[Modeling T2 high severe asthma using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC)]. / Modélisation de l'asthme sévère par la technologie des cellules humaines souches pluripotentes induites (hiPSC).

Severe asthma patients with persistent airflow obstruction are characterized by functional obstruction due to mucus plugs containing mucins, fibrin, and eosinophil derived Charcot- Leyden crystals. The molecular mechanisms underlying this endotype are not clearly understood. Developing new models is crucial to respiratory research insofar as critical differences exist between human and rodent airway epithelium. We (and other teams) have shown that it is possible to reconstitute in vitro a complex and functional airway epithelium displaying all the features described in vivo from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC). Our aim is to establish a human in vitro model of severe asthma that will recapitulate airway epithelium remodeling and mucus plugs.

[Production of innervated bronchial epithelium from a blood sample]. / Fabrication d'un épithélium bronchique innervé à partir d'une prise de sang.

Asthma is a frequent respiratory disease, with severe asthma occurring in 3 to 5% of cases. Chronic inflammation of the bronchial epithelium is essential to its pathophysiology. When activated by the bronchial environment, the peripheral sensory nervous system contributes to inflammation of the airways. However, due to a lack of reliable models, the mechanisms of action remain largely unknown. Using induced pluripotent stem cells reprogrammed from blood cells, we have set up a model of bronchial epithelium innervated by sensory neurons. This model will ensure better understanding of the mechanisms of action underlying neurogenic inflammation.

[Modelling of length of stay and costs in 2 homogeneous groups of hematological and pneumological patients: clinical characterization of patients with long-stay and high costs]. / Modélisation de la distribution des durées de séjour et des coûts dans deux groupes homogènes de malades d'hématologie et de pneumologie: caractérisation clinique des patients de longue durée et de coût élevé.

After the implementation of the Medicare Prospective Payment System (PPS) in the USA, many European countries like France have introduced DRGs to curb hospital overspending. However, there has been some reluctance from hospital actors, especially because of the heterogeneous nature of DRG's. To analyse this situation, we propose a method based on distribution modelization of length of stays and costs within DRGs. For each DRG, the model is based on a mixture of Poisson and Weibull distributions identified as subgroups. The subgroups are characterized by their means and their proportions which are estimated by maximization of data likelihood. For a particular DRG, the proportion of long stay or high-cost patients can be explained by the introduction of clinical variables in the model. First the model was applied to the DRG "leukemia and lymphoma" (HCFA V.3), using 133 discharge abstract files from the Dijon public teaching hospital which were classified into this DRG in 1993. Among the studies parameters only acute leukemia, neutropenia < 500 PNN/mm3, high dose aplastic chemotherapy, central venous catheterization, parenteral nutrition, use of protected or laminar air flow room, septicemia, large spectrum intravenous antibiotherapy, and blood transfusion had a significant influence on the distribution of the patients in the long stay or costly subgroup. Second, for DRG "chronic bronchopneumopathies" (n = 220) the significant parameters were mechanical ventilation, antibiotherapy, post hospitalization medicalized care.

[Focalized multiple beam radiotherapy: an alternative in the treatment of deep cerebral arteriovenous malformations]. / Radiothérapie multifaisceaux focalisée: une alternative pour le traitement des malformations artérioveineuses cérébrales profondes.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral arteriovenous malformations are usually treated by excision or selective embolization. Some untreatable malformations may be presently cured by radiosurgery. CASE REPORT: A 10-year-old girl without previous illness suffered from a sudden quadriventricular hemorrhage due to arteriovenous malformation. Initially the child recovered with symptomatic treatment. Neurosurgery and arterial embolization being impossible, Gamma-Unit treatment was performed. Treatment was first well tolerated but 8 months later, left hemiparesis and language disorders occurred, due to radionecrosis. These complications were dramatically improved by corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: Gamma-Unit treatment can be successfully proposed for treating those malformations that are inaccessible to surgery or embolization.

[Dynamics of female single parenthood in Canada]. / La dynamique de la monoparentalite feminine au Canada.

"In this article we look at the timing and duration of episodes of single parent status during the life course of various cohorts of women. The analysis was carried out with the help of retrospective data from a Canadian family survey carried out in 1984 which had a sample size of over 7,000 women. The results, derived from life-table techniques, show that over one woman in three was likely to experience a period of single-parent status at some time in her life at the risks current in 1984." (SUMMARY IN ENG)

[Demography and women: new approaches]. / Demographie et femmes: nouvelles approches.

PIP: This is an introduction to a special issue of the Cahiers Quebecois de Demographie devoted to women and demography in Canada. The focus is on aspects of recent demographic studies that particularly involve women, including the large-scale entry of women into the labor force, the adequacy of traditional methods of collecting population statistics, and the substantive demographic and social changes that have had a considerable effect on living conditions, especially for women.^ieng

[One is poor: is one born poor or does one become poor? An essay on the importance of longitudinal data in the analysis of poverty]. / On est pauvre: on nait pauvre ou on le devient? Essai sur l'importance des donnees longitudinales dans l'analyse de la pauvrete.

PIP: The importance of collecting and analyzing longitudinal as opposed to cross-sectional data in order to formulate policy aimed at alleviating poverty is discussed, with an emphasis on research and policies in the United States and Canada. Findings from the U.S. Panel Study of Income Dynamics are noted, and attention is given to the economic mobility of families and individuals and to determinants of poverty. The implications for selected economic and social policies of the findings of longitudinal studies concerning poverty are outlined.^ieng

[The evolution of female single parent families in various regions of Quebec, 1971-1981]. / L'evolution de la monoparentalite feminine dans differentes regions du Quebec, 1971-1981.

Developments concerning single-parent, female-headed households in Quebec are analyzed. The authors note that in contrast to past experience, "the new single parent family is in most cases the result of a voluntary disruption of the household, or of a birth outside marriage; its head is mostly--and increasingly--the mother; and it concerns an increasingly younger population, among parents as well as children." Differences among metropolitan regions are analyzed with regard to labor force participation, income, and housing conditions. (SUMMARY IN ENG AND SPA)