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Biomedical subjects

P Mary

Publications and source records attributed to P Mary.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

[Paediatric intervertebral calcifications: two cases report and review of the literature].

UNLABELLED: Discal calcification in childhood is rare. Calcifications are occasionally discovered during routine examinations. Generally, the calcification process is confined to the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc. CASES REPORT: We describe the cases of two children, five and seven years old who presented with acute low back pain. The patients underwent a CT scan, which demonstrated a posterolateral calcified disc hernia. DISCUSSION: Only a few cases with evidence of calcification of the herniated portion of the disc have been previously described. The clinical picture is composed of pain and functional limitation. The radiographic picture consists of the association of morphological and structural alterations of vertebral bodies adjacent to one or more disc calcifications usually centrally sited, sometimes associated with anterior or posterior herniations. The surgical decompression of the nerve root could be necessary.

Back Pain↗
PubMed2003

The effects of temperature, water activity and pH on the growth of Aeromonas hydrophila and on its subsequent survival in microcosm water.

AIMS: The influence of temperature, water activity and pH on the growth of Aeromonas hydrophila, and on its survival after transfer in nutrient-poor water were assessed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Experiments were carried out according to a Box-Behnken matrix at 10-30 degrees C, 0.95-0.99 water activity (aw) and pH 5-9. The effect of each factor on the kinetic parameters of growth (i.e. the maximal specific growth rate, mumax, and the lag time, lambda) and on the decline of the bacteria in microcosm water (time to obtain a reduction of 5 log, T5 log) were studied by applying central composite design. CONCLUSIONS: The major effect of temperature and water activity on the growth of A. hydrophila was highlighted, whereas the effect of pH in these experimental conditions was not significant. Models describing the effect of environmental parameters on the growth of A. hydrophila were proposed. The effect of the growth environment, and particularly the incubation temperature, have an influence on the survival ability of the bacteria in nutrient-poor water. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The Box-Behnken design was well suited to determine the influence of environmental factors on the growth of A. hydrophila and to investigate the effect of previous growth conditions on its survival in microcosm water.

Aeromonas hydrophila↗
PubMed2003

[Intraspinal rib penetration in four patients in neurofibromatosis vertebral deformities].

We describe the clinical and radiological features observed in four patients with neurofibromatosis-related scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis who developed rib penetration into the intervertebral foraminae. Rib penetration should be searched for on standard and elective x-rays in patients with moderate curvatures. The diagnosis can be confirmed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the spine. In case of major deviation, x-rays must be carefully examined, with an accurate search for spinal cord compression to avoid missing the diagnosis. Surgical treatment must consist in ablation of the posterior ends of the dislocated ribs associated with anterior and posterior fusion. It should be performed early to avoid the development of spinal cord compression.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Voluntary bilateral dislocation of the hip in children: a case report and review of the literature].

Voluntary bilateral dislocation of the hip was discovered in a three-year-old girl. Dislocation was documented by arthrography and computed tomography. After failure of a capsuloraphy, successful treatment was achieved with bilateral femoral varus oseotomy. Stability has been good after six years follow-up. Clinical and radiological signs as well as the underlying causes and treatment are discussed in light of this case and fifteen others reported in the literature.

Child↗
PubMed2003

[Femoral shaft fracture in children: treatment with early spica cast].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Fractures of the femoral shaft are frequent in children and prognosis is good. For children aged less than 7 years, most authors propose orthopedic treatment using prolonged traction then cast immobilization, or orthopedic reduction under general anesthesia and early cast immobilization. The purpose of the present work was to analyze results of orthopedic treatment using a spica early for children aged less than 7 years in comparison with other published series with similar age or management. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Forty-seven unselected children aged less than 7 years with a closed fracture of the femoral shaft were treated by orthopedic reduction under general anesthesia and immobilization with a spica cast after a short period (<48 hr) of traction in the plane of the bed. Hip immobilization was set in flexion and minimal abduction, knee in flexion. The children were discharged the day the cast was installed or the next day. Follow-up examinations (tolerance) with x-rays cast in place were scheduled for day 8 and day 15. Clinical and radiological assessment was also recorded at removal of the cast, at 3 months, at 1 year, and at maximum follow-up. RESULTS: Mean age was 37 months (range 2-83 months). Boys predominated (n=34, 73%). Mean duration of traction was 1.13 days (range 0-5 days). Mean duration of cast immobilization was 45.4 days (range 28-78 days). Mean hospital stay was 2.8 days (range 1-10 days). Four patients (8%) were rehospitalized for secondary displacement under the cast. Weight bearing was effective at day 49 (range 33-78). Mean follow-up was 12.1 months (range 3 months-6 years). Five children (10.5%) developed leg length discrepancy greater than 10 mm. The anatomic axis of the femur in the saggital and frontal planes exhibited deviation in 7 children measuring less than 8 degrees in all cases. DISCUSSION: The localization and type of fracture observed in this series of children was similar to that reported in epidemiological studies. There were no treatment-related complications. In respect to healing time, deviation, and residual leg length discrepancy, results in this series were equivalent to those reported by others, irrespective of the treatment method employed. The major advantage of early spica is a short hospital stay allowing cost containment and rapid return to the child's everyday environment.

Casts, Surgical↗
PubMed2002

Starvation survival and viable but nonculturable states in Aeromonas hydrophila.

The behavior of Aeromonas hydrophila stored at 4 degrees C and 25 degrees C in nutrient-poor filtered sterilized distilled water was investigated. At 4 degrees C, the A. hydrophila population declined below the detection level (0.1 cell mL(-1)) after 7 weeks, whereas the number of cells with intact membrane as determined by the LIVE/DEAD method decreased only by 1 log unit. Although, this response is reminiscent of the so-called VBNC state, the cells could not be resuscitated by an upshift to 25 degrees C. A mixture of rods with normal size and elongated cells was observed in this state. At 25 degrees C, viable cells and cells with intact membrane declined only by 0.8 log unit over the 10-week storage period, and thus A. hydrophila entered the classical starvation survival state. During this state, a mixture of rods and cocci was observed. Prestarvation at 25 degrees C for 24 h and especially 49 days delayed significantly the rate of entry into the VBNC state. However, stationary phase cells were not significantly more tolerant than exponential phase cells. No significant improvements in recovery yield were obtained on LB agar plates amended with catalase or sodium pyruvate. During cold incubation, high variability in responses was observed. Intermittent cryptic regrowth might be responsible for this variability in responses.

Aeromonas hydrophila↗
PubMed2001

Growth and survival of clinical vs. environmental species of Aeromonas in tap water.

The ability of four species of Aeromonas (two of clinical and two of environmental origin) to survive and/or grow in tap water microcosms supplemented with sodium thiosulphate was tested. After bottling, the autochthonous microflora reached 6 x 10(5) cfu ml(-1) after a 5-day incubation period in tap water unfiltered and which was non-autoclaved. In filtered tap water, "ultramicrocells" were detected and final populations of ca. 10(6) cfu ml(-1) after 7 days were obtained. Aeromonas was inoculated at an initial cell concentration of ca. 10(4) cfu ml(-1). All strains were able to grow in tap water samples, which were filtered and autoclaved, and a final concentration of 10(5)-10(6) cfu ml(-1) was observed. Any inherent capability of Aeromonas to grow in tap water was eliminated by the presence of autochthonous microflora and "ultramicrocells" bacteria. Survival rates were strain- and microcosm-dependent. In unfiltered-non-autoclaved water, viable counts declined to below the detection limit (i.e. 1 log cfu ml(-1)) in 1.5 to 20 days. The declines in viable counts were even more pronounced in the filtered microcosm. Although inoculation ratios (100/1 in unfiltered-non-autoclaved and 1,000/1 in filtered microcosms) were favourable for aeromonads, at least for I to 3 days, the organisms disappeared in these microcosms. Thus, competition for nutrients was an unlikely cause of the limitation of aeromonads. The bacteriolytic effect of enzymes released by membrane vesicles from the autochthonous microflora and of "tail phage-like particles" bacteriocins were suggested as an in situ control of aeromonad populations. The present study showed that environmental strains of Aeromonas had no ecological advantage over clinical isolates. Thus, waterborne infections and contaminations of foods by pathogenic Aeromonas species could not be discounted.

Aeromonas↗
PubMed2001

Changes in fatty acid composition and degree of unsaturation of (brady)rhizobia as a response to phases of growth, reduced water activities and mild desiccation.

The effects of growth phase, reductions in the water activity (a(w)) of the growth medium and mild desiccation on the composition and the degree of unsaturation of cellular fatty acids (CFA) of Sinorhizobium meliloti, Bradyrhizobium elkanii and Bradyrhizobium japonicum were studied. During the course of growth, an interchange of cis-vaccenic with lactobacillic acid and a slight increase in palmitic acid were observed while other fatty acids remained constant. The degree of unsaturation was significantly higher in the exponential phase of growth. Reductions in the a(w) of the medium led to an increase in lag phase, a reduction in growth rate and maximal optical densities (OD) in stationary phase cells. A decrease in the degree of unsaturation of CFA was also observed as the a(w) was reduced from 0.999 to 0.969 and after desiccation to 83.5% relative humidity (R.H.). The changes in the degree of unsaturation of CFA observed after growth at reduced a(w) may be one of the pre-adaptation steps to endure more severe desiccation.

Bradyrhizobium↗
PubMed2001

Predicting sprint kinematic parameters from anaerobic field tests in physical education students.

The relations among kinematic parameters measured during the first 10 seconds of 100-m sprint and anaerobic tests were studied in 22 male physical education students. During the first 10 seconds of the sprint, the position of the runners was "continuously" measured with a laser telemeter. Maximal acceleration (Amax), maximal velocity (Vmax), and time to reach Vmax (tVmax) were derived from position data. In addition, the subjects performed anaerobic tests: squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and force-velocity test to measure maximal power, maximal theoretical cranking velocity (VO), maximal theoretical isometric force, and the Wingate anaerobic test (30 seconds). The mean 100-m run time of the subjects was 12.6 +/- 0.9 seconds. The highest correlations were calculated between Amax and V0 (r = 0.55, p < 0.01) and CMJ (r = 0.48, p < 0.05) and Vmax and SJ (r = 0.63, p < 0.01) and CMJ (r = 0.56, p < 0.05). The tVmax was uncorrelated to other tests. Because the CMJ was the anaerobic performance best correlated to the different kinematic parameters of the run, our results fail to identify one anaerobic test that specifically explains one sprint kinematic parameter.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Occurrence and Multiple Antibiotic Resistance Profiles of Non-fermentative Gram-Negative Microflora in Five Brands of Non-carbonated French Bottled Spring Water.

Five brands of French bottled mineral water were analyzed by heterotrophic plate counts (HPC) and for the presence of multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria. HPC at 22 degrees C were around 10(4) colony forming units ml(-1) on R2A medium. Enumeration on PCA/10, MH, and especially PCA and King B media was less efficient. At 37 degrees C, HPC were two to three orders of magnitude less than at 22 degrees C. Moreover, phenotypic diversity (7 to 15 phenotypes) was optimal on R2A incubated at 22 degrees C. All isolates were identified as non-fermentative Gram-negative rods and 75% were non-identifiable with the API 20NE system. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and fluorescent Pseudomonas were isolated on VIA and CFC selective agar media, respectively. Burkholderia cepacia strains were not isolated on BCSA medium. The species S. maltophilia was found in 33%, 28%, and 11% of sample from springs A, D, and E, respectively. Independent of brand, isolates from HPC media were less efficient to achieve confluent growth in 18 h on MH at 30 or 37 degrees C (0 to 40%) than isolates from selective media (28 to 63%). Seventy percent of the total isolates from dominant microflora (1-5 x 10(3) CFU ml(-1) on HPC media) were resistant against two or four antibiotics. The antibiotics concerned were principally aztreonam, ampicillin, and nalidixic acid. The remaining dominant bacteria showed a 6-9 multiple antibiotic resistant (MAR) pattern. All isolates were susceptible to newer antimicrobial agents. Owing to their low nutrient and temperature requirements, these isolates are unlikely to cause concern to public heath. Fifty percent of strains isolated from selective media (non-dominant microflora, 4-40 CFU l(-1)) showed a 10-18 MAR pattern and 33%, identified as S. maltophilia, a 20-27 MAR pattern. However, minocycline was effective against all isolates. Owing to its low concentration, colonization of human intestine by MAR S. maltophilia is unlikely.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

Enumeration and characterization of bacteria in mineral water by improved direct viable count method.

Fifteen strains from two emergent mineral waters were isolated and tentatively identified with API 20NE and BIOLOG GN systems. These strains were screened for their sensitivities to seven replication-inhibiting antibiotics of the (fluoro)quinolone group (nalidixic and pipemidic acid, flumequine, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, pefloxacin and ciprofloxacin). It was shown that the direct viable count (DVC) procedure could be improved by using certain antibiotic cocktails, which were active against the isolates. Geometric bacterial features were successfully determined with image analysis and adapted software (ICONIX, Perfect Image). Elongations were significant and allowed rapid discrimination of antibiotic inhibited and non-inhibited strains. Particular isolates in a mixed culture were characterized and enumerated after only 14 h exposure with the appropriate antibiotic cocktail. This method can also be applied to other communities, such as mixed cultures in bio-fermentors or in food with known microflora.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1999

Total counts, culturable and viable, and non-culturable microflora of a French mineral water: a case study.

The changes in bacterial counts during the storage of a natural mineral water from a French spring were studied. Samples were taken from the spring and the bottling line. Viable cultivable (VC) bacteria were counted on R2A medium. Total counts, viable and dead bacteria were counted using the LIVE/DEAD Bac Light VIABILITY kit and epifluorescence microscopy. Viable but non-cultivable (VNC) bacteria were estimated by difference between viable and VC counts. Isolates were clustered by phenotype. The microflora in the spring water increased from < 10-3 x 10(5) bacteria ml-1 after 6 d in storage and then stabilized. Mechanical bottling increased the allochthonous bacteria in the water that stabilized at 10(5) bacteria ml-1. Maximal growth is controlled by the low concentration of nutrients in the mineral water and the lysis of dead cells. The allochthonous bacteria came from the aquifer and colonized the filling line. The changes in the VC and VNC populations showed that the bacteria used starvation-survival and entry into the VNC state to adapt to the bottling stress and the enclosed oligotrophic environment.

Beverages↗
PubMed1999

Influence of growth phases and desiccation on the degrees of unsaturation of fatty acids and the survival rates of rhizobia

The influence of growth phase on the evolution of cellular fatty acids (CFA) and survival of Sinorhizobium and Bradyrhizobium during desiccation and storage at different levels of relative humidity (R. H.) was studied. Lactobacillic, cis vaccenic and palmitic acids were the major fatty acids of S. meliloti RCR 2011, B. elkanii USDA 120 and B. japonicum 3.2, whatever the growth phase. An exchange of cis vaccenic with lactobacillic acid was observed during the course of growth. The degree of unsaturation (% unsaturated CFA/% saturated CFA = u/s ratio) was significantly higher during the mid logarithmic phase of growth. Survival rates immediately after desiccation were unaffected by the growth phase and the R.H. Furthermore, no correlation was found between survival rate and u/s ratio. During the course of desiccation, the u/s ratio of rhizobia decreased but the decrease was largely independent of the R.H. Optimum R.H. values for storage were in the range 22-67.8%, and S. meliloti was significantly more tolerant than the bradyrhizobia. Cells of rhizobia harvested in the lag phase of growth were more resistant to protracted storage than cells at other growth phases. Again, no correlation was found between u/s ratio and survival rates, despite the expected practical significance for screening for drought-tolerant micro-organisms.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

[Pott's disease paraplegia in children. Mechanics and therapeutic strategies. Six cases].

PURPOSE: We report a series of 6 Pott's disease paraplegias treated between 1982 and 1996. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Out of 15 children suffering from Pott's disease, 6 had paraplegia. Treatment consisted of anterior medullar decompression and anterior spine fusion with bone grafting. Two or three weeks later, posterior spine fusion was achieved systematically using a CD fixation device in 3 cases. RESULTS: Neurological signs completely disappeared in 5 children. Vertebral fusion was correct in all patients and kyphosis was less than 50 degrees. DISCUSSION: The posterior approach to the spine must be proscribed as a first step, except for spine dislocation. The anterior approach allowed us to drain the abscess, to correct the kyphosis, and to perform an anterior spine fusion. The posterior spine fusion was performed a few weeks later in order to avoid kyphosis aggravation. CONCLUSION: Prognosis of Pott's disease is good but at the present time, paraplegia remains too frequent. Adapted treatment must be performed without delay.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1996

Roles of Exopolysaccharides and Lipopolysaccharides in the Adsorption of the Siphovirus Phage NM8 to Rhizobium meliloti M11S Cells

The exopolysaccharides produced by Rhizobium meliloti M11S inhibited nonspecifically the adsorption of phage NM8 by coating the cells. But lipopolysaccharides (LPS) had a specific inhibitory effect. Only the polysaccharide moiety of LPS, composed of glucose, glucosamine, galactose, 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid (KDO), and large amounts of sialic acid, inhibited phage adsorption; neither the lipid A moiety nor a cellular glucan was involved. Rhizobium strains lacking sialic acids did not bind phage NM8. Inhibition of phage binding by lectin specific for N-acetylneuraminic acid demonstrated that phage NM8 bound to sialic acids. Preincubation of the phage with monosaccharides showed that inactivation of phage was very stereospecific for N-acetylneuraminic acid. Phage adsorption was also strongly inhibited by N-acetylglucosamine, which is not present in the LPS. Therefore, the receptor for phage NM8 appears to be a saccharide site, probably involving the acetyl groups of sialic acids.

Journal Article↗