Les fibroses pulmonaires idiopathiques: nouvelle classification histopathologique et aspects cliniques

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2000), 55(11), 986-90

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) comprises different interstitial lung diseases of unknown origin. They are classified into four groups based on pathologic criteria: UIP, DIP, AIP and NSIP. This ... [more ▼]

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) comprises different interstitial lung diseases of unknown origin. They are classified into four groups based on pathologic criteria: UIP, DIP, AIP and NSIP. This classification helps in terms of prognosis and treatment. In addition to history, physical examination and common investigations (chest X ray, pulmonary function testing), a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), a high-resolution CT scan and ideally a open-lung biopsy are needed to establish a precise diagnosis. The patients are usually treated by immunosuppressive agents, and mainly by corticoids. However, in UIP, lung transplantation is the only way to improve survival. [less ▲]

Heavy Metals Contamination and Body Condition of Wintering Guillemots (Uria Aalge) at the Belgian Coast from 1993 to 1998

in Environmental Research (2000), A84(3), 310-317

A sample of 166 common guillemots (Uria aalge) recovered from Belgian beaches during five wintering seasons, from 1993-1994 to 1997-1998, were examined. At necropsy, postmortem examination including body ... [more ▼]

A sample of 166 common guillemots (Uria aalge) recovered from Belgian beaches during five wintering seasons, from 1993-1994 to 1997-1998, were examined. At necropsy, postmortem examination including body mass, fat reserves, presence or not of intestinal contents, eventual status of oiling, and pathological changes (cachexia, acute hemorrhagic gastroenteropathy (GEAH)) was attributed to each individual. Mild to severe cachexia, a pathology characterized by moderate to severe atrophy of the pectoral muscle as well as reduced amounts or absence of subcutaneous and/or abdominal fat, was observed for most specimens (85.8%). Heavy metal analyses (Cu, Zn, Fe, Cd, Ni, Cr, and Pb) of the tissues (typically liver, kidney, and pectoral muscle) were performed, and total lipids were determined (liver and pectoral muscle). The guillemots collected at the Belgian coast exhibited higher Cu and Zn concentrations compared to individuals collected in more preserved areas of the North Sea such as the northern colonies. A general decrease of their total body mass as well as liver, kidney, and pectoral muscle mass was associated to increasing cachexia severity. Moreover, significantly increasing heavy metal levels (Cu and Zn) in the tissues as well as depleted muscle lipid contents were observed parallel to increasing cachexia severity. On the contrary the organs' total metal burden barely correlates to this status. These observations tend to indicate a general redistribution of heavy metals within the organs as a result of prolonged starvation and protein catabolism (cachectic status). Such a redistribution could well be an additional stress to birds already experiencing stressfull conditions (starvation, oiling). [less ▲]

Powerful Alternative Asymmetric Catalytic Dihydroxylation of Olefins

Poster (2000, November)

"I : L'apprentissage"

Conference given outside the academic context (2000)

"L'apport de la psychologie de l'apprentissage pour l'enseignement d'une langue seconde"

Conference given outside the academic context (2000)

Transition report 2000: Employment, skills and transition

Report (2000)

Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Streptococcus agalactiae Isolated from Patients in Belgium through 1989-1991 and 1996-1999

in Martin, Diana R; Tagg, John R (Eds.) Streptococci and Streptococcal Diseases - Entering the New Millenium", Proceedings of the XIV Lancefield International Symposium on Streptococci and Streptococcal Diseases (2000)

La fibromyalgie en l'an 2000

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2000), 55(11), 991-7

Musculoskeletal pain is common in the population. Several pathologies like fibromyalgia (FM), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or spasmophilia are associated with functional myalgia. The etiology of FM ... [more ▼]

Musculoskeletal pain is common in the population. Several pathologies like fibromyalgia (FM), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or spasmophilia are associated with functional myalgia. The etiology of FM remains elusive, but the diagnosis is well established. The criteria for the classification are widespread pain combined with tenderness at 11 or more of the 18 specific tender points sites. The prevalence is 2% in the general population. This article reviews recent data on the pathophysiology and treatment of FM. [less ▲]

'Dolomite lime effects on acid forest soils: traditional and molecular approaches

Conference (2000, November)

The study of biogeochemical processes in soil has long been restricted by the techniques available for investigating the micro-organisms concerned. In particular, isolated nitrifying bacteria are not ... [more ▼]

The study of biogeochemical processes in soil has long been restricted by the techniques available for investigating the micro-organisms concerned. In particular, isolated nitrifying bacteria are not active in culture media below pH 5.5-6.0, and it is not clear to what extent these strains, if at all, are active in the acid soils of temperate forests. Since DNA/RNA based microbiological techniques do not require isolation of bacterial strains, they provide a new, powerful approach to gain insight into the nitrification process. We therefore combined the use of a large scale field experiment and laboratory soil incubations with molecular analysis of the nitrifying bacterial community to investigate the effect of dolomite lime on the nitrification process in the soil of the Belgian Ardenne. In this area, soils are naturally poor in magnesium and liming at moderate doses has been suggested to alleviate soil acidification and nutritional deficiencies. However, possible side effects needed to be evaluated, in particular on the nitrification process. As nitrification may be linked to soil acidification, cation leaching, aluminium mobilisation and N2O emission, increased knowledge is essential when evaluating effects of global environmental change and management strategies on forest ecosystems. The effects of dolomite lime (3-5 T/ha) were investigated at the watershed (80 ha, mainly Picea abies), plot (Quercus petraea and Picea abies stands) and laboratory level. Runoff chemistry, soil solution, net nitrate production in the laboratory and the community structure of ammonium oxidising bacteria (by PCR amplification of 16S-RNA genes, Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis - DGGE, sequence analysis and hybridisation) were analysed. In the watersheds, consequences on runoff water chemistry were minor. However, in the plot study, soil solution nitrate concentrations were significantly increased through liming in the Quercus plots. Increased net nitrification in the Quercus stand was confirmed by potential net nitrification measurements in the laboratory, whereas soil pH rose in both stands. The impact of liming on potential net nitrification was not related to a shift in the 16S rDNA DGGE community profile of ammonia-oxidising bacteria. The DDGE profile, combined with hybridisation and sequencing of cut out bands revealed a dominance of Nitrosomonas europea-like sequences and a minor presence of Nitrosospira cluster 2-like sequences. These results contrast with several reports suggesting a dominance of Nitrosospira-like organisms among ammonia oxidiser communities in acid soils. Our study reflects the great potential of combining new molecular techniques with conventional methods for improving our knowledge on the ecology of biogeochemical processes. [less ▲]

Le cas clinique du mois. Fusariose disseminee chez un patient immunodeprime

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2000), 55(11), 974-6

Fusarium spp are ubiquitous soil saprophytes and occasional plant pathogens. Fusariosis in humans is usually limited to superficial mycoses. We report the case of a disseminated fungal infection due to ... [more ▼]

Fusarium spp are ubiquitous soil saprophytes and occasional plant pathogens. Fusariosis in humans is usually limited to superficial mycoses. We report the case of a disseminated fungal infection due to Fusarium spp in an immunosuppressed patient suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This report and review of the recent literature suggest that Fusarium spp are emerging fungal pathogens in immunosuppressed patients. [less ▲]