Biomedical subjects
C Aimé
Publications and source records attributed to C Aimé.
[Evaluation of a new rapid ELISA technique for detecting human cytomegalovirus antibodies (CMV). Applications in emergency blood transfusion and in organ transplantation].
Immunocubes can detect very low HCMV IgG levels with at least the same sensitivity as the reference technique: ELISA. Samples containing bacteria showed no particular interference on the test, and results for non-infected material were in agreement with those of ELISA. The rapid test did not give any false positive reactions even with samples from patients with very high antiherpes immunoglobulins levels. Samples from transplant patients at the beginning of seroconversion or diluted to IgG titers corresponding to ELISA cut-off values were always detected as positive by immunocubes. In view of the rapidity of the test, its high specificity, its ability to detect levels corresponding to extremely low IgG signals in ELISA, and the possibility of conserving objective proof of the test, we conclude that this rapid immunocube technique is of great interest for current serologic screening in an emergency context, especially for transfusion and organ transplantation.
Combined effects of a thymic peptide, thymopoietin and myasthenic patient sera in rat myotube culture.
We investigated in a rat myotube assay the combined effect of 26 myasthenic (MG) patient sera and a thymic peptide, thymopoietin (Tpo) which had previously been shown to bind Torpedo and human AChR and to compete with alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-Bgt) binding. Cultures were first exposed to Tpo alone for 3 h (0.3, 7.5, 15 nM), then MG sera (5% final dilution) were added for an additional 18 h. Reduction in the amount of 125I-alpha-Bgt binding sites in the presence of various concentrations of Tpo were similar with control sera and in all the patients with low or undetectable anti-AChR Ab (11 cases). In cultures exposed to Tpo and sera with high anti-AChR Ab titre (15 cases), Tpo and anti-AChR Ab have an additive capacity to reduce the number of alpha-Bgt binding sites. The results are compatible with the hypothesis that anti-AChR Ab and Tpo could impair neuromuscular transmission by complementary mechanisms.
[Clinical research. Another string to our bow].
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Antibodies to thymic epithelial cells in myasthenia gravis.
The presence of anti-thymus antibodies was investigated in the serum of 36 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Using an immunofluorescence technique on frozen thymic sections, we found 45% of patients sera reacting with normal or MG thymuses. Staining was confined to subcapsular and medullary keratin-positive epithelial cells. Thirty-five out of 36 sera from healthy controls and all 15 sera from patients presenting another autoimmune disorder were negative. Antibodies to thymic epithelial cells were almost exclusively detected in patients presenting thymic hyperplasia and did not disappear after thymectomy. They were not clearly associated with antiacetylcholine receptor antibody titer, nor with disease severity. Their strong association to thymic abnormalities highlights the role of the thymus in pathogenesis of MG. The reasons for the appearance of these antibodies, the structure they recognize on thymic epithelial cells and their possible etiological role are discussed.
[Assault in psychiatric centers].
Psychiatric care workers must have the ability to predict aggressive behavior in their patients and the clinical skills to intervene in the event of patient assault. Though opinion is mixed on the practices of patient seclusion and restraint, they are sometimes necessary. Understanding aggressive behavior, however, is most important.
[Cystic dilatation of the seminal vesicle associated with renal agenesis. Contribution of different types of imaging].
The authors report a case of cystic disease of the seminal vesicle associated with renal agenesis. This young patient presented only with cystitis. Developmental malformation of the mesonephric duct is the cause of this uncommon abnormality. The value of modern imaging (IVU, US, CT, MRI) is related.