[A support unit and relaxation area for caregivers]. / Une cellule d'écoute et un espace ressource pour les soignants.

A confidential and anonymous support unit, led by a nurse and a psychologist, has been created for caregivers within a hospital. It also has a relaxation area where they can learn different relaxation techniques. The aim of these places is to promote workers' wellbeing and prevent psychosocial risks.

Porphyria cutanea tarda, C282Y, H63D and S65C HFE gene mutations and hepatitis C infection: a study from southern France.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the role of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) and their association with chronic hepatitis C. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relations between hemochromatosis gene (HFE) mutations and PCT in the south of France and their links with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. METHODS: The genotype for the C282Y, H63D and S65C mutations of HFE was determined in 33 patients with PCT, 46 patients with HCV infection but without PCT and 58 controls. Iron status and HCV, HBV and HIV serologies were studied in all patients. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in the C282Y mutation was found in PCT patients. No difference was found for H63D or S65C mutations. The prevalence of HCV infection was higher in PCT patients than controls. CONCLUSIONS: C282Y mutations and HCV infection but not H63D or S65C mutations are PCT-triggering or associated factors in the south of France.

High adenosine and deoxyadenosine concentrations in mononuclear cells of hemodialyzed patients.

Infections are one of the most important complications of hemodialysis (HD). The high concentrations of adenosine (Ado) and of its metabolites during HD may contribute to the dialysis-induced immune deficiency through their known ability to alter lymphocyte function. The influence of HD on Ado metabolism was assessed in mononuclear cells through the measurement of (1) the concentrations of nucleosides in mononuclear cells and (2) the activities of mononuclear cell Ado deaminase (MCADA) and Ado kinase, two enzymes involved in Ado concentration regulation. Nine end-stage renal failure hemodialyzed patients (five men and four women; mean age, 69 +/- 10 yr) and eight healthy volunteers (four men and four women; mean age, 53 +/- 19 yr) were included in the study. Before HD, Ado, deoxyadenosine, and inosine concentrations were respectively 2.9-, 2.5-, and 2.5-fold higher in mononuclear cells of patients than in healthy volunteers. During HD, Ado concentration decreased by 34%, whereas inosine concentration increased by 27%. Before HD, MCADA activity level was 2.1-fold lower in patients than in control subjects. After HD, MCADA activity increased by nearly 50% but remained lower than in control subjects. Ado kinase activity level of patients did not differ from that of control subjects and was unchanged by HD. The influence of Ado on in vitro mononuclear cell proliferation and interferon-gamma production also was evaluated. Ado inhibited cell proliferation and interferon-gamma production in a dose-dependent manner, and these inhibitions were stronger for patients than for healthy volunteers. The high concentrations of Ado and deoxyadenosine in mononuclear cells and the low MCADA activity level likely are involved in the immune defect of patients who are undergoing HD.