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Biomedical subjects

P Verger

Publications and source records attributed to P Verger.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

[Rhône-Alpes observatory of Streptococcus pneumoniae in 1999: 35 cases of meningitis].

In 1999, in Rhône-Alpes region, in a survey of resistance to antibiotics of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 35 cases of meningitis were observed. A retrospectic questionnary was sent to each participant. MICs to Penicillin, Amoxicillin and Cefotaxime were determined with ATB-PNEUMO gallery or E-test and by disk diffusion for the other antibiotics. The results were interpreted according to the recommendations of the CA-SFM. Mean age was 38.1 years (range : 1 month -78 years) and sex-ratio 2/5. Eight patients had previously received antibiotics, 22 patients had risk factors and 23 were transferred in intensive care unit. The patients received C3G + glycopeptide in 15 of 16 children and in 13/19 adults according to the consensus recommendations. Diagnostic was made on the direct examination of CSF in 83%, and blood cultures was positive in 74.3% of cases. The percentage of PRP was 48.6% with 17.1% of intermediate-amoxicilline and 14.3% intermediate-cefotaxime strains. Resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was 45.7%, to chloramphenicol 30% and to fosfomycin 6.9%. All the strains were susceptible to rifampicin and vancomycin. Among the 17 PRP strains, 7 were belonging to serotype 6 (6 in children). The clinical outcome was fatal in 7 male cases (20%), without risk factors in 3 children and 6 of 7 strains were susceptible to penicillin. Six patients (17%) had auditive and/or neurologic sequellaes. This study shows that nearly 50% of strains isolated in meningitis, in Rhône-Alpes region, were not susceptible to penicillin, and confirms the frequency of sequellaes while the mortality is not related with the resistance of strains to the antibiotics.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Dietary intakes and vitamin status of a sample of homeless people in Paris.

OBJECTIVE: To determine nutritional intake and vitamin status in a sample of homeless people who had been on the streets of Paris for more than 2 y. DESIGN: The nutritional status was evaluated by a 24 h recall questionnaire and by assay of circulating levels of vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, C and E. SETTING: The study was conducted in four accommodation centres of the SAMU Social of Paris (CHUSI units) from July 1999 to May 2000. SUBJECTS: A total of 329 homeless people were interviewed. Only 87 subjects, aged 26-76 y, were recruited based on seven selection criteria (over 18 y old, being homeless for more than 2 y, interviewed before taking a meal in the CHUSI units, good understanding of French, in a calm state, not coming from hospital or another CHUSI units, without any acute condition that might affect usual dietary habits), and completed the dietary questionnaire. Out of these 87, 71 agreed to blood sampling. RESULTS: In all 84% of the subjects declared that they drank alcoholic beverages regularly (175+/-167 g/day of alcohol), and 75.5% of the subjects also declared that they smoked. The mean total energy intake was 2111+/-1482 kcal/day for the men (8823.98+/-6194.76 kJ/day) and 1523+/-531 kcal/day for the women (6366.14+/-2219.58 kJ/day). Alcohol accounted for 44+/-30% and 19+/-17% of the total energy intakes (TEI) for the men and women, respectively. Proteins, lipids and carbohydrates accounted for 21+/-9, 23+/-14 and 57+/-16%, respectively, of the energy intake without alcohol for men, and 15+/-5, 22+/-11 and 62+/-14% EIWA for women. For all micronutrients, except for iron in the men, more than 50% of the population studied had intakes below the French recommendations for the adult population. All the women had calcium, vitamin E and vitamin B1 intakes below the recommendations for French women (900, 12 and 1.3 mg/day, respectively) in the general population. For the men, 98.7, 96.1 and 93.5% of the subjects had vitamin E, B1 and C intakes below the recommendations for French males in the general population (12, 1.5 and 80 mg/day, respectively). It is of note that subjects who ate in the CHUSI units more than once a day per week had significantly (P=0.018) higher intakes of vitamin C (27+/-38 mg/day) than did the subjects who ate in the CHUSI units less than once a day (8+/-12 mg/day). Measurement of serum vitamin levels demonstrated a deficiency in 95% of the subjects, mainly for vitamin C. The mean concentration in serum was 16+/-8 micromol/l, although 72% of the subjects had levels of 6 micromol/l. In contrast, 50.7, 42.2 and 35.2% of the subjects had high levels of vitamin B6, B12 and B1, respectively (100 nmol/l, 420 pmol/l and 40 micromol/l). CONCLUSION: Alcohol takes a high place in the diet of these homeless people. Although the total energy intake was too low, macronutrient intakes seem to be satisfactory in quality (well-balanced). However, calcium and vitamin C intakes were too low, and these deficiencies favour the development of disease (scurvy, asthenia, ecchymosis), in addition to alcohol-linked disease. Furthermore, the overexposure to vitamin B6, among the other B vitamins, is a matter of concern since it has been shown to be toxic in high doses.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Contaminants in organic and conventional foodstuffs in France.

The aim was to compare the levels of contamination in organic and conventional raw materials. To this end, the level of contamination by heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury), nitrates and nitrites, and some mycotoxins were monitored. Fifteen products were tested in their organic and conventional forms, including meat, milk, eggs, vegetables and cereals. The median levels of contamination were calculated and compared with the recommended or regulated maximum levels. The maximum levels were exceeded for lead in organic carrots and buckwheat, and in conventional wheat; for cadmium, in both organic and conventional buckwheat; for nitrates, in organic spinach; and for patulin in organic apples. Moreover, contamination of both conventional and organic wheat by deoxynivalenol was observed with a higher level in organic products. However, the health risk for consumers might be real only for the contamination by mycotoxins as the contaminated foods (apples, wheat) are the main contributors to total exposure.

Crops, Agricultural↗
PubMed2001

Calculation of the intake of three intense sweeteners in young insulin-dependent diabetics.

In 1994, European Directive 94/35/CE authorised the use as food additives of five intense sweeteners for which Acceptable Daily Intakes (ADI) were established. The same directive stipulated that member states should organise a monitoring system to determine the consumption of these substances. Diabetic children are normally considered to constitute a group with a high consumption of sweeteners (European Commission, 1998. Report on Methodology for the Monitoring of Food Additives Intake across the European Union. Report of the Scientific Cooperation, Task 4.2 SCOOP/INT/REPORT/2. European Commission Directorate General III, Brussels.). A stepwise approach to the food additive intake in the general population had shown that three of the five authorised intense sweeteners (aspartame, saccharin and acesulfame K) are used at particularly high levels in sugar-free foods and are also very commonly utilised as table-top sweeteners. This paper presents the results of a food intake survey conducted in a group of French, insulin-dependent children in 1997, aimed at estimating the Theoretical Maximum Daily Intake (TMDI) for these three sweeteners and comparing this with the relevant ADI values. A 5-day diary questionnaire was used to estimate the intake of sugar-free, artificially sweetened foods and table-top sweeteners. When assessing the intake of each additive, all sugar-free products were assumed to be sweetened using a single sweetener at its maximum authorised level. This study was performed in five age groups, and based on the mean and 97.5th percentile of the distribution of consumption, demonstrated that it was unlikely that total exposure could rise above the ADI.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Evaluation of the E-test and the ATB-PNEUMo battery for determining the beta-lactam MIC for Streptococcus pneumoniae in daily practice].

In 1999, during the survey of resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae to antibiotics by 31 clinical laboratories of Rhône-Alpes area, MIC to penicillin (P), amoxicillin (AMX) and cefotaxime (CTX) of 877 PRP strains or with a diameter of inhibition to oxacillin inferior to 26 mm, were determined by each institution by E-test (n = 220 strains) or ATB-PNEUMO (n = 657 strains). MICs of these three antibiotics were determined by dilution in agar medium by the coordinating center. The essential agreement was respectively for ATB-PNEUMO and E-test 89% versus 84% for P (p > 0.05), of 86% vs 79% for AMX (p < 0.01), and of 91% vs 86% for CTX (p = 0.03). When the strains were classified in clinical category, the differences were significant (p < 0.001) for AMX (85% vs 71%) and for CTX (82% vs 75%) but not for P (73% vs 78%). ATB-PNEUMO method was more sensitive than E-test for the detection of strains susceptible to P (90 vs 73%), to AMX (83 vs 78%) and to CTX (80 vs 72%) and for the strains intermediate to AMX (90 vs 78%). On the contrary, E-test is more specific than ATB-PNEUMO for the detection of P-resistant strains (94 vs 86%). Finally, the specificity of both methods is the same for detection of P-S, AMX-R and CTX-I strains.

Amoxicillin↗
PubMed2001

Iodine kinetics and effectiveness of stable iodine prophylaxis after intake of radioactive iodine: a review.

Ingestion of potassium iodide (KI) offers effective protection against irradiation of the thyroid after accidental exposure to radioactive iodine. This prophylaxis aims at rapidly obtaining maximal thyroid protection without adverse effects. This article reviews studies on iodine kinetics in humans and on the efficacy of KI in protecting the thyroid. In adults with normal thyroid function, ingestion of 100 mg of iodide just before exposure to radioactive iodine blocks at least 95% of the thyroid dose. If exposure persists after iodide ingestion (100 mg), the percentage of averted dose may decrease significantly. Daily ingestion of a dose of 15 mg of KI would then maintain the thyroid blockade at a level above 90%. The efficacy of iodide and the occurrence of antithyroid effects also depend on external and individual factors such as dietary iodine intake, thyroid function, and age. The KI dosage regimen should be adjusted for age at exposure. For the fetus, the newborn, children, and adolescents, the risk of radiation-induced thyroid cancer in case of accidental exposure to radioactive iodine justifies KI prophylaxis, despite the risk of hypothyroidism, especially in newborns. For the elderly, the benefits of KI may be lower than the risk of iodine-induced hyperthyroidism.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗
PubMed2000

Nutritional intakes of vegetarian populations in France.

OBJECTIVE: To assess food behaviour and determine nutritional intakes of various vegetarian populations in France. DESIGN: A five-day self-administered food record which was mailed to members of the three principal French vegetarian organisations. SUBJECTS: 145 subjects, aged 7-87 y; 94 classical vegetarians (19% of those contacted), 34 Hindu lactovegetarians (17% of those contacted) and 17 macrobiotic (34% of those contacted). SETTING: The survey was conducted between March 1997 and July 1997 in France. RESULTS: Vegetarianism in France is represented by three main classes of food behaviour: ovolactovegetarian (AAV), lactovegetarian (KRI) and macrobiotic (MMK). The geometric mean intakes ranged from 1952 kcal/d (KRI), 2051 kcal/d (MMK) to 2384 kcal/d (AAV) for males and from 1302 kcal/d (MMK), 1675 kcal/d (AAV) to 1804 kcal/d (KRI) for females, after adjusting for age and BMI. The energy consumption in the MMK group was significantly lower than that in the AAV (P<0.05) and KRI groups (P<0.01), respectively. A difference among groups was observed for females (P=0.0002), but not for males. The MMK group consumed less lipid than the other two vegetarian groups, 46 g/d for men and 38 g/d for women vs 80 g/d for men and 61 g/d for women in the AAV group and 93 g/d for men and 81 g/d for women in the KRI group, respectively. Differences with AAV and MMK were statistically significant (P<0.001 for men and women for both groups). Mean protein consumption ranged from 60 g/d (AAV), 64 g/d (KRI) to 77 g/d (MMK) for males and from 46 g/d (MMK), 50 g/d (AAV) to 58 g/d (KRI) for females. Mean carbohydrate intakes ranged from 247 g/d (AAV), 321 g/d (KRI) to 338 g/d (MMK) in males and from 209 g/d (MMK), 228 g/d (AAV) to 242 g/d (KRI) in females. There were no significant differences in protein and carbohydrate intakes between the groups. Median calcium intakes ranged from 758.2 mg/d (MMK), 863 mg/d (AAV) to 989.3 mg/d (KRI) for the men and from 500.8 mg/d (MMK), 863 mg/d (AAV) to 934 mg/d (KRI) for the women. In the men, there was no differences in daily calcium intakes between the three vegetarian groups. However, we found a significant difference for women (P=0. 0041). The women in the MMK group presented significantly lower daily calcium intakes than the women in the AAV (P=0.013) and KRI (P=0.0032) groups. The AAV and KRI groups consumed dairy products supplying respectively 36% and 53% for the men and 39% and 59% for the women of total calcium against 0% for men and women in the MMK group. Median iron intakes ranged between 12.5 mg/d (KRI), 13.2 mg/d (AAV) and 22.5 mg/d (MMK) for the men and between 11.2 mg/d (KRI), 14.6 mg/d (AAV) and 16.9 mg/d (MMK) for the women. MMK (men P=0.0172 and women P=0.0131) and AAV (only in men P=0.037) groups consumed significantly higher quantities of iron than did the KRI group. The heme iron median intake in males and females of the three vegetarian groups was very low (<0.5%). Overall, the female vegetarians consumed 58.1 (MMK), 109 (AAV) and 127.4 (KRI) mg of vitamin C per day and the males 76.3 (MMK), 150.4 (AAV) and 150.4 (KRI) mg per day. Median vitamin B9 intakes ranged from 247.5 microg/d (KRI), 312 microg/d (MMK) to 390.4 microg/d (AAV) for the men and from 188.3 microg/d (MMK), 266.9 microg/d (KRI) to 323.8 microg/d (AAV) for the women. Vitamin B12 consumption ranged from 0.2 microg/d (MMK), 1.5 microg/d (AAV) to 1.7 microg/d (KRI) in the women and from 0.6 microg/d (MMK) to 1.0 microg/d (AAV and KRI) in the men. No differences in consumption were observed in the males. On the other hand, the women in the MMK group consumed significantly less vitamin C and B12 than did the women in the AAV (P=0.0006) and KRI (P=0. 0396) groups, while it was at the limit of significance for the females (P=0.0715) for vitamin B9. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that vegetarians have a better understanding of dietary requirements than does the general population. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Estimation of the dietary intake of pesticide residues, lead, cadmium, arsenic and radionuclides in France.

Estimation of the dietary exposure of French consumers to 10 pesticides (omethoate, oxydemeton, phosalon, phosphamidon, triazophos, dicofol (op' + pp'), parathion ethyl, dichlorvos, procymidon and vinchlozolin), three heavy metals (lead, cadmium and arsenic) and three radionuclides (134caesium, 137caesium and 131iodine) from collected duplicate portion in mass catering establishments in 1998/1999 are reported, and compared with those from previous French studies as well as those from other countries. Dietary exposure estimates appear to be reassuring, in that Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) estimates are generally low, representing at maximum only 4% of the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for pesticide residues and 28% of the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) for heavy metals. Moreover, none of the three radionuclides has been found in duplicate meals. When comparisons are possible, estimated dietary exposures for heavy metals are lower than those from previous French studies and similar or above those from other countries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Risk factors for post traumatic stress symptoms five years after the 1992 flood in the Vaucluse (France)].

BACKGROUND: Natural disasters may induce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a severe and longlasting psychopathology, in exposed populations. In France, several natural disasters occurred in the past, but epidemiological data on their psychological consequences are scarce. In September 1992, a flood affected 63 municipalities in the Vaucluse, South of France, and resulted in 38 deaths. An epidemiological study was carried out in 1997 to evaluate the potential association between the degree of exposure to the flood and PTSD symptoms as well as PTSD risk factors. METHODS: A telephone survey was carried out in Bédarrides (5000 inhabitants), one of the most affected municipalities. Subjects residing in Bédarrides and older than 18 years at the time of the disaster were included in the study. Symptoms of PTSD were assessed using a structured questionnaire based on DSM-IV criteria and a PTSD score was calculated. Individual exposure was retrospectively assessed by questionnaire. To take into account the exposure level, an indicator of cumulated exposure was established. Multiple regression analyses were performed to explain the PTSD score. RESULTS: Five hundred individuals were interviewed with a 79% response rate. A significantly higher PTSD score was observed for females, subjects older than 35 years, subjects with a monthly income lower than 9000 FF, subjects with a history of psychological disorders or life-threatening traumatic event. A significant exposure-effect relationship was observed between the level of exposure to the flood and the PTSD score which was multiplied by 3.4 in most severely exposed individuals. An increased PTSD score was also observed in subjects residing in the flooded area and in those who benefited from psychological care at the time of the flood. CONCLUSION: These results, compatible with published results, suggest a long term psychological impact of the 1992 flood on the Bédarrides population.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Identification of risk groups for intake of food chemicals.

This paper summarizes by four recent examples the procedure of the characterization of groups at risk for ingestion of food chemicals and its limitations. The examples concern two food additives (sulfites and aspartame), one nutrient (calcium), and one food contaminant (patuline). On the one hand, results show that the empirical description of a group at risk is nowadays the best way to provide to risk managers information useful for consumer protection. On the other hand, these examples show that in any case if risk 0 does not exist, it is impossible to completely avoid any group at risk. The responsibility of risk managers is to decide what is the minimum size of the population to protect as a function of the risk and of the cost of the protection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Recent national French food and nutrient intake data.

In France, the first national dietary survey, called ASPCC, was done in 1993-1994. According to this survey, the mean fat intake in France is rather high, both for men (37.7%) and women (40%). Saturated fat intake is above 15% of energy. The intake of fruit and vegetables is particularly low for younger people and manual workers. Fruit intake is also lower for people from the north of the country. These data show the necessity of a targeted nutritional policy in France. Therefore, public health authorities are determining new dietary guidelines. The fact that people with unsatisfactory nutritional status are often not concerned with nutrition proves the importance of simple understandable food-based dietary guidelines.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Influence of the composition of a meal taken after physical exercise on mood, vigilance, performance.

The metabolic and behavioral effects of nutrients after exercise on vigilance level, performance, and mood have been minimally studied and have given contradictory results. In order to increase the understanding of the relationships between nutrition, exercise and performance, this experiment compared the effects on mood and performance of a protein- rich meal and a protein- poor meal, eaten just after an acute session of exercise. Vigilance and mood were evaluated by visual analog scales, and memory was measured by memory search task from the AGARD STRES battery, based on the Sternberg paradigm. Forty-two subjects were involved in this experiment. All subjects participated in the study of the effect of exercise after two kinds of meals (protein and nonprotein). Two groups of fourteen subjects we used to evaluate the effect of the exercise and the effect of the delay of meal intake after exercise in the two kinds of diet. The results show no difference in memory performance between exercise and rest conditions, nor between "protein" and "no protein" meal groups. They do show, however, that subjects feel happier after a meal with protein than after a meal without protein. The effects of the "no protein" meal on drowsiness differ with the glucide content of the meal. Subjects are less drowsy when they eat between 125 and 150 g of glucide than when they eat more than 150 g. The rousing effect induced by physical exercise is counterbalanced when subjects eat more than 150 g of carbohydrate. The anxiolytic effect of glucide is re-established.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Repeated short-fasting modifies the macronutrient self-selection pattern in rats.

The daily caloric intake and circadian pattern of macronutrient self-selection were examined in rats subjected to 3 h of food and water deprivation at the beginning or at the end of darkness. When one sole 3-h period of deprivation was applied, rats showed a compensatory response characterized by an unscheduled diurnal and nocturnal increase in the intake of the three macronutrients. However, repeated short restrictions during 15 days promoted a scheduled time-dependent feeding response, characterized by an exclusive increase in carbohydrate and fat intake and a decrease in protein intake. Repeated deprivation at the onset of dark produced a feeding response confined to the dark phase, while late dark deprivation produced both a diurnal and nocturnal increase in feeding. After 15 days of repeated restriction, rats showed no body weight variations with respect to control rats fed ad libitum. These results show that short fasting elicits a time- and macronutrient-dependent feeding response in rats, which involves reorganization of the macronutrient self-selection pattern to promote a total daily caloric compensation. These results suggest that animals principally respond to the energy deficit produced by restriction.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Estimation of the distribution of the maximum theoretical intake for ten additives in France.

Three European directives imply for all member states an evaluation of food additives intakes. This paper describes the French approach, using a step-by-step procedure to evaluate, at a national level, the consumption of 10 food additives or groups of additives (E100, curcumin; E160b, annatto; E200-203, sorbic acid and salts; E210-213, benzoic acid and salts; E220-224, 226-228, sulphites; E249-250, nitrites; E297, fumaric acid; E473-474, sucrose esters and sucroglycerides; E491-492, stearoyl lactates; E952, cyclamic acid). The results are reassuring for the general population, except for sulphites.

Curcumin↗