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Biomedical subjects

R Gil

Publications and source records attributed to R Gil.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

[A psychometric study of a group of Parkinsonian patients].

A group of 45 parkinsoniens patients were studied by means of Wechsler's adult intelligence scale (WAIS). The mean verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ) was not significantly different from that of the theoretical mean of the general population, whereas the performance intelligence quotient (PIQ) was significantly lower. Superior verbal over performance scale ratings were found significantly more frequently in the parkinsonian group than in the general population. Dispersion analysis tended to show that some parkinsonian patients have a fairly marked reduction in intelligence efficiency which is frequent enough to give the "psychometric pattern" of the parkinsonian group a dynamic which clearly distinguishes it from the general population, and makes it closer to that of the "psychometric pattern" seen in patients with organic brain disease. The psychometric deterioration quotient (DQ) in the parkinsonian group is significantly higher than in the general population: it is difficult to attribute this finding to depression, motor disorders, or senile or arteriopathic involution. The mean DQ is higher in men than in women; it is independent of the previous level of intelligence. Bilateral akinetic forms are associated with the greatest reduction in psychometric efficiency. The DQ is independent of the age of onset and the time during which the Parkinson's disease had been present, whether it has been treated or not, the type of treatment, the period during which L-Dopa therapy had been given and the age of the patient when it was started, and the existence or absence of electro-encephalographic abnormalities. There is a positive significant correlation, however, between the degree of psychometric deterioration and the severity of the Parkinson's disease. Acute confusional states are not seen more frequently in patients treated with L-Dopa than in those receiving other therapy, and in the same way, their frequency is not increased in long-standing cases or in those receiving L-Dopa therapy over a long period. The mean DQ is higher in patients who have had acute confusional episodes, and bilateral akinetic forms have a greatly increased risk of associating psychometric deterioration and the development of acute confusional states.

Female↗
PubMed1977

[Temporal arteritis and rhizomelic pseudo-polyarthritis. Clinical aspects and nosologic problems. Apropos of 48 cases].

The authors report 40 cases of temporal arteritis, of which 16 were associated with pseudo-polyarthritis, and 8 cases of polyarthritis alone. The clinical picture of temporal arteritis in the elderly, includes headaches in 95% of cases, clinical changes in the superficial head arteries in 75% of cases, joint and muscle signs dominated by pseudo-polyarthritis in 40% of cases; general signs were practically constant. A major inflammatory syndrome was also constant. From the histological point of view, there was pan-arteritis with giant cells, and their wide diffusion is shown by the presence of eye signs in 27.5% of cases, brain signs in 10% of cases, and extra-cephalic vascular signs in 10%. The relationship in classification between temporal arteritis and polyarthritis of the roots of the limbs is recalled. The course is long, the duration of corticosteroid therapy should never be less than two years; relapses are common but the mortality appears low.

Aged↗
PubMed1977

[Encephalopathy due to organomercuric compounds].

A 27 year old agricultural worker presented about one month after treating cereal seeds with an alcoxyalkyl mercurial derivative, an encephalopathy with a confusional state, a cerebellar stato-kinetic syndrome, an intention tremor and grand mal epileptic fits. Treatment with dimercaprol produced a clinical improvement on the fourth day with a fall in blood mercury from 3.5 mug to 2.2 mug whilst urinary excretion of mercury remained low. A fortnight later the patient was completely cured. Although less common than collective poisoning by ingestion, organo-mercurial encephalopathies due to occupational exposure are a real danger although it is not known whether the relative rareness of published cases is due only to lack of observance of security rules or to individual sensitivity which might be due to increased absorption of mercury through the lungs or skin. This case shows that although alkyl mercurial derivatives are reputed to be the most dangerous, alcoxyalkyl derivatives may also cause encephalopathies. Also, as long as non-toxic substances remain unavailable for use in agriculture, one should emphasise the necessity of careful observance of the security rules during manipulation of these products.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Meningoradiculitis after tick bites. Apropos of 9 cases].

The authors report a series of 9 cases of meningoradiculitis after tick bites and compare them with 56 other cases in the literature. Clinically, the bite is followed by a free interval, then more or less extensive local erythema, pain then paralysis is undoubtedly the most typical presentation. Uni- or bilateral paralysis of the 7th cranial nerve was found in more than 50% of cases. Erythema may exceptionally be absent. There may be forms with pain alone. Finally, there may sometimes be pyramidal signs or signs of brain irritation. As concerns the course, one should note the absence of respiratory complications, and although there are usually no or minimal sequelae, one should note the slowness of the recovery in certain paralytic cases. In the laboratory, pleocytosis is constantly found in the C.S.F. As concerns physiopathology, there are 3 theories, virus, allergic and toxic.

Adult↗