Muscle Disuse as a Pivotal Problem in Sarcopenia-related Muscle Loss and Dysfunction.

An age-associated loss of muscle mass and strength--sarcopenia--begins at around the fifth decade of life, with mass being lost at ~0.5-1.2% per year and strength at ~3% per year. Sarcopenia can contribute to a variety of negative health outcomes, including an increased risk for falls and fractures, the development of metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes mellitus, and increase the chance of requiring assisted living. Linear sarcopenic declines in muscle mass and strength are, however, punctuated by transient periods of muscle disuse that can accelerate losses of muscle and strength, which could result in increased risk for the aforementioned conditions. Muscle disuse is recognizable with bed rest or immobilization (for example, due to surgery or acute illness requiring hospitalization); however, recent work has shown that even a relative reduction in ambulation (reduced daily steps) results in significant reductions in muscle mass, strength and possibly an increase in disease risk. Although reduced ambulation is a seemingly "benign" form of disuse, compared to bed rest and immobilization, reports have documented that 2-3 weeks of reduced daily steps may induce: negative changes in body composition, reductions in muscle strength and quality, anabolic resistance, and decrements in glycemic control in older adults. Importantly, periods of reduced ambulation likely occur fairly frequently and appear more difficult to fully recover from, in older adults. Here we explore the consequences of muscle disuse due to reduced ambulatory activity in older adults, with frequent comparisons to established models of disuse: bed rest and immobilization.

What is the incidence of intracranial bleeding in patients with mild traumatic brain injury? A retrospective study in 3088 Canadian CT head rule patients.

OBJECTIVE: Only limited data exists in terms of the incidence of intracranial bleeding (ICB) in patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). METHODS: We retrospectively identified 3088 patients (mean age 41 range (7-99) years) presenting with isolated MTBI and GCS 14-15 at our Emergency Department who had undergone cranial CT (CCT) between 2002 and 2011. Indication for CCT was according to the "Canadian CT head rules." Patients with ICB were either submitted for neurosurgical treatment or kept under surveillance for at least 24 hours. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to correlate the incidence of ICB with age, gender, or intake of coumarins, platelet aggregation inhibitors, or heparins. RESULTS: 149 patients (4.8%) had ICB on CCT. No patient with ICB died or deteriorated neurologically. The incidence of ICB increased with age and intake of anticoagulants without clinically relevant correlation (R = 0.11; P < 0.001; R = -0.06; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our data show an incidence of 4.8% for ICB after MTBI. However, neurological deterioration after MTBI seems to be rare, and the need for neurosurgical intervention is only required in selected cases. The general need for CCT in patients after MTBI is therefore questionable, and clinical surveillance may be sufficient when CCT is not available.

[How to choose a partner nowadays? A crucial question for the prevention of AIDS]. / Comment se fait le choix du partenaire aujourd'hui? Une question cruciale pour la prévention du SIDA.

This article reviews the literature on choice of partner, with the aim of stimulating though about the aids prevention. The criteria involved in choosing a partner are discussed, and a model describing the process by which a couple meet, continue to see one another, and finally decide to live together is presented. This model shows that those times and situations where individuals are most likely to put themselves at risk of contracting aids cannot be identified. This implies that the whole process of partner choice is to be considered for preventive measures.

[What is the impact of divorce upon health management methods within the family?]. / Comment envisager les conséquences du divorce sur les modalités de gestion de la santé dans la famille?

The studies which cover relationships between life events and health do not question sufficiently about their meaning, depending on the circumstances in which they occur. This paper takes divorce as an example to demonstrate that it is not possible to attribute to this event a general meaning, equally good for all families. As a matter of fact, divorce involves a reorganization, which either takes place in the prolongation of the previous family way of life, or in discontinuance with it. According to the situations, it can then be accompanied with no change in health taking care or, on the contrary, followed by a general reorganization of the usual practices and representations in relation with health.

[Recourse to alcohol and self-medication in situations of family disruption--a model of sociologic analysis]. / Recours à l'alcool et automédication dans les situations de rupture familiale--un modèle d'analyse sociologique.

The aim of this study is to explore the different meanings of alcohol and over-the-counter drugs consumption under the stress related to family disruptions. In order to understand these consumptions, our analysis model considers at the same time the main gaps in the health conceptions and the kind of strategies developed by the single parent to cope with his family situation.

Quantitative differences in the pharmacological effects of (+)- and (-)-cathinone.

The optically pure isomers of cathinone were prepared by separating synthetic cathinone racemate and used to study central and peripheral effects of these indirect sympathomimetics in rats and guinea pigs. The (-)-isomer was significantly more potent than the (+)-isomer in stimulating locomotor activity whereas no difference was observed with respect to their cardiac effects. In analogy to observations with (+)- and (-)-amphetamine such variable isomer discrimination may be due to different stereoselectivities of amine uptake mechanisms in the target tissues.

[Medical consultation and drug use in preventive detention at the Champ-Dolon prison]. / Consultations médicales et consommations médicamenteuses en cours de détention préventive à la prison de Champ-Dollon.

The objective of this analysis is to call attention to several factors which may account for the frequency of medical consultations and the extensive intake of medication during the first two months of preventive custody at the Champ-Dollon prison. The results of this study, substantiated by the number of consultations granted and prescriptions filled, indicate that there has been prompt and extensive medical action. This heavy medical care is only partially explained by its significant association with the usual medical care received prior to imprisonment and by the psychosomatic symptoms manifested early in the detention period. The characteristics of those under study-connected with toxicomania, psychopathy and recidivism-are also greatly responsible for extensive use of medical services during detention.