Structure fine de l'eminence médiane de souris au cours de son ontogenese

Résumé Les fibres nerveuses renfermant des vésicules granuleuses et des vésicules de type synaptique apparaissent dans l'éminence médiane de foetus de 14 jours. Dés le 18è jour foetal, de véritables terminaisons nerveuses sont au contact des capillaires du plexus intercalaire, constituant une charnière neurohémale. Les anses intrainfundibulaires commencent à pénétrer dans l'éminence médiane à la naissance mais ce n'est que chez des souris de 5 jours qu'elles deviennent très nombreuses. — Nous discuterons sur des critères morphologiques, de la possibilité d'un contrôle hypothalamique sur l'adénohypophyse avant la naissance.

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Fine structure of the mouse median eminence during early stages of its ontogenesis

Summary Nerve fibers containing granular vesicles and vesicles closely resembling synaptic vesicles appear in the median eminence of 14 days old mouse fetuses. At 18th fetal day true nerve endings have been observed which are located close to the capillaries of the superficial plexus forming a neurovascular link. The capillary loops penetrate into the median eminence at the time of parturition but only in 5 days old mice they can be observed more frequently. — On the basis of the morphological observations presented the question is discussed whether the hypothalamus can influence pituitary hormone secretion before birth.

     

Le principe de l’anonymat du donneur de gamètes à l’épreuve de son contexte. Analyse des conceptions juridiques de l’identité

This study clarifies the lively debate surrounding the anonymity of gamete donors. This principle, which has not been challenged since 1994, is currently criticized by a number of people, who were conceived through medically assisted procreation technologies with donor and who now have reached adulthood. Their testimony has a very significant impact on French public opinion. Several official reports have already suggested that the anonymity of gamete donors may well be removed under certain circumstances. To understand why public opinion has evolved so dramatically, we must revisit the legal position of gamete donors in the specific context of less visible changes in the law. Indeed, the legal concepts of parenthood and identity have been reshuffled over time, and such changes have deeply affected the legal issues relating to the anonymity of gamete donors. Formerly, the law governing the identification of individuals was shaped by political and social objectives. Now it is more concerned with the sense of identity and personal fulfilment of people. This change, based on modern western notions of egalitarianism and individuality, has dramatically affected the outcome of parenthood trials. Moreover, biological tests have made the truth available like never before. The possibility of finding out the truth has shocked the practice of many areas of family law and has created a new set of challenges, especially when the secrecy of the genetic parents has been legally established. In France, women have traditionally been able to deliver their children anonymously. A deadlock has resulted, which may now be overcome by introducing a new concept of personal origins. Now the law is evolving to permit the children to demand their biological mothers’ identity under certain circumstances, but without affecting anyone’s rights. The concept of personal origins has been quite successful on the European scene and has also charged the debate. It is now recognized under French and European laws that individuals must have privileged access to their personal origins. Can the principle of anonymity of gamete donors remain immune from such a (r)evolution ?     

Does son preference matter?

The demand for additional children is influenced by the presence of sons within a family. This study is based on cross-sectional data of 9416 currently married women under age 50 from a Pakistan national survey in 1979-80. The analysis suggests that having at least one son in the family influences the demand for additional children. Urban and rural comparisons indicated a higher preference for sons in urban areas. Unless the socioeconomic milieu changes, son preference is likely to remain strong in Pakistan.     

Cancer de la verge: son traitement opératoire depuis l’Antiquité à nos jours

Carcinoma of the penis has been known since Antiquity. In this paper, the author presents the history of surgical treatment, which was the only treatment option prior to the development of radiotherapy a century ago.     

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.     

Alcoxyhalogénation d'acides gras éthyléniques III. Cas de l'hydroxy-12-octadecene-9-oate de methyle et de son acetate

12-Hydroxy-9-cis-methyl octadecenoate and its acetate are easily methoxybrominated.The main product of the reaction is a mixture in non equal properties of both possible methoxy bromides: the 10-bromo-9-methoxy isomer is always the most abundant ($\text{? 80\%}$).Besides by-products usually found in such reactions (unreacted substrate — αβ dibromides from bromine addition), the crude reaction product contains supplementary components: the bromohydrines mixture and the 10-methoxy-9 β 12-epoxyde, and, only in the case of non acetylated substrate, the 10-bromo-9 · 12-epoxyde.During long storage, even in very mild conditions, the importance of these new by-products increases, while the proportion of bromoethers decreases.     

Le concept de sigmassociation et son application a l'etude du paysage vegetal des falaises atlantiques françaises

Résumé Le concept de sigmassociation (sensu Tüxen 1973–1976) est discuté dans une première partie. Il dérive de la notion des complexes de groupements, progressivement développée par Braun-Blanquet dans les éditions successives de sa Pflanzensoziologie (1928, 1951, 1964). Le Tableau 1 résume les différences essentielles entre sigmassociation et complexe de groupements.Dans la deuxième partie de l'exposé, des examples de sigmassociations sont étudiés sur les côtes atlantiques françaises: ceux, notamment, des falaises cristallines armoricaines et des falaises crétaciques normandes. Le tableau 2 explicite bien les variations dans la combinaison des groupements pour chaque cas. A une combinaison différente des groupements constitutifs des sigmassociations correspond une physionomic totalement autre du paysage. Quelques problèmes concernant les sigmasystèmes sont présentés en conclusion.Parce que le concept de sigmassociation paraît spécialement fructueux pour le développement d'une science chère et tout particulièrement utile dans l'approche scientifique des problèmes de l'environnement végétal, j'ose dédier, très amicalement et à l'occasion de son 60ème anniversaire, cette modeste note, au Professeur V. Westhoff, éminent spécialiste de la végétation néerlandaise et inlassable protecteur de la Nature.

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L’electromyographie du penis: Une nouvelle exploration du muscle lisse caverneux et de son controle neurologique?

The authors have investigated the electrical activity of corpus cavernous, first according to Wagner and Gerstenberg’ method, then, since one year, according to Stief method, in the basal state and following intracavernosal injection of vasoactive agents, or following various stimulation tests. They have found again the electrical activity described by these authors, but have been confronted with the difficulty in quantifying the data. Specially single potential analysis seems to them little reliable and reproducible for an objective interpretation. At this stage of their experience, they test two simpler criteria interpretation: the richness of the electrical activity, and the reactivity of the recording to various stimulations. Their preminary results suggest a correlation between those criteria and the state of the autonomic nervous system of the penis.     

La dysfonction érectile associée à une hypertrophie bénigne de prostate (HBP) symptomatique: son lien avec le stade évolutif de l’HBP, et son évolution sous différentes thérapeutiques

Introduction

Although the relationship between the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and the erectile dysfunction (ED) is no more debated, its underlying mechanism remains obscure so far. Several studies emphasized the correlation between the severity of LUTS and the sexual function, and the impact of the different medications used. This study is the first to highlight the association between the stage of evolution of BPH (complicated and noncomplicated BPH) and the severity of the ED.

Objectives

To assess the correlation between ED and the stage of evolution of BPH, and to evaluate the impact of different medications on ED.

Patients and methods

This is a prospective trial relating of 100 patients admitted for urologic consultation, in the Universitary Hospital Center of Fez in Morocco, in a period of 12 months. To evaluate the severity of ED, we used International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). In our patients, it was not possible to use the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) to assess the severity of urinary symptoms, and it was not possible to date exactly the beginning of LUTS. Hence, we studied patients’ age, the stage of evolution of BPH (complicated or noncomplicated BPH) and the response of the ED to different treatments.

Results

The average man age was 64.3 years. Forty patients had complicated BPH and 60 patients had noncomplicated BPH. Thirty patients (75%) among 40 with complicated BPH had severe ED, whereas an ED rate of 33% (20 patients) was noticed in patients presenting with noncomplicated BPH. Alpha-blockers (tamsulosin) improved erectile function in 12 patients (20%) among those with noncomplicated BPH. Patients presenting with complicated BPH underwent surgical procedure (either transurethral resection of the prostate or open prostatectomy). Erectile function was not statistically improved in this group of patients.

Conclusion

ED showed a correlation with the stage of evolution of symptomatic BPH. Indeed, the risk of ED is higher in patients with complicated BPH. The alphablockers improved the erectile function in the group of noncomplicated BPH, contrary to the surgical approach.     

Quelques caractéristiques du développement de l'endoparasitePsyllaephagus euphyllurae [Hymenoptere,Encyrtidae] et exploitation de son hôteEuphyllura olivina [Homoptere,Psyllidae]

La localisation des ?ufs et des larves dePsyllaephagus euphyllurae SILV. endoparasite du psylle de l'olivier (Euphyllura olivina COSTA) ainsi que le régime alimentaire de la phase post-embryonnaire sont identifiés par examen microscopique des coupes histologiques de larves de 5^c stade parasitèes. L'entomophage dépose les 2/3 de ses ?ufs dans le thorax et son régime alimentaire comprend 2 phases bien distinctes:

- une première phase stéatophage de 7 à 7,5 jours pendant laquelle la larve ingère le tissu adipeux de l'hôte,

- une deuxième phase sarcophage de 1 à 1,5 jours au cours de laquelle la larve dePsyllaephagus euphyllurae fortement mandibulée consomme tous les organes de l'hôte à l'exception des téguments qui sont alors momifiés.

Pendant la 1ère période, la digestion commence à être visible chez une larve âgée de 3 jours, et durant la 2ème période, elle suit l'ingestion des organes de l'hôte qui sont sous forme de fragments non reconnaissables dans le tube digestif moyen.     

L’exploration du sperme pathologique et de son pouvoir fécondant a-t-elle encore un intérêt à l’heure de l’ICSI?

The semen analysis in the assisted reproductive technology (ART) is mainly subjective, and requires an extensive training. However, other sophisticated techniques can be used in order to evalute functionnal state of sperm cell. Today, in vitro fertilization (FIV) as well as the intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are considered as the adequate mean by which the sperm quality can be evaluated. Should all men undergo all tests? One must think not only in terms of efficiency but also of cost. No doubts that a full work up, in all men will detect the high risk husbands in IVF. But to achieve this goal a lot of work is required. Most IVF AND ICSI programs use a simple wash, swim-up or Percoll gradients to prepare sperm for insemination. The goal of these techniques is to remove debris, cells bacteria and to allow the selection of morphologically normal motile spermatozoa. These normal motile spermatozoa are mainly selected according to their active motility (swim up) or specific gravity (percoll gradient) which reflects the degree of head condensation.     

Jules Cotard: sa vie, son œuvre

Jules Cotard was a psychiatrist at the Vanves asylum. Described as a sharp observer and clinician, he also had a passion for clinical research. Jules Cotard was always ready to modify, question, or even abandon a hypothesis if clinical facts and scientific analysis made him deem it necessary to do so. He devoted most of his writing to “negation delirium”, (also known as “nihilistic delusion”): “Du délire hypochondriaque dans une forme grave de mélancolie (“Concerning hypochondriac delusion in serious melancholy”)” in 1880, “Du délire des négations (“Concerning negation delirium”)” in 1882, “Perte de la vision mentale dans une mélancolie anxieuse (“Loss of mental vision in anxious melancholy”)” in 1884 and “Du délire d’énormité (“Concerning delusions of enormity”)” in 1888. Long after his death, there was much controversy and debate about the existence of negation delirium. J. Séglas and J. Régis were the main contributors to the development and clarification of his work. Thus it is this most unusual of syndromes, Cotard’s syndrome, that has caused Jules Cotard to be part of the history of French psychiatry since the end of the 19th century.     

Kovalevskiella (Ostracoda,Timiriaseviinae), genre à mode de vie benthique depuis l'Oligocène,son adaptation à la vie interstitielle

This paper reviews the distribution of the fossil and recent Kovalevskiella. The fossil species of this group lived in a benthic environment (fresh and oligomesohaline environments) in Europe from the Upper Oligocene to the beginning of the Quaternary. The recent Kovalevskiella species are exclusively groundwater dwellers. A lacustrine paleoenvironment in southwestern France from the Lower Miocene, where Kovalevskiella lived abundantly, is studied in detail. The study reveals the paleoecologic characteristics of the species in question. The morphology of this fossil species is compared with that of the Recent groundwater Kovalevskiella and the slow rate of the evolutionary change of the carapace shape and structure of the Kovalevskiella group is emphasized. Evolutionary-ecologic explanations for this slow process are provided.     

Calidad de la alimentación de adultos mayores de Santiago de Chile

IntroductionWith the increase in the elderly population of Chile, it is very important to evaluate the quality of food of this age group using simple and quick tools.ObjectiveTo compare the food quality of the elderly, according to gender and age.Material and methodsA cross sectional study was conducted on 458 elderly subjects ≥ 60 years-old of Santiago de Chile. Each one of them were interviewed in their home using the Food Quality Survey for Elderly (FQSE). The objective of this survey is to measure the quality of the food and preparations considered healthy and/or unhealthy for elderly. Weight and height, was obtained from the control document of the elderly.ResultsMen consume a higher number of unhealthy foods compared to women (P = .01). On comparing ages, those over 80 years-old consumed less unhealthy foods (P = .01). The elderly obese showed a lower score in unhealthy eating habits and total intake score.ConclusionWomen eat healthier compared to men, and better eating habits are observed at an older age, especially in men. Finally, on comparing nutritional status, the elderly obese are those who eat in the most inadequate form.     

Father and son with karyotype 47,XY,?Yq-

Summary A 22-year-old man and his father, both with 47 chromosomes, an extra small metacentric chromosome and the presumptive karyotype of 47,XY, ?Yq-, are presented.Literature concerning cases with 47 chromosomes and a small metacentric chromosome is reviewed and discussed. It is concluded that it is unlikely that persons with 47 chromosomes and an extra small metacentric chromosome constitute a new cytogenetic disease the syndrome of the metacentric microchromosome, as suggested by Abbo and Zellweger (1970).Persons with 47 chromosomes and an extra small metacentric chromosome have most probably a great variety of chromosomal aberrations, some of autosomal and some of sex chromosomal origin.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird über einen 22jährigen Mann und seinen Vater berichtet. Beide hatten 47 Chromosomen: Ein zusätzliches metazentrisches kleines Chromosom und den angenommenen Karyotyp 47,XY, ?Yq-.In diesem Zusammenhang wird die Literatur über Fälle mit 47 Chromosomen und einem kleinen metazentrischen Extrachromosom diskutiert. Die Autoren gelangen zu der Schlußfolgerung, es sei unwahrscheinlich, daß eine neue cytogenetisch charakterisierte Krankheit, das Syndrom des metazentrischen Mikrochromosoms, wie Abbo u. Zellweger (1970) es annehmen, in der Tat existiert. Personen mit 47 Chromosomen und einem kleinen metazentrischen Extrachromosom haben sehr wahrscheinlich eine große Anzahl verschiedener Chromosomenaberrationen, einige autosomalen und andere geschlechtschromosomalen Ursprungs.

     

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.