A review of dietary and non-dietary exposure to bisphenol-A.

in Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association (2012), 50(10), 3725-40

Due to the large number of applications of bisphenol-A (BPA), the human exposure routes are multiple. We aimed to review shortly the food and non-food sources of BPA, and to evaluate their contribution to ... [more ▼]

Due to the large number of applications of bisphenol-A (BPA), the human exposure routes are multiple. We aimed to review shortly the food and non-food sources of BPA, and to evaluate their contribution to the human exposure. Food sources discussed here include epoxy resins, polycarbonate and other applications, such as paperboard and polyvinylchloride materials. Among the non-food sources, exposures through dust, thermal paper, dental materials, and medical devices were summarized. Based on the available data for these exposure sources, it was concluded that the exposure to BPA from non-food sources is generally lower than that from exposure from food by at least one order of magnitude for most studied subgroups. The use of urinary concentrations from biomonitoring studies was evaluated and the back-calculation of BPA intake seems reliable for the overall exposure assessment. In general, the total exposure to BPA is several orders of magnitude lower than the current tolerable daily intake of 50 mug/kg bw/day. Finally, the paper concludes with some critical remarks and recommendations on future human exposure studies to BPA. [less ▲]

Eating disorders throughout female adolescence.

in Endocrine Development (2012), 22

Eating disorders (EDs) are conditions which are becoming more and more widespread among adolescents and they often lead them to seek the opinion of a professional health caregiver, including gynecologists ... [more ▼]

Eating disorders (EDs) are conditions which are becoming more and more widespread among adolescents and they often lead them to seek the opinion of a professional health caregiver, including gynecologists and pediatricians. EDs, and particularly anorexia nervosa (AN), are usually classified as psychological or psychiatric disorders, but they may have major somatic implications and complications as osteoporosis, nutritional deficiencies, cerebral atrophy, cardiac and metabolic disorders. A key issue in the management is prevention or reduction of both the serious somatic consequences and the important mental health consequences (e.g. depression, psychosocial withdrawal, phobia and suicide), integrating different perspectives (psychological or psychiatric - individual and familial -, genetic, nutritional, pediatric, gynecological). Adolescence is a critical period for the onset of EDs though they may also involve younger children. In this case, the consequences on the development (height, weight, puberty) can also be significant. In this review, we will focus on eating disorders in adolescent girls with an emphasis on AN. We describe variations in ED characteristics and their management depending on age at occurrence. A possible ED should be considered by pediatricians consulted about delayed female growth and puberty as well as gynecologists in patients with primary or secondary amenorrhea or infertility. [less ▲]

Etat des lieux des pratiques en éducation thérapeutique des médecins généralistes dans la Grande Région

in Diabètes & Métabolism (2012), 38(2), 51

De l'utilite d'une consultation conjointe de gynecologie-endocrinologie pediatrique: etude retrospective des motifs de consultation et approche pratique.

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2011), 66(11), 581-8

The gynaecological issues encountered in children and teenagers lay at the intersection of paediatric endocrinology and gynaecology. More than ten years ago, an outpatient clinic in paediatric ... [more ▼]

The gynaecological issues encountered in children and teenagers lay at the intersection of paediatric endocrinology and gynaecology. More than ten years ago, an outpatient clinic in paediatric endocrinology and gynaecology has been created. Here, we review the last 6 years. 214 girls were included, considering only the first visit for each patient. Collected data are initial concern for this consultation, age at first consultation and confirmed or suspected diagnosis. A classification is done according to the initial concern of patients in six categories. Principal queries concern pubertal development, precocious pilosity or abnormalities in menstrual cycles. Vulvovaginitis and morphologic abnormalities are also frequently encountered. This consultation suggests a paediatric approach with a child feeling confident and a gynaecological examination with a specialist knowing the anatomy particularities and the development of the children. This article focuses on the importance of specific gynaecological examination in children and reviews the main diseases encountered. [less ▲]

Early developmental actions of endocrine disruptors on the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex.

in Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part B, Critical Reviews (2011), 14(5-7), 328-45

Sex steroids and thyroid hormones play a key role in the development of the central nervous system. The critical role of these hormonal systems may explain the sensitivity of the hypothalamus, the ... [more ▼]

Sex steroids and thyroid hormones play a key role in the development of the central nervous system. The critical role of these hormonal systems may explain the sensitivity of the hypothalamus, the cerebral cortex, and the hippocampus to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC). This review examines the evidence for endocrine disruption of glial-neuronal functions in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex. Focus was placed on two well-studied EDC, the insecticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). DDT is involved in neuroendocrine disruption of the reproductive axis, whereas polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) interact with both the thyroid hormone- and sex steroid-dependent systems and disturb the neuroendocrine control of reproduction and development of hippocampus and cortex. These results highlight the impact of EDC on the developing nervous system and the need for more research in this area. [less ▲]

L'ECOS ou 'comment les pharmaciens d'officine évaluent l'aptitude des étudiants à prodiguer des soins pharmaceutiques de qualité'

Conference (2010, September 18)

Early homeostatic disturbances of human growth and maturation by endocrine disrupters

in Current Opinion in Pediatrics (2010), 22(4), 470-477

We attempt to delineate and integrate aspects of growth and development that could be affected by endocrine disrupters [endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDC)], an increasing public health concern. RECENT ... [more ▼]

We attempt to delineate and integrate aspects of growth and development that could be affected by endocrine disrupters [endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDC)], an increasing public health concern. RECENT FINDINGS: Epidemiological and experimental data substantiate that fetal and early postnatal life are critical periods of exposure to endocrine disrupters, with possible transgenerational effects. The EDC effects include several disorders of the reproductive system throughout life (abnormalities of sexual differentiation, infertility or subfertility and some neoplasia) and disorders of energy balance (obesity and metabolic syndrome). The mechanisms are consistent with the concept of 'developmental origin of adult disease'. They could involve cross-talk between the factors controlling reproduction and those controlling energy balance, both in the hypothalamus and peripherally. SUMMARY: Due to ubiquity of endocrine disrupters and lifelong stakes of early exposure, individual families should be provided by pediatricians with recommendations following the precautionary principle, that is prevention or attenuation of conditions possibly detrimental to health before the evidence of such adverse effects is complete and undisputable. [less ▲]

Education thérapeutique et préventive face au diabète et à l’obésité à risque chez l’adulte et l’adolescent : le projet Interreg IV EDUDORA2.

in Diabetes and Metabolism (2010)

L'éducation thérapeutique: une solution pour vaincre l'inertie clinique et le défaut d'observance.

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2010), 65(5-6), 250-5

Therapeutic education (TPE) aims to enable the patient suffering from a chronic diseases to manage his/ her illness and treatment, and prevent avoidable complications, while keeping or improving his/her ... [more ▼]

Therapeutic education (TPE) aims to enable the patient suffering from a chronic diseases to manage his/ her illness and treatment, and prevent avoidable complications, while keeping or improving his/her quality of life. It comprises a set de practical tools aiming the patient to acquire skills to manage himself/herself the disease, its care and supervision, in partnership with healthcare providers. TPE may contribute to improve therapeutic compliance and to reduce clinical inertia, two drawbacks frequently encountered in the management of patients with chronic diseases. As an illustration, we briefly present EDUDORA ("Education therapeutique et preventive face au diabete et a l'obesite a risque chez l'adulte et l'adolescent" = "Preventive and therapeutic education for diabetes and at risk obesity in adults and adolescents"), an ongoing original project in three frontier regions (Wallonia - Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg - Lorraine). [less ▲]

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals : an Endocrine Society scientific statement

in Endocrine Reviews (2009), 30(4), 293-342

There is growing interest in the possible health threat posed by endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which are substances in our environment, food, and consumer products that interfere with hormone ... [more ▼]

There is growing interest in the possible health threat posed by endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which are substances in our environment, food, and consumer products that interfere with hormone biosynthesis, metabolism, or action resulting in a deviation from normal homeostatic control or reproduction. In this first Scientific Statement of The Endocrine Society, we present the evidence that endocrine disruptors have effects on male and female reproduction, breast development and cancer, prostate cancer, neuroendocrinology, thyroid, metabolism and obesity, and cardiovascular endocrinology. Results from animal models, human clinical observations, and epidemiological studies converge to implicate EDCs as a significant concern to public health. The mechanisms of EDCs involve divergent pathways including (but not limited to) estrogenic, antiandrogenic, thyroid, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, retinoid, and actions through other nuclear receptors; steroidogenic enzymes; neurotransmitter receptors and systems; and many other pathways that are highly conserved in wildlife and humans, and which can be modeled in laboratory in vitro and in vivo models. Furthermore, EDCs represent a broad class of molecules such as organochlorinated pesticides and industrial chemicals, plastics and plasticizers, fuels, and many other chemicals that are present in the environment or are in widespread use. We make a number of recommendations to increase understanding of effects of EDCs, including enhancing increased basic and clinical research, invoking the precautionary principle, and advocating involvement of individual and scientific society stakeholders in communicating and implementing changes in public policy and awareness. [less ▲]