Early gastric cancer. 21-year experience.

From 1963 through 1983, 327 patients underwent resection for gastric adenocarcinoma at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. Fifteen lesions (4.6%) were early gastric carcinoma (limited to the mucosa or submucosa regardless of nodal metastases). These lesions were in eight men and seven women (14 blacks and 1 white), with a mean age of 65.3 years (range: 52-80 years). Upper gastrointestinal series were obtained in 13 (6 suspicious, 2 inconclusive, and 5 normal). By comparison, endoscopy on 11 patients provided a tissue diagnosis in ten patients (90.9%). Surgical procedures ranged from total gastrectomy to a local excision, and every specimen was free of lymph node metastases. Macroscopically, there were six Type I, four Type IIb, and Type IIc, three Type III, and one with two separate lesions (IIa and IIb); microscopically, ten were intramucosal and five had submucosal invasion. Five-year survival calculated by the actuarial method was 64.2% (observed) and 100% (adjusted). This compares with 18.8% (observed) for all 327 patients. Six of the patients with early gastric cancer are alive (range: 16-219 months). The nine patients who died had no evidence of recurrent disease at the time of death. Surgical resection of early gastric carcinoma in the United States offers an excellent prognosis similar to the Japanese experience. Increased detection of gastric carcinoma in its curable stages may be achieved through early endoscopic investigation of symptomatic patients.     

Decreased serum levels of nutritional biochemical indices in healthy children with marginally delayed physical growth

Biochemical markers of nutritional status (albumin, transthyretin, insulin-like growth factor-I and zinc) were measured in slowly growing two- to five-year-old, low-income Parisian children whose weight-for-height or height-for-age z scores (WHZ or HAZ) were between — 1 and — 2 SD of the NCHS median. The results were compared to controls who were matched for age, sex, and ethnic origin with WHZ and HAZ between — 1 and + 2 SD. Mean serum levels of transthyretin, albumin and insulin-like growth factor-I and mean plasma zinc concentrations were significantly lower in the growth-impaired children than in the controls ( p = 0.002, p = 0.006, p = 0.015, and p = 0.035, respectively). While the height-retarded children had low mean serum insulin-like growth factor-I values, the weight-retarded subjects had decreased levels of albumin, transthyretin and zinc when compared to controls. Lower mean levels of nutritional markers in healthy, slowly growing children suggest that inadequate dietary intakes of zinc, protein and/or energy may result in marginal delays in weight and height gains.     

Surface tension of animal cartilage as it relates to friction in joints

Measurements of the surface tension of articular cartilage and friction experiments were carried out to provide further evidence in support of a new theory regarding the mechanism of friction in joints. To determine the surface tension of cartilage, contact angle measurements were used in conjunction with the equation of state for interfacial tensions. The advancing contact angle between saline drops and articular cartilage was found to be 100°±5°, indicating a highly hydrophobic surface. The corresponding surface tension value was calculated to be 22.5 ergs/cm². Friction of cartilage against hydrophobic surfaces is shown to be lower than the friction of cartilage against hydrophilic surfaces. All these results further support the theory that lubrication by nonwetting drops occurs in joints and may be responsible for the exceptional friction characteristics of the joints.     

Concentration of zinc, copper, selenium and aluminium in nutritive solutions for parenteral administration]

Total parenteral nutrition (TNP) therapy is widely used. However the quantitative requirements or the toxicity of trace elements in parenteral solutions are difficult to assess. This paper deals with a study performed by the Trace Element Commission of the Société Fran?aise de Biologie Clinique. Trace metals (zinc, copper, selenium and aluminium) which are mainly involved in TPN solutions are analyzed in 12 different parenteral nutrition solutions commercially available. This multicentric assay (5 different sites of analysis) shows that a slight pollution can be noted for nearly all the solutions examined. But at this level (10 mumol/l for the most concentrated solution), the zinc intake cannot induce any toxicity. For copper and selenium the results indicated a negligible pollution. Small-volume solutions added with zinc, copper and selenium are correctly supplemented. As regard aluminium pollution, 4 solutions among 12 contain non negligible amounts of aluminium. The consequences of this TPN overload especially for young infants, indicate that the struggle against this pollution has to be strengthened.     

Determination of trace elements by an assay using flameless atomic absorption spectrometry

The authors review the keys parameters of flameless atomic absorption spectrometry trace element determination in biological medium. Contamination during sample collection and analysis are discussed. Treatments of sample are indicated. The different graphite furnaces are reviewed. Interferences and background correction are discussed. Reference samples are quoted.     

Campagne de vaccination hors centre contre la rougeole des populations précaires en période de pic épidémique,Marseille 2011

BackgroundFrom 2008 to the end of 2011, Europe experienced a major outbreak of measles. The outbreak hit France especially hard, with measles hotspots in the South-East of France. It is known that people living in precarious socio-economic conditions are more exposed to infectious diseases. Regarding the local situation, the NGO “MdM-Marseille” decided to conduct a vaccination campaign among the Roma community living in camps.MethodsThe campaign was planned with two injections of a combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) in a one month interval for all young people born since 1980 and over the age of one year, regardless of antecedents. Twenty-four camps were selected. The target population was estimated at 720 people. Each site was the subject of an information visit. A letter was sent to the Prefecture to inform them and ask for a moratorium on evictions for the identified camps.ResultsBetween May 15th and September 15th 2011, 326 primary immunizations were performed during 34 visits (covering 45.3% of the target population). Over the same period, almost all the camps were evacuated, forcing teams to stop the vaccination campaign. The second injection campaign covered only 37 persons.ConclusionThe vaccination campaign among Roma populations in Marseilles was organized in a context of a major national outbreak of measles in the general population. Although the Prefecture was informed, camp evictions were not interrupted. This highlights the discrepancy between public health policy and security policy. In the context of an epidemic, innovative actions should be focused on vulnerable populations in partnership with health authorities. The main objective is to find procedures that can protect populations at risk in the event of a health crisis but which are also useful for routine prevention.