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Biomedical subjects

C Lafont

Publications and source records attributed to C Lafont.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Ligamentoplasty of the forearm interosseous membrane using the semitendinosus tendon: anatomical study and surgical procedure.

Total longitudinal disruptions of the interosseous membrane can allow proximal radius migration and are seen in Essex-Lopresti lesions. We propose an original technique of ligamentoplasty using the semitendinosus tendon. The graft corresponds to the forearm rotation axis for an optimized isometry and longitudinal stabilization. Our ligamentoplasty technique was performed on ten fresh frozen right forearms. We successively assessed the innocuousness, efficiency and resistance of the ligamentoplasty. The ligamentoplasty induced neither passive limitation of pronation-supination nor neurovascular lesions. It prevented from radius proximal migration. The mean load to failure was 28 kg at both ulnar and radial sides of the graft. Our technique is original for the type and position of the graft. It seems safe, efficient and resistant enough for in vivo procedures. This technique decreases longitudinal loads on the radius. It should be indicated in patients with Essex-Lopresti syndrome, in association with radial head internal fixation or arthroplasty.

Arthroplasty, Replacement↗
PubMed2005

Comparison of the efficacy of a synthetic dog-appeasing pheromone with clomipramine for the treatment of separation-related disorders in dogs.

Sixty-seven dogs that showed signs of distress when separated from their owners (destructiveness, excessive vocalisation and house soiling) and hyperattachment were used in a randomised, blind trial to assess the potential value of a dog-appeasing pheromone in reducing the unacceptable behaviours. For ethical reasons, there was no placebo group and the effects of the pheromone were compared with the effects of clomipramine which is regularly used to treat this type of problem. The undesirable behaviours decreased in both groups, but the overall assessment by the owners indicated that there was no significant difference between the two treatments, although there were fewer undesirable events in the dogs treated with the pheromone, and the administration of the pheromone appeared to be more convenient.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Is electrical stimulation with voluntary muscle contraction of physiologic interest in aging women?].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the physiological effects of electrical stimulation with voluntary muscle contraction exercise in postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two females aged 62 to 75 years were randomly assigned to three groups to perform four activity sessions for six weeks: group ME (N =11) climbed up and down stairs, group ES (N =11) practised electrostimulation, and group ME + ES (N = 10) undertook both activities. Physiological adaptations of body composition (lean and fat masses and bone mineral density), muscular strength (isometric and dynamic), vertical jump and posturokinetic activities (balance and gait) were analysed. RESULTS: For the three groups, the isometric strength at angle 100 degrees (average increase right and left legs, ME: 19 N.m; ES: 4.5 N.m; ME + ES: 11.5 N.m), the dynamic strength at speed 60 degrees.s(-1) (average increase right and left leg, ME: 15 N.m; ES: 14 N.m; ME+ES: 18.5 N.m) and the vertical jump (ME: 23 mm; ES: 16 mm; ME + ES: 34 mm) increased contrary in the body composition and posturokinetic activities. Nevertheless, the group ME + ES adapted differently on some parameters of bone mineral density (P < 0.05) and dynamic strength (P < 0.01) in relation to the groups ES and ME. CONCLUSION: Electrostimulation with voluntary muscle contraction exercise could induce different physiologic adaptations compared with electrostimulation or voluntary muscle contraction exercise alone.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2004

Effects of brisk walking on static and dynamic balance, locomotion, body composition, and aerobic capacity in ageing healthy active men.

This work analyses the short-term physiological and neurophysiological effects of a brisk walking programme in ageing, healthy, active men. Twenty-one men 63 to 72 years of age were recruited and separated into 2 groups. One group performed a walking programme (WP) (n = 11) and another served as control (C) group (n = 10). The walking programme lasted for twelve weeks and included five sessions per week. Several parameters were assessed before and after the programme for the WP group. The same tests were performed (separated by twelve weeks) in group C. During each assessment, the subjects were put through static and dynamic balance tests, spatio-temporal gait analysis, body composition measurements and determination of aerobic capacity and bone mineral density. The statistic analysis showed a significant improvement in dynamic balance performance, especially in lateral sway when the subjects kept their eyes open, an increase of VO(2) max and loss of fat mass in the WP group. However, no alterations appeared in spatiotemporal gait characteristics, static balance performance, lean mass or bone mineral density (total body and hip). According to these results, this walking programme may have positive effects on preventing ageing subjects from falling.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2004

Neuromuscular effects of three training methods in ageing women.

AIM: The present study aimed to compare the effects of 3 strength development methods on muscular mass and muscular strength in healthy ageing women. METHODS: Thirty-two healthy women, 62 to 75 years old were randomised into 3 groups. The 3 groups performed 4 sessions a week of strength development for 6 weeks. The 1(st) group (SC) climbed up and down 300 stairs per session. The 2(nd) group (ES) followed an electrostimulation programme on the quadriceps muscles. The 3(rd) group (SC+ES) combined stair climbing with electrostimulation. Before and after the 3 programmes, the muscular mass of the leg was assessed using a biphotonic absorptiometry machine. Isometric (angle 20 degrees and 100 degrees ) and isokinetic (60 degrees /s and 240 degrees /s) knee extension torque was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. RESULTS: None of the programmes changed the muscular mass. All 3 groups increased isometric (angle 20 degrees, p<0.001; angle 100 degrees, p<0.003) and isokinetic (60 degrees /s, p<0.0001; 240 degrees /s, p<0.0001) knee extension torque. None of the programmes appeared more efficient than the others for muscular mass or muscular strength. CONCLUSION: Six weeks of activity (SC, ES or SC+ES) improved the isometric and dynamic muscular strength in ageing healthy women. However, this period was too short to change the muscular mass. None of the activities presented a real advantage over the others in ageing women.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2003

Comparison between three strength development methods on body composition in healthy elderly women.

The effects of three strength development methods (during 6 weeks) were assessed on the body composition in 32 women, 62 to 75 years old and randomised in 3 groups. The first group (SC) has climbed and come down 300 stairs per session. The second group (ES) followed an electrostimulation programme on quadriceps muscles. The third group (SC+ES) has combined the stairs climbing with electrostimulation. Body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed using Absorptiometry machine before and after the programmes. None of the programmes has increased significantly BMD. Nevertheless, the SC+ES group BMD enhanced more on the trochanter (p<0,05) and the two legs (p<0,05) than the SC and ES groups BMD (interaction group/time). The combined activity (SC+ES) would deserve to be tested on a longer period.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2002

Are there differences in postural regulation according to the level of competition in judoists?

The aim of this work was to study the posturokinetic capacities and use of visual information by judoists according to their level of competition. Twenty male judoists aged between 16 and 19 took part. They were separated into two groups: those that competed at regional level and those that competed at national and international level. Static balance was measured on a force platform. No difference was seen between the two groups. However, it seems that visual information is more important to the higher level judoists. Perhaps the level of competition influences the sensory canals involved in balance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Cholesterol reduction and increased cardiovascular fitness following a 12 weeks brisk walking.

The effects of a walking training programme were assesed on 10 healthy, active men aged 63-69 years. Serum lipids, pulse and blood pressure, maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and anthropometric parameters, were measured before and after this programme. There was a significant fall in LDL (p<0.02) and mean diastolic BP (p<0.005). In spite of the subjects's initial good level of fitness there was still an 8% rise in the mean VO2 max of the group. There was also a significant loss of body fat (P<0.01). These positive physiological effects suggest that brisk walking can be considered as a a useful activity for improving the fitness and general health in this age-range.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Falls, frailty and osteoporosis in the elderly: a public health problem].

INTRODUCTION: Elderly people can be subdivided into three groups: healthy elderly persons (65-70% of the population), elderly subjects with diseases (about 5%) and frail old people. Frailty represents "age-related physiologic vulnerability resulting from impaired homeotasic stock and a reduced capacity of the organism to withstand stress". It could lead elderly subjects to pathological, barely reversible, ageing. CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS: One of the main objective of geriatricians is to develop useful screening tools to identify people at high risk, thus allowing them to benefit from preventive interventions as early as possible. It has been suggested that the decline in homeostatic stock involves numerous physiological systems. Those at the core of frailty would be neuromuscular changes resulting in sarcopenia, neuroendocrine dysregulation, and immune disorders. A recent study has shown that increased levels of interleukin 6 is a risk factor for frailty. FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS: Work in progress aimed at identification of at-risk patients should: lead to early detection; draw attention on underestimated fields such as the nutritional status, sarcopenia, or gait disorders; promote the development of the standardized gerontological evaluation in order to identify the different components of frailty; and promote the development of non-pharmacological programmes including physical training, nutritional managing, and optimal social life.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2000

Feasibility [corrected] of regular physical exercise for patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer disease.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity delays loss of autonomy in the elderly. In patients with Alzheimer disease (AD), physical activity could be a useful strategy in therapeutic management by delaying loss of functional independence and the usual complications of the disease. OBJECTIVE: To determine, using standardized tools, the effects on autonomy (ADL, IADL), cognitive function (MMS), nutritional status (MNA), behavioral problems (NPI) and risk of falls (Tinetti test) of a physical exercise program in patients with AD. DESIGN: Twenty-three subjects (13 men and 10 women, aged 71-92 years, mean 78 years) with AD (mean MMS 16, range 1-23) carried out for a mean of 7 weeks (5-12 weeks) a program of endurance exercise (walking, exercise bicycle) adapted to their individual capacities. Standardized gerontological evaluation was performed before and after the study. RESULTS: No significant change in autonomy (ADL, IADL) was observed. There was an improvement in the MNA (p<0.001) and the MMS (p<0.001). Risk of falls (p<0.01) and behavioral problems (p<0.05) decreased. These results were obtained without increasing family workload. CONCLUSION: We suggest that physical activity is a therapeutic option which can reduce nutritional and behavioral complications and risk of falls in subjects with AD.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1999

Functional characterization of the secondary actin binding site of myosin II.

The role of the interaction between actin and the secondary actin binding site of myosin (segment 565-579 of rabbit skeletal muscle myosin, referred to as loop 3 in this work) has been studied with proteolytically generated smooth and skeletal muscle myosin subfragment 1 and recombinant Dictyostelium discoideum myosin II motor domain constructs. Carbodiimide-induced cross-linking between filamentous actin and myosin loop 3 took place only with the motor domain of skeletal muscle myosin and not with those of smooth muscle or D. discoideum myosin II. Chimeric constructs of the D. discoideum myosin motor domain containing loop 3 of either human skeletal muscle or nonmuscle myosin were generated. Significant actin cross-linking to the loop 3 region was obtained only with the skeletal muscle chimera both in the rigor and in the weak binding states, i.e., in the absence and in the presence of ATP analogues. Thrombin degradation of the cross-linked products was used to confirm the cross-linking site of myosin loop 3 within the actin segment 1-28. The skeletal muscle and nonmuscle myosin chimera showed a 4-6-fold increase in their actin dissociation constant, due to a significant increase in the rate for actin dissociation (k(-)(A)) with no significant change in the rate for actin binding (k(+A)). The actin-activated ATPase activity was not affected by the substitutions in the chimeric constructs. These results suggest that actin interaction with the secondary actin binding site of myosin is specific for the loop 3 sequence of striated muscle myosin isoforms but is apparently not essential either for the formation of a high affinity actin-myosin interface or for the modulation of actomyosin ATPase activity.

Actins↗
PubMed1998

[Prevalence of hepatitis C virus in oral erosive lichen].

OBJECTIVE: An increased prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatitis has been reported in patients with lichen planus. The aim of our retrospective study was to determine whether there is a relationship between the erosive form of oral lichen planus and HCV. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in a consecutive sample of 28 patients suffering from oral erosive lichen planus and seen in our department between 1992 and 1996. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in all cases by third generation recombinant immunoblot assay. PCR was performed to detect HCV RNA in the serum sample from 19 patients. RESULTS: Eight patients (29 p. 100) tested positive for HCV antibodies. These results were compared with the rate of HCV chronic carriers which is between 1 and 2 p. 100 in our region (Southern France). Among these 8 patients, 7 had severe chronic liver disease, and 5 of them were actively replicating the virus. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest a strong relationship between erosive oral lichen planus and HCV-related chronic hepatitis. We conclude that patients with the erosive form of oral lichen planus should be systematically evaluated for HCV infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Dietary intake recommended for elderly persons].

Recommendations for dietary intake in elderly persons must account for wide interindividual variation. We propose different recommendations for: generally self sufficient elderly persons in good health. The recommended dietary intakes are very similar to those for adults, with a few exceptions (reduced calorie intake, the importance of protein and certain vitamins or minerals: vitamins B6, D, C, calcium, zinc ...); patients with an intercurrent disease or an event causing a loss of appetite and a reduction in dietary intake. Recommendations for these subjects should aim at correcting or preventing deficiencies by the use of supplementary and complementary nutritional products; subjects in a state of protein-calorie malnutrition. Recommended dietary intake should take into account the effect of malnutrition on the digestive functions of the pancreas and the intestine in the elderly. Such recommendations must be based on the findings of numerous studies now being carried out and of which we report here the first results.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Peribulbar anesthesia in surgery of the vitreous body and retina].

Peribulbar anaesthesia was used in 40 patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery; two injections of a mixture of bupivacaine 0.5% and hyaluronidase were performed in the lower and the upper eyelid. Results were judged very satisfactory in 38 of these 40 cases, for anaesthesia as well as for akinesia; no local or systemic complications were observed. Peribulbar anaesthesia is one of the methods of choice, because of its safety; it seems well appropriate for vitreoretinal surgery, provided that its indications are judicious.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Double transplantation of the liver and kidney. A study of curarization using continuously perfused atracurium].

We report the use of atracurium besylate with monitoring of neuromuscular function in a young women with primary hyperoxaluria and no renal function. She underwent orthotopic liver transplantation and also a kidney graft during the same operation. The bolus dose (0.5 mg.kg-1) and the mean infusion rate (0.405 mg.kg-1.h-1) were similar to those reported in references. The infusion rate decreased during anhepatic period. Spontaneous recovery time from TR 25 to 75% was 36 mn and TR 90% was 127 mn, after the end of atracurium infusion. The depression of neuromuscular function was potentiated with isoflurane use, acidemia, hypocalcemia, hypothermia but without cumulative effect. It was concluded that the administration of atracurium by infusion is suitable for long surgical procedures despite impaired hepatic and renal function.

Adult↗