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Biomedical subjects

A Giron

Publications and source records attributed to A Giron.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Genomic signature: characterization and classification of species assessed by chaos game representation of sequences.

We explored DNA structures of genomes by means of a new tool derived from the "chaotic dynamical systems" theory (the so-called chaos game representation [CGR]), which allows the depiction of frequencies of oligonucleotides in the form of images. Using CGR, we observe that subsequences of a genome exhibit the main characteristics of the whole genome, attesting to the validity of the genomic signature concept. Base concentrations, stretches (runs of complementary bases or purines/pyrimidines), and patches (over- or underexpressed words of various lengths) are the main factors explaining the variability observed among sequences. The distance between images may be considered a measure of phylogenetic proximity. Eukaryotes and prokaryotes can be identified merely on the basis of their DNA structures.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1995

Panic-phobic patients and developmental trauma.

BACKGROUND: Several studies suggest high rates of developmental trauma among adult anxiety disorder patients. We attempted to replicate these findings in patients with panic disorder, agoraphobia, and/or social phobia in comparison with a nonclinical population and to evaluate possible relationship of traumas and phobic subtypes. METHOD: Fifty-one patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia and/or social phobia were assessed for lifetime diagnoses using interviews and rating scales and for developmental trauma by the Life Experience Questionnaire (LEQ). Fifty-one demographically similar nonclinical subjects completed a questionnaire that included the LEQ and screening questions for lifetime psychopathology. RESULTS: Childhood trauma was reported by 63% (N = 32) of the patients (vs. 35% or 18 of comparison subjects and 24% or 9 of subjects negative for lifetime psychopathology; chi 2 = 7.7, df = 1, p < .01). Sexual and/or physical abuse histories (and not separation and/or loss) were significantly increased in the patient group and were most specifically associated with social phobia. CONCLUSION: We find a similar, increased rate of childhood trauma as has been reported in previous studies of anxiety disorder patients. In our findings, this most specifically represents an association of social phobia and sexual/physical abuse histories.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Contribution of expert systems in clinical practice: apropos of the Penelope experience, an expert system in assisted diagnosis and therapy of ovarian adenocarcinoma].

An expert system (ES) for Diagnosis and Therapy of ovarian adenocarcinoma has been developed at the Institut Gustave-Roussy. From surgical and histological results, clinical examination and additional investigative reports, the system presents a synthesis and then determines the stage of the disease. The system than proposes therapeutic indications adapted to the characteristics of the illness and of the patient, and edits a report at the end of the ES consultation. This experience allowed us to specify the field of ES applications in oncology. As tools for diagnosis and therapy, they cannot act as a substitute for the know-how of the physician, as too many medical decisions remain difficult to formalize in the ES. On the other hand the use of artificial intelligence techniques appears to be useful for establishing coherent data bases, which are necessary pre-requisites for clinical research in oncology. The integration of the system in the Hospital Information System is the guarantee of its use in current clinical practice.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

Nonmetastatic thoracic neuroblastomas: a review of 40 cases.

From 1982 to 1987, 40 children with non-metastatic thoracic neuroblastoma were treated with the same therapeutic regimen. According to TNM staging, there were 11 CS I, 19 CS II, and 10 CS III. All patients underwent surgery; 30 had primary surgical excision; in 10 whose tumors were deemed unresectable, surgery was delayed until after a trial of chemotherapy. Operation was completed by several courses of chemotherapy in case of microscopic residual disease or regional lymph node involvement; radiotherapy was delivered in case of gross residual disease. Using this therapeutic approach, EFS is 92% with a median follow-up of 40 months. Severe complications were rare and sequellae appear to be related to the disease, i.e., neurologic consequences of cord compression.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1991

Treatment of stage IV-S neuroblastoma: a study of 34 cases treated between 1982 and 1987.

Between January 1982 and December 1987, of 283 children with neuroblastoma treated in the Pediatric Department of Institut Gustave Roussy, 34 were stage IV-S. Two groups were distinguished according to the initial clinical presentation: 16/34 patients had life-threatening symptoms and needed immediate treatment, and 18/34 had no life-threatening symptoms. Hepatic irradiation was used in 12/16 patients of the first group with respiratory distress. Chemotherapy was used in three patients. Of these 16 patients, three patients died of progressive disease (one patient died of a reason not related to the tumor). Twelve are alive in first complete remission and one in second complete remission. Of the 18 patients of the second group, eight had spontaneous complete remission, and one of them relapsed thereafter and died despite treatment. Ten patients needed treatment, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy depending on the site of disease progression. Two of them died of the disease. The overall disease-free survival for these 34 patients is 75% at 90 months postdiagnosis. Using this therapeutic strategy, it was possible to avoid any treatment of metastases in 25% of the patients.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1991

Conversion of COPD patients from multiple to single dose theophylline. Serum levels and symptom comparison.

The objective of the present study was to determine if patients with COPD who were taking Theo-Dur bid or tid (total dose 400 to 900 mg per day) could be safely switched to Uni-Dur, 800 mg given qd at bedtime. Twenty-eight patients were enrolled in the study, and 23 completed the study. The mean daily dose of theophylline prior to the study was 828 mg, while the mean dose after three weeks of Uni-Dur therapy was 783 mg. The mean serum theophylline level 10.5 +/- 3.6h after the last Theo-Dur dose was 10.5 mg/L. After three weeks of Uni-Dur therapy, the mean theophylline level at 8:00 AM was 14.6 mg/L, while the mean theophylline level at 8:00 PM was 9.9 mg/L. This latter level did not differ significantly from that obtained at the start of the study 10.5 +/- 3.6 h after the last dose of Theo-Dur. After three weeks of Uni-Dur therapy, the peak expiratory flow rate, the FEV1, and the FVC were not significantly changed from those at the initial evaluation. Twenty-one of the 23 patients ended up receiving 800 mg Uni-Dur qd. From this study, we conclude that once daily theophylline dosing with Uni-Dur compared with bid or tid dosing with Theo-Dur produces similar theophylline levels and pulmonary function, and most COPD patients who are taking 400 to 900 mg Theo-Dur daily can be managed with 800 mg Uni-Dur once daily at bedtime.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Localized thoracic neuroblastoma: the role of surgery and therapeutic results. Apropos of 40 cases].

From 1982 to 1987, forty children with non-metastatic thoracic neuroblastoma were treated with a same therapeutic regimen. According to TNM staging, there were II CS I, 19 CS II and 10 CS III. All patients underwent surgery; thirty had primary surgical excision; in ten whose tumor were deemed uresectable, surgery was delayed until after a trial of chemotherapy. Operation was completed by several courses of chemotherapy in case of microscomic residual disease or lymph node involvement; radiotherapy was delivered in case of gross residual disease. Using this therapeutic approach. Event Free Survival is 92% with a median follow up of 40 months. Severe complications were rare and sequellae appear to be related to the disease i.e. neurologic consequence of cord compression.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1989

[Correction of distal hypospadias by urethral meatal advancement neo-urethroplasty-glandoplasty].

Distal hypospadias are the most frequently observed, and represent about 70% of all forms of this condition. In recent years, due to the introduction of simpler procedures which produces better results, the surgical correction of this small defect has been universally accepted. It offers a normal penile appearance and prevents associated psycological effects. In this work we evaluated the surgical correction of distal hypospadias by means of meatal advancement-neouretroplasty-glanuloplasty in two hundred patients. Good cosmetic and functional results were obtained in 86,5 and 97,0% of the cases, respectively. All patients had their urinary stream directed forward. The more important complications verified were neomeatal retraction, urethrocutaneous fistula and neomeatal stenosis in 13.5, 3.0 and 0.5%, respectively. The complications observed did not represent a worsening of the initial condition, and in almost all such cases it was corrected with a complementary procedure on an ambulatory basis or in one day of stay at the hospital, as the previous surgery.

Adolescent↗