Presse Med
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INTERFERON ALPHA AND LAMIVUDINE: Chronic hepatitis B is currently treated with interferon alpha and lamivudine. Lamivudine (marketed under the name Zeffix in France) is given in oral preparations and is excreted in the urine. It is rapidly effective against virus replication since, after a one-month treatment, hepatitis B DNA levels are negative in most of the treated patients. After 12 months, there is an improvement in liver histology.
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OPPORTUNISTIC PARASITES: Microsporidia are primitive eukaryotic parasites widespread in a large range of animal species. These opportunistic parasites can cause infections in humans, mainly in immunocompromised patients.
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There are few data in the literature concerning care provided to very elderly subjects referred to emergency care units. The emergency room setting would not be particularly adapted to management of this rising population. The purpose of our work was to assess the frequency of referral to emergency care units, the characteristics of the elderly population, and patient management. ⋯ "Very elderly" patients are frequently addressed to emergency care units by their primary care physician. They have severe conditions with major handicaps that largely explain their hospitalization. Our results point out possible improvements for care in the emergency unit.
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KIDNEY DISEASE AND HYPERTENSION: Hypertension is increasingly associated to renal insufficiency leading to end stage renal damage (ESRD), through several mechanisms involving renal vasculature. Ten to 25% of new ESRD patients are now categorized as hypertensive nephropathy and vascular renal disease.