Nasal passages of Göttingen minipigs from the neonatal period to young adult.

Histopathological examination of the nasal passages requires a standardized approach for recording lesion distribution patterns. Nasal diagrams provide guidance to map the lesions. Information on lesions exists for rodents, dogs, and monkeys, which all have been used in inhalation studies. Recently, minipigs have garnered interest as an inhalation model because minipigs resemble humans in many features of anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry and may be a good alternative to monkeys and dogs. The present work explored the microanatomy and histology of the nasal passages of Göttingen minipigs from postnatal day 1 until 6 months of age. Six nasal levels were selected, which allow examination of the squamous, transitional (nonciliated) and ciliated respiratory, and olfactory epithelia; the nasopharynx; and relevant structures such as the vomeronasal organ, olfactory bulb, and nasal/nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue.

[Dysthyroidism in elderly patients. Clinical characteristics]. / Les dysthyroïdies chez les personnes âgées. Particularités cliniques.

FROM A CLINICAL POINT OF VIEW: Diagnosis of dysthyroidism in the elderly is particularly difficult because of the lack of sensitivity and specificity of classical symptoms and examinations. Neuro-mental and cardiovascular signs are frequent: dysthyroidism should always be searched for in the presence of dementia, depressive syndrome, heart failure or tachyarrhythmia. BIOLOGICAL DATA: Simple screening must therefore be widely proposed and relies on complete thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) assay, further completed by free thyroid hormone assay. Biological diagnosis is easy in the healthy elderly patient, but interpretation of the assays is delicate in the case of intercurrent diseases or treatment with amiodarone. THE CAUSES TO BE LOOKED FOR: The detection of hypothyroidism does not require etiological exploration, other than the search for iodine overload. In cases of hyperthyroidism, scanning usually reveals a nodular goitre. THERAPEUTIC REGIMENS: In most cases treatment is simple. Replacement therapy is used for hypothyroidism. Patience and cardiovascular monitoring are essential. In the absence of iodine overload or compressive goitre, radioactive iodine is the treatment of choice. These simple treatments avoid the loss of physical and mental autonomy and cardiovascular complications. The importance of screening of these so-called "profitable" diseases in the elderly is obvious.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and aging.

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is the most abundant circulating steroid hormone in humans and can readily be converted to its parent steroid DHEA by tissue sulfatases. Yet, a biologic function for these steroids has not been defined. The link between DHEA and aging has been raised by: (1) its well documented age-related decline, and (2) a preventive effect of DHEA on numerous age-related illnesses: ischemic heart-disease, cognitive impairment, immunodeficiency, malignancies, osteoporosis. These effects have been suggested by epidemiological studies in humans. Animal studies support a protective effect of DHEA on these age-related diseases. However, it remains unknown whether these results in animals can be transposed in humans, because adrenal secretion of DHEA seems to be particular to primates. In humans, only a few studies have been performed. The effects of oral supplementation with DHEA have, so far, focused on the possible metabolic effects of DHEA. A few studies have shown: the absence of any side-effects; no change in body-weight; conflicting results on body-composition and lipids and no effect on insulin-tolerance. The latest study showed a beneficial effect on well-being but these results need to be confirmed.

[Actions of dehydroepiandrosterone: possible links with aging]. / Actions de la déhydroépiandrostérone: possibles liens avec le vieillissement.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfo-conjugated derivative (SDHEA), secreted by the adrenal glands, are the most abundant circulating steroids in the human organism. The well-established fact that levels decrease progressively with age suggests a role in the aging process. They could also play a preventive role via an antitumoral action, stimulation of the immune system, an antiosteoporotic effect, a neuropsychologic action and cardiovascular protection. Nevertheless, it is not certain that evidence obtained from animal models can be transposed to man due to the specific nature of adrenal secretion of steroids in the human species. Epidemiological studies have often provided conflicting results. There have been few trials of administration in man, mostly aimed at studying the metabolic effects of DHEA. There is no evidence of secondary effects. Inversely, high-doses lead to transformation into active androgens with deleterious metabolic effects. Consequently, the current trend is to use low doses. Body weight, body composition, and sensitivity to insulin are not modified although variable effects on the lipid profile have been observed. Finally one study has produced much debate: a randomized trial demonstrating an improvement in wellbeing... Confirmation of this effect is certainly needed. In the absence of a satisfactory animal model, randomized prospective studies versus placebo are required to study the effect of substitution therapy in elderly subjects.

[Spinal aneurysmal cyst with medullary compression. Apropos of a case with preoperative embolization]. / Kyste anévrismal rachidien avec compression médullaire. A propos d'un cas avec embolisation pré-opératoire.

The authors report the case of a vertebral aneurysmal bone cyst, at the thoracic level, with spinal cord compression. 16 months after operation, the initial neurological signs reappeared. Selective angiography pointed out a good picture, through not specific, of the lesion; the embolisation, then performed, provided considerable relief for the complete removal of the important vascular bone formation. The diagnostic, therapeutic and pathogenic problems of the vertebral aneurysmal bone cysts are discussed.