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Biomedical subjects

M Boniface

Publications and source records attributed to M Boniface.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Assessment of a new immunoassay for serological confirmation and discrimination of human T-cell lymphotropic virus infections.

The present study evaluated a new confirmatory assay for antibodies to human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2) proteins performed with serum samples from various commercial sources. The new test is a line immunoassay (LIA) with a nylon membrane sensitized with the most relevant antigens of HTLVs: the envelope gp46 and gp21 as well as the gag p24 and p19 antigens, represented by either recombinant proteins or synthetic peptides. A total of 176 serum or plasma samples were tested, of which 66 were HTLV-1 positive, 72 were HTLV-2 positive, and 38 were HTLV negative; of the 38 HTLV-negative samples 23 were indeterminate by Western blotting (WB). Serially diluted samples (n = 33) from HTLV-1- and HTLV-2-infected patients were also analyzed to determine the sensitivity of the new assay. The new confirmatory assay (INNO-LIA HTLV) performed markedly better than WB assays for those samples reactive by screening. Accurate confirmation of the presence of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 antibodies and accurate discrimination of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 antibodies were obtained for all the HTLV-seropositive samples. Due to its enhanced specificity and sensitivity, the new assay not only improves the ability to confirm and discriminate HTLV infections but also eliminates the vast majority of WB-indeterminate and false-positive specimens.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed1995

Introduction of knowledge bases in patient's data management system: role of the user interface.

As the number of signals and data to be handled grows in intensive care unit, it is necessary to design more powerful computing systems that integrate and summarize all this information. The manual input of data as e.g. clinical signs and drug prescription and the synthetic representation of these data requires an ever more sophisticated user interface. The introduction of knowledge bases in the data management allows to conceive contextual interfaces. The objective of this paper is to show the importance of the design of the user interface, in the daily use of clinical information system. Then we describe a methodology that uses the man-machine interaction to capture the clinician knowledge during the clinical practice. The different steps are the audit of the user's actions, the elaboration of statistic models allowing the definition of new knowledge, and the validation that is performed before complete integration. A part of this knowledge can be used to improve the user interface. Finally, we describe the implementation of these concepts on a UNIX platform using OSF/MOTIF graphical interface.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1993

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and tumor necrosis factor alpha in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 infection.

Variations in cytokine production in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection could be involved in the physiopathology and in the progression of the disease. Therefore we studied the level of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) produced in patients with HIV infection at stage II (asymptomatic seropositives) and stage IV (AIDS) of the CDC classification, by using an enzyme amplified sensitivity immunoassay. We measured the level of GM-CSF and TNF alpha in supernatant of phytohemagglutinin-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients and healthy individuals. In one out of 10 stage II patients and 4 out of 14 stage IV patients, we obtained higher levels of GM-CSF than the mean + 2 S.D. of controls, but in 3 stage IV patients with very low CD4+ T lymphocyte counts (< 50/mm-3) compared to other patients, the GM-CSF values were very low. High levels of TNF alpha were detected in 3 out of 10 stage II and 6 out of 11 stage IV patients. The high values of TNF alpha were associated with high values of GM-CSF in stage II and in most of AIDS patients except those with very low CD4+ T cell counts, who produced low levels of GM-CSF. Plasma levels of cytokines were evaluated in 10 stage II, 22 stage IV patients and 20 controls. Increased levels of GM-CSF (more than 9 pg/ml) were observed in the plasma from 8 out of 10 stage II patients and 17 out of 22 stage IV patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1993

Soluble CD23 in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infected patients.

The level of sCD23 produced in the course of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was measured in patients grouped according to the Centers for Disease Control by using an immunoradiometric assay. Soluble CD23 was evaluated in supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) (10(6) cells/ml) stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Compared with healthy controls (m +/- S.D. = 1.0 +/- 0.34 U/ml, n = 7), higher values were observed in some of the patients of group II (asymptomatic) (m +/- S.D. = 2 +/- 1.33, n = 9) and some of the patients of group IV (AIDS) (m +/- S.D. = 1.3 +/- 1.40, n = 8). Those results prompted us to compare the plasma levels of sCD23 in group II and group IV HIV-infected patients and in healthy individuals. Soluble CD23 plasma levels in healthy patients (n = 42) ranged from 0 to 1.5 U/ml (m +/- S.D. = 0.9 +/- 0.33), in group II patients (n = 17) from 0 to 3 U/ml (m +/- S.D. = 0.92 +/- 0.83) and in group IV patients (n = 73) from 0 to 2.9 U/ml (m +/- S.D. = 1.15 +/- 0.71). The differences between the patients and the healthy individuals were not statistically significant but individual sCD23 values higher than 2 U/ml were obtained in 6% of the group II patients and 16.7% of the group IV patients. Increased values of sCD23 were obtained in plasma from patients with secondary infectious diseases (groups IV-Cl and IV-C2) and from patients without secondary infectious diseases (group II, group IV-A and group IV-B).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Influence of the degree of exposure to lead on relations between alcohol consumption and the biological indices of lead exposure: epidemiological study in a lead acid battery factory.

Alcohol has been shown to interact with lead to influence haem biosynthesis. The aim of this study was to define the dependence of this interaction on the degree of exposure to lead. Exposure to alcohol was estimated by measurement of alcohol concentrations in a sample of urine collected during the morning (AlcUM) (0.82 (SD 4.36) mmol/l) and in a sample collected during the afternoon (AlcUA) (1.15 (SD 3.49) mmol/l). The biological monitoring of exposure to lead included measurements of blood lead (Pb-B) (1.82 (SD 0.72) mumol/l), urinary delta-aminolaevulinic acid (ALAU) (35.33 (SD 28.00) mumol/l; d = 1.015), and erythrocyte zinc-protoporphyrin (ZPP) (112.90 (SD 83.71) nmol/mmol Hb) concentrations. The study of the influence of the degree of occupational exposure to lead on relations between alcohol consumption and effects of the exposure to lead led to the consideration of two different groups--namely, mildly and strongly exposed subjects. In the first group, individual biological susceptibility seemed to play a preponderant part. In the second, the pool of lead present in the body seemed to be sufficiently important to mask the effects of individual susceptibility.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1991

Functional assessment of coloanal anastomosis with reservoir and excision of the anal transition zone.

Conservation of the anal transition zone (ATZ) has been deemed necessary for continence after coloanal anastomosis (CAA) with reservoir. Therefore, we have studied functional and manometric results after CAA with reservoir and excision of the ATZ in 18 consecutive patients (mean age, 65.2 years; ten males and eight females), 17.4 months after closure of a temporary loop colostomy (Study 1). Twelve of the 18 initial patients were studied again 30.2 months after closure (Study 2). In Study 1, all patients underwent 1) a standardized interview, 2) a manometric study with measurement of anal pressure at rest (PR), voluntary contraction (VC), inhibitor anal reflex (IAR), conscious sensation (CS), and maximum tolerable volume (MTV), and 3) a liquid continence test (LCT) with measurement of colonic reservoir pressure during infusion. In Study 2, patients underwent all the same tests except the LCT. Results were compared with those of six controls (mean age, 65.8 years; two females and four males). In Study 1, 14/18 patients were continent; PR, VC, and CS did not differ among continent patients, incontinent patients, and controls. MTV was significantly lower in incontinent patients (mean +/- SD, 165 +/- 46.5 ml) than in continent patients and controls (mean +/- SD, 261 +/- 50.8 ml vs. 250.7 +/- 83 ml). IAR was not observed in continent or incontinent patients but was observed in controls. Contraction waves in the colonic reservoir during LCT were more frequent in incontinent patients (4/4) than in continent patients (4/14), and their amplitudes were higher (119 vs. 32 mm Hg). In Study 2, 12/12 patients were continent; PR and MTV remained unchanged except in the two initially incontinent patients, in whom MTV was increased. VC was slightly increased (94.7 vs. 116 mm Hg). IAR remained absent in all patients. We conclude that 1) excision of the ATZ did not increase the risk of incontinence, and 2) poor functional results were mainly due to small MTV and contraction waves in the colonic reservoir.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

[Processing of cephalometry: Delaire's architectural and structural analysis].

This work purpose a performing system for the Cephalometry: Cephor a software for Delaire's analysis. From a radiography, we draw outlines on graphic tablet. Following in a short time, we obtain results: precise diagnosis permitting to establish a care plan. This care plan is indicated on the screen where we can simulate correction from a choised therapeutic (osteotomy for example). Moreover, this soft ware allows to survey numerically and graphically a treatment, allows to use others methods (Tweed, Ricketts, Steiner). Technological advantages rest on a hard gain of time and a precision gain. The large handiness of this system allows reproducible measures easily. Therefore, we own with this software an improvement and a performing system.

Cephalometry↗
PubMed1985

[Hemodynamic and coronarographic evaluation for identification of high risk patients following myocardial infarction].

The prognosis of patients surviving myocardial infarction is influenced by a high early mortality rate. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of cardiac catheterisation and coronary angiography performed early after infarction to identify patients at high risk. Two hundred patients including 10 women with an average age of 49.1 +/- 8.6 years surviving (greater than 1 month) primary myocardial infarction underwent haemodynamic and coronary angiographic investigations on average 26 days after the onset of infarction (26 +/- 17 days, range 1 to 90 days). All patients were followed up for average period of 43.2 +/- 13.3 months. The overall mortality rate was 13.5% (27/200). The commonest cause of demise was sudden death: 52% (14/27). Most patients died within the first year of infarction (11/27). Indices of left ventricular function (left ventricular end diastolic pressure and ejection fraction) were significantly more pathological in the patients who died. Similarly, there were many more patients with multivessel (93%) and triple vessel disease (63%) in this sub group (p less than 0,001). Analysis of actuarial survival with respect to ejection fraction demonstrated the prognostic importance of this factor, especially during the first year: 38.5% mortality in patients with ejection fractions below 30%. Triple vessel disease was associated with 13% mortality in the first year. When these two factors were combined, the risk of death in the first year was 50%, so identifying a very high risk subgroup. On the other hand, no deaths were observed in patients with a single coronary lesion and normal left ventricular function (ejection fraction greater than 50%) during 72 months follow-up.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1982

[Plasma lipoproteins and apolipoproteins. Value of their determination in the detection of coronary atherosclerosis. Comparison with data supplied by coronarography].

Plasma lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins A1 and B were determined in a reference population and in 273 patients who underwent coronary arteriography for evaluation of chest pain. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to arteriographic findings. The 102 patients in group A had normal coronary arteries; the 30 patients in group B had small vascular abnormalities but no significant narrowing; the 141 patients in group C had significant vascular lesions with greater than or equal to 50% narrowing. Total cholesterol and triglycerides were quantified using enzymatic methods. HDL cholesterol and phospholipids were enzymatically analyzed after phosphotungstate precipitation. Plasma lipoproteins were evaluated by quantitative electrophoresis based on densitometric scanning of the lipoprotein bands after separation and visualization by polyanion precipitation. Apoproteins A1 and B were measured by electroimmuno-diffusion assay using ready-for-use plates. Statistical evaluation of the data showed that group C patients had higher betalipoprotein and apo B levels and lower alphalipoprotein and apo A1 levels than subjects with normal coronary arteries. The predictive value of these results was established in relation to clinical findings. Plasma lipid measurements proved inadequate to separate the 3 groups. In contrast, the betalipoprotein/alphalipoprotein ratio and, still better, the apo A1/apo B ratio provided good discrimination. The results suggest that measurement of plasma apo A1 and apo B levels is the best means of assessing the risk of coronary artery disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Continuous-flow determination of delta-aminolevulinic acid in urine (author's transl)].

The automatic determination of urinary ALA using a continuous flow methodology, is described. The amplification of the measured signal, with an adjusted range expander, allows to reduce the sample volume and to decrease drastically the effects of interfering substances. The results are compared with the reference method of Davis and Andelman [11].

Aminolevulinic Acid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Water and antibioresistant bacteria: an ecological study (author's transl)].

The goal of this work is to describe the evolution of bacteria resistant to antibiotics in an aquatic environment and to compare their importance at different stages: human flora, sewage, surface water. Coliforms, fecal coliforms and Aeromonas are selected at test bacteria. The incidence of this difussion and influencing factors are discussed.

Aeromonas↗