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Biomedical subjects

J Briere

Publications and source records attributed to J Briere.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Multicenter randomized study comparing cyclosporine-A alone and antithymocyte globulin with prednisone for treatment of severe aplastic anemia.

We report the results of a randomized multicenter study comparing the efficacy of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) with that of cyclosporin A (CsA) as first-line therapy for severe aplastic anemia (SAA). Patients were randomized to receive ATG and prednisone (PDN) or CsA; hematologic response and toxicity were compared. At 3-month evaluation, patients who had no or minimal response received the alternative therapy to assess the value of a sequential immunosuppressive therapy for treatment of severe aplastic anemia. One hundred nineteen patients were randomized; 25 were excluded, of whom 3 were misdiagnosed and 22 did not follow the cross-over protocol. Ninety-four patients were analyzed; 46 received CsA, and 48 received ATG-PDN. The actuarial survival was 66.7%, with a median follow-up time of 19 months. There was no significant difference in survival between the groups with, at 3 months, an actuarial survival of 88% in the CsA group and 75% in the ATG group (NS); at 12 months, it was 70% in the CsA group and 64% in the ATG group (NS). The percentage of complete and partial response was 11.6% and 16%, respectively, at 3 months, and 31.6% and 30%, respectively, at 12 months (NS). The main prognostic factor was the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) at entry: Patients with ANC less than 0.2 x 10(9)/L had a significantly lower survival as compared with patients with more than 0.2 x 10(9)/L ANC (P = .0001). At 12 months, 62 evaluable patients were alive, with a complete or partial response in 36 patients. Patients who had responded to the first treatment had a better recovery of bone marrow failure than those who had sequential immunosuppression. The main complication was infection, which was more often observed and more often lethal during ATG and PDN therapy. In this study, initial treatment of SAA with either CsA or ATG-PDN followed by cross-over therapy for nonresponders produced comparable response and survival rates.

Adolescent

Sexual abuse trauma among professional women: validating the Trauma Symptom Checklist-40 (TSC-40).

This study examines the usefulness of the Trauma Symptom Checklist (TSC-40) in measuring the long-term sequelae of sexual abuse. In a national survey of 2,963 professional women, the TSC-40 was found to be reliable and to display predictive validity with regard to childhood sexual victimization. Women who reported a sexual abuse history scored significantly higher than did women with no history of abuse on each of the six subscales and on the overall TSC-40 score. Various aspects of childhood victimization were associated with the subscale scores, with the Sexual Abuse Trauma Index and Dissociation subscales being more sensitive to the specific components of the abuse.

Adolescent

A multicenter randomized study comparing cyclosporin-A alone and antithymocyte globulin with prednisone for treatment of severe aplastic anemia. The cooperative group on the treatment of aplastic anemia.

This article reports the results of a randomized multicentric study comparing the efficacy of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) with cyclosporin-A (CsA) as first line therapy for severe aplastic anemia (SAA). Patients were randomized to receive ATG and prednisone (PDN) or CsA; hematological response and toxicity were compared. At 3 months, patients who had no or minimal response received the alternative therapy in order to assess the value of a sequential immunosuppressive therapy for treatment of severe aplastic anemia. One hundred and sixteen patients were analysed, 60 received CsA and 56 received ATG/PDN. The actuarial survival was 55% with a median follow-up time of 19 months. There was no significant difference in survival between the two groups. The main prognostic factor was the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) at entry: patients with ANC less than 0.2 x 10(9)/L had a significantly lower survival when compared with patients with an ANC greater than 0.2 x 10(9)/L (P = 0.0001). At 3 months, 16% of patients had a complete or partial response and a cross-over treatment was given to 68 patients. At 12 months, 77 patients were alive, with a complete or partial response in 47 patients. Patients who had responded to the first treatment had a better recovery of bone marrow failure than those who had a sequential immunosuppression. The main complication was infection which was more often observed and was more often lethal during ATG and PDN. This study demonstrates that CsA is comparable to ATG for primary treatment of SAA, but it is less toxic with fewer infectious deaths.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anemia, Aplastic

Methodological issues in the study of sexual abuse effects.

Despite its relative infancy, child abuse research has provided a substantial literature on the psychological sequelae of sexual molestation. These findings have been helpful in informing social policy and guiding mental health practice. Because of the recency of interest in this area, however, as well as the costs and time investment associated with more rigorous longitudinal research, many of these studies have used correlational designs and retrospective reports of abuse. The implications of this methodology are outlined, and remedies are suggested where possible.

Adolescent

[The bronchial arteries and their anastomoses with the coronary arteries].

We studied bronchial arteries (BA) and their anastomoses with coronary arteries in 53 adult subjects (30 female and 23 male, mean age 82) and one 2 month old child. Each subject had 1 to 4 BAs, born from an area on the anterior side of the descending aorta measuring less than 2 cm in diameter in 62 percent of the cases and never exceeding 4 cm in the other cases. In 6 cases BAs vascularize the left auricle; more than half of all cases had an anastomose with the coronary arteries: 11 with the right coronary artery and 9 with the left one. These anastomoses preserve the vascularization of the carina after a cardio-pulmonary transplantation. The may have a function of vascular supply in some coronarian patients and the study of associated coronary pathology gives confirmation of it in one fourth of the cases.

Aged

Effects of cryopreservation on the adherent layer of human long-term bone marrow cultures: study of cell phenotypes.

This report describes the effects of cryopreservation on the adherent layer of human long-term bone marrow cultures (HLTBMC). Stromal cells are believed to be the most important cells of medullar microenvironment to regulate hematopoiesis. To study effects of cryopreservation, we compared the cell phenotypes of adherent layers of fresh and frozen-thawed bone marrows. To characterize stromal cells we used monoclonal antibodies reacting with components of these cells (CGA-7 alpha SM and gamma SM actin isoforms; HHF-35, all muscle actin isoforms; BMS-1, stromal cell lysosomes). The other components studied were: fibronectin (BMS-2 monoclonal antibody) and hematopoietic cells (monoclonal antibodies against CD45, CD33, and CD14). Results show a decrease of cells positive for CGA-7, HHF-35, and BMS-1, in adherent layer of HLTBMC of frozen-thawed bone marrows. Expression of BMS-2 is unchanged, and CD45 and CD14-positive cells proportionately increased. These results are consistent with an impairment of stromal cell proliferation in frozen-thawed marrows, without impairment of most stromal cell functions. The difference between stromal cell and hematopoietic cell kinetics seems to be an additional fact suggesting a different origin for both cell populations.

Actins

Carbohydrate composition of human megakaryocyte membranes in culture: identification using binding of seven lectins.

Seven tetramethylrhodamine B isothiocyanate- (TRITC) labeled lectins: lens culinaris (LCH), ulex europeus-1 (UEA-1), lycopersicon esculentum (LEA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), dolichos biflorus (DBA), soybean agglutinin (SBA) and erythrina cristagalli (ECA) were applied on cultured human megakaryocytes (Megs) detected by immunofluorescence. All stages of Megs (from lymphocyte-like Megs to mature Megs) and platelets were labeled by LCH, LEA, UEA-1 and WGA. ECA binds to platelets but only to some Megs. DBA did not bind to platelets but did bind to some Megs, irrespective of stage. SBA binds to all stages of Megs, but did not bind to platelets. These results indicate the presence of mannose, glucose (LCH), sialic acid (WGA), and glucosamine (UEA-1, LEA, WGA) on the surface of all cells of the Meg lineage, a variable presence of galactosamine (DBA, SBA, ECA), and a discrepancy in the presence of some galactosamine compounds between platelets and Megs (DBA, SBA).

Blood Platelets

Incidence and impact of sexual abuse in a child outpatient sample: the role of direct inquiry.

From the child psychiatry outpatient department of a university medical center, 64 charts were reviewed in two phases: 29 were randomly selected from outpatient files, and 35 were examined after clinicians were asked to directly query sexual abuse. Although the reported sexual abuse rate for randomly selected charts was quite low (6.9%), reference to sexual abuse history in charts of children who were asked about molestation was 4.5 times more frequent (31.4%; 11.5% of all boys, 50% of all girls). Children with an identified sexual abuse history reported more psychological symptoms, had made more suicide attempts in the past, and were more likely than nonabused children to receive a diagnosis of major depression.

Ambulatory Care

Interleukin-2 therapy for refractory and relapsing lymphomas.

Recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) has been reported to be active in metastatic renal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. The purpose of this trial was to determine the efficacy and toxicity of rIL-2 administered in continuous infusion in patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). 21 patients with HD (4 patients), diffuse large-cell NHL (7) or low-grade NHL (10) in failure or relapse after multiple-conventional treatments were included in this trial. rIL-2 therapy consisted of an induction period of two cycles separated by 3 weeks of rest, and, in the absence of progressive disease or undue toxicity, a maintenance period of 4 monthly cycles. Each induction cycle comprised the continuous infusion of rIL-2: 18 x 10(6) IU/m2 per day on days 1-5 and days 12-16. Each maintenance cycle comprised the continuous infusion of rIL-2: 18 x 10(6) IU/m2 per day on days 1-5. Among the 21 treated patients, 5 (all of those with low-grade NHL) responded to the induction phase (1 complete response, 4 partial responses) and 2 patients had a mixed response. Conversely, no response was observed in patients with HD or large-cell NHL. The median duration of response was 4 months. rIL-2 administered as a continuous infusion was well tolerated and most patients received the full dosage, and management did not require intensive care. During the induction period, 2 patients experienced grade III cardiovascular or renal toxicity. During the maintenance period, rIL-2 had to be interrupted in 1 patient because of a myocardial infarction. This trial confirms the inefficacy of rIL-2 for the treatment of large-cell NHL and HD. Conversely, in low-grade NHL, rIL-2 activity needs to be explored by further studies. rIL-2 may have a place in the early phase of the disease, when the immune system is not compromised, as an adjuvant treatment in residual disease in order to improve the duration of response.

Adult

Double intensive consolidation chemotherapy in adult acute myeloid leukemia.

Of 115 adult patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 87 (75.5%) achieved complete remission (CR) after induction treatment with zorubicin and conventional doses of cytarabine (Ara-C). Patients under age 45 years with histocompatibility locus antigen-identical sibling underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The others were treated with two courses of intensive consolidation chemotherapy (ICC): course 1 with 4 days of high-dose Ara-C and 3 days of amsacrine (m-AMSA); course 2 with carmustine (BCNU), Ara-C, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide. Forty-two patients received both planned courses, 15 received only the first, and 13 patients could only support conventional maintenance therapy. Four patients died during consolidation. With a median follow-up of 60 months, the disease-free survival (DFS) after ICC at 5 years is 40.3% (+/- 6.5%), with no statistically significant difference between patients receiving one or two courses. The DFS for the 17 transplanted patients is comparable (P = .72) and is lower for the 13 excluded patients (23% +/- 11.5%, P = .046). Age did not influence the probability of remaining in CR. In univariate analysis, three parameters had a negative impact on the 5-year DFS: a high initial WBC count (52% for patients with less than 30 x 10(9) WBC/L v 12% for patients with greater than 30 x 10(9) WBC/L, P = .01), a long delay between induction treatment and course 1 (+/- 60 days; 63% v 29%, P = .01), and a long delay between course 1 and course 2 (+/- 60 days, 61.5% v 28.5%, P = .05). In multivariate analysis (Cox model), only the WBC count remained significant. This study confirms the value of intensive postremission chemotherapy, which can be compared in AML with allogeneic or autologous BMT. It also demonstrates the prognostic value of the initial WBC count. The optimal modalities of ICC remain to be defined by further studies.

Acute Disease

[Biological glue and obstruction of bronchial stumps. Experimental study. Sutureless bronchial closure of lobectomies in dogs].

From April, 1989 to January, 1990, we have been "inducing bronchial fistulae" in dogs by performing 10 lobectomies, 5 middle and 5 caudal, in both the right and the left lung. The bronchial stump was not sutured but closed by a "Tissucol-vicryl mesk" implant, which can be adapted to the size of the stump and is fully absorbed in the long term and replaced by a natural fibrous plug. The results seem to be fairly satisfactory: no dog died; all stumps--followed up a D10, D12... up to the 11th month--were obturated without complications, at least in these animals whose bronchi were normal and not infected. Bronchial fistulae still are a serious complication of lung resections, and while the smaller fistulae (2-3 mm) can be managed with biological glue delivered by simple endoscopy, severe fistulae--especially after pneumonectomy, above all in the right lung--often demand difficult, high-risk surgery. This points out to the interest of this small experimental series. Two conditions are essential to successfully implement this alternative procedure: 1) perfect sterilization of the excision pocket; a window is often required, which in addition has the advantage of facilitating the insertion and observation of the implant; 2) a high concentration of aprotinin (10,000 units) delaying the dissolution of the glue plug, thus allowing it to be integrated by the natural healing process.

Adhesives

Inhibitory effect of highly purified human platelet beta-thromboglobulin on in vitro human megakaryocyte colony formation.

The effect of highly purified human beta-thromboglobulin (beta TG), a glycoprotein present in platelet alpha granules, was tested on human bone marrow in vitro megakaryocyte (MK) colony formation. A concentration of 5 micrograms/ml of beta TG induced a 50% reduction in the number of MK colonies, and concentrations of 10 and 20 micrograms/ml completely inhibited MK growth. This inhibition was of importance for MKs because a higher concentration of beta TG (10 micrograms/ml) was needed to obtain a nonsignificant decrease in erythroblastic progenitors (erythroid burst-forming units, BFU-E), and no inhibition of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GM) was observed. beta TG acts mainly on maturation of MKs. These results indicate that beta TG could play a role in the physiological regulation of platelet production by MKs.

Blood Platelets