Propuesta de desarrollo de una unidad de oncogeriatría. Tiempos de cambio: nuestra realidad

Age is one of the main risk factors for the development of cancer. It is expected that the progressive aging of the population will have an unprecedented impact on the incidence of various tumours. In fact, the management of elderly cancer patients is already a major public health problem in developed countries. However, elderly patients have systematically been excluded from cancer drug studies or protocol development. This has left health professionals in uncharted territory, without proper tools to address the multiple difficulties that arise in the treatment of these patients. A comprehensive geriatric assessment may serve as an ideal tool for the correct detection of hidden problems, facilitating treatment decisions in these complex patients, and integrating the care of patients with comorbidities.     

La fracture de verge à Dakar. à propos de 25 cas

Objectives

To describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of penile fracture in the department of Urology-Andrology of h?pital général de Grand Yoff, Dakar, Sénégal.

Materials and methods

We reviewed the medical records of cases of penile fracture managed at the h?pital général de Grand Yoff from January 2001 to December 2011. The data of interest were: age at diagnosis, geographic origin, clinical presentation, surgical findings, treatment and outcomes.

Results

In ten years, 25 cases of penile fracture were found with an average of 2,5 cases per year and patients mean age of 36 years with 22 and 60 years as extremes. The circumstances of occurrence were mainly forced manipulation (52%) and coitus (32%). Pain associated with penile curvature, swelling localized to the penis or extending to the pubis or the perineum were the major clinical findings. A prompt emergency (mean time for providing care was 2 hours ranging from 45 minuts to 2 days) surgical explorationwith suture of the albuginea of the corpus cavernosum was the treatment in all cases.

Conclusion

Penile fracture is a relatively uncommon urological emergency in our setting. The diagnosis is easy, mostly based on clinical examination. A prompt and appropriate surgical management is the key to cosmetic and functional outcomes.     

Influence de l’action combinee du P.A.S. et de l’hydrazide isonicotinique (INH) sur l’augmentation de la resistance de bacilles tuberculeux in vitro

Résumé Un examen comparatif in vitro fait ressortir que l’augmentation de la résistance des bacilles tuberculeux vis-à-vis d’un mélange d’INH et de P.A.S. ne se présente pas ou seulement lentement après des ensemencements successifs sur des milieux qui contiennent ce mélange. Ceci à l’opposé de bacilles exposés a l’influence de ces deux éléments isolés. Les bacilles qui subissent l’influence du mélange font voir également une légère augmentation de la résistance à l’égard des composants isolés. Les travaux de recherches furent supportés en partie par Riker Laboratories Inc., Los Angeles, California.     

Duelo pre-muerte en cuidadores de enfermos de Alzheimer. Validación de una guía

IntroductionThe pre-death grief in family caregivers (FC) of people with Alzheimer's disease has not been sufficiently treated in studies on this group. Thus, the design and validation of informative printed materials is relevant due to its important implications for the well-being of these FCs and their training in the proper performance of their role. The objective was to design and validate a booklet aimed at informing FCs about this topic, as well as the procedure for its dissemination and use.Materials and methodsAfter a review of the literature, a booklet and a questionnaire were designed to determine the acceptability and dissemination procedure and use of the booklet by 73 professionals working with FCs. With the suggestions made, modifications were made to both the content and format of the booklet.ResultsThe questionnaire used presented adequate content validity and reliability in its different sections (α = 0.793 and α = 0.888). The level of acceptability of the booklet was high by professionals (83.85% of total score). Its dissemination was especially valued in the initial stages of the disease, and its use in therapeutic and supportive group contexts, with professional advice.ConclusionsThe study made it possible to verify the relevance and acceptability of a booklet as a training resource for FCs about pre-death grief, making it a useful tool for professionals that work in this area of great relevance.     

Contribution à íétude des Microphallidae (Trematoda). XLIX. Espèces d'oiseaux de Tasmanie. Création de Rhyncostophallus n. g.

Les auteurs décrivent et illustrent l'anatomie d'espèces de Microphallidés d'oiseaux Charadriiformes de Tasmanie (Australie). Rhyncostophallus insularegii n. g. n. sp., parasite de Charadrius ruficapillus, mesure 360 m avec une papille mâle sphérique de 39 m de diamètre; le genre est anatomiquement proche du genre Microphallus, à l'exception d'un appareil oral original évoquant un rhyncostome de Probolocoryphe. Microphallus pearsoni n. sp. de C. ruficapillus et Arenaria interpres, mesure 400–500 m avec une papille mâle musculeuse sans lobe accessoire basal, globuleuse, parfois déprimée en cupule, et d'un diamètre de 40 m égal à celui de la ventouse ventrale. Sont aussi mentionnés: (i) Microphallus pseudogonotylus (Chen, 1944) chez C. ruficapillus; (ii) Levinseniella (Levinseniella) howensis (Johnston, 1917) Pearson & Deblock, 1979 chez Arenaria interpres; (iii) L. (Monarrhenos) monodactyla Deblock & Pearson,1970 parasite de C. ruficapillus, dont la singularité morphologique de la ventouse orale est illustrée et comparée aux rhyncostomes de Probolocoryphe et de Rhyncostophallus.     

Impacto funcional de la fractura de pelvis por fragilidad. Descripción de una serie de casos consultados al servicio de Geriatría

Introduction

The prevalence of pelvic fracture (PF) due to frailty is increasing, leading to an increase in functional impairment in the patient, as well as increasing morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study is to gain knowledge about the sociodemographic characteristics, as well as the functional features, of patients admitted to hospital with PF and evaluated by a Geriatrics department. The functional burden of PF and the potential influence of geriatric interventions are also assessed.

Réseaux de grains cytoplasmiques dans les cellules de l'organe de Bidder chez Bufo bufo L.

Résumé Les cellules de l'organe de Bidder, observées à l'aide du microscope électronique, contiennent dans leur cytoplasme des structures granulaires qui sont inconnues dans les ovocytes des ovaires d'Amphibiens. Ces structures sont formées de grains disposés concentriquement autour de vésicules allongées du réticulum lisse. Les grains, chacun de 140 Å, sont reliés entre eux par des fibrilles dans des plans circulaires et superposés, formant ainsi des réseaux cylindriques ou fusiformes. Ces réseaux peuvent être rassemblés et orientés pour constituer des faisceaux. Ils peuvent perdre le reticulum qui axe leur structure et fusionner, tandis que les grains s'associent étroitement et prennent l'aspect de fibres. Ils peuvent aussi être associés avec un matériel dense et amorphe, qui ressemble au ciment intermitochondrial. L'hypothèse d'une organisation de ribosomes est discutée.

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Granular networks in the cells of Bidder's organ in Bufo bufo L.

Summary The cells of the Bidder's organ, observed with the electron microscope, reveal in their cytoplasm granular structures unknown in Amphibian oocytes. These structures are formed of granules concentrically organized around lengthened vesicles of smooth reticulum. The granules, each about 140 Å, are linked to each other by fibrils in circular and superposed planes constituting cylindrical or spindle-shaped networks. These networks may be rassembled and directed in a way to constitute fasciculi. They may lose the reticulum which support their structure and blend into one another, while the granules closely associate each other and take the appearance of fibers. They may be connected with a dense and amorph material, which looks like intermitochondrial cement. The hypothesis about an organisation of ribosomes is discussed.

     

Ecole d'été de l'A.C.E.M.I.—Ha?ti

Six Canadian medical students record their experience at a summer school of tropical medicine in Haiti, sponsored by the Canadian Association of Medical Students and Internes. The social, economic and medical background is described, including “Voodoo” practices, language and Haitian art. Attention is directed to the occurrence of umbilical tetanus, diarrhea and malnutrition. From even a brief stay in a country such as Haiti one comes to appreciate that a public health program in an underdeveloped nation is not strictly a medical undertaking but must be seen in its social and economic contexts.     

Laboratoire de Chimie Bactérienne C.N.R.S., Marsielle, France.

Summary Mutants of E. coli, completely devoid of nitrite reductase activity with glucose or formate as donor were studied. Biochemical analysis indicates that they are simultaneously affected in nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, fumarate reductase and hydrogenase activities as well as in cytochrome c₅₅₂ biosynthesis. The use of an antiserum specific for nitrate reductase shows that the nitrate reductase protein is probably missing. A single mutation is responsible for this phenotype: the gene affected, nir R, is located close to tyr R i.e. at 29 min on the chromosomal map.Abbreviations BV Benzyl-Viologen - NTG N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine - NR nitrate reductase - NIR nitrite reductase - FR fumarate reductase - HYD hydrogenase - CYT c₅₅₂ cytochrome c₅₅₂     

Étude anatomique et comparative de charbons de bois de Larix decidua Mill. et de Picea abies (L.) Karst

The anatomical criteria for the identification of the genera Larix and Picea defined on wood samples by Bartholin (1979) and Anagnost et al. (1994) have been tested on charcoal in order to permit a taxonomic discrimination between two European alpine species, Lark decidua Mill. and Picea abies (L.) Karst. Examination under an episcopic microscope with a high magnification (× 1 000) of the bordered pits of the ray tracheid walls, the only really discriminating criterion, shows a new type of indented pit. This makes it possible to identify the two species more accurately. Thus, these two species can now be distinguished on charcoal instead of only on wood. However, this distinction remains uncertain if the fragment size is under 1 mm, which is often the case in pedoanthracological samples from high altitude soils.     

Excrétion de phosphatase acide par les cellules mucipares de la branchie de Mytilus edulis L.

Résumé Dans toutes les cellules mucipares de la branchie de Mytilus edulis L., quelques grains de secretion montrent une activité phosphatasique acide, décelée par la méthode cytochimique de Gomori appliquée au microscope électronique. A la proximité de ces grains se trouvent des dictyosomes golgiens où une activité phosphatasique se décèle dans les parties latérales des cisternes et dans les vésicules qui en émanent. Au moment de l'excrétion, tous les grains de sécrétion confluent et la phosphatase acide active est incluse dans l'amas de mucus expulsé dans la cavité palléale. Le rôle digestif de ces amas — et non purement mécanique — peut ainsi être considéré comme hautement probable. De telles manifestations enzymatiques sont totalement absentes dans le tapis muqueux ainsi que dans les cellules qui le constituent.

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Excretion of acidic phosphatase by the goblet-cells of the gill of Mytilus edulis L.An electron microscopic study

Summary Acidic phosphatase activity detected by the Gomori method applied to E.M., has been found in a few secretion granules of each goblet cell of the gill of Mytilus edulis L. In the close proximity of those granules golgian dictyosomes always occur, with acidic phosphatase activity in the lateral parts of the cisternae and in the vesicles arising from the latter. When the mucus is extruded, active and non active secretion granules are mixed and thus, acidic phosphatase activity is regularly found in the mucous tufts extruded into the palleal cavity. Therefore the digestive role — and not merely mechanic — of the mucous tufts may be considered as highly probable. Conversely, the secretion granules from which arises the continuous mucous cover of the epithelium and this cover also, are entirely devoid of any acidic phosphatase activity.

     

Malladaites nov. gen. et Spinammatoceras (Hammatoceratidae,Ammonitina) de l'Aalénien de la zone subbétique,Sud de l'Espagne

The aim of this paper is to remark some morphologicaldifferences among the type-species of the genus ZurcheriaDouvillé and those species attributed to this genuf by Buckman & Brasil: the group of H. pugnaxVacek for which Schindewolf (1964) defined the genus Spinammatoceras, and the group of H. pertinaxVacek for which we propose Malladaites gen. nov.; new species of both genera are described. The stratigraphical range of these species is established in the Betic Cordillera.     

Identificación presuntiva de Candida spp. y de otras levaduras de importancia clínica: utilidad de Brilliance Candida Agar

Fungal infections caused by yeasts have increased during the last decades and invasive forms represent a serious problem for human health. Candida albicans is the species most frequently isolated from clinical samples. However, other emerging yeast pathogens are increasingly responsible for mycotic infections, and some of them are resistant to some antifungal drugs. Consequently, it is necessary to have methods that can provide a rapid presumptive identification at species level.Numerous chromogenic agar media have been shown to be of value as diagnostic tools. We have compared a chromogenic medium, Brilliance Candida Agar, with CHROMagar Candida, the chromogenic medium most used in our country. A multicentre study was conducted in 16 Hospitals belonging to the Mycology Net of Buenos Aires City Government. A total of 240 yeast isolates were included in this research.The new chromogenic agar showed results very similar to those obtained with CHROMagar Candida.