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Biomedical subjects

P Gries

Publications and source records attributed to P Gries.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Effects of various vacuum cleaners on the airborne content of major cat allergen (Fel d 1).

BACKGROUND: It has been shown that a vacuum cleaner (VC) can increase airborne cat allergen levels. This study aimed to compare the degree of leakage of airborne Fel d 1 levels among five different VCs, both under laboratory conditions and in an apartment with cats. METHODS: Three of the VCs were marketed as antiallergic: a HEPA filter VC (VC A), a water impingement and HEPA filter VC (VC B), and a foam fabric filter VC (VC C). The other two were standard VCs: VC D and VC E. VCs were tested in a 20 m3, airtight, experimental room and in a 53 m3 living room in an apartment with three cats. Air was sampled with a glass-fiber filter and an impinger at 20 l/min for 30 min before, during, and after vacuuming. Airborne Fel d 1 was measured with a two-site monoclonal ELISA assay. RESULTS: In the experimental room, no airborne Fel d 1 level was measured before using the VCs. After introducing a dust sample containing Fel d 1 in the VCs, we found that VCs A, B, and E did not provoke any increase in airborne Fel d 1. In contrast, VCs C and D significantly increased airborne Fel d 1 levels (GM: 4.9 and 5.3 ng/m3, respectively). In the apartment, all VCs induced an increase in airborne Fel d 1, which was carried by particles greater than 5 microm. However, VCs C and D provoked significantly greater increases in airborne Fel d 1 than VCs A, B, and E (P=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that: 1) The two VCs with leakage in the experimental room had greater leakages in the apartment. 2) In the apartment with cats, all VCs provoked increases in airborne Fel d 1, primarily carried by large particles. 3) Given the increased marketing of "antiallergic" VCs, further studies are needed to standardize methods for testing airborne allergen leakage by VCs.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1998

Serum eosinophil cationic protein measurements in the management of perennial and periodic asthma: a prospective study.

We performed a prospective study in order: 1) to determine whether a correlation could be found between serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels and clinical and functional status in perennial asthmatics during a 5 month prospective study; and 2) to evaluate the relationship between allergic exposure and ECP levels in periodic asthmatics. Two groups of asthmatic patients were selected: a group of acutely ill perennial asthmatics and a group of periodic asthmatics. The acutely ill perennial asthmatics (n=22, mean age=39.4 yrs) were included on the basis of hospitalization for acute asthma. At the end of the hospitalization, there was a 5 month follow-up of clinical, functional and medication scores, as well as eosinophil counts and ECP levels. The periodic asthmatic group was composed of asthmatics sensitized to birch and tree pollens (n=10, mean age=33.8 yrs). The same measurement were performed on this group, before, during and after the pollen season. Under corticosteroid treatment in the acutely ill patients, there was a significant decrease in serum ECP levels between the first day of hospitalization and the day of discharge (mean: 23.2 microg x L(-1) and 9.5 microg x L(-1), respectively; p=0.006). No correlation was found between the clinical status, functional status and serum ECP levels during the 5 month follow-up. A significant increase in ECP levels was found in periodic asthmatics during the pollen season. Our results suggest that serum eosinophil cationic protein is a useful marker of allergen exposure and of acute asthma treatment. This could be of importance in the prevention and follow-up of allergic asthma; the value of serum eosinophil cationic protein measurements in the day-to-day management of adult asthmatics needs to be further clarified.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Does the multidrug-resistance modulator cyclosporin A increase the cardiotoxicity of high-dose anthracycline chemotherapy?

Cyclosporin A has heterogeneous effects on anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity and can prevent multidrug-resistance (MDR). The aim of this study was to explore whether the coadministration of cyclosporin A is accompanied by an increase in cardiotoxicity. Forty-three patients (27 male, 16 female, age: 18-67 yrs [mean: 47.5 yrs, SD: 11.6 yrs]) received 177 radionuclide ventriculography examinations (RNV 177 at rest, 133 at stress) before and during chemotherapy with either doxorubicin (n = 23) or epirubicin (n = 20). RNV studies were applied up to 11 times in the follow-up of the patients. A maximum of 10 courses of chemotherapy was performed. In the doxorubicin group only, the age of the patients and the cumulative dose of the chemotherapeutic agent had a significant negative impact on left ventricular ejection fractions, whereas cyclosporin A had a significant positive influence (multiple analysis of regression, p < 0.05). Cyclosporin A did not cause any significant increase in cardiotoxicity in our patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Prognostic factors of chronic heart failure in NYHA class II or III: value of invasive exercise haemodynamic data.

UNLABELLED: Various parameters have been found useful for establishing the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure, in particular haemodynamic parameters measured at rest. However, few studies deal with the prognostic value of invasive exercise haemodynamic parameters in such patients. Our aim was to test the value of such parameters to assess the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure in functional class II or III of the New York Heart Association. METHODS: Between December 1990 and June 1993, 50 patients fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in the study. The average age and ejection fraction of the population were 54 +/- 2 years and 20 +/- 0.5% respectively. All patients were examined clinically; their invasive haemodynamic parameters were measured at rest and during exercise, and their exercise peak VO2, validated by reaching the anaerobic threshold, was determined. They were followed up for 21.2 +/- 1.17 months (ranges 3-26 months). The assessment criteria employed were mortality and the occurrence of major events (heart failure, pulmonary oedema or severe ventricular arrhythmia). RESULTS: The population consisted of 32 men and 18 women. No gender-related differences were found. Two groups could be distinguished in terms of prognosis: G1: n = 31 living patients with no events, and G2: n = 19 deceased or with major events. G1 and G2 were comparable with regard to age, sex ratio and ejection fraction. Several of the 52 parameters tested were different in the two groups, in particular peak VO2, exercise duration, the workload developed during the cardiopulmonary test and all the invasive exercise haemodynamic parameters except heart rate (P < 0.0001). Haemodynamic parameters at rest had no prognostic value in this series. The ROC curves, the survival curves and the Cox analysis showed that exercise cardiac power output, exercise left ventricular work indices and exercise peak VO2 were the most useful factors for assessing the prognosis of patients with NYHA II or III chronic heart failure. An exercise cardiac power output < 2 watts accurately identified those patients with a short-term poor prognosis, and exercise peak VO2 was almost as accurate. To a lesser extent, the NYHA functional class was also an independent prognostic parameter during multivariate analysis. In conclusion, it appears that invasive haemodynamic parameters are best for determining the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure. Peak VO2 can, however, be as useful. Moreover this is an easily obtainable non-invasive parameter, which makes it more useful in the evaluation and the follow up of such patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Cyfra 21-1 as a biologic marker of non-small cell lung cancer. Evaluation of sensitivity, specificity, and prognostic role.

BACKGROUND: Cytokeratins are epithelial markers whose expression is not lost during malignant transformation. Cyfra 21-1 is a cytokeratin-19 fragment that is soluble in serum and may be a useful circulating tumor marker. STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were (1) to confirm sensitivity and specificity of Cyfra 21-1 in detecting non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and especially the squamous cell subtype, (2) to assess the potential relationship between Cyfra 21-1 and disease stage of the disease in NSCLC, and (3) to evaluate prognostic effect of Cyfra 21-1 in NSCLC. METHODS: An immunoradiometric assay of serum Cyfra 21-1 was performed in 161 patients with lung cancers and 71 others with benign lung diseases. The ability of Cyfra 21-1 to detect different histologic subtypes of lung cancer vs benign lung diseases was assessed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and comparisons with other tumor markers such as carcinoembryonic antigen, neuron-specific enolase, and squamous cell carcinoma antigen. Comparisons of Cyfra 21-1 levels according to histologic subtype and disease stage were done using Kruskal-Wallis test. Independent prognostic value of Cyfra 21-1 was studied with a multivariate analysis of survival (Cox's model). RESULTS: Using a threshold of 3.3 ng/mL for Cyfra 21-1, sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 0.59 and 0.94 in NSCLC, 0.68 and 0.94 in the subgroup of the squamous cell carcinoma, and 0.19 and 0.94 in small cell lung cancer. Cyfra 21-1 levels were significantly higher in advanced NSCLC than in early-stage disease. All 29 patients with serum concentrations > 32 ng/mL had stage IIIB-IV and only one of 14 patients with stage I-II disease had Cyfra 21-1 level > 18 ng/mL. In the multivariate analysis of survival, Cyfra 21-1 was an independent prognostic factor along with performance status and disease stage in NSCLC. CONCLUSIONS: Cyfra 21-1 is a sensitive and specific tumor marker of NSCLC, especially of squamous cell subtype. It also reflects the extent of the disease and has an independent prognostic role along with performance status and disease stage in NSCLC. IMPLICATIONS: A high level of Cyfra 21-1 in apparently early-stage NSCLC should be an indication for more extensive workup before thoracotomy. The independent prognostic role of Cyfra 21-1 level may be useful in stratifying populations with advanced NSCLC or early-stage resected NSCLC as elevated Cyfra 21-1 levels might identify those patients at high risk for treatment failure.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

[4-year mortality of heart failure with intact systolic function: a retrospective studies].

Heart failure with normal systolic function has been recognised in 30-40% of patients investigated for congestive heart failure. The authors undertook a retrospective study of global and cardiovascular mortality at 4 years in two groups of patients with a history of congestive heart failure documented by equilibrium angioscintigraphy: group I (n = 109) with poor left ventricular systolic function (EF = 26 +/- 9%) and group II (n = 40) with normal systolic function (EF = 58 +/- 8%). The 4 year cardiovascular mortality was less in group II (21.6% vs 49%; p < 0.004) whereas the global mortality was comparable in the two groups. The only discriminating parameters for cardiovascular mortality between the two groups were age of more than 60 years and values of diastolic blood pressure exceeding 90 mmHg which were associated with a higher mortality in the group with normal systolic function. These results indicate a better prognosis in terms of cardiovascular mortality from congestive heart failure in patients with normal systolic function compared with those with poor systolic function.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Exercise peak VO2 determination in chronic heart failure: is it still of value?

The prognostic value of exercise peak VO2 is still controversial. We therefore prospectively studied 75 patients in New York Heart Association functional class II or III with chronic heart failure stabilized by drug treatment. The patients (mean age of 58 +/- 10 years) were submitted to a clinical examination, a radionuclide determination of left ventricular ejection fraction, and a haemodynamic study at rest (right side catheterization); their plasma sodium, plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were measured in addition to exercise peak VO2. An exercise peak VO2 threshold value of 14 ml.kg-1.min-1 was used to define two groups: GI (23 patients), with an exercise peak VO2 < or = 14 ml.kg-1.min-1 and G2 (52 patients) with an exercise peak VO2 > 14 m.kg-1.min-1. G1 and G2 were comparable in terms of age, heart rate, left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiac index and mean arterial pressure. Apart from exercise peak VO2, G1 and G2 also showed differences in right and left ventricular filling pressures, plasma sodium, plasma creatinine, blood urea nitrogen levels and exercise duration (all P < 0.01). Moreover the prognosis was worse in G1 than in G2: nine deaths vs 0, and seven major events--major events being defined as pulmonary oedema, hospitalization for heart failure, or severe ventricular arrhythmias--vs three (P < 0.001). A sub-group analysis (deceased patients, living patients with and without major events) was performed. Out of 20 clinical and paraclinical parameters, exercise peak VO2 proved to have the greatest prognostic value.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1991

MR imaging of hand and wrist with a dedicated 0.1-T low-field imaging system.

We describe the first results of a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system specially developed for hand and wrist imaging. The system uses a small resistive water-cooled magnet with a vertical magnetic field of 0.1 T in an air gap of 15 cm. The console is based on a microcomputer with a vector signal processor and an image-processing board. There is actually no Faraday cage. For the whole hand, the in-plane spatial resolution is less than 1 mm in the 128 x 128-pixels format for typical slice thicknesses of 3 to 5 mm. Solenoidal volume coils for fingers were developed, giving, in the same matrix format, an in-plane high spatial resolution of 0.22 mm for a typical slice thickness of 3 mm.

Hand↗
PubMed1991

[Congestive heart failure with intact systolic function].

A retrospective study was undertaken of the cases of patients admitted for congestive cardiac failure over a 4 year period, and investigated by radionuclide angiography to determine the prevalence of cardiac failure with normal left ventricular systolic function, to document the underlying mechanisms of this condition and to assess whether the clinical data could predict the presence or absence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. After excluding patients with significant valvular disease, severe renal failure, or myocardial infarction in the previous 2 months, the study population comprised 152 patients divided into 2 groups: Group I (N = 112) with abnormal systolic function (radionuclide ejection fraction less than 45%) and Group II (N = 40) with normal systolic function (radionuclide ejection fraction greater than or equal to 45%). The clinical, echocardiographic and radionuclide angiographic data was analysed (global ejection fraction in both groups and peak filling rate in Group II). The patients in Group II (26% of the total study population) were older (66.5 +/- 12.4 vs 61.3 +/- 12.3 years, p less than or equal to 0.02), were more often female (35% vs 17.9%, p less than or equal to 0.02), had acute cardiac failure (75% vs 37%, p less than 0.00001), and were frequently hypertensive (65% vs 39%, p less than or equal to 0.005). Univariate analysis of clinical and radiological signs did not show any significant difference between the two groups except for increased jugular venous pressure and cardiomegaly which were more common in Group I (56% vs 25%, p less than 0.00001 and 93% vs 68%, p less than or equal to 0.00001, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Flow analysis by phase modulation of NMR signals].

Time modulated field-gradient-sequences able to selectively phase encode spatial location or flow velocity in NMR signals are described. The specific phase modulation discriminates between stationary and mobile protons. The method is presented in the one dimensional case and has the following advantages: it is sensitive to flow direction and unaffected by the relaxation times.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In vitro 4 MHz NMR proton relaxation times and in vitro mechanical behavior at low extension of human common carotid arterial wall.

We investigated the influence of the biomechanical behavior of human common carotid arterial wall on the NMR proton relaxation times using a Bruker Minispec at 4 MHz. The study was limited to low extension in simple longitudinal elongation of the carotid wall (the maximum loading stretch ratio being 40%). Twenty-five carotid samples divided into 2 longitudinal strips were tested. The first strip was used to determine the nondimensional elastic parameter alpha according to the mechanical model of Fung. The second strip was used to measure the proton relaxation times. T1 value was 316.8 ms +/- 27.6 and T2 value was 59.9 ms +/- 6.8. A significant linear correlation was found between T1 and Ln alpha (p = 0.02). T1 and T2 were not correlated to the age but linearly correlated to the tissue water content (p less than 0.0001), however the age and alpha were not correlated to the tissue water content. These results may reflect the differences in the amount of water binding sites of the elastin which is involved in the elasticity of the carotid wall at low extension.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Surface rendering of three-dimensional myocardial SPECT: clinical usefulness compared with bull's-eye and conventional tomograms.

BACKGROUND: A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the clinical usefulness of three-dimensional (3D) surface-shaded maps for routine practice of myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) by comparison with 2D slices and 2D bull's-eye qualitative analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Angiograms were performed on 201 consecutive patients, 155 with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 46 with no significant CAD. One-day 201TI stress/rest-reinjection protocol was performed in 110 patients, and 1-day 99mTc-sestamibi or tetrofosmin stress/rest protocol was performed in 91. The stress protocol was either exercise or dipyridamole (0.56 mg/kg) infusion. Three-dimensional surface maps were obtained by using a threshold for the transaxial data at 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, and 70% of the maximum pixel value in the first 60 patients. Interpretation of 3D maps was based on the presence of a complete (transmural-looking) perfusion hole within the myocardial wall; doubtful patterns were considered pathologic or normal. Good diagnostic values were found for the 50% to 60% thresholds, but the 60% setting showed the best concordance with multislice and bull's-eye analysis; higher values drastically degraded the specificity. Considering doubtful patterns as normal clarified interpretation and led to a small loss in sensitivity but high gain in specificity. Applied to the whole population, the 3D maps using a 60% threshold provided similar diagnostic value to detect CAD as did conventional and bull's-eye analysis. Moreover, the 3D maps showed a trend toward higher specificity and a proportionally smaller decrease in sensitivity (sensitivity: 92.9%, 90.3%, 89.7%; specificity: 45.6%, 50.0%, 58.7% for tomograms, bull's-eye analysis, and 3D maps, respectively), especially for the detection of left anterior descending and right CAD. Multivessel disease was detected in an identical manner. Three-dimensional maps might improve detection of perfusion defects in the basal regions. However, 3D maps were found to be less sensitive than slices and particularly bull's-eye analysis for the reversibility of stress defects. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional surface display of myocardial perfusion is a valuable independent tool for determining presence, extent, and location of CAD. It can convey useful first-look information to the referring physician, especially through a cine-rotational motion (as done in our practice through use of a floppy disk.

Coronary Angiography↗