B Acad Nat Med Paris
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Etiologic investigations of infectious diarrhea were long limited to bacteria and protozoa. The advent of electron microscopy and molecular biology showed that diarrhea could also be caused by viruses, both in humans and in other animals. In 1969, electron microcopy was used to show, for the first time, the responsibility of a virus in a case of calf diarrhea. ⋯ Some of viruses found in animals, and particularly rotaviruses, can also infect humans. Rotaviruses have been identified in numerous animal species and are generally host-specific, but zoonotic transmission has been suggested by cross-infection (especially in experimental models), by genetic studies showing a close relationship between certain human and animal rotaviruses, and by the discovery of new animal genotypes during epidemiological surveillance of human rotaviroses. Some animal strains of norovirus, sapovirus, picobirnavirus and astrovirus are genetically related to human strains, but their human transmission has not been demonstrated.
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B Acad Nat Med Paris · Oct 2010
Review[Tracheal allotransplantation after withdrawal of immunosuppressive therapy].
Reconstruction of long-segment tracheal defects requires a vascularized allograft. We report successful tracheal allotransplantation after indirect revascularization of the graft in a heterotopic position. Immunosuppressive therapy was administered before the operation, and the tracheal allograft was wrapped in the recipient's forearm fascia. ⋯ At 4 months, the tracheal chimera was fully lined with mucosa, which consisted of respiratory epithelium from the donor and buccal mucosa from the recipient. After withdrawal of immunosuppressive therapy, the tracheal allograft was moved to its correct anatomical position with an intact blood supply. No treatment-limiting adverse effects occurred.
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Severely burned patients need effective and permanent wound coverage. The outcome of massive burn injuries has improved with the use of cultured epithelial autografts (CEA), despite their fragility, frequent failure to take, high cost and long-term tendency to contract. ⋯ Another promising line of research is skin regeneration with epidermal stem cells, which have the capacity to differentiate into keratinocytes, to promote wound repair, and to regenerate skin appendages. Human mesenchymal stem cells have been evaluated in radiation-induced skin damage.
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Sudden death of sportspersons is frequently in the news but is relatively uncommon when the total number of sudden deaths is taken into account (1500 vs 40 000 per year in France for example). Sport-related sudden death is often due to an unrecognized or underestimated cardiovascular disorder. The immediate causes of this dramatic event are age-dependent. ⋯ Prevention begins with screening, which remains imperfect. Patients with cardiovascular disorders at risk of sudden death must adapt their sports activities accordingly. Knowledge of life-saving first-aid procedures by those supervising sports activities can improve the prognosis.
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Medical prevention of recidivism by sexual delinquents is controversial, yet the abundant scientific literature on this issue is often ignored. Many publications show how difficult it is to estimate the danger represented by convicted sexual criminals but underline the value of so-called actuarial approaches. Hormonal treatments and psychotherapy have limited effectiveness in the medium and long term. As a result, anti-recidivism policies cannot currently be based mainly on medical prevention.