Experimental dissociation between wakefulness and paradoxical sleep hippocampal theta.

The effects of electrolytic lesions of the septum on the theta activity of the dorsal hippocampus were studied in the chronically implanted rat during both wakefulness and paradoxical sleep. The experimental results show that depending on their localization, septal lesions can either: (1) eliminate the wakefulness theta rhythm without suppressing that of paraoxical sleep; (2) eliminate the paradoxical sleep theta rhythm without suppressing that of wakefulness. These results suggest that there are two kinds of theta activity having different anatomophysiological bases and a different functional significance: one associated with wakefulness and the other, with paradoxical sleep.     

Effets tardifs des radiations ionisantes sur le système nerveux central, la moelle épinière, les nerfs périphériques

Despite the lack of characteristic features, demyelination is the dominant feature of radiation induced late effects observed in cerebral nervous system and spinal cord. Acute, subacute and chronic changes are described in terms of pathological, clinical and radiological observations. Brain necrosis in adults is rarely noted below 60 Gy in conventional fractionation, while imaging changes are observed with lower doses. The most widely observed dose limit for the spinal cord is 45 Gy, in the absence of dose modifying chemotherapy. Tumor progression may be hard to distinguish from radiochemotherapy effects. The potential protective role of hyperfractionation is not yet clearly established. Peripheral nerves late effects, although rare, are described.     

Type de réponse operante et lésions thalamiques médianes

In the albino rat, mediothalamic lesions increase lever pressing response rate in VI 2 min and FI 2 min schedules. On the same operant schedules with a circular locomotor response, the same lesion remains without effect. Mediothalamic lesions modify mainly instrumental aspects of learning built with acquired behaviors different from animal spontaneous behavior.     

Lésions corrosives du tube digestif secondaires à l’utilisation des préparations traditionnelles. Étude de 15 cas congolais

Résumé Nous avons analysé rétrospectivement, dans le service de gastro-entérologie et médecine interne du CHU de Brazzaville, 15 dossiers d’adultes congolais (11 hommes et 4 femmes) ayant présenté des lésions du tube digestif consécutives à l’utilisation des préparations traditionnelles de janvier 1996 à juillet 2003. Le but de cette étude était de rapporter les aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques, et endoscopiques de ces lésions. Au cours de la période d’étude, 148 patients étaient admis pour ingestion de caustique; parmi eux, 15 avaient utilisé des préparations traditionnelles, soit une fréquence de 10,13 %. Il s’agissait d’adultes jeunes, l’age moyen étant de 32,5 ans. Sept patients avaient pu préciser les produits utilisés. La voie d’utilisation était orale chez 11 patients, et rectale chez les 4 autres. Les lésions digestives étaient hautes dans 11 cas (5 cas de grade 1, 2 cas de grade 2A et 4 cas de grade 3A) et ano-rectales dans 4 cas dont 2 cas de lésions sévères. Des études ethnobotaniques, phytochimiques, pharmacologiques et toxicologiques sont à entreprendre en vue d’une prévention de ces lésions par l’information, l’éducation, la communication des populations.      

Oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses during blood processing and storage of erythrocyte concentrates

Oxidative lesions start accumulating in cells when the oxidant attacks overwhelm the antioxidant defenses. This review will briefly describe red blood cell storage lesions with emphasis on the consequences of oxidation and the cellular defense mechanisms, as well as the methods that can be used to monitor them. The sources of variability in red blood cell storage capacity depend on the donor characteristics, the product processing and the storage conditions. Suggestions to improve the product quality in order to ensure the best efficacy and safety for the transfused patient are also discussed.     

Incidence des équipements modernes sur les lésions traumatiques du membre inférieur chez le rugbyman

Our study concerned the rugby players from Var area in the south of France. These players were graduated in all the categories during the season 2008–2009. We tried to compare the impact: first of the rugby shoes with blade studs versus classic studs and second the training on synthetic rugby field versus natural rugby field, on the increase in lower limb injuries. Indeed, the incidence of these wounds does not stop increasing since the rugby professionalization in spite of the preventives measures. Our study demonstrates that the users of shoes with blades studs presented more knee injuries and precisely more anterior cruciate ligament (P = 0.04) and these hurts occurred without opponent contact (P = 0.02) while they occurred during a tackle in the group of shoes with classics studs. We noticed more tendinitis on synthetic rugby field than on natural rugby field (P = 0.04), even there the type of shoe contributed to these injuries, indeed no players used the turf shoes on synthetic rugby field. So we suggest to limit the use of shoes with blade studs and to decrease the trainings on synthetic rugby field and especially the alternation between synthetic and natural rugby field.     

Retrieval of the retracted flexor tendons for long fingers: New tip

Zone II flexor tendon injuries continue to be a challenge for hand surgeons. During the injury event, the tendon ends may retract towards the palm. Retrieval of these lacerated ends can be problematic because the tendon sheath is unstretchable. This demanding surgery requires a precise repair technique where the tendon stumps are handled in an atraumatic manner. Microtrauma to the tendon sheath must be avoided as this can induce adhesions and lead to poor functional outcomes. Several retrieval methods for retracted tendon ends have been described in published studies. In this technical note, we will describe a technical variation that streamlines the surgical procedure and uses commonly available materials. This simple trick makes the procedure easier and avoids having to suture the tendon to the tubing.