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A Albert

Publications and source records attributed to A Albert.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

[Graphic normality test in human paleontology].

In human palaeontology, samples are generally collections of objects gathered according to morphological criteria and their statistical analysis usually calls for caution because of the relatively small number of objects. Testing normality for such samples is a critical problem. The procedure suggested by Filliben, however, is particularly suitable for small to moderate sample sizes. Moreover, it provides a graphical presentation of the data that permits to locate each object within the distribution range. We briefly review the principle of the method and give a computer program to carry out the necessary computations and plot. Finally, we illustrate the method by studying the distribution of the maximum length and the maximum breadth for a sample of skulls of the Upper Palaeolithic.

Female↗
PubMed1989

[Atypical indices in human paleontology].

For a normally distributed variable, the index of atypicality associated with a measurement of that variable is defined as the probability of finding a result closer to the mean of the reference population than the one actually observed. The method extends straight forwardly to multivariate situations, thus providing a joint interpretation of multiple observations recorded on the same subject. In human palaeontology, atypicality indices allow to analyze and to compare the results obtained from variables closely associated with specific traits of the morphology. We briefly outline the principle of the method and give a computer program to carry out the calculations. Finally, we apply the use of univariate and multivariate atypicality indices to data recorded on 53 Upper Palaeolithic skulls.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1988

[Role of allogeneic transplantation of bone marrow in juvenile chronic myelomonocytic leukemia].

Two boys with clinical and haematological evidence of juvenile chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia had no chromosomal anomaly. In addition, one presented with an unbalanced Epstein-Barr virus serology, and the other with xantholeukaemia. Allogenic bone marrow transplantation was performed in the first boy after an 18-month period during which treatment with 6-mercaptopurine, intensive chemotherapy and splenectomy had failed. Conditioning included cyclophosphamide, high-dose cytarabine and whole-body irradiation. There was no complication, and 16 months after transplantation the patient was in complete remission. The second boy received a bone marrow transplant on the 6th month of the disease, after failure of 6-mercaptopurine. Conditioning included etoposide, busulfan and cyclophosphamide. On the 35th post-transplantation day the child had severe pancytopenia and his spleen remained enlarged. A second transplantation was performed after treatment with melphalan and whole-body irradiation. Twelve months later, the patient was in complete remission. The indications and modalities of allogenic bone marrow transplantation in juvenile chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia and the value of pre-transplantation splenectomy are discussed.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1988

Short-term risk stratification at admission based on simple clinical data in acute myocardial infarction.

Simple clinical data, available in all coronary care units, were recorded in 1,013 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In order to identify the patients at highest and lowest risk of mortality during hospital stay, a prognostic index was established from a stepwise logistic discriminant analysis of 10 clinical variables obtained at admission in a consecutive series of 477 patients hospitalized in 1 of 2 coronary care units admitting new patients on alternate days and treating them similarly. This prognostic index was applied to a comparison group of 536 consecutive patients admitted to the other coronary care unit. In the experimental group, 57 of the 477 patients (12%) died during hospital stay; 60 of the 536 patients (11%) died in the comparison group. As individual variables, age, previous history of AMI, anterior site and left ventricular function on admission were associated with increased mortality. Three variables were selected from the stepwise logistic discriminant analysis of the experimental group: age; site (anterior = 1, other = 0); and grade of left ventricular function (0 to 4). Prognostic index = 5.9019 - 0.8961 function - 0.5708 location - 0.0369 age. This index was validated in the comparison group. Patients were allocated into different classes with increasing index values associated with decreasing risk. Three subgroups of patients were identified: high risk of hospital mortality (index less than or equal to 1; mortality: 51%), intermediate risk (index 1 to 3; mortality: 18%) and low risk (index greater than 3; mortality: 4%). The use of this simple prognostic index may improve clinical management and selection of patients for intervention trials.

Female↗
PubMed1988

One year's treatment of Paget's disease of bone by synthetic salmon calcitonin as a nasal spray.

The effectiveness of synthetic salmon calcitonin (SCT) administered as a nasal spray was assessed via clinical, biological, and radiological variables in 17 previously untreated Pagetic patients over a 1-year course of therapy. The results showed a highly significant decrease of serum alkaline phosphatase (S-ALP) (p less than 0.05 after 1 month of treatment) and of the urinary hydroxyproline/creatinine ratio (OH/Cr) (p less than 0.01 after 1 month of treatment). For the whole group, the mean decrease in S-ALP was 37 +/- 4% (SEM) after 6 months (p less than 0.01) and 31 +/- 5% after 1 year (p less than 0.01). The mean fall in OH/Cr was 35 +/- 6% (SEM) (p less than 0.01) and 37 +/- 7% (p less than 0.01) after 6 and 12 months, respectively. None of the usual side-effects of SCT were reported and local tolerance was excellent throughout the study.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1988

An uncertainty measure in logistic discrimination.

The effect of sampling variation on individual decisions and error rates in logistic discriminant analysis is discussed. The concept of the beta-confidence allocation rule is introduced, which allows testing of whether observations are (in)correctly assigned at a given significance level. The procedure applied to sample data adds valuable information on the sharpness and the stability of the estimated classification rule. The method also suggests that individual posterior probabilities should be associated with a credibility measure. The potential of the approach is illustrated by an example from patients with liver disease.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1988

Epidemiological survey of rhinosporidiosis in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.

One hundred and twelve nasal polyps received along with full history from three different hospitals of Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu during the period 1983-1987 were found positive for rhinosporidiosis on histopathological examination. Among the four taluks (countries) the majority of the cases (41.1 per cent) came from Agastheeswaram, followed by Kalkulam (28.6 per cent), Thovalai (17.0 per cent) and Vilavancode (13.3 per cent). The 11-20 years age group found to be highly susceptible (60 per cent). There was no sex prepondence in contracting the disease as the cases were evenly distributed between both sexes. These findings exhibited the endemic nature of the disease in Kanyakumari district. Unreported cases to an extent of 9 to 40 per cent were encountered during the ENT disease diagnostic camps conducted in nine high incidence villages. Further 8 more cases were detected in addition to cases attended in the hospitals and ENT camps when a complete enumeration of cases was undertaken in Pallam village. Thus the actual number of cases found in the district need a stratified random sampling.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Influence of the nature of calcium salts on serum calcium, phosphorus, calcitonin, growth hormone, and somatomedin C.

Twenty healthy males were randomly divided into three groups. Each subject received either 405 mg elemental calcium (Ca) as a salt linked to an amino acid precursor, 405 mg CaC12 or 1000 mg Ca as Ca gluconolactate and carbonate. In all three cases, Ca intake led to an increase of serum Ca and TCT production and a decrease of PTH liberation. However, when Ca is linked to the amino acid precursor, an elective stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and somatomedin C (SmC) occurs. Due to the nature of its amino acid precursor, this salt seems to stimulate GH and SmC liberation through hypophysis. This could be a major pathway in decoupling of the sequence resorption-formation and therapy of metabolic bone diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Biological and clinical assessment of a new bisphosphonate, (chloro-4 phenyl) thiomethylene bisphosphonate, in the treatment of Paget's disease of bone.

Several Biophosphonates have been used as therapeutic agents for Paget's bone disease. (Chloro-4 phenyl)thiomethylene-bisphosphonate (CIPsMBP) has recently been shown to have significant antiosteoclastic activity while an affect of CIPsMBP on mineralization was only observed at high doses. We tested this drug for 6 months in 23 pagetic patients distributed in three groups. Gr 1 (n = 5) receiving 200 mg/day showed a decrease of serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP) to 42 +/- 4% (p less than 0.01) of initial value (100%) while hydroxyprolinuria/creatinuria ratio (OH/Cr) dropped to 69 +/- 8% of baseline. In 4 patients receiving 400 mg/day, SAP improved to 48 +/- 9% of initial value (p less than 0.01) and OH/Cr to 40 +/- 3% (p less than 0.01). In the last group (n = 14) receiving 200 mg/day for 3 months, and 400 mg/day thereafter up to the 6th month SAP decreased to 53 +/- 4% and OH/Cr to 62 +/- 6% of initial value (p less than 0.01). Clinical improvement was significant from the first month of treatment. No resistance (mean decrease of SAP lower than 30%) was recorded and no radiological or clinical evidence of mineralization defect appeared. The clinical and biological tolerance was excellent throughout the study.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Xenobiosis: behaviour of foreign substances in the human body.

The Paracelesian doctrine that foods, drugs, and poisons are much the same, in that the type of effect they elicit depends mainly on the dose, is illustrated by reference to oxygen, ethanol, and caffeine. Potency and selectivity of drugs are considered in this light.

Caffeine↗
PubMed1988

[Postprandial variations of several biological blood tests].

One generally concede that a blood test must be taken on an empty stomach, to abstain from the influence of food on the serum concentration of the different parameters evaluated. To confirm that, the authors have studied, on 22 subjects in good health and from 20 to 25 years old, the postprandial variations of the serum parameters the most required in their laboratory. Some blood tests executed at different moments after the ingestion of a standardized meal prove that some meaningful variations exist. So, it seems evident that the blood tests have to be taken on an empty stomach, and early in the morning.

Adult↗