[Study of atheromatous stenoses of carotid bifurcations by Doppler ultrasound, spiral angio-MRI, magnetic resonance angiography and comparison with arteriography]. / Etude des sténoses athéromateuses des bifurcations carotidiennes par écho-Doppler, angioscanner spiralé, angio-IRM et comparaison à l'artériographie.

PURPOSE: To evaluate Doppler ultrasound (US), Helical CT, Magnetic Resonance (MR) angiography in the detection of carotid bifurcation atherosclerotic disease and comparison with angiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After a Doppler US procedure, 56 carotid bifurcations were included (symptomatic stenosis greater than 60% or asymptomatic stenosis greater than 30%). Helical CT, MR angiography and selective arteriography were performed. Stenosis were measured with NASCET criteria. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated and compared to arteriographics findings for each procedure and each grade of stenosis. RESULTS: Helical CT and MR angiography had their best sensitivity in grade 3 (70-99%), 92%, 100% respectively, their specificity was identical (91%). All the occlusions were depicted by the three procedures. CONCLUSION: Association of Doppler US and MR angiography may replace in the future selective angiography in the evaluation of extracranial atherosclerotic disease. Arteriography would be performed only in case of discordance between these two procedures.

[Not Available]. / L'homéopathie: fiction ou réalité? Définition et recherches cliniques.

Interest in alternative medicine is increasing. Family physicians, frequently asked by patients about the merits of these practices, must increase their knowledge in order to develop an enlightened, scientific approach to the subject. Homeopathy is one such system of medicine; it was founded by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann nearly 200 years ago. Clinical research in homeopathy is in the very early stages. To date, clinical trials to determine the efficacy of individual homeopathic remedies and the validity of homeopathic theory generally have been inconclusive. It is to be hoped that clinical research in homeopathy will continue so that we can increase our knowledge and provide our patients with better answers to their questions.

[RNA polymerase activity associated with a bunya virus (Lumbo)]. / Activité RNA polymérasique à un bunyavirus (Lumbo)

RNA dependent RNA polymerase has been demonstrated in purified Lumbo virus (Bunyavirus) which contains a single stranded segmented RNA. Divalent cations (Mn++ and Mg++) are required for optimal in vitro activity. Reaction products can be specifically annealed with the viral genome.

[RNA-fragments, necessary primers for the in vitro replication of DNA]. / ARN-fragments, amorceurs nécessaires à la réplication in vitro des ADN

Partial degradation of ribosomal RNAs (E. coli rich in purine nucleotides) by different ribonucleases gives rise to the appearance of several families of RNA-fragments which after separation on "Sephadex G 25" were analyzed for base ratio, size and biological activity. In the presence of DNA dependent DNA polymerase, RNA-fragments act as primers for in vitro replication of DNAs from numerous sources.