Functional MRI in brain tumours]

Functional MRI is a technique of imaging which is developing fast as it allows non-aggressive evaluation of brain functions. Diffusion, perfusion and activation are each used to study brain responsiveness to a given task. As a pretherapeutic routine investigation, in brain tumours, it can be helpful as an additional tool to morphological MRI in evaluating the prognosis of patients.     

Radioiodinated tracers for the evaluation of dopamine receptors in the neonatal rat brain after hypoxic-ischemic injury

In order to evaluate in vivo single-photon emission tomography (SPET) method of assessing cerebral function after hypoxic-ischemic injury in human neonates, we studied D₁ and D₂ dopamine receptors in a rat model. Seven-day-old rats underwent permanent unilateral common carotid ligation followed by exposure to 8% O₂. Two weeks later, in brains with no visible loss of hemispheric volume, striatal dopaminergic receptors were studied, with [¹²⁵I]TISCH and [1251]IBZM for the D₁ and D₂ dopamine receptors, respectively. Using [¹²⁵I]TISCH, we observed no modifications of D₁ receptors, but in contrast, ex vivo and in vitro autoradiographic experiments showed a 40% decrease in the striatal binding of [¹²⁵I]IBZM on both the ipsilateral and the contralateral side to the carotid ligation. These alterations were detected with IBZM, a D₂ dopamine receptor ligand usable for SPET imaging. Therefore, exploration of D₂ receptors by SPET in human neonates suffering from perinatal hypoxia-ischemia may be valuable for the diagnosis and follow-up of cerebral function damages. Correspondence to: D. Guilloteau     

Personality variables as moderators between hassles and subjective indications of distress

The research was designed to investigate the moderating effect of some personality traits on subjective distress caused by daily hassles. The traits were internal locus of control, repression, ego strength, and barrier (as studied and defined by S. Fisher). The last two variables were negatively correlated both with the somatic and emotional distress indications and with the frequency of hassles reportED; internal locus of control showed an inverse relationship only with frequency of hassles. The hypothesis is formulated that ego strength and barrier are personality factors influencing not only the outcomes of coping (ie the stress response), but also event appraisal.     

Acute respiratory insufficiency caused by hyperinfestation with strongyloides. BALF diagnosis and favourable outcome]

Hyperinfestation with Strongyloides is a severe complication in immunodepressed patients. It may present with various clinical signs, notably acute respiratory failure. Diagnosis may be difficult, particularly when the strongyloidiasis is associated with septicaemia caused by Gram-negative organisms. We report a new case of hyperinfestation with Strongyloides in a patient treated for periarteritis nodosa. This case was remarkable on two scores: the diagnosis problem raised by the presence of intrapulmonary haemorrhages, and the favourable outcome of an acute and initially severe respiratory failure which had required assisted ventilation. The role played in the patient's cure by the doses of thiabendazole given and the duration of their administration is discussed.