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Biomedical subjects

A Moise

Publications and source records attributed to A Moise.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[An association between ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid polyarthritis; comments on 3 cases].

The article is an analysis of 3 clinical cases, characterized by the presence of the lumbosacral axial involvement, with the radiological evidence of a bilateral sacroiliitis and a peripheral polyarthritis displaying a rheumatoid picture, with rheumatoid factors in the serum and in 2 of the cases also in the articular fluid. These cases belong to the HLA-27 B histocompatibility type, a feature which could be, according also to the data of literature, an explanation of the association of these two diseases.

Adult

Dietary vitamin A, beta carotene and risk of epidermoid lung cancer in south-western France.

This hospital-based case-control study was designed to investigate the association of low dietary vitamin A and beta carotene consumption with epidermoid lung cancer. Cases were patients with histologically confirmed epidermoid lung cancer diagnosed in six selected hospitals of southwestern France in 1983-84. Controls were selected from patients admitted to the same hospitals during the same period with diagnoses other than cancer. Cases and controls were matched for sex, age, place of residence, occupation, professional exposure to carcinogens, tobacco and alcohol consumption. A total of 106 cases of epidermoid lung cancer and 212 controls were interviewed on their typical weekly intake of 80 food items rich in preformed vitamin A and beta carotene. Index measures of the vitamin A and beta carotene daily intakes were computed for each individual patient and expressed in retinol equivalent (RE). A statistically significant odds ratio (OR) was found for preformed vitamin A (OR = 4.3; 95% CI: 2.5-7.3) with the threshold of 1,000 RE. A similar result was found for beta carotene with the same threshold (OR = 4.1; 95% CI: 2.3-7.4). Using the conditional logistic regression, consumption of preformed vitamin A and consumption of beta carotene were significantly and independently associated with epidermoid lung cancer. While confirming the protective role of beta carotene against epidermoid lung cancer, this study also shows that preformed vitamin A might have a distinct and important protective effect.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell

[Prediction of true and false positive responses to exertion by a second exercise under sublingual nitroglycerin. Multivariate analysis].

The authors consider that the diagnostic value of exercise tests could be improved by a multivariate analysis integrating the ergometric data of two exercise tests: a reference test and a test performed under nitroglycerin. 109 patients without previous myocardial infarction who suffered from angina-like chest pain were explored. All had an ischaemic-type ST depression on the CM5 lead during the first exercise test and were tested again after sublingual administration of nitroglycerin. Both tests were continued until the theoretical maximum heart rate was reached or symptoms were no longer bearable. Coronary arteriography showed that 27 patients had normal coronary vessels and 82 had a coronary disease. At univariate analysis, two parameters were significant in predicting coronary disease. These were an in increase, between the two tests, of maximal work performed (from 95 +/- 1578 kpm to 2085 +/- 1662 kpm, p less than 0.001) and of the double product, i.e. maximum heart rate x maximum systolic arterial pressure (from 181 +/- 5289 to 3826 +/- 4245 mmHg.b.min-1, p less than 0.001). Five variables were selected by logistic regression analysis, viz.: change in ST depression between the two tests, double product during the first test, sex, modification of work performed between the two tests and occurrence of chest pain during the first test. By using a threshold analysis (less than 20 p. 100, greater than 80 p. 100), 76 p. 100 of the population was correctly classified; 82.9 p. 100 of coronary disease patients and 53 p. 100 of normal subjects were well classified, whereas 2.7 p. 100 of the population studied (all normal subjects) were erroneously classified.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Sublingual

Clinical and angiographic correlates and prognostic significance of the coronary extent score.

The clinical and angiographic correlates and the prognostic significance of the "coronary extent score" in a consecutive series of 313 patients who were catheterized twice were studied. The extent score was defined as the number of 5 to 75% stenosed segments in a 15-segment coding system. The extent score was higher in subgroups of patients with new onset angina at the time of the first angiogram (4.3 +/- 2.4 vs 3.3 +/- 1.9, p less than 0.01), unstable angina at the time of the second angiogram (4.0 +/- 2.0 vs 3.3 +/- 1.9, p less than 0.05) or multifocal progression from the first to the second angiogram (4.0 +/- 2.1 vs 3.3 +/- 1.9, p less than 0.01), suggesting that it is an index of active coronary artery disease. The extent score did not correlate with the number of diseased vessels (r = 0.03), the ejection fraction (r = 0.03), the Friesinger score (r = 0.04) and the Gensini score (r = -0.07) (difference not significant for each). Cox's model was fit to the survival data recorded on a prospective basis after the second angiogram. Independent predictors of survival were ejection fraction (p less than 0.001), extent score (p = 0.001), number of diseased vessels (p = 0.01) and percent of left main luminal stenosis (p less than 0.05). The extent score was also an independent predictor of myocardial infarction and unstable angina. Thus, the extent score, an index of active progressive disease, is an independent predictor of mortality and cardiac events in patients with coronary artery disease.

Angina Pectoris

[Factors related to length of hospitalization of elderly patients during short stay].

Length of stay of elderly patients in hospitals can be subdivised into a medical stay followed by a social stay. The average length of stay of 2134 patients aged 75 and over, admitted to 23 medical or geriatric acute wards in Aquitaine, was 13.6 days; 18% of the patients experienced a social stay of at least one day. The mean social stay was almost null (1 day) when the patient returned home, but could reach 5 days when he was discharged to a long term care facility. The kind of hospital, domicile in a rural area, the social network, and the grounds for hospitalization were significantly related to the total length of stay, but explained only 5% of variance if diagnosis was not taken into account. This percentage rose to 29% in the group with "bronchitis" as a main diagnosis. The length of social stay was related to the grounds for hospitalization, but also to recent family modifications; it did not depend on the kind of hospital. These results suggest a lack of accessibility to nursing-homes, following acute hospitalization.

Aged

Risk of preangioplasty occlusion and myocardial infarction in one-vessel-disease patients scheduled for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Coronary occlusion or myocardial infarction occurred in 50 of 394 (13%) one-vessel-disease patients awaiting percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). To identify risk factors for these events, we first matched the 37 patients who demonstrated occlusion on the immediate preangioplasty repeat angiogram with 37 patients who did not. Matching was based on the time interval between angiograms, the date of the procedure, and the site of the lesion. Preangioplasty occlusion patients did differ from controls by age (47 +/- 11 vs 54 +/- 8 years, P less than .01), smoking status (34/37 vs 24/37, P less than .01), and angina class (2.6 +/- 1.0 vs 2.3 +/- 0.7, P less than .10) at the time of the first angiogram. Second, we pooled the data of the 37 preangioplasty occlusion patients with those of the 13 patients with preangioplasty myocardial infarction. The 50 cases with complication (coronary occlusion or myocardial infarction) were younger (47 +/- 12 vs 54 +/- 8 years, P less than .01), more often smokers (42/50 vs 24/37, P less than .05), and more symptomatic (2.7 +/- 0.8 vs 2.3 +/- 0.7, P less than .05) than the 37 controls. This study suggests that young smokers with severe angina are at high risk of preangioplasty occlusion and/or myocardial infarction; prompt management of these patients, when considered for PTCA, seems advisable.

Angiography

Constrained poststratification.

Adjustment for covariates (or poststratification) is frequently used in the analysis of randomized clinical trials. The purpose of such analysis is mainly to eliminate some residual bias resulting from any imbalance between treatment groups for some important covariates. Usually, covariate effect is modeled with the data at hand. In this paper, we present a new method of poststratification ("constrained poststratification") which consists of estimating the prognostic significance of covariates in a large historical data base, transferring the model's coefficients into the (smaller) randomized trial data set, and estimating treatment effects conditional on this a priori information. In a simulated experiment, constrained poststratification allowed not only reduction of the bias but also enhancement of the efficiency of the estimation of treatment effect.

Bayes Theorem

Factors associated with progression of coronary artery disease in patients with normal or minimally narrowed coronary arteries.

This study was performed to identify the subset of patients with normal or with minimal (49% or less) stenosis of the coronary vessels who may be prone to progressive coronary artery disease (CAD). Data were collected from 51 patients (19 men, 32 women, mean age 48 years) with normal coronary arteries (20 patients) or with minimal narrowing (31 patients) on a first angiogram, who underwent repeat catheterization 4 to 120 months later (mean 52) because of persistent chest pain. Three classic lifestyle-related risk factors (systemic hypertension, cigarette smoking status and hypercholesterolemia) were noted; the number of diseased segments on the first angiogram was counted according to a 15-segment coding system. Progression of CAD required the consensus of 3 observers on a 30% or greater decrease in luminal diameter. Progression was recorded in 16 of 31 patients with minimal CAD and in 3 of 20 patients with normal coronary arteries (p less than 0.01). By multivariate logistic regression, progression was predicted by (1) number of diseased segments (p = 0.001), (2) age (p less than 0.01), (3) smoking status (p less than 0.05) and (4) initial cholesterol level (p less than 0.05). Using the probability computed by the logistic model, we could separate the 51 patients in groups with low (0 of 18), medium (9 of 23) and high (10 of 10) risk of progression. Thus, patients with normal or minimally narrowed coronary arteries at angiography form a heterogeneous population including both normal or borderline subjects and patients with CAD at its early stage. The latter condition was associated with presence of risk factors and to the angiographic extent of the disease.

Adult

Prognostic significance of progression of coronary artery disease.

Angiographically documented coronary artery disease (CAD) can progress. Although progression itself is frequently recognized in patients who have undergone repeat cardiac catheterization, its prognostic significance remains unclear. To evaluate the influence of progression on survival, 313 patients with CAD who underwent catheterization twice (39 +/- 25 months apart) were followed for 3 to 129 months (mean 41 +/- 30) after the second angiogram. At the time of the second angiogram, 21, 91, 113 and 88 patients had 0-, 1-, 2- and 3-vessel CAD, respectively. The mean ejection fraction (EF) of the group was 55 +/- 13%. Progression was noted in 139 patients (44%). Of the 313 patients, 33 died and 39 had acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during follow-up. Four-year survival was estimated at 94% and 83% in the nonprogression and progression groups, respectively. Progression was predictive of survival by (univariate) long-rank test (p less than 0.01), but only EF (p less than 0.001), number of diseased vessels (p less than 0.01) and percent stenosis in the left main coronary artery (p less than 0.05) were independently significant by (multivariate) Cox regression analysis. Four-year survival without AMI was 89% and 73% in the nonprogression and progression groups, respectively. Progression was related to survival without AMI (p less than 0.001) by log-rank test. Cox regression analysis provided 3 independent predictors of survival without AMI: number of diseased vessels (p less than 0.01), progression (p less than 0.01), relative risk = 2.28) and EF (p less than 0.01). Results were similar when analyzing only the 39 AMIs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Spontaneous regression of coronary artery obstructions: incidence in 313 consecutive repeat angiograms.

We studied the incidence of reversibility of coronary obstructions in a consecutive series of 313 patients with nonoperated coronary artery disease catheterized twice 3 to 118 (mean 38) months apart. Recanalization was observed in three patients and regression from an initial less than 100% obstruction in six patients. Progression in a different location occurred in six of the nine patients who demonstrated one recanalized or one regressive lesion. We conclude that true regression is an infrequent event in the natural history of medically treated patients with coronary artery disease; moreover, the pathophysiology and clinical relevance of angiographic regression remain poorly defined.

Angina Pectoris

Comparison of receiver operating curves derived from the same population: a bootstrapping approach.

The receiver operating curve (ROC) gives a representation of sensitivity and specificity of a prediction model when varying the cutpoint of a decision rule on a whole spectrum. Evaluation of two models established (or tested) in the same population of patients warrants a valid statistical comparison of their ROC curves. Hanley et al. recently provided a method for overall comparison of ROC curves (J. A. Hanley and B. J. McNeil, Radiology 148, 839-843, 1983). Often ROC curves cross, or differ in only a part of their courses. Bootstrapping of ROC curves is proposed as a graphical check for the statistical significance of differences confined to a part of the curve. An example comparing two models of prediction of coronary artery disease progression is given to illustrate this new approach.

Coronary Angiography

Comparison of clinical variables and variables derived from a limited predischarge exercise test as predictors of early and late mortality after myocardial infarction.

An exercise test limited to 5 METS or 70% of age-predicted maximal heart rate was performed 1 day before hospital discharge by 225 survivors of acute myocardial infarction, all of whom were subsequently followed up for at least 5 years. The mortality rate was 11.1% during the first year, but averaged only 2.9% per year from the second to fifth year. Over the entire follow-up period, the five variables that predicted mortality by multivariate analysis were QRS score, an exercise-induced ST segment shift, previous infarction, failure to achieve target heart rate or work load and ventricular arrhythmia during the exercise test. Because mortality differed markedly before and after 1 year, Cox regression analyses were performed separately for both of these periods. The factors that were predictive of mortality during the first year were an exercise-induced ST shift (p less than 0.0001, relative risk 7.8), failure to increase systolic blood pressure by 10 mm Hg or more during exercise (p = 0.0039, relative risk 4.3) and angina in hospital 48 hours or longer after admission (p = 0.0046, relative risk 3.4). None of these three variables was predictive of mortality after 1 year. Previous infarction (p = 0.0007), QRS score (p = 0.0042) and ventricular arrhythmia during the exercise test (p = 0.016) were predictive of mortality after the first year. Thus, clinical and exercise test variables are complementary predictors of mortality after myocardial infarction. An abnormal ST segment response during an early limited exercise test and angina in the hospital are common strong predictors of mortality to 1 year, but not thereafter. Late mortality correlates with markers of poor left ventricular function.

Adult

Coronary angiographic significance of left anterior fascicular block during acute myocardial infarction.

The clinical and angiographic significance of isolated left anterior fascicular block occurring during the early stage of acute myocardial infarction was studied in 141 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac catheterization before hospital discharge. Left anterior fascicular block occurred in 15 of the 62 patients with an anterior wall infarction and in 13 of the 79 with an inferior infarction. None of the clinical characteristics differed among patients with or without left anterior fascicular block. The number of coronary vessels with significant stenosis, the Friesinger and the Gensini scores for severity of stenosis and the ejection fraction were also similar in the two groups. Patients with left anterior fascicular block had more severe narrowing of the coronary artery supplying the infarct zone (88 +/- 21 versus 70 +/- 35%, p less than 0.001) and tended to have less developed collateral circulation (collateral score 0.7 +/- 0.8 versus 1 +/- 0.8, p = 0.10). A significant stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery was found as frequently in patients with as in those without left anterior fascicular block (64 versus 65%); 29% of the patients with inferior wall infarction and left anterior fascicular block had left anterior descending coronary artery stenosis compared with 47% of the patients without this conduction disturbance (no significant difference). When the infarction was located anteriorly, a significant stenosis of the proximal segment of the left anterior descending coronary artery was present in 47% of the patients with and in 45% of the patients without left anterior fascicular block.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bundle-Branch Block

Fatal ataxic encephalopathy and carnitine acetyltransferase deficiency: a functional defect of pyruvate oxidation?

A 3-year 8-month-old girl died after 14 months of illness characterized by episodes of intermittent ataxia associated with oculomotor palsy, hypotonia, mental confusion, and disturbances of consciousness. In the last 4 months of life, there were signs of liver dysfunction. Pyruvate dehydrogenase and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase activities were normal in autopsy brain specimens and in cultured fibroblasts from the patient. Carnitine acetyltransferase was deficient in liver, brain, kidney, and cultured fibroblasts. Medium- and long-chain carnitine acyltransferase activities were normal. It is proposed that a functional defect of acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) utilization in brain mitochondria accompanies the carnitine acetyltransferase deficiency.

Acetyltransferases