Maladie hémolytique néonatale modérée

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2012), 67(7-8), 403-406

A Caucasian woman, with a A+ CCD.ee K neg erythrocyte phenotype and no history of blood transfusion, delivered a first child who developed mild anemia. The direct antiglobulin test performed on the ... [more ▼]

A Caucasian woman, with a A+ CCD.ee K neg erythrocyte phenotype and no history of blood transfusion, delivered a first child who developed mild anemia. The direct antiglobulin test performed on the newborn red blood cells belonging to the A+ CCD.ee K neg group, was strongly positive for IgG. During the pregnancy and after the delivery, the woman had a negative irregular antibody screening test, using standard red blood cells. However, at birth, using a collection of thawed red blood cells with rare phenotypes (private antigens), the lab showed an antibody anti-Wra in the maternal serum. The activity of the maternal antibody, with a titer of 16, was completely inhibited by dithiothreitol, indicating the nature IgM of the circulating antibody. The presence of the antigen Wra on the surface of the newborn and its biological father red blood cells was confirmed. The concentration of IgG anti-Wra on baby erythrocytes was demonstrated by the presence of the antibody anti-Wra in the eluate. This case illustrates the difficulties to detect antibodies against private antigens on baby erythrocytes, responsible of hemolytic diseases of newborn. Indeed, standard red blood cell panels used for irregular antibodies screening test do not express generally those private antigens. [less ▲]

Mastectomie bilaterale prophylactique chez les patientes a tres haut risque de cancer mammaire: au-dela de la technique...

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2011), 66(5-6), 250-3

Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy is the most efficient risk management strategy for women at very high risk for breast cancer. Different methods can be used. The implementation of such a strategy must ... [more ▼]

Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy is the most efficient risk management strategy for women at very high risk for breast cancer. Different methods can be used. The implementation of such a strategy must respond to the request of a well informed patient. [less ▲]

Interet et limites du depistage de masse du cancer du sein par mammographie seule (mammotest)

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2003), 58(5), 331-7

The literature on screening mammography provides ample opportunity for doubt (the sceptics) and dogma (the screening zealots), and can be interpreted to prove both benefit and harm. The benefit of ... [more ▼]

The literature on screening mammography provides ample opportunity for doubt (the sceptics) and dogma (the screening zealots), and can be interpreted to prove both benefit and harm. The benefit of mammography screening, if any, is modest and the balance between beneficial (potentially, a 20% relative reduction in breast cancer mortality with no significant benefit on all-cause mortality) and harmful (physical and psychological morbidity related to the 15-40% missed cancers and the 80-90% false-positive diagnoses) effects is still delicate. The mammogram alone is a modest weapon. Concurrent clinical breast examination is mandatory. Women that are concerned about breast cancer should be fully informed of the potential benefits and risks of screening mammography. These women should benefit from mammography with concurrent clinical breast examination, and possible whole-breast ultrasound in heterogeneously dense and extremely dense breast patterns. [less ▲]

The prediction of preeclampsia: Reassessment of clinical value of increased plasma levels of fibronectin

in European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology & Reproductive Biology (1998), 78

Objective: To determine whether assessment of plasma fibronectin in primigravidae could predict the pregnant women expected to become preeclamptic. Methods: We performed a prospective blinded analysis of ... [more ▼]

Objective: To determine whether assessment of plasma fibronectin in primigravidae could predict the pregnant women expected to become preeclamptic. Methods: We performed a prospective blinded analysis of 156 apparently normotensive primigravidae in an outpatient clinic. Blood samples were taken at 6 week intervals from the 18th week and immediately after delivery or at the onset of preeclampsia. Plasma fibronectin was evaluated by ELISA. Evolution with gestational age was studied using regression curves. Results: We had 148 normal primigravidae (592 determinations). In three women, increased fibronectin anticipated preeclampsia by 3–4 weeks. Five women showed high levels only at the onset of preeclampsia. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of increased fibronectin levels were 37.5% (95% CI53.3–71.7), 96.6% (95% CI593.7–99.6), 37.5% (95% CI53.3–71.7) and 96.6% (95% CI593.7–99.6), respectively. Conclusions: This study shows that plasma fibronectin levels could represent a specific marker for preeclampsia. Its sensitivity has to be improved but its high negative predictive value strongly argues against the development of preeclampsia within the next 4 weeks after the blood sampling. [less ▲]

Flavonoids : tools for the study of tumor invasion in vitro.

in Plant Flavonoids in Biology and Medicine: Biochemical, Pharmacological and Structure-Activity Relationships. (1986)