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Biomedical subjects

C Poulin

Publications and source records attributed to C Poulin.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

[From deinstitutionalization to social rejection: the point of view of ex-psychiatric patients].

A series of in-depth interviews conducted with ex-psychiatric patients who use alternative resources in the area of mental health has revealed several manifestations of rejection, stigmatization and discrimination. These are experienced as significant and determining with respect to the social integration of patients, as well as harmful to their quality of life in the community. Data shows that this population suffers from social isolation due to lack of communication with community members and from various forms of rejection and disparating attitudes on the part of entourage. Their fragile socio-economic conditions confine them to live in a sub-culture and at the fringe of society.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

A five-year experience with second-trimester induced abortions: no increase in complication rate as compared to the first trimester.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare the complication rate of first-trimester suction curettage with that of second-trimester dilation-and-evacuation abortions in the same clinical setting. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis (chart review) of the 3772 induced abortions performed between 1986 and 1990 at the Family Planning Clinic of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. RESULTS: Among the 3355 cases with known follow-up (89%), the complication rate was 5.1% for the 2908 suction curettages at < 15 weeks' gestation compared with 2.9% for the 447 dilation-and-evacuation procedures at 15 to 20 weeks' gestation. Serious complications were few and not increased among patients undergoing dilation and evacuation. CONCLUSION: A careful approach to second-trimester dilation-and-evacuation procedures can make them comparatively as safe as suction curettages, contrary to common belief derived from large surveys done in the late 1970s.

Abortion, Incomplete↗
PubMed1990

A female sex offender with multiple paraphilias: a psychologic, physiologic (laboratory sexual arousal) and endocrine case study.

A 20 year old female pedophile exhibiting multiple paraphilias and who had been both a victim of incest and an active participant, undertook extensive clinical, psychometric, endocrine and laboratory sexual arousal studies. Her psychiatric, psychometric and physiologic arousal profiles showed similarities to those of a sizable proportion of male child molesters, especially incestors. It is suggested that laboratory arousal tests (using the vaginal photoplethysmograph) may have a role in the assessment of some female sex offenders.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Incidence of four sexually transmitted diseases in a rural community: a prospective study.

Despite the fact that incidence studies of sexually transmitted diseases have rarely been performed in rural areas, it is generally assumed that the frequency of such diseases in rural areas is lower than in cities. We studied the incidence of four sexually transmitted diseases in a rural community (population 150,000) located in southern Quebec. Between March and September 1986, a random sample of 41 of 123 general practitioners reported all cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydial genital infection, and genital herpes at the time of diagnosis. In addition, all the specialists of the area who regularly diagnose sexually transmitted diseases reported their cases. For each case contact tracing was attempted. The estimated incidence rate was 584 per 100,000 person-years for at least one of the studied diseases. For chlamydia, gonorrhea, and herpes, the rates per 100,000 person-years were 470, 149, and 36, respectively. Over 11% of the cases had more than one of these diseases. Of the 114 index cases diagnosed by physicians, 102 were symptomatic, whereas of the 62 contact cases, only 25 were symptomatic (p less than 0.001). In addition, for genital chlamydial infection 84% of female cases were primarily diagnosed by physicians, whereas 64% of male cases were found by contact tracing (p less than 0.001). This study shows that sexually transmitted diseases are a major public health problem in rural communities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Thalamo-cortical connections and their correlation with receptive field properties in the cat's lateral suprasylvian visual cortex.

Areas PMLS and PLLS of the cat's lateral suprasylvian visual cortex display an interesting global organization of local features in their single unit response properties: direction preference is centrifugally organized and velocity preference increases with eccentricity. In addition it has previously been shown that binocular interactions are strongest around the visual field center. This characterizes the LS areas as apt for the analysis of optic flow fields and for visual processing in various kinds of visuomotor tasks (Rauschecker et al. 1987). In the present study we analysed the types of input to LS from the optic chiasm, the corpus callosum and from two thalamic relay nuclei (lateral posterior and lateral geniculate) that constitute important sources of afferent information to the LS areas. We were interested in learning how the afferent (and efferent) connections between LS and these structures relate to the response properties of LS neurons. Overlap of an RF into the ipsilateral hemifield was virtually always associated with callosal input. Latency differences between responses to electrical stimulation of the optic chiasm and the thalamic sites indicated almost exclusively fast-conducting Y-input to LS. Correlation of response latencies with receptive field properties revealed the following correspondences: A positive correlation was found between LP-latency and RF-size matching the dependence of RF size on laminar origin. The type of correlation found between LP-latency and directional tuning of LS cells suggests that an interaction between thalamic and other inputs may be responsible for direction selectivity in LS. Finally, correlation of LP-latencies with centrifugal direction preference suggests that this specific property is generated by intracortical wiring rather than by thalamic input.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1987

Visual receptive field properties in the posterior suprasylvian cortex of the cat: a comparison between the areas PMLS and PLLS.

Receptive field (RF) properties of single units were examined in two visual areas in the cat's postero-medial and postero-lateral suprasylvian cortex (PMLS/PLLS). Electrophysiological recordings were made in the paralyzed and anesthetized preparation in corresponding regions of the medial and lateral banks of the lateral suprasylvian sulcus (LS). In both areas, cell samples were obtained from within the same range of A/P co-ordinates. In both samples, cells responded best to moving stimuli, had large RF's, and did not differ with respect to the distributions of their ocular dominance. Binocularity was equally high, but units in PLLS showed significantly less binocular summation. Cells in both areas preferred high velocities, and a high percentage was direction selective, with directions up and away from the vertical meridian being most common. While in PMLS the preferred direction of a unit usually could be classified into a "radial" vs a "circular" category when RF position was taken into account, this was not possible in PLLS. Units in PLLS also had significantly higher spontaneous activity, higher optimal velocity, and larger RF sizes. In PLLS the investigation of background-foreground interactions revealed a large variety of phase-dependent responses. This is in contrast to the clear preponderance of in-phase inhibition and antiphase facilitation effects in PMLS. The results indicate important differences of RF properties for the two areas, but do not yet suggest a clear functional differentiation. These differences reflect in some respects the RF properties of cells in the structures that provide the main afferents to the two areas.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1987

Centrifugal organization of direction preferences in the cat's lateral suprasylvian visual cortex and its relation to flow field processing.

The cerebral cortex of the cat contains between 1 and 2 dozen representations of the visual field with different functional specializations. Six visual field maps lie along both banks of the suprasylvian sulcus, lateral and anterior to the visual areas in the occipital cortex. We have studied single-unit receptive field properties and their global organization across the visual field in 2 of these lateral suprasylvian areas, PMLS (essentially the Clare-Bishop area) and PLLS. Most neurons in PMLS and PLLS display selectivity for the direction of a light stimulus moving across their receptive fields with various degrees of directional tuning. We have used light spots of different size and velocity projected on a tangent screen in order to determine the direction preference of cells in these 2 areas. A strong tendency was found for neurons to respond best to centrifugal directions, i.e., to movement away from the area centralis. Thus, for these cells direction preference depends on the location of their receptive fields within the visual field. Velocity preference and binocular interaction in these neurons is also globally organized: Velocity preference increases with eccentricity, binocular synergism is strongest in the center of the visual field. Cluster analysis of recording tracks with respect to "radial" and "circular" cell categories reveals a grouping of cells with like properties in the lateral suprasylvian cortex. These new categories are formed by combining "centrifugal" and "centripetal" cells on the one hand and cells with direction preferences orthogonal to these on the other. The radial or centrifugal organization of direction preferences in conjunction with the global arrangement of velocity preference and binocular interaction suggests that PMLS and PLLS are involved in the processing of expanding visual flow fields of motion. Such flow fields are commonly encountered when a visual object moves towards an observer or during forward locomotion.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1986

Differences of visual field representation in the medial and lateral banks of the suprasylvian cortex (PMLS/PLLS) of the cat.

We have studied the orderliness of representation of visual space in the medial and lateral banks of the middle suprasylvian sulcus. Penetrations were made either parallel to the sulcus, in one bank or the other, or vertical, thus crossing the sulcus between the postero-medial (PMLS) and posterolateral (PLLS) divisions of this area. In some cases we found clear evidence for topographical order in the representation of the visual field with a tendency (greater in PMLS than in PLLS) for the receptive fields of cells recorded deeper in the walls of the sulcus to lie closer to the area centralis, but along many penetrations the receptive fields were so large and so scattered that no retinotopic arrangement could be discerned. In PMLS the receptive fields of the majority of units we studied were centered below and close to the horizontal meridian, whereas in PLLS they were distributed over both the upper and lower visual fields with an over-representation of the upper field. Receptive fields were significantly larger in PLLS (mean field area = 442.2 deg2) than in PMLS (mean area = 154.4 deg2); there was also less clear correlation between receptive field size and eccentricity in PLLS (correlation coefficient = +0.25) than in PMLS (corr. coeff. = +0.72). Analysis of the distance between the receptive field centres of consecutively recorded units demonstrated that the mean scatter in both PMLS and PLLS amounts to about half the average receptive field diameter. In summary the topographical representation of visual space is less orderly in PLLS, and may involve a wider area of the visual field. These findings may relate to the segregated visual cortical and extrageniculate thalamic connections that the medial and lateral banks of the LS receive.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Drugs, Poverty and HIV: results regarding a provincial needle exchange program in Point de Repères, Quebec].

In this study (n = 200), the characteristics of IDUs participating in a provincial needle exchange program (NEP) for more than 2 years (> 2 years) were compared with those of IDUs having participated for less than 2 years (< or = 2 years). Compared to the < or = 2 years, the > 2 years were more often recipients of welfare (RC: 4.7), especially among the HIV-positive (RC: 62.0); tried quitting drugs more frequently (RC: 3.8); more often recommended the NEP to other IDUs (RC: 3.1); and more often requested being given shelter and longer opening hours (RC: 3.6). These results highlight the urgent need to improve and develop transitional and support services for the > 2 years. Preventive interventions that would reach out to the < or = 2 years where they live should also be implemented in close collaboration with organizations involved in mental health and drug use prevention.

Community Participation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The hepatitis B immunization strategy in Nova Scotia: is it effective?

Since 1987, both hepatitis B disease and hepatitis B vaccine utilization have increased dramatically in Nova Scotia. We present a review of hepatitis B vaccine utilization relative to the occurrence of disease in Nova Scotia. In the two regions with the highest incidence rates, cases have been increasingly associated with lifestyle-related risk factors. Vaccine utilization was primarily for occupational risks. The current provincial hepatitis B immunization strategy is to recommend immunization to targeted high-risk groups. This strategy was judged to be ineffective. The cost of the vaccine is the most important deterrent for adopting an expanded or universal immunization strategy. The pooling of hepatitis B vaccine orders across Canada is suggested as a means to effect significant reductions in the cost of vaccine. Provincial programs would then be able to expand coverage to include populations at immediate risk and youngsters prior to the start of high-risk activity.

Communicable Disease Control↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An epidemic of hepatitis B among injection drug users in a rural area.

An epidemic of hepatitis B occurring in a rural area of Nova Scotia in 1988 and 1989 was investigated. This epidemic identified injection drug use (IDU) as the major determinant of transmission and was the first highly visible indication of IDU in rural Nova Scotia. Contact-tracing was used to identify 186 injection drug users (IDUs), of whom 153 (82%) were interviewed. Of 133 (72%) IDUs who underwent serological testing, 78 had serological evidence of hepatitis B infection. Using epidemiological criteria, 57 IDUs formed a cluster of hepatitis B infections. Using logistic regression techniques, age (O.R. = 1.1), the total number of IDU-contacts named (O.R. = 1.1), and the number of hepatitis B seropositive IDU-contacts named (O.R. = 1.3), were identified as risk factors predictive of an IDU being a cluster case. The characterization of this epidemic may be useful as a model for the spread of hepatitis B and other viral infections among IDUs in rural areas.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Contact-tracing among injection drug users in a rural area.

An epidemic of hepatitis B occurring in 1988 and 1989 in Cape Breton brought to light the existence of a group of "buddies" who engaged in injection drug use. Interviewing was conducted by Public Health in 82% of the 186 IDU contacts named. In comparison with published reports of contact-tracing efforts for viral hepatitis among IDUs, the Cape Breton experience seems successful. This article describes the approach used by Public Health. Aspects of the management of the epidemic and the interview technique which may have contributed to the comparative success of contact-tracing include collaboration with family physicians and laboratories; collaboration among public health investigators; and a nonjudgemental interview technique with 6 "golden rules".

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Strategies to increase and maintain high immunization levels in children].

Various strategies for achieving high immunization rates and better knowledge of immunization status are evaluated. Sixty-nine studies were assessed. Laws requiring documented proof of immunity for all children at the beginning of the school year are associated with a substantial increase in immunization rates, while computerized registries contribute to improved knowledge of immunization status. Research on recall systems, whether parent or provider oriented, produces contradictory evidence. The question of provider motivation as a determinant for achieving high immunization rates remains to be adequately assessed. Laws requiring documented proof of immunity and access to a centralized and efficient immunization registry are key measures for maintaining high immunization levels.

Canada↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Mental health of community residents in the metropolitan Montreal area: some results of the "Santé Québec Survey".

In 1987, the "Santé Québec Survey" reached 2,696 individuals over 15 years old, living in the Montreal area. A self-administered questionnaire included two scales that measured the positive and negative aspects of mental health. Controlling for the effects of socio-demographic factors and global health status indicators, a multidimensional analysis computed the odds of being at risk of psychological wellbeing and psychological distress if exposed to social isolation or stressful life events. Results show that the quality of integration to the social environment is a better predictor of mental health than poverty by itself.

Female↗