Biomedical subjects

C St-Cyr

Publications and source records attributed to C St-Cyr.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1998

Antiribonucleoprotein antibodies in children with HIV infection: a comparative study with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

A number of clinical and laboratory features of HIV infection are found in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The objective of this study was to analyze the presence of circulating antibodies to small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNP) in both diseases. Sera from 44 HIV-infected children, from 22 patients with childhood-onset SLE, and from 50 healthy children were studied. Anti-snRNP antibodies were detected by ELISA using recombinant and affinity-purified nuclear antigens, by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE), and by immunoblotting using extractable nuclear antigens. Results included the detection of anti-snRNP antibodies by ELISA in 30 HIV-infected patients (68.1%) and 19 SLE patients (86.3%). These antibodies were directed against U1-RNP (61.3% and 77.2%, respectively), Sm (29.5% and 54.5%, respectively), 60 kDa Ro/SS-A (47.7% and 50%, respectively), and La/SS-B proteins (18.1% and 9%, respectively). None of the HIV-infected children and 11 SLE patients (50%) showed anti-snRNP antibodies by CIE. None of the HIV-infected patients showed anti-70 kDa U1-RNP or anti-D-Sm antibodies by immunoblotting. No differences between the two groups were noted on the presence of nonprecipitating anti-snRNP antibodies. No such reactivities were observed among the normal sera tested. The authors concluded that nonprecipitating anti-snRNP antibodies in HIV-infected children are as frequent as in childhood-onset SLE. The significance of these antibodies is not clear at present. Although polyreactive and low-affinity antibodies and a mechanism of molecular mimicry may explain these results, a specific stimulation of B cells by nuclear antigens could not be excluded.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Antiribonucleoprotein antibodies in children with human immunodeficiency virus infection: comparative study with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

UNLABELLED: A number of clinical and laboratory features of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are found in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). OBJECTIVE: To analyze the presence of circulating antibodies to small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNP) in both diseases. METHODS: We studied sera from 44 HIV-infected children, from 22 patients with childhood-onset SLE, and from 50 healthy children. Anti-snRNP antibodies were detected by (ELISA) using recombinant and affinity-purified nuclear antigens, by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE), and by immunoblotting using extractable nuclear antigens. RESULTS: Anti-snRNP antibodies were detected by ELISA in 30 HIV-infected patients (68.1%) and 19 SLE patients (86.3%). These antibodies were directed against U1-RNP (61.3% and 77.2%), Sm (29.5% and 54.5%), 60kD-Ro/SS-A (47.7% and 50%), and La/SS-B proteins (18.1% and 9%), respectively. None of the HIV-infected children and 11 SLE patients (50%) showed anti-snRNP antibodies by CIE. None of the HIV-infected patients showed anti-70 kD U1-RNP or anti-D-Sm antibodies by immunoblotting. No differences between the two groups were noted relative to the presence of nonprecipitating anti-snRNP antibodies. No such reactivities were observed among the normal sera tested. CONCLUSIONS: Nonprecipitating anti-snRNP antibodies in HIV-infected children are as frequent as in childhood-onset SLE. The significance of these antibodies is not clear at present. Perhaps they are polyreactive and low-affinity antibodies and a mechanism of molecular mimicry may explain these results; however, we cannot exclude a specific stimulation of B-cells by nuclear antigens.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

The reluctance to acknowledge hearing difficulties among hearing-impaired workers.

The reluctance to acknowledge hearing difficulties was studied with two groups of hearing-impaired workers and their spouses. One investigation involved a group interview with workers who participated in a pilot rehabilitation programme and who experienced the disclosure of their hearing difficulties to others by being the subject of a newspaper story on occupational deafness. Analysis of the transcript showed that they were strongly stigmatized as being deaf especially by co-workers. In a second investigation, interviews conducted with hearing-impaired workers who have had no previous contact with hearing specialists were analysed. A selection was made of the interviews containing several examples of contradiction in the worker's discourse or between the worker and his wife about the experience of hearing difficulties. The reluctance to acknowledge hearing difficulties was expressed through various forms of denial, minimization of the problem, uneasiness in talking about the problem and in attempts to normalize oneself. All these expressions can be found in the same individual's discourse. It is concluded that reluctance to acknowledge hearing difficulties is part of an adaptive process that should be taken into account in rehabilitative interventions. It also calls for interventions that would prevent hearing people from stigmatizing hearing-impaired people.

Attitude↗

PubMed1988

Qualitative analysis of the handicap associated with occupational hearing loss.

Hearing difficulties among noise-exposed workers were investigated by means of an interview. A group of 61 workers from a metal product plant had their hearing tested; 66% had abnormal hearing according to their age. Interviews on hearing problems and on their consequences were conducted at home with the spouses. The interviews were recorded and transcribed, and then treated according to a procedure that combines phenomenological and content analysis. The results were classified into hearing disabilities, disadvantages and adjustments. Listening and communication problems result in extra efforts, anxiety and stress, changes in social activities, isolation in groups and a negative self-image. These problems also affect others, especially the spouse, who take an active part in the spontaneous adjustment to disabilities. A model of the structure of the handicap has been outlined illustrating how spontaneous adjustments can be in themselves sources of disadvantages. Implications for rehabilitation services are discussed in terms of the means to facilitate optimal adjustment to disabilities.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

A six-month open safety assessment of a naproxen suspension formulation in the therapy of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

The safety of naproxen suspension was assessed in an open study in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Fifty-eight patients aged 1 to 13 (mean, 4.5 years) were studied. Based on the patient's condition, naproxen was prescribed at dosages ranging from 9 to 20 mg/kg/day. Follow-up assessments were made during regular clinic visits, as often as deemed necessary by the physician. Forty-four patients completed a minimum of six months' treatment. One patient was lost to follow up and 13 were withdrawn early: three because of unsatisfactory therapeutic response, one because of disease remission, five because of taste complaints, and four because of other side effects. The side effects were mostly gastrointestinal and were mild to moderate in severity. Investigators' subjective evaluations indicated that 84% of the patients who completed six months' treatment had good or excellent therapeutic responses at termination. The study results demonstrated that naproxen suspension is a well-tolerated anti-inflammatory agent for young children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

Overlap connective tissue syndromes.

Twenty six children with overlapping features of more than one connective tissue disorder are reported. The median age of onset was 9.5 years and median duration of follow up 7.5 years. Common presenting symptoms included arthritis, tenosynovitis. Raynaud's phenomenon, myositis, and rashes. At follow up 14 patients had developed sclerodermatous skin changes, but significant systemic involvement was uncommon. Only 16 of the 26 cases had antibodies to nuclear ribonucleoprotein; therefore, 10 did not satisfy criteria for mixed connective tissue disease. It was not possible to differentiate clinical patterns by the presence or absence of any particular antibody profile.

Adolescent↗