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Biomedical subjects

J Barrat

Publications and source records attributed to J Barrat.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Safety study of the SAG2 rabies virus mutant in several non-target species with a view to its future use for the immunization of foxes in Europe.

The safety of the SAG2 virus, a low virulence mutant of the SAD strain, was investigated in ten species of mammals and seven species of birds liable to consume vaccine baits. These species are the western hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), the meadow vole (Microtus arvalis), the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus), the water vole (Arvicola terrestris), the field mouse (Apodemus flavicollis or A. sylvaticus), the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), the european badger (Meles meles), the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo), the wild boar (Sus scrofa), the domestic goat (Capra hircus), the carrion crow (Corvus corone), the rook (Corvus frugilegus), the buzzard (Buteo buteo), the red kite (Milvus milvus), the tawny owl (Strix aluco), the long-eared owl (Asio otus) and the barn owl (Tyto alba). The vaccine was administered orally to each species, by an intramuscular (i.m.) route to the rodents and ferret, and by an intracerebral route to the field mouse. No pathogenicity was observed in the 169 animals vaccinated throughout an observation period of over 30 days. After euthanasia, no rabies virus could be detected either in the brain or in the salivary glands of any of the animals. The SAG2 virus administered orally, triggered a specific seroconversion in the field mouse, wild boar, ferret and most of the raptors. Following administration by the i.m. route, specific antibody titres were observed in most of the rodents, as well as in the ferrets.

Animals↗

Environmental and human influence on the ecology of Trichinella spiralis and Trichinella britovi in Western Europe.

Surveys on Trichinella parasites in domestic and sylvatic animals collected in France, Italy, and in the Extremadura region of Spain showed that the distribution of Trichinella spiralis and Trichinella britovi is influenced by both environmental and human behaviour factors. In France, both Trichinella species are prevalent in the fox population from mountain areas and natural parks but are infrequent in wild boars (< 0.001%). In Italy, only T. britovi is present in sylvatic animals (foxes, wolves, and mustelids) living 500 m above sea level. This species is rare in wild boars (< 0.001%) in that area. Sylvatic trichinellosis is found in only 24% and 34% of French and Italian territory, respectively, while lowland areas may generally be considered Trichinella-free, because the domestic cycle is absent. The ecology of T. spiralis and T. britovi in the Extremadura shows a different picture from that observed in France and Italy because of the presence of both domestic and sylvatic cycles. The domestic cycle not only allows the maintenance of T. spiralis in the domestic environment, but it also has a great impact on the prevalence in wild boar populations. It does not influence the prevalence in vulpine populations. These data suggest (1) that domestic trichinellosis occurs only in rural areas of Western Europe in association with traditional swine-rearing practices, but not in industrialized pig farms; (2) that sylvatic trichinellosis occurs only in natural habitats which, in Western Europe, are widespread in mountain areas; (3) that the fox is the primary reservoir in the sylvatic cycle, where the parasite is maintained in a closed circuit and (4) that among sylvatic animals T. spiralis is present at lower altitude than is T. britovi.

Animals↗

Comparison of the efficacy of the antirabies vaccines used for foxes in France.

Three manufactured antirabies vaccine baits made with the SAD B19, SAG 1 or VRG viruses have been used in a large scale programme in France since 1986. All three baits were found to be effective in achieving a significant decrease in the incidence of rabies, or even its local eradication. The VRG vaccine bait was found to be the most efficient, and resulted in rabies elimination in a non-alpine region after only two campaigns. The fact that the VRG-vaccinated bait was significantly better than the others was probably due to the better conservation of this vaccine and the bait casing in the environment even under summer conditions. The stability of the SAG 1 vaccine bait was improved in 1992, and it has since been giving good results. The choice of the pattern of the vaccination periods appeared to be a determining factor: distribution during spring, then autumn, then spring was found to be more efficient than a distribution during autumn, then spring, then autumn. A distribution of VRG bait during the summer of 1992 was far less efficient due to the lower percentage of foxes that take the baits during this period, despite the proven stability of the baits in such conditions.

Animal Feed↗

[Locoregional recurrences of breast cancer].

AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the characteristics of 51 cases of isolated local regional breast cancer recurrence. METHODS: Retrospective study from 1980 to 1992, survival calculated according to Kaplan-Meier and log-rank test. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients had had a conservative treatment of her primary tumour, 26 had been treated by modified radical mastectomy. Local regional recurrence rate was 9%: 44% of recurrences after lumpectomy and 43% of recurrences after mastectomy occurred within 2 years after the initial treatment. Site of local regional recurrence was chest wall only (16 cases), breast only (15 cases) or axillary or supraclavicular node with or without chest wall or breast involvement (20 cases). The actuarial 5-year survival rate after recurrence is 54%. It depends on the time to recurrence (40% if time to recurrence was less than 2 years, 68% if more than 2 years, p < 0.10), on initial node involvement (36% for N+, 71% for N-, p < 0.15) and on the site of recurrence (chest wall: 43%; breast: 48%; regional node: 12%, p < 0.10). CONCLUSION: Like in the literature, severe recurrences are early recurrences, lymph node recurrences and recurrences following a primary tumour with involved axillary nodes.

Actuarial Analysis↗

[Hysterectomy. Indications, abuse, psychological impact].

Statistical surveys have established that, in France, hysterectomy was carried out too frequently: 50 to 70,000 hysterectomies (perhaps only 40,000) are carried out each year in our country. This fact, together with the deleterious psychological effects of this operation, have urged the authors to express some remarks on the current practice of hysterectomy in France. The currently approved indications are the following: invasive cancer, benign lesions with intractable disabling symptoms and technical requirements (e.g. cure of prolapse in the elderly). Bleeding due to fibromyomas should be managed with conservative means as much as possible. Infections are within the scope of medical treatment. When an hysterectomy is indicated, the vaginal route should be preferred whenever possible, due the lesser impact on the body image and personality. The adverse psychological effects of hysterectomy are due to several factors: fear of the operation, pain, possible complications, breach of the femininity, alteration of the body image, fear of menopause and ageing. These effects could be reduced by an accurate information of the patient on the actual consequences of the operation, which are far from considerable, specially if the hormonal secretion is preserved. Also, a certain period of time between the decision and the operation might help to further reduce this psychological impact.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Induction of amenorrhea during hormone replacement therapy: optimal micronized progesterone dose. A multicenter study.

The effects of oral micronized progesterone on the endometrium and bleeding pattern have been assessed in a multicenter study of 101 postmenopausal patients. During a minimum of 6 cycles, the participants received either percutaneous 17 beta-estradiol (1.5 mg/day) associated with micronized progesterone (100 mg/day), given at bedtime for 21/28 days or 25 days/calendar month (n = 98) [1], or E2 (3 mg/day) for 25 days associated with progesterone (300 mg/day), from day 16 to day 25 (n = 3) [2], according to their willingness to induce, or not, cyclic withdrawal bleeding. Each endometrial biopsy performed at 6-month minimum was assessed by two independent pathologists: results showed 61% quiescent without mitosis, 23% mildly active with very rare mitoses and 8% partial secretory endometrium. The remaining biopsies showed inadequate tissue (4%) or a sub-atrophy (4%). No hyperplasia was found by any pathologist. In the case of inadequate material, the mean thickness of endometrial mucosa measured by ultrasonography was 3.9 mm. Amenorrhea incidence was 93.3 and 91.6% at the 3rd and 6th month of therapy, respectively. No bleeding occurred in more than 80% of women. The results show that a low dose of oral progesterone (100 mg/day), given during 25 days, efficiently protects the endometrium by fully inhibiting mitoses and induces amenorrhea in the majority of postmenopausal women, allowing better compliance to long-term therapy.

Administration, Oral↗

Therapeutic abortion during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy using a synthetic derivative of prostaglandin E2, sulprostone, administrated intravenously. Based upon 182 cases.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to assess the efficacy of and adverse events linked to the use of intravenous sulprostone during the 2nd or 3rd trimesters of pregnancy for therapeutic abortion. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred eighty-two patients (70 nulliparous, 112 multiparous) were hospitalized for therapeutic abortion. The route of administration was invariably intravenous and one single dose of sulprostone was used: 1000 micrograms of sulprostone diluted in 1 l of isotonic saline solution given as a 10-h infusion. RESULT: Expulsion within the first 24 h was obtained in 70% of cases with a mean induction-expulsion interval of 14 h. In three cases, laparotomy was required for hemorrhagic syndromes. CONCLUSION: Intravenous sulprostone enable evacuation of uterine contents with minimal adverse reaction. Attention should nevertheless be drawn to the existence of hemorrhagic syndromes.

Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal↗

Intravenous sulprostone and uterine scarring based upon 22 cases of therapeutic abortion during 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy.

A preliminary study in 22 patients with uterine scarring was undertaken using sulprostone by intravenous infusion when therapeutic abortion was deemed necessary during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. The dosage used was 500 micrograms by slow infusion lasting 10 h. There were no cases of ruptured uterus. Adverse reactions were absent. Results were satisfactory. Mean induction-expulsion duration: 11 h. Expulsion rate in 24 h: 63%. With strict monitoring and in a specialized center, this technique may be suggested when a late therapeutic abortion with a scarred uterus is indicated.

Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal↗

Efficacy of three oral rabies vaccine-baits in the red fox: a comparison.

The three commercial vaccine-baits currently available in western Europe were fed to caged red foxes. The vaccines were: SADB19, Bundesforschunganstalt für Viruskrankheiten der Tiere-Tübingen, Germany: a live attenuated rabies strain; SAG1 VIRBAC, France: low pathogenicity mutant of the SAD strain and "Raboral", Rhône-Mérieux, France: a vaccinia rabies glycoprotein recombinant (V-RG). Protection rates conferred by the vaccine-baits were respectively 7 of 15 (SADB19), 5 of 9 (SAG1) and 6 of 12 (V-RG) when the vaccinated foxes were challenged intramuscularly with 10(4.7) Mice Intra-Cerebral Lethal Doses 50% (MICLD50) of rabies virus which killed all of 6 unvaccinated control foxes.

Administration, Oral↗

Current status of fox rabies in Europe.

There was a general decline in animal rabies in Europe in 1991 following the peak levels which occurred in 1989. This was ascribed, in France at least, to the normal decline in cases usually experienced following peak occurrence and also to oral immunization of foxes against rabies. European countries in which rabies occurs may be infected by fox, insectivorous bat or dog rabies. This paper makes a general summary of the rabies situation in Europe in 1991 and presents data obtained in 1991 from 15 European countries using oral vaccination against fox rabies.

Animals↗

Aspects of rabies infection and control in the conservation of the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) in the Serengeti region, Tanzania.

Lycaon pictus is amongst the most endangered wildlife species in Africa. In 1990 rabies virus was isolated from the brain of an adult Lycaon found dead in the Serengeti region of Tanzania. One adult and six pups of the same pack feeding on the carcass showed clinical signs and rabies was suspected; within two days they had disappeared and are presumed to have died. Subsequently, two Lycaon packs in the Serengeti National Park were given inactivated rabies vaccine either by dart or by parenteral inoculation following anaesthesia. Lycaon sera which had been collected over the previous two years and sera collected pre- and post-vaccination were examined for the presence of rabies virus neutralizing antibody. Three of 12 unvaccinated Lycaon had antibody levels > 0.5 IU/ml; post-vaccination samples from two Lycaon showed increased antibody levels. Between four and ten months post-vaccination, at least four of the vaccinated animals had died from unknown causes. Issues relating to wildlife vaccination and veterinary intervention in conservation are discussed.

Animals↗

SAG-2 oral rabies vaccine.

The live modified rabies virus vaccine strain SAG-2 was selected from SADBerne in a two step process employing anti-rabies glycoprotein monoclonal antibodies. The first two nucleotides coding for the amino acid in position 333 of the rabies glycoprotein are mutated. Arginine at position 333, which is associated with rabies pathogenicity, was substituted first by lysine and then by glutamic acid. The two nucleotide differences at position 333 in SAG-2 to any of six possible arginine triplets translated into excellent genetic stability and apathogenicity for adult mice, foxes, cats and dogs. The vaccination of foxes and dogs by the oral route provided protection against a lethal challenge with rabies virus.

Animals↗

[Castleman's disease localized in the uterus or an inflammatory uterine pseudotumor. A case report and review of the literature].

The authors report a case of Castleman's disease localised to the uterus. The treatment was surgical removal of the lesion with conservation of the uterus. Though in localised forms the prognosis is always favourable, multicentered lesions can suggest lymphoma. In our case that we report the anatomo-pathological appearances were not characteristic and this has led the authors to think of a differential diagnosis such as an inflammatory pseudo-tumour of the uterus of which only two cases have been previously reported.

Adolescent↗

[The effect of peridural analgesia on uterine contractions].

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of 0.25% bupivacaine on the frequency and intensity of uterine contractions. METHODOLOGY: 52 patients in labour. Continuous internal tokographic measurement of uterine activity at 10 minutes before instilling the bupivacaine and at 30 minutes after doing so. The true frequency and intensity of the uterine contractions were the two parameters that were studied. RESULTS: There was a significant variation (matched Student's test) between the two parameters that were studied: there was transitory hypokinesia (p = 0.003) and intense prolonged hyperkinesia (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: 0.25% bupivacaine produces hyperkinetic increases in intensity of the contractions of which the mechanism has not been elucidated; therefore it is inadvisable to add oxytocics in the minutes after instilling bupivacaine.

Analgesia, Epidural↗

[Breast cancer and pregnancy].

Breast cancer is generally believed to carry a worse prognosis during pregnancy because of the potential adverse effects of anticancer treatments on the fetus and of pregnancy related hormonal and immunological modifications on the disease. Problems arise both with breast cancers diagnosed during or immediately after pregnancy and with pregnancies occurring in patients previously treated for breast cancer. The incidence of these problems is difficult to estimate, in part because pregnancy-related changes in the breasts obscure clinical and radiological manifestations. Prognosis depends more on patient age than on gestational age at diagnosis. Other prognostic factors include size of the tumor and node involvement. Although the outcome of N+ tumors is more severe during pregnancy, overall the poor prognosis of breast cancer during pregnancy is due to the young age of patients and pregnancy has no bearing on prognosis after adjustment for stage. Similarly, women who become pregnant after being treated for breast cancer do not have worse outcomes. Management is difficult because some treatments cannot be used during pregnancy; the approach is similar to that used in non-pregnant women, although chemotherapy should be given only after 14 or 15 weeks gestational age and irradiation therapy only after delivery.

Adult↗

[Local and long-term systemic risks of silicone breast implants].

A woman of 59 years of age, who had bilateral breast implants, 20 years earlier, presented with both breasts hard, inflamed and ulcerated, which suggested bilateral siliconomas. Bilateral mastectomy was carried out in two stages because she developed disseminated intravascular coagulation during the first operation.

Breast Diseases↗