[Pulmonary metastasis of a uterine epithelioid leiomyosarcoma]. / Métastase pulmonaire d'un léiomyosarcome épithélioïde utérin.

We report a case of patient presenting with a very large pulmonary metastasis which revealed a previously unrecognised uterine epithelioid leiomyosarcoma. This is a rare tumour with a poor prognosis. The treatment of both the primary tumour and the metastasis was surgical.

[Pharmacology of nicotine]. / Pharmacologie de la nicotine.

Nicotine has a small molecular weight and is absorbed via the mucosa (Guccal or nasal), the pulmonary alveoli and the skin. The phenomenon of autotitration explains how a dependent smoker can unconsciously change his method of smoking to maintain a steady nicotine level. Nicotine leads to a liberation of catecholamines by acting on the nervous system through the intermediary of nicotine receptors. There is increased vigilance and powers of intellectual concentration, an awakening reaction and some anxiolytic and euphoriant effects. From the cardiac stand point there is an increased heart rate and blood pressure, as a result of the sympathomimetic effects. Elimination is via the kidneys as unchanged nicotine, cotinine and 1'-N-oxide of nicotine. Nicotine has an addictive action and is capable of inducing pharmacological dependency, tolerance and withdrawal syndrome in cases of abrupt cessation. A knowledge of the pharmacology of nicotine is important in the process of stopping smoking.

[High school students and tobacco. A survey of 630 students in Poitiers]. / Les lycéens et le tabac. A propos d'une enquête chez 630 lycéens de Poitiers.

A survey of high school pupils and their attitudes to tobacco was carried out by an anonymous auto questionnaire by 630 pupils at the Alienor Aquitaine Lycee in Poitiers in April 1991. The population study had the following characteristics: 30% were boys, 70% were girls. The mean age was 18 +/- 1.31 years. The proportion of regular smokers (at least one cigarette per day, every day) was 33.9% in boys and 34.9% in girls. The boys had smoked on average 10.7 cigarettes per day for 3.5 years and the girls 9.1 cigarettes per day for 2.9 years. The smoker above all, used light colour tobacco (with filters 98%) but 29% only bought mild cigarettes. On the other hand 55% of the subjects wished to stop smoking. There was no statistically significant relationship between the smoking habits of the pupils and that of their parents on the one hand or on the regular participation in a sport, on the other. However, boarders smoked a lot more than the other pupils. The knowledge of the dangers of smoking were imperfectly understood, in particular, for chronic bronchitis, myocardial infarction, small birth weight of the newborn and cancer of the bladder. The changers of passive smoking were known by 91.6% of the pupils. Finally this study explored the opinion of the lycee pupils as regards to the six measures in the propaganda against smoking and on seven methods of information relating to the dangers of tobacco.

[Meningococcal pneumonia]. / La pneumonie à méningocoque.

Meningococci can cause primary bacterial pneumonia. The clinical picture is non-specific and the clinical course leads to meningeal infection. Diagnosis is based on isolation of Neisseria meningitidis in lung samples. Outcome is usually favourable.