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Biomedical subjects

A Bourgeois

Publications and source records attributed to A Bourgeois.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Psychometric properties of the French version of the Modified Mini-Mental State (3MS) in elderly patients evaluated in geriatric psychiatry].

OBJECTIVE: This research evaluates the psychometric properties of the French version of the Modified Mini-Mental State (3MS), an instrument for the screening of dementia, in a sample of patients seen in geriatric psychiatry. METHODS: Subjects (N = 94, 63 to 93 years of age) were outpatients of a service in geriatric psychiatry. In addition to the 3MS, a battery of tests evaluating the cognitive functioning and depressive symptomatology was administered. RESULTS: Test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.87 for a subsample of 35 subjects. An exploratory factor analysis revealed 4 factors accounting for 63.2% of the variance. Cut-off scores of 79 to 80 (with years of education > or = 8) and 71 to 72 (with years of education < or = 7) presented the best combination sensitivity/specificity, respectively 0.80 and 0.96. CONCLUSIONS: This study documents the psychometric properties of the French version of the 3MS for use in patients seen in geriatric psychiatry, in suggesting cut-off scores which take into account the level of education. This study underlines the influence of sociodemographic variables on test performance.

Aged

Optimization of in situ hybridization for detection of viral genomes in cultured cells on 96-microwell plates: a cytomegalovirus model.

In situ hybridization (ISH) for identification of infectious replicative cytomegalovirus (CMV) in cell culture microplates (96 microwells) infected by clinical specimens was tested by using a biotin-labeled DNA probe and an avidin-alkaline phosphatase conjugate. A total of 395 specimens were examined by using ISH and a monoclonal antibody (MAb) specific for an early antigen of CMV. Of 47 specimens that gave a positive signal for CMV by ISH, 33 were confirmed virus positive by MAb staining. Of 141 blood samples tested, 4.96% were positive by ISH, and 0.7% were positive by the MAb technique. ISH shows 40% more sensitivity than MAb staining. This technique should be widely applicable for the specific identification of viral isolates (e.g., herpesvirus, myxovirus, paramyxovirus, and enterovirus) in cell culture 96-microwell microplates, thereby making it feasible to screen a larger number of samples than is possible with classical methods using conventional culture tubes, shell vials, or 24-well plates.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

[Rehabilitation after aorto-coronary bypass and return to work].

In Quebec, deceptively few patients who have successfully undergone coronary artery bypass have been returning to work. Those aged 55 to 64 years, blue collar workers or those who were off work for 13 weeks or more were likely not to return to work after surgery. From Jan. 1, 1983, all patients aged 64 years and younger, who successfully underwent coronary artery bypass grafting were invited to attend a 6-week rehabilitation program, starting 6 weeks after operation. The aim of the program was to improve the rate of return to work through a low-intensity physical activity course (60% to 70% maximal working capacity and calisthenics ). Up to Mar. 31, 1984, 68 patients had participated in the program. The proportion of patients returning to work was significantly (p less than 0.01) improved and the trend was observed in all age groups, and for all types of employment and length of time off work before operation.

Adult

[Peroperative sclerosis].

Complete, rapid destruction of the insufficient surface network as a one-stage procedure constitutes the best method for prevention of trophic disorders and especially pigmentation. Marked, rapid regression is obtained when these have unfortunately become installed. Combined surgery and multiple peroperative injections of a sclerosant allows the exclusive use of a gently acting sclerosant, 66% glucose solution, which is particularly well tolerated.

Animals

[66% glucose, a safe sclerosant. Experimental study].

Although accidents due to the intra-arterial injection of detergent sclerosant are very rarely observed, they are dramatic in their effects and often result in amputations, a risk accepted with difficulty for a treatment with a functional aim. To avoid these incidents, which may occur even when treatment is applied by the most experienced surgeons, the authors have used 66% glucose solution without accident since 1948. To confirm efficacy of the method, an experimental study compared 66% glucose (66 G) with a very commonly used product, 1% sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STD), in the rabbit. Except when enormous doses of 66 G are employed, the only effect noted was eosinophilic necrosis of the vessel wall without clinical symptoms, whereas doses eight times lower of STD produced an irreversible ischemia from obliterating endarteritis of the branches of the vascular tree injected. The 66% glucose solution appears to be a very safe, gently acting sclerosant, and the product of choice for peri- and post-operative sclerosis, particularly in regions where accidental arterial puncture is anatomically possible.

Animals

Success on a biofeedback task: effects of congruence-incongruence between locus of control and psychological differentiation.

Assessed the utility of the cognitive constructs of Locus of Control and Psychological Differentiation as co-determiners of success on a biofeedback task. Eighty male and female psychology undergraduate students were divided into four groups based on median splits of scores on Levenson's Internal Locus of Control scale and on Witkin's Group Embedded Figures Test. Thus, four groups of subjects were identified: field-independent internals (Fl-I; n = 17), field-dependent externals (FD-E; n = 23), field-dependent internals (FD-I; n = 19), and field-independent externals (Fl-E; n = 21). The first two groups consisted of individuals whose locus of control orientation was congruent with their perceptual style and the last two contained the incongruent subjects. Fifteen subjects were randomly selected from each of the four groups resulting in a total sample of 60 subjects. All subjects were told to decrease their GSR using biofeedback during each of five, 2-minute trials. A 1-minute rest period was provided between each trial. Analysis of variance revealed that congruent subjects decreased their GSR significantly (p less than .01) more than incongruent subjects. Scheffe's test revealed that all subjects were able to learn to significantly decrease GSR. Additional research designed to examine the utility of the congruence-incongruence dimensions in biofeedback seems warranted.

Biofeedback, Psychology

[Views of patients after open heart surgery].

Twenty patients, selected at random, were followed up by means of interviews and questionnaires before and after open-heart surgery. Nine were professional or business people, two were office clerks, four were manual labourers and five were unemployed. The operative procedures consisted of valve replacement in eight patients, aortocoronary bypass in nine and correction of congenital cardiopathy in three. Anxiety factors before the operation centred around the fear of death (55%), invalidity (15%) and convalescence (10%). No anxiety was found in 20%. The family proved to be a negative factor in 31%, especially in wives of professionals. In the intensive care unit, 47% of patients complained of the noise and 26% of the nursing during the night shift; only 21% complained of pain. More than 70% of the patients appreciated the support of the interviewer, and especially the continuity of the follow-up throughout the hospital and convalescence phases.

Adolescent

[Product of choice for maintenance sclerosis: 66% glucose solution].

The use of a 66% hypertonic glucose saline solution provides absolute security in sclerosant treatment. It has no side effects and does not provoke any allergic reactions and it produces a good quality sclerosis without pigmentation or thrombus. The injection can sometimes be painful, so it should be made very slowly. Its effectiveness is good, although less than that of sodium tetradecyl sulphate. Intra-arterial injection in animals dose not cause gangrene of the limb. Extravascular injection does not cause necrosis.

Glucose

[Peroperative multi-sclerosis using 66% glucose. Treatment of choice and best prevention of pigmentations of venous origin].

The complete and rapid destruction, at the one time, of the incompetent surface venous network is the best form of prevention of trophic changes, in particular pigmentation and leads to a marked and rapid regression of these lesions when they are already present. The combined method, associating surgery and peri-operative multi-sclerosis, allows the use of a gentle sclerosant, 66% glucose, which is particularly well tolerated.

Glucose