Stable serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone during the menstrual cycle: a prospective study in normo-ovulatory women.

BACKGROUND: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), secreted by the granulosa cells of preantral and small antral follicles, has been described as a potential marker of the ovarian reserve. The aim of this prospective study is to investigate the variations of AMH during the menstrual cycle in a young selected population of normo-ovulatory women and to analyse the correlation with other cyclic hormones. METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers from 19 to 35 years old, with regular menstrual cycles (26-31 days), normal ovulation (day 10-16), normal hormonal profile and normal body mass index (18-26 kg/m2) were recruited. AMH, inhibin B, LH, FSH, estradiol and progesterone were measured on days 3, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 21 and 25 of a spontaneous cycle. RESULTS: AMH serum levels, either expressed by cycle day or aligned according to the ovulation day, did not show any significant variations during the menstrual cycle. CONCLUSIONS: No significant fluctuation of the AMH level during the menstrual cycle was observed. Therefore, this hormone is particularly interesting for clinical evaluation of the ovarian reserve as it may be used at any time during the cycle.

Molecular epidemiology of caliciviruses detected in sporadic and outbreak cases of gastroenteritis in France from December 1998 to February 2004.

We compiled sequence and epidemiological data from 172 caliciviruses detected in France from December 1998 to February 2004 in sporadic and outbreak cases. The results showed a cocirculation of strains with a majority of genogroup II (GII) noroviruses. Three groups of noroviruses, not detected before in our laboratory, emerged and spread during the period: the recombinant GGIIb and Norwalk-related strains not amplified in the polymerase gene in 2000 and a new Lordsdale variant in 2002. We observed that (i) GII-4 noroviruses were predominant in nursing home and hospital outbreaks but rare in oyster- and water-related outbreaks despite continuous circulation in the population; (ii) at the opposite, genogroup I strains were detected in the majority of environmental outbreaks; (iii) several strains were frequently found in oyster- and water-linked outbreaks (up to seven), whereas one single strain was detected when transmission was from person to person; and (iv) whereas GII noroviruses were predominant in sporadic cases where patients were under 15 years of age, GI strains were more frequent in outbreaks occurring in this age group. Finally, from a methodology point of view, this compilation shows that detection and characterization in the polymerase gene are not adequate in a significant number of cases and should be completed by amplification and sequencing in the capsid gene.

[Predictive factors of successful treatment of lower caliceal calculi with Edap LT02 extracorporeal lithotripsy]. / Facteurs prédictifs du succès du traitement des calculs caliciels inférieurs par lithotritie extra corporelle Edap LTO2.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the predictive factors of success of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for lower caliceal stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The case files of 100 patients with a single stone in the lower pole of the kidney, ranging in size from 6 to 25 mm, treated by EDAP LTO2 extracorporeal lithotripsy between 1994 and 1997, were studied. Pretreatment intravenous urography was reviewed to assess the characteristics of the stone, to measure the pyelocaliceal angle and to study the anatomy of the lower pole of the kidney. RESULTS: The overall stone-free rate at 3 months was 57%. The success rate was 67.18% for stones smaller than 1 cm and 38.88% for stones larger than 1 cm. Stones denser than bone were successfully treated in 45.5% of cases, those less dense than bone were successfully treated in 71.11% of cases. The success rate was 86.04% when the pyelocaliceal angle was greater than 90 degrees and 35.08% when this angle was less than 90 degrees. The stone-free rate was 75% when the caliceal stalk was less than 3 cm and 37.5% when the stalk was greater than 3 cm. CONCLUSION: In this series, the size of the stone, its density, the pyelocaliceal angle and the length of the caliceal stalk were predictive elements of the success of ESWL for lower caliceal stones. The pyelocaliceal angle was the most significant factor. A very dense stone on the plain abdominal film with a diameter of 1 cm or more and presenting unfavourable anatomical factors should be treated by percutaneous nephrolithotomy as the first-line procedure.

Acute renal failure in patients over 80 years old: 25-years' experience.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the epidemiological trends, spectrum of etiologies, morbidity and mortality of acute renal failure (ARF) in patients over 80 years old. DESIGN: Historical cohort analysis. SETTING: Intensive care unit (ICU) of nephrology, Tenon Hospital, Paris. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: The criteria of inclusion was ARF, defined on the basis of a creatinine value over 120 mumol/l, in patients over 80 years of age admitted between October 1971 and September 1996. When moderate chronic nephropathy was pre-existing, ARF was defined by the increase of at least 50% over the basal creatininemia. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty-one patients over 80 years of age were included. The etiology and mechanism of ARF are detailed. 29% of the patients received dialysis. Global mortality at the hospital was 40%. Factors significantly associated with a poor prognosis are identified. Mean survival after hospitalization was 19 months. CONCLUSION: The frequency of admission to ICUs for ARF in patients older than 80 years seems to be on the increase. Mortality is less severe than expected. These patients could benefit from the renal replacement therapy of modern intensive care medicine.

[Balloon catheter parieto-renal dilatation in percutaneous kidney surgery]. / La dilatation pariéto rénale au ballonnet dans la chirurgie percutanée du rein.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two techniques of parieto-renal dilatation for percutaneous surgery: Alken dilators and balloon catheter. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective, non-randomized study was conducted between July 1999 and April 2000 in 20 patients undergoing percutaneous renal surgery. 10 patients were dilated with a balloon catheter (NephroMax, Boston Scientific) and the other 10 patients were dilated with Alken metal dilators. Statistical analysis was performed with the Mann-Whitney test. RESULT: The dilatation time and x-ray exposure time were shorter during balloon catheter dilatation (statistically significant difference) and the two techniques were associated with a comparable morbidity. CONCLUSION: Balloon catheter parieto-renal dilatation significantly decrease dilatation and x-ray exposure times and very considerably simplifies this operative step, essential to the success of percutaneous surgery.

[Prospective, multicentric, open, and controlled evaluation of the effectiveness of prostatron 2.5 in the treatment of prostatic benign hypertrophy: 1-year results]. / Evaluation prospective, multicentrique, ouverte et contrôlée de l'efficacité du Prostatron 2.5 dans le traitement de l'hypertrophie bénigne de la prostate: résultats à 1 an.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the efficacy at 1 year of the Prostatron 2.5 in the treatment of BPH weighing more than 40 grams. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 46 patients over the age of 50 years presenting with BPH > 40 grams responsible for a maximum flow rate (MFR) < 9 ml/s and a mean IPSS score of 18 were prospectively included without randomization, by 5 French Urological Centres. These patients were reviewed at 3, 6 and 12 months. Primary endpoint: MFR; secondary endpoints: Madsen score and IPSS. RESULTS: No major complications were observed. The mean postoperative catheterization time was 10 days, causing discomfort with a mean score of 5 on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10.. Maximum flow rate waas 13.4 ML/s at 3 months, 13.4 ml/s at 6 months and 14.7 ml/s at 12 months. The IPSS was improved by 75%. CONCLUSION: Treatment by Prostatron 2.5 improves the MFR and the patient's quality of life, which is maintained for at least 1 year after treatment.

Langerhans' cells are depleted in chronic graft versus host disease.

AIMS: To measure Langerhans' cells in skin of patients treated by bone marrow transplantation who developed chronic graft versus host disease (GvHD); to determine whether the reduction in Langerhans' cells resulted directly from the GvHD or from other factors, such as the immunosuppressive regimens used in bone marrow transplant patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Lesional and nonlesional skin specimens from nine patients with lichen planus-like lesions and three patients with sclerodermoid lesions were studied. Control skin specimens were taken from three patients undergoing breast reduction surgery. The number of Langerhans' cells/mm2 and the area of Langerhans' cells as a percentage of total epidermis were measured by counting cells labelled with antihuman CD1a. RESULTS: A significant reduction in Langerhans' cell area and number were found in specimens with lesions (area 3.5%; number 507/mm2) compared with specimens without lesions (8.42%; 2375/mm2). In contrast, Langerhans' cell area and number in skin without lesions were similar to controls (10.26%; 2968/mm2). CONCLUSIONS: Langerhans' cells were significantly reduced in skin with lesions of chronic GvHD but not in skin without lesions from the same patient, suggesting that the reduction is a direct consequence of GvHD and not linked to immunosuppressive drugs or late effects of conditioning regimens. In long term bone marrow transplant recipients, Langerhans' cells are derived mainly from the donor cells; therefore, this result suggests the occurrence of autoreactive phenomenon in chronic GvHD.

Long-term benefit of intravenous immunoglobulins in cadaveric kidney retransplantation.

Renal retransplantation can be hampered by the presence of anti-HLA alloantibodies. Previous studies have documented in vitro and in vivo suppression of these antibodies by intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg). We conducted a randomized study in 41 patients, who have received a second cadaveric transplant between 1989 and 1994. They all were treated with a quadruple-immunosuppressive protocol. In addition, 21 patients received 0.4 g/kg/day of IVIg, on the first 5 days after transplantation. The two groups of patients were identical for age, sex, duration of the first graft, duration of cold ischemia, anti-HLA sensitization, HLA matching, the number of acute rejection episodes, and the incidence of cytomegalovirus infection. The 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in the group of patients treated with IVIg: 68% versus 50% in the control group. The only significant factor associated with IVIg infusion and better survival was a shorter delay of graft function (3.4 +/- 1.0 days versus 9.9 +/- 1.6 days). In conclusion, this randomized study demonstrates that IVIg treatment is associated with better long-term graft survival in retransplanted patients. This beneficial effect may be related to a long-lasting immunosuppressive effect of IVIg and/or to an early protective effect of the graft against ischemia.

Sudden infant death and immunization: an extensive epidemiological approach to the problem in France--winter 1986.

In March 1986 five sudden infant deaths were reported, following the diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-pertussis and inactivated poliomyelitis virus (DTP-IPV) immunization of the infants concerned. An epidemiological study was carried out in order to investigate the possibility of a relationship between this immunization and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A detailed examination of the five cases had been carried out by a doctor. An exhaustive survey of all postneonatal deaths occurring between January and March 1986 was conducted and also a matched case-control survey. No significant differences were found in the immunization rates between SIDS and other causes of death, nor between SIDS and living controls. These results are compared with the results from previously published studies on the topic.

[Aid to the clinical and biological diagnosis of malignancy in a nodular hepatic image discovered by echography]. / Aide au diagnostic clinique et biologique de malignité devant une image nodulaire hépatique découverte par échographie.

When ultrasound examination of the upper abdomen detects a liver nodule, the malignancy of this lesion must be discussed. If past history of cancer is known, a benign lesion cannot be excluded. Conversely, if the examination is performed without a history of cancer, we must raise the possibility of a malignant lesion. We attempted to demonstrate that the simple clinical and biological findings allow, if well used, a diagnosis of malignancy or benign nature, rather than performing further investigations, sometimes costly or invasive. We therefore compared three different methods: the well known bayesian diagnostic process; the multivariate analysis using logistic regression model; the Decision Theory, constructing a binary discrimination tree. The three methods lead to approximately the same rate of well classified patients (93 to 95%). Advantages and disadvantages are discussed.