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Biomedical subjects

D Rougé

Publications and source records attributed to D Rougé.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Comment on the provisions of the French laws of 6 August 2004 and 8 December 2004 relative to the protection of genetic inventions.

The question of gene patentability has raised some opposition in France. Too broad a definition of the rights conferred by patent would hamper the development of research. The French legislature strictly defined genetic inventions in the Laws of 6 August 2004 and 8 December 2004. Exclusivity of use applies only to the function or functions precisely described in the patent application. Potential abusive use of rights by the holder of the patent has also been addressed through reinforcement of the provisions of the Code of Intellectual Property to combat such abuse. The Laws we discuss smooth the way to the granting of dependency licenses and broaden the field of application of ex officio licenses. The French legislature has achieved satisfactory balance between the legal protection of genetic inventions necessary to finance research, and the free circulation of scientific knowledge indispensable for medical progress.

France↗

[Heterogeneity of expert psychiatric conclusions. Study of 101 authors of voluntary homicides].

OBJECTIVES: Specify the prevalence of various mental pathologies observed in authors of voluntary homicides and assess the interest of the psychiatric expertise of these persons. METHODS: The conclusions of the psychiatric expertises of 101 authors of voluntary homicide; condemned (94.20%) or declared irresponsible because of mental or personality disorders (5.80%), in the Court of Appeal of Bordeaux, over a period of 10 years (1989-1999) were analyzed. RESULTS: Several elements were underlined, among which the multiplicity of the diagnoses made by the expert psychiatrists and the large proportion of these criminals suffering from mental pathologies (81.60%), which contrasted with the low percentage of such criminals declared irresponsible (5.80%) or suggesting they might be dangerous (7.80%). DISCUSSION: The use of a standardized classification of mental diseases would provide the members of the jury and the magistrates with a clearer picture of the mental status of criminals. This is essential to avoid that more than 80% of the latter are quoted as exhibiting a mental pathology when the experts present their conclusions.

Expert Testimony↗

The effect of incarceration on prisoners' perception of their health.

The aim of the study is to assess the quality of life among male prisoners using the French version of the Nottingham Health Profile, then to investigate the influence of incarceration on emotional reaction. Before the obligatory medical examination at reception into prison, self-administration by prisoners of the French version of the Nottingham Health Profile. Two prisons in Toulouse (south-western France) are concerned: 199 men are included. The score of each dimension on the French version of the Nottingham Health Profile questionnaire and the responses to questions on socio-demographic and penal characteristics and results of medical survey have been studied. The response rate and rate of completion for each dimension are excellent (100%). Considerable evidence is found for the reliability of the Nottingham Health Profile (Cronbach a > 0.72 for all dimensions except energy 0.64 and physical mobility 0.64) and for construct validity in terms of distinguishing between groups with expected health differences. Three variables concerning aspects of life in prison are correlated with variation of the emotional reaction dimension. The Nottingham Health Profile can be used in prison populations. It is easy to use, acceptable to inmates, and fulfils stringent criteria of reliability and validity. It allows recognition of the factors correlated with variation of emotional reaction classically connected with suicidal behaviour in prison.

Adult↗

A case report demonstrating the value of chest X-rays in comparative identification.

Comparative radiological identification using bone criteria has mainly been based on cranial characteristics, in particular sinus patterns or bone changes after surgery or trauma. However, the thoracic skeleton, of which antemortem images are frequently available, also provides useful information. We report a case in which ante- and postmortem chest X-rays enabled positive identification of the victim of a road traffic accident.

Journal Article↗

Cytological detection of spermatozoa: comparison of three staining methods.

Sperm detection can be an important factor in confirming sexual assault in cases of rape. This paper compares three of the most commonly used staining methods cited in the scientific literature: Christmas tree. hematoxylin-eosin, and alkaline fuchsin. The population studied was composed of 174 consenting women seen at the Male Infertility Center in Toulouse. France. The date of their last sexual intercourse was accurately known. Alkaline fuchsin did not seem effective in detecting spermatozoa in vaginal samples. Compared with hematoxylin-eosin, Christmas tree stain appeared to be the most useful test in the first 72 h. Two external factors were associated with decreased detection of spermatozoa: time since in tercourse and sperm volume.

Coloring Agents↗

Fatal cranial injuries caused by an electric angle grinder.

A case of fatal cranial injuries caused by an angle grinder is reported. The scalp lesions were typical of those produced by a cutting disk in a side-slipping movement. On the cranial vault were two bony losses of substance, one of which was deep enough for intracranial penetration of the disk. Signs of deflection of the disk, identical to those found on the scalp, were observed on the external bony table. Because of the circumstances in which the victim was discovered, in particular the damage to the machine which had a broken handle, and the lack of any indication of homicide or suicide, an accident is the most likely hypothesis.

Accidents↗

[Informed consent of the surgery candidate].

Surgery is a special medical act requiring the patient's prior informed consent. Informed consent necessitates correct comprehensible information which must be documented in case of court claims. Consent must be given freely by the patient who has been properly informed. Consent from patients with impaired cognition raises particular problems as does consent from incarcerated patients. The French Code of deontology does not state how the information must be delivered and how the patient's consent must be recorded nor which party is charged with proof of information. The information delivered must be loyal (true with nothing hidden) and appropriate (adapted) for the health status of the patient and his/her personality and capacity to understand as well as for the proposed care. Information depends on the patient's and the physician's general culture. In addition to the information itself, documentary proof of its delivery is required in case of court claims. Carefully written documents are mandatory. They should meet certain requirements, remaining general enough (example: appendectomy and its risks), updated, and simple and comply with the rules of deontology.

France↗

[Liability of the pneumonologist. Recent medical civil legislation].

The clinician engages his penal, private and administrative responsibilities whenever he performs a medical act. Common law applies for private practice, as is the case of most pneumologists. Actually, there is little common law jurisprudence directly concerning pneumological situations. We present here the current trends and recent decisions made by judges faced with cases engaging physician's responsibilities.

Ambulatory Care↗

Harris lines: a study of age-associated bias in counting and interpretation.

Harris lines are regularly used in paleopathology as indicators of episodic nonspecific stress, but the methodology for their use has not been clearly established. We studied radiographs of the distal shaft of the tibia in 82 immature and 49 mature subjects from a medieval burial site and compared the number of Harris lines and observer error according to age categories. We found statistically significant differences in both line counts and in observer error by age groups. In conclusion, studies of Harris lines must take into account age variation in order to be validated.

Adolescent↗

[Continuous administration of vancomycin in patients with severe burns].

OBJECTIVES: In the severely burned patient, a marked, rapid fall in serum concentrations is often observed after intermittent infusion of vancomycin at the usual dose of 30 mg/kg. This specific "jagged" pharmokinetic course with inadequate residual concentrations raises the problem of the efficacy of this time-dependent antibiotic. Studies in patients in general resuscitation units have shown the interest of vancomycin administration in continuous infusion. METHODS: We analyzed variations in serum concentrations of vancomycin during continuous infusion in 18 patients with burns involving a mean of 40% total body surface and reported the doses necessary to maintain serum vancomycin at therapeutic levels; the possible correlations between serum vancomycin concentrations, burn parameters, age and renal function; and clinical and biological tolerance. RESULTS: Higher initial doses were required in burn patients (40 mg/kg in patients aged under 60) than in other patients. Impairment of renal function is a contra-indication of continuous infusion. CONCLUSION: This mode of administration has the advantage of ensuring greater efficacy by preventing fluctuations in serum concentrations.

Adult↗

Questions raised by artificial prolongation of life of the aged patient.

The existence of treatments which now make it possible to prolong life beyond the point when it would previously have ended, gives rise to particular questions in the context of the care of aged patients: the distinction between curative and palliative treatment, the evaluation of incurability, the right to refuse treatment, competence to make such a decision and the use of the limited objective and pure objective tests in the event of incompetence. The natural role of the physician as protector adds a further ethical dimension to what is also a medicolegal question.

Aged↗

Fatal injuries caused by guns using shotshell: case reports and ballistic studies.

The authors present six cases of homicide and suicide in which the weapon involved was a handgun using shotshell. The injuries caused are described and the ballistic characteristics of the weapons are studied. Such weapons, which are relatively easy to obtain, are not as innocuous as they may appear, since they may be modified either by changing the barrel or by removal of the device inside the barrel which is intended to prevent the firing of solid slugs.

Adolescent↗

[Esthetic reconstruction of the face in burnt patients].

All reconstruction should be aesthetic but in burned patient, everything combines to make a cosmetically satisfactory result more difficult to achieve. However the burns patients, deformed and disfigured has to confront the gaze of others in daily life. Three points are discussed by authors: skin quality can be improved or replaced by a full thickness pressure graft; surgical modification of the underlying structures; repair of peri-orificial areas and free edges.

Adult↗

Radiographic identification of human remains through deformities and anomalies of post-cranial bones: a report of two cases.

Human remains can be identified radiographically by anomalies and deformities of the post-cranial bones when there are no old fractures and the cranium and extremities are not available. These anomalies and deformities of the sternum, vertebrae, sacrum and innominate bone are often protected from damage by scavengers. We report their use to exclude a proposed identity in one case and to confirm identity in another case. The value and number of these criteria and their pathogenesis is discussed with reference to their prevalence and their expression of inter- and intraindividual variability.

Forensic Medicine↗