[Inflammatory fibroid polyps of the colon].

Inflammatory fibroid polyp is an uncommon lesion involving the stomach, the small bowel and occasionally the colon. Inflammatory fibroid polyp is a large polypoid lesion arising from the submucosa. It has no malignant potential although extensive infiltration may occur.

Heparin induces fibroblast proliferation, cell-matrix interaction and epidermal growth inhibition.

We have examined the effect of heparin on fibroblasts cultivated in monolayer or in a 3-dimensional culture system: the so-called collagen lattices. Thereafter, we have investigated the effect of heparin on the kinetics of epidermal growth on the collagen lattices. In monolayer culture, heparin stimulated the fibroblast growth with an optimal response at 0.

Effect of human basic fibroblast growth factor on fibroblast proliferation, cell volume, collagen lattice contraction: in comparison with acidic type.

Human recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent mitogen for normal human dermal fibroblasts in the presence of heparin which binds to and stabilizes it. The optimal mitotic response is obtained with a concentration of 1 ng/ml of bFGF in monolayer cultures (non-differentiated fibroblasts) as well as in the better-differentiated fibroblasts obtained through the 'collagen lattices' culture system (fibroblasts embedded in a 3-dimensional collagen gel) achieving a doubling of the cell number in 8 days. Despite increasing the number of cells, bFGF decreases the ability of fibroblasts to contract collagen fibers.

Assessment of healing kinetics through true color image processing.

A quantitative method of skin healing assessment using true color image processing is presented. The method was developed during a clinical trial using healthy volunteers, the goal of which was to study a drug for accelerating healing. Photographic images of the skin were sequentially acquired between day 1 and day 12 after pure painless epidermal wounds.

[Reoperations for failure of gastroesophageal reflux surgery. Apropos of fifty reoperations].

Fifty patients were reoperated for failed antireflux procedures or post-fundoplication symptoms. Cases of severe esophagitis, that is stenosis or Barrett's esophagus, were excluded. The usual cause of failure was a technical error.