Progress from 1989 to 1992 in understanding the circulation of the Western Mediterranean Sea

in Oceanologica Acta (1995), 18(2), 255-271

The present paper describes the major results obtained from 1989 to 1992 by the EUROMODEL group in studying the circulation in the Western Mediterranean Sea. Particular emphasis has been given to the ... [more ▼]

The present paper describes the major results obtained from 1989 to 1992 by the EUROMODEL group in studying the circulation in the Western Mediterranean Sea. Particular emphasis has been given to the physical processes responsible for seasonal and mesoscale variabilities. Observations (in situ and satellite), together with theoretical, physical and numerical models, have been widely used in the course of these studies. Attention has been focused on the dynamics of the northern basin (deep water formation, dynamics of the Northern Mediterranean Current, circulation and shelf/slope interaction in the Balearic Sea) and of the southern basin (Alboran Sea circulation, instabilities of the Algerian Current). The straits dynamics have been studied with particular reference to the Corsica channel. Preliminary runs of a basin-scale circulation model of the Western Mediterranean Sea forced by the straits are also presented. They are shown to be capable of generating a cyclonic circulation in the western basin. [less ▲]

Rhythmic and Electrophysiological Study after Dynamic Cardiomyoplasty

in Pacing & Clinical Electrophysiology (1995), 18(5, Pt 1), 965-72

To question the possible proarrhythmic effects of cardiomyoplasty (CMP), six adult goats were submitted to rhythmic and electrophysiological (EP) study 15 days before and 8 months after a posteroanterior ... [more ▼]

To question the possible proarrhythmic effects of cardiomyoplasty (CMP), six adult goats were submitted to rhythmic and electrophysiological (EP) study 15 days before and 8 months after a posteroanterior clockwise CMP procedure using Medtronic Cardiomyostimulator (CMS) (SP1005) and electrodes (SP5528) and completion of a progressive stimulation protocol. Pre and postoperative screening included a surface ECG, 24-hour Holter monitoring, high amplitude and filtered QRS averaging, and invasive EP study performed in the postoperative period with the CMS "ON" and "OFF." One-hour Holter recording with desynchronization of the CMS was obtained. Comparison of pre and postoperative ECG and rhythmic data showed no significant difference. High amplitude QRS averaging did not evidence meeting the usual criteria of late potentials. EP values were stable in both conditions and the aggressive EP program did not show evidence of increased susceptibility to arrhythmias. Asynchronous cardiomyostimulation did not induce arrhythmias. Our data strongly suggest that provided meticulous surgical technique is used, CMP does not significantly interfere with the electrical characteristics of the normal goat heart. The procedure, despite the disturbances it provokes, does not seem to be arrhythmogenic. The function of the CMS was always appropriate, even under stressful EP conditions. [less ▲]

Venous Allografts for Critical Limb Ischaemia

in Acta Chirurgica Belgica (1995), 95(1, Jan-Feb), 14-20

In as many as 25% of the patients with critical lower limb ischaemia, a suitable autogenous vein graft is not available. Patency rate of prosthetic grafts is disappointing at the infrageniculate level ... [more ▼]

In as many as 25% of the patients with critical lower limb ischaemia, a suitable autogenous vein graft is not available. Patency rate of prosthetic grafts is disappointing at the infrageniculate level. Recently, there is renewed interest in the use of preserved venous allografts as an alternate conduit in patients with threatened ischaemic limbs. From 1991 to 1993, the authors revascularized 12 ischaemic limbs with venous allografts (10 preserved at 4 degrees C, 2 Varivas grafts). The indication for operation was rest pain in five patients and tissue necrosis in seven. Nine patients had one or more previous ipsilateral revascularizations. The at 4 degrees C preserved venous allografts were conserved for a near period of 2 months. In only half (5/10) of the cases ABO isocompatibility could be respected. Distal anastomosis was always below the knee. In 6 patients, the anastomosis was at tibial level. There was one rupture of a Varivas graft on the fifth postoperative day, necessitating ligation of the graft and subsequent amputation. All other grafts remained patent for a mean period of 10.6 months. Actually, 6 grafts are still open. Most patients were given aspirin. Only three patients were under oral coumarin anticoagulation in an effort to prevent early graft failure. The limb salvage rate is 67% (8/12) (mean follow-up of 13 months). The authors discuss the clinical experience with venous allografts as published in recent literature. Use of venous allografts for arterial reconstruction in humans was met with limited success so far. The one year patency approximates 50%. Venous allografts progress in an ineluctable way to a fibrous conduit.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) [less ▲]

Préserver l'égalité des chances

Article for general public (1995)

Pacemaker Implantation for Early Sinus Node Dysfunction after Orthotopic Heart Transplantation

in Acta Chirurgica Belgica (1995), 95(1), 31-4

Among 60 patients who received OHT at our institution between November 1986 and January 1990, 4 actually needed implantation of a permanent pacemaker. Three patients with symptomatic early sinus node ... [more ▼]

Among 60 patients who received OHT at our institution between November 1986 and January 1990, 4 actually needed implantation of a permanent pacemaker. Three patients with symptomatic early sinus node dysfunction were identified and were satisfactorily paced on the VVIR mode. All three showed sinus recovery within three months following implantation and had their pacemaker switched from the VVIR mode to a simple ventricular demand pacing. Interestingly, administration of beta-blocking drugs quickly reinstituted pace dependence. The patients' outcome is excellent (18 to 48 months follow-up). No difference with the global cohort of our OHT recipients was noticed, apart from an apparent high incidence of infections (3/3) with (2/3) CMV and severe rejection (3/3) during the first month postoperatively. This data suggests that sinus dysfunction may be the result of a multifactorial (rejection, CMV, ...) injury to the conduction system, and is only clinically relevant beyond a threshold level. Denervation hypersensitivity, together with correction of these factors, may account for the restoration of a sufficient reserve of conduction system, and therefore appropriate sinus node function in basal conditions. [less ▲]

Un cimetière, une communauté, un espace : l’exemple liégeois

in Géographie et cultures (1995), 16

The article is the result of the study of 160 years of cemetery history in an urban region which houses today 510.000 peoples. It demonstrates the strong links between urban and rural communities and ... [more ▼]

The article is the result of the study of 160 years of cemetery history in an urban region which houses today 510.000 peoples. It demonstrates the strong links between urban and rural communities and their cemeteries. In order to do this, four points in cemetery history, chosen for the availability of reliable and comparable sources, have been chosen and described successively. Finally the article investigates the reasons for the exponential growth of requiered cemetery size. [less ▲]

Respiratory adjustments in unacclimatised horses exercised under hot, humid conditions

in Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement (1995), 18

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a hot and humid environment on the pattern of breathing and the gas exchange in heavily exercising horses. Five healthy fit Standardbred horses ... [more ▼]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a hot and humid environment on the pattern of breathing and the gas exchange in heavily exercising horses. Five healthy fit Standardbred horses were investigated twice at 8 day intervals, once in temperate conditions (TC) (ambient temperature: 15°C; relative humidity: 55%) and once in hot and humid conditions (HHC) (ambient temperature: 30°C; relative humidity: 75%). The standardised treadmill exercise test consisted of 8 min warm-up and 8 min exercise (1 min at 1.7, 4, 7, 8, 9 and 10 m/s and 2 min at 4 m/s with a 6% slope). Running in HHC induced a significant decrease in peak expired minute volume (VE), oxygen uptake (VO2), VCO2 and oxygen pulse, while RQ remained unchanged and PACO2 increased. The changes in skin temperature (ST), i.e. the difference between ST at rest and at 10 m/s, was dramatically higher in HHC. The test induced changes, i.e. the differences between the values before and after the test, in cortisol, (beta-endorphins and plasma lactate (LA) values after the test were significantly higher. This study showed that performing a strenuous exercise in hot, humid conditions in unacclimatised horses induced a reduction of the aerobic capacity, i.e. decrease of the V02 and increase of LA production. A relative hypoventilation could be partly responsible for this observation, but all the steps of the oxygen transport from the pulmonary ventilation to the muscle metabolism could also potentially be impaired in such conditions [less ▲]

La thermographie infrarouge dans l'étude de la thermorégulation : revue de la littérature

in Annales de Médecine Vétérinaire (1995), 139

Infrared thermography is a method to assess the skin temperature by means of a camera equipped with an infrared detector. It makes thermograms that represents the surface temperature of skin patterns ... [more ▼]

Infrared thermography is a method to assess the skin temperature by means of a camera equipped with an infrared detector. It makes thermograms that represents the surface temperature of skin patterns. This article summerizes the different information about thermography and thermoregulation of horses. In fact, lots of information exist about thermoregulation of most of the domestic animais but very little exists as far as horses are concerned. Two different types of devices are used for thermography : contacting and noncontacting which measure the infrared radiation either with a thermometer or with a themographic camera. The blood circulation dictates the thermic model which is at the origin of thermographic interpretation. This latter is a good method helping to study thermoregulation. [less ▲]

Mode of administration of Erythropoetin (rHu-Epo)- Does it matter?

in Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation (1995), 10

Transcription factor NF-kappaB is activated by photosensitization generating oxidative DNA damages

in Journal of Biological Chemistry (1995)