[Arthrocentesis and joint infiltration]. / Ponctions et infiltrations articulaires.

What should be known in order to practice safely a joint aspiration and/or infiltration is summarized in the following article. This summary includes various aspects, such as the indications and contraindications, the procedure itself, and the possible complications. The arthrocentesis of the knee is described in more details. Data in support of a specific modus operandi have been searched for in Cochrane and Pubmed (key words: arthrocentesis, joint aspiration). Only the conclusions of this research are exposed in this summary. A more comprehensive article will be published.

[Screening and treatment of malnutrition: European Council Resolution and its potential application in Switzerland]. / Dépistage et traitement de la dénutrition: Résolution du Conseil de l'Europe et potentiel d'application en Suisse.

The deleterious consequences of hospital malnutrition are progressively being recognized by the public. The Committee of the Ministers of the European Council has released a resolution for food and nutrition and ask the state members to apply national recommendations in their hospitals. The evaluated domains and actions to be undertaken are based on 4 elements: Access to a healthy and varied food supply is a fundamental human right; a high number of patients hospitalized in Europe are malnourished (30-60%); the demonstration that malnutrition of hospitalized patients increases length of hospital stay and medical costs; the demonstrated beneficial effects of a hospital food service and of optimal nutritional care on morbidity, healing and quality of life. The resolution indicates clearly the options to be followed to optimize the actions and decisions at three levels: patient care, support services, and administration. All caregivers must be involved in the implementation of the recommendations in a way to adapt them to the local needs and restrictions. This review summarizes the actions to be taken by medical and other caregivers in order to sensitize them to the above-mentioned problems and to initiate practical options to treat malnourished patients or patients at risk of becoming malnourished.

[Metabolic adaptation to hypoxia: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and high altitude]. / Adaptation métabolique a l'hypoxie: bronchopneumopathies chroniques obstructives et haute altitude.

The effect of oxygen in modulating metabolism has been largely investigated in vitro and in animal studies, but very little in humans. Body weight loss and muscle fatigability is a common finding in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, often difficult to reverse despite an optimal nutritional intake. The aim of this paper is to review recent literature regarding pathological and physiological situations characterized by hypoxia exposure, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and high altitude staying.