit permettre la dégradation de molécules maternelles durant leur transfert vers le sang foetal. La S.I.I. semble correspondre physiologiquement à la zone tampon immunitaire de l'interface des tissus maternels et foetaux.

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Ultrastructural localization of acid phosphatase and thiamine pyrophosphatase activities and of phosphotungstic staining at low pH in the placental labyrinth of the cat

Summary The localizations of acid phosphatase (ACPase) and thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase) activities were studied in the placental labyrinth of the cat during the last days of gestation. ACPase activities were observed essentially in the syncytiotrophoblast and in the interstitial inert substance (S.I.I.) that separates maternal from foetal tissues. Reaction product was localized in lysosomes, multivesicular bodies, and in the network of smoothmembraned tubules which open on the cell surface of the syncytiotrophoblast facing the S.I.I. The S.I.I. exhibit a strong activity, probably of syncytiotrophoblastic origin.TPPase activities were found in the syncytiotrophoblast, rarely in the Golgi apparatus but always in the lumen of the network of smooth-membrande tubules. The S.I.I. shows a moderate activity. These TPPase positive tubules being frequently observed very close to the Golgi cisternae, it is proposed that they arise from the Golgi complex and convey phosphatases to the S.I.I.After phosphotungstic acid staining at low pH, luminal surface coat of maternal endothelium is always strongly and continuously visualized, while the plasma membrane of the syncytiotrophoblast facing the S.I.I. is never stained. Staining is intense in the lumen of tubules, and continuous with the stain of the S.I.I.ACPase activity of the S.I.I. could be implicated in enzymatic degradation of maternal molecules during their transfer from maternal to foetal blood. The S.I.I. may correspond to the immunological buffer zone at the interface between maternal and foetal tissues.

     

Mensurations échographiques de la thyroïde chez des enfants de zéro à 15 ans de la ville de Ouagadougou

Among the methods used to carry out measurements of thyroid, echography is the best because it is noninvasive and more specific. The goals of this study were to determine the normal thyroid volume of the Burkinabe child; to study the parameters which induce a variation of thyroid volume and to compare our values with those from other localities. Through a cross-sectional study, 240 children from the town of Ouagadougou benefited from a thyroid echography. Thus the height (h), the transverse diameter (dt) and the thickness (e) were measured. Volume (vl) of each lobe was estimated by: vl = h × dt × e × 3.14/6. The total volume (VT) is the sum of the volumes of each lobe, the isthmus being neglected. A correlation set at the threshold p < 0.001 has been carried out between VT and some anthropometric parameters. The following averages were observed: before one year, the average volume is of 0.51 L ± 0.21; from one to three years, it is of 0.95 mL ± 0.33; from four to six years, the average volume is of 1.35 mL ± 0.43; from seven to nine years, it is of 1.95 mL ± 0.62. From 10 to 12 years, the average volume is of 3.01 mL ± 1.08 and it is of 5.32 mL ± 2.07 from 13 to 15 years. It stands out that the VT is positively associated with the age (r = 0.82), with the size (r = 0.73), with the weight (r = 0.81) and with body surface (r = 0.78). Moreover, the VT is higher among boys than in girls beyond one year of age. This parameter varies according to the area of origin. Lastly, compared with the American, European and Asian averages, our values are smaller. This study enabled us to establish our own standards which we will be able from now on to use in daily practice. However, multicentric studies associated with thyroid and sexual hormones blood levels measurements must be undertaken to ascertain these data.     

Le cancer de la verge : à propos d’un cas et revue de la littérature

Cancer of the penis is rare. It often raises the issue of acceptability of the amputation of penis. We report a case of cancer of the penis following a late circumcision. The treatment consisted of amputation of two-thirds of the penis. The patient is alive without any local recurrence 2 years after surgery. Literature review suggests that this type of cancer is very rare. The factors associated with such cancer include lack of circumcision and infection with human papilloma virus.     

La cognition dans le trouble obsessionnel compulsif : à l’intersection de la clinique et de la neuro-imagerie

The investigation of neural activity in OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) has allowed to link obsessive compulsive symptoms and cortico-striatal dysfunction. In the present article, we try to show the significance of cognition in an integrative physiopathologic model of OCD. Clinically, patients are unable to inhibit irrelevant thoughts or actions. In a cognitive way, decision making, planification or organisation are impaired. Those impairments are related to an executive deficit, which depends on frontal structures. Finally, we present a current study which tries to identify executive deficit functions related to cerebral dysfunction in patients presenting different OCD features (washing, checking, hoarding).     

Le contrôle de qualité externe en Biologie de la Reproduction de 1992 à 1996

Clinical efficiency of laboratory results in spermiology needs to have reliable data, and a quality assurance in their determinations. This could be done by creating an External Quality Control, each laboratory analyzing the same specimens. We transferred in spermiology methodologies currently used in Quality Control in Biochemistry and results presented here referred to the 1992–1996 period. Volountary participation of 37 laboratories who recieved two slides issuing from the same ejaculate. Coloration was made with that used in their own laboratory. Two parameters were specially studied: the total normal sperm count and the degree of teratospermia by evaluation of the Multiple Abnormalities Index (MAI). An area around the target value of 15% is actually retained and results in terms of precision and accuracy are interpreted with the Youden’s diagram. For the total normal sperm count, the disperson remains important during the 4 years (about 30 and 40%) with a poor percentage of laboratories in the area of accuracy. For the MAI, results are better as soon as the dispersion falls from 25 to 15% during the same time and the percentage of laboratories in the accuracy area rises from 10% to 68%. After four years of external quality control, such a protocol is very useful. But the quality results of some parameters must be more extensively explored to reduce interlaboratory dispersion and to improve the clinical efficiency of laboratory data in the spermiology approach.     

Identification ultrastructurale et étude immunocytochimique des cellules à somatostatine de la muqueuse antrale du lapin et de la souris

Résumé Les techniques d'immunofluorescence, d'immunoenzymatique, d'imprégnation ou de coloration sélective des cellules endocrines digestives, et de microscopie électronique ont été combinées pour permettre l'identification et l'étude des cellules à somatostatine chez des animaux normaux ou ayant reçu de la L-Dopa. Ces cellules n'ont pas de fluorescence induite à la formaldéhyde et ne sont que très faiblement argyrophiles en technique de Grimélius; elles ne réagissent pas en technique de Sevier-Munger, Hellerström-Hellman, Mac Conaill. Après administration de L-Dopa elles acquièrent und fluorescence (cellules GIC) et deviennent nettement argyrophiles en technique de Grimélius, plus faiblement en technique de Sevier-Munger.En microscopie électronique après identification immunologique sur coupe semi-fine on peut analyser les mêmes cellules sur coupes fines. Il s'agit de cellules basigranuleuses présentant, outre des grains denses difficiles souvent à distinguer de ceux des cellules G, trois structures fines caractéristiques par leur constance et leur coexistence; ce sont: des grains peu denses et homogènes—des graïns centrés par un matériel filamenteux grossier—des microfilaments nombreux. Les cellules à somatostatine semblent différentes des cellules X et D₁.

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Ultrastructural identification and immunocytochemical study of somatostatin cells in antral mucosa of the rabbit and the mouse

Summary In normal and L-Dopa treated rabbits and mice, combined immunochemical methods, photonic histological methods for endocrine cells and ultrastructural methods were used to elucidate ultrastructure and properties of somatostatin cells of the antral mucosa. In normal rabbits, immunoreactive cells giving no fluorescence with Falck's technic, they corresponded neither to serotonin cells nor gastrin cells; they were unreactive with Fontana, Hellerström-Hellmann, Sevier-Munger and Mac Conaill methods but very slightly stained with Grimelius methods. In L-Dopa treated animals somatostatin cells gave formaldehyde induced fluorescence (they were included in GIC cells, thus in Apud group), exhibited a good reaction with Grimelius and Sevier-Munger methods.In order to carry out the alternate semi-thin/thin section procedure (semi-thin sections for immunofluorescence or immunoenzymatic detection and serial thin sections counterstained for conventional ultrastructure studies), immunological treatment were performed on M.F.F.—glutaraldehyde fixed small fragments of mucosa before inclusion in Epon 812 or, after inclusion, on semi-thin sections. We succeeded in identifying ultrastructurally somatostatin cells. They displayed round or ovoïd shaped secretory granules, and three constant typical structures: numerous microfilaments—light and homogenous granules, often seeming like lipids—granules made up by coarsely filamentous cores surrounded by a large empty halo. Somatostatin cells seemed different of X cells because of their predominant localisation in the antral mucosa (in the rabbit X cells were predominantly in the fundus) and because of the lack of nuclear microfilaments; they also seemed ultrastructuraly different of D₁ cells.

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Travail effectué avec l'aide de la D.G.R.S.T.-Contract n^o 72.7.0043.     

Les marqueurs biologiques de l’hémostase à la phase aiguë de la thrombose artèrielle

Les “bilans” hydro-électrolytiques comportent le dosage de la natrémie, de la kaliémie et de la concentration en bicarbonates. Il est habituel d’y associer le dosage de la chlorémie et de la protidémie. Selon le contexte, un ionogramme urinaire, le dosage de la glycémie, de l’urémie, de la créatinine voire une gazométrie sanguine avec mesure du pH sont prescrits. Les mesures d’osmolarité plasmatique et urinaire peuvent être également utiles dans l’interprétation des résultats.     

Les symptômes de premier rang de la schizophrénie: de la clinique à l’approche expérimentale

Theoretical models about action monitoring and action attribution developed over the last ten years have given a new framework in the understanding of first-rank symptoms of schizophrenia, as described by Kurt Schneider. Impaired action attribution has been demonstrated in patients with first-rank symptoms. Moreover, positron emission tomography studies have revealed that the cortical network involved in action attribution processes in normal subjects is not correctly activated in patients with first-rank symptoms. These results demonstrate that these symptoms are related to cognitive and cerebral correlates and they shed new light on the understanding of psychotic symptoms.     

Hyperfixations costales bifocales découvertes à la TEP au fluorure (18F) de sodium lors de la stadification d’un cancer de la prostate

A prostate biopsy screening (PSA = 2 ng/mL) evidenced a prostate adenocarcinoma featuring a Gleason score of 8 (4 + 4) in a 62-year-old patient incurring an increased familial risk of prostate cancer. In order to stage the prostate adenocarcinoma, 2 PET scans were ordered. A PET/CT examination with FNa disclosed two hot spots on distinct ribs matching with heterogeneous sclerotic areas on low dose CT. A PET/CT examination with FDG disclosed a hypermetabolic focus of prostate left lobe and a weak intensity hypermetabolic focus of left ilio-obturator node but no bone metabolic abnormality. Staging was categorized distant (bone) metastatic disease upon FNa PET/CT findings. The patient benefited from pelvic external beam radiation therapy and hormone therapy. One year later, a PET/CT examination with FCH while patient was still on hormone therapy depicted a photopaenic area of prostate left lobe and a questionable hypermetabolic focus of right lobe but no bone metabolic abnormality. Retrospectively, bone lesions visible on PET with FNa were already conspicuous on plain X-rays and a CT examination performed a decade before. A new advice in a center specialized in bone and joint imaging suggested a benign condition for these protracted rib lesions even if the exact benign condition was elusive (fibrous dysplasia, aneurysmal bone cyst…). Two years later, the patient is symptom-free and his PSA level is 0.03 ng/mL.     

Intérêt de la tomoscintigraphie cardiaque à la 123I-mIBG couplée à la perfusion myocardique dans le diagnostic de l’atrophie multisystématisée

ObjectiveThe aim of this prospective study is to assess the pertinence of using ¹²³I-mIBG myocardial tomoscintigraphy coupled with perfusion scintigraphy as a diagnostic tool, to discriminate between multiple system atrophy (MSA) and idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) at first guided by clinical data and L-DOPA tests.Material and methodsForty patients, aged from 43 to 78 years (median 62 years) with Parkinson's syndrome were studied. Nineteen had a diagnosis of PD (criteria of brain bank) and 21 AMS (Gibbs criteria). All were given test to acute L-DOPA. Chest-centered planar imaging (128 × 128 matrix, 5 minutes of duration) is performed at 1 hour and 4 hours after injection of 220 MBq of ¹²³I-mIBG, in addition a non-synchronised tomoscintigraphy (64 × 64 matrix, 32 images of 50 seconds , zoom 1.45) was performed after the 4th hour and 15 minutes after injection of 200 to 400 MBq of ^99mTc-tetrofosmin. Besides neurological data, the parameters retained for comparison purposes with ¹²³I-mIBG cardiac tomoscintigraphy were patients’ age, duration of disease and L-DOPA test results. Two regions of interest (ROI) identical in size and in shape are used for ¹²³I-mIBG uptake quantifications (H/M and washout [Wo]). The first one was placed in projection of mediastinum (M) and the other one in projection of heart (H).ResultsWe found an overall decreased uptake of the myocardial ¹²³I-mIBG without perfusion abnormality in 15 of 19 patients with PD and 11 among them were L-DOPA sensitive (L-DOPA test greater than 30%). Normal tracer uptake with ¹²³I-mIBG associated with an almost quite normal perfusion was seen in 15 of 21 patients with MSA and they were little or not L-DOPA sensitive (L-DOPA test less than 30%). Therefore, 10 discordant cases (25%) between cardiac scintigraphy and clinical evolution of disease with also discordant L-DOPA tests were observed. In the PD group, quantification of data enhanced the diagnostic decision with low heart to mediastinum ratio (H/M) (1.32 ± 0.15 at the early stage and 1.25 ± 0.13 at the later stage). In the MSA group, the uptake of ¹²³I-mIBG (1.66 ± 0.43 at the early stage and 1.72 ± 0.42 at the later stage) was comparable to literature data, however, with significant inter-individual variations. The association of data of scintigraphy with L-DOPA test allows to improve sensitivity in 84% and specificity in 90.5%.ConclusionOur prospective study of 40 cases shows the relevance of cardiac sympathetic postganglionic imaging with ¹²³I-mIBG coupled with myocardial perfusion scintigraphy to discriminate between MSA and PD with a higher sensitivity (71.4%) compared to the test with L-DOPA but a lower specificity (78.9%) than the L-DOPA. The difficulty of diagnosis is firstly linked to damage occurring to both the pre- and postganglionic sympathetic systems in patients with MSA and secondly to the integrity of the sympathetic nerve endings in patients with PD. However, the association of data of scintigraphy with L-DOPA test show a significant improvement of sensibility (84%).     

Contribution à la connaissance des Hymenoptera Apoidea de Nouvelle-Calédonie et de leurs relations avec la flore butinée

Seulement 21 espèces d’Apoidea sont répertoriées de Nouvelle-Calédonie. La pauvreté de cette faune est paradoxale si on la compare à la richesse et l’endémicité de la flore de l’île, mais s’expliquerait par le fait qu’elle a été isolée avant ou peu après l’apparition des Apoidea vers – 130 millions d’années. Les auteurs comparent aussi les données de plusieurs îles des océans Pacifique et Indien. Deux nouvelles espèces de Halictidae sont décrites: Homalictus cocos et Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) delobeli. Une nouvelle synonymie est établie: Homalictus risbeci (Cockerell, 1929) = Homalictus crotalariae (Cockerell, 1929). Deux taxons, Chalicodoma umbripenne et Megachile laticeps, sont signalés pour la première fois en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Les relations entre les Apoidea et les 22 espèces végétales, sur lesquelles ces insectes ont été capturés, sont présentées et commentées.     

Etude de la reponse à un stress hydrique de quelques varietés de riz pluvial et de riz irrigué

Résumé La transpiration de plants de riz cultivés sur sol en chambre de culture, est suivie en continu pendant une séquence déssèchement-irrigation. Les cycles jouraliers de transpiration sont présentés avant et pendant le stress hydrique. Quatre variétés montrent une augmentation de la transpiration nocturne qui disparait lors du stress hydrique. Il apparait que la régulation stomatique est indépendante du potentiel hydrique du sol jusqu'à une valeur seuil au-delà de laquelle la baisse de transpiration est proportionnelle à la baisse du potentiel hydrique. Cette valuer seuil est plus basse pour les variétés de type irrigué.

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Water stress response for some cultivars of upland- and lowland riceI. Effects on transpiration

Summary The transpiration of rice seedlings grown on soil in a growth chamber was observed during a soil drying/rewetting sequence. The diurnal cycles of transpiration are shown before and during the water stress period. Four cultivars showed an increase of transpiration during the night. This increase disappeared during the water stress period. The stomatal regulation appeared not to depend on the soil water potential until a certain value. Below this soil-water threshold, the decrease of transpiration was proportion to the decrease of water potential. This threshold value is lower for the rain-fed cultivars than for the irrigated cultivars.