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Biomedical subjects

A Hubert

Publications and source records attributed to A Hubert.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp in an infant exposed to valproic acid in utero.

We report a newborn with isolated aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp whose mother was treated with valproic acid during pregnancy. Aplasia cutis congenita has been described in infants exposed in utero to antithyroid drugs, but has not been related to other tetratogenic agents. Fetal exposure to valproic acid is known to increase the risks of spina bifida and other midline defects. Interestingly, aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp is regarded as a cutaneous marker for neural dysraphism. However, this defect of the scalp and valproic acid intake during pregnancy may be a random association and similar observations are needed to suggest causality.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1993

Increased risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma among males of French origin born in Maghreb (north Africa).

A study on the incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has been performed in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region, South of France, where Maghrebian migrants represent 10% of the population. During the years 1986-1990, 76 cases of NPC were diagnosed, of which 44 were French by birth, 25 were Maghrebian migrants and 7 were other migrants. We found that 36% of the French patients were either born in endemic areas or had lived there for more than 15 years. Standardized annual incidence rates of NPC among Maghrebian migrants remained close to those observed in North Africa, while, standardized annual incidence rates for French by birth in the PACA region were similar to those observed in cancer registries in other regions of France and countries of low incidence. However, for males of French origin born in Maghrebian countries, the incidence of NPC (all cases being of undifferentiated type) was 5.7 times higher than that of males of French origin born in France (p = 0.00001). These results favor a critical role of environmental factors in the risk of NPC.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Diet, living conditions and nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Tunisia--a case-control study.

We conducted a case-control study of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Tunisia, on diet, dietary patterns and life style, the characteristics of which had been defined by an anthropological study. Eighty incident cases, diagnosed in Tunisia between November 1986 and November 1987, were each matched for sex, age and place of residence to 2 controls. The subjects were asked for dietary data referring to the year preceding the diagnosis of NPC and, with help of their families, during childhood and after weaning. After adjustment for an empirical living conditions score, the following food items were found to be associated with an increased risk for NPC: preserved spiced meat (quaddid), basic stewing preparation (mixture of red and black pepper, garlic, oil, caraway and coriander), and harissa (red pepper, olive oil, garlic, caraway, salt) taken with bread as a snack during childhood and youth. Moreover, subjects who had been directly weaned from mother's milk on to an adult diet were found to be at higher risk for NPC.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Volatile nitrosamine levels and genotoxicity of food samples from high-risk areas for nasopharyngeal carcinoma before and after nitrosation.

Traditional life-style, especially food habits, infection by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and genetic factors, have been associated with an increased risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). N-Nitroso compounds and other carcinogens either present in food or formed endogenously, as well as food constituents that activate EBV, have been suspected as etiological factors in NPC pathogenesis. For their characterization preserved food items, frequently consumed in NPC endemic areas in Tunisia, South China and Greenland, were sampled and screened for the presence of mutagens and volatile nitrosamines before and after nitrosation. Aqueous extracts as well as 2 organic extracts of the samples were assayed for genotoxicity in 2 Salmonella typhimurium strains and the SOS chromotest. The same extracts had previously been analyzed for volatile nitrosamines and for EBV-activating substances in Raji cells. In our study, 13 out of 16 food samples showed a weak, directly-acting genotoxicity in the SOS chromotest in at least one of the extracts, but only one sample from Greenland was found to be weakly mutagenic in Salmonella TA 98. Chemical nitrosation for 9 out of 15 samples of aqueous food extracts increased the genotoxic effect in the SOS chromotest. Levels of volatile nitrosamines were also elevated for 12 out of 15 samples; highest levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine were found in hard salted and dried fish from China (1,200 micrograms/kg) and highest N-nitrosopyrrolidine levels in a Tunisian spice (3,840 micrograms/kg). In non-nitrosated aqueous food extracts, the level of volatile nitrosamines and genotoxic activities were not correlated with the EBV-inducing activity of the same samples. After chemical nitrosation, EBV-inducing activity was decreased or showed no change and was not correlated with increases in either the genotoxicity or the nitrosamine levels. Our results suggest that EBV-activating compounds belong to a different class of substances. However, there was an association between the changes in genotoxicity and nitrosamine levels due to nitrosation.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed1989

[Long-term follow-up following liver resection].

There are various benign or malignant conditions which may necessitate a liver resection. The long-term follow-up after such an operation calls for precise knowledge of the causal affection and of the local conditions encountered at that time. Certain complications can arise during the immediate postoperative phase and others at a later stage. Also, the condition which necessitated the hepatectomy may continue to develop or recur. The diagnosis of the complications occurring after a liver resection is important, as it often reveals a need for treatment.

Hepatectomy↗
PubMed1987

Volatile nitrosamine levels in common foods from Tunisia, south China and Greenland, high-risk areas for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

On the basis of anthropological pilot studies on diet in Tunisia, south China and Greenland, food items consumed frequently by these populations at high risk for NPC were analysed for volatile nitrosamines using gas chromatography combined with a thermal energy analyzer. Relatively high levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR) and N-nitrosopiperidine (NPIP) were detected in Tunisian stewing base ("Touklia") and dried mutton preserved in olive oil ("Qaddid"). NDMA was also detected at levels ranging from trace amounts to 133 micrograms/kg in several Chinese salted and dried marine fish and in Greenland dried, unsalted fish preparations. NPYR and NPIP were also occasionally detected in several vegetables fermented in brine collected in Tunisia and China. The possible role of nitrosamines in the etiology of NPC is discussed.

China↗
PubMed1987

Occurrence of volatile nitrosamines in food samples collected in three high-risk areas for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Fifty-four samples of foods consumed frequently in Tunisia, southern China and Greenland, all high-risk areas for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), were analysed for the presence of volatile nitrosamines by gas chromatography (GC) combined with a thermal energy analyser (TEA). Relatively high levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosopiperidine (NPIP) and N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR) were found in Tunisian stewing base (touklia) and dried mutton preserved in olive oil (qaddid). In one Chinese salted and dried fish sample, a high level of NDMA (133 micrograms/kg) was detected, but for the 14 others the levels ranged from undetectable to 14 micrograms/kg, with a mean of 3 micrograms/kg. Similarly high levels of NDMA, were found in Eskimo dried, unsalted fish samples. NDMA, NPIP and NPYR at various levels were present in Chinese vegetables fermented in brine. The possible role of nitrosamines in the etiology of NPC is discussed.

China↗
PubMed1982

[Dietary behavior, way of life, and nasopharyngeal cancer].

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is prevalent in Southeast Asia, Maghreb countries and Greenland/Alaska. This cancer, wherever prevalent, is closely associated to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but its geographical repartition also suggests the possibility of a cultural factor. A comparison of food habits and way of life of Cantonese, Maghreb populations and Eskimos shows certain common points: dried fish or meat, fermented and sometimes rotten, as well as salt preserved vegetables. Certain berries of Euphorbiaceae are eaten by children and the plant itself is used in traditional medicine. These Euphorbiacea contain cancer promoting agents, able to reactivate the EBV latency. The hypothesis proposed here is that cancerous effects common to the different regions at high risk for nasopharyngeal carcinoma exists and that they either act separately or reactivate the EBV latency.

Africa, Northern↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[An anthropological study of radiotherapy care experience].

An anthropological study has been carried out in order to evaluate the need expressed by patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment. The study was mostly qualitative and based on the radiotherapy experiences of 13 women with breast cancer and six men with head and neck cancer. A 24-year-old female anthropologist spent one year in the department of radiotherapy at the Bergonié Institute in Bordeaux. She collected data on patients' needs through the observation of their experience of treatment and personal interviews. These were put in context, analyzed both by qualitative and quantitative methods. The results point out the need for more information on the different steps of treatment and the patient's need 'for a smile' from the medical team; in other words, emphatic support.

Adult↗