Coronary angiogenesis as an endogenous response to myocardial ischemia in adults.

The process of angiogenesis involves a complex sequence of stimuli and integrated responses, such as stimulation of endothelial cells (ECs) for their proliferation and migration, stimulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) for the attraction of pericytes and macrophages, stimulation of smooth muscle cells for their proliferation and migration, and formation of new vascular structures. Angiogenesis is mainly an adaptive response to tissue hypoxia and depends on the accumulation of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) in the ischemic myocardial area, which increases the transcription of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors VEGF-R by the ECs undergoing ischemia. Those steps involve enzymatic mechanisms and plasminogen activator proteases, metalloproteinases (MMP) of the ECM, and kinases that cause proteolytic molecular degradation of the ECM and activation and release of growth factors, such as: basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), VEGF, and insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1).

[Coarctation of the aorta in infants under one year of age. An analysis of 20 years of experience].

Objective: A review of experience with techniques of correction used, in the last 20 years, in children younger than one year old.

Methods: In the period from 1978 to 1998, 148 patients (pt) with coarctation of the aorta (CoAo), under one year of age, with or without associated intracardiac defects, were submitted to surgery. Median age 50 days, 92 female pt (62.

Unsupported valvuloplasty in children with congenital mitral valve anomalies. Late clinical results.

Objective: To analyze late clinical evolution after surgical treatment of children, with reparative and reconstructive techniques without annular support.

Methods: We evaluated 21 patients operated upon between 1975 and 1998. Age 4.

Valve repair in children with congenital mitral lesions: late clinical results.

Mitral valve repair may be performed without ring support with advantages related to results and complications. The objective of this study was to analyze the long-term clinical results following surgical repair and reconstruction without the use of rings in cases of congenital mitral lesions in children less than 12 years of age. Twenty-one patients who had undergone surgery during the period from 1975 to 1998 were evaluated.

[Dietary behavior during pregnancy (author's transl)].

A study on dietary behavior during pregnancy was performed between June and December 1975 at the Saint Antoine Maternity Hospital in Paris. In addition to the routine clinical examinations at the 3rd, 6th, 8th and 9th month of pregnancy, the women were systematically questioned on their dietary and tobacco habits. Results show that: (1) the mean caloric intake is constant during the first trimester and then significantly decreases in the last two trimesters (2) the fatter the woman before pregnancy, the lower the caloric intake at the successive examinations (3) the total weight gain is positively related to the caloric intake during the first trimester, but not related to the dietary data observed at the 6th, 8th or 9th examinations (4) birth weight seems to be more related to body size before pregnancy than to weight gain.

[Spontaneous bacteriological course of prolonged rupture of the fetal membranes (author's transl)].

Bacteriologic study of amniotic fluid was undertaken in 300 cases of prolonged rupture of the membranes to evaluate the risk of infection without systematic administration of prophylactic antibiotics to the mother. The rate of amniotic contamination was 8.3 per cent within the first 12 hours following rupture of the membranes, it increased with time to reach 52 per cent, after 48 hours.

[Risk of neonatal Streptococcus B infection].

23 cases of contamination with streptococcus group B have been seen after premature rupture of the membranes. Mothers and fetuses have been affected. The systematic study of swabs or liquor or cervical discharge carried out on the mother since the time her membranes had ruptured show that in 74 per cent of cases studied contamination existed within the first 24 hours.

[Kasabach-kasabach-].

Giant haemangiomas combined with a haemostasis disorder of the Kasabach-Meritt type are rare and even more rare are the problems posed during labour when vulvo-vagino-uterine sites are involved. Two cases are reported. After summary of the clinical and biochemical studies, the authors report attempts to improve the haemostasis disorder, first with heparin and then with antifibrinolytic preparations, and to improve the angiomas with antifibrinolytic preparations in the hope of stimulating intrasacular thrombosis.

[Acute pancreatitis and pregnancy].

When a pregnant woman presented with a syndrome suggesting obstruction and fever together with jaundice and oliguria the authors remembered the difficulty of clinical diagnosis and the biology of pancreatitis. They studied the connection of this condition with pregnancy, its pathogenesis, its prognosis and its treatment, as well as the various factors that were favourable (treatment with diuretics, the right ovarian vein syndrome).

[Role of varicocele in male sterility].

After they had analysed 50 cases of varicocoele the authors decided to put in writing some of their ideas. They conclude that varicocoele is often sub-clinical, localised to the right side, bilateral only in a number of cases. Although neither the sperm count nor the histology of the testes show specific pathological features, treatment of the condition brings worthwhile rewards.

[Secretion into the plasma of testosterone and estradiol 17 beta by the human testicle. Value of the study in male sterility].

The levels of oestradiol and of testosterone were estimated in the spermatic and in the perpheral veins in two series of 13 subjects. The one was a control group and the other stimulated with 10,000 International Units of chorionic gonadontrophir (II.C.