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Résumé Introduction Une puberté précoce centrale idiopathique (PPCI) est. extrêmement rare chez le garçon. Sa prévalence chez les garçons présentant un syndrome de Klinefelter (SK) est méconnue. Nous décrivons un cas rare de PPCI chez un garçon présentant un SK (47,XXY). De plus, nous surlignons les différences observées entre les taux de gonadotrophines en cas de PPCI chez les patients avec caryotype normal ou présentant un syndrome de Klinefelter. Cas clinique Un garçon de 8 ans avec des antécédents de cryptorchidie a été pris en charge pour une puberté précoce (PP) (Stade de Tanner: P2/G3). Les diamètres des testicules étaient élevés pour son âge (25x35mm pour chaque côté). Le bilan hormonal a confirmé une PP avec des concentrations sanguines de testostérone, LH et FSH élevées à 4.3 ng/ml, 3.5 UI/l et 7.7 UI/l respectivement. Un test à la LHRH a révélé une réserve très élevée de LH (24 UI/l) et de FSH (14 UI/l). Aucune lésion tumorale n’a été mise en évidence par l’IRM. La recherche de mutation du gène MKRN3 n’a révélé aucune anomalie. Le garçon a été suivi et pris en charge pour une PPCI durant 2 ans. A la fin de la puberté, un hypogonadisme périphérique a permis d’évoquer le diagnostic de SK (47,XXY). L’analyse chromosomique par PCR en utilisant des marqueurs de chromosome X a confirmé l’origine maternelle des deux chromosomes X. Discussion À ce jour, 7 cas de PPCI ont été décrits chez des garçons avec un SK. Nous avons analysé les données de ces patients et comparé aux données de patients avec une PPCI mais avec un caryotype normal. Nous mettons en exergue un taux significativement élevé de la LH et de la FSH lors du diagnostic de la PPCI chez les patients avec un SK en comparaison avec un caryotype normal (LH: 9.4 ± 12 vs 1.1 ± 0.6 UI/l; FSH: 23.1 ± 38.5 vs 2.7 ± 1.5 UI/l). De plus, les taux de la LH et FSH après une stimulation par la GnRH étaient également très élevés (LH: 58 ± 48 vs 15.5 ± 0.8 UI/l; FSH: 49.1 ± 62.1 vs 5.7 ± 3.9 UI/l). Conclusions Une PPCI est. extrêmement rare chez le garçon. La description de 8 cas de PPCI dans la littérature indique un surrisque de cette pathologie chez les garçons souffrant d’un SK. La physiopathologie reste méconnue. L’origine maternelle du chromosome surnuméraire et la destruction précoce du testicule en lien avec l’anomalie chromosomique pourraient favoriser une puberté précoce. Ainsi, une analyse du caryotype pourrait être proposée chez un garçon souffrant d’une PPCI.

We compared the proliferation of neonatal and adult airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC) with no/moderate lung disease, in glucose- (energy production by glycolysis) or glucose-free medium (ATP production from mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylations only), in response to 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) and PDGF-AA. In the presence of glucose, cell counts were significantly greater in neonatal vs. adult ASMC. Similarly, neonatal ASMC DNA synthesis in 10% FCS and PDGF-AA, and [Ca2+]i responses in the presence of histamine were significantly enhanced vs. adults. In glucose-free medium, cell proliferation was preserved in neonatal cells, unlike in adult cells, with concomitant increased porin (an indicator of mitochondrial activity) protein expression. Compared to adults, stimulated neonatal human ASMC are in a rapid and robust proliferative phase and have the capacity to respond disproportionately under abnormal environmental conditions, through increased mitochondrial biogenesis and altered calcium homeostasis.

Enteroviruses (EVs) are a major cause of aseptic meningitis, and RNA detection using molecular assay is the gold standard diagnostic test. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of an EV positive diagnosis on the clinical management of patients admitted for meningitis over the course of two observational study periods (2005 and 2008-09) in the same clinical departments. We further investigated in multivariate analysis various factors possibly associated with hospital length of stay (LOS) in all age groups (infants, children, and adults). The results showed an overall improvement in the management of patients (n = 142) between the study periods, resulting in a significantly shorter hospital LOS for adults and children, and a shorter duration of antibiotic use for adults and infants. In multivariate analysis, we observed that the time from molecular test results to discharge of patients and the median duration of antibiotic treatment were associated with an increase in LOS in all age groups. In addition, among adults, the turnaround time of the molecular assay was significantly correlated with LOS. The use of CT scan in children and hospital admission outside the peak of EV prevalence in infants tended to increase LOS. In conclusion, the shorter length of stay of patients with meningitis in this study was due to various factors including the rapidity of the EV molecular test (particularly in adults), greater physician responsiveness after a positive result (in adults and children), and greater experience on the part of physicians in handling EV meningitis, as evidenced by the shorter duration of antibiotic use in adults and infants.

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways common in children. Soluble advanced glycation end-product receptor (sRAGE) is a blood biomarker of lung damage and inflammation. We sought to determine whether it could also be a biomarker in childhood asthma. Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational, analytical study at Clermont-Ferrand University Hospital. We measured plasma sRAGE levels in asthmatic and healthy children aged 7 years. Results: Of the 68 children assessed, 15 (22.05%) presented asthma. All presented normal respiratory function. The mean plasma sRAGE level was 1875 pg/mL in the children with asthma and 1794 pg/mL in the healthy children (p = 0.525). The mean plasma sRAGE level was significantly decreased with tobacco exposure during pregnancy: 1478 pg/mL versus 1870 pg/mL without (p = 0.007). Lower levels were observed in children living in apartments (1557 pg/mL) than in those living in houses (1863 pg/mL) (p = 0.031). Conclusions: No difference was observed in plasma sRAGE levels in children with asthma in our well-treated and controlled population. Environmental exposure may affect these levels. Further studies are required to better characterize the role of sRAGE.

BACKGROUND: Families of internationally adopted children may face specific problems with which general practitioners (GPs) may not be familiar. The aim of the study was to explore problems faced by families before, during and after the arrival of their internationally adopted child and to assess the usefulness of a specific medical structure for internationally adopted children, which could be a resource for the GP. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted a qualitative study using individual semistructured guided conversations and interviewed 21 families that had adopted a total of 26 children internationally in the Puy de Dome department, France, in 2003. Quantitative data were used to describe the pathologies diagnosed and the investigations performed.Our study showed that the history of these families, from the start of the adoption project to its achievement, is complex and warrants careful analysis. Health-care providers should not only consider the medical aspects of adoption, but should also be interested in the histories of these families, which may play a role in the forming of attachments between the adoptee and their adoptive parents and prevent further trouble during the development of the child. We also showed that adoptive parents have similar fears or transient difficulties that may be resolved quickly by listening and reassurance. Most such families would support the existence of a specific medical structure for internationally adopted children, which could be a resource for the general practitioner. However, the health-care providers interviewed were divided on the subject and expressed their fear that a special consultation could be stigmatizing to children and families. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: A specific consultation with well-trained and experienced practitioners acting in close collaboration with GPs and paediatricians may be of help in better understanding and supporting adopted children and their families.