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Biomedical subjects

D Gosset

Publications and source records attributed to D Gosset.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A case of fatal salt water intoxication following an exorcism session.

In response to a recent article published in this review, we present in this paper, an unusual case of fatal salt water intoxication. In this case, we point out three special features, the type of water ingested, the physiopathologic consequences of the ingestion and the very strange context of occurrence. This complex case allows us to point out complications due to salt poisoning and others caused by water intoxication.

Adult↗

Necrophilous insect succession on rabbit carrion in sand dune habitats in northern France.

Six freshly killed rabbit carcasses were exposed in different habitats in the coastal dune massif of Ambleteuse (northern France) during the spring seasons of 1996 and 1997. In total, 66 arthropod species were collected during the decomposition of these carcasses, and particular attention was paid to taxa of necrophilic significance. The pattern of insect activity was recorded and is discussed in relation to meteorological conditions. One significant feature in this study was the delay in initial oviposition by flies during 1996, which demonstrates the need for caution in estimation of postmortem interval by entomological techniques in early spring. Although daily temperatures may be favorable for adult fly activity, flies may be absent because of small population size and low nocturnal temperatures during this period.

Animals↗

Morphine perfused rabbits: a tool for experiments in forensic entomotoxicology.

In order to establish an animal model for entomotoxicological studies, the kinetics of morphine elimination from blood after a single intravenous injection of morphine and the concentration of morphine in tissues following a continuous perfusion were studied. The aim of these experiments was to obtain controlled morphine tissue concentrations similar to those encountered in fatal human heroin overdoses. These tissues can be used as a food source for developing fly larvae in entomotoxicological studies. In the single injection experiment, seven rabbits were administered 1 or 2 mg/kg body weight of morphine chlorhydrate via the main ear artery. Blood samples of 200 microL were removed regularly via a catheter. Morphine concentration was determined using RIA techniques. Morphine was found to be first rapidly distributed and then slowly eliminated, following a two-exponential equation. Elimination of morphine from blood can be described as a two-compartment model. Constants of the equation were determined using the Kaleidagraph program. Using those constants, the main pharmacokinetics parameters were calculated. Results of these parameters showed the following: clearance from 13.3 to 16.2 L.h.1, half-life of the distribution phase from 0.6 to 0.9 min, and half-life of the elimination phase from 21 to 26 min. These results were used to calculate the rate of perfusion of morphine for rabbits to obtain desired, controlled, and constant concentrations of morphine in tissues. In the second experiment, three rabbits received a perfusion of morphine intravascularly at a rate of 2 mg/kg/h for a period of 3 h. These rabbits were sacrificed and analyses performed on several abdominal and thoracic organs. Results showed that the concentrations of morphine differed according to the organ analyzed, but were reproducible for organs between animals. These concentrations were similar to those normally encountered in cases of human death due to heroin overdoses.

Animals↗

Determination of drug levels in larvae of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) reared on rabbit carcasses containing morphine.

This study concerns the determination of morphine concentrations in fly larvae reared on rabbits administered different concentrations of morphine and a correlation between concentrations of the drug in larvae and tissues. Three rabbits (R1, R2 and R3) were given dosages of 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0 mg/h of morphine over a 3 h period via continuous ear artery perfusion. These dosages and time of perfusion were calculated to create tissue concentrations of morphine similar to those encountered in human death due to overdose. Morphine blood level plateau was attained after 1 h of perfusion. A fourth rabbit was used as a control. To evaluate drug concentrations, tissues were sampled using a coelioscopic technique. Approximately 400 eggs of Lucilia sericata, all of the same age category, were placed in eyes, nostrils and mouth of each rabbit carcass. Larvae and puparia were regularly collected from each rabbit for toxicological analysis. The concentrations of the drug in the tissues sampled were determined to be similar to those normally encountered in human overdoses and were correlated with the dosage of morphine that had been administered. Morphine was detected in all larvae and pupae fed on tissues from carcasses administered morphine, except for puparia from the colony fed on the R1 animal which received 12.5 mg/h dosage of morphine. All samples from the control rabbit were negative for morphine. Concentrations of morphine in larvae reared on rabbit carcasses containing morphine were 30 to 100 times lower than the concentrations found in the tissues. A correlation between the tissue concentrations and larval concentrations was found in only 3rd instar larvae (80 to 140 h following hatching). No correlations were found between administered dosages, tissue concentrations and younger larvae, prepuparial larvae or puparia.

Animals↗

Effects of morphine in decomposing bodies on the development of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

This study concerns the effects of morphine in tissues on the rate of development of Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) using those tissues as a food source. Lucilia sericata is a species of fly commonly found on human corpses in Europe during the early stages of decomposition and thus of forensic interest. Three rabbits were administered 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0 mg/h of morphine chlorhydrate via ear perfusion over a period of 3 h. These dosages and duration of perfusion were calculated to give tissue concentrations of morphine similar to those encountered in fatal human overdoses. A fourth rabbit was used as a control. Following administration of the drug, rabbits were sacrificed and 400 eggs of Lucilia sericata, all of the same age, were placed in the eyes, nostrils and mouth of each rabbit. Developing larvae were sampled daily to determine growth rate and weight. Puparia and emerging adult flies were also sampled. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's T-test. Results of this study show that an underestimation of the postmortem interval of 24 h is possible if the presence of morphine in tissues is not considered. This study demonstrates again the necessity of considering the possible effects of drugs in tissues on insect growth rates when estimating the postmortem interval using entomological techniques.

Animals↗

Medical responsibility and air transport.

When a medical emergency occurs during a flight operated by a commercial airline, the assistance of a physician-passenger fortuitously present aboard may be requested. This physician becomes bound by both his professional and civil responsibilities. However, in the case of a serious problem, he would usually ignore the question of the jurisprudence of the country where the emergency occurs. In discussing this issue, this paper analyses different situations and risks that the physician may incur and points out various defects in the law not currently covered by existing international conventions.

Aerospace Medicine↗

[Infection with hepatitis C virus in a prison environment. A prospective study in Loos-lez-Lille, France].

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) markers, and risk factors of contamination in a prison population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight hundred and six prisoners were prospectively included, at the moment of their imprisonment, between December 1st 1995 and May 31st 1996. Each prisoner was included in a group "drug abusers" or "non drug abusers" based on a clinical examination. Serum anti-HCV antibodies were tested in each group. Other risk factors were also analysed (type of drug abuse, share of syringes and needles, blood transfusion, haemodialysis, and hemophilia). RESULTS: Among the 806 prisoners, 30.3% were anti-HCV positive. Four hundred and thirty nine prisoners (54.4%) were placed in the "drug abuser" group and 367 (45.5%) in the "non drug abuser" group. In the first group, 55.6% were anti-HCV positive (80% of the prisoners who were intravenous drug users and 10.8% for the others) and 4.2% were anti-HCV positive in the second group. CONCLUSIONS: Half of the prisoners entering our center were drug abusers and half were anti-HCV antibody positive. HCV infection is a major public health problem in prison.

Adolescent↗

Immunoassay of digoxin in hair.

Digoxin analysis in blood is an essential tool for therapeutic drug monitoring in cardiology because compliance with the treatment is a critical issue for the patient. Unfortunately, in postmortem cases blood digoxin concentration is of poor quality because there is a possible drug redistribution in the corpse and because of digoxin-like factors present in some people's blood. On the other hand, no biological fluid can be obtained at the autopsy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of an immunological method to determine digoxin in hair, in order to confirm that hair analysis can provide information on digoxin use before death. We studied 35 elderly patients who had been taking digoxin (60-250 micrograms/day) for 1-5 years. Two decontamination procedures were tested: washing by dichloromethane or by water and methanol. Three extraction procedures were compared: crushing in a ball mill and chloroform/acetone: crushing and methanol; enzymatic digestion. Immunoassays were performed by a microparticulate enzyme immunoassay. Serum digoxin levels were also assayed when sampling hair. The best results were obtained after decontamination with water and methanol followed by enzymatic digestion. Hair digoxin concentrations range from 3.6 to 11.4 pg/mg. Those very low concentrations are probably due to low and narrow range serum digoxin levels (0.3-1.4 ng/ml). No correlation was found between hair and blood digoxin. A forensic case is presented with 5 pg/mg digoxin in hair.

Aged↗

[The previous status].

The assessment of the condition prior to the traumatism by the expert is one of the main point of the medico-legal expertise and also one of most difficult. The aim of the report is to inform the settler, magistrate or insurance company, in a field in which he is not competent. He will have particularly to precise what has been the simultaneous evolution of the condition prior to the traumatism and of the traumatism. The consequences will be different according to the legislation.

Disease↗

A fatal case of buflomedil self-poisoning: toxicological data and literature review.

A fatal case of buflomedil (Fonzylane) self-poisoning is presented. Drug identification and quantification in postmortem blood, urine and gastric contents was achieved by means of high pressure liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC/DAD). Blood concentration was 275 micrograms/ml, > 70 times the usual therapeutic values. Toxicological results are discussed in the light of the existing literature.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

[Behçet disease. Comparative aspect of diagnostic criteria].

OBJECTIVES: Different diagnostic criteria for Behçet's disease are proposed in the literature. We compared the criteria proposed by Mason and Barnes with those proposed by the International Study Group and with those proposed by the Japanese committee. METHODS: This retrospective study included 41 patients with Behçet's disease according to the criteria set by Mason and Barnes. There were 16 patients of French origin and 25 patients of North African origin. RESULTS: Genital ulcerations were more frequent in the North African population (p < 0.007) and typical Behçet skin lesions were more frequent in the French population (p < 0.021). Comparing the clinical data among the 41 patients with Behçet's disease according to the Mason-Barnes criteria revealed that only 83% met the criteria set by the International Study Group and only 54% the criteria of the Japanese committee. For the International Study Group criteria, the requirement for recurrent buccal ulcerations with at least 3 episodes over a 12 month period (a major criteria) was the most limiting element. Likewise, genital ulcerations were not always recurrent. CONCLUSION: These findings confirm the variability of clinical manifestations of Behçet's disease with ethnic origin. Proposed diagnostic criteria vary depending on the study committee and should be used as diagnostic guidelines rather than as criteria required for positive diagnosis.

Adult↗

[Predictive signs of cancers in dermatomyositis. Study of 29 cases].

Dermatomyositis (DM) is characterized by an inflammatory myopathy and typical cutaneous lesions. In a retrospective study, 29 adult cases without overlap syndrome were reviewed. Our aim was to define predictive signs of cancer. Ten (four women, six men) of the 29 patients (35%) had DM associated with malignancy. The diagnosis of cancer was made concomitantly in six cases, more than year after (two cases), more than year prior to (two cases) the occurrence of DM. No extensive diagnosis procedures were necessary for identifying the tumors. A paraneoplasic evolution was certain for any patient, probable for six, improbable for fourth. For the group with malignancy: age was higher (P = 0.01), albumin lower (P = 0.04), C reactive protein higher (P = 0.0061). These parameters seem to have predictive value for the presence of malignancy.

Adult↗

Conjunctival biopsy in scleroderma and primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca complicates both scleroderma and Sjögren's syndrome. Scleroderma of recent onset is difficult to diagnose, but is easily recognized late in its course. To assess the value of the conjunctival biopsy in the diagnosis of scleroderma, we used light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy to compare in a masked fashion specimens from 21 patients with scleroderma and 14 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. Epithelial changes permitted diagnosis of early scleroderma in the two groups of patients. Lymphocytic infiltrate was always present in Sjögren's syndrome, but not in scleroderma. Fibrosis was always found in scleroderma, even in scleroderma of recent onset, but was absent in Sjögren's syndrome. The fibrosis was distributed around capillaries in a band-like pattern and was associated with degranulating mast cells. Conjunctival biopsy is valuable for the early diagnosis of scleroderma and for differentiating between scleroderma and primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Adult↗