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Biomedical subjects

C Ferry

Publications and source records attributed to C Ferry.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in severe congenital neutropenia: experience of the French SCN register.

Our objective was to study the outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in patients with severe congenital neutropenia (SCN). Among 101 cases of SCN included in the French Severe Chronic Neutropenia Registry, nine patients received HSCT between 1993 and 2003, in seven institutions. The indications were nonresponse to G-CSF therapy in four cases, bone marrow failure in one case, and myelodysplastic syndrome or leukemia in four cases. The conditioning regimen consisted of total body irradiation in two cases and chemotherapy alone in the other seven cases. Seven patients received stem cells from unrelated donors and two from identical siblings. Engraftment occurred in all but one of the patients. Three patients died. The respective causes of death were graft-versus-host disease, infection, and EBV post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. Six patients are alive and in complete remission, with a median follow-up of 3.1 years. These results indicate that HSCT is feasible for patients with SCN who do not respond to G-CSF, who have malignant transformation, or who are at a high risk of malignant transformation, even if an HLA-identical sibling donor is not available.

Adolescent↗

Study of a predictive methodology for quantification and mapping of the radon-222 exhalation rate.

We propose a new methodology for predicting areas with a strong potential for radon (222Rn) exhalation at the soil surface. This methodology is based on the Rn exhalation rate quantification, starting from a precise characterisation of the main local geological and pedological parameters that control the radon source and its transport to the soil/atmosphere interface. It combines a cross mapping analysis of these parameters into a geographic information system with a model of the Rn vertical transport by diffusion in the soil. The rock and soil chemical and physical properties define the entry parameters of this code (named TRACHGEO) which calculates the radon flux density at the surface. This methodology is validated from in situ measurements of radon levels at the soil/atmosphere interface and in dwellings. We apply this approach to an area located in western France and characterised by a basement displaying a heterogeneous radon source potential, as previously demonstrated by lelsch et al. (J. Environ. Radioactivity 53(1) (2001) 75). The new results obtained show that spatial heterogeneity of pedological characteristics in addition to basement geochemistry--must be taken into account to improve the mapping resolution. The TRACHGEO forecasts explain the Rn exhalation variability on a larger scale and in general correlate well with in situ observations. Moreover, the radon-prone sectors identified by this approach generally correspond to the location of the dwellings showing the highest radon concentrations.

France↗

Radon (222Rn) level variations on a regional scale: influence of the basement trace element (U, Th) geochemistry on radon exhalation rates.

The approach proposed in this study provides insight into the influence of the basement geochemistry on the spatial distribution of radon (222Rn) levels both at the soil/atmosphere interface and in the atmosphere. We combine different types of in situ radon measurements and a geochemical classification of the lithologies, based on 1/50,000 geological maps, and on their trace element (U, Th) contents. The advantages of this approach are validated by a survey of a stable basement area of Hercynian age, located in South Brittany (western France) and characterized by metamorphic rocks and granitoids displaying a wide range of uranium contents. The radon source-term of the lithologies, their uranium content, is most likely to be the primary parameter which controls the radon concentrations in the outdoor environment. Indeed, the highest radon levels (> or = 100 Bq m-3 in the atmosphere, > or = 100 mBq m-2 s-1 at the surface of the soil) are mostly observed on lithologies whose mean uranium content can exceed 8 ppm and which correspond to peraluminous leucogranites or metagranitoids derived from uraniferous granitoids.

France↗

Radon exhalation from uranium mill tailings: experimental validation of a 1-D model.

TRACI, a model based on the physical mechanisms governing the migration of radon in unsaturated soils, has been developed to evaluate the radon flux density at the surface of uranium mill tailings. To check the validity of the TRACI model and the effectiveness of cover layers, an in situ study was launched in 1997 with the French uranium mining company, COGEMA. The study consisted of continuous measurements of moisture content, suction, radon concentration at various depths inside a UMT cover, and flux density at its surface. An initial analysis has shown that radon concentration and flux density, as calculated with a steady-state diffusion model using monthly averaged moisture contents, are in good agreement with measured monthly averaged concentrations and flux densities.

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration↗

An automatic device for measuring the effect of meteorological factors on radon-222 flux from soils in the long-term.

An automatic method for measuring the radon flux at soil surfaces is described. The proposed experimental design minimises the disturbance induced by the accumulator technique widely used to measure radon exhalation from the ground. By exposing the ground surface to the normal weather conditions between two consecutive measurements, this method can be used to study, in the long term, the effects of meteorological factors on the radon flux density at the soil-atmosphere interface.

Meteorological Concepts↗

Sequential activation of activator protein-1-related transcription factors and JNK protein kinases may contribute to apoptotic death induced by transient hypoxia in developing brain neurons.

Previous studies have demonstrated that transient hypoxia (6 h) induces apoptotic death in cultured neurons isolated from the fetal rat forebrain. Since activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and subsequent phosphorylation of c-Jun are suspected to be involved in the apoptotic pathway in several cell types, the time course of activator protein-1 (AP-1) DNA-binding, in line with induction of the AP-1 components and JNK activation, was examined during hypoxia/reoxygenation in the same model. Gel shift analysis depicted the presence of functional AP-1 transcription factors in both control and hypoxic neurons. One hour after the onset of hypoxia, all AP-1 components were markedly overexpressed. They include c-Jun, Jun B, Jun D, c-Fos and Fos-related antigens. Whereas, only c-Jun remained elevated for up to 96 h post-reoxygenation, time at which neurons were injured, other gene products showed patterned induction/repression as hypoxia progressed and then during the post-reoxygenation period, with Fos-related antigens being finally induced at 96 h. Only JNK1 was constitutively detected in cultured neurons, and its expression was inhibited during hypoxia. Nonetheless, both JNK1 and JNK3 were markedly, but transiently, induced at 48 h post-reoxygenation, when apoptosis-related morphological features became apparent. These data support the hypothesis that transient hypoxia, independently of ischemia, may trigger apoptosis through JNK signaling pathway in developing brain neurons.

Animals↗

Infectious pneumoperitoneum as an uncommon presentation of endometrial carcinoma: report of two cases.

Two patients with pneumoperitoneum are reported; in both cases, the cause was severe infection of the upper genital tract. Investigation led to the finding of an underlying endometrial carcinoma. Literature review of the etiology of pneumoperitoneum, nature of the usual infecting organisms, and therapeutic principles are presented. Endometrial carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infectious pneumoperitoneum, especially where patient risk factors are present.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Perianal colloid adenocarcinoma. Apropos of a case].

A 50 year old man with a 5-year history of recurrent anal fistula was treated by abdominoperineal amputation of rectum for perianal colloid adenocarcinoma. Characters of this rare affection of debatable pathogenicity are described, based on a literature review of 82 similar cases. The findings illustrate the evocative nature of an induration or better still a mucoid discharge from a recurrent anal fistula, and the need for deep and repeated biopsies to establish diagnosis. Since the course remains for a long period at the local and regional levels the treatment of choice is abdomino-perineal amputation.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

[Angiectasis of the colon (Moore's type I angiodysplasia). One case (author's transl)].

A 60-year-old man had severe, recurrent rectal haemorrhages. Arteriography showed lesions suggestive of angiodysplasia located in the initial part of the ascending colon. Right-sided hemicolectomy was performed. Angiectasis of the colon is acquired and degenerative. It affects elderly people and is due to dilatation of the veins in the mucosa of the ascending colon. The lesions are usually too small to be detected by barium enema or colonoscopy, but arteriography of the superior mesenteric artery shows pathognomonic images. The only treatment is right-sided hemicolectomy.

Age Factors↗