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Biomedical subjects

J Didier

Publications and source records attributed to J Didier.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Quality of life in spinal cord injury patients with urinary difficulties. Development and validation of qualiveen.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QoL) may be severely affected in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) and resulting urinary difficulties (UD). There is, however, a need for instruments capable of measuring QoL in these patients. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire suitable for use in SCI patients with urinary disorders. METHODS: Following patient interviews, a questionnaire was developed in French that was subjected to item reduction and cross-sectional validation. The resulting Qualiveen (Qualiveen is a pending registration trade mark of Coloplast A/S, DK-3050 Humlebaek, Denmark) questionnaire underwent multi-trait and principal component analysis and the test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was examined in stable patients. RESULTS: Patient interviews identified 257 concepts relevant to SCI patients with urinary disorders. Item reduction led to a 30-item questionnaire, which was psychometrically validated in 281 SCI patients with UD. The median age of patients was 41 years, 78% were male and the majority were paraplegic (55%). The construct and clinical validity of the Qualiveen was confirmed, as well as its reliability in patients whose condition was stable over a 15-day period. Patients confirmed that it was easy to understand, complete and comprehensive. CONCLUSIONS: The Qualiveen is a reliable and psychometrically validated instrument that may be used to measure the QoL of SCI patients with UD.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Infection as a trigger of diabetic ketoacidosis in intensive care-unit patients.

We determined the prevalence and indicators of infection in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) by performing a retrospective analysis of 123 episodes of DKA (in 113 patients) managed in a medical ICU between 1990 and 1997. In univariate analysis, features associated with infection were female sex, neurological symptoms at admission, fever during the week before admission, a need for colloids, a high blood lactate level at admission, and lack of complete clearance of ketonuria within 12 h. Multivariate analysis identified 3 independent predictors of infection: female sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.31; confidence interval [CI], 1.05-5.35), neurological symptoms at admission (OR, 2.83; CI, 1.18-6.8), and lack of complete clearance of ketonuria within 12 h (OR, 3.73; CI, 1.58-9.09). Infection is the leading trigger of DKA in ICU patients. Neurological symptoms at admission and lack of complete clearance of ketonuria within 12 h are useful warning signals of infection.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Performance of an automated system for quantification of hepatitis C virus RNA.

The Amplicor HCV Monitor test for quantitative determination of serum or plasma hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA was modified recently and introduced onto the Cobas Amplicor instrument to automate fully amplification, detection and calculation of results. This new version (v2.0) was evaluated in a routine diagnostic laboratory. The sensitivity and reproducibility were assessed on well-characterized panels (Eurohep) and clinical samples. HCV RNA levels measured by the v2.0 Monitor test were about 1log(10) higher than those detected by the previous version test, and genotypes 1 and 3 were quantified with equal sensitivity. Within the linear dynamic range of 10(3) to 10(6) copies/ml, the coefficients of variation for both intra- and inter-assay reproducibility ranged from 1.9 to 2.95%. This test system was found to be a reliable and labor saving assay for the quantification of HCV RNA.

Automation↗
PubMed1994

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis by acyclovir in pre-transplant CMV-positive renal transplant recipients.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, either primoinfection or reactivation, remain an important problem in organ transplantation. We therefore designed a prospective study in which pre-transplant CMV-positive renal transplant (RT) patients were randomized to receive for 3 months starting immediately after transplantation either acyclovir or nothing. Between April 1992 and January 1993, 53 cadaveric renal transplantations were performed in our institution. The immunosuppressive regimen included anti-thymoglobulins (ATG), azathioprine, steroids and cyclosporine A. Patients randomized in the acyclovir arm received the drug from day 1 to day 90 (D90) intravenously as long as the creatinine clearance was not above 10 ml/min and per os afterwards (3200 mg/day if the creatinine clearance was above 50 ml/min). CMV viraemia tests were systematically performed every 2 weeks until day 90 or when febrile episodes occurred. The patients were 53 adults who received a RT during the study period; 37 were included in the study of which 19 received acyclovir prophylaxis (group A) and 18, no prophylaxis (group B). The two groups did not significantly differ according to sex ratio, recipient's age, number of CMV-negative donors and number of days on ATG (10.76+/-6.16 vs. 8.28+/-4.21 days). There were significantly fewer viraemia episodes in group A (n = 6) than in group B (n = 13, P < 0.05); nevertheless, the percentage of symptomatic CMV viraemia was the same in both groups (35% vs. 38.5%). The onset of CMV viraemia occurred in the same period in both groups (39+/-13.8 days vs. 34.3+/-15 days; P = NS). The number of rejection episodes in the study period was the same in both groups (8 in each). We conclude from this prospective study that post-RT acyclovir prophylaxis reduces significantly the number of CMV viraemia episodes but does not delay their onset. Furthermore, it has no effect upon the percentage of symptomatic viraemias.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1991

Identification of a novel EBV-induced membrane glycoprotein of 43 kDa with H667 MAb.

Using purified B95-8 Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a MAb designated H667 was produced. We demonstrated by indirect membrane immunofluorescence (IF) on six EBV producer cell lines and by immunoelectron microscopy that H667 reacted with a membrane antigen. H667 recognized a 43-kDa EBV protein (p43) as determined by immunoblotting using purified EBV from the six producer cell lines. Phosphonoacetic acid treatment of B95-8 cells was associated with the disappearance of p43, indicating that it was a late antigen. This antigen was shown to be a glycoprotein by incorporation of [14C]glucosamine and was shown to contain an N-asparagine-linked glycosyl group by its sensitivity to tunicamycin. It was named gp43. The H667 MAb inhibited B95-8 EBV cord blood lymphocyte transformation only when a low inoculum was used but failed to inhibit EA induction in Raji cells by P3HR1 EBV. Human sera reactivity against the gp43 antigen was studied. By the immunoblotting method, using H667 immunoaffinity chromatography-purified gp43, we showed that 70.9% of the human sera tested had antibodies directed against gp43. By IF blocking tests, we found that only 12.5% of the sera tested were reactive, indicating that the epitope corresponding to the H667 MAb was not the most immunogenic gp43 epitope.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Monitoring management of nosocomial infections in a neurosurgical department].

Fulfilling a nosocomial infection watch program in a neurosurgery department lead to assess the basic situation i.e. the same characteristics related to both surgery and I.C.U. (incidence rate of wound infections 3%, of bronchopulmonary tract infections 20.8% and of urinary tract infections 9.1%). To ensure feasibility of data collection and data accuracy, strategy was based on weekly passive epidemiological data collection, laboratory data and monthly confrontation with neurosurgery's practitioners.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1989

A chymotryptic-type protease inhibitor decreases interleukin 2 synthesis and induces prostaglandin production in Jurkat T cells.

TPCK (N-alpha-p-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethylketone), a potent inhibitor of chymotryptic-type serine proteases, was found to decrease IL2 synthesis in Jurkat T cells. Conversely, the tryptic-type protease inhibitor, TLCK (N-alpha-p-tosyl-lysine chloromethylketone), which structurally is very similar to TPCK, had no effect on IL2 synthesis. Prostaglandin synthesis, a process that is known to reduce IL2 production in T cells, was increased by TPCK but not by TLCK, suggesting that this process could be, at least in part, responsible for the inhibition of IL2 production. Our results imply that a chymotryptic-type serine protease plays an active role in the regulation of IL2 synthesis and thus in the whole process of T-lymphocyte activation.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗
PubMed1988

[Corynebacterium group D2. Clinical study, biochemical identification and antibiotic sensitivity].

The comparative study of 44 isolates of Corynebacterium group D2, from urine, most frequently, shows the pathogenic role of these bacteria in urinary tract infection, with or without urinary stones. These microorganisms have an opportunistic behaviour in other non-urinary sites, and become pathogen in immunosuppressed conditions. The rapid tests as urease, glucose acidification, nitrate reductase, associated with multiple resistance to antibiotics (beta-lactams and aminosides) identify easily Corynebacterium group D2, from 48 h cultures under CO2 conditions. The results of MIC determination of 10 antibiotics, show the high activity (100% sensitivity) of vancomycin and pristinamycin, with MIC modes, respectively, 0.5 and 0.03 mg/l. These antibiotics are the most useful for the treatment of non-urinary infections. Among quinolones, the most active agents are ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin (MIC modes: 4 and 2 mg/l), so these antimicrobials could be used for the treatment of urinary tract infections caused by Corynebacterium group D2.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1985

Effect of alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists (phentolamine, nicergoline and prazosin) on reperfusion arrhythmias and noradrenaline release in perfused rat heart.

Rat isolated hearts were perfused through the left atrium with a modified Krebs-Henseleit solution or mounted on a Langendorff perfusion system. The hearts were prelabelled with [3H]-noradrenaline [( 3H]-NA) and the left main coronary artery was ligated for 10 min after which reperfusion followed. The liberation of [3H]-NA and the development of ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation were monitored throughout. During the occlusion period, ventricular arrhythmias did not occur and heart rate was not significantly altered in the control series. In contrast, reperfusion was followed by ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in all the hearts in the control series (Langendorff or 'working' models). The alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists phentolamine (7.1 X 10(-6) M and 7.1 X 10(-5) M) and nicergoline (3.1 X 10(-6) M) diminished or prevented reperfusion arrhythmias. However, prazosin (5.2 X 10(-6) M) was not effective. The lower concentration of phentolamine did not alter the pattern of [3H]-NA release, whereas, high doses of phentolamine and nicergoline increased the release of [3H]-NA. Prazosin (5.2 X 10(-6) M) caused a very marked increase in release of [3H]-NA but was not antiarrhythmic. A 'membrane-stabilizing' effect seems the most appropriate explanation for these antiarrhythmic effects of alpha-antagonist agents.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1984

A simple method for the evaluation of antiseptic and disinfectant virucidal activity.

A simple method for evaluating the virucidal activity of water-soluble antiseptic and disinfectant products using poliovirus type 1 (Sabin strain) is described. Using a commercial concentrator, kinetic studies of four products were carried out. It was shown that 2% glutaraldehyde and 5% povidone iodine are rapidly virucidal. 0.2% glutaraldehyde and 2.5% noxythiolin (37 degrees C) are considerably less effective. 0.05% chlorhexidine digluconate has no virucidal activity.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗
PubMed1983

[Human oncogenic viruses].

Human oncogenic viruses are ubiquitous pathogens which only in frequently exhibit their malignant potential under natural conditions. They are either ARN viruses, also called retroviruses, of which little is known in man, or DNA viruses belonging to various families (papovavirus, adenovirus, herpes virus, hepatitis B virus), some of which are very specifically associated with certain human carcinomas. In vitro, these viruses induce "cell transformation" producing malignant cells with unregulated growth. In vivo, in man as well as in animals, viral oncogenesis requires multiple cofactors so that the transformed cell can escape control mechanisms.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Molecular forms of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase in Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoid cell lines from normal subjects and patients with Tay-Sachs disease.

In whole leukocytes and in lymphocytes from normal subjects, the percentage activity of heat-stable beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase (30 +/- 5% and 45 +/- 5%, respectively) was higher than in the transformed lymphoid cell line (19 +/- 3%). In Tay-Sachs transformed cells as well as non-transformed beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase was almost completely heat-stable (95 - 98%). In the transformed cells from normal subjects, the beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase B (Hex B) activity (5% of total) was significantly lower than in blood lymphocytes (average 25 - 30% of total activity), whereas Hex A and Hex I were similar in the either cell type. Blood lymphocytes and lymphoid cell lines established from a Tay-Sachs patient lacked heat-labile Hex A and expressed high heat-stable Hex I and Hex B activities (3-6-fold). After neuraminidase treatment, Hex A peak sharpened while Hex I peaks switched to higher pI than normal Hex I, in the region of Hex B. PreHex A/S pI was not affected. Hydrolytic properties using the both substrates (4-methylumbelliferyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside and 4-methylumbelliferyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-galactopyranoside) of each molecular form were similar in transformed and non-transformed cells. Data derived from the use of a mixture of substrates were consistent with the model which proposes a common active site for either substrate in the case of preHex A, Hex B and Hex I, but not for Hex A. Thus Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoid cell lines represent an accurate model system for studies on Tay-Sachs disease.

Cell Line↗