Psycho-oncologie et culture du mourir à domicile : l’appel à la pluridisciplinarité des médecins généralistes (MG)

In France, general practitioners (GPs) express difficulties in exercise of home palliative care. Those difficulties are described in various studies but none assesses the multidisciplinary collaboration’s impact. In the present study (2005–2008), 291 GPs included in a palliative care network responded to a questionnaire. Results showed the benefits of this partnership organization. Detailed analysis of 36 collaboration cases clarified the reasons for these difficulties and the network influence.     

Nasal health in Down syndrome: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate peripheral nasal pathology as a contributor to olfactory impairment in DS. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty DS and 16 non-DS subjects were recruited. Nasal history and symptoms were assessed by self-report or informant. Olfactory threshold, odor identification, and nasal endoscopy were assessed on each subject. RESULTS: DS subjects were impaired on olfactory threshold (P<0.0001) and odor identification (P<0.001). Although DS subjects tended toward upper-respiratory infections, sleep-disordered breathing, and nasal itching, differences were not significant (P=0.07, 0.06, and 0.058, respectively). There were no significant differences on self-reported nasal history or symptoms. Endoscopy showed equivalent health in DS and control subjects. CONCLUSION: This DS population shows olfactory impairment. However, nasal health is comparable in DS subjects and controls. Nasal dysfunction is unlikely to contribute to olfactory impairment in DS. SIGNIFICANCE: Olfactory deficits in DS appear to be secondary to central, rather than rhinologic, pathology. EBM rating: B-2b.     

Antimicrobial antibodies in Danish slaughterhouse workers and greenhouse workers

Summary As a consequence of contact with animals and animal products slaughterhouse workers might be at risk of infection with pathogenic microorganisms. This hypothesis has been supported by some earlier studies. In this study 217 slaughtermen and a control group of 113 greenhouse workers were investigated for the prevalence of serum antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, Campylobacter jejuni (IgA and IgG), Yersinia enterocolitica types 3 and 9, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis types I, II, III, IV, and V, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, and Borrelia burgdorferi. No significant differences were found concerning either frequency of positive tests or magnitude of titers. The prevalence of toxoplasma antibodies was remarkably high in both groups.     

Induced luteolysis in the primate: rapid loss of luteinizing hormone receptors

The molecular mechanisms involved in luteolysis are still unclear in the primate. This study aimed to investigate the effect of induced luteolysis on the ovarian luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor and the steroidogenic enzyme, 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) in the marmoset monkey. Luteolysis was induced in the mid-luteal phase either directly by systemic prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha), or indirectly by LH withdrawal using systemic gonadotrophin releasing hormone antagonist (GnRHant) treatment. The LH receptor was studied by isotopic mRNA in-situ hybridization and in-situ ligand binding and 3beta-HSD expression was studied using isotopic mRNA in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Induced luteolysis was associated with a reduction in the expression of LH receptor (P < 0.0001) and 3beta-HSD mRNA, closely followed by a reduction in the LH receptor (P < 0.05) and 3beta-HSD protein concentrations within 24 h. There were no differences in the findings whether luteolysis was induced with PGF2alpha or GnRHant. This study shows that disparate mechanisms to induce luteolysis in the primate result in an identical rapid loss of the LH receptor and 3beta-HSD. In conclusion, induced luteolysis leads to rapid loss of the steroidogenic pathway in luteal cells.