Pallidal vs subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation in Parkinson disease.

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus interna (GPi) and subthalamic nucleus (STN) has been reported to relieve motor symptoms and levodopa-induced dyskinesia in patients with advanced Parkinson disease (PD). Although it has been suggested that stimulation of the STN may be superior to stimulation of the GPi, comparative trials are limited.

Objective: To extend our randomized, blinded pilot comparison of the safety and efficacy of STN and GPi stimulation in patients with advanced PD.

Multicenter validation study of the %CDT TIA kit in alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence.

Background: Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) are used as biomarkers of alcohol misuse. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in terms of sensitivity and specificity, the performance of the new Bio-Rad %CDT TIA kit and GGT assay for identifying alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence (according to the DSM-IV criteria).

Methods: An open multicenter study (30 centers) over 3 months, including patient groups of "abusers," "dependents," and controls, was conducted in France.

Correlation between withdrawal symptoms and medication pump residual volume in patients with implantable SynchroMed pumps.

Objective: To investigate whether patients with implantable SynchroMed pumps (Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN) develop symptoms of drug withdrawal at residual medication volumes that exceed 2 ml (the alarm residual volume recommended by the manufacturer).

Methods: The data sheets of 88 patients with implantable SynchroMed pumps were retrospectively reviewed.

Prevention of peritoneal carcinomatosis from colon cancer cell seeding using a pirarubicin solution in rats and nude mice.

Free malignant cells, which are frequently detected in the washing liquid from the peritoneal cavity before and after resection of human colorectal cancer, are suspected to cause recurrent peritoneal cancer. We carried out an experimental study to compare the prophylactic efficacy of washing the peritoneum with several anticancer drugs and the antiseptic povidone-iodine against the development of peritoneal carcinomatosis from colonic origin in rats and nude mice. The in vitro anticancer activity of a short, 15-minute exposure of pirarubicin, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, mitomycin C, and 1% povidone-iodine was first evaluated by an MTT assay on DHD/K12/PROb rat and LS174T human colon cancer cells.

A full saturated linkage map of Picea abies including AFLP, SSR, ESTP, 5S rDNA and morphological markers.

Based on an F(1) progeny of 73 individuals, two parental maps were constructed according to the double pseudo-test cross strategy. The paternal map contained 16 linkage groups for a total genetic length of 1,792 cM. The maternal map covered 1,920 cM, and consisted of 12 linkage groups.

Endovascular treatment of isolated atherosclerotic stenosis of the infrarenal abdominal aorta: long-term outcome.

The purpose of this multicenter study was to assess the long-term outcome of endovascular treatment of isolated atherosclerotic stenosis of the infrarenal abdominal aorta on the basis of clinical and ultrasound examination. Clinical, ultrasound, and angiographic findings from 36 women and 50 men (mean age, 53.2 years) treated for atherosclerotic stenosis of the infrarenal abdominal aorta were reviewed.

[Abdominal lavage for peritoneal cancer cell seeding prevention].

Spontaneous or iatrogenous peritoneal seeding is responsible for locoregional recurrent cancer or peritoneal carcinomatosis. Few surgeons are used to wash the abdominal cavity to prevent peritoneal seeding. But experimentally, washing is not able to dislodge or destroy tumour cells adherent to the peritoneum or to the surgical wounds.

[Perforation and rupture of the oesophagus: treatment and prognosis].

Aim Of The Study: To analyze treatment and prognosis of perforations and ruptures of the oesophagus.

Material And Methods: This retrospective study included 40 patients (26 men and 14 women; mean age = 59 +/- 17 years) with a perforation or a rupture of the oesophagus. Seven perforations were cervical: iatrogenic (n = 6) or following ingestion of a foreign body (n = 1).

Anatomical basis for the interposition of a gastric pouch between the ileum and the anus after total proctocolectomy.

After a total proctocolectomy, ileoanal continuity is achieved by an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. This anastomosis is not possible when the ileum cannot reach the anus. To avoid definitive ileostomy in this circumstance, we devised a gastric pouch, taken from the left half of the vertical portion of the stomach, vascularized by the right gastroepiploic pedicle, then interposed it between the ileum and the anus.

Characterization of a mosaic minisatellite locus in the mitochondrial DNA of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.].

A mosaic minisatellite region has been identified in the mitochondrial genome of Norway spruce (Picea abies). The array was composed of three tandem repeats PaTR1 (32 bp), PaTR2a (26 bp) and PaTR2b (26 bp). PaTR2a and PaTR2b differed by one base substitution.

Systematic versus selective stent placement after superficial femoral artery balloon angioplasty: a multicenter prospective randomized study.

Purpose: Outcome with selective or systematic stenting with the Palmaz vascular stent was compared in patients with limb-threatening ischemia or persistent disabling claudication despite medical therapy, with less than 7 cm stenosis or occlusion of the superficial femoral artery.

Methods: This was a multicenter prospective randomized trial with centralized allocation of treatment and independent review of vascular events. The primary end point was presence of more than 50% stenosis at 1-year angiographic follow-up.

[Evaluation of povidone abdominal washing for prevention of peritoneal cancer cell seeding: experimental study in the rat].

Goal: The aim of the study was to evaluate the in vitro cytototoxicity of diluted povidone iodine on colon cancer cells and its in vivo antitumoral effect in a model of peritoneal carcinomatosis in the rat.

Methods: Cell cytotoxicity of a povidone iodine diluted solution was assessed, in vitro, on rat colon cancer cells (DHD/K12/PROb) and human colon cancer cells (HT29). The antitumoral effect of diluted povidone iodine washing was measured in BDIX rats after the intraperitoneal inoculation of 10(6) DHD/K12/PROb cells.

[A diagnostic strategy for isolated pulmonary nodules less than 2 cm in diameter].

The object of this study is to determine the best diagnostic strategy for isolated pulmonary nodules less than 2 cm in diameter starting from decision analysis. The diagnostic pathway included strategies: 1. Observation with a thoracic tomodensitometry (TDM) every 3 months.

Paroxysmal postural dyspnea related to a left atrial ball thrombus.

We report herein an uncommon clinical observation of a 82-year-old woman with paroxysmal postural dyspnea related to a giant ball-thrombus located in the left atrium and partly protruding through the mitral orifice. No mitral stenosis was otherwise disclosed. The patient had a previous medical history of chronic atrial fibrillation without any anticoagulant therapy.

[Surgical treatment of pancreatic metastases from renal carcinoma].

Objectives: Pancreatic metastases from renal carcinoma are poorly known. The aim of this study was to report clinical and radiological manifestations, the treatment performed, and the observed survival in 7 patients with this rare entity.

Results: All patients were operated on.

Early and late mortality after pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusion.

Background: The purpose of this study is to analyze morbidity and mortality and to determine the relative contribution of each of these potential prognosis variables for predicting morbidity and mortality in patients after pleurodesis by thoracotomy or thoracoscopy.

Methods: Between March 1, 1996, and January 31, 2001, a total of 70 patients underwent pleurodesis for recurrent malignant pleural effusion. Thoracoscopy was performed in 54 patients (77%); pleurodesis was achieved by pleural abrasion (n = 15), pleurectomy (n = 5), and talc insufflation (n = 34).

Urgent carotid artery repair: retrospective study of 21 cases.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the outcome of urgent surgical repair in patients with symptomatic carotid artery lesions. The study population included 21 patients who underwent carotid artery repair less than 24 hr after diagnostic work-up. Indications included crescendo transient ischemic attacks in 5 cases, fluctuating neurological deficits in 11, and stroke in evolution in 5.

An analysis of the respective risks of hematoma formation in 361 consecutive morphological and functional stereotactic procedures.

Objective: The risk of hematoma formation in stereotactic procedures is generally considered to range between 1 and 4%, and it has been speculated that morphological procedures may have a higher risk of bleeding than functional procedures.

Methods: Between 1989 and 1999, all patients who underwent a stereotactic procedure performed by the same surgeon were enrolled sequentially onto the study. All patients had normal preoperative prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, and platelet count.