Transposition of the great arteries: factors influencing prenatal diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to highlight the factors that may affect prenatal diagnosis of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) in order to improve it. METHODS: This is a retrospective study performed between 2004 and 2009 in the maternity units from North of France. We identified a total of 68 cases of TGA (isolated or associated with only VSD or coarctation of aorta), of which 32 (47.1%) had prenatal diagnosis (PND+) and 36 did not (PND-). Maternal characteristics and ultrasound factors were studied in relation to PND. RESULTS: Maternal weight and body mass index were significantly higher in the PND- group (70.4 kg and 26.5 kg/m(2) vs 63.6 kg and 23.6 kg/m(2) , respectively). Maternal obesity (body mass index >30) was significantly more frequent in the PND- group (27.8% vs 12.5%). More than a quarter of TGA (28.1%) were diagnosed during the third trimester. CONCLUSION: Obesity is the main cause of missed PND of TGA. Obese patients with suboptimal prenatal scans may benefit from reassessment of fetal cardiac anatomy and/or from referral for fetal echocardiography.

[Influence of occupational exposures in nonmuscle infiltration bladder cancer: preliminary results of a prospective study from October 2005 to February 2009]. / Influence des expositions professionnelles dans les cancers n'infiltrant pas le muscle détrusor. Résultats préliminaires d'une étude prospective d'octobre2005 à février2009.

UNLABELLED: Bladder cancer is a common condition in industrialized countries. If tobacco is still the main risk factor in lung cancer, occupational exposures carcinogens should not be underestimated. GOAL: The significant excess of bladder cancer in the north part of France, with high manufacture concentration likely to have employees exposed to bladder carcinogens, has led us to study the influence of these exposures in the natural history of bladder cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively conducted a descriptive case-control study. A questionnaire was developed by the department of occupational disease and clinical, radiological, histological, therapeutic data were registered at the University Hospital of Lille. From October 2005 to February 2009, 69 patients were included in the study, 37 exposed to occupational carcinogens and 32 in the control group. RESULTS: Mean age was 61.6 years vs. 61.8 years and the sex ratio of 7.33 men to one woman vs. one woman for three men respectively in the two groups. The average age of patients exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was 59.7 years. Smokers were 86.5% and 87.5% respectively. Follow-up was 38.4 and 32.9 months respectively. Nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer were more frequent (P=0.019) in the exposed group (84.4%) than in the unexposed group (67.8%) even after adjustment for smoking (P=0.0142). The histological type, grade, presence of CIS, the early recurrence at 3 months, the number of lesions at diagnosis does not differ in the two groups even after adjustment for smoking or after subgroup analysis of the most frequent exposure. The exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (62%) and aromatic amines (37.8%) were the most represented. Of 37 patients, 13 (35%) were making a statement as an occupational disease (eight according to Table 15 ter, two according to Table 16 bis and two presented to IRB). To date one single patient is recognized as an occupational disease. CONCLUSION: We did not observe any worsening of the prognosis of bladder cancer following occupational carcinogen exposure except for the mean age at diagnosis. The small size of the population studied and the importance of smoking partner have hampered the analysis of occupational exposures.

Phenotypical and genotypical characteristics of root-nodulating bacteria isolated from annual Medicago spp. in Soummam Valley (Algeria).

AIMS: In the framework of agro-pastoral system management using local annual medics coupled with their native root-nodulating bacteria to extend pasture zones, increase forage yields and improve ovine and bovine breeding in Algeria, we investigated diversity of rhizobia from annual Medicago spp. (Medicago arabica, Medicago polymorpha, Medicago minima and Medicago orbicularis). METHODS AND RESULTS: Ten nodulating-isolates were characterized by morphological, cultural, physiological and biochemical features, SDS-PAGE analysis and PCR-RFLP of 16S rDNA. The results show some degree of genetic diversity among the isolates; three can be affiliated to Sinorhizobium meliloti, one to Rhizobium galegae and six were separate. CONCLUSIONS: Local annual medics would have a high degree of specificity in their symbiotic interaction. Furthermore, our results support the presence of Rh. galegae in the Mediterranean region. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This work is a preliminary step towards selection of efficient symbiotic Medicago-rhizobia to develop inoculants for management of agro-pastoral systems using local annual medics in Algeria.