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Biomedical subjects

J R Viallat

Publications and source records attributed to J R Viallat.

60 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) skin tests: its relevance in carcinology (author's transl)].

The skin response to 1 microgram Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was studied in 359 subject including 235 cancer patients and 124 without cancer. Responses to PHA, tuberculin, candidin were compared. A positive skin response to PHA was observed in 88% of patients without malignancy. This percentage remained almost equal in older patients (more than 70 years). Among patients with advanced malignancies, there was a fall down to 64.5% of the percentage of positive responses. A negative response to both PHA and tuberculin was observed in 6% of patients without malignancy and 28% of cancer patients. 38 +/- 5 days was the average survival of this last group. The arguments favouring the fact that PHA induces cutaneous basophilic hypersensitivity are reviewed. An advantage of this test is that no presensitization is required.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Double-blind study of an immunomodulator of bacterial origin (Biostim) in the prevention of infectious episodes in chronic bronchitis].

A double-blind trial was conducted to evaluate the capacity of an immunomodulator of bacterial origin (Biostim) to diminish the frequency of infectious episodes in chronic bronchitis. The study duration was 9 months, Biostim being administered orally initially, with follow-up examinations after 2 and 4 months. Of the 73 subjects selected, 38 received Biostim and 35 a placebo (no significant differences between the two groups). By the 9th month, the duration in days of infectious episodes and of antibiotic therapy was 13 +/- 1.3 and 11.5 +/- 1.4 days respectively for the group receiving Biostim, and 33 +/- 5.8 and 41 +/- 9.5 respectively for the placebo group (p less than 0.05). No signs of intolerance and particularly no immunotoxicity were observed: absence of elevation of IgE or anti-Biostim antibody titres. Pre-winter administration of Biostim to subjects at high risk would appear to significantly diminish the frequency of infectious episodes and thus the consumption of antibiotics.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Clinical aspects and course of 38 cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma observed in the Marseilles region].

Epithelial or mixed mesotheliomas were detected in 38 patients in the region of Marseilles over a period of 9 years. Though an occupational element was involved in 80% of cases, no history of contact with asbestos could be obtained in certain of the patients. Confirmation of diagnosis requires wide pleural biopsies, because of the high level of false negatives and false positives from cytology and pleural needle biopsy. Hyaluronic acid levels are significant only when they are markedly enhanced. Local and regional tumor spread provides an aid to prognosis, but authentic metastases, with further worsening of prognosis, were detected in more than 75% of patients while still alive. Nodules appeared along the course of punctures of drainage tubes or in thoracotomy scars in 56% of cases, and appear to be a very frequent and characteristic feature of mesothelioma. Their therapy involves preventive irradiation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Thoracoscopy in 1980. A general review (author's transl)].

Examining the literature and their own experience, the authors reviewed the methods, the complications and indications of modern thoracoscopy. They considered the rigid cold light thoracoscope with diathermo-coagulation. The authors stressed the importance of the macroscopic appearance of the pleural cavity, and the need to take numerous biopsies. Several types of anesthesia can be used, although the authors prefer general anesthesia for the comfort of both the patient and the doctor. Complications are very rare, the main ones being hemorrhage, pulmonary perforation and contamination of the puncture route with cancer cells. The first two can be avoided by good technique and diathermo-coagulation. The latter can be prevented by systematic radiotherapy of the puncture route, in mesothelioma patients. Amongst the numerous indications mentioned, three are important: the etiological diagnosis of chronic effusion, where cancer is a major fear. In these cases, the authors get 97% of positive results. Spontaneous pneumothorax is also a good indication: thoracoscopy allows a useful separation of patients, into those who need surgical treatment, or those in whom local adhesion of the pleura with talcum powder would be effective. Finally, pulmonary biopsy via the thoracoscope is a reliable and effective technique in a large number of indications.

Anesthesia↗