Haddon's POAV2 vs POAV theory for non-planar molecules.

In this note, we give a self-contained presentation of the POAV2 theory developed by Haddon to study the alignment of π-orbitals along a non-planar molecule. The classical POAV theory is purely geometric instead of the POAV2 which includes more physics in the computations. We compare the results obtained from the POAV2 and POAV theory. We prove that the difference between the two quantities is in most of the cases negligible. As a consequence, the POAV theory is sufficient for most of the purposes concerning the description of the local π-system of a molecule.

Intervención educativa sobre riesgo preconcepcional en mujeres de un Área de salud en Guantánamo

Fundamento: La salud reproductiva está presente durante el ciclo vital de las mujeres y los hombres; en la que juega unpapel decisivo la planificación familiar, el conocimiento y manejo del riesgo reproductivo.Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de una intervención educativa, en mujeres de edad fértil con riesgo preconcepcional,pertenecientes al consultorio “La Colonia”, del Policlínico “Rafael Teope Fonseca”, “El Salvador”, Guantánamo, desdeseptiembre 2017 a abril 2019.Metodología: Se realizó un estudio cuasiexperimental, tipo intervención educativa sobre riesgo preconcepcional, con diseñoantes y después. El universo fue de 65 mujeres en edad fértil. Se utilizó muestreo no probabilístico intencional. La muestrafue de 45 mujeres con riesgo preconcepcional. La investigación se realizó en 3 etapas: diagnóstica, intervención y evaluación.La información se recogió en una encuesta semiestructurada que se aplicó antes y después de la intervención. Las variablesfueron: métodos para planificar el embarazo, edad óptima para el embarazo, antecedentes obstétricos desfavorables,importancia del consumo de ácido fólico antes del embarazo y conocimiento general sobre el tema. Se determinó el test deMcNemar para el análisis estadístico e índice de kappa para determinar efectividad de la intervención.Resultados: Antes de la intervención se diagnosticó nivel de conocimiento inadecuado sobre los métodos para planificar elembarazo (42 porcientro), edad óptima para el embarazo (40 porcientro) y en los antecedentes obstétricos (36 porcientro). Posterior a la intervenciónel nivel de conocimiento adecuado fue significativo (p<0.05) en todas las variables. El índice kappa arrojó acuerdoconsiderable.Conclusiones: La intervención educativa fue efectiva [AU]

Redox activity of nickel and vanadium porphyrins: a possible mechanism behind petroleum genesis and maturation?

The presence of metalloporphyrins in crude oil has been known for many years. In contrast, their role on the physical-chemical properties is only now beginning to be understood. In this study, we test using high-level ab initio calculations, the hypothesis of a possible redox catalytic activity of vanadium and nickel metalloporphyrins in crude oil, illustrated by the oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde and hydrogen dissociation, respectively. This process which may take place during petroleum genesis and maturation, explains some of its physical-chemical properties, such as polar chains, the absence of alcohols, the trapping of porphyrins within macromolecular aggregates.

Discerning Inter- and Intramolecular Vibrations of Sulfur Polyaromatic Compounds.

Thiophenes are an important class of molecules in fields as diverse as petrochemistry, molecular electronics, and optoelectronics. Thiophenic submolecular motifs are thought to play a role in molecular association and nanoaggregation phenomena in both pure materials and natural and synthetic mixtures. Vibrational (infrared and Raman) spectroscopy provides the means to characterize these species. In this work far-infrared photoacoustic and low-frequency Raman spectra of a series of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons containing sulfur have been measured and interpreted using DFT calculations based on a perturbational-variational method coupled with potential truncation. The approach and outcomes illustrate how inter- and intramolecular vibrations for thiophenic systems in single and multicomponent mixtures can be discriminated. This work offers the perspective to search the inter- and intramolecular signatures of the main submolecular motifs and heteroelements postulated as being present in the asphaltenes.

Concentration dependent refractive index of CO2/CH4 mixture in gaseous and supercritical phase.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)/methane (CH4) binary mixtures are investigated at pressure values up to 20 MPa at 303 K in order to investigate the pressure dependence of the optical concentration contrast factor, ∂n/∂c(P,T), through gaseous and supercritical phase. Refractive index is measured by means of a Michelson interferometer. Refractivities of the mixtures are found in good agreement with Lorentz-Lorenz predictions after density calculations by means of the AGA8-DC92 equation of state. Experimental polarizabilities of pure fluids are compared to quantum calculations of monomers and dimers for each pressure; it results that the quantity of dimers is small in the investigated thermodynamic conditions. Finally, by extending our experimental database with numerical simulations, we evidence that ∂n/∂cP,T presents a critical enhancement similar to heat capacity.

High prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hospital-related hyperglycaemia in French general wards.

AIM: The study evaluated the in-hospital prevalence of diabetes and hospital-related hyperglycaemia in a variety of French general wards. METHODS: The multicentre cross-sectional study involving nine French hospitals measured venous fasting plasma glucose (FPG) on a single day in patients hospitalized in adult medical and surgical short-term wards. Diabetes status and length of stay were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 2141 inpatients included in the study, 355 (16.5%) had known diabetes, 156 (7.3%) had screened diabetes (FPG ≥7 mmol/L with no diabetes history), 515 (24.1%) had impaired fasting glucose (IFG; FPG 5.5-6.9 mmol/L) and 1115 (52.1%) had normal glucose values (FPG < 5.5 mmol/L). Diabetes prevalence varied from 11% in hospitals in the west of France to 21% in hospitals in northern and eastern regions. The highest known diabetes prevalence was observed in units for cardiovascular surgery (33%), infectious diseases (27%) and kidney disorders (26%). In cancer units, one-fifth of patients had screened diabetes and one-sixth had known diabetes. Among the known diabetes patients, 127 (36%) were already being treated with insulin, while an additional 41 (12%) started insulin therapy during their hospital stay. Patients with known and screened diabetes were older (70.8 ± 12.2 and 71.1 ± 15.6 years, respectively) than the normal-glucose patients (65.6 ± 18.9 years; P<0.001). Average length of stay was no different between known diabetes and normal-glucose patients after adjusting for age (11.3 ± 7.7 vs 10.0 ± 7.4 days; NS). CONCLUSION: Overall, metabolic glucose disorders (known or screened diabetes and IFG) were found in 48% of inpatients in various French hospital general wards.

Calculation of IR frequencies and intensities in electrical and mechanical anharmonicity approximations: application to small water clusters.

We present a method for automatic computation of infrared (IR) intensities using parallel variational multiple window configuration interaction wave functions (P_VMWCI(2) algorithm). Inclusion of both mechanical and electrical anharmonic effects permits fundamental vibrational frequencies, including combinations and overtones, to be assigned. We use these developments to interpret the near-IR (NIR) and mid-IR (MIR) spectra of individual water clusters (H2O)(n) (n=1-4). Cyclic and linear systems are studied to provide equivalent reference theoretical data to investigate the structure of water as a function of density using NIR and MIR experimental spectra. Various density functional theory methods for generating the potential energy surface have been compared to reference results obtained at the CCSD(T) level [X. Huang et al., J. Chem. Phys. 128, 034312 (2008)]. For cyclic clusters, the IR intensities and frequencies obtained using B1LYP/cc-pVTZ are found to be in very good agreement with the available experimental values and of the same orders of magnitude as the reference theoretical values. These data are completed by the vibrational study of linear systems.

On the cluster composition of supercritical water combining molecular modeling and vibrational spectroscopic data.

The present study is aimed at a detailed analysis of supercritical water structure based on the combination of experimental vibrational spectra as well as molecular modeling calculations of isolated water clusters. We propose an equilibrium cluster composition model where supercritical water is considered as an ideal mixture of small water clusters (n=1-3) at the chemical equilibrium and the vibrational spectra are expected to result from the superposition of the spectra of the individual clusters, Thus, it was possible to extract from the decomposition of the midinfrared spectra the evolution of the partition of clusters in supercritical water as a function of density. The cluster composition predicted by this model was found to be quantitatively consistent with the near infrared and Raman spectra of supercritical water analyzed using the same procedure. We emphasize that such methodology could be applied to determine the portion of cluster in water in a wider thermodynamic range as well as in more complex aqueous supercritical solutions.

Non-adherence with drug treatment after heart or lung transplantation in adults: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Heart or lung transplantation is a complex intervention requiring medication adherence. The objective of this systematic review is to estimate the prevalence of non-adherence (NA) with post-transplantation medication in heart or lung recipients and to assess its clinical impact. We examined in the selected studies if the authors considered the patient's perspective in their evaluations. METHODS: The electronic database MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Central Register were searched. Only studies that reported the number of non-adhere subjects were eligible. The different methods of measurement, the ways in which authors defined NA and if authors had integrated patient's perspective in their secondary objectives were also assessed. RESULTS: The range frequency of NA was 1-42.9% for all drugs. Non-adherent patients tend to experience worse outcomes compared to adherent patients. The patient's perception of drug side-effects is the most reported patient-related factor for impairing adherence. CONCLUSION: NA after heart or lung transplantation is an important issue and concerns not only immunosuppressant treatments. The main striking point of the selected studies is the lack of patient perspective and the omission of patients-healthcare providers' relationship. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Future research must focus on patients' motivation for the medication-taking behaviour.

Clinical outcomes of lung-transplant recipients treated by voriconazole and caspofungin combination in aspergillosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a serious cause of death among immune-compromised patients such as organ-transplant recipients. Recently, voriconazole has been approved for first-line therapy in IPA. Theoretically, optimal voriconazole blood level (superior to 1 mg/L according to recent studies) should be reached within 24 h. In practice, a significantly longer time seems to be needed in lung-transplant recipients. Therefore, caspofungin is now used in combination with voriconazole to provide cover against Aspergillus spp. infection during this gap. The first aim of this study was to investigate Aspergillus spp. infection treated with this combination and the atter's tolerability. The median time for attainment of apparently active blood levels in lung transplant recipients were compared between those with cystic fibrosis and those without. METHODS: Lung-transplant recipients who received a combination of voriconazole and caspofungin between 2002 and 2008 as primary therapy were identified retrospectively. The median number of days to reach active voriconazole blood levels was compared between cystic fibrosis and other patients by Student's t-test. Statistical significance was defined by P-value <0.05. RESULTS: Four patients were treated for Aspergillus colonization before transplantation and their culture were negative at 90 days. Eleven patients were treated for proven or probable invasive aspergillosis and 14 of them had a complete response. Hallucinations (n = 2) and significant hepatic toxicity (n = 2) were reported. Among the 15 studied transplant recipients, a median of 12.3 days was observed for active voriconazole blood levels to be reached. With cystic fibrosis patients, time tended to be longer than with other recipients (14.9 days vs. 8.3 days). Tacrolimus blood levels (between 5 and 15 ng/mL) may have been increased by voriconazole. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study describes practical experience in the management of this rare and severe disease in a referral centre for cystic fibrosis lung transplantation. Voriconazole and caspofungin combination was acceptably safe and was associated with good clinical outcomes in almost all patients. We showed that in 15 lung-transplant recipients a median of 12.3 days was required for voriconazole to reach high enough blood levels. Caspofungin in combination with voriconazole provides cover against Aspergillus infection during the period when voriconazole may be at subtherapeutic levels with good tolerability.

[Clinical and economical evaluation of bivalirudin during percutaneous coronary interventions]. / Evaluations clinique et économique de la bivalirudine au cours des procédures d'angioplasties coronaires.

Bivalirudin, with provisional GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor use allows the same protection against ischemic complications while reducing the hemorrhagic complications compared with the systematic association of a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor plus heparin (The Randomized Evaluation in PCI Linking Angiomax to Reduced Clinical Events-2 [Replace-2]). In clinical practice, the use of heparin is not systematically associated with a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor. That's why we studied the clinical and economic interest of bivalirudin only versus heparin (UFH) only. Opened pragmatic monocentric study carried out in 2007. We made a chronological matching: for each patient treated with bivalirudin, we included the next patient with the same clinical presentation treated with unfractionated heparin. Ninety-two patients were included (46 in each group). The need for a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor during the PCI was not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.11). No major hemorrhagic complications were observed in the two groups. Prevalence of ecchymosis was not significantly different: 22 % in the UFH group versus 13 % in the bivalirudin group (p=0.27). The average troponin level the next day was significantly higher in the bivalirudin group (p=0,049), although the change in troponin levels before and after the procedure was similar in the two groups. The average cost by patient of anticoagulation by bivalirudin and HNF is very different, respectively 473+/-150 and 51+/-146 euro (p=0.0001). Bivalirudin can be an interesting alternative for patients with a high risk of having complications. But considering its cost this therapy must be used only for selected patients.

Long-term effects of a multifaceted intervention to encourage the choice of the oral route for proton pump inhibitors: an interrupted time-series analysis.

PROBLEM: Drugs are often given intravenously even when the patient is able to swallow and when an oral form would be more cost-effective. DESIGN: Evaluation of the impact of a multifaceted intervention on the early switch from intravenous to oral administration of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in a hospital setting. The interrupted time series of intravenous PPI consumption was analysed. BACKGROUND AND SETTING: At a French University Hospital, the Drug Committee, composed of multidisciplinary pharmacy and medical staff, addressed the issue of increasing consumption of intravenous PPI drugs (May 2003). STRATEGY FOR CHANGE: Letters to department heads, academic analyses from members of the Drug Committee, paper reminders at the point of care and audit-feedbacks by pharmacists. Monitoring of consumption and repeated reminder letters were planned. EFFECT OF CHANGE: The consumption of PPI was stable before the first intervention (mean level: 954 units/month). An immediate decrease occurred after the first Drug Committee letter (30% relative reduction, 95% CI -16% to -46%; p<0.001) with a significant trend change during the first multifaceted intervention (-24 units/month, 95% CI -42 to -7; p = 0.007). After the end of the outreach visits (July 2004), the consumptions increased (+32 units/month, 95% CI: 14 to 50, p<0.001). The second intervention had no significant impact. LESSONS LEARNT: A complex intervention (audit, feedbacks, outreach visits) had an effect on practice. It was not sustained even after a less resource-intensive intervention. Other types of interventions are needed that could be continuously implemented to improve ordering practices long term.

Exploration of small fibers for testing diabetic neuropathies.

INTRODUCTION: Electrophysiological exploration of neuropathies is a standard method of investigating the dysfunction of myelinated larger fibers (Aalpha, Abeta). However, this method cannot test dysfunctions in other fibers. To evaluate the smaller (Adelta) and unmyelinated fiber (C-fibers) lesions a quantitative method has been perfected: the study of the sensory thresholds (quantitative sensory testing: QST). It allows the investigation of the sensory symptoms and is a reproducible, non-invasive and painless method. It is used above all in patients suffering from diabetic neuropathy ('Diabetes Care 9 (1987) 432'). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We used the QST testing in comparison with nerve conduction velocities in 40 Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM or Type II) patients in their 60s (+/-10 years). Depending on the duration of their diabetes (dd), we distinguished three groups: dd < 5 years (GI) dd from 5 to 15 years (GII) and dd > 15 years (GIII). All the patients underwent a clinical neurological examination, which enabled us to establish a gravity score comparable to the NDS (Neuropathy Disability Score: 'Muscle Nerve 10 (1988) 21'). RESULTS: Nerve conduction velocities and QST were studied for each group of patients. Electrophysiological alterations were connected to the gravity clinical score and in some asymptomatic patients a higher QST heat threshold could be observed. DISCUSSION: These results indicate that QST can detect the early dysfunction of the unmyelinated fibers in this kind of neuropathy. Subclinical detection can reduce severe neurological complications and make possible an early and effective treatment.

Medication errors in intravenous drug preparation and administration: a multicentre audit in the UK, Germany and France.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have identified medication errors in preparing and administering intravenous medicines of 13-84% in hospitals in individual countries. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of the design and implementation of systems for the preparation and administration of intravenous therapy in hospitals in three European countries on the number of observed medication errors. To gain a better understanding of these risks and the methods used in each country to manage them. DESIGN: Prospective audit. SETTING: Six hospital departments in the UK, Germany and France willing to participate in the audit as part of a quality improvement programme. METHODS: Direct observation of the preparation and the administration of intravenous drugs made by a single observer in each country. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Medication process errors. RESULTS: 824 doses were prepared and 798 doses administered. The product was either not labelled or incorrectly labelled in 43%, 99%, and 20% of doses administered in the UK, German and French hospitals, respectively. The wrong diluent was used in 1%, 49% and 18% of cases, respectively, and the wrong rate of administration was selected for 49%, 21% and 5% of doses observed, respectively. At least one deviation from aseptic technique was observed among 100%, 58%, and 19% of cases in the three countries. CONCLUSION: Uncontrolled risks in the intravenous systems studied were observed in all three countries. Intravenous therapy must be regarded as a high risk activity where the use of risk management procedures to minimise risk to patients is seen as a high priority by all those involved with these duties. There is a requirement to develop better national (possibly international) procedures for safe intravenous practice.

Calculations of vibrational energy levels by using a hybrid ab initio and DFT quartic force field: application to acetonitrile.

A hybrid quartic force field with quadratic force constants calculated at the CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ level and cubic and quartic terms determined by a B3LYP/cc-pVTZ treatment is proposed to compute the vibrational energy levels of acetonitrile from a variational method. Fundamentals and overtones calculated in the range of 300-3200 cm(-1) are in fair agreement with the 31 observed data, with an absolute mean deviation of less than 0.8%. These results allow us to explain several Fermi resonances.

The GnRH receptor gene is preferentially expressed in functioning gonadotroph adenomas and displays a Mae III polymorphism site.

OBJECTIVE: Given the central role of the GnRH receptor (GnRHR) in the regulation of the gonadotrophin secretion, it might be implicated directly or indirectly in the pathogenesis of gonadotroph tumours. DESIGN: We determined if GnRHR mRNA was expressed in gonadotroph tumours using RT-PCR and analysed the GnRHR gene for the presence of mutations in its coding region, using direct sequencing of PCR products. Results were analysed according to the pattern of expression of alpha, beta-FSH and beta-LH subunit (SU) genes. SUBJECTS: RNA was extracted from 20 gonadotroph tumours identified by immunohistochemistry (> 10% of stained cells): 9 adenomas were functioning (high serum gonadotrophin levels), 3 were associated with high alpha-SU levels and 8 were nonfunctioning. Genomic DNA was extracted from 64 normal subjects. RESULTS: We found GnRHR mRNA in 12 tumours (60%): 8/9 functioning (88%), 1/3 alpha-secreting (33%) and 3/8 nonfunctioning (37.5%) gonadotroph adenomas. There was a significant association between GnRHR expression and immunostaining for beta-FSH (P = 0.014). The nucleotide sequence of the amplified products was identical to that of human pituitary except for the presence, in 3 functioning adenomas, of a silent C to T transition at nucleotide 453 encoding for the serine residue situated in the second intracellular loop at position 151. Heterozygosity provided evidence that both alleles were transcribed in these tumours. This substitution creates a Mae III restriction site. Genomic DNA from normal subjects were then tested for the presence of this new polymorphism. The frequency of the heterozygosity (18.7%) was not significantly different from that found in gonadotroph tumours (25%) and this new Mae III polymorphism site cannot be used as a tumoural marker. CONCLUSION: The GnRHR gene is preferentially expressed in functioning rather than in nonfunctioning gonadotroph adenomas, but no mutations altering the coding region of the gene were found to further substantiate its role in the pathogenesis of gonadotroph tumours.

Glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit secretion in prolactinomas and in non-functioning adenomas: relation with the tumour size.

OBJECTIVE: Free glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit plasma levels have been reported to be increased in glycoprotein hormone-secreting adenomas and in acromegaly, but rarely in prolactinomas and in only two cases of Cushing's disease. The prevalence of elevated plasma alpha-subunit levels in patients with non-functioning adenomas is still unclear. In addition, no previous work has described plasma alpha-subunit levels in a comprehensive series of adenomas characterized by in-vivo secretion and/or immunocytochemistry. PATIENTS: Thirty-seven patients with definite prolactinomas and 48 with non-functioning tumours characterized by immunocytochemistry were studied, from a series of 145 consecutive patients including 33 acromegalics, 18 patients with glycoprotein hormone-secreting adenomas and 9 with Cushing's disease. MEASUREMENTS: Plasma free alpha-subunit was measured by radioimmunoassay in all patients and in a large sample of normal subjects to establish normal ranges according to sex, age and menstrual status. Tumour volume index was the product in cm3 of length, width and height of the adenoma as assessed by computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Twelve of the 37 (32%) patients with prolactinomas had increased plasma alpha-subunit levels; their tumours were significantly larger with significantly higher plasma PRL levels than those of patients without increased plasma alpha-subunit levels (P < 0.02). All prolactinomas above 50 cm3 were associated with alpha-subunit secretion, whereas only 6 of 29 smaller tumours were similarly associated. Twelve of the 48 'non-functioning' adenomas actually secreted alpha-subunit in vivo: 8 gonadotrophin-secreting, 2 'pure' alpha-secreting, one with negative immunocytochemistry and one necrotic adenoma. Their volumes were significantly higher than those of adenomas without increased plasma alpha-subunit levels (P < 0.04). Plasma alpha-subunit levels were increased in the 6 patients with TSH-secreting adenomas, 8 of 12 with FSH-secreting adenomas, 11 of 33 acromegalics and none of those with Cushing's disease. CONCLUSION: Plasma free alpha-subunit levels were increased in 49 of 145 patients (34%). For prolactinomas and 'non-functioning' adenomas, alpha-subunit hypersecretion was seen more often with larger tumours. Half of the cases with increased free alpha-subunit in this series were patients harbouring an adenoma which did not stain for an intact glycoprotein hormone.

Inhibin and follicle-stimulating hormone levels in gonadotroph adenomas: evidence of a positive correlation with tumour volume in men.

OBJECTIVE: Gonadotroph adenomas are generally revealed by symptoms of mass effect at the stage of macroadenoma. Most of them hypersecrete FSH and/or gonadotrophin subunits. Rarely they hypersecrete LH, which could induce endocrinological symptoms. As the glycoprotein inhibin is secreted by the gonads under FSH control, we have evaluated whether high immunoreactive inhibin (iINH) levels correlated with FSH hypersecretion and whether iINH and FSH levels were related to tumour volume in subjects with gonadotroph adenomas. PATIENTS: Forty-five patients (30 men, 15 women) were retrospectively selected on the basis of immunostaining technique using specific antibodies raised against FSH-beta, LH-beta and glycoprotein alpha-subunit. MEASUREMENTS: Immunoreactive inhibin (iINH) was measured by radioimmunoassay using antiserum 1989 raised to bovine inhibin. Tumour volume index was the product in cm3 of length, width and height of the adenoma as assessed by computerized tomography. RESULTS: In men (age 21-61 years), iINH levels were positively correlated with FSH levels (Spearman's r = 0.67, P < 0.001), and both iINH and FSH levels were significantly correlated with tumour volume index (Spearman's r = 0.38, P < 0.05 and r = 0.39, P < 0.05 respectively). In the subgroup of men with normal FSH levels (n = 17), the correlation of FSH with tumour volume index was high: Spearman's r = 0.56, P < 0.05. In the post-menopausal women (n = 8, age > 55 years), iINH levels were undetectable or below the follicular phase range regardless of FSH values. In the premenopausal women (n = 7, age 22-49 years, follicular phase or amenorrhoea) iINH levels were above follicular phase range in three women including one who had very high FSH levels. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that in men with gonadotroph adenoma FSH levels are related to tumour mass and suggest that a significant part of circulating FSH in patients with normal FSH levels arises from the tumour. The significant correlation between iINH and FSH levels demonstrates that tumoral FSH is bioactive and that high iINH levels do not exert any feedback control on tumoral FSH secretion. Therefore the coexistence of high FSH levels with high iINH levels is strongly suggestive of a gonadotroph adenoma. Gonadotroph adenomas seem to represent a unique model of long-term FSH stimulation of inhibin-producing cells, in some way analogous to that created by repetitive administration of exogenous FSH.

[Acoustic evaluation and use of computers]. / Le bilan acoustique et l'utilisation de l'informatique.

Thanks to the measurements of the acoustical parameters of voice and speech, an objective semeiology can be set up to assess a diagnosis and, to a certain extent, a prognosis and the follow up after therapy. A computerized analysis is a good complement to the clinical evaluation. It gives quantitative values, with statistics and the means to compare patients to themselves and to other patients. After defining the parameters we are interested in, we review the different softwares at our disposal with their limits.