PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J M Mur

Publications and source records attributed to J M Mur.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

[Study of the pulmonary function of arc welders. Results of a study in an industrial vehicle production plant].

Pulmonary examinations (i.e. clinical, functional and radiological) were conducted on 76 arc welders from an industrial vehicle production plant and on 74 'controls' from the same plant. Arc welders were exposed for an average of 11 years to welding gases and fumes; controls were not welders and were not exposed to any identifiable professional risk of pulmonary disease. There is no significant difference between these two groups concerning clinical, functional and radiological findings; but the prevalence of pulmonary abnormalities (whatever their type or their intensity) is high in the two groups (60%). This survey does not show any particular risk of pulmonary disease among the arc welders working in this plant. However, complementary studies in other industrial areas are required to investigate possible risks due to other arc-welding processes and other working conditions.

Adult↗

Incidence of lung cancer among iron miners.

A study has been performed using 5300 iron miners from Lorraine (France) with ages ranging from 35 to 55 years, who were working, and had a normal chest radiography. 1173 workers were chosen randomly and given the following examinations: questionnaire, clinical examination and function tests (VC, FEV1, residual volume (RV), acetylcholine test, carbon monoxide steady-state test). This group of 1173 was followed for 5 years. 40 died and the exact causes of death were known. 13 had lung cancer, which is more than three times the number expected in the French male population of the same ages. All subjects who died from lung cancer were underground miners and, at the first examination, had a higher incidence of bronchitis and more functional defects than both the 27 who died from other causes and the underground miner group as a whole. The excess mortality due to lung cancer is discussed with regard to noxious agents that were measured (radioactivity, which was rather low, total and respirable dusts, Nox, CO) and with regard to both the work environment and duration of work.

Adult↗

Inflammatory effect of aluminium phosphate on rat paws.

The aim of this experiment was to determine the inflammatory effect of aluminium phosphate on the rat paw and to compare it with those of carrageenan, calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate and natural diamond powder. At the probability threshold of the various tests used there was a significant increase in volume of the treated paw relative to the control paw for all the substances at all times, except for the two concentrations of diamond (effect no longer significant from 30 min on), of calcium phosphate (not significant from 2 h), and of aluminium phosphate (not significant from 24 h). The effects were not significantly different between diamond and calcium phosphate (both concentrations). The effects of aluminium phosphate were significantly different from those of the two until at least 2 h after the injection ; there was no significant difference between the two doses of this substance. The kinetics of the effects produced by carrageenan differed from the kinetics of the other materials, its effects were not significantly different from those produced by aluminium phosphate until 2 h and later. The inflammatory effect that we have demonstrated in this study is added information suggesting that in addition to apatite, calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate, and sodium monourate, aluminium compounds can play a role in the unexpected appearance of inflammatory manifestations in haemodialysed patients with chronic renal insufficiency treated with aluminium gels.

Aluminum Compounds↗

Significance of cross-sectional surveys in occupational epidemiology.

This communication discusses the possibility of cross-sectional occupational surveys concealing real occupational risks. For example, occupational factors constitute only one of the etiologic determinants of multifactorial diseases. In addition the diversity of industrial processes leads to a dispersion of risks, and it is difficult to avoid sampling biases both for cases and for referents. The conclusion is drawn that only after several surveys, conducted by different groups and under different circumstances, have shown no risk for a certain occupational factor can such results be considered valid.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗

[Protein binding of salicylates in rheumatoid arthritis].

Protein binding of salicylates was determined in 16 control subjects and 27 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Results obtained after separation of the free and bound fractions by dialysis to equilibrium and measured by spectrofluorometry were analyzed using a new mathematical model. In correlation with the decrease in plasma albumin concentrations, a decrease was found in the protein binding of salicylates in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This phenomenon was less marked in therapeutic zones and was related to the degree of severity of the inflammatory syndrome. The binding capacity per albumin molecule at saturation was decreased in patients suffering from advanced forms, suggesting that the changes seen were not due solely to quantitative variations in serum albumin levels. This study confirms the value of the determination of free salicylate levels in patients suffering from inflammatory rheumatic disorders.

Adolescent↗

[Variability of respiratory function tests 9 weeks observation (author's transl)].

42 normal male subjects from 19 to 27 years, are examined in conditions of field studies once a week for 9 weeks. At each session are measured: flow volume curves with determination of vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1.0), peak flow (V peak), flows at 0.75, 0.50, 0.25 of VC (V 0.75 VC, V 0.50 VC, V 0.25 VC). Single breath nitrogen test, with determination of slope of phase III (delta N2/liter) and closing volume/vital capacity (CV/VC). Single breath and steady state tests with carbon monoxide. Variability of functional pulmonary indices in this study is greater than those observed in the literature during shorter period of term. Some indices varied significantly during these 9 weeks of observation like V 0.25 CV, indices of transfer factor of CO and CV/VC (according to repetition of test or meteorologic factors?). Relevance of studying variations during a relatively long period, is pointed out in interpretation of results observed in prospective studies.

Adult↗

Pharmacokinetics of salicylates in elderly.

In order to study changes in the pharmacokinetics of salicylates in old people, we used two groups of inpatients without hepatic or renal impairment: the first comprised 15 patients more than 65 years old, mean age 77 years; the second, 7 patients of mean age 21 years. Each patient was given 1 g of acetylsalicylic acid orally in the morning while fasting. Blood samples were subsequently taken after 30, 60 and 90 min and 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 24 h. Fluorimetric assay results were analyzed kinetically with a mathematical model corresponding to a single diffusion compartment model. The results showed only a slight increase in the absorption half-time in old subjects, and a marked increase in elimination half-time (3.71 and 2.38 h in old and young subjects, respectively; t = 2.33: p less than 0.05) and in the volume of distribution (5.51 and 3.83 liters respectively; t = 3.20: p less than 0.1). On the other hand, bioavailability varied little, as did metabolic clearance. This study confirms that intestinal absorption of this drug is not much impaired in old people, while hepatic and/or renal elimination functions are changed. This finding agrees with results found for aminopyrine, antipyrine, and digoxin.

Adult↗

[Prevalence of bronchitis in socio-professional groups. III. Unexposed workers (author's transl)].

Besides the two groups of exposed workers (building workers and workers of a steel mill), a reference group of age-matched (40--60 years) unexposed workers was studied. They were examined by the same procedures (interrogation by ESC questionnaire, vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 sec residual volume, apnea CO test and steady-state Co test at rest and exercise of 40 W. Results are presented according to age and smoking habits. They are compared with results observed in the two exposed groups, and discussed.

Adult↗

[Conditions affecting the application of the method of determining blood volume by the injection of labeled (iodine 131) serum albumin to small animals (chick embryo)].

The isotopic dilution method is really suitable for the determination of blood volume in small animals. The main purpose of this study is to find the limits of measuring errors made during the injection procedures (injected volumes about one microliter) and the sampling of blood (blood samples less than one milliliter). After evaluation of the extravascular rate of diffusion of the radioactive iodinated human serum-albumin, the blood volume of the 17 days incubated chick embryo is measured by this method for control purposes.

Animals↗

[Long term effects of low concentrations of noxious gases on the respiratory system: results of an epidemiological study among iron mines workers in Lorraine (France). (author's transl)].

An epidemiological study of 1,178 iron-mine workers in the Lorraine basin was conducted in order to assess the long-term effects on the respiratory system of low concentrations of noxious gases produced by the machinery and explosives in use. The subjects were selected at random from 5,300 workers who were aged between 35 and 55, had been in the mines for at least five years and who were free from radiological abnormalities such as siderosis, tuberculosis, fractured ribs, etc. For each subject a standard questionnaire (E.C.S.C. bronchitis/emphysema questionnaire) was completed and a clinical examination was performed along with the following tests-vital capacity; forced expiratory volume in 1 second; residual volume; acetylcholine test; steady state CO test for calculation of total and partial transfer functions. A venous blood sample for the determination of blood CO was taken as the subject left his place of work.

Adult↗

[Pharmacokinetic data on phenobarbital. Study on the influence of gestational age and dysmaturity].

Blood levels of barbiturate after a single intramuscular injection of 10 mg of phenobarbiitone have been plotted against time in 15 neonates at term of whom five were normal and 10 were dysmature, and 15 pre-term infants between 32 and 34 wesks gestation, of whom 12 had a satisfactory weight and 3 were dysmature. The analysis of the experiments according to a mathematical model gave the following results. Half life of absorption +/- 1 S.D. 9.55 HR +/- 6.97 for the term neonates and 11.12 hr +/- 7.61 for the pre-term infants. The difference is not significant. Half life of elimination +/- 1 S.D. 118.06 hours +/- 64.79 for the neonates of term and 110.49 hr +/- 37.19 for the pre-term infants. The half life of elimination is much shorter in the pre-term dysmature infants 74.10 hrs +/- 40.12. The individual variations are important but the differences between the groups of neonates studied are not great. This permits re-grouping and calculation of a half life of elimination for the whole group of 114.28 hr +/- 28.05. The risk of over dosage and the large individual variation in the metabolism of phenobarbitone in the new born lead us to recommend checking the blood levels when giving repeated doses.

Birth Weight↗

[Allometry and linear correlation coefficients binding the volumes of the different pituitary gland lobes, of the pituitary gland, of the subfornical organ and of the pineal gland to body weight and to hypothalamic volume in Rodents and in a Lagomorphe].

The morphometric study of the hypophysis, of the subfornical organ and of the pineal gland of 41 Rodents and one Lagomorphe shows that the anterior lobe of the hypophysis as well as the total hypophysis are better correlated to body weight than to the volume of the hypothalamus, while it is the contrary for the pars nervosa. The volume of the intermediate lobe varies very much from one species to another for the same body weight. The high value of the allometry coefficient of the pineal gland on somatic weight (1.25) is due to the fact that the heavy Rodents of our temperate climates have a large epiphysis while the small african Rodents possess a small pineal gland.

Animals↗

[Correlations linking hypophysis and epiphysis volumes to body weight and brain weight in Simian and in man].

The human hypophyseal and epiphyseal volumes are quantitatively conformable to those of the simians studied. In simians and man, the hypophysis is better correlated to body weight and to brain weight than the epiphysis, as already observed by us in other Mammals (Insectivora, Prosimiano, Rodents and Chiroptera). The pineal gland must be correlated to a non essential somatic function that varies from one species to another at constant somatic weight.

Animals↗

[Splenomegaly reaction of the chick embryo following chorio-allantoid graft of chicken-spleen fragments].

The spleen enhancement reaction of the chick embryo, following the insertion (grafting or injection procedure) of homologous spleen cells is one of the results of the graft-versus-host reaction (G.V.H. reaction). Irrespective of the usual kinds of G.V.H. reaction measured, it has been proved that the relation between the number of immuno competent cells and the reaction intensity is linear. Our study shows that the relation is not the same when the chorio-allantois membrane grafting procedure is used instead of injection into the veins. However, two facts remain unchanged 1) the minimal amount of spleen cells sufficient to provoke a spleen enhancement is low, 2) there is a link between the number of homologous spleen cells and the rate of spleen enhancement, but in this case it was not shown to be linear. In the light of this, the role played by the chorio-allantois membrane is being debated.

Allantois↗