Postoperative allergic complications: the role of the anesthetist in conducting the immuno-allergic investigation

When peri-anaesthesia anaphylactic and/or anaphylactoid reactions occur, anaesthetist is the first investigator: the quality of immuno-allergological investigations depends on these initial investigational procedures. We have used sample kits for several years in order to make easier the immediate investigation. From retrospective analysis of the allergic complications which happened in 1997, the importance of these sample kits as well as the anaesthetist's part in the immuno-allergological management are examined. Nine observations were itemized (0.047%): 3 generalized erythema observations (grade I), in which atracurium was incriminated twice, and propacetamol once; 2 observations of grade II, in which vecuronium (elevated tryptase) and atracurium were incriminated; 4 anaphylactic shocks, in which three neuromuscular blocking drugs (suxamethonium, vecuronium and pancuronium), and one antibiotic (cloxacilline) were incriminated. The use of sample kits allowed an early diagnosis approach, confirmed by skin tests. Diagnosis should be thought closely between anaesthetists and immunologists for investigations.     

Thin Nets and Crest Lines: Application to Satellite Data and Medical Images

In this paper, we describe a new approach for extractingthin netsin gray-level images. The key point of our approach is to model thin nets as crest lines of the image surface. Crest lines are lines where the magnitude maximum curvature is a local maximum in the corresponding principal direction. We define these lines using first, second, and third derivatives of the image. The image derivatives are computed using recursive filters approximating the Gaussian filter and its derivatives. Using an adaptive scale factor, we apply this approach to the extraction of roads in satellite data, blood vessels in medical images, and actual crest lines in depth maps of human faces.     

The role of the Belgian engineer Paul Christophe on the development of reinforced concrete at the turn of the 20th century

Paul Christophe (1870–1957) owes his fame to being the author of the book Le béton armé et ses applications, published first in 1899 and again in 1902. This publication is considered internationally as one of the first treatises on reinforced concrete which included detailed explanations of the various computation models in use at the turn of the 20th century. He concluded by proposing rational modelling of reinforced concrete based mainly on the previous work of Coignet & de Tedesco. Until the present research, the professional life of Christophe and the context of his publication were unknown. The discovery of large parts of the family archives has allowed clarification of the role of Paul Christophe in the theoretical development of reinforced concrete. Therefore the paper proposes first to draw up the biography of Paul Christophe, secondly to expose the ins and outs of the publication Le béton armé et ses applications and finally to explore his relations with others precursors of reinforced concrete such as the Austrian engineer Fritz von Emperger (1862–1942). Die Rolle des belgischen Ingenieurs Paul Christophe auf die Entwicklung des Stahlbetonbaus zur Zeit der Jahrhundertwende Paul Christophe (1870–1957) verdankt seinen Ruf dem Buch Le béton armé et ses applications, dessen Autor er war. Erstmals veröffentlicht wurde das Buch 1899, ein zweites Mal im Jahr 1902. Dieses Werk wird international als eine der ersten Abhandlungen über den Stahlbetonbau angesehen, die detaillierte Erläuterungen zu den verschiedenen, zur Zeit der Jahrhundertwende üblichen Berechnungsmodellen enthält. Der Autor schloss sein Buch mit der These, dass eine vernünftige Modellierung von Stahlbeton hauptsächlich auf die früheren Arbeiten von Coignet & de Tedesco zurückgeht. Bis dato war in der heutigen Forschung nichts über das Berufsleben von Christophe und den Zusammenhang mit seiner Veröffentlichung bekannt. Die Entdeckung von großen Teilen des Familienarchivs ermöglichte es nun zu klären, welche Rolle Paul Christophe im Bereich der theoretischen Entwicklung des Stahlbetonbaus inne hatte. Der Beitrag beginnt mit seiner Biographie. Anschließend wird gezeigt, welche Strömungen und Arbeiten Einfluss auf sein Buch Le béton armé et ses applications hatten und welchen Einfluss das Buch wiederum auf die Fachwelt hatte. Zuletzt werden seine Beziehungen zu anderen Vorreitern des Stahlbetonbaus, wie z.B. zum österreichischen Ingenieur Fritz von Emperger (1862–1942) erkundet.     

Admission modalities of brain dead patients at Ile de France hospitals which do not harvest organs. Cooperative Group for Transplantation of Ile de France (GCIF)]

It has been suggested that the potential for thrombo-embolic complications is greater with the use of non-ionic contrast agents than with ionic contrast agents. The increasing use of interventional therapy in patients with acute coronary disease makes the discussion of a possible relationship between thrombo-embolic complications and use of non-ionic contrast media pertinent. It has been shown that ionic contrast media have a marked effect on the coagulation system and platelet function. The non-ionic contrast media have a less pronounced effect on the coagulation system and platelet function although there is no evidence of a thrombogenic effect. The anticoagulant effect observed with ionic contrast media in connection with coronary angiography or angioplasty (PTCA) is short and disappears as soon as the medium is excreted. Therefore an effective antithrombotic treatment in relation to the procedure is necessary. Larger randomized clinical studies need to be performed with effective antithrombotic regimens in order to clarify any difference in thrombo-embolic complications from the different contrast media. Until then, the non-ionic contrast media should be preferred to the ionic contrast media in high-risk PTCA, owing to their overall lower toxicity and fewer adverse reactions.     

Maternal PUFA ω-3 Supplementation Prevents Neonatal Lung Injuries Induced by Hyperoxia in Newborn Rats

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is one of the most common complications of prematurity, occurring in 30% of very low birth weight infants. The benefits of dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids ω-3 (PUFA ω-3) during pregnancy or the perinatal period have been reported. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of maternal PUFA ω-3 supplementation on lung injuries in newborn rats exposed to prolonged hyperoxia. Pregnant female Wistar rats (n = 14) were fed a control diet (n = 2), a PUFA ω-6 diet (n = 6), or a PUFA ω-3 diet (n = 6), starting with the 14th gestation day. At Day 1, female and newborn rats (10 per female) were exposed to hyperoxia (O₂, n = 70) or to the ambient air (Air, n = 70). Six groups of newborns rats were obtained: PUFA ω-6/O₂ (n = 30), PUFA ω-6/air (n = 30), PUFA ω-3/O₂ (n = 30), PUFA ω-3/air (n = 30), control/O₂ (n = 10), and control/air (n = 10). After 10 days, lungs were removed for analysis of alveolarization and pulmonary vascular development. Survival rate was 100%. Hyperoxia reduced alveolarization and increased pulmonary vascular wall thickness in both control (n = 20) and PUFA ω-6 groups (n = 60). Maternal PUFA ω-3 supplementation prevented the decrease in alveolarization caused by hyperoxia (n = 30) compared to PUFA ω-6/O₂ (n = 30) or to the control/O₂ (n = 10), but did not significantly increase the thickness of the lung vascular wall. Therefore, maternal PUFA ω-3 supplementation may protect newborn rats from lung injuries induced by hyperoxia. In clinical settings, maternal PUFA ω-3 supplementation during pregnancy and during lactation may prevent BPD development after premature birth.