Presse Med
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STILL A SERIOUS DISEASE: Despite advances in antibiotic therapy, and despite the emergence of beta-lactam-resistant strains, mortality of pneumococcal pneumonia has remained relatively unchanged. The pathogenicity of a pneumococcal strain results from an interaction between a specific host with its own capacity to "resist or yield" to the multiple virulence factors intrinsic to each S. pneumoniae strain.
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A RARE DISEASE: Paraneoplastic pemphigus is an rare autoimmune bullous skin disease recently recognized. About 50 cases have been reported since its first description in 1990.
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RISK AWARENESS: Use of psychostimulants is spreading in France, particularly at "techno" dances. The generic term "ecstasy" covers a wide variety of molecules with variable formulations. The situation is a true public health problem, generally concerning very young subjects who must be informed of the risks involved. Knowledge of the chemical makeup of the products currently used is needed to provide valid information and reduce risks.
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SYMPTOMATIC TREATMENT: Treatment of idiopathic dystonia depends on the age of onset and the extent of the disease. Symptomatic treatment has made many advances over the last 20 years.
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A FREQUENT AND SEVERE EVENT: The incidence and the pathogenic mechanisms of cardiac complications in general surgery patients are now well described. Acute myocardial necrosis, the most frequent complication, is observed in 3 to 5% of patients at risk. Most are silent subendocardial lesions, but may have a short-term or mid-term life-threatening effect in these surgery patients. ⋯ The immediate postoperative period is characterized by increased left ventricular load and metabolic disturbances, increased release of catecholinergic mediators and hypercoagulability, factors related to the effect of anesthesia on circulation and surgical stimuli. These modifications compromise the energy balance in the myocardium and favor the development of left ventricular failure. ECG RECORDINGS: Continuous recordings in the postoperative period have shown that although the number of episodes of myocardial ischemia is not affected during surgery, their number doubles during the postoperative period, a factor predicting postoperative infarction.