Presse Med
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The prevalence of childhood obesity increases dramatically in all industrialized countries. As in adults, it is defined by an increase in fat mass. ⋯ However, rapid changes in the way of life leads to consider that, in a near future, as much as 25% of the children in Europe could be concerned as well. A new epidemiological tool designed by the International Obesity Task Force takes as reference criteria the body mass index and will allow comparisons between countries as well as it will take into account the physiological variations of fat mass during growth.
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TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR: TNF is a cytokine produced by several types of cells, but mainly by monocyte-macrophages, activated endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and joint cartilage chondrocytes. The circulating form of TNF alpha (homotrimere) is derived from its membrane form by cleavage induced by a metalloprotease called TACE. ⋯ ARGUMENTS FOR A PATHOGENIC ROLE: Transgenic mice carrying the human gene for TNF alpha develop polyarthritis suggesting this cytokine is directly implicated in the pathogenesis. In diverse cell types in rheumatoid joints, TNF alpha and its receptors can be identified by immunohistochemistry techniques as can TNF alpha mRNA by RT-PCR.
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A CRUCIAL STEP: Locoregional control is a crucial step in the achievement of cancer cure. After mastectomy, locoregional irradiation (RT) clearly reduces the incidence of chest wall and nodal relapse, especially with initial lesions measuring more than 5 cm or with nodal involvement and/or large lymphatic or vascular emboli.