PreImplantation Factor (PIF*) endogenously prevents preeclampsia: Promotes trophoblast invasion and reduces oxidative stress.

Preeclampsia is a unique pregnancy disorder whose patho-physiology is initiated early in gestation, while clinical manifestations typically occur in mid-to-late pregnancy. Thus, prevention should optimally be initiated in early gestation. The intimate interaction between PIF, secreted early by viable embryos, and its host-mother provides insight into putative mechanisms of preeclampsia prevention.

[Fatal Panton-Valentine leukocidine-associated Staphylococcus aureus necrotizing pneumonia].

Panton-Valentine leukocidin-producing Staphylococcus aureus necrotizing pneumonia is an unusual cause of community-acquired pneumonia associated with a high fatality rate. The specificities of its presentation must be known by the critical care doctor, in order to quickly make the diagnosis and start the right antibiotics and discuss adjunctive therapy with intravenous immunoglobin. Moreover, the management of close contacts (household and healthcare workers) of patient with such a pneumonia is not well-known.

Psoriasis in the elderly: epidemiological and clinical aspects, and evaluation of patients with very late onset psoriasis.

Background: Age of the patients and age of onset of psoriasis may have an impact on the disease. There is little information about psoriasis in elderly patients.

Objective: We evaluated epidemiological, clinical aspects, comorbidities and treatments of psoriasis in the elderly (>70 years) patients, and in patients with very late onset psoriasis (onset ≥ 70 years).

Preimplantation factor (PIF) promotes human trophoblast invasion.

Preimplantation factor (PIF) is a peptide secreted by viable mammalian embryos. Moreover, it can be detected in the circulation of pregnant women. Recently, it was shown that PIF promotes invasion in trophoblast cell lines in vitro.

Physical restraint in mechanically ventilated ICU patients: a survey of French practice.

Purpose: To characterize the perceived utilization of physical restraint (PR) in mechanically ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients and to identify clinical and structural factors influencing PR use.

Methods: A questionnaire was personally handed to one intensivist in 130 ICUs in France then collected on-site 2 weeks later.

Results: The questionnaire was returned by 121 ICUs (response rate, 93 %), 66 % of which were medical-surgical ICUs.

Adiponectin and reproduction.

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived cytokine that acts as a major regulator of insulin sensitivity. Adiponectin deficiency can result in severe diabetes and metabolic disorders in humans. Since its discovery, our understanding of adiponectin's biological functions has expanded from insulin sensitization properties to new effects on inflammation, immunology, and human reproduction.

Estrogen-related receptor gamma modulates energy metabolism target genes in human trophoblast.

Placenta growth and functions depend on correct trophoblast migration, proliferation, and differentiation. The placenta has a critical role in gas and nutrient transport. To accomplish these numerous functions, the placenta depends on a highly efficient energy metabolism control.

Adiponectin and leptin systems in human endometrium during window of implantation.

Objective: To measure the expression of adiponectin, leptin, and their respective receptors in the human endometria of fertile women compared with women with unexplained recurrent implantation failure (IF) during the window of implantation.

Design: Controlled, prospective, clinical study.

Setting: Teaching hospital and university research laboratory.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 controls the expression of the uncoordinated-5-B receptor, but not of netrin-1, in first trimester human placenta.

Uncoordinated-5 homologs 1-4 (UNC5H1-4) transmembrane netrin receptors are reported to control a number of cellular processes, including axonal guidance, angiogenesis and cell proliferation. These receptors are known as "dependence receptors" because they are able to induce apoptosis in the absence of their ligand, netrin. We have recently reported the localization of netrin-1 and its uncoordinated-5-B (UNC5B) receptor in both villous and extravillous cytotrophoblasts in the human placenta.

[Pulmonary hamartoma with lipomatous form].

We report of the case of a 41-year-old patient, who had previously undergone thoracic surgery at the age of 16 for a single giant emphysematous bulla. The CT scan showed an abnormal middle mediastinal lesion containing an aerated cystic areas and areas of fat density. The patient underwent surgery and a well-defined mass was found between the mediastinum and the pulmonary hilum, which was able to be completely resected.

Antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of bisphenol A on human trophoblastic JEG-3 cells.

Different studies performed in rodents revealed that bisphenol-A (BPA), an environmental compound, altered early embryonic development. However, little is known concerning the direct effects of BPA on human implantation process. Thus, we decided to study in vitro BPA's effects on proliferative capacities of the human trophoblastic cell line, JEG-3.

Adiponectin promotes syncytialisation of BeWo cell line and primary trophoblast cells.

Background: In human pregnancy, a correct placentation depends on trophoblast proliferation, differentiation, migration and invasion. These processes are highly regulated by placental hormones, growth factors and cytokines. Recently, we have shown that adiponectin, an adipokine, has anti-proliferative effects on trophoblastic cells.

Effects of adiponectin on human trophoblast invasion.

Adiponectin is an adipokine with insulin-sensitizing, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, and anti-proliferative effects. The expression of specific adiponectin receptors in the placenta and in the endometrium suggests a role for this cytokine in placental development, but this role has not yet been elucidated. The invasion of trophoblast cells during the first trimester of pregnancy being crucial to placentation process, we have studied adiponectin effects on human trophoblast invasive capacities.

Effects of 17beta-estradiol on preadipocyte proliferation in human adipose tissue: Involvement of IGF1-R signaling.

Estrogens are known to stimulate the proliferation of human preadipocytes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the increased cell growth by these steroids are poorly understood. In the present study, we have demonstrated that the proliferative effect of 17beta-estradiol involves the induction of both cell cycle gene expressions, c-myc and cyclin D1.

[Generalized convulsive status epilepticus in emergency situations in and out of hospital].

Generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) must be rapidly identified and managed according to pre-established protocols developed by the teams that treat such patients. Close collaboration between emergency specialists, critical-care specialists, electrophysiologists, and neurologists is essential. Overt GCSE, by far the most frequent, is generally easy to diagnose: it must nonetheless be distinguished from pseudo-status epilepticus.

Antiproliferative effects of adiponectin on human trophoblastic cell lines JEG-3 and BeWo.

During embryo implantation, a complex dialog exists between the mother and the fetus. However, little is known about the molecules that participate in this process. Among various factors secreted at the maternal-fetal interface, the adipose tissue-derived leptin is now considered a placental growth factor.

Adiponectin mediates an antiproliferative response in human MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells.

Numerous epidemiological studies have documented that obesity is a risk factor for breast cancer especially in post-menopausal women. However, the molecular basis of this association is not well known. In contrast to leptin, plasma levels of adiponectin, another major adipokine, are decreased in obese subjects.

[Current indications for uterine artery embolization to treat postpartum hemorrhage].

Uterine artery embolization is an interventional radiology technique successfully used for more than 30 years in the management of gynecological or obstetrical hemorrhage. Precise indications for uterine artery embolization to treat postpartum hemorrhage have been recently published. Uterine artery embolization is indicated in case of uterine atony despite medical treatment particularly after vaginal delivery, in case of vaginal thrombus or cervical tear after failed surgical repair.

[Management of the sedated patient].

A sedation strategy aimed at minimizing alteration of consciousness once comfort, analgesia and adaptation to the ventilator have been ensured is feasible in critically-ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation, even if, in patients with severe ARDS or ICH, the high dosages of sedatives and analgesics transiently required to provide perfect adaptation to the ventilator often preclude preservation of consciousness. The main components of a sedation algorithm include a clear objective of sedation-analgesia, regular assessments of patient status using validated clinical tools and a precise yet simple dosage adaptation schedule. Development and implementation of a sedation algorithm requires a multidisciplinary approach and an important input from both physicians and nurses.

Critical illness neuromuscular syndromes.

Critical illness neuromyopathy (CINM) is suggested by bilateral diffuse weakness predominant in the proximal part of the limbs after improvement of the acute phase of critical illness. Although muscle and peripheral nerve are often involved in combination, muscle involvement alone is increasingly identified on electrophysiologic investigation, including direct muscle stimulation. CINM frequently involves the respiratory muscles and may result in delayed weaning and prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Respiratory weakness is associated with limb weakness and delayed weaning in critical illness.

Objective: Although critical illness neuromyopathy might interfere with weaning from mechanical ventilation, its respiratory component has not been investigated. We designed a study to assess the level of respiratory muscle weakness emerging during the intensive care unit stay in mechanically ventilated patients and to examine the correlation between respiratory and limb muscle strength and the specific contribution of respiratory weakness to delayed weaning.

Design: Prospective observational study.