Biomedical subjects

B Haas

Publications and source records attributed to B Haas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Removal of foot-and-mouth disease virus infectivity in salted natural casings by minor adaptation of standardized industrial procedures.

Intestines are used for the production of natural casings as edible sausage containers. Derived from animals (pigs and sheep) experimentally infected with FMDV (initial dosage 10(7.3) PFU/ml, strain O(1Kaufbeuren)), these natural casings were treated with sodium chloride or a phosphate salts/sodium chloride mixture and the residual FMDV titres measured. After storage at about 20 degrees C, no remaining infectivity was found after either treatment, whereas casings stored at 4 degrees C still contained infectivity. Storage of salted casings at about 20 degrees C for 30 days is already part of the Standard Operating Procedures (included in HACCP) of the international casing industry and can therefore be considered as a protective measure for the international trade in natural casings.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Foot-and-mouth disease virus: a first inter-laboratory comparison trial to evaluate virus isolation and RT-PCR detection methods.

Five European reference laboratories participated in an exercise to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of their routinely employed RT-PCR tests and cell cultures for the detection and isolation of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus. Five identical sets of 20 coded samples were prepared from 10 vesicular epithelia, which were derived from submissions from suspect cases of FMD or swine vesicular disease (SVD). Sixteen samples were derived from six FMD virus positive epithelia representing four different serotypes (two each of types O and A and one each of types Asia 1 and SAT 2), two from samples which had been found to be negative by antigen ELISA and virus isolation (VI) in cell culture and two from SVD virus positive epithelia. Some of the FMD virus positive samples were prepared from 10-fold serial dilutions of three of the initial suspensions. Each laboratory tested the samples by one or more of its available RT-PCR procedures and inoculated cell cultures that it routinely uses for FMD diagnosis in attempts to isolate virus, the specificity of which was confirmed by antigen ELISA. The best of the RT-PCR assays used in each laboratory gave comparable results while the sensitivity of cell cultures was variable from high in one laboratory, moderate in two and low in two others. This prototype panel of samples would appear suitable for external quality assurance of these tests but would benefit from the inclusion of more negative samples and an extension in the serial dilution range of one or more of the FMD positive sample titration series.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Comparative evaluation of six ELISAs for the detection of antibodies to the non-structural proteins of foot-and-mouth disease virus.

To validate the use of serology in substantiating freedom from infection after foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks have been controlled by measures that include vaccination, 3551 sera were tested with six assays that detect antibodies to the non-structural proteins of FMD virus. The sera came from naïve, vaccinated, infected and vaccinated-and-infected animals; two-thirds from cattle, the remainder from sheep and pigs. The assays were covariant for sensitivity, but not necessarily for specificity. A commercial kit from Cedi-diagnostics and an in-house assay from IZS-Brescia were comparable to the NCPanaftosa-screening index method described in the Diagnostic Manual of the World Animal Health Organisation. Using these three tests the specificity and sensitivity for the detection of carriers in vaccinated cattle approaches or exceeds 99% and 90%, respectively.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

[Coronary mortality in France according to data sources].

BACKGROUND: Since 1985, two sources of information currently yield coronary disease frequency indicators among the French population: the national cause of death statistics set up by the CépiDC (INSERM), on the one hand, and three registries recording myocardial infarction and coronary deaths as defined by the WHO MONICA Project in three regions (Bas-Rhin, Communauté Urbaine de Lille, Haute-Garonne) on the other hand. Particularly, an inquiry for each possibly coronary death allows the registries to conclude positively (with or without a myocardial infarction), negatively or that no conclusion can be drawn because of insufficient data. The aim of the present work is to analyze concordance between coronary deaths issuing from the two sources according to their definition, while taking into account, or not, multiple causes listed on the death certificates. MATERIAL: and methods: In total, 4,664 deaths occurring in 2000 in the 35-64 year-old population of the three regions identified by the CépiDc were paired with the 812 deaths analyzed by the registries. The MONICA classification was compared with that of the CépiDC which used the ICD 10th Revision of the initial cause or after taking into account multiple causes. In each case, the concordance between the final classifications (coronary deaths or not) and the mortality ratio obtained from the two sources were computed. RESULTS: and conclusions: Eight hundred and six deaths could be paired: 310 with a coronary cause according to the registries, 420 of presumed coronary cause but with insufficient data and 76 of non coronary origin. Whereas the total number of coronary deaths was similar for the two sources, their concordance was relatively low (kappa=0.61). However, when the deaths with insufficient data were included in the MONICA definition, concordance decreased and a large underestimation (59%) of the coronary mortality is given by the national statistics as compared to the registries. Taking into account multiple causes of death and not only the initial cause permitted partly to reduce this underestimation (42%) and to increase concordance (kappa from 0.46 to 0.51). These findings have important consequences for international comparisons concerning coronary disease. Indeed, the MONICA Project showed that the frequency of deaths with insufficient data was especially elevated in France leading to an underestimation of the coronary death rates provided by the national statistics in comparison with other countries, particularly in Europe.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Contributions of depressive mood and circulating inflammatory markers to coronary heart disease in healthy European men: the Prospective Epidemiological Study of Myocardial Infarction (PRIME).

BACKGROUND: Data on the possible association between depressive disorders and inflammatory markers are scarce and inconsistent. We investigated whether subjects with depressive mood had higher levels of a wide range of inflammatory markers involved in coronary heart disease (CHD) incidence and examined the contribution of these inflammatory markers and depressive mood to CHD outcome. METHODS AND RESULTS: We built a nested case-referent study within the Prospective Epidemiological Study of Myocardial Infarction (PRIME) study of healthy middle-aged men from Belfast and France. We considered the baseline plasma sample from 335 future cases (angina pectoris, nonfatal myocardial infarction, coronary death) and 670 matched controls (2 controls per case). Depressive mood characterized men whose baseline depression score (13-item modification of the Welsh depression subscale) was in the fourth quartile (mean score, 5.75; range, 4 to 12). On average, men with depressive mood had 46%, 16%, and 10% higher C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels, respectively, independently of case-control status, social characteristics, and classic cardiovascular risk factors; no statistical difference was found for fibrinogen. The odds ratios of depressive mood for CHD were 1.35 (95% CI, 1.05 to 1.73) in univariate analysis and 1.50 (95% CI, 1.04 to 2.15) after adjustment for social characteristics and classic cardiovascular risk factors. The latter odds ratio remained unchanged when each inflammatory marker was added separately, and in this analysis, each inflammatory marker contributed significantly to CHD event risk. CONCLUSIONS: These data support an association of depressive mood with inflammatory markers and suggest that depressive mood is related to CHD even after adjustment for these inflammatory markers.

Biomarkers↗

PubMed2005

Differentiation of foot-and-mouth disease virus infected animals from vaccinated animals using a blocking ELISA based on baculovirus expressed FMDV 3ABC antigen and a 3ABC monoclonal antibody.

A blocking ELISA that differentiated foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infected animals from vaccinated animals was developed which uses baculovirus expressed FMDV 3ABC non-structural protein as antigen and monoclonal antibody against FMDV 3ABC non-structural protein as capture and detector antibody. Sera from naive, vaccinated and infected cattle, sheep and pigs were examined. The specificity of the test was high. Non-specific reactions observed in particular in sera of cattle and sheep could be removed by filtration and inactivation. Positive reactions were obtained for sera from cattle infected with all seven serotypes of FMDV. The test detected antibodies from days 7 or 9 following experimental infection of non-vaccinated cattle and sheep, and in cattle strong positive reactions persisted for up to 395 days after infection. In vaccinated cattle that became carriers after challenge with homologous FMDV, positive reactions were obtained in all but one case. In some of these cattle the antibody response was detected late in comparison to the non-vaccinated infected cattle. The test gave results that compared favourably with two commercial ELISA's when used to test sera from cattle, pigs and sheep collected after experimental or natural infection. The blocking ELISA based on recombinant FMDV 3ABC antigen and a monoclonal antibody to 3ABC is a promising tool for FMD control and eradication campaigns, where vaccination has been carried out.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Prevalence of dyslipidaemias in a representative sample of the French population].

Prevalence of dyslipidaemias in a representative sample of the French population Hypercholesterolaemia is a major factor of risk of coronary atherosclerosis. The prevalence of other types of dyslipidaemia in the general population remains poorly defined. This study was performed to measure the prevalence of various dyslipidaemias in the French population. A representative sample of 3508 men and women between the ages of 35 and 64 years was recruited by the "Multinational MONItoring of trends and determinants in CArdiovascular disease" centres of Lille, Strasbourg and Toulouse. We excluded 162 patients suffering from known cardiovascular disorders, and 409 individuals treated with lipid-lowering drugs. The prevalence of pure hypercholesterolaemia, defined as a total cholesterol concentration >6.2 mmol/l (2.4 g/l) and triglyceride concentration <2.3 mmol/l (2 g/l), was 30% (29-32%). The prevalence of HDL cholesterol concentration <1 mmol/l (0.4 g/l) in men, or <1.3 mmol/l (0.5 g/l) in women, was 12% (11-13%). The prevalence of mixed hyperlipidaemia, defined as a total cholesterol concentration >6.2 mmol/l (2.4 g/l) and triglyceride concentration >2.3 mmol/l (2 g/l) was 5% (4-6%). The prevalence of hypertriglyceridaemia, defined as a total cholesterol concentration <6.2 mmol/l (2.4 g/l) and triglyceride concentration >2.3 mmol/l (2 g/l) was 4% (3-5%). Low HDL cholesterol concentrations were associated with smoking, obesity, and absence of either regular physical exercise or alcohol consumption. This study confirmed the high prevalence of pure hypercholesterolaemia, and revealed an important prevalence of low HDL cholesterol concentration, which represents a major cardiovascular risk factor.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Neutron capture cross section measurement of 151Sm at the CERN neutron time of flight facility (n_TOF).

The151Sm(n,gamma)152Sm cross section has been measured at the spallation neutron facility n_TOF at CERN in the energy range from 1 eV to 1 MeV. The new facility combines excellent resolution in neutron time-of-flight, low repetition rates, and an unsurpassed instantaneous luminosity, resulting in rather favorable signal/background ratios. The 151Sm cross section is of importance for characterizing neutron capture nucleosynthesis in asymptotic giant branch stars. At a thermal energy of kT=30 keV the Maxwellian averaged cross section of this unstable isotope (t(1/2)=93 yr) was determined to be 3100+/-160 mb, significantly larger than theoretical predictions.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Differentiating infection from vaccination in foot-and-mouth-disease: evaluation of an ELISA based on recombinant 3ABC.

Recent devastating outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Europe have reopened the discussion about the adequacy of the non-vaccination strategy implemented by the EU in 1991. Here we describe the evaluation of a new commercially available test kit for the discrimination between vaccination and infection. The test is based on the detection of antibodies against the recombinant non-structural (NS) protein 3ABC. In contrast to immunization with vaccines free of 3ABC, these antibodies are elicited as a consequence of infection. Testing more than 3600 negative sera from several countries revealed a specificity of > 99% for bovine, ovine, and porcine samples. Antibodies specific for 3ABC can be detected as soon as 10 days post-infection. As compared with the occurrence of antibodies against structural proteins of FMDV, anti-3ABC antibodies can be detected 5-10 days later, depending on the species. No anti-3ABC antibodies were detected in sera from vaccination experiments or in field sera from vaccinated animals. However, anti-3ABC antibodies can be detected in vaccinated animals upon challenge. These results provide evidence that this test can facilitate the use of vaccines in new strategies against FMD.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Change in cardiovascular risk factors in France, 1985-1997.

The change in the main cardiovascular risk factors in France was assessed using the MONICA population surveys conducted in the Urban Community of Lille, Bas-Rhin and Haute-Garonne. Trends in obesity, tobacco smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and self-reported diabetes were established for the first (1985-1988) and the last (1995-1997) survey. The results indicate that the prevalence of overweight and obesity remained stable in both genders; tobacco smoking decreased in men but increased in women. Prevalence of hypertension decreased, and preventive measures improved in both genders. Prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia remained stable, and preventive measures improved only in men. Prevalence of self-reported diabetes increased solely in women, and preventive measures improved in both genders. However, in 1995-1997 still 40% of the treated hypertensive and 30% of the treated hypercholesterolaemic subjects were not adequately controlled. We conclude that prevalence and prevention of the main cardiovascular risk factors have evolved favourably in France, but the management of hypercholesterolaemia and hypertension can still be improved.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Are the Framingham and PROCAM coronary heart disease risk functions applicable to different European populations? The PRIME Study.

AIMS: To assess whether the Framingham and PROCAM risk functions were applicable to men in Belfast and France. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed an external validation study within the PRIME (Prospective Epidemiological Study of Myocardial Infarction) cohort study. It comprised men recruited in Belfast (2399) and France (7359) who were aged 50 to 59 years, free of CHD at baseline (1991 to 1993) and followed over 5 years for CHD events (coronary death, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris). We compared the relative risks of CHD associated with the classic risk factors in PRIME with those in Framingham and PROCAM cohorts. We then compared the number of predicted and observed 5-year CHD events (calibration). Finally, we estimated the ability of the risk functions to separate high risk from low risk subjects (discrimination). The relative risk of CHD calculated for the various factors in the PRIME population were not statistically different from those published in the Framingham and PROCAM risk functions. The number of CHD events predicted by these risk functions however clearly overestimated those observed in Belfast and France. The two risk functions had a similar ability to separate high risk from low risk subjects in Belfast and France (c-statistic range: 0.61-0.68). CONCLUSION: The Framingham and PROCAM risk functions should not be used to estimate the absolute CHD risk of middle-aged men in Belfast and France without any CHD history because of a clear overestimation. Specific population risk functions are needed.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Psychosocial risk factors for heart disease in France and Northern Ireland: the Prospective Epidemiological Study of Myocardial Infarction (PRIME).

BACKGROUND: France has a substantially lower level of premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) relative to its comparators. Compared with Northern Ireland, France has one-half the rate, despite having a similar cardiovascular risk profile to Northern Ireland. In this prospective longitudinal study the psychosocial risk hypothesis for CVD was tested. METHOD: A cohort of 9758 men (7359 in France and 2399 in Northern Ireland) aged 50-59 years who were initially free of any CVD were recruited. At baseline the subjects completed a psychosocial questionnaire, measuring hostility, depression, social support, and the Type A behaviour pattern. At 5-years follow-up their clinical status was determined. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis indicated that, contrary to prediction, France had a substantially more negative psychosocial risk profile than Northern Ireland. The psychosocial risk factors were not successful at predicting at 5-years follow-up the hard clinical endpoint of definite fatal/non-fatal myocardial infarction. In the case of the softer clinical endpoint, angina pectoris/unstable angina, only depression predicted outcome with a small effect size. CONCLUSION: The findings provide little support for the psychosocial risk hypothesis. The psychosocial risk profile was more negative in France, the opposite of that predicted. The finding of a relationship between depression and angina may reflect a tendency for individuals who respond negatively on mood state to report more cardiac symptoms irrespective of physical disease state.

Depressive Disorder↗

PubMed2001

Loss of pentameric symmetry of C-reactive protein is associated with promotion of neutrophil-endothelial cell adhesion.

The classic acute-phase reactant C-reactive protein (CRP) is a cyclic pentameric protein that diminishes neutrophil accumulation in inflamed tissues. When the pentamer is dissociated, CRP subunits undergo conformational rearrangement that results in expression of a distinctive isomer with unique antigenic and physicochemical characteristics (termed modified CRP (mCRP)). Recently, mCRP was detected in the wall of normal human blood vessels. We studied the impact and mechanisms of action of mCRP on expression of adhesion molecules on human neutrophils and their adhesion to human coronary artery endothelial cells. Both CRP and mCRP (0.1-200 microg/ml) down-regulated neutrophil L-selectin expression in a concentration-dependent fashion. Furthermore, mCRP, but not CRP, up-regulated CD11b/CD18 expression and stimulated neutrophil extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity, which was accompanied by activation of p21(ras) oncoprotein, Raf-1, and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase. These actions of mCRP were sensitive to the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor PD98059. mCRP markedly enhanced attachment of neutrophils to LPS-activated human coronary artery endothelial when added together with neutrophils. This effect of mCRP was attenuated by an anti-CD18 mAb. Thus, loss of pentameric symmetry in CRP is associated with appearance of novel bioactivities in mCRP that enhance neutrophil localization and activation at inflamed or injured vascular sites.

C-Reactive Protein↗

PubMed2001

Impact of sulfonylurea receptor 1 genetic variability on non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus prevalence and treatment: a population study.

The high affinity sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) is involved in the metabolism of glucose in pancreatic beta-cells. We investigated the impact of the SUR1 intron 16-3t-->c polymorphism on non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) prevalence in a large representative sample of French men and women, 35-64 years old, and explored potential relationships between the SUR1 intron 16 -t-->c polymorphism and sulfonylurea therapy efficiency. This study took place in Lille (northern), Strasbourg (eastern), and Toulouse (southern France). One hundred and twenty-two subjects with NIDDM were registered. We stratified NIDDM subjects according to their medical treatment: sulfonylureas (n = 70) versus other treatments (n = 50). From the three populations, a control group was selected (n = 1,250). Subjects carrying the cc intron 16 genotype had an increased risk of NIDDM [odds ratio (OR) = 1.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-2.80; P = 0.017]. Subjects bearing at least one -3c allele and treated with sulfonylurea agents had fasting plasma triglyceride concentrations 35% lower than subjects that were tt homozygous (P = 0.026), whereas no difference could be detected between genotypes in NIDDM subjects treated with other treatments. The SUR1 intron 16 -3t-->c polymorphism was associated with an increased susceptibility to NIDDM in this population study, and seems to modulate the sulfonylurea therapy efficiency on hypertriglyceridemia reduction. This observation may help to better target the various therapies available for treatment of NIDDM.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

PubMed2001

Influence of high molecular dextrans on lung function in an ex vivo porcine lung model.

BACKGROUND: Extracellular preservation solutions utilizing high molecular agents can reduce intracellular edema during ischemia/reperfusion in lung transplantation. A solution of 40,000 dalton molecular weight (DMW) has already been clinically established (Perfadex). However, it is unclear whether dextrans of this particular size represent the optimal additive for lung preservation solutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a new ex vivo porcine lung model, lungs were each preserved with low-potassium solutions containing 5% dextran with 90,000 DMW (Dex 90) and 160,000 DMW (Dex 160) and with Perfadex (40,000 DMW). After 24 h of cold ischemia, reperfusion was performed employing a roller pump with a pulsatile module. Lungs were perfused with deoxygenated perfusate and ventilated with room air. The oxygenation capacity (Delta pO(2)), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), and mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) were monitored for 60 min. Net weight gain (NWG) and wet-to-dry ratio (W/D ratio) were determined. Free-radical generation was assessed by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) at 10, 30, and 50 min. RESULTS: PIP and PAP increased in all groups significantly during reperfusion. However, Dex 160-perfused lungs exhibited significantly higher values than those with Dex 90 and Perfadex. Perfadex showed the highest Delta pO(2) throughout the entire reperfusion, while Delta pO(2) was slightly reduced in Dex 160 and significantly lower in Dex 90. In Perfadex the lowest water content was observed assessed by NWG and W/D ratio. The highest MDA values were observed in Dex 90, followed by Dex 160, while the lowest values were seen in Perfadex. CONCLUSIONS: Preservation of the lung with Perfadex exhibited superior postischemic function in contrast to preservation solutions containing dextrans with a higher molecular weight.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Relationships between alcoholic beverages and cardiovascular risk factor levels in middle-aged men, the PRIME Study. Prospective Epidemiological Study of Myocardial Infarction Study.

The relationships between alcoholic beverages and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed in 6730 men living in France or Northern Ireland. In France, all alcoholic beverages were significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), high density lipoprotein (HDL) parameters, PAI-1 and Factor VII, whereas only wine was negatively related with fibrinogen levels. After adjusting for center, age, BMI, educational level, smoking and marital status, wine had a lesser effect on blood pressure, triglyceride, apo B and LpE:B levels than beer. Wine was associated with lower fibrinogen levels and beer with higher PAI-1 activity levels independent of the amount of alcohol consumed. In Northern Ireland, wine was negatively correlated with BMI, triglycerides, LpE:B and fibrinogen, whereas beer was positively correlated with SBP and DBP, triglycerides, HDL, apoprotein A-I and fibrinogen. Multivariate analysis showed wine to be positively associated with HDL parameters, and negatively with fibrinogen levels. Wine was also associated with higher LpA-I levels and lower fibrinogen levels independent of the amount of alcohol consumed. We conclude that alcohol consumption is related to lipid, lipoprotein and haemostatic variables, but the magnitude of the relationships depends on the type of alcoholic beverage. Also, some effects might be related to non-alcoholic components.

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMed2001

Type-independent detection of foot-and-mouth disease virus by monoclonal antibodies that bind to amino-terminal residues of capsid protein VP2.

The characterization of monoclonal antibodies raised against the foot-and-mouth disease virus isolates A22 Iraq/1964, Asia1 Shamir-Israel/1989, and SAT1 Zimbabwe/1989 with regard to neutralizing activity and sensitivity of their epitopes for treatment with trypsin, resulted in the identification of one non-neutralizing antibody in each panel that binds to a trypsin-sensitive epitope. Furthermore, each of these antibodies recognized 27 isolates of different provenance, representative of six serotypes. These antibodies are recommended for type-independent antigen detection by ELISA. The epitopes for these antibodies reside at the intertypically conserved N-terminus of capsid protein VP2. The two are specified by the lysines at positions two and three, but differ from each other as indicated by the variable heavy chain sequences of their antibodies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Five-year incidence of angina pectoris and other forms of coronary heart disease in healthy men aged 50-59 in France and Northern Ireland: the Prospective Epidemiological Study of Myocardial Infarction (PRIME) Study.

BACKGROUND: The North-South gradient in myocardial infarction and coronary death rates in various western European regions has been described by the WHO MONICA Project over the last decade. The results of the 5-year follow-up of the Prospective Epidemiological Study of Myocardial Infarction (PRIME) Study reported here give the opportunity of extending the comparison to the incidence of angina pectoris in men aged 50-59 living in four regions (Belfast, Lille, Strasbourg, Toulouse) which were covered by the MONICA Project. METHODS: The PRIME Study is a multicentre cohort study with a common protocol and centralized event analysis. It included 10 600 men, of whom 9758 (7359 in France and 2399 in Belfast) were free of coronary disease at entry with 842 (496 in France and 346 in Belfast) having pre-existing coronary disease. RESULTS: In France, subjects free of coronary heart disease at baseline developed 106 cases of myocardial infarction or coronary death (2.93/1000 subjects per year) and 94 cases of angina pectoris (2.61/1000). In Belfast, 61 developed myocardial infarction or coronary death (5.24/1000) and 60 angina pectoris (5.39/1000). Hazard rate ratios for Belfast in comparison to France were respectively 1.79 (95% CI : 1.30-2.47) and 2.07 (1.49-2.86) for each class of clinical complication. CONCLUSION: Rate ratios for angina pectoris incidence between Northern Ireland and France in the PRIME Study are comparable to those for myocardial infarction or coronary death reported by the WHO MONICA Project and suggest that the North-South gradient in Europe applies to different manifestations of coronary disease.

Angina Pectoris↗