No increase in drug dispensing for acute gastroenteritis after Storm Klaus, France 2009.

During the night of 23-24 January 2009, Storm Klaus hit south-western France and caused power outages affecting 1,700,000 homes and stopping numerous pumping and drinking water disinfection systems. In France, medicalized acute gastroenteritis (MAGE) outbreaks are monitored by analysing the daily amount of reimbursements of medical prescriptions, registered in the French National Health Insurance database, at the 'commune' administrative level. As AGE is suspected to be associated with perturbations to water supply systems as well as power outages, Storm Klaus provided an opportunity to test its influence on the incidence of MAGE in the communes of three affected French departments (administrative areas larger than communes). The geographical exposure indicator was built by using the mapping of the water distribution zones, the reported distribution/production stoppages and their duration. Irrespective of exposure class, a relative risk of MAGE of 0.86 (95% confidence 0.84-0.88) was estimated compared with the 'unexposed' reference level. Although these results must be considered with caution because of a potential marked decrease in global medical consultation probably due to impassable roads, they do not suggest a major public health impact of Klaus in terms of increased MAGE incidence.

Cryptosporidium removal

El tratamiento del agua para la remocion de Cryptosporidium depende de diversos factores, como el area de la fuente del agua y el tipo de polucion presente en ella. Se analizan posibles tratamientos empleados en Europa, principalmente en Francia, para la eliminacion del parasito del agua. Se analizan ademas algunos parametros que permitan estimar el riesgo de infeccion por la presencia de oocistos

[Sustained-released verapamil and ambulatory recording of blood pressure in mild to moderate essential hypertension]. / Vérapamil à libération prolongée et enregistrement ambulatoire de la pression artérielle dans l'hypertension artérielle essentielle légère à modérée.

An open study in 25 patients evaluated the efficacy and safety of Isoptine S.R., in some cases associated with Aldactazine in mild to moderate essential hypertension. After a placebo period of 2 weeks, the patients received sustained release verapamil (240 mg/24 hours) in a single morning dose for 6 months. An increase in the dosage (360 mg/24 hours in two subdoses) could be made during the first month of treatment if the diastolic blood pressure remained greater than or equal to 95 mmHg. If the diastolic blood pressure persisted at these levels at the second monthly assessment, a tablet of Aldactazine was associated. The blood pressure was evaluated by means of conventional clinical determinations and 24-hour ambulatory recordings carried out at the time of inclusion and then after 3 and 6 months of treatment. From the first month of treatment, the casual blood pressure determinations in the supine and standing position fell highly significantly (p less than 0.0001), resulting in a mean reduction of 22.3 mmHg in the systolic blood pressure (-12.6%) and of 17.4 mmHg in the diastolic blood pressure (-17%). The ambulatory recordings of blood pressure also showed a significant reduction in the mean systolic blood pressure over 24 hours (p less than 0.05 at the 3rd month of treatment), in the mean diastolic blood pressure over 24 hours (p less than 0.01) and the mean pressure (p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Modulation of phospholipid metabolism in murine keratinocytes by tumor promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate.

The possibility that phospholipid deacylation may be a critical event in the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-associated effects on mouse skin prompted us to examine in vitro the effects of TPA on arachidonic acid metabolism in neonatal mouse keratinocytes. Three-day old neonatal keratinocytes were prelabeled with [14C]arachidonic acid ([14C]AA) and [14C] stearic acid ([14C]ST) and used to characterize the lipases that were activated when these cells were treated with TPA in culture. Data from these studies demonstrate that phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) are the major phospholipids that undergo early hydrolysis to release arachidonic acid when challenged by TPA. Of particular interest was the novel observation of the hydrolysis of 14C-labeled PI in these keratinocytes, the accumulation of [14C]1,2-diacylglyceride and the lack of the [14C]diacylglyceride phosphorylation to form [14C]phosphatidic acid. This lack of [14C] phosphatidic accumulation implied that although TPA enhanced the hydrolysis of [14C]PI resulting in increased [14C]diacylglyceride it did not enhance the resynthesis of the [14C]PI via the phosphorylation of the [14C]diacylglyceride. Therefore, TPA probably is not involved in the turnover of PI in these cells but is involved in the activation of PC hydrolyzing phospholipase A2 and PI hydrolyzing phospholipase C in these keratinocytes releasing arachidonic acid which then undergoes oxygenation reactions to provide biologically active eicosanoids.

Tinea versicolor: a light and electron microscopic study of hyperpigmented skin.

Hyperpigmentation in lesions of tinea versicolor has previously been reported to be a result of the effects of the fungus Pityrosporon orbiculare on melanosome formation and distribution. Examination of biopsy specimens from lesions of hyperpigmented tinea versicolor involving vitiliginous skin reveals an absence of melanosomes and melanocytes. Reddish-tan and fawn-colored hyperpigmentation in tinea versicolor of this type is not due to melanin pigment. The possible nature of the pigmentation that delineates hyperpigmented tinea versicolor from normal skin is discussed.

Effects of gonadotropins on follicular development, ovulation, and atresia in the mature guinea pig.

The induction of follicular growth, ovulation, and atresia by heterologous gonadotropic preparations was studied late in the reproductive cycle of the adult female guinea pig. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) administration (10 IU) 12 days following the first signs of opening of the vaginal membrane was found to stimulate ovulation within 24 h in all animals studied, as evidenced by recovery of ova from their oviducts as well as the presence of postovulatory follicles in their ovaries. Histologically, ovaries of animals receiving HCG exhibited atretic changes in most of the follicles smaller than 999 micrometer in diameter. Pregnant mares serum gonadotropin (PMSG, 10 IU) administered on days 9 and 10 of the cycle was not sufficient to stimulate ovulation in this species although histological changes in the follicular complement were observed. Administration of PMSG prior to the HCG appeared to have an inhibitory effect on ovulation induction. Follicles luteinizing with entrapped ova were seen in all groups receiving exogenous gonadotropin, although they were most prevalent in the animals receiving the maximum total gonadotropin doses (i.e. PMSG + HCG).

Radioisotopic assay of vitamin B12 in tissues.

The present study delineates the application of the radioisotopic competitive-inhibition assay for the measurement of vitamin B12 in tissues. The extraction of endogenous B12 from tissues was shown to be simple and complete. Proportional dilution studies suggest that tissue factors do not interfere with the assay. Although some variability exists when multiple areas of an organ are sampled, the differences between B12 levels in tissues obtained from normal individuals and B12-deprived individuals are so wide that individual intra-organ variability is trivial, As this tissue B12 assay is similar to the widely utilized radioisotopic assays for serum B12, it is applicable for routine use.