Dysfonction érectile et diabète : fréquence et profil clinique à partir de 200 observations

Purpose

Erectile dysfunction is one of the most frequent complications in diabetes and also the most often under diagnosed. We report the prevalence of erectile dysfunction in 200 diabetic patients.

Patients and methods

Prevalence was estimated by the French version of the International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF5).

Results

146 patients were included. Erectile dysfunction concerned 74 patients; a severe form was observed in 21.6%, a moderate in 37.8% and a mild one in 40.6%. The patients who presented erectile dysfunction were significantly older and displayed longer duration of diabetes.

Conclusion

Erectile dysfunction is frequent and severe among diabetic patients. The medical staff plays an essential role to initiate early diagnosis, promote psychological support and provide medication, when possible.     

Un ‘test d'induction de micronoyau’ sur Allium sativum; differentiation de substances clastogènes et mitoclasiques

A rapid and simple test was developed on root tips of Allium sativum. A comparison of diameters of micronuclei induced by clastogens and by spindle poisons has permitted a differentiation of the two types of substance.     

Etude cytochimique et ultrastructurale de l'évolution ovocytaire de Nereis pelagica L. (Annélide Polychète)

Résumé Les ovocytes de N. pelagica d'un diamètre inférieur à 100 ne renferment dans leur cytoplasme que des inclusions lipidiques et vitellines. Les lobules vitellins s'accroissent par l'adjonction de vésicules golgiennes.L'approche de la maturité sexuelle est caractérisée par l'apparition de mucopolysaccharides acides. Corrélativement à l'élaboration de ce matériel, l'appareil de Golgi présente, à ce stade, de profondes modifications morphologiques: dilatation des saccules distaux et libération dans le cytoplasme de vacuoles golgiennes. Les processus de vitellogenèse cependant ne sont pas entièrement stoppés.Dans les ovocytes matures, les lobules mucopolysaccharidiques forment une gangue corticale. Les dictyosomes sont refoulés vers l'intérieur du cytoplasme et présentent des figures d'involution.La présence de lamelles annelées intra-nucléaires a été observée de façon constante dans tous les ovocytes matures examinés.

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Cytochemical and ultrastructural study of oocyte development in Nereis pelagica L.I. Normal ovogenesis

Summary The oocytes of N. pelagica, the diameter of which is smaller than 100 , contains only lipid and yolk inclusions in their cytoplasm. The yolk bodies grow by confluence of Golgi vesicles.The advent of the sexual maturity is marked by the appearance of acid mucopolysaccharides. Concomitantly with the production of this material, the Golgi apparatus shows typical morphological modifications: dilatation of the distal saccules and release of Golgi vacuoles into the cytoplasm. However vitellogenesis is not completely terminated at this point.In the mature oocytes the mucopolysaccharid material forms a cortical layer. The dictyosomes are pushed toward the center of the cytoplasm and show signs of degeneration.The presence of intranuclear annulate lamellae is a constant feature in all mature oocytes examined.

     

Menhirs et stèles de Corse. Une hypothèse chronologique

In Corsica, the first standing stones are related to Middle Neolithic. Later, during the Bronze Age, appear characteristic massive steles with arm figurations. Between those two limits, well settled, the chronology of other megalithic monuments remains much uncertain. The Sardinian chronology, proposed by E. Atzeni showed that in this island, the evolution from “aniconic menhirs” to “statues-menhirs” with dagger was related to Middle to Final Neolithic (Vth and IVth millenniums). Some examples taken in Europe confirm this chronology. In Corsica, we consider that a metamorphosis might have happen to Aravina stele (Lévie) showing that secondary transformation may have occurred on Neolithic steles. In the first stage, the monument is characterized by its apical rostrum, the engraving of the outline of the face and the “eyes”. During Bronze Age, it was modified by the carving of a sword. The comparison with other Sardinian and Maltese steles suggests a middle Neolithic age. This phase could correspond to an ancient phase of anthropomorphism of standing stones before the emergence of Final Neolithic statues-menhirs.     

Anonymat et compensation financière du don de gamètes et d’embryons en Belgique

Belgian law concerning medically assisted procreation (MAP) and use of gametes and supernumerary embryos was adopted in 2007 and entered into force at the end of July 2007. It has only a limited impact on routine clinical practice, but dramatically limits the number of pregnancies that can be achieved by gamete donation. In Belgium, sperm donation is theoretically anonymous, but anonymity is not mandatory: when the donor and recipient attend the clinic together, request direct donation and sign an agreement, this procedure is acceptable. Sperm donation is free but it is permitted to provide reasonable compensation to the donor for any expenses and loss of income. Ooocyte donation is also free and theoretically anonymous, but directed (non-anonymous) donation is not prohibited when all parties sign an agreement. In this case, the donor and recipient attend the clinic together. It is also permitted to provide compensation to the donor, but no agreement has been reached concerning the acceptable amount. By taking into account the need for treatment, it would be reasonable to provide for 10 to 15 days off work and therefore an equivalent loss of income that could be compensated by 500 to 1000 euros, travel expenses, or even accommodation close to the MAP clinic during this period, which could also represent 500 to 1000 euros. Justified compensation would therefore represent 1000 or even 2000 euros. This amount appeared to be excessive up until now, but opinions tend to change. It is nevertheless true that spontaneous volunteer donors for free and anonymous oocyte donation are rare. Some centres perform donor randomisation to ensure anonymity. Embryo donation is anonymous. Embryos cannot be sold, but the MAP clinic must ensure the health security of these embryos and their management after the 5-year legal storage period, which also has a certain cost.