Rapid diagnosis of malaria by chemometric peak-free LIBS of trace biometals in blood.

Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) trace atomic species of diseased biofluids are subtle (peak-free) in complex spectra. Trace analysis requires a considerable push in analytical strategy. Enabling LIBS with chemometrics can help identify, extract, analyze and interpret the trace species' spectral signatures to give an insight on the biophysiological status of the bodies from which the biofluids originate.

Psychophysiological stress in tennis players during the first single match of a tournament.

The purpose of this investigation was to study the physiological and psychological states of 16 tennis players (8 males, 8 females) during the day of the first match of a tennis tournament and their relation to performance. Athletes completed the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2, including both intensity and direction subscales prior to the first match and collected saliva for cortisol analysis on several occasions: during a resting day (baseline values) and prior to and after both competitions. Results showed the males and females have different responses in the CSAI-2 subcomponents.

Motivation, stress, anxiety, and cortisol responses in elite paragliders.

In this study metamotivational dominance (measured with the Telic Dominance Scale), precompetition anxiety (evaluated with the CSAI-2), perceived stress (measured with the Perceived Stress Scale), and cortisol responses by 10 paragliding competitors prior to and following a paragliding competition were examined. Saliva was collected for each subject for cortisol analysis on eight occasions: during a resting day (baseline values) and prior to and after competition. Analysis indicated subjects were all paratelic-dominant (characterized by a desire for high arousal, a focus on the present).

Prospective evaluation of a simplified approach for common atrial flutter radio frequency ablation with only two catheters.

Unlabelled: Intra-atrial conduction block within the inferior vena cava-tricuspid annulus isthmus (IVCT) has been shown to predict successful common atrial flutter ablation. However, its demonstration requires the use of several electrode catheters and mapping of the line of block. The aim of this study was prospectively to test the feasibility of a simplified ablation procedure using only two catheters.

[Neonatal diabetes mellitus associated with an autoimmune disease].

Background: Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus can be associated to an auto-immune disease. A similar association may be seen in the neonate.

Case Report: A one-day-old boy was admitted for ketoacidosis due to diabetes mellitus.

gamma-Aminobutyric acid concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of newborn infants determined by high performance liquid chromatography.

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory amino acid, has a central role in cardiorespiratory regulation. Its measurement in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) complements the study of neurotransmission systems. Forty-one children were studied (postnatal age < 1 year).

[Severe head injuries in neonates and infants: physiopathological and therapeutic aspects].

Severe head injuries in infants have specific circumstances such as obstetrical injury, battered infant, shaken infant. Pediatric scales must be used for neurological evaluation, the Bicêtre scale being a sensitive index of clinical course. Transfontanellar ultrasound can be useful as first line tool of evaluation of brain injury, but computerized tomography scan is necessary to correctly assess the brain lesions and the presence of hematoma.

[Bird headed dwarfism in Seckel syndrome. Nosologic difficulties].

Seckel syndrome is a clinical picture which associates four main features: intrauterine growth retardation, microcephaly often due to craniosynostosis, orofacial dysmorphology with bird headed appearance and variable mental retardation which is present after several months. Malformations of the central nervous system, limbs, and hair, may also be observed. On the basis of 78 cases reported in the literature, the authors discuss the validity of the morphological features of the syndrome.

[Spontaneous umbilical cord hematoma, a rare cause of acute fetal distress].

Background: Spontaneous umbilical cord hematoma is a rare life-threatening gestational accident.

Case Report: A 26 year-old primipara was examined at 38 weeks of gestation for fetal monitoring. There were a number of fetal decelerations with loss of baseline variability.

Neonatal nosocomial respiratory infection with coronavirus: a prospective study in a neonatal intensive care unit.

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the incidence of viral respiratory infection in hospitalized premature newborn infants and to assess the role of coronaviruses. All hospitalized premature infants with a gestational age less than or equal to 32 weeks were included. Tracheal or nasopharyngal specimens were studied by immunofluorescence for coronaviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, adenoviruses, influenza and parainfluenza viruses.

[Prenatal diagnosis of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of lung: perinatal management. Apropos of 4 cases].

Background: Cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung can be seen by ultrasonography during pregnancy. Surgical excision of the affected lobe is indicated during the first days of life.

Cases Report: Four neonates were admitted to an intensive care unit from March 1988 to February 1992, due to cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung, that had been diagnosed by ultrasonography at 19, 22, 34 and 37 weeks of gestational age, respectively.

Malassezia furfur-related colonization and infection of central venous catheters. A prospective study in a pediatric intensive care unit.

Objective: To determine the incidence of Malassezia furfur-related colonization and infection of central venous catheters.

Design: Prospective clinical study.

Setting: A paediatric intensive care unit at a University Hospital.

[Pathogen role of coronavirus in pediatric intensive care: retrospective analysis of 19 positive samples with indirect immunofluorescence].

Background: Coronaviruses (CV) are ARN-containing agents that are responsible for mild upper respiratory tract infections in adults and children. Their pathogenicity in neonates is not wellknown.

Population And Methods: Eighty five samples of tracheal or nasopharyngeal secretions were obtained from January to October 1991 from 53 children (29 less than 1 month of age; 19 from 1 month to 1 year; five older than 1 year).

[Fulminant pneumococcal septicemia in a splenectomized child despite vaccination and chemoprophylaxis: necessity for education of the entourage].

A splenectomized three-year-old developed fulminant pneumococcal septicemia despite immunization and chemoprophylaxis. The course was rapidly fatal. Fulminant pneumococcal septicemia mainly affects splenectomized individuals and is associated with very substantial mortality.

[Cerebral intraventricular and/or intraparenchymal hemorrhages in full-term newborn infants. Long-term outcome].

Background: Intraventricular and parenchymal hemorrhages are rare in full-term neonates. Their prognosis is still under discussion.

Population And Methods: 6 full-term newborns admitted between January 1985 and December 1988 developed intracranial hemorrhage: 3 had intraventricular hemorrhage and 3 parenchymal without intraventricular hemorrhage.

[Activity of plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in newborn infants. Implication in prematurity, maternal pathology and growth].

The aim of the study was to determine plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity (DBH) in newborn infants and possible changes with maturation, mode of delivery and maternal disease: pregnancy-induced hypertension and gestational diabetes. DBH activity was determined by high performance liquid chromatography from 82 neonates divided in 2 groups: group I: 27 neonates (age: 1 to 8 days) including 6 preterm and 21 full-term neonates; group II: 55 full-term neonates divided in 5 classes: A: vaginal delivery; B: forceps; C: elective caesarean section; D: vaginal delivery and maternal hypertension; E: vaginal delivery and gestational diabetes. The plasma DBH activity was low in neonates and not influenced by prematurity.

[Severe hypernatremic dehydration disclosing Netherton syndrome in the neonatal period].

Background: Netherton's syndrome is characterized by ichthyosis, trichorrhexis invaginata and other air shaft anomalies, and atopic diathesis. The ichthyosis is present at birth and can be complicated by hypernatremic dehydration.

Case Report: Adrien was the first child of non-consanguineous parents.

[Rehospitalization and early discharge in neonatology: retrospective evaluation].

This retrospective study compared discharge summary data in neonates discharged from the Brest Teaching Hospital Neonatology Unit between May 1, 1980 and April 30, 1981 (Period I) or between May 1, 1990 and April 30, 1991 (Period II). Birth weight, gestational age, duration of hospitalization, corrected age at discharge and rehospitalization rate were compared. Among infants with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) with or without prematurity, weight at discharge was 2,500 g or less in none of Period I patients (n = 144) versus 67.