Fracture de verge: à propos de 12 cas

The authors would like to report their management of 12 patients with penile fracture. Their protocol consisted of emergency surgical repair, which gave the patients the greatest chance of full recovery, i.e. normal erection and effective sexual intercourse. A review of the literature shows the relative rarity of this traumatic disease and emphasizes the value of cavernosography, MRI and sonography in the diagnosis.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Etude de la Faune submicroscopique de quelques tourbières à sphagnum

Sans résumé     

Les kystes intraprostatiques: à propos de trois observations

Introduction

Intraprostatic cysts are considered to be rare. Some forms may be responsible for male infertility. The authors study the various clinical aspects, with the aim of defining guidelines for the exploration and treatment of different types of intraprostatic cysts.

Materials and methods

Between 2002 and 2007, we studied 3 cases of intraprostatic cyst in 3 men aged between 32 and 39 years.

Results

The clinical presentation was primary infertility (2 cases) and pelvic pain (2 cases). Digital rectal exam revealed prostate mass in 2 cases. Spermogram results were abnormal in 2 cases. The diagnosis was confirmed by prostate ultrasound. Trans-rectal ultrasound guided needle aspiration was performed in one case with secondary recurrence. Two patients had urethroscopy showing an absence of communication between the cyst and urethral channel. Transurethral incision of the cyst was made with resection of the protruding dome. Progress was favourable in all cases with improvement of semen and dissipation of symptoms without recurrence.

Conclusion

Intraprostatic cysts are benign lesions, often of congenital origin. Imaging is an essential component of diagnosis and can sometimes guide therapeutic procedures. The treatment is not yet codified, but symptomatic and/or complicated cysts can be treated by effective and minimally invasive endoscopic methods.     

La micro-lithiase testiculaire: à propos de 4 cas

Testicular microlithiasis (TMI) is a rare and little known condition. We verified its clinical and pathogenetic characteristics according to our experience. We performed testicular echography on four patients. Three of them had subfertlity and presented oligoasthenospermia in the spermiogram, while one patient had prostatitis with emospermia. Three patients had a high density TMI and one had a low density TMI. None of them showed neoplastic testicular lesions in the first echography. Anamnesis and examination revealed no outstanding data, one had been treated with calcium and Vit.D when a child for rachitis and another reported acute orchyepididymitis in his past history. Oncological markers were negative. 6–18 months follow-up with examination and echography didn’t show any testicular nodules. TMI is easy to diagnose and classify thanks to echography: Isolated TMI (the commonest, of flogistic, vascular or post-traumatic origin) Low-density TMI (<5calcifications per scan) High-density TMI (>5 calcifications per scan). Aetiology, pathogenesis of TMI and its connection to testicular cancer are not yet known. Differential diagnosis trhough echography is possible with both pathological hyperechogenic lesions of testicles (i.e. Tumors, hoematomas, partial atrophy, torsion, calcified hydatid) and non pathological ones (ilum, testicular mediastinum). The structure of the calcifications is constituted by hydroxyapatite which develop on degenerated spermatogones. They measure 1–3mm in diameter and can be found on 30–75% of the seminifer tubules. TMI is typical of patients with subfertility although the connection between this condition and male sterility is not clear. Similarly, TMI can be found in testicles’ tumours although even in this case, the connection between these conditions is not clear. That is why all authors agree in suggesting an echographical check every 6–12 months. Although the above case history can’t be considered significant due to the small number of patients, it is interesting to notice how 3 out of 4 patients had subfertility. Follow-up never showed probable neoplastic lesions. Finally what we also found worthy of notice is the possible connection between past orchyepididymitis and TML and connection between therapy for rachitis and TMI.     

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.     

Syndrome de Klinefelter et AMP à l’aube de l’an 2000

Material and Methods

The patient is a 33 year old male, with a 47, XXY karyotype (cytogenetical investigation of 16 metaphases). Semen analysis revealed a severe oligozoospermia. (spermatozoa ?1×106/mL) and asthenozoospermia (60% of decreased motiliy), for an ejaculate volume of 1.8mL. Three-colourIn Situ Hybridization was performed on spermatozoa recovered from his cryopreserved semen, in order to simultaneously detect the chromosome X, Y and one with specific appropriate probes. Semen from two 23 year old men were also analyzed as controls.

Results

502 spermatozoa were analyzed from the patient and about 10,000 from the controls. There was an increase of about ten times of the percentage of hyperhaploïd (24XY) spermatozoa in the semen of the Klinefelter patient compared to the controls.

Discussion and conlustion

In a general view of IVF-ICSI practice in Klinefelter patients, we also discuss here several practical points such as (i) is there any morphological criteria which may prevent from injecting an aneuploid spermatozoa, (ii) is the risk of aneuploidy higher when using testicular spermatozoa than when using ejaculated spermatozoa, (iii) what do we know about the offspring obtained by IVF-ICSI in Klinefelter patients and (iv) when should prenatal and/or preimplantatory genetical diagnosisbe proposed in this particular context.     

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.     

Contribution à la connaissance des fungi keratinophiles de l'ouest de la France V. Étude au microscope électronique à balayage

Résumé La recherche des Fungi kératinophiles dans 301 prélèvements de sol de la Loire-Atlantique a permis de trouver une fois sur troisArthroderma uncinatum. A. curreyi est assez abondant.Nannizzia cajetani, A. quadrifidum etA. tuberculatum ont été également assez souvent mis en évidence.Chrysosporium keratinophilum semble rare. Plus rares également sont les espèces plus spécialement pathogènes:A. benhamiae, N. fulva etN. incurvata.L'étude au microscope électronique à balayage permet de séparer et définir différentes espèces par l'observation des ornementations: verrues, granules, érosions planes, crêtes. C'est ainsi que nous pouvons confirmer la séparation des deux espècesN. fulva etN. incurvata.     

Accumulation et excrétion de substances organiques par les cellules à chlorure de la branchie d'Anguilla anguilla L. adaptée à l'eau de mer

Résumé Les sites branchiaux d'accumulation de certaines substances (bleu de méthylène, urée, paraaminohippurate et inuline) injectées dans la circulation générale ont été localisés sur des anguilles adaptées à l'eau de mer. Le bleu de méthylène est accumulé et excrété par les cellules à chlorure. Les autoradiographies des corps marqués au ¹⁴C: inuline, PAH et urée, faites après cryodessication montrent que les cellules à chlorure accumulent ces substances. La signification de ces résultats est discutée.

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Accumulation and excretion of organic substances by the branchial chloride cells in sea-water adapted eel (anguilla anguilla L.)

Summary The branchial site of accumulation of various organic substances (methylene blue, urea, inulin and paraaminohippurate) following intracardiac injection has been localised in sea-water adapted eels. Methylene blue is concentrated and excreted by chloride cells. By combining freeze-drying and radioautographic technique it was possible to demonstrate that chloride cells concentrate urea, inulin and paraaminohippurate. The signification of these results is discussed in relation with the branchial excretion of organic substances.

     

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.

     

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.     

Modèle géométrique de l'œuf de Ver à soie

Résumé L'uf de ver à soie qui se prête à de nombreuses recherches génétiques et physiologiques a été assimilé à un volume géométrique simple afin qu'on puisse calculer aisément l'aire de sa surface totale et son volume. On a d'abord cherché à justifier le modèle géométrique proposé grâce à une étude expérimentale et statistique. On a ensuite établi les formules mathématiques utiles. Enfin on a discuté de l'approximation donnée par ces formules et de leur signification biologique.

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Summary The egg of the silkworm which permits a lot of genetical and physiological researches has been assimilated to a simple geometric volume, so that the area of its total surface and its volume might be easily calculated. First we have tried to justify the geometrical model which is proposed by means of an experimental and statistical study. We have then demonstrated the useful mathematical formulas. Finally we have discussed the approximation given by these formulas and their biological significance.

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Zusammenfassung Das Seidenraupenei, das viele genetische und physiologische Forschungen ermöglicht, hat man mit einem einfachen geometrischen Modell verglichen, um seine ganze Fläche und sein Volumen leicht rechnen zu können. Zuerst hat man versucht, das vorgeschlagene geometrische Modell dank einer experimentalen und statistischen Arbeit zu rechtfertigen. Dann sind die nötigen mathematischen Formeln festgesetzt worden. Zuletzt hat man die durch diese Formeln gegebenen Annäherungen und ihre biologischen Bedeutung erörtert.

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Avec la collaboration technique de Mme.Donas     

Diagnostic d'une anéjaculation: à propos de 72 patients

Introduction

Anejaculation is the inability to ejaculate through the urethral meatus despite the presence of adequate erection and sexual stimulation.

Material and Methods

From January 1997 to July 2002, 72 patients (age: 17 to 72 years, mean age: 43 years, 65% under the age of 50) consulted the same urologist because of anejaculation.

Results

Forty seven patients (65%) were unable to achieve orgasm (anorgasmia). Twenty five patients were able to achieve orgasm: retrograde ejaculation (9 cases) or dry ejaculation (7 cases) (depending on the presence or absence spermatozoa in the urine after orgasm), indeterminate anejaculation (7 cases) and sluggish ejaculation (2 cases). Psychological risk factors were detected in 30 patients (42%), neurological risk factors were detected in 34 patients (47%) (especially peripheral neuropathy after pelvic or retroperitoneal surgery or diabetes mellitus) and pharmacological risk factors were detected in 16 patients (22%) (especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Men with anorgasmia presented psychological risk factors in 57% of cases, neurological risk factors in 36% of cases and pharmacological risk factors in 34% of cases. The percentages of these risk factors in patients with other forms of anejaculation were 12%, 68% and 0%, respectively. Twenty five patients (35%) presented several risk factors with a psychological predominance in 14 of them. No risk factors were detected in 11 patients (5 with retrograde ejaculation and 6 with anorgasmia), but a psychological aetiology appeared likely in 6 patients with anorgasmia, as they were able to achieve orgasm during masturbation. 70% of cases of anorgasmia therefore presented psychological risk factors or aetiologies (primary anorgasmia: 100%, secondary anorgasmia: 63%) versus 12% of patients with other forms of anejaculation.

Conclusion

1. The diagnosis of anejaculation must include the type of anejaculation.
2. The aetiological diagnosis is based on clinical interview.
3. Risk factors and aetiologies are often psychological, but sometimes neurological or pharmacological in patients with anorgasmia, and often neurological in other forms of anejaculation.
4. The term “psychological anejaculation” should be reserved for cases of primary anorgasmia.
5. Anorgasmia requires psychological assessment.

     

Les terrasses fluviatiles quaternaires de la Somme à Abbeville : 150 ans de recherches mêlant géologie et archéologie,de Boucher de Perthes à aujourd’hui

Paleolithic localities associated with fossil fluvial formations of the Somme River at Abbeville have played a significant role in the recognition of human antiquity. From the end of the 18th century, the work carried out in particular by the “Société d’émulation d’Abbeville” led to the emergence of studies in the Somme valley on both Quaternary Geology and Prehistory. It was within this scholarly society that Jacques Boucher de Perthes initiated his research on the famous localities of Menchecourt, Hospital and Moulin Quignon in 1837. These observations were quickly confirmed by geologists such as Albert Gaudry, Charles-Joseph Buteux or Joseph Prestwich. It was the latter who introduced the Abbeville deposits into the United-Kingdom scientist community and his observations were used as early as 1859 by Charles Lyell to demonstrate the antiquity of the archaeological remains collected from these localities. However, the controversy surrounding by the discovery of the human jaw of Moulin Quignon (1863–1864), which undermined the credibility of this locality for a long time, led to the decrease of the archaeological researches in the Somme valley, and in particular in Abbeville, but it then resumed quite quickly. However, if the work carried out by Geoffroy d’Ault du Mesnil from 1875 to 1898 had the merit to reaffirm the archaeological importance of the Abbeville deposits and to reveal the complexity of their Quaternary records, the geographical and stratigraphic imprecision resulting from these rare publications, coupled with the gradual abandonment of the various gravel pits whose exploitation he followed, cast a significant discredit on these discoveries and on the stratigraphical observations he made there. The researches carried out then by Victor Commont at Carpentier Quarry between 1904 and 1918 were characterized by the excellence of the stratigraphic and iconographic data he produced for each of the studied sites. However the absence of archaeological discoveries in the fluvial deposits he studied lead the prehistorians who succeeded him increasingly doubted of the veracity of Ault's observations, despite the efforts made by Abbé Henri Breuil to reconcile these with Commont's observations. Between the two world wars, Breuil and Léon Aufrère resumed the study of the Abbeville deposits then still accessible, tried to ensure their preservation, through the purchase and protection of the Carpentier and Léon quarries, a decisive intervention in the archaeological rehabilitation of these deposits. These works were at the origin of the chronostratigraphic studies carried out on these major localities of the ancient European prehistory until today. Over the past ten years, some of these localities have been studied again, thus largely confirming the observations made by the elders (Boucher de Perthes, d’Ault du Mesnil, Commont) and validating the major place of Abbeville in the understanding of ancient prehistory settlement of northwestern Europe.