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Biomedical subjects

R Masmoudi

Publications and source records attributed to R Masmoudi.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Risk factors for heat related death during the August 2003 heat wave in Paris, France, in patients evaluated at the emergency department of the Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the risk factors for short term mortality in the victims of the heat wave of August 2003 in France from among patients evaluated in our emergency department (ED). It was hypothesised that age, temperature, and some long term therapies and pre-existing pathologies were factors associated with short term mortality. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a seven day period. Four experts decided blindly, in pairs, whether a patient had presented with a heat related problem. Inclusion criteria were: core temperature > or =38 degrees C and/or clinical signs of dehydration. Comparisons were made between the survivors and one month non-survivors for 57 different items. Short term mortality was defined as death in the ED or within the first month of the ED visit. RESULTS: Of 841 patients attending the ED in the study period, 165 were included in the study, of which most were elderly women. Thirty one (18.8%) died within one month. Factors associated with short term mortality were: a greater degree of dependent living; more severe clinical condition on admission (higher temperature and heart rate, lower blood pressure, hypoxia, and altered mental status); higher values of blood glucose, troponin, and white blood cell count; lower values of serum protein and prothrombin levels; pre-existing ischaemic cardiomyopathy; pneumonia as associated infection; and previous psychotropic treatment. The total number of survivors at one year was 91. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study is limited because of the small sample size, the results have helped determine factors useful for future identification of patients at greatest risk of death in order to implement a more efficient patient care protocol.

Age Factors↗

An optimised protocol for plant regeneration from embryogenic suspension cultures of date palm, Phoenix dactylifera L., cv. Deglet Nour.

An improved protocol is described for the large-scale micropropagation of an elite date palm ( Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivar, Deglet Nour. Clonal plants were regenerated from somatic embryos derived from highly proliferating suspension cultures. Friable embryogenic calli were initiated from both leaf and inflorescence explants. Suspension cultures consisting of pro-embryonic masses were established from calli showing a high competency for somatic embryogenesis. The subculture of suspensions in liquid medium enriched with low amounts of plant growth regulators (1 mg l(-1) 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid with 300 mg l(-1) charcoal) resulted in the differentiation of large numbers of somatic embryos. The productivity of the cultures increased 20-fold (from 10 to 200 embryos per month per 100 mg fresh weight of embryogenic callus) when embryogenic suspensions were used instead of standard cultures on solid media. The overall production of somatic embryos reached 10,000 units per litre per month. Partial desiccation of the mature somatic embryos, corresponding to a decrease in water content from 90% to 75%, significantly improved germination rates (from 25% to 80%). The cutting back of the cotyledonary leaf was also found to stimulate embryo germination. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the micropropagation protocol followed here did not affect the ploidy level of somatic embryo-derived plantlets.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

Primary sternal osteomyelitis and septicaemia due to Staphylococcus aureus.

Primary sternal osteomyelitis is rare in these recent decades. Only scattered cases have been reported, most of them in intravenous drug users. We report the case of an 88-y-old woman who presented a primary sternal infection due to Staphylococcus aureus associated with secondary septicaemia. The only predisposing factor was radiotherapy for a malignant tumour of the right mammary gland 20 y ago. Diagnostic evaluation and therapeutic management are briefly discussed.

Aged↗

[Acute respiratory distress syndrome and pancytopenia during miliary tuberculosis in a HIV positive patient].

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a rare but severe complication of miliary tuberculosis, which may occur even under antituberculous therapy. Even with adequate treatment, its mortality is close to 70%, and if associated with pancytopenia, it may reach 100%. Underlying diseases, delayed diagnosis and additional complications are factors of poor prognosis. We report a case of a patient infected with the human immunodeficiency virus who experienced pancytopenia and ARDS associated with miliary tuberculosis. The patient recovered under antituberculous chemotherapy.

Adult↗

Adult respiratory distress syndrome and pancytopenia associated with miliary tuberculosis in a HIV-infected patient.

Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a rare but severe complication of miliary tuberculosis, which may appear even after introduction of antituberculosis therapy. Mortality has been reported to be as high as 100% if there is associated pancytopenia. We report a case of a patient infected with the human immunodeficiency virus who presented with miliary tuberculosis associated with pancytopenia and adult respiratory distress syndrome.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Pneumococcal cellulitis in an HIV-infected adult.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is an uncommon cause of cellulitis. In almost all of the reported cases, the infection occurred in immunosuppressed patients, especially in those with connective tissue diseases. We report a case of cervical cellulitis associated with septicemia which occurred in an HIV-infected adult.

Adult↗

[Hepatic amebiasis: an unusual clinical presentation].

BACKGROUND: Painful liver enlargement with fever are common signs of hepatic ambiasis. Exceptionally, atypical signs may also occur including symptoms suggesting renal sepsis. CASE REPORT: An 18-year-old woman from the New Caledonia was hospitalized in metropolitan France for suspected right-sided acute pyelonephritis. Urinalysis was normal and the kidney ultrasound suggested the need for an abdominal CT-scan which evidenced a voluminous 10-cm abscess pus. Serology for amebia was positive, confirming the diagnosis of hepatic amebic abscess. Outcome was rapidly favorable with intravenous anti-parasite treatment amebic abscess. Outcome was rapidly favorable with intravenous anti-parasite treatment and percutaneous drainage. DISCUSSION: Atypical signs of hepatic ambiasis may mislead diagnosis. The absence of a fetid odor at puncture helps guide diagnosis, confirmed by serology. Percutaneous drainage can hbe proposed for voluminous abscesses or if the risk of extrahepatic complications is eminent.

Adolescent↗