E-learning versus face-to-face training: Comparison of two learning methods for Lyme borreliosis.

Objectives: To compare two learning methods for Lyme disease (e-learning versus face-to-face training) to assess knowledge and know-how.

Methods: The study population was volunteer general medicine residents and family physicians (FP). Face-to-face training on Lyme disease was offered to each group.

Anesthetic management of a labouring parturient with urticaria pigmentosa.

Purpose: To report the anesthetic management of labour pain and Cesarean section in a patient with urticaria pigmentosa at risk for systemic mastocytosis. CLINICAL: A 37-yr-old patient with a history of urticaria pigmentosa and an allergic reaction to a local anesthetic agent was seen in consultation at 36 weeks gestation. She previously tested negative for an allergy test to lidocaine.

[Help-seeking behavior of women with migraines].

Women who suffer from migraine headaches live in fear of the next crushing attack. Though many in number, only a few of them benefit from adequate care, thus suffering a diminishing quality of life as well. It is therefore important to understand how these women proceed to get help.

In vitro activity, postantibiotic effect and human monocyte activity of grepafloxacin against Legionella species.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the in vitro antimicrobial activity, postantibiotic effect (PAE) and human monocyte activity of grepafloxacin compared with sparfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, erythromycin and rifampicin against 181 strains of Legionella pneumophila, nine strains of L. micdadei, 10 strains of L. dumoffii, seven strains of L.

PCV for oligodendroglial tumors: in search of prognostic factors for response and survival.

Background: We report survival and pretreatment prognostic factors for survival and chemosensitivity in 53 oligodendrogliomas treated with PCV (procarbazine, lomustine and vincristine) chemotherapy.

Methods: A total of 53 patients with histologically proven oligodendroglioma, anaplastic oligodendroglioma or oligo-astrocytoma and treated with PCV were extracted from the London Regional Cancer Center database. A retrospective review was conducted to evaluate overall survival and pretreatment prognostic factors for survival and chemosensitivity.

Extensive F-18 FDG uptake in metastatic spindle cell carcinoma of the lung.

A 77-year-old man with stage IIB squamous cell carcinoma of the lung underwent right upper lobectomy. One month later he was examined for right chest pain, dyspnea, cough, and weakness. A roentgenogram showed nondiagnostic diffuse opacification of his right lung cavity.

Effects of aerobic physical exercise in the elderly with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of an aerobic physical exercise program in the treatment of a group of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in relation to metabolic control, physical capacity, quality of life (QOL) and attitudes toward diabetes. Patients were randomly assigned to either an experimental (n=19) or a control (n=20) group. The following measurements were conducted at baseline and after week 16: glycosylated hemoglobin (hbA1c), fructosamine, 3 h oral glucose tolerance test, treadmill test (Balke-Naughton), and a questionnaire on QOL and attitudes toward DM.

De novo synthesis of proteinase 3 by cytokine primed circulating human polymorphonuclear neutrophils and mononuclear cells.

Objective: When polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) are stimulated with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), preexisting granule stored proteinase 3 (PR3) is translocated to the surface of their plasma membrane. We investigated whether PR3 gene reactivation and new PR3 protein production were also features of priming by cytokine.

Methods: Normal human PMN and PBMC were isolated and stimulated in vitro with TNF-alpha.

Practice variations in the management of sinusitis.

Objective: It has been shown that controlling inappropriate practice variations decreases cost, increases efficiency, and improves quality of health care. The objective of this study was to identify practice variations in the management of acute sinusitis in primary care practice and to explore possible influential factors.

Design: A cross-sectional study by mail survey was conducted.

Dyslipidemias and the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: analysis of the FAMUS primary care register.

Background: Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a pharmacological approach to dyslipidemias is controversial. Little is known about the clinical management by general practitioners in this area.

Objectives: To evaluate the patterns of treatment of patients in primary prevention who were entered in the FAmily Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke (FAMUS) register and to calculate the probability of their receiving a hypolipidemic agent according to the presence of various risk profiles.

Combined surgery for coronary artery disease and pheochromocytoma.

Purpose: To report a case of severe coronary artery disease complicating pheochromocytoma, managed with combined coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and adrenalectomy.

Clinical Features: A 55-yr-old woman presented with poorly controlled hypertension and investigation revealed an active pheochromocytoma of her left adrenal gland. During medical preparation for adrenalectomy, she developed an acute myocardial infarct complicated with unstable angina.

In vitro study of the post-antibiotic effect and the bactericidal activity of Cefditoren and ten other oral antimicrobial agents against upper and lower respiratory tract pathogens.

The in vitro post-antibiotic effect (PAE) and batericidal activity of cefditoren was compared to that of cefixime, cefuroxime, loracarbef, cefaclor, amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanate, clarithromycin, azithromycin, erythromycin, and ciprofloxacin against ATCC culture strains and clinical respiratory isolates. A PAE > 1 h was observed for cefditoren and generally for the macrolides against Streptococcus pneumoniae, beta-lactamase-negative Moraxella catarrhalis, and Streptococcus pyogenes, whereas the other beta-lactams showed mixed results. Cefditoren was the only beta-lactam showing significant bactericidal activity (>3 log reduction of viable cells) within 4 h against penicillin-resistant S.

A retrospective assessment of Canadian preterm birth prevention efforts: 1979-1999.

Objectives: To assess the achievements and effectiveness of efforts to reduce preterm deliveries through the collaborative efforts of funding agencies, scientists, obstetricians, pediatricians, and health care providers in Canada.

Methods: Chronological review of studies carried out in Canada within the past two decades using several methodological approaches, including randomized clinical trials, surveys of women and physicians, and prospective cohort studies.

Results: Tertiary prevention by treatment of spontaneous preterm labor with beta-agonists was effective in delaying delivery by 48 hr compared with placebo.

[Postoperative compressive spinal epidural hematomas. 15 cases and a review of the literature].

Purpose Of The Study: In the literature, the frequency of postoperative compressive spinal epidural hematomas (SEH) appearing very low, we conducted the present study to determine the frequency of this complication in their unit and look for causative and predisposing factors.

Material And Methods: Among the 1,487 spinal operations performed in our unit between September 1997 and August 1998, fifteen patients had postoperative compressive SEH; their files were retrospectively analyzed regarding the initial intervention, postoperative period, revision operation and neurologic follow-up.

Results: Five women and ten men were involved ranging in age from 47 to 70 years (average, 59.

Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography correlated with computed tomographic scan and magnetic resonance imaging in a case of hematometrocolpos.

A 12-year-old girl had intense abdominal pain that had increased in the past 3 months and was accompanied by weight loss. An ultrasound examination revealed large cystic masses in the abdomen. A computed tomographic scan could not conclusively rule out a malignant condition.

Comparative in vitro activity and post-antibiotic effect of gemifloxacin against Legionella spp.

The comparative in vitro potency and post-antibiotic effect (PAE) of gemifloxacin (SB-265805), moxifloxacin, trovafloxacin, grepafloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin and rifampicin were evaluated against Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1-9 and 12 (n = 204) and other Legionella spp. (n = 34). MICs were determined by standard two-fold agar dilution.

Radicular pain caused by synovial cyst: an underdiagnosed entity in the elderly?

Object: Synovial cyst is a recognized but infrequent cause of nerve root or spinal canal compression. The authors undertook a review of 839 decompressive spinal procedures performed over a 5-year period. They found seven cases in which the symptoms were caused by synovial cysts.

COMT inhibitors in Parkinson's disease.

The COMT inhibitors, tolcapone and entacapone, are a new class of Parkinson's medications. By inhibiting the enzyme catechol-o-methyl-transferase (COMT), they prevent peripheral degradation of levodopa, allowing a higher concentration to cross the blood-brain barrier. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that both tolcapone and entacapone significantly prolong the elimination half life, and increase the area under the curve of levodopa without increasing C max.

Effects of gliclazide versus metformin on the clinical profile and lipid peroxidation markers in type 2 diabetes.

The sulfonylurea gliclazide and the biguanide metformin have different mechanisms to reduce glycemia. We performed a randomized study to compare these two agents with respect to glycemic control and effects on lipid peroxidation markers in 36 adult patients with type 2 diabetes. Both agents significantly decreased glycosylated hemoglobin ([HbA1c] P < .

On a practitioner's "being" as the true healing agent.

The healing power of a doctor comes not just from professional competence but from what the doctor is as a person.

In vitro activity of gatifloxacin, compared with ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, and rifampin, against Legionella species.

Gatifloxacin, a new advanced-generation, 8-methoxy fluoroquinolone, has shown efficacy against a broad spectrum of microorganisms. In this study, the in vitro activity of gatifloxacin was compared with that of ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, and rifampin against 214 Legionella spp. Species tested in order of frequency were: L.

Antiplatelet and lipid-lowering therapies for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: are we doing enough?

Objective: To evaluate whether current recommendations with respect to the treatment of dyslipidemias and the use of antiplatelet agents are being applied in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in primary care settings.

Design: Descriptive study based on data from the FAMUS (FAmily Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke) primary care register.

Setting And Participants: Two-hundred and thirty-three physicians participating in the FAMUS project contributed information from nonpregnant patients over 20 years of age consulting for a periodic health examination between 1992 and 1996.