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Biomedical subjects

S Poirier

Publications and source records attributed to S Poirier.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Epstein-Barr virus activators, mutagens and volatile nitrosamines in preserved food samples from high-risk areas for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Representative samples of preserved foods collected from high-risk areas for nasopharyngeal carcinoma were assayed for capacity to induce Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) by measuring induction of the DR promoter gene or of genes for early antigens in Raji cells. The two assays gave concordant results, but the DR induction assay detected EBV-inducing substances at lower concentrations and more reproducibly. Three of 17 preserved food items were active in both assays; they were also weakly mutagenic in the SOS chromotest and contained low or moderate levels of volatile N-nitrosamines. After in-vitro nitrosation, the levels of mutagens and nitrosamines increased, whereas EBV-inducing activity was unchanged or decreased. Thus, EBV inducers appear to be a different class of substances from mutagens and volatile N-nitrosamines but could act with them in the etiology of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Food Analysis↗
PubMed1991

Microflora of the nasopharynx in Caucasian and Maghrebian subjects with and without nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The possible role of bacteria in the etiology of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) was studied by bacteriological and biochemical analyses of nasopharyngeal swabs collected in the cavum and in the fossa of Rosenmüller of NPC patients and healthy controls in France and Algeria. Counts of total bacteria and of total nitrate-reducing bacteria, mainly enterobacteria, were higher in the Maghrebians than in the Caucasians. The composition of the bacterial flora was different: in Maghrebians, enterobacteria were present in five of 17 control subjects and eight of 15 NPC patients, while the prevalence was only one out of 15 control subjects in Caucasians. Twelve of 32 bacterial species isolated from Caucasians and Maghrebians with normal or tumorous nasopharyngeal microflora were able to catalyse nitrosation of morpholine in vitro. This result suggests that colonization of the nasopharynx by microflora that contain nitrate-reducing microorganisms which can form N-nitroso compounds might represent a risk factor for NPC in Maghrebian populations.

Algeria↗
PubMed1990

The voices of the medical record.

The medical record, as a managerial, historic, and legal document, serves many purposes. Although its form may be well established and many of the cases documented in it 'routine' in medical experience, what is written in the medical record nevertheless records decisions and actions of individuals. Viewed as an interpretive 'text', it can itself become the object of interpretation. This essay applies literary theory and methodology to the structure, content, and writing style(s) of an actual medical record for the purpose of exploring the relationship between the forms and language of medical discourse and the daily decisions surrounding medical treatment. The medical record is shown to document not only the absence of a consistent treatment plan for the patient studied but also a breakdown in communication between different health professionals caring for that patient. The paper raises questions about the kind of education being given to house staff in this instance. The essay concludes with a consideration of how such situations might be more generally avoided.

Language↗
PubMed1990

Interest of biotyping Candida albicans in chronic vulvovaginitis.

Chronic vulvovaginitis due to Candida albicans is a major clinical problem for the physician. Although new antifungal drugs are now available, the therapeutic approach of this disease remains disappointing. The aims of this study were two-fold. First, we wanted to evaluate the reliability of a single sampling performed by most clinicians in verifying if the yeast infects the entire genital mucosa or a preferential site and, second, to biotype the strains recovered in order to see if more than one strain are responsible for the infection. We found, in 18 patients suffering from vaginal candidosis, that the entire genital mucosa was infected by the yeast and the strain recovered from the different genital sites in a single patient was the same in 100% of the cases. Only 1.4% of the samples were negative. In addition, we biotyped the strains obtained from the gastrointestinal tract of these patients to evaluate this site as a potential source of infection. We obtained gastrointestinal tract samples for 15 of the 18 patients and we could identify C. albicans in 100% of the cases. Furthermore, 73.3% of the patients harboured the same strains of C. albicans in the gastrointestinal tract as in the vagina.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Volatile nitrosamine levels and genotoxicity of food samples from high-risk areas for nasopharyngeal carcinoma before and after nitrosation.

Traditional life-style, especially food habits, infection by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and genetic factors, have been associated with an increased risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). N-Nitroso compounds and other carcinogens either present in food or formed endogenously, as well as food constituents that activate EBV, have been suspected as etiological factors in NPC pathogenesis. For their characterization preserved food items, frequently consumed in NPC endemic areas in Tunisia, South China and Greenland, were sampled and screened for the presence of mutagens and volatile nitrosamines before and after nitrosation. Aqueous extracts as well as 2 organic extracts of the samples were assayed for genotoxicity in 2 Salmonella typhimurium strains and the SOS chromotest. The same extracts had previously been analyzed for volatile nitrosamines and for EBV-activating substances in Raji cells. In our study, 13 out of 16 food samples showed a weak, directly-acting genotoxicity in the SOS chromotest in at least one of the extracts, but only one sample from Greenland was found to be weakly mutagenic in Salmonella TA 98. Chemical nitrosation for 9 out of 15 samples of aqueous food extracts increased the genotoxic effect in the SOS chromotest. Levels of volatile nitrosamines were also elevated for 12 out of 15 samples; highest levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine were found in hard salted and dried fish from China (1,200 micrograms/kg) and highest N-nitrosopyrrolidine levels in a Tunisian spice (3,840 micrograms/kg). In non-nitrosated aqueous food extracts, the level of volatile nitrosamines and genotoxic activities were not correlated with the EBV-inducing activity of the same samples. After chemical nitrosation, EBV-inducing activity was decreased or showed no change and was not correlated with increases in either the genotoxicity or the nitrosamine levels. Our results suggest that EBV-activating compounds belong to a different class of substances. However, there was an association between the changes in genotoxicity and nitrosamine levels due to nitrosation.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed1989

The growth of and recovery from TTS in human subjects exposed to impact noise.

It is now recognized that temporary threshold shift (TTS) grows to an asymptotic level (ATS) after a prolonged exposure to steady-state and intermittent noise. Few studies have been conducted to verify this process of acquisition for impact noise. However, results obtained on animals have demonstrated that an asymptote is reached after 1-2 h of exposure. These results have been confirmed in the present study on four human subjects using a 470-ms (B duration) impact noise at a rate of 1 pps. The above pattern of acquisition has been retested on two subjects exposed to the same impact for periods of 15-150 min. An ATS of 15-20 dB was measured (Lp = 102-104 dBA) after 30-60 min of exposure. Recovery curves were determined for each exposure duration. They appeared to follow a logarithmic function of post-exposure time. It took from 30-50 min for one subject and from 4-5 h for the other to completely recover. The time for total recovery did not seem to vary as a function of exposure time. Implications are drawn for damage risk criteria and for the study of the effects of impact noise on hearing.

Auditory Fatigue↗
PubMed1989

Treatment of cutaneous candidosis in guinea pigs: effect of zinc oxide on the antifungal efficacy of nystatin.

This article describes the in vivo evaluation of a new topical preparation (Zincostatin) indicated for Candida albicans infected diaper rash. In order to study the influence of the 20% zinc oxide (W/W) (a protectant) on the anti-candidal efficacy of the 100,000 U/g of nystatin found in the ointment, groups of guinea pigs received different treatments with or without local occlusion. Zinc oxide, nystatin, or the combination of both were applied, in the ointment base, on the backs of the animals inoculated with a fresh strain of Candida albicans. Macroscopic and microbiological evaluation of the skin lesions were assessed at regular intervals during 21 days. While the two treatments containing nystatin were more effective than zinc oxide alone, the latter agent did not decrease the efficacy of the antifungal drug in combination therapy. Also, zinc oxide seemed to afford some protection against local maceration induced by occlusion, which increased the severity of the infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Epstein-Barr virus activation in Raji cells by extracts of preserved food from high risk areas for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation of latent infection and traditional life styles, especially food habits, have been strongly associated with an increased risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in humans. On the basis of anthropological studies in Tunisia, southern China and Greenland, extracts of representative preserved food items consumed frequently by the high-risk populations for NPC were assayed for the presence of EBV activators in Raji cells. A strong EBV activation activity was observed in aqueous extracts of some Cantonese salted dried fish from China, harissa (a spice mixture) and to a lesser extent qaddid (dry mutton preserved in olive oil) from Tunisia. These new data may support epidemiological evidence for the importance of Cantonese salted and dried fish and other food items in the etiology of NPC.

China↗
PubMed1987

Volatile nitrosamine levels in common foods from Tunisia, south China and Greenland, high-risk areas for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

On the basis of anthropological pilot studies on diet in Tunisia, south China and Greenland, food items consumed frequently by these populations at high risk for NPC were analysed for volatile nitrosamines using gas chromatography combined with a thermal energy analyzer. Relatively high levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR) and N-nitrosopiperidine (NPIP) were detected in Tunisian stewing base ("Touklia") and dried mutton preserved in olive oil ("Qaddid"). NDMA was also detected at levels ranging from trace amounts to 133 micrograms/kg in several Chinese salted and dried marine fish and in Greenland dried, unsalted fish preparations. NPYR and NPIP were also occasionally detected in several vegetables fermented in brine collected in Tunisia and China. The possible role of nitrosamines in the etiology of NPC is discussed.

China↗
PubMed1987

Pharmacy in interprofessional education: a course on images of the health professions in the media.

For the pharmacist or pharmacy student, who may not appear frequently on the hospital floor, lack of interaction with other health professionals may have unfortunate consequences. At a time when pharmacy is asserting its clinical role, isolation can be particularly counterproductive. Pharmacy students will daily encounter future colleagues who characterize (or caricature) the pharmacist as a "pill counter," who works in a lost corner of a chain "drugstore" or in the dingy basement of a hospital. Such images, drawn from popular media as well as professional stereotypes, impede the integration of the pharmacist into the health care team in the eyes of both the public and other health professionals. Images of the Health Professions in the Media was designed to study popular stereotypes of several health professions in an interprofessional setting, with the goals of challenging stereotypes, fostering team attitudes among future health professionals, and creating an awareness in students of the power of the media in shaping the public images of the health professions.

Chicago↗
PubMed1987

Occurrence of volatile nitrosamines in food samples collected in three high-risk areas for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Fifty-four samples of foods consumed frequently in Tunisia, southern China and Greenland, all high-risk areas for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), were analysed for the presence of volatile nitrosamines by gas chromatography (GC) combined with a thermal energy analyser (TEA). Relatively high levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosopiperidine (NPIP) and N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR) were found in Tunisian stewing base (touklia) and dried mutton preserved in olive oil (qaddid). In one Chinese salted and dried fish sample, a high level of NDMA (133 micrograms/kg) was detected, but for the 14 others the levels ranged from undetectable to 14 micrograms/kg, with a mean of 3 micrograms/kg. Similarly high levels of NDMA, were found in Eskimo dried, unsalted fish samples. NDMA, NPIP and NPYR at various levels were present in Chinese vegetables fermented in brine. The possible role of nitrosamines in the etiology of NPC is discussed.

China↗
PubMed1986

From patient to consumer; from apprentice to professional practitioner.

Women as patients as well as providers within the health care area may yet benefit from the transformations taking place within the medical industry. The evolution from patient to consumer during this past century was fraught with reactions to overzealous paternalism and the misguided notion of separatism as a route to equality. Women's work was confined to her separate sphere and was limited to the privacy of the home or within certain circumscribed work roles "for women only," whereas the work of men involved functioning publicly in the world at large. Historically this situation relates to a key disability of nursing, that is, its dependent relationship to organized medicine which served to limit its advancement. For even though nurses could enter the public male environment of the hospital, they could do so only with the expectation that they were there to serve the physician. All women were limited by the Victorian mentality that prescribed unequal status for them in society. The active optimism which finally resulted in suffrage for women in 1920 offered promise of integration in educational and professional opportunities which remained unfulfilled decades later. In the last half of this century, the resurgence of social reforms dealing with civil rights, consumerism, and born-again feminism has once again stimulated great expectations. The ultimate solution must lie somewhere in the middle ground, where competence determines the provider and an informed compassion meets the needs for health care.

Education, Nursing↗