System size, energy, and centrality dependence of pseudorapidity distributions of charged particles in relativistic heavy-ion collisions.

We present the first measurements of the pseudorapidity distribution of primary charged particles in Cu+Cu collisions as a function of collision centrality and energy, sqrt[s_{NN}]=22.4, 62.4, and 200 GeV, over a wide range of pseudorapidity, using the PHOBOS detector. A comparison of Cu+Cu and Au+Au results shows that the total number of produced charged particles and the rough shape (height and width) of the pseudorapidity distributions are determined by the number of nucleon participants. More detailed studies reveal that a more precise matching of the shape of the Cu+Cu and Au+Au pseudorapidity distributions over the full range of pseudorapidity occurs for the same N{part}/2A rather than the same N_{part}. In other words, it is the collision geometry rather than just the number of nucleon participants that drives the detailed shape of the pseudorapidity distribution and its centrality dependence at RHIC energies.

System size and centrality dependence of charged hadron transverse momentum spectra in Au + Au and Cu + Cu collisions at square root of SNN = 62.4 and 200 GeV.

We present transverse momentum distributions of charged hadrons produced in Cu + Cu collisions at square root of SNN = 62.4 and 200 GeV. The spectra are measured for transverse momenta of 0.25 < pT < 5.0 GeV/c at square root of SNN = 62.4 GeV and 0.25 < pT < 7.0 GeV/c at square root of SNN = 200 GeV, in a pseudorapidity range of 0.2 < eta < 1.4. The nuclear modification factor R(AA) is calculated relative to p + p data at both collision energies as a function of collision centrality. At a given collision energy and fractional cross section, R(AA) is observed to be systematically larger in Cu + Cu collisions compared to Au + Au. However, for the same number of participating nucleons, R(AA) is essentially the same in both systems over the measured range of pT, in spite of the significantly different geometries of the Cu + Cu and Au + Au systems.

[Validation of the french translated Richmond vigilance-agitation scale]. / Validation de l'échelle de vigilance-agitation de Richmond traduite en langue française.

OBJECTIVE: To test reliability of the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) after French translation. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective psychomotor evaluation study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two bilingual physicians performed the translation from English to French language. The French version was then translated to English by a bilingual non physician ("backtranslation") and compared to the original version. The translated scale was tested according to usual guidelines concerning the translation of neuropsychological evaluation tools. The French version of RASS was tested on the morning of every fifth or sixth day, and 30-min after any procedure, in 43 consecutive patients admitted to a 12-bed medical-surgical intensive care unit during two months, by a group of four observers: the principal investigator, two anaesthesiology residents and one pharmacology student. Inter-rater reliability was tested using the simple and weighted Kappa coefficients (with their 95% confidence interval). A consensual and detailed "operating instructions" guide of RASS, intended for medical and nursing staff, has been added in the Annexe section. RESULTS: Four hundred twenty measures were performed during 105 grouped observations. Reliability of the French version of RASS was substantial. Simple Kappa coefficient, testing the concordance between observers, was ranged from 0.72 (0.62-0.81) to 0.87 (0.79-0.94) and weighted Kappa coefficient from 0.95 (0.92-0.98) to 0.99 (0.98-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: The French translation of RASS was acceptable. The translated scale preserved substantial inter-rater reliability. Monitoring of vigilance status in intensive care settings can be performed with this reliable clinical tool.

Resting energy expenditure and fuel metabolism following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding in severely obese women: relationships with excess weight lost.

BACKGROUND: Although adjustable gastric banding is increasingly proposed for massively obese patients, little is known about the modifications of resting metabolic rate and substrate oxidation or about metabolic determinants of weight loss following this type of bariatric surgery. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationships between excess weight loss, resting metabolic rate (RMR) and substrate oxidation, and to identify metabolic predictive factors of weight loss after adjustable gastric banding. SUBJECTS: Seventy-three obese nondiabetic women aged 39.1+/-10.4 years (18.4-64.8). DESIGN: Resting metabolic rate and substrate oxidation (indirect calorimetry), body composition (bio-impedance), lipid profile and insulin sensitivity indexes were assessed before and after (13.3+/-6.0 months, range 6.0-31.1) adjustable gastric banding. Patients were classified according to postsurgery time: group A (6-12 months, n=39); group B (12-18 months, n=21); group C (>18 months, n=13). Metabolic parameters associated with the percentage of excess weight lost (EWL) 1 year after surgery were analyzed in univariate and multivariate regressions. RESULTS: Mean weight loss was 26.2+/-11.4 kg. Mean fat mass loss was 17.3+/-8.1 kg. All biological parameters associated with excess weight improved after surgery. Excess weight lost at 1 year was 45.9+/-17.1% in group A, 47.4+/-17.1% in group B and 51.4+/-18.5% in group C (P=NS). Resting metabolic rate/fat-free mass (FFM) slightly decreased (28.9+/-3.26 vs 30.3+/-2.8, P<0.00001) and RMR/body weight slightly increased (18.5+/-2.8 vs 17.3+/-1.9, P<0.00001) after surgery. Respiratory quotient (0.81+/-0.06 vs 0.82+/-0.05) and FFM-adjusted lipid oxidation (1.10+/-0.41 vs 1.05+/-0.33 mg/min/kg FFM) were not significantly modified after surgery. In multiple linear regression analysis, difference in RMR/body weight, difference in energy sparing, baseline BMI and postsurgery time, were significantly and independently correlated with EWL (total R2=72.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Adjustable gastric banding promotes gradual but sustained weight loss and is associated with long-term conservation of lipid oxidation and energy expenditure. The individual variability in energy sparing mechanisms predicts weight loss during the first year after surgery.

[Enteric parasites and AIDS in Haiti: utility of detection and treatment of intestinal parasites in family members]. / Parasites intestinaux et sida en Haïti: faut-il déparasiter l'entourage familial?

Intestinal parasites and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are major health problems in Haiti. Both entities are known to interact strongly with cell-mediated immunity. The purpose of this study undertaken in Port-au-Prince, Haiti was to evaluate the risk of enteric parasite transmission between HIV-infected patients and family members. Routine examination of stool specimens for parasites was conducted in 90 HIV-infected undergoing treatment for intestinal disorders due mainly to Cryptosporidium sp. (62%) and 123 healthy family member volunteers. A stool sample preserved in 10% formalin solution was examined to detect protozoa (MIF, modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain, Uvibio fluorescence technique, Weber stain) and helminth ova (Bailenger technique). In addition to Cryptosporidium sp., 14 parasitic species were identified: 6 Rhizopoda, 3 Flagellata (including Giardia duodenalis), 1 Coccidia (Cyclospora cayetanensis), 3 Nematoda (mainly Ascaris lumbricoides) and 1 Cestoda (Hymenolepis nana). This is the first time that 5 protozoa, i.e., Blastocystis hominis, Entamoeba hartmanni, E. polecki, Chilomastix mesnili, and Enteromonas hominis, have been reported in Haiti. As expected, enteric parasites were less common in HIV-infected subjects undergoing medical treatment (11.1%) than in uninfected family members (41.5%) (p = 0.0000). Multiple intestinal parasitism (infection by 2 to 4 parasites) was observed in 19.5% of family members. The findings of this study indicate that detecting and treating intestinal parasites in subjects living in close contact with HIV-infected patients as well as informing family members of the importance of personal hygiene in Haiti are highly recommended measures to preserve the health of AIDS patients.

[Sensitization to powdered latex gloves: prevalence in hospital employees]. / Sensibilisation aux gants en latex poudrés: une prévalence élevée chez le personnel hospitalier.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of latex allergies in industrial countries has skyrocketed since the 1980s. Between 2.6 and 22% of hospital workers are diagnosed with latex allergy, which has been recognized as an occupational hazard in France since 1997. AIM: To assess the prevalence of latex allergy among Montpellier University Hospital Center staff. METHODS: From 1999 to 2002, we interviewed and conducted skin-prick tests on 537 hospital staff members from different departments and with different degrees of exposure to airborne latex allergens. RESULTS: Symptoms while using natural-rubber latex gloves (most often contact dermatitis) were reported by 88 (16.4%) staff members. Overall work-related allergic symptoms included rhinitis, reported by 65 (12.1%), contact urticaria by 28 (5.2%), and bronchial symptoms by 16 (1.1%). In all, sensitization to latex was identified in 7.1% of our staff, and this percentage was higher (11.3%) in units where latex gloves were used more often. Sensitization was associated with high latex exposure and atopy. CONCLUSION: This high rate of latex sensitization and the risk factors are similar to those already published. Based on this study, we have eliminated powdered latex gloves, as have many other hospitals.

Effects of physical activities that induce moderate external loading on bone metabolism in male athletes.

Sports characterized by little or moderate weight bearing or impact have a low osteogenic effect. However, the action of such sports on bone turnover remains unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the effect on bone remodelling of physical activities that induce moderate external loading on the skeleton. Thirty-eight male athletes aged 18-39 years (cyclists, n = 11; swimmers, n = 13; triathletes, n = 14) and 10 age-matched sedentary controls aged 22-35 years participated in the study. The study combined measurement of bone mineral density by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and bone turnover assessment from specific biochemical markers: serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, urinary type I collagen C-telopeptide and calcium. Compared with the controls and swimmers, adjusted bone mineral density was higher (P < 0.05) in triathletes at the total proximal femur and lower limbs. No differences in bone mineral density were found between cyclists, swimmers and controls. Compared with controls, osteocalcin was higher (P < 0.05) in triathletes and swimmers and urinary type I collagen C-telopeptide was higher in swimmers only. Serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase was lower (P < 0.05) in cyclists than in all other groups. In conclusion, an osteogenic effect was found only in triathletes, mainly at bone sites under high mechanical stress. Bone turnover differed in athletes compared with controls, suggesting that bone turnover may be sport-practice dependent. Despite some encouraging observations, it was not possible to show that changes in the bone remodelling process were sport-discipline dependent.

[Accuracy of videokeratographic quantitative criteria for detection of keratoconus suspects in families with keratoconus]. / Efficience des critères vidéokératographiques quantitatifs dans l'analyse familiale de patients atteints de kératocône.

AIM: We statistically assessed the videokeratographic data obtained from families with keratoconus in order to determine reliable criteria for detecting keratoconus suspects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourteen keratoconus patients from 12 families were enlisted. We investigated 55 relatives (110 eyes). Standard videokeratographic data were obtained by screening 30 individuals (60 eyes) with clinically normal eyes, with no history of ocular disorders, contact lens wear, or keratoconus individuals in their family. Videokeratographic qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed on every subject. The videokeratographic threshold values obtained from the control group were used as a reference. RESULTS: Two criteria based on the Klyce/Maeda indices proved their statistical significance in detecting keratoconus suspects. When considering the significant criteria ascertained by the statistical analysis, building pedigrees favored the autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Two of the pedigrees corresponded to either a recessive mode of transmission or the potential occurrence of a de novo mutation. CONCLUSION: We have determined videokeratographic criteria of statistical significance for detecting keratoconus suspects. The knowledge of the status of each member of families with keratoconus is a prerequisite to performing genetic linkage analyses, which may allow a precise locus linked with this disorder to be refined.

[Clinical study and prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome in medico-social institutions of the Reunion Island]. / Etude clinique et prévalence du syndrome d'alcoolisation foetale pris en charge dans les établissements médicosociaux de l'île de la Réunion.

BACKGROUND: Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a major problem in the Reunion Island and the Public Health Authorities decided to determine its prevalence in their medico-social centers on 31 December 1996. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was established to identify affected patients in the 20 medico-social centers in charge of 1320 children. Eighty-eight children were selected and 87 could be analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty-four of 87 (76.3%) were FAS and 23 of 87 (23.7%) had closely alcohol-related diseases. The prevalence was between 7.1 and 14.1% and lower than expected from available data. CONCLUSION: The study allowed to precise the social and familial factors predisposing to alcohol addiction during pregnancy. A TV prevention message will be broadcasted after this study.

First direct measurement of the parity-violating coupling of the Z0 to the s quark

We present the first direct measurement of A(s), the parity-violating coupling of the Z0 boson to the strange quark, using approximately 550 000 e(+)e(-)-->Z0-->hadrons events recorded by the SLC Large Detector with a polarized e(-) beam. We tagged Z0-->s&smacr; events by the absence of B or D hadrons and the presence in each hemisphere of a high momentum K+/- or K(0)(s). Fitting the polar angle distributions of the strangeness-signed thrust axis gave A(s) = 0.895+/-0.066(stat)+/-0.062(syst). The analyzing power and uu+d&dmacr; background were constrained using the data, greatly reducing any model dependence.

Precise measurement of the b-quark fragmentation function in Z0 boson decays

We have developed a new technique for inclusive reconstruction of the energy of B hadrons. The excellent efficiency and resolution of this technique allow us to make the most precise determination of the b-quark fragmentation function, using e(+)e(-)-->Z0 decays recorded in the SLAC Large Detector experiment. We compared our measurement with the predictions of a number of fragmentation models. We excluded several of these models and measured the average scaled energy of weakly decaying B hadrons to be = 0.714+/-0. 005(stat)+/-0.007(syst)+/-0.002 (model dependence).

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole compared with ciprofloxacin for treatment and prophylaxis of Isospora belli and Cyclospora cayetanensis infection in HIV-infected patients. A randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, Isospora belli and Cyclospora cayetanensis frequently cause chronic diarrhea in HIV-infected patients. OBJECTIVE: To compare 1 week of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole treatment and 1 week of ciprofloxacin treatment in HIV-infected patients with chronic diarrhea caused by I. belli and C. cayetanensis. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: HIV clinic in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. PATIENTS: 42 HIV-infected patients with chronic diarrhea due to I. belli (n = 22) or C cayetanensis (n = 20). INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (160 mg or 800 mg) or ciprofloxacin (500 mg) twice daily for 7 days. Patients who responded clinically and microbiologically received prophylaxis for 10 weeks (1 tablet orally, three times per week). MEASUREMENTS: Treatment success was measured by cessation of diarrhea and negative stool examination at day 7. Prophylaxis success was measured by recurrent disease rate. RESULTS: Diarrhea ceased in all 19 patients treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Eighteen of 19 patients had negative results on stool examination at day 7 (95%). Among the 23 patients who received ciprofloxacin, diarrhea ceased in 20 (87% [CI; 66% to 97%]) and 16 had negative results on stool examination at day 7 (70%). By survival analysis, diarrhea from isosporiasis and cyclosporiasis ceased more rapidly with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole than with ciprofloxacin. All patients receiving secondary prophylaxis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole remained disease-free, and 15 of 16 patients receiving secondary prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin remained disease-free. CONCLUSIONS: A 1-week course of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is effective in HIV-infected patients with cyclosporiasis or isosporiasis. Although ciprofloxacin is not as effective, it is acceptable for patients who cannot tolerate trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

The natural history of human immunodeficiency virus 1 infection in Haitian infants.

OBJECTIVES: The current study followed HIV-infected women through pregnancy and their infants through the first 2 years of life to determine the rate of vertical transmission of HIV infection from Haitian women, factors in maternal health and obstetrical history that might influence such transmission and the natural history of HIV infection in their affected offspring. STUDY DESIGN: The medical histories of 81 infants born of HIV-infected women and of a control group of 88 infants born to uninfected women were documented with close clinical and serologic follow-up. In addition to standard tests for persistence of HIV antibodies, the use of acid-dissociated p24 assays enabled us to assign some additional infants to the HIV-infected cohort. RESULTS: Transmission could be documented in 27% of infants born to HIV-infected women. Excess early deaths occurred in infants of HIV-infected women in Port-au-Prince with 60% of infected infants dead by 6 months of age. This is a more accelerated mortality than that in a group of 42 HIV-infected infants born of Haitian mothers living in Miami where 10% were dead at 6 months. Clinically, in 6 of 19 deaths in HIV-infected children in Haiti, failure to thrive and gastroenteritis lead to a systemic infection manifested as meningitis, sepsis or pneumonia as the immediate cause of death. CONCLUSIONS: Early mortality attributable to perinatally acquired AIDS was identified in Haiti. The comparison of data from Miami and Port-au-Prince suggests that environmental exposures in developing countries may be more operative in this early mortality than viral strain or maternal host factors, both of which might be expected to be similar between the two groups of Haitian ethnicity.

Clinical manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus infection in Haitian children.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to describe the characteristics of HIV-1 infection in children in Haiti and to assess its impact on morbidity and mortality. BACKGROUND: Throughout the developing world the female-to-male ratio of HIV-1 infection approaches 1:1, leading to a tremendous burden of vertically transmitted HIV-1 infection. The frequency of transmission, progression of disease and AIDS-defining clinical illnesses are not as well-described in this setting as in the industrial world. METHODS: Children were identified as being HIV-1-seropositive from case findings among family members of individuals presenting for screening at the GHESKIO Centers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Children who were seronegative from the same population were also enrolled and both groups were followed at regular intervals. The clinical course and illnesses associated with HIV infection were documented. RESULTS: Rapid progression to symptomatic disease and death was seen and a battery of physical findings enabled a clinician over time to assign with high sensitivity and specificity the diagnosis of AIDS to a child. Although many findings are similar, the presentation of HIV-1 infection in Haiti differed in significant ways from observations in the industrial world. In particular signs of malnutrition, failure to thrive and tuberculosis were more common in the Haitian population. CONCLUSION: Pediatric HIV-1 infection in Haiti differs significantly from the illness in the industrial world. Early mortality poses a particular difficulty in diagnosing and ascribing mortality to HIV-1 infection.

Study of eight cases of cancer in 426 rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with methotrexate.

OBJECTIVE: To report cancer cases in 426 rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with methotrexate, and determine whether there was an increased incidence of cancer compared with patients never treated with methotrexate (rheumatoid controls) and to the whole regional population. METHODS: The duration of methotrexate treatment was 37.4 (SD 27.9) months. This population was compared with 420 rheumatoid arthritis controls and with a regional population of 812,344 people. Life table analysis was performed to compare the cancer incidence in the two rheumatoid populations. Adjustment for potentially confounding factors was done. The indirect standardisation methods was used to compare each rheumatoid population with the regional population. RESULTS: Eight cases of cancer (1.88%; 4.04 cases/1000 person years) were diagnosed in the methotrexate population v six (1.43%; 58.8 cases/1000 person years) in the rheumatoid controls. The life table method showed a higher incidence of cancer in the rheumatoid controls (P = 0.0001). In a multivariate analysis (Cox model), the only significant factor explaining this difference in the cancer incidence was age (P = 0.02). In the regional population there were 6418 new cases of cancer (0.79%; 2.85 cases/1000 person years). By the indirect standardisation method, the ratio of observed cases to expected cases of cancer in each of the rheumatoid populations was not significantly different from 1. CONCLUSIONS: In these eight cases, methotrexate was not found to be responsible for generating cancers. However, because of data regarding lymphomas and methotrexate, and because of the short follow up, especially in the control group, longer prospective studies are warranted.

Cyclospora infection in adults infected with HIV. Clinical manifestations, treatment, and prophylaxis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and clinical manifestations of Cyclospora in Haitians infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who have diarrhea and to evaluate therapy and prophylaxis. DESIGN: Cohort study. From 1990 to 1993, stool samples were collected from adults seropositive for HIV who had had diarrhea for at least 3 weeks. SETTING: A clinic in Haiti. INTERVENTIONS: Stool samples were examined for enteric protozoa after acid-fast staining. Patients with Cyclospora infection were treated with trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole (160 mg and 800 mg, respectively) given orally four times a day for 10 days. After completion of therapy, patients were evaluated weekly and re-treated if clinical and parasitologic recurrences occurred, followed by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis three times a week. RESULTS: 804 of 2400 patients (33%) seropositive for HIV had a history of chronic or intermittent diarrhea; 502 of these 804 patients (62%) currently had diarrhea, and 450 patients each provided two stool specimens for examination. Enteric protozoa identified included Cryptosporidium (30%), Isospora belli (12%), Cyclospora species (11%), Giardia lamblia (3%), and Entamoeba histolytica (1%). Forty-three patients with diarrhea and Cyclospora infection were studied; their symptoms were indistinguishable from those seen in patients with isosporiasis or cryptosporidiosis. In all patients, diarrhea ceased and results from stool examinations were negative within 2.5 days after beginning oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole therapy. Recurrent symptomatic cyclosporiasis developed in 12 of 28 patients (43%) followed for 1 month or more, but it also responded promptly to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole therapy. These 12 patients received trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole three times a week as secondary prophylaxis, with only a single recurrence after 7 months. CONCLUSION: Cyclospora infection is common in Haitian patients with HIV infection, responds to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole therapy, and has a high recurrence rate that can be largely prevented with long-term trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis.

The urge for an AIDS vaccine: perspectives from a developing country.

AIDS is inexorably involving all parts of the country and all strata of society, with 10% of the urban and 3% of the rural population infected with HIV. It is increasingly a disease of women and children. The major cofactors for transmission are also sexually transmitted. For most developing countries, in spite of all education efforts, the "silent epidemic" of AIDS continues. AIDS is known but not understood; counselling modifies behavior in only 10-20% of at-risk persons. Under optimal conditions, HIV discordant females have seroconversion rates of 4.7% per year and pregnancy rates of 10.4% per year. The recent political unrest in Zaire and Haiti will further enhance the spread of AIDS in these countries. Despite these difficult periods, the work can and must continue. After all, during our 10th year of collaboration with a Haitian private research group, the Haitian government and Cornell University, Haiti has known seven different political rulers. Finally, I want to make a pledge on behalf of the millions of people who face a certain death from HIV infection and AIDS and who will never make the front page of any newspaper. For these people, you can make a difference. You must give us the tools to carry on this fight. The clinical trials must be done where they are most needed: the developing countries. Vaccines represent the only viable alternative despite the recognized obstacles of viral heterogeneity, immunogenicity, and delivery.