Overview on neurogenesis induced by organophosphate poisoning: results and perspectives

Nerve agents could be potentially used as during a conflict or a terrorist attack. If an emergency treatment is not provided after poisoning, irreversible brain damages and behavioural sequels are expected to appear. In vivo cell therapy seems to be a promising approach for delayed treatment to contribute to brain repair. A mobilization of endogenous neural progenitors would be the basis of such an approach. After migrating, these progenitors would engraft in damaged brain regions and subsequently differentiate into functional neurons. In this review, after a few reminders regarding nerve agent poisoning and the emergency treatment of such an intoxication, progresses in terms of cell therapy and its potential application to nerve agent-induced brain lesions are summarized.     

Placenta de la prééclampsie : lésions anatomiques et corrélations anatomocliniques

The histopathological examination of the placenta is part of the investigational workout since it is a convenient method of examining the central organ involved in the disease process.     

Troubles de la coagulation lors du traumatisme cranio-encéphalique : physiopathologie et conséquences thérapeutiques

Early activation of coagulation is common after traumatic brain injury. Its origin is probably mainly intracerebral, due to tissue factor release from the injured brain. Abnormalities in blood coagulation tests are associated with poor neurological prognosis. Coagulation activation may induce disseminated intravascular coagulation and fibrinolysis. Disseminated intravascular coagulation is linked to brain ischemia caused by intravascular microthrombosis. This review will focus on pathophysiology of coagulation disorders after traumatic brain injury, and on their implications for therapeutic approaches.     

Balanitis: diagnosis and treatment

Balanitis refers to a variety of unrelated conditions. It results from infective, irritative, allergic, traumatic, or inflammatory causes; pre-malignant lesions have been also identified. All these causes are successively reviewed regarding their positive diagnosis and their treatment. Normal aspects of the balanopreputial area will be explained because they may cause some anxiety in certain patients. The difference between the circumcised and uncircumcised penile skin that cause differences in the incidence and appearance of dermatoses of the glans and corona will be studied. Pre-malignant lesions of the balanopreputial area, although not frequent, represent a difficult diagnosis and therapeutic challenge. The major problem is the earliness of the diagnosis that may avoid the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma. Moreover, lichen sclerosus may develop into squamous cell carcinoma and therefore a lifelong follow-up must be implemented. Thus, any fixed, chronic or suspicious Lesion must be rapidly assessed by a biopsy.     

Effect of lesions of the ventral tegmentum mesencephali on the rat's mouse-killing behavior

Electrolytic lesions of the ventromedial region of the mesencephalic tegmentum (TVM) entail a transient abolition of the rat's mouse killing behavior, a transient anorexia or aphagia, and a transient depression of self-stimulation responses at lateral hypothalamic sites. These behavioral deficits may appear singly or in diverse groupings, and the differences from one animal to another cannot be explained on the ground of localization or extension of the individual lesions. Most animals recover the mouse killing behavior at a moment when they are still anorexic or aphagic and when the frequency of their self-stimulation responses is still below 10% of the stable preoperative level. The TVM takes part in mechanisms that facilitate the release of the mouse killing behavior; there exists in this respect a functional synergia between the TVM and the lateral hypothalamic area. Bilateral lesions of the ventral tegmental area of Tsai that interrupt fiber connections between the TVM and the lateral hypothalamus, do not even transiently modify the rat's mouse killing behavior.     

Rupture haute des tendons ischiojambiers chez le sportif. À propos d'une série de neuf cas opérés

Objectives

Muscular pathology of the hamstring is frequent among athletes. On the other hand, complete rupture with avulsion at the proximal bone-tendon junction is a rare injury. Functional treatment of this injury gives no successful results. This study aims at providing information on the results of operations on 9 athletes.

Methods

Between 2002 and 2006, 9 male patients with an average age of 36.4 years (from 20 to 59) were operated on for a complete rupture of the hamstring at the proximal bone tendon junction due to sporting accidents — 4 rugby accidents, two soccer, one fencing and one aikido accident — and one domestic accident. Emergency magnetic resonance imaging was systematically employed. All nine were operated on using the same technique: by reinserting the tendons into the bone with several Mitek GII^® anchors (3.6 on average). A specific rehabilitation programme was set up. An isokinetic Biodex™test was done after 6 months.

Results

All 9 patients were reviewed after a mean period of 33 months (from 9 to 64). At the last review, all patients were satisfied with their functional results. Eight patients out of 9 had gone back to their sporting activities at the same level, a mean 5 months after the operation (from 4 to 7 months). The isokinetic tests related to the unimpaired member show a muscular deficit of less than 8% after the 6th month.

Conclusion

Complete rupture of the hamstring at the proximal bone tendon junction is a rare but serious injury. With an early diagnosis and rapid surgical treatment, normal functions can be recuperated with a rapid return to high level sporting activity.