Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Pierre

Publications and source records attributed to F Pierre.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides reduce the occurrence of colon tumors and develop gut-associated lymphoid tissue in Min mice.

C57BL/6J-Min/+ mice, which are heterozygous for a non-sense mutation in the Apc gene, provide a model for both familial adenomatous polyposis and sporadic colon cancers. In our study, gut tumors and small intestine lymphoid nodules were counted in Min mice fed fiber-enriched diets for 6 weeks. Neither starch-free wheat bran nor resistant starch modified the number of tumors. However, short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides dramatically reduced the incidence of colon tumors and concomitantly developed gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Our experiment shows that short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides counteract advanced stages of colon carcinogenesis, possibly via stimulation of antitumoral immunity by modulation of the colonic ecosystem.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: a French prospective study.

The aim of this prospective study was to analyze the characteristics of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) in a French population. From 1989 to 1995 we studied 50 consecutive pregnant women with ICP (41 single, 7 twin, and 2 triplet pregnancies) referred for hepatologic consultation. All patients suffered from pruritus and/or jaundice associated with elevated fasting serum levels of total bile acids (mean 49 micromol/L, range 7-290). No patients had concomitant liver disease and all recovered normal liver function after delivery. Overall prematurity rate was 60%: 100% in multiple pregnancies and 41% in single pregnancies. Three of 61 babies died. Systematic clinical interviews revealed that 34 patients had been treated with oral micronized natural progesterone (200-1,000 mg/d) during the current pregnancy for risk of premature delivery, including at least 32 (64%) before the onset of pruritus. Onset of pruritus was statistically earlier in patients previously receiving progesterone than in patients not receiving progesterone (217 +/- 21 vs. 240 +/- 26 days, P < .01). This was also found in the single pregnancy subgroup of patients (222 +/- 19 vs. 240 +/- 26 days, P < .05). Pruritus disappeared before delivery in 10 of 50 patients, i.e., after withdrawal of progesterone in 7 patients (only one concurrently treated with cholestyramine), after decrease in dose of progesterone in 1 patient, and spontaneously in 2 patients. During the same period, the percentage of pregnant women without ICP who had been treated with progesterone during pregnancy was statistically lower than the percentage of patients treated with progesterone before the onset of pruritus in our group of patients with ICP (36% vs. 64%, P < .01, odds ratio 3.16, 95% CI:1.29-7.80). These results suggest that orally administered progesterone might be an exogenous factor which triggers ICP in predisposed women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Endocervical infection in a pregnant woman caused by Neisseria meningitidis: evidence of associated oropharyngeal colonization of the male partner.

A case of premature birth associated with an endocervical infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis is reported. Treatment of the mother with amoxycillin eradicated the bacteria from the endocervix and avoided newborn colonization or infection. Epidemiological investigation identified meningococcal oropharyngeal colonization of the male partner. The two strains were of the same antigenic formula B:4:P1.14 and exhibited identical rDNA restriction fragment patterns and outer membrane protein profiles. This phenotypic and genomic identity of strains is the first clear evidence for cross-colonization between sexual partners.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

A small heat shock protein from Leuconostoc oenos induced by multiple stresses and during stationary growth phase.

In Leuconostoc oenos, a malolactic bacterium, the synthesis of a stress protein called LO18 with an apparent molecular mass of 18 kDa was greatly induced after heat (42 degrees C), acid (pH 3) or ethanolic (12% (v/v)) shocks. Moreover, the LO18 protein synthesis was induced in stationary growth phase and was detected for a long time (30 h) during this growth phase. Significant identity was found between the N-terminal parts of the LO18 protein and the Hsp18 from Clostridium acetobutylicum suggesting that LO18 protein belongs to the family of small heat shock proteins conserved in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Case report and review of the literature: primary twin ovarian pregnancy.

A case report of primary twin ovarian pregnancy is presented. A 36 year old woman, gravida 4 para 3, was admitted to the hospital for suspected ectopic pregnancy, with vaginal bleeding at 11 weeks after her last menstrual period, associated with pelvic pain. An endovaginal ultrasonography led to the diagnosis of twin ovarian right ectopic pregnancy with two dead fetuses associated with a compartmentalized haemoperitoneum. Unilateral oophorectomy was carried out by laparotomy. Histological studies confirmed an uni-ovular di-amniotic ovarian pregnancy. Seven cases of ovarian twin pregnancies are reviewed in the literature. This case is the first one where diagnosis has been made by endovaginal sonography.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Complications of laparoscopy caused by trocars. Preliminary study from the national registry of the French Society of Gynecologic Endoscopy].

OBJECTIVE: To describe laparoscopic complications due to trocar insertions and to define their prevention as well as their risk factors. STUDY DESIGN: The SFEG registry of laparoscopic complications was used for our study; 26 complications due to trocar insertions were recorded to this day by the register including 12 vascular injuries, 9 bowel injuries, 3 bladder perforations and 2 incisional herinas. In order to avoid accidents of this technique, patient profile, laparoscopy indications, trocar type, diagnosis and treatment of the complications as well as the outcome must be defined. RESULTS: Whatever the operator's experience, the indication of laparoscopy and the trocar type some patients seem to have complications at laparoscopy: 70% of studied group had prior surgical treatment and 50% were over weight. However, it appeared that safety rules were not been taken into account for one-third of the trocar injuries. Consequently, laparotomy was used by the same surgeons for these complications in 89% of cases, laparotomy was delayed in 27% of the cases. CONCLUSION: In order to prevent laparoscopic complications, the surgeon must (i) inform the patients about risks which may occur, (ii) be careful, and (iii) declare each complication to a national registry such as the SFEG registry.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Major vascular injuries during gynecologic laparoscopy.

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to report our experience with major vascular injuries in gynecologic laparoscopy in order to specify the circumstances under which they occurred, the means of diagnosis, the risk factors, and the means for prevention. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review study. RESULTS: Seventeen patients with 21 major vascular injuries were identified. The average age of the patients was 33.8 +/- 11.6 years, and the mean body index mass was 21.6 +/- 3.08 kg/m2. Three of four of the accidents occurred during the set-up phase of laparoscopy (13 cases; 76.5%), and in 4 cases (23.5%) the accident occurred during the laparoscopic surgery procedure. Eleven (84.6%) of the complications occurring during the set-up phase were secondary to insertion of the umbilical trocar and 2 (15.4%) to insertion of the needle used to create the pneumoperitoneum (P-needle). Half (6 cases; 54.5%) of the major vascular injuries secondary to insertion of the umbilical trocar were observed when reusable trocars were used. In every case, the diagnosis was made during the operation. Two patients died, and two others presented a serious complication (phlebitis; acute ischemia requiring reoperation). CONCLUSIONS: Major vascular injuries are rare but serious complications of laparoscopic surgery. Prevention of these accidents relies on the surgeon's experience and scrupulous respect of the safety rules. In the vast majority of cases, it is necessary to convert to laparotomy immediately, calling in a vascular surgeon.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Nutritional fetal rickets. A case report].

We report the case of a newborn who showed typical signs of rickets at birth craniotabes and severe hypocalcemia. The diagnosis of fetal rickets was confirmed by radiography. Maternal deficiency was revealed by an excessively low vitamin D level. The multiparous Moroccan mother had suffered low back pain and paraesthesia for several years. She wore the veil and rarely left her home. Nutritional and vitamin D deficiency was demonstrated. We report this exceptional case to recall the importance of vitamin D in the development of fetal calcium supply, the prevention of gravid osteomalacia and the prevention of neonatal hypocalcemia. Vitamin D supplementation (ideally 1000 IU per day during the third trimester or at least one 100,000 IU dose at the sixth and eighth months or a single dose of 2 to 3,000,000 IU at the sixth month) should be the rule in pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Ethical problems with the decision of refusal to a request for intra-conjugal in vitro fertilization].

What is our knowledge of the couples who suffer refusal of access to IVF when information is available for only 52% of the pregnancies obtained by IVF? With a retrospective study on IVF refusal datas in a centre where they are available, and an investigation by questionnaire in twelve other centers, the authors tried to evaluate the incidence of these refusal. IVF refusal concern 6 to 30% of the couples addressed, varying on a plurifactorial preselection; but a register including refusal is available in only four of the twelve centers. The main reason for refusal is maternal age. Only three of the twelve centers inquired have a real multidisciplinary staff for access decision. Moreover, if the twelve centers knows the future for the obtained pregnancies, it's true sometimes for only seven centers when IVF is unsuccessful, and never for ten centers when refusal of IVF. Assessment of IVF is incomplete, and improvement is needed based on: a better diffusion of the actual knowledge and its applications; a vast application of "ethical committee procedure" when decision for access is taken; and a global approach of IVF, considering refusal as well as success.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The French interlaboratory quality assessment programme for copper, zinc and selenium in blood serum.

The group for quality assurance for trace elements of the Société Française de Biologie Clinique (SFBC) has operated an interlaboratory quality assessment programme for copper, zinc and selenium determinations in blood serum since 1988. The primary objective is to enable participants to maintain or improve the accuracy of their analytical performances by comparing their results with other laboratories, every two months, on the basis of three quality criteria: comparison to the mean value, recovery of added copper, zinc and selenium, between-run reproducibility for identical samples. A further aim of this scheme is to evaluate interlaboratory transferability of the results. The procedure for individual and overall evaluation is reported. For each participant a performance score is calculated for each quality criteria, and a global score is attributed. The analytical performances of the participants were considered "good", "acceptable" or "inadequate" according to their global scores. Some of the results observed in this scheme are interpreted on the basis of differences between the notions of quality control and total quality assurance.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 8 mosaicism in CVS after abnormal ultrasound findings at 12 weeks.

We describe a case of trisomy 8 mosaicism in which fetal chromosome analysis was prompted by ultrasound abnormalities, i.e., hygroma colli and dilatation of the renal pelves. Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) was performed, with a false-negative result on direct karyotype analysis, although cultured trophoblasts revealed trisomy 8 mosaicism. Fetal autopsy confirmed the abnormalities found on ultrasound examinations and fetal tissue examination showed different levels of trisomy 8 mosaicism. To our knowledge, this is the first prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 8 made on ultrasound findings.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1995

Effect of different exposure compounds on urinary kinetics of aluminium and fluoride in industrially exposed workers.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a field study to obtain information on the urinary concentrations of aluminium (Al) and fluoride (F-) depending on the different compounds exposed to in the aluminum industry. METHODS: 16 workers from one plant that produced aluminium fluoride (AlF3), and from two plants that produced aluminium electrolytically by two different processes participated in the study for one working week. Pollutants were monitored by eight hour personal sampling every day, and urine samples were collected during the week. Al and F- were analysed in both atmospheric and urine samples by atomic absorption spectrometry and an ion selective electrode. RESULTS: The principal results show different characteristics of kinetic curves of Al and F- excretion in workers with different exposures. Some characteristics of excretory peaks were linked to specific exposures--for instance, after exposure to AlF3 there was one delayed Al peak associated with one delayed F- peak about eight hours after the end of the daily shift, and after mixed exposure to HF and AlF3, two F- peaks were noted, one fast peak at the end of the shift and another delayed peak at 10 hours synchronised with an Al peak. In one of the electrolysis plants, the exposure to Al and F- compounds led to the simultaneous excretion of Al and F- peaks, either as a single peak or two individual ones depending on the type of technology used on site (open or enclosed potlines). The average estimated half life of Al was 7.5 hours, and of F- about nine hours. Quantitative relations between excretion and exposure showed an association between the F- atmospheric limit value of 2.5 mg/m3 with a urinary F- concentration of 6.4 mg/g creatinine at the end of the shift, a peak of 7.4 mg/g creatinine, and 7.4 mg excreted a day. For Al, the exposure to 1.36 mg/m3 during the shift corresponded to a urinary concentration at the end of the shift of 200 microgram/g creatinine. Daily excretion of 200 micrograms corresponded to an exposure to 0.28 mg/m3. CONCLUSION: Particular differences in the behaviour of Al and F- in urine depended upon the original molecular form in the pollutant. These results reinforce the principle that, in biological monitoring, the sampling strategy and the choice of limit value should be dependent on kinetic data that take the exposure compound of the element in question into account.

Adult↗