[Ontogeny of the immune system].

The newborn immune system differs quantitatively and functionally from adults. At birth, the immune system is partially immature, resulting in deficiency in cell-mediated cytolysis, immunoglobulin synthesis and cytokine production. The most clearly defined deficit in neonatal phagocytosis defenses is diminished neutrophil storage.

Protein kinase CK2 activities in human prostatic and seminal-vesicle secretions and seminal plasma.

Human prostatic secretion and seminal plasma contain certain protein kinase activities. Protein kinases play important roles in regulating a vast variety of cellular functions. The objective of this study was to determine whether one of these protein kinase activities in human prostatic secretion and seminal plasma is due to CK2, a messenger-independent, serine/threonine protein kinase that has considerable potential as a regulatory enzyme.

[Hysteroscopic myomectomy. Functional results with an average follow-up of 6 years].

Objective: In 1995, we presented our experience in hysteroscopic resection of hemorrhagic submucous fibroids in 196 patients. The objective of the present work was to analyze functional outcome three years later.

Patients: One hundred ninety-six patients with abnormal uterine bleeding were treated between 1987 and 1993.

Continuous hormone replacement therapy for menopause combining nomegestrol acetate and gel, patch, or oral estrogen: a comparison of amenorrhea rates.

This open-label, prospective, randomized, multicenter trial compared the incidence of amenorrhea in 54 postmenopausal women (mean age, 54.9 +/- 0.6 years) who underwent six 4-week cycles of continuous hormone replacement therapy combining a progestin-nomegestrol acetate 2.

[Hysteroscopic surgery and fertility].

In the treatment of uterine lesions associated with infertility, such as septate uterus and synechiae, hysteroscopic surgery has replaced conventional abdominal surgery. Hysteroscopic metroplasty improves obstetrical prognosis in patients with septate uterus. Advantages of hysteroscopy are low morbidity rate, decreased hospitalization time, and absence of hysterotomy.

Prostate specific origin of dipeptidylpeptidase IV (CD-26) in human seminal plasma.

Purpose: A number of peptidases which can metabolize certain bioactive peptides and growth factors have been identified in seminal plasma. Our goal in this study was to determine molecular properties and the tissue source(s) for one of these peptidases, dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP IV), in human seminal plasma.

Materials And Methods: We measured the activities of DPP IV with the dipeptide glycylprolyl-p-nitroanalide and its molecular forms using immunoblotting of seminal plasmas of men who were vasectomized or with different sperm concentrations, and in prostatic and seminal vesicle secretions of men undergoing prostatic surgery.

[Role of diagnostic hysteroscopy in the exploration of postmenopausal metrorrhagia].

Diagnosis: Diagnostic hysteroscopy is an effective method for identifying the causes of postmenopausal bleeding. It evaluates the uterine cavity and visualizes pathologic conditions such as endometrial polyps, submucous fibroids, and focal endometrial abnormalities including adenocarcinoma and its precursors.

Further Information: With directed biopsy, diagnostic hysteroscopy also ensures the recognition of these lesions.

[Retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy: report of a case].

Retroperitoneal space is an exceptional location of extrauterine pregnancy (four cases have been previously reported). The authors report a case of retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy. Pathogenesis is discussed.

[Birth after two cesarean sections: the role of trial of labor].

Objective: To study the management of labor following two cesarean sections, we evaluated maternal and neonatal morbidity subsequent to this attitude.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective study was conducted over a 6-year period (1-1-1990 to 31-12-1995) in 184 women presenting two uterine scars. Trial of labor was allowed in 96 cases with cephalic presentation and a normal pelvis.

[Surgical hysteroscopy in the treatment of septate uterus: systemic treatment or selective indications].

Objectives: A retrospective study to evaluate the fertility rate after endoscopic hysteroplasty in the case of a septate uterus.

Method: From 1st January 1988-31st December 1996, 93 patients showing a septate uterus were treated by endoscopic hysteroplasty. The hospitalisation is short: one day surgery or out office.

Inter-twin membrane folding in monochorionic pregnancies.

This study examines the value of assessing inter-twin membrane folding in monochorionic twin pregnancies in the prediction of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. In 83 monochorionic twin pregnancies ultrasound scans were carried out at 10-14, 15-17 and 19-21 weeks to investigate folding of the inter-twin membrane as an early sonographic feature of inter-twin discrepancy in amniotic fluid volume. There were 23 (28%) cases of membrane folding, which was first observed in one case at 10-14 weeks, in 21 cases at 15-17 weeks and in another case at 24 weeks.

HPV typing by in situ hybridization on cervical cytologic smears with ASCUS.

Objective: To assess the prognostic significance of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) using an in situ hybridization (ISH) method for destined cervical cytologic smears and a cocktail of biotinylated DNA probes for human papillomavirus (HPV) 6, 11, 16, 18, 31 and 33.

Study Design: Two HPV DNA probe mixtures were applied to the same smear for the simultaneous detection of high-risk HPV types 16, 18, 31 and 33 and low-risk HPV 6 and 11. ISH was carried out on 192 smears.

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal corpus callosum agenesis by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Corpus callosum agenesis (CCA) was evaluated by ultrasound examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 14 cases. Ultrasonography was able to suspect CCA by indirect signs but a definitive diagnosis of CCA was achieved in only four cases. MRI was able to diagnose complete CCA in 13 cases and showed absence of the posterior portion of the corpus callosum in one case.

Intertwin disparity in fetal size in monochorionic and dichorionic pregnancies.

Objective: To compare monochorionic and dichorionic pregnancies for intertwin disparities in fetal size.

Methods: Monochorionic and dichorionic pregnancies, recruited from an ultrasound screening study at 10-14 weeks' gestation, were compared for intertwin disparities in crown-rump length and birth weight. The disparities were expressed as a percentage of the values of the larger twin.

Dichorionic twins discordant for intrauterine growth retardation.

A policy of expectant management until 32 weeks of gestation in 29 dichorionic pregnancies discordant for growth retardation resulted in an overall mortality of 24% (95% CI 13.9-37.2%) and a handicap of 2.

Endoscopic surgery. The end of classic surgery?

Gynecological endoscopy is now a well-established procedure and it has been proved that the laparoscopic surgical technique can be used in the management of most gynecological disorders thus replacing conventional laparotomic procedures. The latest indications apply to such functional pathologic conditions as urinary incontinence and genital prolapse, and oncology (radical hysterectomy, lymphadenectomy). Hysteroscopy has afforded an easier surgical approach to certain pathologies such as septate uterus and endometrial ablation.

Effects of embryo reduction from trichorionic triplets to twins.

Sixty-six trichorionic triplet pregnancies reduced to twins were compared with 47 triplet pregnancies that were not reduced. The miscarriage rate was higher (7.6% compared with 2.

Increased nuchal translucency thickness at 10-14 weeks of gestation as a predictor of severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

The study examines a possible association between increased nuchal translucency thickness at 10-14 weeks of gestation in monochorionic twin pregnancies and the subsequent development of severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTS). In 132 monochorionic twin pregnancies, including 16 that developed severe TTS at 15-22 weeks of gestation and 116 that did not develop TTS, crown-rump length, nuchal translucency thickness and fetal heart rate were measured at 10-14 weeks. In those that developed severe TTS, the prevalence of nuchal translucency thickness above the 95th centile of the normal range and the intertwin difference in nuchal translucency thickness and fetal heart rate were significantly higher than in the non-TTS group; there were no significant differences between the groups in the inter-twin difference in crown-rump length.

[Identification and treatment of endometritis].

Endometritis represent a debatable entity because genital infectious disease is a contre-indication of endoscopy. So, the diagnosis is rarely realized by hysteroscopy. Two kinds of endometritis are discerned: acute endometritis characterized by an oedema of bleeding endometrium, covered by an abnormal mucus; chronic endometritis with areas of red endometrium, flushed, with a white central point, localized or scattered out the cavity.

Quantitative analysis of leukocyte membrane antigen expression on human fetal and cord blood: normal values and changes during development.

We studied the antibody binding capacity (ABC) of various cell-surface antigens in normal human fetuses and term neonates on lymphocyte, monocyte, and polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells by quantitative flow cytometry also designated by quantimetry. Analysis of changes of expression level on these leukocytes during the developmental process was also investigated. The results indicated that the ABC values of most studied markers change during the maturational process.

[Role of endo-uterine resection using hysteroscopy in the treatment of sub-mucous hemorrhagic fibroma in the peri-menopausal period].

Objectives: To study retrospectively the long-term outcome after hysteroscopic treatment for intra-uterine fibromas.

Methods: From October 1987 to January 1993, endo-uterine glycocol resection was performed in 196 patients with intra-uterine fibromas. The operation had to be repeated in 39 patients due to incomplete resection or recurrent symptomatology.