Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to E Henry.
A patient with Fascioliasis developed polyradiculoneuritis and encephalopathy. The diagnosis was confirmed by an eosinophilia associated with positive serial serology tests. The disease regressed spontaneously. The immuno-allergic mechanism is discussed.
Among 1 186 neonates admitted consecutively to the Post-Royal intensive care Unit, 203 had respiratory distress, a chest roentgenogram typical of delayed resorption of lung fluid, and no other findings. Mean gestational age (GA) was 33 weeks and mean birth-weight (BW) was 1 948 g. Hood oxygen alone was used in 129 cases and intubation-ventilation-PEEP in 74 cases (46 of which were intubated before admission). The occurrence of radiological features was similar in ventilated and non-ventilated neonates : ground-glass pattern (70-80% of the cases), increased vascular markings (70-76%) enlarged right fissure (45%), thin lateral pleural density (24%) and normal cardio-thoracic ratio. The analysis of other prognostic factors showed that ventilated neonates had a significantly lower birth weight (1 689 g versus 2 097 g) and a significantly younger gestational age (31.9 versus 33.6). The study of DAa02 in non-ventilated neonates demonstrated wide individual variations, and the possibility of an early normal DAa02 but also of a late abnormal DAa02, with the associated risks of early hyperoxia or prolonged oxygen needs. In ventilated neonates, the mean duration of intubation was 4 days 13 hours; this duration decreased as the birth-weight rose. In view of the major role of BW and GA, the Port-Royal team advocates the direct admission to a neonatal intensive care unit of neonates with delayed resorption of lung fluid and a BW under 2 000 g. In this way, Pa02 can be closely monitored and artificial ventilation is readily available.
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Secondary tamponnade after cardiac surgery occurs after a variable period, generally between the 15th day and the 5th post-operative week. Although this is a rare complication, it occurred three times in a consecutive series of 225 patients (1.3 p. 100). Based on this short experience as compared to the number of cases already published, the authors discuss their opinions on: -- the factors of inflammation and post-operative anticoagulation which predispose to this complication; -- the progress in diagnosis brought about by echocardiography; -- the minimal suggested management of pericardocentesis completed or not by surgical drainage; -- the possibilities of prevention based on prolonged follow-up of patients who present post-operative "pericardial problems". In this way it may be possible to eliminate a not negligeable cause of secondary mortality after cardiac surgery.
The authors analyzed the progress in the prevention of thrombo-embolic risk in 550 pneumonectomies divided chronologically in 4 groups : without anticoagulant treatment, with post-operative anti-vitamin K, with post-operative calcium heparinate, with pre and post-operative calcium heparinate. This study revealed the necessity of a pre-operative systematic preventive treatment : systematic, as there is no biological reason enabling the prevention of thrombosis risk. Pre-operative, because venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism can occur very early.
The results of radiological examination of the thorax and abdomen were studied in premature babies with Rhesus incompatibility. In the 53 cases where Rhesus incompatibility was the only abnormal finding, various measurements were made on the radiological images: cardiothoracic index, liver and spleen, distances between the digestive tract loops and the thoracic wall. The same measurements were made in two groups of premature babies, born at the same period of gestation, who acted as controls. The most frequently observed thoracic abnormality was interstitial edema with hypervascularization (50% of the moderate forms) which was present in 14 of the 18 severe cases. Total opacity of both lung fields was noted with the same frequency in the severe forms with anasarca as in the moderate forms without clinical edema. The cardiothoracic index was increased in 40% of the moderate cases and in all severe cases (normal values for premature babies of 30 to 36 weeks: 0.48 +/- 0.04). Pleural effusions were present in 20% of the moderate, and 6 out of 18 severe cases. Abdominal organ measurements in the two control groups were as follows: --premature babies (34 to 36 weeks): --liver: 47 mm +/- 5.3, --spleen: 11.5 mm +/- 2.1, --distance between loops and wall: 7.1 mm +/- 1.4. --premature babies (30 to 33 weeks): --liver: 41 mm +/- 4.7, --spleen: 10.4 mm +/- 3.4, --distance between loops and wall: 6.4 mm +/- 1.2. The babies with Rhesus incompatibility had hepatosplenomegaly which was constant in all severe cases but present in only 70% of moderate cases, an increased distance between the digestive loops and the thoracic wall in all severe forms, and in 15% of moderate forms without clinical ascites. Normal radiological images developed after about 5 days for thoracic signs, and between 7 and 10 days for abdominal signs. Complete recovery occurred in all cases, even severe, except one case, where Rhesus incompatibility was the only abnormality. In 22 cases, Rhesus incompatibility was associated with another disorder: in 12 cases a hyaline membrane was present which radically changed the prognosis (8 deaths secondary to this infection out of a total of 12 deaths). Apart from the study of the Rhesus abnormality, a systematic examination of the size of the liver and the spleen, and measurements of the distances between digestive tract loops and thoracic wall in the first thoraco-abdominal radiological image in a premature baby, can be of diagnostic value for intraperitoneal infections and eflusions of the new-born.
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Lymphocytes from control donors and from cancer patients have been tested for antitumor, cell-mediated immunity against various melanoma and breast cancer target cell cultures with a microcytotoxicity assay. Control lymphocytes inhibited growth of target cells with high frequency, particularly with cell line, as opposed to short-term, cultures. Inhibition was not found for all target cells tested at a given time with a single preparation of lymphocytes. Sequential studies over a 2-year period with lymphocytes from the same control donors showed fluctuations of inhibition against the same target cells. With serial passage, the target cells also changed in their susceptibility to destruction by control lymphocytes. Lymphocytes from melanoma patients were more inhibitory than control lymphocytes for one melanoma target cell culture but not for two other melanoma cultures. Significant inhibition by lymphocytes from melanoma patients was not seen against two cultures derived from breast cancer patients. Lymphocytes from breast cancer patients were more inhibitory than control lymphocytes for 4 of 5 breast cancer cultures and they did not inhibit two melanoma cultures. Significantly specific inhibition was seen with short-term, but not cell line, breast cultures. The over-all data show specificity for target cells of the appropriate histological type. However, the high and inconstant reactivity of control lymphocytes in this assay suggests that nonspecific inhibition of tumor target cells by patient lymphocytes is found in many experiments. It is concluded that the microcytotoxicity assay is not suitable for clinical studies, since sequential data obtained in individual patients are difficult to interpret.
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A cardiac transplantation was performed on November 28, 1968. This was the only one undertaken at Marseilles. After a survival period, now exceeding 6 years, the patient has had an almost normal activity. The course of this patient, the follow-up elements, the incidents and complications during this period were analysed. It was insisted upon the interest of following up the coagulation tests for the preclinical detection of rejection or menacing rejection. Practically uninterrupted heparin treatment during the 6 years might have been an element for this prolonged survival.