Médecine sciences : M/S
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Médecine sciences : M/S · Aug 2012
Review Comparative Study[Nuclear-power-plant accidents: thyroid cancer incidence and radiation-related health effects from the Chernobyl accident].
Following the Chernobyl accident, enormous amounts of radioisotopes were released in the atmosphere and have contaminated surrounding populations in the absence of rapid protective countermeasures. The highest radiation doses were delivered to the thyroid gland, and the only direct consequence of radiation exposure observed among contaminated population is the increased incidence of thyroid cancers among subjects who were children in 1986 and who lived at that time in Belarus, Ukraine or Russia.
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In the last decade, the applications known as "web 2.0" (Facebook, Youtube, Twitter…) have changed our daily life and gradually influence the field of research. This article aims at proposing a critical overview of these new services, and emphasizes the changes induced for researchers (practice of scientific publication, sharing and mutualization of research data and discussion between researchers…) especially in the field of biology/medicine. A focus is done on the limitations that prevent most of scientists from using these services in their common practice (lack of knowledge about these tools, time-consuming, fear of sharing data and ideas). Despite these restrictions, some mutations affecting researcher's information uses are unavoidable, and these new tools may rapidly contribute to scientific advances.
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Médecine sciences : M/S · Mar 2012
Review[Health care expenditures linked to the use of targeted therapies and diagnostic tests for cancer patients].
Recent advances in cancer research have led to the development of very expensive new drugs for cancer treatment: the targeted therapies. However, the introduction of these new therapeutic agents which costs are increasing could threaten the diffusion of these innovations. ⋯ In this paper, we present current estimates of health care expenditures linked to the use of targeted therapies for cancer care. We also discuss some of the issues related to the regulatory decisions (pricing and reimbursement) concerning the test/drug couple.
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Médecine sciences : M/S · Mar 2012
Review[How to share results of clinical trials with study participants?].
Informing research participants of the results of clinical trials in which they were enrolled is in agreement with patients' rights and human dignity; such feedback is considered an ethical standard applied to clinical research. Cancer patients who participate in a clinical trial usually want to know the results. ⋯ We describe some of the dilemma and intertwining between clinical care and clinical research. We highlight how the standardisation of sharing such results to participants could raise difficulties particularly for the relationship between doctor and patients.