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Biomedical subjects

A Gac

Publications and source records attributed to A Gac.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Technical problems associated with the cold chain].

After having covered the current status of the cold chain in France, the author highlights the economic impact of refrigerated storage and processing involving refrigeration. Lose reduction is such that the return on investments is estimated as being roughly 3 years. In years to come, progress will be achieved in the field of plant design. Some information on design trends is provided. Operators in general, and carriers in particular, are faced with an increasingly complex regulatory framework leading to a competition imbalance. The current cold chain developmental trend is characterized by complex computer management of logistics: the flow of goods is modulated in order to meet the production to the distribution needs as cost effectively as possible. This logistic strategy enables management of downstream to upstream interfaces involving various operators. Finally, the author indicates the main causes of non-compliance with the cold chain, generally at retail and consumer levels.

France↗
PubMed2001

[Cold chain --the concept of traceability-- practical applications].

Traceability makes it possible to monitor the properties of a foodstuff in general and its safety in particular. Based on the "refrigerated trio" concept developed by André Monvoisin, cold chain implementation conditions are examinated, with emphasis on the following three aspects, a safe product and early and continuous application of refrigeration. The TTT and PPP theories are presented. Following an overview of the French Academy of Medicine and the National Consumer Centre's recommendations, non compliance with the cold chain at household refrigerator level is discussed along with control equipment for refrigerators and products. Various indicators and integrators are presented and their described. Time-temperature integrators are examined in depth. In the conclusion, the authors stress the need to restore consumer confidence following recent foof-safety scares.

Food Handling↗
PubMed1995

[Thyroid nodule in Basedow-Graves disease and thyroid cancer: experience in 6 patients].

Traditionally, Basedow-Graves disease was considered a protection against thyroid cancer. However, recent reports suggest that cancer occurs with a higher frequency than expected and is more aggressive in this disease. We report six patients with hyperthyroidism due to a Basedow Graves disease that presented a palpable thyroid nodule, which was cold in the scintiscan and solid in the ultrasound examination. Fine needle cytology disclosed cancer in five cases (two with cytological features of greater aggressiveness) and a nodular hyperplasia in one. The diagnosis was confirmed in the surgical piece in all patients. We conclude that Basedow-Graves disease and thyroid cancer, which can have an increased aggressiveness, may coexist.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Primary hyperparathyroidism caused by a mediastinal adenoma with intermittent hypercalcemia and severe bone disease].

We report the case of a 33-year-old woman who was operated on with the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) in 1986. She had bone disease and slight hypercalcemia. Two parathyroid glands were removed with a lack of clinical improvement. Subsequently, the serum calcium levels were normal with occasional slight increases. Depressed phosphorus values and elevated alkaline phosphatases and PTH levels were also present, associated with severe bone involvement and muscular weakness. A second cervical exploration performed in 1989 disclosed only a normal parathyroid gland, which was not removed. In 1990, a thoracic CT scan showed the presence of a 1 cm mediastinal nodule close to the great vessels. A thoracotomy was performed to remove this nodule, which proved to be a parathyroid adenoma. After surgery, the patient presented with a "hungry bone" syndrome, characterized by very low levels of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, which required enteral and parenteral calcium and magnesium supplements, plus dihydroxyvitamin D. The association of normocalcemia and intermittent hypercalcemia with severe bone disease is very rare, as is the presence of a mediastinal adenoma. This could explain the difficulty in the diagnosis in this case.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1985

Adrenal rest tumor of the liver causing Cushing's syndrome: treatment with ketoconazole preceding an apparent surgical cure.

Ketoconazole, an imidazole derivative known to inhibit cytochrome P450-dependent adrenal enzymes was given to a patient with a functioning adrenal rest tumor of the liver in preparation for surgery. The drug was administered in a stepwise manner for 42 days starting with 400 mg and reaching 1 g the last 4 weeks of the trial. Clear clinical improvement was evident early in the trial and was associated with evidence of amelioration of her hypercortisolism and striking changes in serum and urinary levels of steroid hormones and metabolites. Sex steroids in serum and urine fell dramatically from the first day to the end of the trial. Urinary 17-ketosteroid excretion fell from a basal average of 139 mg/24 h to near normal levels within a week of therapy; serum testosterone fell from a basal level of 2.4 to 0.18 ng/ml; serum 17 beta-estradiol fell likewise from 1096 to 150 pg/ml. In contrast, cortisol levels in serum and urine increased in the first 2 weeks of the trial and subsequently fell to values below the basal levels. Similarly, serum 17 alpha-OH-progesterone levels increased 63% above the basal levels by day 6 of the trial and declined afterwards. Nine months after successful tumor resection the patient is apparently cured as judged by steroid hormone levels and physical appearance. We conclude that ketoconazole was effective in blocking tumoral steroidogenesis which resulted in clinical benefit.

11-Hydroxycorticosteroids↗