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C Brami

Publications and source records attributed to C Brami.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

[What is the validity limit of patient reimbursement? Is age a criterion for refusal? No...].

The late 20th century trend to delay birth of the first child until the age at which female fecundity or reproductive capacity is lower has increased the incidence of age-related infertility. In the female, the number of oocytes decreases with age until the menopause. Oocyte quality also diminishes, due in part to increased aneuploidy. A significantly lower pregnancy rate per stimulation and delivery rate per retrieval is found in women aged 40 to 45 years when compared with women aged 25 to 39 years. However, acceptable pregnancy can be achieved in woman aged 40 to 43 years (4 to 8%). Furthermore, very few women aged over 40 ask for IVF procedure.

Adult↗

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection in infertile patients with structural chromosome abnormalities.

In the present study we investigated the results of cytogenetic analysis in male and female patients included in an intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) programme for severe male infertility as well as in conceptuses resulting from these ICSI treatments. In the 261 couples treated, 11 male (4.2%) and three female (1.2%) abnormal karyotypes were found, all consisting of structural chromosome anomalies. Chromosomal translocation exhibited the highest frequency (eight males and two females), and there were also three cases of chromosomal inversion (two males and one female) and one male with one additional marker chromosome. There was no difference in fertilization rates among couples with abnormal (n = 14) and normal (n = 147) cytogenetic results, and the rates of clinical pregnancy per ICSI attempt were 25.0% (5/20) and 20.6% (78/ 378) respectively. In pregnancies obtained in couples with normal karyotypes, all of the 108 fetuses were free of chromosomal abnormalities. Among the eight fetuses from couples with chromosome structural anomalies, three out of five and two out of three inherited from the cytogenetic defects found in their father or mother respectively. In this series of 83ICSI pregnancies there were no chromosomal abnormalities other than those inherited from the parents. These findings suggest that normal pregnancy rates can be obtained by ICSI in cases of chromosomal translocation in couples with severe male infertility. However, until further evaluations of available data can be performed, cytogenetic analysis must be conducted prior to ICSI in men with low sperm counts, and genetic counselling must include prenatal diagnosis for all growing conceptuses.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Spermatid injection into human oocytes. II. Clinical application in the treatment of infertility due to non-obstructive azoospermia.

We have reported recently the first birth after intrauterine transfer of embryos obtained by injection of round spermatids into oocytes in cases of unexpected azoospermia. Here we provide a complete documentation of the series of 11 cases in which this novel method of infertility treatment was employed. In four of these cases, elongated spermatids were identified in the ejaculate, and it was decided to perform elongated spermatid injection (ELSI). In the other six cases, only round spermatids were present, and round spermatid injection (ROSI) was done. In one case, ROSI was given preference to ELSI because of a very poor viability status of elongated spermatids present in the ejaculate. Fertilization of at least one oocyte was achieved in 10 of the 11 treatment cycles; the fertilization rate in these 10 cycles ranged between 7 and 100% with a mean value of 45%. All of the two-pronucleated zygotes cleaved and were transferred to the patient's uterus. A singleton pregnancy was achieved in two ROSI cycles. Both pregnancies developed uneventfully and resulted in the birth of normal infants. These data show the intra-ooplasmic injection of spermatids obtained from the ejaculate may become the treatment of first choice in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia.

Adult↗

Ovarian stimulation for in-vitro fertilization combining administration of gonadotrophins and blockade of the pituitary with D-Trp6-LHRH microcapsules: pilot studies with two protocols.

In women undergoing in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), a total of 408 IVF cycles were stimulated using human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) or pure follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) plus HMG in combination with a single injection of D-Trp6-LHRH microcapsules in order to enhance the ovarian response to gonadotrophins and to avoid spontaneous LH surges. Sixty-seven pregnancies were achieved. Two protocols were employed. In protocol 1 ('blocking protocol', n = 268), the pituitary was first inhibited with a full dose (3.75 mg) of D-Trp6-LHRH in microcapsules and ovarian stimulation was started after the hypogonadotrophic hypogonadal state was ascertained (E2 less than 50 pg/ml). In protocol 2 ('flare-up protocol', n = 140), the treatment with D-Trp6-LHRH microcapsules (half-dose = 1.80 mg) and the ovarian stimulation with gonadotrophins were started at the same time. Higher doses of gonadotrophins were needed (39.5 +/- 11.2 ampoules FSH and/or HMG) in protocol 1, in which the pituitary was blocked prior to and during the stimulation, than in protocol 2 (20 +/- 9 ampoules) where the exogenous gonadotrophin stimulation appeared to be augmented by the initial agonistic effect of the injection of D-Trp6-LHRH microcapsules. In patients with purely tubal infertility, under 38 years old and no male factor, the results obtained with protocols 1 and 2 were similar in terms of pregnancy rate per cycle or per embryo transfer: 22.6 versus 20.5% and 28.3 versus 27.4%, respectively. However, considering the cost benefit, 'flare-up' protocols appeared to be a better choice and could be recommended.

Adult↗

In vitro production of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) by trophoblastic cells.

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) a high molecular weight glycoprotein, is found in high concentration in the maternal circulation during pregnancy. Immunohistochemically, PAPP-A can be localized in the trophoblast and in the decidua. Short term cultures of trophoblastic and decidual explants produce PAPP-A in vitro. It was thus of interest to see if long term cultures of primary monolayers of human trophoblast cells were capable of producing PAPP-A. Under our in vitro conditions, trophoblastic monolayers were producing both PAPP-A and beta hCG. During the first 3 days of culture PAPP-A levels increased in the medium whereas beta hCG levels decreased. The production of both proteins could be inhibited by cycloheximide. These results strongly suggest that the trophoblast is a source of PAPP-A in vivo.

Cells, Cultured↗

[Immunoregulatory aspects of placental function].

An immunological response from mother to foetus is known to exist during pregnancy. Multiple mechanism ensure that this response is not one of rejection but of "tolerance" of the foetus, and the placenta, as the site of maternal-foetal exchanges, plays a prominent role in this respect: (1) the placenta cell bears foetal antigens, half of which are of paternal origin; it constitutes therefore the antigenic stimulus of maternal immune response; (2) this response can be modulated quantitatively through placental hormones and glycoproteins - an action which has been demonstrated in vitro but which may well take place at utero-placental level; (3) finally, the placenta can act qualitatively on the maternal response itself by reducing cytotoxic reactions responsible for graft rejection and by stimulating immunosuppressor cell populations. The therapeutic applications of some of these properties of the placenta are being investigated in the fields of rheumatology and renal transplantation. They will be considered in obstetrics only when more precise data are available concerning the immunopathological mechanisms involved in spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia and foetal growth retardation.

Animals↗

The effects of indomethacin administration during pregnancy on women's and newborns' T-suppressor lymphocyte activity and on HLA class II expression by newborns' leukocytes.

It has been previously shown that T lymphocytes from human newborns and pregnant women exert a suppressive activity when assayed on the PWM-induced B cell maturation. The mechanisms of the suppression have remained entirely unknown. Prostaglandin E2, known to trigger T-cell mediated suppressive activity, may be involved. We took advantage of the treatment of pregnant women with indomethacin, because of premature labor or hydramnios, to investigate the role of prostaglandins in the activation of T suppressor (TS) activity. Administration of indomethacin (250 mg/day for 1-7 weeks, then 150 mg/day for 3-12 weeks) during the third trimester of pregnancy, abrogated the TS activity in the nine women and the three newborns tested. Abrogation of TS activity by indomethacin therapy led to normal PWM-induced B cell maturation in pregnant women but not in newborns. Moreover, the low expression of HLA class II antigens observed on normal newborn B lymphocytes and monocytes was corrected in newborns from indomethacin-treated mothers. Our results strongly suggest that prostaglandins may play a role in induction of TS activity observed in normal pregnant women and newborns and in the decreased expression of HLA class II antigens on newborns' leucocytes. Both phenomena could play a role in immunological interactions between mother and fetus.

B-Lymphocytes↗

[Rapidly progressing basal-cell naevi (author's transl)].

Basal-cell epitheliomas are of primary importance when discussing a case of multiple naevi. Two factors have to be considered to explain therapeutic failures: --Firstly, the very active local malignancy of these basal-cell epitheliomas; --Secondly, the long delay in applying drastic treatment such as wide excision and immediate repair, and the danger arising from divergent therapy because of lack of a common decision between the various specialists concerned: dermatologist, ophthalmologist, radiotherapist, and plastic or maxillofacial surgeon.

Adult↗

[Therapeutic principles in angioma of the mandible: applications in relation to a clinical observation (author's transl)].

When confronted with a case of angioma of the mandible, treatment should be directed towards two main areas:--to stop blood loss. Ligature of the external carotid can be life-saving, but it does not prevent the formation of nearby anastomotic vessels which refill, more or less rapidly, the external carotid axis. Ligature make embolization impossible by femoral way. A by-pass operation to improve permeability is also dangerous if not impossible. Ligature should be reserved only for those cases in which there is an immediate threat to life. On the contrary, embolization is necessary before surgery. --to treat the angioma. As radiotherapy is not effective or is dangerous, surgical treatment is necessary; either by a conservative operation or by radical resection. All these facts are illustrated dramatically by the case reported.

Adult↗

[Considerations after 10 years of treating leg ulcers].

There are four times as many varicose ulcers as arterial ulcers, this being basically the case of patients over 50. Venous thrombosis is responsible for about one-third of the varicose ulcers, and atherosis causes more than one-third of the arterial ulcers. The latter often involve metabolic disorders: this is not the case with varicose ulcers. When there is superinfection, pyocyanic is rampant and is followed by yellow staphylococci. Arterial ulcers are very often painful and cicatrisation is slow, often even hopeless, whereas varicose ulcers heal when the responsible varices are cured.

Adult↗