PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Haas

Publications and source records attributed to B Haas.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

[Glycosaminoglycans as markers of post-traumatic gonarthrosis?].

Osteoarthritis (OA) influences the levels of free intraarticular glucosaminoglycans (GAG). Little is known about the direction--decrease/increase--of these changes, and information on the correlation between GAG levels and the degree of OA is sparse. Objectives of this study were to investigate the correlation between intraarticular levels of sulphated and unsulphated GAG and the degree of experimental OA, the time course of these changes and whether GAG might be useful as a marker for OA. Twenty-one sheep were randomly assigned to three groups: (1) transsection of the posterolateral bundle of the anterior cruciate ligament, ACL (TD), (2) medial meniscectomy (ME), and (3) meniscectomy and resection of the ACL (MV). During follow-up clinical and radiological examinations were done. After screening for intraarticular effusions, a joint tab was performed and the levels of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate were measured. The radiological scores differ significantly between group TD and groups ME and MV (P < 0.01). Hyaluronic acid levels in ME and MV are significantly higher than in the controls. Significantly increased levels (P < 0.01) of chondroitin sulphate are found 6 months after ME and 1 year following TD. Clinical consequences: Hyaluronic acid levels--at least in the experimental setting--correspond to a certain degree with osteoarthrotic changes: increasing levels were found along with increasing postoperative interval and increasing grade of OA. Chondroitin sulphate, on the other hand seems, to lend itself as a marker for chondromalacia, in other words for prearthrotic deformities and early stages of OA.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

VP1-coding sequences of recent isolates of foot-and-mouth disease virus types A, O and Asia1.

A large part of the capsid protein VP1-coding sequence of foot-and-mouth disease virus, isolated between 1993 and 1996 in Europe, was amplified by the reverse transcription-dependent polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The same was done with some non-European virus isolates, especially those against which vaccines were currently produced. The products were sequenced, and the sequences aligned. The alignment comprises sequences of the types A, O and Asia 1. Although the provenance of virus introduced to Europe remains unknown, genetic relation to some other isolates was indicated. Several genotypes of the virus were found to circulate in the field since years.

Aphthovirus↗
PubMed1998

Is hospital care involved in inequalities in coronary heart disease mortality? Results from the French WHO-MONICA Project in men aged 30-64.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of the study was to assess whether possible disparities in coronary heart disease (CHD) management between occupational categories (OC) in men might be observed and contribute to the increasing inequalities in CHD morbidity and mortality reported in France. METHODS: The data from the three registers of the French MONICA Collaborative Centres (MCC-Lille, MCC-Strasbourg, and MCC-Toulouse) were analysed during two period: 1985-87 and 1989-91. Acute myocardial infarctions and coronary deaths concerning men, aged 30-64 years, were included. Non-professionally active and retired men were excluded. Results were adjusted for age and MCC, using a logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: 605 and 695 events were analysed for 1985-87 and 1989-91, respectively. Out of hospital cardiac arrests, with or without cardiac resuscitation, and 28 day case fatality rates were lower among upper executives in both periods. A coronarography before the acute event had been performed more frequently in men of this category and the proportion of events that could be hospitalised was higher among them. In both periods, the management of acute myocardial infarctions in hospital and prescriptions on discharge were similar among occupational categories. CONCLUSIONS: For patients who could be admitted to hospital, the management was found to be similar among OCs, as was the 28 day case fatality rate among the hospitalised patients. In contrast, lower prognosis and higher probability of being hospitalised after the event among some categories suggest that pre-hospital care and the patient's conditions before the event are the primary factors involved.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

BRCA-associated breast cancer in young women.

PURPOSE: To delineate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of breast cancer that arises in the setting of a germline BRCA mutation and to compare BRCA-associated breast cancers (BABC) with those that arise in women without mutations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records of 91 Ashkenazi Jewish women ascertained during studies of the genetics of early-onset breast cancer. All women underwent testing for the BRCA1 mutations 185delAG and 5382insC. After the discovery of BRCA2, 79 women were also tested for the BRCA2 mutation 6174delT. RESULTS: Mutations were identified in 30 women (33%). BABC were less likely to present with stage I disease than cases in women without mutations (27% v 46%), more likely to have axillary nodal involvement (54% v46%), and more likely to have extensive axillary involvement (25% v 17%). These differences were not statistically significant. BABC were significantly more likely to be histologic grade III (100% v 59%, P=.04) and to be estrogen receptor-negative (70% v 34%, P=.04). In the entire cohort, there were no significant differences between BABC and non-BRCA-associated cancers in 5-year relapse-free survival (65% v 69%, P=not significant [NS]), 5-year event-free survival (57% v 68%, P=NS), or 5-year overall survival. However, among cases diagnosed within 2 years of study entry, there was a trend toward shorter event-free survival in BRCA heterozygotes, but not relapse-free survival. Women with germline BRCA mutations were significantly more likely to develop contralateral breast cancer at 5 years (31% v 4%, P=.0007). CONCLUSION: BABC present with adverse clinical and histopathologic features when compared with cases not associated with BRCA mutations. However, the prognosis of BABC appears to be similar to that of nonassociated cancer. Further studies of incident cases are necessary to define the independent prognostic significance of germline BRCA mutations.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Prevalence of recurring BRCA mutations among Ashkenazi Jewish women with breast cancer.

The BRCA1 mutations 185delAG and 5382insC and the BRCA2 mutation 6174delT have been detected in a significant proportion of Ashkenazi Jewish women with early-onset breast cancer. A group of 236 Jewish women with breast cancer was screened for the presence of these alterations. Mutations were detected in 25.0% (59/236). Among women with breast cancer diagnosed at or before the age of 45, the prevalence of these mutations was 29.1% (42/144). Among women diagnosed with breast cancer after age 45, mutations were noted in 18.5% (17/92). Among women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, the likelihood of detecting a mutation was 32.1% (53/165). BRCA1 185delAG was the most common mutation overall (40/236, 16.9%). The ratio of BRCA1 185delAG to BRCA2 6174delT was 4.0 in women with early-onset breast cancer and 1.3 in women with breast cancer diagnosed after age 45. Clinical features such as age at diagnosis, family history of breast or ovarian cancer, bilateral breast cancer, and personal history of breast and ovarian cancer increase the likelihood of detecting mutations among Ashkenazi women with breast cancer. The yield of testing is low in the absence of any of these features.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Epidemiology of sudden coronary death in France (1985-1982)].

The physiopathology of sudden coronary death (SCD) is well known. However, its impact on the population of France has not been studied in depth. The MONICA project recenses all coronary events in subjects of 25 to 64 years of age in a given geographic area. The definition of SCD is coronary death occurring less than one hour after the onset of symptoms. Out of 4,004 coronary deaths recorded from 1985 to 1992 in the Bas-Rhin and Haute-Garonne departments, 48% in men and 43% in women were SCD. This event occurred outside hospital in 89% of men and 85% of women. SCD was the first ischaemic symptom in 61% of SCD in men and in 74% of women. Of the SCD occurring outside hospital, 2 to 6% of men and 6 to 7% of women. received emergency treatment in less than 5 minutes. The frequency of SCD increased with age and was highest in men. Between 1985 and 1992, standardised rates (35-64 years) in men fell from 62 to 48/100,000 in the Bas-Rhin (p < 0.01) and from 59 to 36/100,000 in the Haute-Garonne (p < 0.0001); in women, the frequency fell from 17 to 8/100,000 in the Bas-Rhin (p < 0.01) and remained stable in the Haute-Garonne (10/100,000 to 11/100,000). In conclusion, for the first time in France, accurate epidemiological data on SCD is presented, underlying its importance in terms of public health.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Case report: decreased laying performance as a contributing problem].

In 2 laying hen flocks (housed in aviary systems) depressed performance, increased mortality and cannibalism were observed. Specific infectious diseases were excluded. The hygienic quality of the diet, however, based on self produced feed ingredients, was impaired. High concentrations of bacteria, moulds, and yeasts were found in the complete diet and also in the ingredients. These problems were eliminated by providing the birds with good quality feed ingredients. In a diagnostic feeding trial with a change in housing conditions hens showed a good performance. The poor feed quality, as demonstrated in this report, is regarded to be one of several factors, which have contributed to the problems observed in these flocks. Other negative environmental factors such as housing have to be eliminated.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1996

The carrier frequency of the BRCA2 6174delT mutation among Ashkenazi Jewish individuals is approximately 1%.

Certain germline mutations in either BRCA1 or BRCA2 confer a lifetime risk of developing breast cancer that may approach 90%. The BRCA1 185delAG mutation was found in 20% and the BRCA2 6174delT mutation in 8% of Ashkenazi Jewish women with early-onset breast cancer. The 185delAG mutation was observed in 0.9% of 858 Ashkenazi Jews unselected for a personal or family history of cancer. Assuming comparable age-specific penetrances, a carrier frequency of 0.3% was estimated for the 6174delT BRCA2 mutation. To test this hypothesis, we performed a population survey of 1,255 Jewish individuals. In two independent groups, a prevalence of approximately 1% (C.I. 0.6-1.5) was observed for the 6174delT mutation. The relative risk of developing breast cancer by age 42 was estimated to be 9.3 (C.I. 2.5-22.5) for 6174delT, compared to 31 (C.I. 11-77) for 185delAG. Analysis of 107 Ashkenazi Jewish women with breast cancer and a family history of breast or ovarian cancer confirmed a four-fold greater prevalence for the BRCA1 185delAG mutation compared to the BRCA2 6174delT mutation. Our findings suggest a difference in cumulative life-time penetrance for the two mutations. Genetic counseling for the one in 50 Ashkenazi Jewish individuals harbouring specific germline mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 must be tailored to reflect the different risks associated with the two mutations.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Homogeneous assay for direct determination of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol evaluated.

We evaluated a new homogeneous assay for quantifying high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The assay included four reagents: polyethylene glycol for "wrapping" chylomicrons, very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), and low-density lipoproteins (LDL); antibodies specific for apolipoprotein (apo) B and apo C-III to produce aggregates of chylomicrons, VLDL, and LDL; enzymes for the enzymatic cholesterol determination of the noncomplexed lipoproteins with 4-aminoantipyrine as the color reagent; and guanidine salt to stop the enzymatic reaction and to solubilize the complexes of apo B-containing lipoproteins, which would otherwise interfere with the reading of absorbance. The total CVs of the new method ranged between 2.4% and 8.4%. The HDL-C values (y) were in good agreement with those by a comparison phosphotungstic acid/MgCl2 method (x): y= 0.987x + 17.2 mg/L (68th percentile of the residuals on the regression line= 21.49, r= 0.970). At triglyceride concentrations of 20 g/L (Intralipid) the homogeneous HDL-C concentrations increased by 2%. Hemoglobin markedly increased the results, whereas bilirubin reduced them. The homogeneous HDL-C assay was easy to handle and allows full automation. This test should considerably facilitate the screening of individuals at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Apolipoprotein A-I↗
PubMed1996

[Evaluation of different broiler housing conditions on the basis of clinical, pathological, anatomical and laboratory diagnostic criteria--a summary].

In a cooperative study, the impact of different broiler housing conditions (see communication BUCHENAUER) on clinical, post-mortem and laboratory diagnostic (microbiological, parasitological, serological, immunological) parameters was investigated in the course of three different fattening period. Clinically, it was observed, that lower stocking densities allowed a relatively higher motility of the birds. On the other hand, necropsy findings, microbiological, parasitological, serological and immunological findings gave no indications that these parameters were influenced statistically significant by either one of the broiler keeping systems.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1996

[Coronary disease in France: data from the MONICA registers (1985-1991)].

The MONICA Project is an international project co-ordinated by the World Health Organisation. The objective of this study is to assess fluctuations in coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality and morbidity. From 1985 to 1991 a continuous and exhaustive registration of acute coronary events (15,775 cases among which 12,789 men and 2,986 women) was carried out in the 3 French MONICA Centres Lille, Strasbourg and Toulouse. During this period, the average rate of CHD mortality according to the death certificates was higher for men in Lille (93/100,000 inh) and Strasbourg (84/100,000 inh) than in Toulouse (57/100,000 inh). The official rates are close to those found by the MONICA Registers if documented myocardial infarctions only are taken into account. If sudden deaths are included, these rates must be multiplied by 1.6. In terms of evolution, official statistics showed an improvement with a mortality decrease of 33%. For the MONICA Registers which include sudden deaths, the decrease was only 20%. Official statistics underestimate coronary death rate and overestimate the decrease tendency. Morbidity rates between the South and the North of France are close, and when compared to Northern Europe countries, France is in an area of moderate incidence. The favourable evolution of coronary disease frequency hides in fact a contrasted evolution: improvement in myocardial infarction recurrence and worsening of incidence. The example of CHD proves that registers provide relevant information for a prevention policy.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Therapeutic management of myocardial infarction: trends observed in the MONICA-France project between 1985 and 1991].

This paper describes the trends observed in the treatment of myocardial infarction within the three French MONICA registers between 1985 and 1991. Data, collected according to the WHO-MONICA Protocol, relate to the initial care of patients and the treatment they were prescribed. In this study 2974 cases are included. The time delays before hospitalization do not change in spite of an increasing use of mobile emergency care units. In all three centers there is a strong progression of thrombolysis, increasing from 12% to 41% in Strasbourg, from 21% to 47% in Toulouse and from 31% to 35% in Lille. Antiplatelet drugs rise from 11% to 76% in Strasbourg, from 39% to 85% in Toulouse and from 33% to 76% in Lille. Beta-blockers also progress in the three centers. Prescription of anticoagulants, nitrates and antiarrythmics is constant. In contrast calcium blockers are less prescribed. Duration of hospital stay is much longer in Strasbourg. In Toulouse the resort to coronary angiography (96%) and to angioplasty (51%) is much more frequent than in the two other centers. Similar trends in the three regions reflect the results of the secondary prevention trials conducted in the last years. Differences concern mainly treatments and procedures that were less studied before 1991. It will be interesting to study the trends in the following years in order to estimate the influence of the trials on the homogeneity of practice in the three centers.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Regulation of the inducible soybean nitrate reductase isoform in mutants lacking constitutive isoform(s).

In soybean, three nitrate reductase isoforms have been identified based on metabolic regulation, substrate specificity, and kinetic parameters. Two isoforms have been termed constitutive, as their activities are present without the addition exogenous nitrate to soybean seedlings. The third activity is termed inducible, as its activity is present only when soybean plants have been supplied with nitrate. The purpose of this study was to examine the regulation of the inducible nitrate reductase isoform in soybean mutants lacking one or both of the constitutive isoforms. Based on evidence obtained through measurements of enzyme activity, Western blotting, and RNA determinations, the absence of one or both of the constitutive nitrate reductase isoforms has no effect on the metabolite regulation of the inducible nitrate reductase isoform.

Enzyme Induction↗
PubMed1995

Parent-to-parent support initiated in the neonatal intensive care unit.

A preliminary quasi-experimental, longitudinal study was conducted to explore differences in maternal mood states, self-esteem, family functioning, maternal-infant interaction, and home environment between mothers of preterm infants who participated in a nurse-managed program of parent-to-parent support and those who served as a comparison group. Mothers who participated in the intervention scored significantly higher on the Barnard NCATS interaction measure and the HOME total scale and subscales of maternal responsiveness and organization (N = 58) at 12 months following discharge from a neonatal intensive care unit. Using repeated measures analysis for a subset of mothers (n = 32), there were significant differences between the two groups on the mood state anxiety-tension (POMS) during the first 4 months postdischarge, with the treatment group having less anxiety. There was also a group by time interaction effect on self-esteem during the first 4 months, with self-esteem of the treatment group mothers increasing and comparison mothers decreasing. Findings suggest that one-to-one veteran parent support, in a nurse-managed program, may influence maternal and maternal-infant interaction outcomes.

Adult↗