Short-term methionine supplementation during the early post-partum period in primiparous rabbits improves prolificacy associated with an increase in serum concentrations of IGF-I

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of methionine supplementation on energy metabolism and reproductive performance during the early post-partum period in primiparous does. Forty nulliparous New Zealand White does were used. Females were randomized in two groups at calving: the control group (n = 20) was fed with the basal diet, and the methionine group (n = 20) was fed the basal diet plus 1 g/animal/day of methionine from the day of calving to 4 days post-partum. Results showed that methionine supplementation increased (p = 0.032) the concentration of insulin-like growth factor-1 with respect to control group 4 days post-partum. It similarly increased the prolificacy (p = 0.03), the number of kits born alive per litter (p = 0.06) and the body gain weight of the litter during supplementation (p = 0.035). These results were observed despite the does in the methionine group having a deeper negative energy balance than the does in the control group. Finally, methionine supplementation did not affect receptivity (p = 0.23), fertility (p = 0.49), the number of kits born dead per litter (p = 0.86) insulin and metabolites as glucose, non-esterified fatty acids and triglycerides. In conclusion, our results show that methionine supplementation during the first 4 days of the post-partum period in rabbits increases total litter size and the corporal weight of kits and is associated with an increase in blood concentration of IGF-1.

Non-adult dental age assessment: correspondence analysis and linear regression versus Bayesian predictions

This study focuses on the evaluation of factors influencing the quality (accuracy and reliability) of non-adult dental age assessment from radiographic stages of permanent teeth (excluding the third molar). We used four distinct cross-sectional samples of 1,528 healthy children: 3 of known geographic origin (Ivory Coast, Iran and France) and 1 additional sample of children whose grandparents originated from a different continent. Two different methods of calculations are compared: the correspondence analysis combined with linear regression (CAR) and Bayesian predictions (with no independence assumption). Our results indicate that the quality of age assessment does not seem to depend predominantly on the use of geographic-specific standards. In the case of Bayesian predictions, we observed a clear trend in favour of significantly higher accuracy and reliability levels when using non-geographic-specific standards. One of the main advantage of Bayesian predictions over maximum likelihood methods of estimation is an overall increase in accuracy with high levels of reliability on a fraction of the test sample and, importantly, across all age categories (contrary to methods based on regression analysis). Importantly, in the case of Bayesian non-adult predictions, and contrary to age estimation techniques based on regression, a better quality does not depend on age.

[Tongue metastasis from esophageal adenocarcinoma. A case report]

Metastasis within the buccal cavity is a relatively uncommon finding observed in about 1% of malignant tumors in this region. Mandibular or maxillary bones are usually involved as well as soft tissues. Tongue involvement is rare. Secondary localizations arising from the esophagus are exceptional. These metastatic disseminations occur at advances stages. We report a case of tongue metastasis from an esophageal adenocarcinoma in a 73-year-old man who had undergone surgery for lower esophageal adenocarcinoma a few months earlier. The clinical presentation in this context was suggestive of a metastatic process confirmed at histology. Careful pathology examination is required to distinguish primary from secondary localizations and establish the diagnosis of metastasis.

[Difficult surgical management of facial neurofibromatosis type I or von Recklinghausen disease in children]

We report a case of predominantly facial neurofibromatosis type I in a 7-year-old girl, exposing the difficulties encountered in surgical management. Infiltration of facial soft tissues by plexiform neurofibroma is difficult to control. Resection of large areas of facial skin is unconceivable, facial functions must be preserved. Orbitocranial surgery is reserved for orbital manifestations of neurofibromatosis with osseous sphenoid dysplasia and pulsatile exophthalmos. Despite progress in tumor imaging and surgery, facial neurofibromatosis remains a challenge for the surgeon. We discuss surgical technique and indications for surgery in these cases.

Identification and androgen regulation of a 156-kDa hemeprotein in the harderian gland of the Syrian hamster

An abundant cytosolic protein from hamster Harderian glands was partially purified by ultracentrifugation and analyzed on SDS-PAGE. This 156-kDa protein occurs in male but not in female glands. Castration of adult males for different time periods resulted in a gradual disappearance of the protein over 5 weeks. Daily administration of testosterone, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, 3 alpha- or 3 beta-androstanediol (0.5 mg/day/15 days), to castrated males maintained the levels of the protein. In females, the protein was induced with the same compounds but not with 17 beta-estradiol. These observations indicate an androgen-mediated hormonal regulation. In developing animals, the 156-kDa protein was detectable in glands of 2-week-old males and females; it was not detected in 4-week-old females. Its specific reactions to 3,3',5,5'-benzidine derivatives strongly suggest heme groups associated with this Harderian gland protein.