Rôle de la MGMT et implications cliniques dans les tumeurs cérébrales [Role of MGMT and clinical applications in brain tumours]

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and most malignant primary brain tumour with a dismal prognosis. The advent of new chemotherapies with alkylating agents crossing the blood-brain barrier, like temozolomide, have permitted to notably ameliorate the survival of a subgroup of patients. Improved outcome was associated with epigenetic silencing of the MGMT (O6-methylguanin methyltransferase) gene by promotor methylation, thereby blocking its repair capability, thus rendering the alkylating agents more effective. This particularity can be tested by methylation specific PCR on resected tumour tissue, best on fresh frozen biopsies, and allows identification of patients more susceptible to respond favourably to the treatment.

S'intégrer balle au pied: Le rôle des clubs de foot de migrants en Suisse

L'existence de clubs de foot de migrants favorise-t-elle ou empêche-t-elle le développement de liens sociaux avec les membres de clubs "autochtones" et plus largement avec les autres acteurs du tissu associatif régional ? Les auteurs de l'article portent particulièrement leur attention sur les relations crées et entretenues sur le terrain de jeu, à partir d'une recherche effectuée entre 2009 et 2011 auprès de douze clubs en Suisse. Ils s'intéressent tant à la composition de leurs effectifs, en terme d'origine nationale et culturelle, qu'au rôle de socialisation qu'ils peuvent jouer vis-à-vis de leurs membres et de passeur vers un processus dynamique d'intégration à construire et à assumer.

Evénements traumatiques et réponses de stress: le rôle de l'ocytocine et de l'attachement [Traumatic events and stress responses: the role of oxytocin and attachement].

Being repeatedly confronted to very difficult situations since childhood influences the way indivuals will later respond to even mildly stressful events. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) is a complex system implicated in regulating neuroendocrine responses to stress. Its activation produces among others the <stress hormonea, cortisol. However, the regulation of the physiological response to stress depends on psychological factors linked with the representations that individuals develop regarding their close relationships i.e. attachment. Furthermore, attachment representations seem to be associated with oxytocin, a hormone involved both in cortisol reduction and in positive social behaviours.

Traitement des epilepsies réfractaires: rôle de la stimulation electrique [Treatment of pharmacoresistant epilepsy: stimulated refractoriness].

Antiepileptic drugs allow controlling seizures in 70% of patients. For the others, a presurgical work-up should be undertaken, especially if a focal seizure origin is suspected; however, only a fraction of pharmacoresistant patients will be offered resective (curative) surgery. In the last 15 years, several palliative therapies using extra- or intracranial electrical stimulations have been developed. This article presents the vagal nerve stimulation, the deep brain stimulation (targeting the mesiotemporal region or the thalamus), and the cortical stimulation "on demand". All show an overall long-term responder rate between 30-50%, but less than 5% of patients becoming seizure free. It is to hope that a better understanding of epileptogenic mechanisms and of the implicated neuronal networks will lead to an improvement of these proportions.

Rôle de l'imagerie dans le diagnostic et le suivi de la polyarthrite rhumatoïde [Role of imaging in the diagnosis and follow-up of rheumatoid arthritis].

Cross-sectional imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound are becoming essential tools not only for making an early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, but also to help clarify the prognosis of the disease and better assess the response to various therapies. This article summarises the recommendations established in 2013 by the European League Against Rheumatism on the role of imaging in the diagnosis and follow-up of rheumatoid arthritis, while adding comments and emphasising on our Swiss experience with the use of ultrasound.

Modification de la composition des cigarettes durant te XXe siècle: rôle de l'industrie du tabac et effet sur la dépendance tabagique [Chemicals added to cigarettes and their effects on tobacco dependence]

This paper summarizes data on the factors involved in addiction and dependence to cigarettes. Nicotine has been intensively studied by the tobacco industry, for instance for its addictive effect at the lowest possible rates. The addition of diammonium phosphate and urea produces an alcalinization of the pH of cigarette smoke, and promotes the absorption and the trans-membrane passage of nicotine. The taste, the smell of smoke, and the visual aspect of the pack of cigarettes are also sensory components that promote addiction. Finally, menthol, sugar, cocoa and liquorice added to cigarettes also play a role in dependence and addiction to cigarettes by, for instance, making an anesthetic effect on the airways.

L'Arménie, son histoire, sa littérature, son rôle en Orient : conférence faite le 9 mars 1897, à la salle de la Société de géographie, sous la présidence de M. Anatole France / Archag Tchobanian

Comprend : [Discours. 9 mars 1897]