Eugene C. Piette

Bio: Eugene C. Piette is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 822 citations.

[Mastectomy, the initial surgical procedure in transgender patients].

Abstract: In our society, the number of gender affirming surgeries is increasing. Mastectomy is usually the initial surgical procedure performed for the treatment of gender dysphoria in transgender men. It has been shown to improve quality of life and to promote assimilation into the new genre. Creating an aesthetic male chest requires adjustment of the breast tissue volume, proper placement of nipple areola complex, and removal of the inframammary fold. Although many papers have been published on this topic, there is still no consensus as to which surgical technique should be preferred. This article deals with the procedures performed in our plastic surgery department at CHU in Liège and reviews the literature relating to the various surgical techniques, postoperative complications as well as patient satisfaction.

[Landscape and evolution of the transgender demand in the maxillo-facial surgery: the CHU of Liège as reference center].

Abstract: The history of transgenderism is reaching a new turning point. From the medical beginnings of the 1940's to the real innovations of the last decade, surgery can, more than ever, contribute to the gender reassignment process. This article will firstly describe the evolution of the transgender demand, and will then review the specificities of male and female facial anatomy. We will conclude by defining the maxillofacial surgical field and the new role of the reference center at the University Hospital of Liège in this promise of treatment, that is both intimate and innovative.

Standardized nomenclature, symbols, and units for bone histomorphometry: A 2012 update of the report of the ASBMR Histomorphometry Nomenclature Committee

Abstract: Before publication of the original version of this report in 1987, practitioners of bone histomorphometry communicated with each other in a variety of arcane languages, which in general were unintelligible to those outside the field. The need for standardization of nomenclature had been recognized for many years,(1) during which there had been much talk but no action. To satisfy this need, B Lawrence Riggs (ASBMR President, 1985 to 1986) asked A Michael Parfitt to convene an ASBMR committee to develop a new and unified system of terminology, suitable for adoption by the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research (JBMR) as part of its Instructions to Authors. The resulting recommendations were published in 1987(2) and were quickly adopted not only by JBMR but also by all respected journals in the bone field. The recommendations improved markedly the ability of histomorphometrists to communicate with each other and with nonhistomorphometrists, leading to a broader understanding and appreciation of histomorphometric data. In 2012, 25 years after the development of the standardized nomenclature system, Thomas L Clemens (Editor in Chief of JBMR) felt that it was time to revise and update the recommendations. The original committee was reconvened by David W Dempster, who appointed one new member, Juliet E Compston. The original document was circulated to the committee members and was extensively revised according to their current recommendations. The key revisions include omission of terminology used before 1987, recommendations regarding the parameters and technical information that should be included in all histomorphometry articles, recommendations on how to handle dynamic parameters of bone formation in settings of low bone turnover, and updating of references.

A monoclonal antibody against alpha-smooth muscle actin: a new probe for smooth muscle differentiation.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody (anti-alpha sm-1) recognizing exclusively alpha-smooth muscle actin was selected and characterized after immunization of BALB/c mice with the NH2-terminal synthetic decapeptide of alpha-smooth muscle actin coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin. Anti-alpha sm-1 helped in distinguishing smooth muscle cells from fibroblasts in mixed cultures such as rat dermal fibroblasts and chicken embryo fibroblasts. In the aortic media, it recognized a hitherto unknown population of cells negative for alpha-smooth muscle actin and for desmin. In 5-d-old rats, this population is about half of the medial cells and becomes only 8 +/- 5% in 6-wk-old animals. In cultures of rat aortic media SMCs, there is a progressive increase of this cell population together with a progressive decrease in the number of alpha-smooth muscle actin-containing stress fibers per cell. Double immunofluorescent studies carried out with anti-alpha sm-1 and anti-desmin antibodies in several organs revealed a heterogeneity of stromal cells. Desmin-negative, alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells were found in the rat intestinal muscularis mucosae and in the dermis around hair follicles. Moreover, desmin-positive, alpha-smooth muscle actin-negative cells were identified in the intestinal submucosa, rat testis interstitium, and uterine stroma. alpha-Smooth muscle actin was also found in myoepithelial cells of mammary and salivary glands, which are known to express cytokeratins. Finally, alpha-smooth muscle actin is present in stromal cells of mammary carcinomas, previously considered fibroblastic in nature. Thus, anti-alpha sm-1 antibody appears to be a powerful probe in the study of smooth muscle differentiation in normal and pathological conditions.

The ionic basis of electrical activity in nerve and muscle

Abstract: SUMMARY 1 Four methods of determining the potential difference across the surface membrane of living cells are described. 2 In a wide range of excitable tissues the resting membrane potential is of the order of 50–100 mV. and the action potential of the order of 80–130 mV. 3 At the height of activity the potential difference across the membrane is reversed by 30–50 mV. 4 The potassium concentration inside most excitable cells is 20–50 times greater than that in the external medium; sodium is 3–15 times more concentrated outside than it is inside, while chloride is 5–50 times more concentrated outside than inside. Isolated fibres lose potassium and gain sodium and chloride ions. 5 Potassium appears to exist as a free ion inside nerve and muscle fibres. 6 The nature of the organic anions which balance the high concentration of potassium inside excitable cells is still largely unknown. In certain cases amino-acids such as aspartic acid are present in high concentrations. 7 The resting membrane behaves as though it were moderately permeable to K+ and Cl- but sparingly permeable to Na+. The absolute magnitude of the resting potential is similar to that calculated from the potassium concentrations if allowance is made for the contributions of chloride and other ions. Movements of K+ and Cl- as determined by radioactive tracers or by chemical methods agree with a quantitative formulation of this hypothesis. 8 It is necessary to suppose that sodium is continuously pumped out of excitable cells by a process which depends on metabolism. 9 Electrical activity is due to a large and specific increase in the permeability to sodium. The reversed potential difference across the active membrane arises from the concentration difference of sodium and varies with the external concentration of sodium in the same manner as the theoretical potential of a sodium electrode. 10 In many cells, conduction of impulses is impossible if the external medium does not contain sodium or lithium ions. 11 The rate of rise of the action potential varies with the concentration of sodium ions in the external medium. 12 Sodium enters a nerve fibre when it is active. The quantity entering 1 cm.2 of membrane during one impulse is of the order of 3 μμmol. 13 Entry of sodium is approximately balanced by the leakage of a corresponding quantity of potassium. 14 It is suggested that sodium enters the nerve fibre during the rising phase of the action potential and that potassium leaves during the falling phase. 15 The permeability changes during the action potential probably consist of a rapid but transient increase in the permeability to sodium and a delayed increase in the permeability to potassium. It is suggested that both permeability changes vary with membrane potential in a graded but reversible manner. This hypothesis is applied to the phenomena of subthreshold activity, accomodation and oscillatory behaviour. 16 In vertebrate myelinated fibres there is much evidence to show that conduction is saltatory; this suggests that sodium entry is confined to the nodes of Ranvier, and that the internodes are depolarized by local circuit action. 17 Provided that nerves are not stimulated at a high rate, recovery heat production is sufficient to account for the metabolic extrusion of sodium after activity.

Near-infrared Raman spectroscopy for optical diagnosis of lung cancer

Abstract: Raman spectroscopy is a vibrational spectroscopic technique that can be used to optically probe the molecular changes associated with diseased tissues. The objective of our study was to explore near-infrared (NIR) Raman spectroscopy for distinguishing tumor from normal bronchial tissue. Bronchial tissue specimens (12 normal, 10 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 6 adenocarcinoma) were obtained from 10 patients with known or suspected malignancies of the lung. A rapid-acquisition dispersive-type NIR Raman spectroscopy system was used for tissue Raman studies at 785 nm excitation. High-quality Raman spectra in the 700-1,800 cm(-1) range from human bronchial tissues in vitro could be obtained within 5 sec. Raman spectra differed significantly between normal and malignant tumor tissue, with tumors showing higher percentage signals for nucleic acid, tryptophan and phenylalanine and lower percentage signals for phospholipids, proline and valine, compared to normal tissue. Raman spectral shape differences between normal and tumor tissue were also observed particularly in the spectral ranges of 1,000-1,100, 1,200-1,400 and 1,500-1,700 cm(-1), which contain signals related to protein and lipid conformations and nucleic acid's CH stretching modes. The ratio of Raman intensities at 1,445 to 1,655 cm(-1) provided good differentiation between normal and malignant bronchial tissue (p < 0.0001). The results of this exploratory study indicate that NIR Raman spectroscopy provides significant potential for the noninvasive diagnosis of lung cancers in vivo based on the optic evaluation of biomolecules.

Buried alive: how osteoblasts become osteocytes.

Abstract: During osteogenesis, osteoblasts lay down osteoid and transform into osteocytes embedded in mineralized bone matrix. Despite the fact that osteocytes are the most abundant cellular component of bone, little is known about the process of osteoblast-to-osteocyte transformation. What is known is that osteoblasts undergo a number of changes during this transformation, yet retain their connections to preosteoblasts and osteocytes. This review explores the osteoblast-to-osteocyte transformation during intramembranous ossification from both morphological and molecular perspectives. We investigate how these data support five schemes that describe how an osteoblast could become entrapped in the bone matrix (in mammals) and suggest one of the five scenarios that best fits as a model. Those osteoblasts on the bone surface that are destined for burial and destined to become osteocytes slow down matrix production compared to neighbouring osteoblasts, which continue to produce bone matrix. That is, cells that continue to produce matrix actively bury cells producing less or no new bone matrix (passive burial). We summarize which morphological and molecular changes could be used as characters (or markers) to follow the transformation process.