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In addition to the major fatty acids widely studied, our diet contains many bioactive fatty acids less frequently investigated such as n-3 docosapentaenoic acid (n-3 DPA), natural trans fatty acids, conjugated fatty acids (CLAs), furan fatty acids (FuFAs), branched chain fatty acids (BCFAs) and fatty acid esters of hydroxyl fatty acids (FAHFAs). Many of them may have beneficial health effects, particularly in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, inflammation and metabolic disorders such as diabetes. This review aims to give a brief overview of the current knowledge on these lipids. Thus, information about biosynthesis, food and tissue content, daily intake, biological and potential health effects of these fatty acids is provided.

Purpose: The quality of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) images is frequently degraded by high signal from the gastrointestinal tract on heavily T2W images. The purpose of this study is to evaluate pineapple juice (PJ) as an oral negative contrast agent in MRCP., Materials and Methods: Results from MRCP in 50 patients with PJ and 50 patients with paramagnetic contrast (ferumoxsil-Lumirem) were compared. Reviewers were blinded to the type of contrast agent. Exam quality was recorded with regards to signal suppression in the stomach, duodenum and proximal small bowel and with regards to pancreatic duct and biliary ducts visualization. In vitro, the signal characteristics of several commercially available brands of PJ were assessed using T1W, T2W and MRCP sequences. Signal intensity was correlated with the manganese concentration measured using atomic absorption spectrometry. Finally, the reviewers compared the taste of PJ and ferumoxsil., Results: On MRCP sequences, results were similar with regards to signal suppression in the stomach, duodenum and proximal small bowel with PJ and ferumoxsil. Visualization of the pancreatic duct, intrahgepatic bile ducts and CBD was similar with PJ and ferumoxsil. The signal intensity of commercially available brands of PJ on T2W and MRCP sequences correlated well with the measured manganese concentration on spectroscopy. Variations in manganese concentration were observed, with values ranging from 3.65 to 27.24 mg/L. The reviewers noted that PJ tasted "good" or "very good" and that ferumoxsil tasted "bad" or "very bad"., Conclusion: Ingestion of PJ provides effective signal suppression in the GI tract on MRCP, similar to paramagnetic contrast agents. Because manganese concentration is highly variable in commercially available PJ brands, a brand with high manganese concentration should be selected.

Background: Long term results are discussed., Patients: A retrospective study of 9 years (1/01/89, 1/01/98) concern 107 laryngectomized patients with 9 patients a part from this period, and 30% without prosthesis. Among 80 patients with prosthesis, 57% had received primary TEPs (tracheoesophageal puncture), 21% delayed primary TEPs and 22% secondary TEPs. Oesophageal voice is always learned with tracheoesophageal voice., Results: We find a success rate (1 month) in 75% of cases, with a maximum follow up time of 8 years (the average is 3 years 1 month). We find a success rate with a long-term result in 66% of cases. Prosthesis removal exists in 30% of cases and oesophageal voice is successfull once out of 3 in this cases. Mean lifetime Traissac's prosthesis is 18 months. After removal, non closed fistulas can exist in 40% of cases, and surgery is always successful., Discussion: Material Traissac's prosthesis explains extended lifetime., Conclusion: Traissac's prosthesis gave us satisfaction during a use of 8 years.

The authors report their experience of hypoparathyroidism in thyroïd surgery: 538 patients underwent thyroidectomy, including 45% bilateral resections. In post operative period, accurate tests allowed to detect non permanent hypocalcemias in 60% of cases. Severe hypocalcemia (1.60 mmol/l) is necessary to engage a treatment by vitamin D. So, a soft thyroid microsurgery is the only one manner to preserve parathyroid stock. 46 patients had parathyroid transplantation, but the evaluation is difficult, because the amount of parathyroid gland without ischemia, left into the neck, is unknown. In summary, this technique is effective, but often useless in thyroid surgery.

Background: As facial nerve palsy is usually of sudden onset and of obscure etiology, a survey of large series may provide new information., Patients and Methods: The files of 40 children suffering from acute facial nerve palsy seen in 3 pediatric and 1 otorhinolaryngologic (ORL) departments between 1980 and 1990 were analysed. Patients with congenital palsy and those with paralysis that appeared after injury or in the course of acute or chronic disease (otitis media, tumor) were excluded from the study. The children were 9 months-16 years old (mean: 7 year 1 month). There were 22 left and 18 right facial nerve palsies. The palsy was moderate in 17 children, severe in 15, and total in 5. Etiologic factors (viral serologic studies, CSF examination), ORL studies and electromyogram of the facial nerve were analyzed in the majority of cases. Corticosteroids were used in 30 patients., Results: A viral etiology was suspected and/or confirmed in 13 children; abnormalities were seen in 6 of the patients who underwent lumbar puncture. A familial facial nerve palsy was seen in 1 case and kidney disease in 2 cases. 23 cases appeared to be idiopathic. A moderate permanent residual weakness was seen in only 4 children. The mean time for recovery was 32 days (4-140 days). Corticosteroids did not influence the incidence of complete recovery, but decreased the time for recovery (26 versus 37 days) only in the patients who were treated before the 3rd day of the disease. Patients with idiopathic palsy recovered 23 days before those with viral etiology., Conclusions: Idiopathic and post-viral facial nerve palsies seem to have an excellent prognosis. Corticosteroids seem to have no effect although there is some evidence of benefit when treatment is begun early.

It is of great importance to be able to distinguish hyperamylasemia linked to a pathological condition of the pancreas from one due to the presence of the macroamylase in the serum of the patient. We have evaluated both gel filtration chromatography and precipitation by PEG-6000 for the detection of serum macroamylase. Our study has enabled us to define a simple detection protocol, suitable for routine laboratory use. In this protocol, macroamylasemia is detected initially by precipitation with PEG-6000; if less than 60% of amylase activity is precipitated, there is no macroamylasemia. If more than 60% of amylase activity can be precipitated by PEG-6000, macroamylasemia is confirmed by gel filtration chromatography. The incidence of macroamylasemia in hospitalized patients was studied; it was 1.3% in cases where amylasemia was normal, and 4.5% in hyperamylasemic patients.

On the basis of 12 cases of oesophagotracheal fistula after tracheotomy and assisted ventilation, the authors discuss the etiopathogenesis and the diagnosis of this grave condition, emphasizing its inevitably surgical treatment, and the major value of prophylaxis which is nevertheless difficult to apply.

The authors report their experiments in the diagnosis and treatment of naso-pharyngeal fibromas. They point out:--the usefulness of tomo-densitometric and arteriographic examinations; but they are concerned by the neurological dangers of embolization;--the usefulness of surgical treatment in this condition, usually done by the infralabial route, in the Rouge-Denker technique.