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Biomedical subjects

M Girard

Publications and source records attributed to M Girard.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

[Automation of immunohematologic testing activities at French blood transfusion centers].

In May 1982, a questionnaire was sent to all of the 170 French Blood Transfusion Services (BTS), on behalf of the French Society of Blood Transfusion. The purpose was to determine the types of automated equipment used for immunohematological controls, the way in which they are used and the result of automation and computerization in daily laboratory operations. We received 135 replies (80%). A generalized conclusion can be drawn from the collected information. 50% of the respondents are neither automated nor computerized. 30% are both automated and computerized. 10% are automated but not computerized and 8% are not automated but are computerized. In the field of automated serology there is an increased tendency to complete the ABO/Rh testing by Cc D Ee and Kell phenotyping. The use of computers allows the current test determination to be compared with previous donation data. However, no fully automated equipment, which can conduct antibody screening, exists, cost effectively, in small or average BTS. In France, there has been a significant increase in automation between 1970 and 1980 but only the most important BTS have carried out automation at the same time as computerization. The smaller BTS have usually become automated without becoming computerized. In 1978, Codabar was first used. This has been one of the principal advances of the last 10 years, allowing all the users of automation to start moving towards complete computerization. This advance was assisted by the use of prepackaged software. This questionnaire also determined that the current emphasis is now to computerize administrative and management activities before laboratory activities. This survey has been conducted during a turning point of the automation of French BTS. It shows that they are, on the whole, satisfied with their automation. As far as the safety and the efficiency of the service are concerned, it is only fair to consider that the main purposes of the automation have been achieved. But in terms of cost, and serological accuracy for antibody screening, a new generation of automated equipment should appear to satisfy the users in the nineties.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Localization of a poliovirus type 1 neutralization epitope in viral capsid polypeptide VP1.

Poliovirus type 1 cDNA sequences coding for viral capsid polypeptide VP1 were inserted into the beta-lactamase sequence of Escherichia coli plasmid pBR322. Resulting recombinant plasmid pSW119 expressed in Escherichia coli a VP1-beta-lactamase fusion protein that reacted with antibodies raised against poliovirus capsid polypeptide VP1 and with a monoclonal poliovirus type 1 neutralizing antibody, C3. Deletions of various lengths were generated within the VP1 sequence. The hybrid proteins expressed by the deleted plasmids did not react any more with C3 when the region of VP1 amino acids 95-110 (poliovirus nucleotides 2,754-2,806) was deleted. Therefore, the C3 epitope responsible for virus neutralization is most probably located in this region of the capsid polypeptide.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Detection, rescue, and mapping of mutations in the adenovirus DNA binding protein gene.

r(ts107)202 was isolated in HeLa cells as a temperature-independent revertant of H5ts107, an adenovirus mutant that maps in the structural gene of the viral DNA-binding protein. r(ts107)202 is a host-range temperature-conditional mutant: it is temperature independent for growth in HeLa cells but temperature sensitive for growth in 293 cells, a type 5 adenovirus-transformed human cell line. Marker rescue experiments using H5ts107 DNA and restriction enzyme fragments from r(ts107)202 DNA demonstrated that the mutations causing the r(ts107)202 phenotype were localized in HindIII fragment A containing the entire DNA-binding protein gene. To obtain a fine structure map of the r(ts107)202 mutations, overlap recombination between EcoRI fragment A (0-75.9 map units) from either Ad5wt or r(ts107)202 and BamHI fragment B (59.5-100 map units) from either Ad5wt or r(ts107)202 was performed. Segregation of the H5ts107 primary-site mutation away from the accompanying reversion mutation could be demonstrated in 5 of 200 plaques when r(ts107)202 EcoRI fragment A was crossed with the Ad5wt BamHI fragment. In the reciprocal cross, none of 200 plaques contained the H5ts107 mutant. These results permitted a determination of the order of the primary-site mutation (H5ts107) and secondary-site mutation in r(ts107)202, and the frequency of recombination predicted a distance of 50-340 base pairs between these two mutations. This experimental result agrees with the nucleotide sequence of the r(ts107)202 mutant which shows that 182 base pairs separate the primary-site and secondary-site mutations in r(ts107)202.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

Plasma exchange in early kidney graft rejection associated with anti-donor antibodies.

Patients with early rejection of kidney allografts associated with anti-donor antibodies have been randomized in two groups which received, respectively, either the conventional corticosteroid/azathioprine treatment or extensive plasma exchanges (PE) plus the conventional treatment. Data on the monitoring of anti-T or anti-B donor lymphocytes, as well as anti-panel or autoreactive cytotoxicity are described. Although the titer of anti-donor antibodies is decreased in the PE-treated group there is no sustained improvement of graft function compared to the control group. Thus, in these stereotyped rejection episodes, which are likely to be antibody mediated, there is no significant effect of extensive and early plasma exchange.

Antibodies↗

[Use of benzodiazepines in the treatment of depression].

The double-blind controlled trials between benzodiazepines and antidepressants show that benzodiazepines have not specific antidepressive action in depression. The benzodiazepines exert limited effect on the anxiety of endogenous and melancholia. They have definitive properties in neurotic depressions and mixed anxious-depressive states. In theses states, they may extenuate inhibition and elevate mood. Benzodiazepines are primarily anxiolytic rather than antidepressant -- But in some cases, anxiety and depression are not easily distinguished.

Amitriptyline↗

Middle ear pressure variations during nitrous oxide and oxygen anaesthesia.

Many authors have reported middle ear pressure variations during inhalation of high concentrations of nitrous oxide. An on-going study on subjects anaesthetized with nitrous oxide and oxygen supplemented with halogens or narcotics and excluding operations on the ear enables us to register three typical curves of middle ear pressure according to the patency of the Eustachian tube. We recorded significant negative middle ear pressures during the recovery period when there was important obstruction of the Eustachian tube. The presence of a tympanic "neomembrane" due to an old perforation associated with important obstruction of the Eustachian tube could lead to a tympanic perforation that may be unnoticed by the anaesthetist if it is not specifically investigated. In our series, we report one case of tympanic perforation and one case of haemotympanum as examples of such consequences.

Adult↗

[Sensitivity of antigen Y ta to proteolytic enzyme].

The study of the agglutinability of Yt(a+) red cells by several examples of anti-Yta showed that Yta antigen is destroyed by papaïn, chymotrypsin, ficin, bromelin. Neuraminidase and trypsin are not active.

Blood Group Antigens↗

[Effects of clonidine on opiate withdrawal symptoms. Results - biochemical mechanisms (author's transl)].

Clonidine was administered to nineteen patients in an inpatient setting after abrupt discontinuation of chronic opiate addiction (morphine, héroin, dextromoramide). Clonidine produces a decrease sometimes very rapid in opiate withdrawal signs but does not suppress the whole affects associated with. These data support the hypothesis that clonidine has antiwithdrawal effect by replacing opiate-mediated inhibition with alpha 2 mediated inhibition of brain noradrenergic activity.

Adult↗