CD56brightCD16+ NK cells: a functional intermediate stage of NK cell differentiation.

Human NK cells comprise two main subsets, CD56(bright) and CD56(dim) cells, which differ in function, phenotype, and tissue localization. To further dissect the differentiation from CD56(bright) to CD56(dim) cells, we performed ex vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrating that the CD56(bright)CD16(+) cells are an intermediate stage of NK cell maturation. We observed that the maximal frequency of the CD56(bright)CD16(+) subset among NK cells, following unrelated cord blood transplantation, occurs later than this of the CD56(bright)CD16(-) subset.

Expression and proliferative effect of hemokinin-1 in human B-cells.

Tachykinins are a family of structurally related peptides, including substance P (SP), hemokinin-1 (HK-1), neurokinin A (NKA), and neurokinin B. SP and NKA have been shown to modulate hematopoiesis and rat/mouse HK-1 has been found to be involved in the survival and differentiation of mouse B-cells. This study was designed to assess the expression of tachykinins with a focus on human HK-1 (hHK-1) in human B lymphocytes and the role of these peptides in cell differentiation, apoptosis and proliferation.

Analysis of CD16+CD56dim NK cells from CLL patients: evidence supporting a therapeutic strategy with optimized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies.

Although anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) show promise for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the success of the anti-CD20 mAb rituximab in CLL treatment has been limited. Novel anti-CD20 mAbs with more potent cytotoxic activity have recently been engineered, but so far most have only been tested in vitro with natural killer (NK) cells from healthy donors. Because it is still unclear whether these optimized cytotoxic mAbs will improve NK-cell killing of tumor cells in CLL patients, we characterized the relevant phenotypic and functional features of NK cells from CLL patients in detail.

Human NK cells display major phenotypic and functional changes over the life span.

Aging is generally associated with an increased predisposition to infectious diseases and cancers, related in part to the development of immune senescence, a process that affects all cell compartments of the immune system. Although many studies have investigated the effects of age on natural killer (NK) cells, their conclusions remain controversial because the diverse health status of study subjects resulted in discordant findings. To clarify this situation, we conducted the first extensive phenotypic and functional analysis of NK cells from healthy subjects, comparing NK cells derived from newborn (cord blood), middle-aged (18-60 years), old (60-80 years), and very old (80-100 years) subjects.

[Maternal pancytopenia during antenatal treatment of congenital toxoplasmosis].

Introduction: The treatment of reference of congenital toxoplasmosis combines two folate synthesis inhibitors, pyrimethamine and an antibacterial sulfamide (sulfadiazine or sulfadoxine). Despite the efficacy of this combination, the possibility of eventually severe side effects must also be taken into account.

Observation: A pancytopenia occurred at 37 weeks of amenorrhea during antenatal treatment for congenital toxoplasmosis in a tripara.

[Massive fetomaternal hemorrhage revealed by decreased perception of active fetal movements].

Massive fetomaternal hemorrhage is rare. Without risk factors, early diagnosis is difficult to establish. The clinical and paraclinical manifestations are not specific and depend on fetal compensatory reactions; the Kleihauer test will confirm the diagnosis.

[Endometrioid adenocarcinoma arising from adenomyosis. A case report and literature review].

In spite of many references to carcinoma arising from endometriosis, there are few documented cases in the literature of endometrioid adenocarcinoma developed in association with adenomyosis. We report a case of endometrioid adenocarcinoma arising from adenomyosis. Carcinogenic and prognostic factors as well as the therapeutic consequences of this unusual situation are discussed.

[Contribution of Doppler ultrasound to the antenatal diagnosis of persistent right umbilical vein: case report].

We report a case of an isolated persistent right umbilical vein which was diagnosed on an ultrasound examination performed in the third trimester of pregnancy. This was made possible by the contribution of color flow Doppler and real-time ultrasound. Having isolated the anomaly no further fetal monitoring was instituted.

[Placental chorioangiomas diagnosed during the second trimester of pregnancy: four cases].

Placental chorioangioma is a benign vascular tumor found in about 1% of pregnancies at routine histological examination of the placenta. The large placental tumor may cause serious fetal complications. We report 4 cases of placental chorioangioma diagnosed during the second trimester.

[Anesthetic management of obstetrical labor in a parturient with muscular carnitine palmitoyl transferase deficiency].

We report a case of a patient with carnitine palmityl deficiency in active labour. We discuss the metabolic and energetic implications of obstetrical labour in regard with the mitochondrial myopathy and we propose an optimal management. Neuroaxial analgesia and glucose infusion are indicated in early labour because it is necessary to alleviate stress and pain in order to avoid rhabdomyolysis associated with CPT deficiency.

[Antenatal diagnosis of limb body wall complex].

The "limb body wall complex" or LBWC is a rare polymalformative syndrome. Two distinct phenotypes of which were recently described: one form with "placento-cranial" adhesion and the other with "placento-abdominal" adhesion. Coelosomia is found in all cases, it variably coexists with encephalic, vertebral, visceral or limb anomalies.

[Abdominal colposacroplexy for the treatment of vaginal vault prolapse with or without urinary stress incontinence].

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the factors of success in abdominal colposacropexy (CSP) procedures.

Patients And Methods: We performed 271 consecutive CSP between 1986 and 1997 (mean age: 48.8 years +/- 11.

[Maternal and congenital syphilis].

Testing for syphilis during pregnancy reveals a positive serologic status in 0.02% of cases. However, a 66% rate of stillbirths is noted in women who are infected and who have not benefited from any treatment.

[Malignant non-Hodgkins lymphoma manifested in an ovarian tumor. Five case reports].

Five cases of non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma (NHML) presenting as ovarian tumours are reported. All corresponded to disseminated lymphomatous disease, none was of low grade. Ultrasound showed a solid, most often homogeneous, hypoechoic, bilateral mass in 4 of 5 cases.

[Value and limits of complementary investigations in cases of toxoplasmosis seroconversion during pregnancy. A case report and review of the literature].

We report a case of acute toxoplasmosis during the first trimester of pregnancy in which antenatal diagnosis was negative. Except for non-specific signs of liver failure, assessment by repeated ultrasound scans, testing of fetal blood for toxoplasmic specific antibodies and competitive PCR to isolate the parasite, had ruled out fetal infection. In spite of early treatment with spiramycin, and although the infant was assumed to be non-contaminated, severe hydrocephalus was noted at 3 and half months of life, arising soon after therapy had been stopped.

[Prenatal diagnosis of three caudal regression syndromes associated with maternal diabetes].

We report three cases of caudal regression syndrome diagnosed in utero. Caudal regression syndrome (CRS) is a rare condition associating vertebral agenesia and urinary and digestive tract malformations. Pathogenesis is not clear but, as in our three cases, the CRS is often associated with poorly controlled maternal diabetes.

[Steinert's disease and pregnancy. A case report and recent literature].

Steinert's disease or myotonic dystrophy is a heredo-degenerative neuroendocrinal dystrophy. It is an autosomal dominant disorder. The arising of a congenital myotonic dystrophy of one of the new-born children of the maternity hospital enabled to diagnose the Steinert's disease of his mother.

[Hydrocephalus with cerebrospinal fluid shunts and pregnancy: 2 cases].

During pregnancy 50% of all cases with a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt malfunction. This is because of anatomo-physiological changes associated with the pregnant state, and shows itself as a rise in intracranial tension. There were no acute neurological complications at term; with the malfunction of the shunt distally, vaginal delivery is preferable.

[Retrograde section of uterine septa under ultrasonic control].

A new technique for the treatment of uterine septa is described. The septum is divided by the transcervical route, using 4 mm endoscopic scissors. Simultaneously, real-time ultrasonography confirms the diagnosis of septate uterus and ensures the safety of this blind procedure.

[The effect of amniofetography on the fetal thyroid (author's transl)].

Although there are certain advantages of amniofetography they must be considered against the risk of fetal hypothyroidism "in utero" with its prognostic danger. The authors report six case histories which illustrate this risk and they draw attention to the possible effect on the thyroid gland "in utero". Amniofetography should therefore be reserved solely for those cases in which the indications exist and there are no other possible means of diagnosis.

[Danger of iodine drugs in the pregnant woman].

The authors draw attention to the fact that the possible effects of drugs containing iodine are often neglected during pregnancy. As an example, they report the following observation : "A young woman with benign asthma, treated for 14 years Asthmasedine and Asthmaligne, gave birth, on the 36th week of pregnancy, to a child apparenty dead but who was able to be reanimated. The child showed two types of signs : respiratory distress due to higher neurological disorders and a multinodular, non-compressing goiter.