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Biomedical subjects

A Franco

Publications and source records attributed to A Franco.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

The development of blood transfusion: the contributions of Norman Bethune in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).

Although the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) has been the focus of many papers in many countries, there are few references concerning medicine during this war, and many of the related events and medical progress are not well known. Some of these events came to influence civilian and military medicine. Among these were advances in blood transfusion, in which the Canadian surgeon, Norman Bethune, played an important role, particularly in advocating transfusion of blood to soldiers at the front rather than at medical centres behind the lines. While much of Bethune's work, especially in Canada and China, is well known, 1-3 certain aspects of Bethune's work and his stay in Spain are worth reviewing.

Blood Transfusion↗
PubMed1996

Analyzed dietary intakes, plasma concentrations of zinc, copper, and selenium, and related antioxidant enzyme activities in hospitalized elderly women.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to assess the actual dietary intakes of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) intakes in relation with some indicators of trace element status in a selected group of hospitalized elderly patients. SUBJECTS: 24 elderly women aged 76-99 years were recruited in the Geriatric Department of the Grenoble University Hospital. MEASURES OF OUTCOME: Zn, Cu, and Se dietary intakes were estimated by duplicate portion analysis. Plasma trace element concentrations, Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD) and Se glutathione peroxidase (Se GSH-Px) activities were determined in parallel. RESULTS: Mean daily intakes of Zn (5.6 mg), Cu (0.67 mg), and Se (23 micrograms) were low, in relation with poor energy intake and nutrient densities. Zn and Se levels in plasma were lower and plasma Cu increased compared to reference values obtained from healthy younger subjects. Thirty-eight percent of the elderly patients had plasma Zn concentrations < 10.7 mumol/l, but Cu status appeared adequate as suggested by the lack of decline in Cu-Zn SOD activity. A high proportion of plasma Se concentrations < 0.76 mumol/l and the parallel decrease in erythrocyte and plasma GSH-Px activities suggest a Se deficiency in this population. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that French hospitalized elderly patients may be at risk of Zn and Se marginal status and present altered antioxidant defenses in relation with low dietary intakes. It underlines the interest of supplementation studies in this population.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

"Telepsychometry": a remote psychometry consultation in clinical gerontology: preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the clinical feasibility of remote psychometric consultation with elderly patients. METHODS: Remote consultation with six women and four men (average age 87) was compared with a standard consultation. An interview and two psychometric tests were used: the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and the Clock Face Test (CFT), which were administered by a clinical psychologist and controlled by a psychologist observer who remained in the room with the patient. The experimental setting consisted of two rooms linked by a coaxial cable. Each room was equipped with a camera, television screen, and microphone. The clinician was able to operate the mobile camera in the patient's room by remote control. The clinician was assisted by a computer, which helped to focus on standardized points. A video camera recorded the consultation for documentation purposes. RESULTS: Decreased performance was observed in the remote versus the standard consultation for both tests (MMSE: p = 0.008; CFT: p = 0.006). Physiologic hearing loss may have been responsible for a fall in the patients' attention. CONCLUSION: Remote psychometric consultation can be applied successfully to the psychological examination of elderly patients provided that communication problems are solved.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Comparative ontogenic analysis of the epithelium of the non-glandular stomach compartments of merino sheep].

A total of 74 embryos and fetuses were used in a comparative analysis of the epithelium of the non-glandular stomach compartments of merino sheep during development. The mechanical protection showed by the tegumentary epithelium in the superficial layers of the rumen, reticulum and omasum is supported by a buffer system of neutral mucopolysaccharides secreted by the deeper strata. Neutral mucopolysaccharides first appeared in epithelial cells at 46 days of fetal life. Acid mucopolysaccharides, mucins, and mucoid compounds were not detected. Growth curves and formulas were constructed for the epithelial layers.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Acute and chronic viral hepatitis in HIV positive patients].

In this study we evaluated the spreading of HBV, HCV, HDV and HIV among drug user patients. Spreading of hepatotropic viruses resulted high (HBV 84%, HCV 87%, HDV 7%), while spreading of HIV resulted relatively low (18%). During the period considered we did not observe any favourable effect of hepatotropic viruses on the progression of HIV infection, while the chronic evolution of acute viral hepatitis HBV related was high (90%) in HIV+ patients. HIV infection did not determine different histological findings in respect to HIV- patients with chronic hepatitis, HBV or HCV related

English Abstract↗
PubMed1996

[Prostatic abscess: diagnosis and treatment].

Prostatic abscesses are an infrequent pathology, probably due to a better and early management of prostatic infections. Predisposing factors in this pathology are diabetes mellitus, urethral catheterism or manipulation, and immunodepressed states like AIDS. Nowadays, ultrasonography is an excellent diagnostic method of this pathology, and serves as a guidance of directed drainage. We present five cases in which the size of the abscess was determining in relation to the therapeutic attitude. Abscesses of less than 2 cm, measured by transrectal ultrasonography, can be evacuated by directed puncture, followed by antibiotic treatment. When the diameter of the abscess is greater than 2 cm, we realize a perineal drainage with a catheter placed with transrectal ultrasonography. Currently, TUR and other methods seems to be overcome.

Abscess↗
PubMed1996

[Antibiotic resistance to erythromycin, clindamycin and tetracycline of 573 strains of Streptococcus pyogenes (1992-1994)].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to know the antibiotic resistence of Streptococcus pyogenes to erythromycine, clindamycine and/or tetracycline in community samples. The second aim was to determine the existence of multiresistant strains and to know the relationship between resistant strains, clinical samples and age of the patient. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed in all the strains of S. pyogenes isolated from January 1992 to December 1994. Antibiotic sensitivity was studied by MIC by the microdilution method using the Pasco semiautomatic system. RESULTS: During the study period 573 beta hemolytic streptococci were identified as S. pyogenes. The global resistance to erythromycine (2.8%), clindamycine (1.4%) and tetracycline (7.3%) remains at low levels but has significantly increased in the case of erythromycine (p < 0.05) and tetracycline (p < 0.05) over these 3 years. The incidence of strains resistant to clindamycine has also increased slowly although this rise is not significant. Five strains (0.9%) were not sensitive to the three antibiotics studied, 4 being isolated in the last trimester of 1994 in pharyngeal exudates. S. pyogenes resistant to erythromycine was most frequently isolated from cutaneous lesions and in pediatric patients (under the age of 14 years). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the trend towards an increase in the number of strains of S. pyogenes resistant to erythromycine, clindamycine and/or tetracycline, being most often found in cutaneous lesions and pediatric patients.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1996

[Color Doppler ultrasonography in the study of orbital and ocular vascular diseases].

Color Doppler flow imaging was performed in 10 healthy controls and in 32 patients with orbital and retinal vascular diseases in order to investigate ocular arterial supply. Abnormal changes of the orbital blood flow observed in case of dural fistula, orbital varicosis and choroidal melanoma is described. In patients with central retinal vein occlusion, substantial arterial flow disturbances were found, such as the reduction of the retinal artery systolic peak flow (p < 0.55) and absence of diastolic flow (p < 0.001). Abnormal changes of the retinal arterial blood flow (reduction of the systolic peak flow or even extinction of the Doppler signal) were also detected in patients with occlusion of the central retinal artery and in some cases of severe stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid artery. The color Doppler flow imaging appears as a promising technique for the investigation of the vascular diseases of the eye. It may provide useful clues for the differential diagnosis of optic neuropathies and allows haemodynamic characterization of different vascular diseases of the eye such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Antioxidant vitamins in hospitalized elderly patients: analysed dietary intakes and biochemical status.

DESIGN: Descriptive study. SETTING: Geriatric department of the Grenoble University Hospital. SUBJECTS: 24 hospitalized elderly women: 13 long-stay patients and 11 in rehabilitation after femoral neck fracture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Retinol, carotene, tocopherol and vitamin C dietary intakes were evaluated by 5-day duplicate portion analysis. Circulating levels of retinol, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol and vitamin C were determined in parallel (HPLC). RESULTS: Mean intake of vitamin C (21 mg/d), and vitamin E (3.1 mg alpha-tocopherol equivalents TE/d) were low compared to recommendations, in relation with poor energy intake (5.27 MJ/d) and nutrient densities. More than 85% of the patients exhibited vitamin C and vitamin E intakes below two-thirds the recommendations (60 mg/d and 10 mg TE/d, respectively) and 50% did not meet recommendations for vitamin A (800 micrograms retinol equivalents/d). With the exception of retinol, dietary vitamin intakes were positively correlated to corresponding blood concentrations. No values below cut-off levels were found concerning plasma retinol, plasma tocopherol or ratio of alpha-tocopherol to cholesterol. In contrast, 26% and 32% of the elderly patients had low circulating levels of beta-carotene and vitamin C, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study highlights low antioxidant vitamin intakes, particularly concerning vitamin E and vitamin C, and an important proportion of low blood vitamin C and beta-carotene concentrations in hospitalized elderly women. Further studies are needed to determine the actual requirements of hospitalized elderly patients and to evaluate the potential benefits of providing micronutrient-enriched foods to this population.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Familial coagulation-inhibiting and fibrinolytic protein deficiencies in juvenile transient ischaemic attacks.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of natural cascade inhibitors in Juvenile Transient Ischemic Attacks. Fifty patients with anterior or posterior brain attacks were studied. One hundred healthy subjects matched for sex and age were randomly assigned to a control group. All had a physical examination and radiologic work-up. Computerized tomography showed no ischaemia either with or without contrast medium. Digital angiography of epiaortic and intracerebral vessels was unremarkable patients non controls ever had war-farin therapy. Antithrombin III, protein C and plasminogen were determined by functional methods. Protein S was assayed by a functional clotting method based on prolonged PT. The activated protein C resistance test was performed and a poor response to activated protein C was verified in patients. Our findings show protein S, protein C and antithrombin III type I deficiency with a functional activity < 70% compared to controls. Eight of fifty patients (16%) had low protein S levels, 5 (10%) had low protein C, 2 (4%) had low antithrombin III and 1 (2%) plasminogen deficiency. A significant (p < 0.01) difference in activated protein C ratio was seen for controls and patients. These results suggest that screening for natural anticoagulants in young people suffering from transient ischemic attacks could be beneficial and should be encouraged.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Chronic venous insufficiency 7 to 10 years after partial vena cava interruption with a clip].

In order to test the responsibility of inferior vena cava clips in post thrombotic venous disease, we performed a comparative retrospective study 7 to 10 years after vena cava interruption by clip. Patients were compared with patients matched for sex, age, and prior deep vein thrombosis (same period and same localisation) but without inferior vena cava partial interruption. The results show that 1) functional complaints were significantly higher in the vena cava clip group; 2) valvular incompetency, in the initially thrombosed leg, (tested by scanning duplex) was not different in the two groups: 3) inversely, on the other leg, valvular incompetency was greater in the vena cava clip group. Furthermore this valvular incompetency was principally located at a femoral level, suggesting that the vena cava clip may induce backward thrombosis; 4) complications were independent of vena cava thrombosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[The discovery of surgical anesthesia and its arrival in Europe. Apropos of the 150th anniversary of the clinical introduction of ether].

The clinical introduction of anesthesia took place on the 16th of October 1846 at Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston) and William T.G. Morton, a dentist in the city, was its discoverer. The news was made public at the beginning of November and soon crossed the Atlantic, reaching Paris and London, where there were acclaimed medical centers. The event was the object of studies worldwide and still today receives the attention of researchers. We have detected numerous inaccuracies in most accounts of how anesthesia was introduced in Europe, motivating us to undertake the present study to establish a new history of the first uses of ether in European countries. We have consulted new bibliographic sources and obtained results that are considerably different from those published by most authors in recent years. Our analysis and discussion of the findings allow us to establish a new chronological account of anesthesia with ether in Europe, in which we emphasize the first studies of etherizations performed in Belgium, Spain and Italy hitherto ignored by other authors.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗
PubMed1996

[Short-term change in sural venous thrombosis in patients in surgical intensive care when anticoagulants are contraindicated].

Venous thrombo-embolic disease in neurosurgical and surgical intensive care units is a frequent disorder (between 4.3 and 43 per cent of patients according to studies). The treatment is often difficult. We carried out a retrospective study from January 1994 to September 1995 of 57 patients in neurosurgical and surgical intensive care who developed thrombosis of a sural vein and in whom anticoagulant at therapeutic doses was contraindicated. After a median follow up 14 days echography showed proximal extension of the thrombosis in 4 patients and distal extension in 3 others. Five cases of pulmonary embolism occurred during the follow up period, one of which led to death. No complications (pulmonary embolism or proximal extension of venous thrombosis) occurred in those patients receiving heparin at prophylactic doses (0/11 versus 8/46 in the non-heparin group; p = 0.13). No case of pulmonary embolus occurred in those patients with partial or complete regression of the thrombosis (0/21 versus 5/36 in the group with stable or extending thrombi, p = 0,05). Echographic monitoring enabled therapeutic modification in 5 cases. These results indicate that sural venous thrombosis in the context of neurosurgical and surgical intensive care is a potentially grave situation and that the prescription of anticoagulant therapy even at preventive dose should always be considered. Further, we propose regular echographic monitoring until the patient is mobile.

Adult↗