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Biomedical subjects

C Marchand

Publications and source records attributed to C Marchand.

90 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Systemic urticaria associated with autoimmune thyroiditis].

A case of chronic urticaria associated with thyroiditis is described. The diagnosis of autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's disease) rested on the presence of nodular goiter, thyroid dysfunction and significantly elevated thyroid microsomal antibodies (greater than 6,400). Skin biopsy showed changes suggestive of leucocytoclastic vasculitis. Immunological studies showed few abnormalities (low titers of antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor) but a search for circulating immune complexes was negative, and serum complement levels were within normal range. The patient complained of severe pruritus and polyarthralgia but no systemic involvement occurred. Urticaria vasculitis has never previously been described in association with thyroid autoimmunity. This suggests the possibility of an autoimmune cause of urticaria. The urticaria improved and disappeared after treatment with levothyroxine. The frequent clinical latency of thyroiditis warrants systematic testing for circulating anti-microsome antibodies in women presenting with an apparently idiopathic chronic urticaria.

Antibodies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Recognition of alternating oligopurine/oligopyrimidine tracts of DNA by oligonucleotides with base-to-base linkages.

A new concept is presented to design and synthesize modified oligonucleotides in order to extend the range of double-helical DNA sequences that can be recognized by oligonucleotides via triple helix formation. The DNA target is composed of adjacent oligopurine.oligopyrimidine domains where the oligopurine sequences alternate on the two DNA strands. Canonical (C,T)-motif triple helices are formed with each oligopurine.oligopyrimidine domain of the target sequence. The two third-strand oligonucleotides were joined together via an appropriate linker between the two terminal bases with either a 3'-3' or a 5'-5' polarity. Molecular modeling was used to predict the optimal length of the linker bridging two terminal bases. The interaction of DNA with such a modified oligonucleotide containing a C3'-3'U linkage was studied by thermal dissociation, footprinting, and gel retardation experiments. They provide experimental evidence that the oligonucleotide does form a switched triple helix on this extended DNA target sequence. The binding of the so-called "switch oligonucleotide" is enhanced as compared to the two unlinked parental oligonucleotides which form triple helices with each oligopurine.oligopyrimidine domain of the target sequence.

Base Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A diagram to analyse airways patency abnormalities (author's transl)].

The factors contributing to airflow obstruction in chronic respiratory diseases are frequently investigated by measuring an index of airways patency : 1) at various lung volumes, which permits to detect and quantify the obstruction, 2) at different static recoil pressures (Pst) to recognize abnormalities not related to a loss of elastic recoil. A diagram has been developed which facilitates the analysis and permits a more quantitative evaluation of intrinsic and extrinsic factors : the index of airways patency (I) is plotted simultaneously against Pst and against lung volume (expressed in % of predicted TLC), the two abscissae being scaled in such a way that the normal ranges are coincident for the two curves. Then, the distance from the I(Pst) curve to the normal range may be used to estimate the abnormalities due to intrinsic factors, and the distance between the two curves to evaluate extrinsic obstruction. Taking maximum expiratory flows as the index of airways patency, examples are shown to illustrate the use of the diagram.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Change in the kinetics of sulphacetamide tissue distribution in Walker tumor-bearing rats.

The effect of Walker tumor on sulphacetamide distribution was studied in rats 21 days after tumor implantation in a hind leg. After oral administration of sulphacetamide (5 and 20 min), the concentration of the drug was found to be lower in the plasma and liver of tumor-bearing rats when compared with that of control group. However, 90 min after sulphacetamide administration, the concentration of the drug in these same tissues was found to be higher in tumor-bearing rats than in control animals. Whereas the tumor had no apparent effect on sulphacetamide concentration in the brain, drug concentrations in the fat tissue of tumor-bearing rats were constantly higher than those of control animals. These changes in sulphacentamide disposition kinetics could be explained in part by delay in gastrointestinal absorption of the drug. Contrary to what was observed after oral administration, constantly higher drug concentrations were found in the plasma of tumor-bearing rats after iv injection of sulphacetamide. Furthermore, the half-life of sulphacetamide in these same animals was much higher than in control animals. It is concluded that, in Walker tumor-bearing rats, there are changes in the kinetics of sulphacetamide which are functions of the route of administration of the drug.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Community psychiatry].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Community Mental Health Services↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In vivo study of propranolol and metabolite(s) disposition in rat liver.

To investigate the intrahepatic disposition of drugs subjected to the first-pass effect, propranolol (0.002 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg) was injected into the portal vein of rats. At various times the drug was measured in liver homogenate, cytosol, smooth microsomal, and Golgi fractions. The results suggest that hepatic uptake of propranolol is an extremely rapid process and essentially complete, independently of the dose. Effectively at 0.5 min, 70% and 85% of the low and high doses, respectively, were recovered in the liver homogenate. Furthermore following the 0.002-mg/kg dose, 96% of the recovered drug equivalents in the suprahepatic blood consisted of metabolites. An additional experiment demonstrated that the uptake of a 0.002-mg/kg dose of propranolol was not modified by a loading dose of 25 mg/kg. The pattern of propranolol distribution correlated with the intracellular localization of phospholipids and proteins. The amount of propranolol found in subcellular fractions relative to liver homogenate remained constant throughout the study, suggesting a rapid equilibrium. Low doses of propranolol were cleared from the hepatic cells almost completely by biotransformation. However, high doses saturated the metabolic clearance. Propranolol metabolites accumulated preferentially in the cytosol fraction. The intracellular elimination of the metabolites appeared to be a saturable process. The Golgi apparatus does not seem to be involved in the elimination of propranolol or its polar metabolites.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of a training program for nurses specializing in anesthesia and resuscitation in Cambodia].

Following the signing of a treaty drafted between the Cambodian Ministry of Health, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the universities of Paris Nord and Bordeaux-II, the first class of sixteen nurses completed the training in anesthesia and resuscitation, between September 1991 and June 1993. The training course took into account the special context in which the course was planned and organized. By bringing together the specific skills of non-government organizations and universities, the students obtained high quality professional skills which have become extremely rare in Cambodia, where almost all competent health-care professionals have disappeared. The results of the program were evaluated several months after the graduation. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, evaluators tried to assess if the nurses were able to apply what they had learned, if the course material was relevant, and how well the nurses adapted in terms of actual work, and professional recognition and development. Eight months after graduation, the nurse anesthetists' activities represented approximately 24% of the total activity of the departments in which they worked. Thirteen of the sixteen nurses received significant professional recognition for their responsibilities in the departments, and for their independence in administering anesthesia. The working conditions were satisfactory, and the nurses were able to correctly apply what they had learned and solve many problems. However, because the anesthesia and resuscitation departments were being set up at the time of their arrival, the nurses were not able to fully care for the patients during the pre- and post-operation periods. Objectives for improving the training courses were defined, following a detailed analysis of the results of the study. However, proper supervision of the newly trained nurses remains an essential element in maintaining their competencies and motivation. By 1997, fifty-four people (fourty-five nurses and nine doctors) should be trained in anesthesia and resuscitation. The continuation of the school depends on the possibility of the Cambodians to take charge of the program. For this purpose, two of the graduate nurses began training as teachers in November 1993.

Cambodia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Training of health personnel in the framework of humanitarian action. Choosing an assessment model].

There are very few examples of health training assessment in developing countries. Such an undertaking faces a number of difficulties concerning the problems inherent to assessment, the particular and unstable nature of the environment, and the problems associated with humanitarian action and development aid. It is difficult to choose between a formal and a natural approach. Indeed, a dual approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data seems best suited to a variety of cultural contexts of variable stability. Faced with these difficulties, a criteria-based, formative, quality-oriented assessment aimed at improving teaching and learning methods should be able to satisfy the needs of training professionals. We propose a training assessment guide based on an assessment model which aims to improve training techniques using comprehensive, descriptive and prescriptive approaches.

Altruism↗
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[Validation of an evaluation guide for healthcare training programs in the field of humanitarian efforts].

The training of healthcare professionals working in the field of humanitarian action is of fundamental importance but there have been few procedures for assessing the training programs. A specific guide was produced for the evaluation of healthcare training programs. It uses a three-pronged approach to improve the training of healthcare personnel, encouraging educators to take a fresh look at the way in which they work. The guide seeks to improve the efficiency of training by evaluating programs. The guide was tested on four training programs conducted by three non-governmental organizations in three countries: Handicap International in Cambodia and Mozambique, Médecins Sans Frontières in Cambodia and Action Nord Sud in Brazil. Questionnaires, guides and appraisals were analyzed, and the results suggested that the guide was valid, reproducible and easy to use. However, it is vital to provide external educational assistance during evaluation, to promote the implementation of decisions, thereby improving training practices.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗