Bisphenol S is present in culture media used for ART and cell culture.

STUDY QUESTION: Do plastic laboratory consumables and cell culture media used in ART contain bisphenols? SUMMARY ANSWER: The majority of human embryo culture media assessed contained bisphenol S close to the nanomolar concentration range, while no release of bisphenols by plastic consumables was detected under routine conditions. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: The deleterious effect of the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA) on female fertility raised concerns regarding ART outcome. BPA was detected neither in media nor in the majority of plastic consumables used in ART; however, it might have already been replaced by its structural analogs, including bisphenol S (BPS). STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Seventeen plastic consumables and 18 cell culture and ART media were assessed for the presence of bisphenols. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Ten different bisphenols (bisphenol A, S, AF, AP, B, C, E, F, P and Z) were measured using an isotopic dilution according to an on-line solid phase extraction/liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: While the plastic consumables did not release bisphenols under routine conditions, 16 of the 18 cell culture and ART media assessed contained BPS. Six media exhibited BPS concentrations higher than 1 nM and reached up to 6.7 nM (1693 ng/l). LARGE SCALE DATA: N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Further studies are required to investigate a greater number of ART media to identify less potentially harmful ones, in terms of bisphenol content. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: As BPS has already been reported to impair oocyte quality at nanomolar concentrations, its presence in ART media, at a similar concentration range, could contribute to a decrease in the ART success rate. Thus far, there has been no regulation of these compounds in the ART context. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: This study was financially supported by the 'Centre-Val de Loire' Region (Bemol project, APR IR 2017), INRAE, BRGM, the French National Research Agency (project ANR-18-CE34-0011-01 MAMBO) and the BioMedicine Agency (Project 18AMP006 FertiPhenol). The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the reported research.

Effects of a n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid-enriched diet on embryo production in dairy cows.

Beneficial effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation on dairy cow reproduction have been previously reported. The objectives of the present study were to assess whether n-3 PUFA supplementation would affect in vitro embryo production (IVP) after ovarian stimulation. Holstein cows received a diet with 1% dry matter supplementation of either n-3 PUFA (n = 18, microencapsulated fish oil) or a control, n-6 PUFA (n = 19, microencapsulated soy oil). Both plasma and follicular fluid FA composition showed integration of total PUFA through the diet. All cows underwent an IVP protocol consisting of ovarian stimulation, ultrasound-guided transvaginal oocyte retrieval (ovum pick-up, OPU, five per cow) followed by in vitro maturation, fertilisation and 7 days of embryo development. A tendency toward an increase in the blastocyst rate (diet effect, P = 0.0865) was observed in n-3 cows, with 49.6 ± 5.5% vs 42.3 ± 5.5% in control n-6 cows. A significant increase (diet effect, P = 0.0217) in the good-quality blastocyst rate (freezable blastocysts) was reported in n-3 cows (42.2 ± 7.7%) compared to control n-6 cows (32.7 ± 7.7%). A significant difference in lipid composition was shown in the oocytes recovered by OPU from n-3 and n-6 treated cows, by intact single-oocyte MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The 42 differentially abundant identified lipids were mainly involved in cell membrane structure. In conclusion, n-3 PUFA supplementation enhanced oocyte quality and modified their lipid composition. Further studies are necessary to investigate the potential link of these lipid modifications with enhanced oocyte quality.

[Facial burns in children. 197 patients]. / Les brûlures de la face chez l'enfant. A propos de 197 patients.

Facial burns frequently occur in child. A total of 197 burned patients with facial localisation were seen during the time period (1991-1996) covered by this retrospective study. One hundred and sixteen patients were less than three years old. A quarter of the child were issued from poor social classes with nine cases of child abuse by burning. One hundred and thirteen injuries were performed by hot water or drinks. The total burn area was less than 10% in 63% of the cases. The average facial burned area was 4%. The cheek, the front and the chin were often concerned. Low limbs and trunk were unjured in all cases. 130 patients needed hospitalisation, and stayed in average 17.31 days at hospital. Four patients died from respiratory complications, all after flame injuries. Fifty two child needed skin split grafts. Complete cicatrisation was observed after 21 days of treatment in child without grafts, and after 35.65 days in child with skin grafts. Twenty eight patients needed physiotherapy in center. The scars had a correct cosmetic appearance, without retraction and inflammatory signs in 158 child after two years. Eleven patients needed other surgical treatment. The authors analyse the results and insist on prevention.

[Histological and clinical forms of the eosinophilic cellulitis]. / Formes anatomocliniques du syndrome de Wells.

BACKGROUND: Wells' syndrome is characterized by clinical features of cellulitis and a histological picture of eosinophilic infiltrate of the dermis with some "flame" figures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical and histological features of nine patients with Wells' syndrome seen from 1988 to 1998 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The clinical features of the nine patients (five men and four women) were urticaria (n=1), cellulitis (n=2), annular plaques (n=3), vesiculo-bullous lesions (n=2) and edema of the face with nodules of the conjunctiva (n=1). Histological examination of skin biopsies showed an eosinophilic infiltrate of the dermis associated with some "flame" figures in all cases. The infiltrate was located in the superficial or deep dermis in accordance with the different clinical features. One patient developed a non Hodgkin lymphoma and presented successively: a Wells' syndrome, a leucocytoklastic vasculitis and a Sweet's syndrome. Numerous treatment were used: topical corticosteroids, H1-antihistamines, dapsone and systemic corticosteroids. Two patients relapsed after treatment withdrawal. DISCUSSION: This study demonstrated a wide polymorphism of the clinical and histological features of Wells' syndrome. The clinical features seem to depend on the location of the dermal infiltrate, suggesting the existence of a spectrum of eosinophilic dermatoses, like in neutrophilic dermatoses. The successive occurrence of vasculitis, Wells' syndrome and Sweet'syndrome in a patient suggests an overlap between these diseases. Systemic corticosteroids are the most effective treatment, but may lead to a corticosteroid dependence.

[Acyclovir treatment of eczema herpeticum in Darier's disease]. / Traitement par acyclovir d'un eczema herpeticum compliquant une maladie de Darier.

This paper describes two episodes of eczema herpeticum occurring in a woman with Darier's disease. During the first episode, the vesicular eruption represented a primary herpetic infection because there were no IgM herpes antibodies. The second attack suggested a recurrent infection. Herpes simplex, virus type I was isolated from the lesions in both cases.

[Pemphigus vegetans, a clinical type of chronic pustular dermatitis of Hallopeau]. / Pemphigus végétant a type clinique de dermatite pustuleuse chronique de Hallopeau.

A 49-year old woman had an eruption resembling 'dermatite pustuleuse chronique en foyers a progression excentrique' as initially described by Hallopeau. Numberous vegetating lesions occurred over the genitocrural, pubic, umbilical and submammary regions. The finger-nails showed onycholysis and sterile pustules. No bullae were seen at any time. Histopathological study revealed the presence of acantholysis. Direct immunofluorescent microscopy showed IgG deposits in the intercellular epidermal space. The titer of pemphigus antibody was 1/1,600: the results of these immunofluorescence studies on early pustular lesions as well as vegetating lesions support the view that Hallopeau disease belongs to the 'pemphigus group'. The patient was treated first with oral prednisone (80 mg/day). In twelve months of follow-up care, the vegetating lesions disappeared completely, leaving hyperpigmentation. Prompt recurrence of lesions was observed when corticosteroids were discontinued; reinstitution of this therapy was followed by their regression. A difference exits between pemphigus vegetans of Hallopeau and pemphigus vegetans of Neumann: (1) the Hallopeau type begins with pustules as the primary lesions, followed by vegetations, with a lack of bullae and a preference for flexural areas. Immunofluorescence studies will be the deciding factor in separating pemphigus vegetans of Hallopeau from pyoderma vegetans. (2) The Neumann type is a variant of pemphigus vulgaris in which the denuded areas have a tendency to heal with papillomatous formations. It begins and ends with bullae.