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Biomedical subjects

J Marsac

Publications and source records attributed to J Marsac.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

[Human Pasteurella multocida infections. Value of serological diagnosis].

In five human cases of Pasteurella multocida infection, high titres of specific antibodies were found by indirect haemagglutination (capsular antigens) and agglutination (somatic antigens). The specificity of the antibodies fitted with the serotypes of the isolated strains (three A 3 and two A 7). Subsequent changes in antibody titres in human beings were similar to those observed in animals. The risk of this animal-acquired infection being probably underestimated in medical practice, the usefulness of these tests in human beings is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Variation of lung function during the workshift among cotton and jute workers.

Cotton and jute dust exposure is known to induce reversible airway obstruction. We compared 50 exposed workers to 99 non exposed workers for the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory impairment, and for variations in pulmonary function after five working days and after inhalation of salbutamol. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was not significantly different between the two groups. Pulmonary function was not different on Monday morning, however, significant differences were observed on Friday afternoon. The exposed workers had a lower flow rate at 75% of exhaled forced vital capacity than controls (P less than 0.01). Salbutamol induced greater bronchodilatation in the exposed group. Comparison with a control group is necessary to take into account the change in pulmonary function. Repeated tests, combined with pharmacological tests, are able to differentiate the lung function pattern of exposed and non exposed workers.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Effect of betamethasone on airway obstruction and bronchial response to salbutamol in prednisolone resistant asthma.

Twelve patients with chronic severe asthma, having previously shown an FEV1 increase of less than 20% of the predicted value with prednisolone treatment (20-60 mg daily for 10 days), took part in a double blind crossover comparison of equipotent anti-inflammatory doses of betamethasone and prednisolone. Betamethasone (8 mg) and prednisolone (40 mg) were administered daily for 10 days with a washout period of 10 days between. In this first part of the study betamethasone was administered intramuscularly and prednisolone orally. Placebo injections and tablets were used. Mean FEV1 was not significantly different before each period. There was a significant increase in FEV1 while they were taking betamethasone but not prednisolone. Individual analysis of the data showed that FEV1 increased with betamethasone in nine patients and remained stable or decreased in three. During treatment with prednisolone baseline FEV1 increased moderately in three patients (FEV1 0.3, 0.5 and 0.6 l) and remained stable or decreased in nine. There was no significant difference between the bronchodilator responses to cumulative doses of inhaled salbutamol when they were measured immediately before, on the last day of treatment with each steroid, and between steroid treatment periods. The same protocol was followed four months later in five of the 12 patients but both drugs were administered orally on this occasion. Similar results were obtained. The greater effect of betamethasone on bronchial obstruction may be due to its longer biological half life or to some unidentified property of its metabolites. The bronchial response to inhaled beta 2 agonist appears not to be influenced by either steroid in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Specific antibody response to Pasteurella multocida.

Six patients with culturally proven Pasteurella multocida infection were evaluated serologically. The infections were 1 foot abscess, 1 septicemia, 3 bronchitis and 1 bronchopneumonia. Most of them were elderly women closely exposed to pets or domestic animals. The serotypes of the strains were determined in 5 cases (3 A3, 2 A7). Specific antibodies against capsular and somatic antigens of P. multocida were determined by indirect hemagglutination and agglutination respectively. The antibodies were strictly directed against the capsular and somatic specificities of the isolated strain. The range of the serum antibody titers were 20 to 2,560 to capsular antigens and 5 to 640 to somatic antigens within 2 weeks after the first clinical signs of infection. Several months after successful treatment, the capsular antibodies were lower while the somatic antibodies had almost disappeared. These findings suggest a good sensitivity for these serologic methods in active cases. Declining antibody titers follow healing. Cross-reactivity of the serologic tests with other bacteria was not observed. Serologic diagnosis of P. multocida infections is a possible alternative to direct diagnosis when cultures are negative or when unusual localizations must be confirmed.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Histamine release and local responses of rat and human skin to substance P and other mammalian tachykinins.

Substance P and two recently identified neurokinins, substance K and neuromedin K as well as the nonmammalian tachykinin kassinin were compared for histamine-releasing abilities from rat mast cells, plasma extravasation effects on rat skin, and wheal and flare responses on human skin. Among the four tachykinins, a significantly dose-dependent histamine release from rat mast cells and a flare response in human skin was observed only with substance P, indicating the possible implication of histamine in this response. On the other hand, the four peptides were similarly active on the wheal response (plasma extravasation produced by increased permeability of capillaries and venules) in human skin and on the plasma extravasation in the rat skin, suggesting a dissociation of effects and possibly of receptors.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

[Surgically-treated small size non-small cell bronchopulmonary cancers without adenopathies (T1NO). 5-year survival and site of recurrences].

From October, 1976 to February, 1982, 48 patients with T1N0 non-small cell bronchopulmonary carcinoma were operated upon at the Laennec Hospital, Paris. Their characteristics were: mean age 57 years (range: 43-80 years); sex ratio 23; type of surgery: 35 lobectomies, 11 pneumonectomies, 2 bilobectomies; histology: 30 epidermoid carcinomas, 15 adenocarcinomas, 3 bronchoalveolar carcinomas. On 1st January, 1983, 10 patients had relapsed after a mean complete remission period of 20 months (range: 2-29 months); 5 only had a local relapse. The actuarial probability of relapse at 5 years is 45%. Twelve patients died after a median survival of 21 months (range: 0-44 months). Of these, 3 died post-operatively, 8 after relapse and 1 of infarction during a first complete remission. Most relapses involved the mediastinum (50%) and the brain (30%). As the preventive role of mediastinal and cerebral irradiation has now been demonstrated in more extensive forms of non-small cell carcinomas, such irradiations would be justified in the T1N0 forms.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1984

[Sarcoidosis at the Cochin University Hospital Center from 1975 to 1982].

An analysis of 80 cases of sarcoidosis admitted to the departments of respiratory medicine (36), rheumatology (19) and internal medicine (25) over a 7 year period, revealed a wide range of clinical presentations; there was a higher incidence of associated disease and a greater number of localisations of the disease in patients admitted to the department of internal medicine than in those admitted to the other two departments. On the other hand, bronchial biopsy was more commonly positive in patients admitted to the department of respiratory medicine whose respiratory function was more disturbed than the patients in the other two departments. The patients referred to the departments of rheumatology and internal medicine without radiological respiratory involvement had respiratory function tests and positive alveolar lavages. The prognosis was the same in all three departments; 50 p. 100 were treated with steroids. The recruitment of the patients in this series allows a different evaluation of the disease compared to series reported from more specialised departments.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

[Emergency treatment of severe hemoptysis by embolization of systemic arteries].

Over a 6-year period 23 patients with massive haemoptysis were treated at the Hôpital Tenon, Paris. Eighteen of these, usually considered "non-surgical" cases, underwent emergency embolization of the bronchial artery (B.A.E.). The immediate outcome was favourable in 14 patients; 4 died of early recurrence. B.A.E. therefore appears to be a valuable treatment of massive haemoptysis in "non-surgical" patients or in patients awaiting transfer to a thoracic surgery unit. However, because of the failure rate, B.A.E. cannot compete with thoracic surgery in its classical indications, and its effectiveness and safety should be compared with those of balloon catheter endobronchial tamponade in "non-surgical" patients.

Bronchial Arteries↗
PubMed1983

[Computer-assisted teaching in pneumology. Application to the diagnosis of pulmonary opacities].

Computer assisted teaching in thoracic medicine (E.A.O.) is described for the recognition and diagnosis of pulmonary opacities. Two programmes were used, both designed specially for medical study:--the first programme was for the recognition of shapes for the beginner to read abnormal radiographs (chest opacities), and--a programme to teach the beginner the diagnosis and to formulate a diagnostic strategy (diagnosis of pulmonary opacities). Working areas consisting of an alpha-numeric keyboard with a display screen and a slide projector are at present installed in two CHU hospitals in Paris and are connected by a special telephone line to the central computer C1T12 (in the Faculty of Medicine). Four practicals, lasting about 6 hours and 22 simulated cases lasting 8 hours are provided each with illustrated commentaries for the different stages, covering the overall educational objectives of the medical practitioner. After two years of experimentation the method was given a good reception by the medical students. Full confirmation of the technique as well as an evaluation to compare the method to other forms of teaching are at present under study.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗
PubMed1983

[Theoretical cost of the medical treatment of a case of tuberculosis in France in 1982].

The theoretical cost of the medical treatment of a case of tuberculosis in France in 1982 was calculated after considering the price of diagnosis, drugs, in-patient care and follow up. For exclusively out-patient (ambulatory) care, 9 months treatment was 10 times less expensive than a therapeutic regime which included a hospital/sanatorium stay of four months followed by a return home. The major differences of theoretical costs involved were more closely related to location of treatment rather than either the drugs chosen (as Rifampicin was always used), or the type of follow up over 9 months.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed1983

[Respiratory handicap. Recognition, evaluation and social benefits].

The medico-social aspects of respiratory handicap pose some perplexing problems, notably in their recognition, rigorous evaluation and in the granting of social security benefits. The clinical and respiratory function data should be standardised and classified according to type and significance of respiratory disease and also according to the degree of co-operation and understanding of the patient. The respiratory handicap should be evaluated after considering the functional disability engendered by the disorder and their socio-professional repercussions. The abnormality in the lungs should be measured by resting tests; the degree of disability by exercise studies; the socio-professional handicap by ergonometric tests to assess the scale of the demands and requirements of family and social and professional life, indeed the cultural and economic style of the individual concerned. Such combined studies would enable recognition of severe chronic respiratory handicap leading to decisions for exemption certificates, such as cases of severe respiratory failure in patients requiring supplementary treatment for oxygen therapy or assisted ventilation. The benefits and grants offered to those with respiratory handicaps would involve a number of rights relating to: care, work, costs of replacement of workers in the event of prolonged sick leave or the benefits of an invalidity pension. There will be other allowances such as invalidity cards, lodging special studies and other rights particularly relating to lodging and special equipment. The present scale is difficult to use both because of its lack of specificity and its ill-chosen terminology. For better balance between the handicap and the benefits offered, a common and more flexible system, with a printed table should be at hand for the doctor to use for certain decisions: long term illness, period of invalidity or early retirement because of medical incapacity. Within each table a sub-section should exist to allow for certain aspects of legislation (accidents at work, occupational illness or rights under common law) at the same time certain adjustments may be necessary which take into account the patient, degree of autonomy life style and social and cultural level. A pilot study of respiratory handicap, to standardise tests, and co-ordinate the planning of the medical and social interactions for a better grasp of the disorder and greater uniformity of the regulations within each disablement benefit system as well as between various other social security regimes would be desirable.

Chronic Disease↗