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L'exercice de la fonction de cadre le place souvent dans une situation d'obligation d'excellence. Les exigences parfois idealisees de resultats performants peuvent l'amener a utiliser des substances susceptibles de l'aider dans sa pratique quotidienne au sein de l'entreprise lui permettant de resister a la fatigue, au stress auxquels il est soumis de facon permanente. Ces substances sont le plus souvent des medicaments, des preparations pharmaceutiques ou chimiques appartenant a des classes pharmacologiques variees, permettant d'augmenter les performances physiques, intellectuelles, esthetiques. Les medicaments sont parfois utilises dans le cadre de leurs indications a partir d'une ordonnance medicale initiale, l'utilisation devenant progressivement reguliere aboutissant dans quelques cas a une pharmacodependance. Cependant certains medicaments sont utilises dans le cadre d'une deviation d'usage et font l'objet d'abus. Ce phenomene relativement recent prend actuellement une ampleur preoccupante. A l'aide de quelques exemples, les principaux medicaments et substances chimiques utilises dans le cadre d'une amelioration des performances seront presentes, soulignant le risque principal d'une escalade s'inscrivant dans le domaine de la pharmacodependance.

SummaryAbnormalities in the serotonergic system have been implicated in the pathophysiology of depressive disorders. Human platelets possess serotonin-2A (5-HT2A) receptors, and previous research using LSD or ketanserin as ligands have indicated that their number is increased in depressed patients. Compared to other ligands previously used in platelet studies, DOI is highly selective for the 5-HT2A receptor and binds to its high-affinity state, therefore labeling only the receptors that are biologically coupled to the G-protein. We determined the density (Bmax) and the affinity (Kd) of 5-HT2A receptors labeled by [125I]-DOI in platelets from 21 untreated patients with major depression and 21 healthy volunteers. The density of the 5-HT2A binding sites was found to be increased in platelets from female depressed patients as compared to controls. No changes were observed in the Kd. We did not find any relationship between the binding parameters and either the severity of the depressive episode or the suicidal tendencies of the patients. Our results show that the number of coupled platelet 5-HT2A receptors is increased in depressed patients, indicating that platelet 5-HT2A receptor function is enhanced in depression.

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements have been carried out on samples of F82H-mod. martensitic steel submitted to different treatments: (a) hardening, (b) tempering and (c) ageing. Size distribution functions referable to the precipitates, formed during the different treatments are obtained both for nuclear and magnetic SANS components. The results, discussed making reference to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations and microhardness measurements, show that while samples of groups (a) and (c) exhibit a stable microstructure, marked differences are detected varying the tempering temperature, especially at 550°C (where a fine precipitation is observed) and for temperatures higher than 850°C (formation of delta ferrite).

Polarised SANS has been used to investigate two martensitic steels for fusion reactor technology (MANET and OPTIFER, differing in their initial Cr content), before and after neutron irradiation. The measurements were carried out at the instrument D22 of the ILL, Grenoble, using an ad hoc polarised beam set-up. The results show both the occurrence of Cr redistribution phenomena with correlated changes in the composition of the precipitate phases, and the growth of non-magnetic defects (possibly microvoids), depending on the irradiation conditions and on the original steel composition.

Positron lifetime spectra were measured for fine-grained samples of the superplastic alloy Al - 5 wt% Ca - 5 wt% Zn at temperatures from 10 to 295 K. The lifetime attributed to annihilation from traps at the grain interfaces was found to increase with the temperature, while the corresponding intensity was observed to decrease. The quantitative analysis of the experimental results according to the diffusion-trapping model (Dupasquier et al 1993 Phys. Rev. B 48 9235) leads to the following conclusions: (a) the positron diffusion coefficient in the alloy matrix (a solid solution of Zn and Ca in Al) is limited by positron - phonon scattering as well as by positron - impurity interaction; (b) the phonon-associated term in the reciprocal of the diffusion coefficient is dominant at room temperature and scales at other temperatures with the same power law as holds for pure Al (Soininen et al 1990 Phys. Rev. B 41 6277); (c) the term associated with positron - impurity scattering is small except at very low temperatures, but the positron - impurity interaction seems to give a localization effect that is more important than the scattering; and (d) the specific trapping rate at the interface has a negative temperature dependence, as expected for trapping mediated by a precursor shallow state.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heritable connective tissue disorder characterized by bone fragility. Most cases of severe OI result from mutations in the coding region of the COL1A1 or COL1A2 genes yielding an abnormal collagen alpha chain. In contrast, many patients with mild OI show evidence of a null allele due to a premature stop mutation in the mutant RNA transcript. We have previously described a null allele arising from a splice donor mutation where the transcript containing the included intron was sequestered in the nucleus. Here we demonstrate that transcripts from null alleles arising from premature stop mutations are also present in the nucleus and absent in the cytoplasm. Using reverse transcriptase-PCR and single-strand conformational polymorphism of COL1A1 mRNA from patients with mild OI, we describe three patients with distinct null producing mutations identified from the mutant transcript within the nuclear compartment. A fourth patient with a Gly--->Arg expressed point mutation exhibits the mutant transcript in both compartments. Defining the distribution of allelic variants of COL1A1 mRNA in the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments gives further insight into cell biology of OI and provides a strategy for investigating potential causes of a null allele.

Summary Fifty-nine cases of Breast Epithelial Proliferative Lesions (BEPL) and Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS), were studied by image analysis, to evaluate the nuclear changes occurring in the conventional diagnostic categories of ductal hyperplasia, atypical ductal hyperplasia and DCIS with quantitative methods. Diagnosis reproducibility is the main practical problem of these breast lesions. In fact, with subjective methods, the reproducibility appears to be very low and precarious especially for clinical demands. The objective, quantitative evaluation of cell phenotypical changes should be the method for both practical diagnostic problems and study of ductal ccmcer progression. The distribution pattern of the data in the feature, obtained with quantitative analysis, strongly suggests a continuum of changes, indicating an evolutionary process of Breast Ductal Carcinoma (BDC) progression in its preinvasive stage. Each observed case may be characterised by its own cellular, objective alterations and a progressive trend toward BDC can be stated. Since the actual changes of the proliferative phenotypes can be measured, and the values are reproducible, karyometric measurement may allow an objective grading of individual cases.

IBM's Technical Support Services division runs remote support centers, where agents provide phone support for client problems related to IBM and non-IBM hardware and software products. Support center personnel use numerous pieces of information—including many searches, log files, and records of historical support tickets, from disparate data sources—to recommend solutions for customer technical problems. We have built an advanced search system to assist support agents who are resolving customer service requests and improving our client experience. The system has been deployed and used globally by thousands of support center personnel. In this paper, we describe the system's architecture, the technical challenges, and the innovative solution we have built. In addition, we discuss the novel ideas to address the unique requirements and challenges of the support services domain. These ideas include using system logs and domain knowledge to automatically expand agent queries, incorporating implicit agent feedback, and selecting features to extract useful information from highly unstructured and noisy ticket data. Results on the effectiveness of the system are presented. We also discuss future work on enhancing the system's capability to automatically diagnose customer hardware and software problems and remediate them.

This paper describes the results of a programme of experimental neutron diffraction residual stress studies. The aim of the programme was to characterize the residual stress distribution which may arise in a component due to electron beam welding. The programme comprises of three studies, one on a complete weld test-block and one on each of two cut sections. The studies confirm that major non-uniform stresses may be present in such weldments.

The overarching premise of Murray-Darling water reform is that the creation of tradable entitlements will enable water to flow to its most valued use. This assertion however represents a simplistic metaphor for a far more complex reality. The use values of Murray-Darling water are not fungible across space. Traded water can be applied to land for productive purposes only in the context of a thick institutional landscape of regulatory requirements and land asset capabilities. This paper argues that these frictions have not been given adequate consideration in the prevailing research and policy discourse about water reform. A geographical perspective, emphasising the constructed nature of space and scale within markets, remedies these shortcomings.

Atypical carcinoids of the lung (well-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas) are rare tumours of uncertain prognosis. We have studied 33 cases--male to female ratio 2:1, age range 22-75 years, mean 55 years, 80% smokers, 15 peripheral and 18 central, tumour size 1.2-9.5 cm. Microscopically they had a nesting/insular, trabecular or lobular pattern. Nuclear morphology was variable, round cells, large cells and spindle cells being identified with small cell areas in five tumours. Mitotic activity varied from 4 to 80 per 1.52 mm2. Areas of necrosis were seen in all tumours. All 33 tumours were cytokeratin positive (AE1/AE3 and CAM5.2), 32 were positive for neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin and chromogranin A. Electronmicroscopy showed dense core granules in 29 available cases. Nineteen cases were stage I, nine stage II, four stage III and one stage IV. Follow-up information was available for 22 cases. Size, location, stage and large cell/small cell morphology were important prognostic indicators. Large tumour size, large cell or mixed large cell/small cell morphology, peripheral localization and advanced stage were adverse prognostic indicators. Mitotic activity and the presence of necrosis did not appear to influence stage or behaviour.

Laser-synthesized photoluminescent Si nanopowders, of interest for application in optoelectronics, have been studied by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to characterize their size-distribution function, which correlates with emission spectra and optical performances. The SANS measurements were carried out over a wide Q-range by using the D22 instrument at ILL. The analysis of the size distributions obtained from the SANS data reveals that the microstructure of such powders includes particles as large as those observed by TEM (30–200 A in diameter) and a distribution of tiny inhomogeneities (5–10 A in diameter), possibly micropores, which can have relevant consequences on material performance.

Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements have been carried out on different marble and limestone samples, of relevance to cultural heritage safeguard, to investigate the micropore size distribution. Different varieties of marble have been studied using a CaCO3 single crystal as a pore-free reference. A series of red scaglia limestone samples has also been studied, obtaining in this case identical SANS cross sections for specimens issued from a modern quarry and for samples issued from an historical building. The micropore volume distribution functions, obtained from the SANS data, are compared with porosimetry results.

The results of a polarized SANS study of a martensitic steel (MANET) developed for fusion-reactor technology are presented. The measurements were carried out to investigate Cr-redistribution phenomena in the martensitic matrix, which can play a crucial role in ductile-to-brittle transition changes under irradiation. The nuclear–magnetic interference term and the ratio of nuclear plus magnetic to nuclear SANS cross sections show that such inhomogeneities, which are present immediately after quenching and give rise to Fe-rich precipitates, dissolve even for short tempering times.

Ketamine is an anaesthetic used in human medicine and veterinary practice, synthesised on 1962 and marketed on 1970 in France.Recreational uses were described during 1992 in the medical communauty and in 1996 in the dance settings.The chemical name of ketamine is 2 - (2chlorophenyl) 2-(methylamine)-cyclohexanone, an aryl cyclohexylamine, structurally related to phencyclidine.Ketamine is known under the following street names : Keta K, Kate, Special K, Vitamine K, la Golden, la Veterinaire.Ketamine is used intranasally, orally and intramusculary in recreational use.Ketamine is manufactured by the chemical industry. Due to the complicated synthesis, it is sold illicitly for recreational use.Ketamine is a dissociative drug, and the user enters in a psychedelic dream with hallucinations, floating sensation, feeling of dissociation of the mind from the body.The dream is forgotten, the user fulls in reality with loss of self control, risk of acute intoxication.In long term exposure, tolerance, dependenc...

Les complements alimentaires qui contiennent du Ma Huang ou ephedra chinoise sont commercialises aux USA et sont disponibles par l'intermediaire des sites internet et dans les magasins specialises dans la vente de produits dietetiques. Ils sont tres largement utilises dans la perte de poids et l'augmentation d'energie. Ces produits contiennent du Ma Huang obtenu a partir des parties aeriennes sechees d'une des 3 especes d'Ephedra (Sinica, Equisetina, Intermedia), et dont les principes actifs sont l'ephedrine et ses derives. Le Ma Huang est parfois associe a du Guarana (cafeine), de la creatine, du millepertuis, de la carnitine et sont proposes sous differents noms commerciaux. De nombreuses observations d'effets secondaires et d'intoxications aigues ont ete rapportees dans la litterature medicale Devant la severite de ces cas, certains evoluant vers des sequelles definitives et des deces, la FDA a propose, de limiter la dose d'ephedrine par comprime et la duree de la consommation, d'evaluer le danger de ces complements alimentaires. 140 observations notifiees entre juin 1997 et mars 1999 ont ete etudiees. Dans 47 % des cas les patients presentent des signes cardiovasculaires, dans 18 % des signes neurologiques. L'hypertension severe est le signe le plus frequemment rencontre suivi par la tachycardie, l'infarctus du myocarde, l'accident vasculaire cerebral, les convulsions. Dans 10 observations, l'intoxication evolue vers un deces, dans 13 cas vers une sequelle permanente. En France, l'ampleur de la consommation des complements alimentaires contenant du Ma Huang n'est pas evaluee mais 2 observations recentes d'accident vasculaire cerebral et d'infarctus cerebral sylvien demontrent le risque severe chez les utilisations chroniques. Les complements alimentaires en France echappent au controle de la Direction Generale de la sante et n'ont pas de statut juridique. Une regulation de la distribution par la DGCCRF, une information du public, de la communaute medicale et des tutelles deviennent necessaires.

International audience; The stress field of a dual-beam laser weld on a Eurofer-97 model plate has been experimentally determined by neutron diffraction measurements. The measurements were carried out at the ILL-Grenoble,in the three principal directions, at different distances from the weld and inside the weld itself. In the longitudinal direction, the most relevant for technical applications, there is good agreement between these experimental results and results obtained by finite element numerical methods: tensile stresses as high as 750 MPa are found inside the weld, rapidly decreasing with increasing distance from the weld centre. In the two other directions the agreement between experimentally determined and calculated stresses is still good far from the weld; inside the weld the experimental data are affected by the strong texture detected by X-ray diffraction, possibly produced by the heating and subsequent cooling of the structure.

X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements have been performed at -50 degrees C on a 0.4 mol dm(-)(3) copper(II) nitrate solution in liquid ammonia. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy was used to determine the coordination number and bond distances for the solvated copper(II) ion in solution. The equatorial ammonia nitrogens are located 2.00 A from the copper and the axial nitrogen 2.19 A from the copper. However, it was not possible from the EXAFS analysis alone to conclude whether there was one or two axial nitrogens. Therefore, X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy was combined with discrete variational Xalpha (DV-Xalpha) molecular orbital calculations for a series of five- and six-coordinated models to determine the coordination number and the geometry. The experimental XANES spectrum was best reproduced by a model where the copper(II) ion is pentacoordinated in liquid ammonia in a square pyramidal geometry with the copper(II) ion lifted above the average nitrogen plane.

A positron annihilation study of the 2219 Al-Cu alloy shows the existence of at least three families of positron traps: a) vacancies in pure Al around GP1 zones, b) vacancies inside GP2 zones, c) dislocations in the misfit region around semicoherent and incoherent precipitates. The decomposition of the alloy, obtained by isothermal ageing, is observed by measuring the variations of the fraction of positrons trapped in each family. The analysis of the data gives quantitative information on the dissolution of GP1 zones and on the transformation of GP2 zones in semicoherent precipitates Θ′ (CuAl2).

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) has been utilized to investigate in Eurofer97 steel (9Cr, 0.01C, 1W, 0.2V Fe bal wt%) the microstructural effect of neutron irradiation at 300 °C up to a dose level of 8.4 dpa. For each irradiated sample an unirradiated reference was measured to distinguish as accurately as possible the actual effect of the neutron irradiation. The SANS measurements were carried out at the D22 diffractometer at the High-Flux Reactor of the Institut Max von Laue–Paul Langevin, Grenoble, France. Analysing separately the nuclear and magnetic SANS components obtained after subtraction of the reference from the irradiated sample it appears that the microstructural inhomogeneities produced under such irradiation conditions are non-magnetic ones, such as microvoids. Their size distributions are presented and compared with those previously obtained for the same steel irradiated at 2.5 dpa: with increasing the dose, the volume fraction is increased by a factor of 2 roughly, while the average size of these inhomogeneities remains nearly unchanged.

Plasma levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were found to be significantly higher in manic patients than in age- and sex-matched normal controls (n = 22). In 18 manic patients plasma MHPG correlated with manic symptoms but not with anxiety, depression, motor behaviour, acute psychosis, schizophrenia and severity of illness. A positive correlation between MHPG and grandiosity items on rating scales suggests a link with cognitive contents and therefore a relationship with central factors.

The microstructural effect of low dose neutron irradiation and subsequent high temperature tempering in the reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steel Optifer (9.3 Cr, 0.1 C, 0.50 Mn, 0.26 V, 0.96 W, 0.66 Ta, Fe bal wt%) has been studied using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The investigated Optifer samples had been neutron irradiated, at 250 °C, to dose levels of 0.8 dpa and 2.4 dpa. Some of them underwent 2 h tempering at 770 °C after the irradiation. The SANS measurements were carried out at the D22 instrument of the High Flux Reactor at the Institut Max von Laue – Paul Langevin, Grenoble, France. The differences observed in nuclear and magnetic SANS cross-sections after subtraction of the reference sample from the irradiated one suggest that the irradiation and the subsequent post-irradiation tempering produce the growth of non-magnetic defects, tentatively identified as microvoids.

The radial vacancy distribution along a LEC-GaAs:Te wafer with an average free carrier concentration n = 1.5 x 10(18) cm(-3) was studied by means of positron lifetime spectroscopy. An M-shaped radial distribution of vacancy-like defects, most probably Te(As)V(Ga)(-), was observed.

We studied how well electronic patient record (EPR) systems meet the needs of general practitioners (GPs) and other health-care professionals for specific information. GPs in eight health centres in the South-Ostrobothnia region of Finland were invited to participate. They used three types of EPR system. They were asked to access EPRs to obtain 20 types of information for patients receiving anticoagulant treatment. In total 2,389 patient cases were studied. All of the information requested was available for 73% of the cases (range 55-93%). There was a significant difference between the type of EPR system and the percentage of patients for whom information was available through the EPR. However, further analysis showed that differences in performance between EPR systems probably reflected differences in the way EPRs were used by different organizations. Great care should be taken in attempts to rank EPR systems based on their performance.

An imaging detector in the gamma range has its applications in various and different fields spanning from the medical diagnostic to the gamma astronomy. One of the techniques used in building such kind of ‘gamma cameras’ is based on the replication of individual pixel, each one being a stand alone detector. This kind of philosophy has been used in the construction of the PICsIT detector. PICsIT is the high-energy detector layer of the Imager IBIS that is one of the major instruments on board the INTEGRAL satellite observatory that the European Space Agency (ESA) will launch next October from Baikonour. PICsIT is made of 4096 CsI(Tl) scintillating detector 8.4 × 8.4 × 30 mm in size coupled to a PIN PD. Its operative range is 180–20400 keV and its operative modes allows to collect the information from both photoelectric events, which involves just one pixel and Compton or Pair events that involves more than one pixel at the same time. PICsIT is operating with a coded mask placed 3 m far from the detector. PICsIT has been integrated in the INTEGRAL satellite since the end of the year 2001 and is now undergoing the test foreseen for this kind of experiments.

Lithium is used for control of bipolar disorders. In order to precise the different circumstances at the origin of poisonings, the authors present the cases of lithium intoxication observed in the Marseille poison centre between January 1991 and December 2000.Retrospective study.Three hundred and four cases were observed during the studied period (1 patient a case), concerning 6 different circumstances. For 3 of them, the symptoms were mild: accidental ingestion with children (13 cases); mistakes on the quantities of ingested tablets (43 cases); elevation of lithium blood level due to diuretic therapy (8 cases). For 2 other circumstances, the clinical signs were more severe: treated patients who developed renal failure (15 cases, 6 patients managed in intensive care unit [ICU], 1 death) or dehydration (35 cases, 8 patients treated in ICU and 1 death). Finally, the most severe cases were collected with suicide attempts. Fifty-six percent of the patients were managed in ICU, 5% needed haemodialysis, 10% had cardiac (repolarization disturbances) or neurological (seizures) complications, 2% died.The severity of lithium poisonings depends of the circumstances. Ingestion of high quantities of sustained released tablets is the most dangerous situation. Accidental ingestion, even with children, must be considered as less severe situations.

Ketamine is an anaesthetic used in human medicine and veterinary practice, synthesised on 1962 and marketed on 1970 in France. Recreational uses were described during 1992 in the medical community and in 1996 in the dance settings. The chemical name of ketamine is 2--(2chlorophenyl)2-(methylamine)-cyclohexanone, an aryl cyclohexylamine, structurally related to phencyclidine. Ketamine is known under the following street names: Keta K, Kate, Special K, Vitamin K, la Golden, la Vétérinaire. Ketamine is used intranasally, orally and intramusculary in recreational use. Ketamine is manufactured by the chemical industry. Due to the complicated synthesis, it is sold illicitly for recreational use. Ketamine is a dissociative drug, and the user enters in a psychedelic dream with hallucinations, floating sensation, feeling of dissociation of the mind from the body. The dream is forgotten, the user full in reality with loss of self control, risk of acute intoxication. In long-term exposure, tolerance, dependence, withdrawal signs and flash back are described. Ketamine trademarks are subject to control in France through medicine legislation Ketamine and its salts are subject to control under the national legislation on narcotics and psychotropics substance. From September 2001, the theft of medical and veterinary trademarks have to be declared to police, care health authority Pharmacy control authority and French Health Products Safety Agency.

Dietary supplements containing Ma Huang (chinease ephedra) are available on the web sites and dietary shops in USA. They are widely promoted and used as a mean of weight reduction and energy enhancement. They contain Ma Huang alone or combined with Guarana (caffeine), creatine, St John's wort, carnitine and are proposed with different labels. Numerous reports of adverse reactions and acute intoxication related to these products use were described in the medical literature. In the light of the severity of these cases, some of which resulted in permanent injury and death, the Food and Drug Administration has proposed limits on the dose and duration of use of such supplements. A review of 140 reports submitted to the FDA between June 1997 and March 1999, 47% involved cardiovascular symptoms, 18% neurological symptoms. Severe hypertension was the single most frequent adverse effect followed by tachycardia, myocardial infarction, stroke, seizure. Ten events resulted in death and 13 produced permanent impairment. In France, ampleness of the use of dietary supplements containing ephedra alkaloids is unknown. Two French recent severe poisonings (one with "ripped Fuel" for losing weight and the other with "Energy pills" in a body builder) show that there is serious health risks for the chronic users. Dietary supplements are not subject to control under "la Direction Générale de la Santé". Informations for general public, medical community and health-care authorities are necessary to be aware of potential health hazards of these products use.

INTEGRAL is the forthcoming European Space Agency's (ESA) satellite mission for gamma-ray astronomy, which will be launched in 2002. IBIS is the imaging telescope onboard INTEGRAL and will produce images of the gamma-ray sky in the region between 15 keV and 10 MeV by means of a two-layer position sensitive detection plane coupled with a coded aperture mask. The detection plane of IBIS comprises two detectors: ISGRI, operative in the 15 keV - 1 MeV range, and PICsIT, 150 keV - 10 MeV. The PICsIT instrument, which is the high energy plane of the IBIS imager, comprises 8 individual modules of 512 detection elements. The modules are arranged in a 4 x 2 pattern, while the pixels are in a 16 x 32 array within each module. Detailed simulation programs of PICsIT qualification and flight model have been set up in order to provide a complete scientific characterization of the detector in terms of spectral and imaging performances. These simulation programs have also been used to reproduce the on-ground calibration results, and will be the basis for the production of the response matrix.

Report the experience of the Marseille's anti-poison center with lead poisoning adults.Between 1993 and 2000, 45 adults patients consulted the poison Centre of Marseille for a history of lead exposure (9 women, 36 men, average age 44 YO, between 22 an 76 YO). The lead sources were mostly occupational (welding, heavy metal industries...), but some were environmental (shooting as a hobby, hunting,...).Ninety-one percent of the patients presented with a clinical feature of possible lead intoxication (asthenia, abdominal pain, anaemia, seizures,...). For 22 patients, calcitetracemate provocation test was negative. 6 patients with a positive test refused to be treated. 16 patients with a positive test were treated with chelation therapy (average lead blood level 566 micrograms/l--mini 320 micrograms/l, maxi 943 micrograms/l--and average lead urine elimination 3,011 micrograms/24 H--mini 789 micrograms/24 H, maxi 7,229 micrograms/24 H. 58 cures were done (1 to 12 cures for each patient). The average quantities of lead eliminated in the urine during the chelation therapy was 30,912 micrograms +/- 29,059 micrograms by case. For 12 patients who stopped the lead exposure after the diagnosis of lead poisoning, the chelaion therapy permitted to decrease the lead blood level of 69%. For 4 patients still exposed during the treatment, the lead blood level decrease of 7% only. For the 16 treated patiEnts, a clinical improvement was noted, and no adverse effects of chelation therapy was observed during the 58 cures.

To study the doping substances used in sport and their toxicity.Retrospective analysis from January 1992 to December 2000 of the cases of use of doping substances in sport reported by telephone to the anti-poison center in Marseilles.Fifty-one cases were reported concerning 48 men and 3 women with a mean age of 30, ranging from 10 to 55 years. Sixty-three percent of cases were reported over the last four years. The sport practiced was bodybuilding, except in 2 cases (cycling in one case and running in the other). The products used were mainly anabolizing hormones (15 times), clenbuterol (14 times) and creatine (7 times). A third of cases concerned associations of substances and 19 cases presented with symptomatology.The diversity in nature and status of the substances mentioned and their association requires enhanced vigilance with regard to the use of drugs in sport. The recent measures voted within the framework of the anti-doping law dated 23/3/99 are aimed at increasing surveillance with the development of anti-doping antennae.