Research experience
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Jan 2001–
Dec 2004Research: Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève
Hôpitaux Universitaires de GenèveSwitzerland · Genève -
Jan 1996–
Dec 2012Research: Université de Genève
Université de Genève · Department of Human Protein ScienceSwitzerland · Genève
Other
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LanguagesFrench
Spanish
English -
Journal RefereesProteomics, Journal of proteomics, Eupa open Proteomics, Journal of Proteome Research, Amino Acids, Transnational Proteomics
Publications (140) View all
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Article: The prognostic significance of the serum biomarker H-FABP in comparison with S100b in severe traumatic brain injury.
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ABSTRACT: The outcome after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is largely unfavorable with about two thirds of patients suffering from severe disabilities or dying during the 6 first months. Existing predictive models displayed only limited utility for outcome prediction in individual patients. Time courses of heart-fatty acidic binding protein (H-FABP), and their association with outcome were investigated and compared with S100b. Forty-nine consecutive patients with severe TBI (abbreviated injury score of head, HAIS >3) with mono and multiple trauma were enrolled in this study. ELISA measured blood concentrations of H-FABP and S100b at 6, 12, 24 and 48h after TBI. Outcome measures were conscious state at 14 days (GCS), disability (GOSE) and mortality at 3 months. Univariate logistic regression analysis and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves analysis were carried out. Maximal H-FABP and S100b concentrations were observed at 6h after TBI (34.4 ± 34.0 ng/ml and 0.64 ±0.99 ng/ml, respectively). Patients with multi trauma had significantly higher H-FABP concentrations at 24h and 48h (22.6 ± 25.6 ng/ml and 12.4 ± 18.2 ng/ml, respectively) compared to patients with mono trauma (6.9 ± 5.1 ng/ml and 3.7 ± 4.2 ng/ml, respectively). In the first 48h, H-FABP and S100b were inversely correlated with the GOSE at 3 months; H-FABP at 48h predicted mortality with 75% sensitivity and 93% specificity. Early blood levels of H-FABP after severe TBI have prognostic significance for survival and disability. Keywords: Traumatic brain injury. Blood biomarkers. Outcome prediction.Journal of neurotrauma 04/2013; · 4.25 Impact Factor -
Article: Neopterin Is a Cerebrospinal Fluid Marker for Treatment Outcome Evaluation in Patients Affected by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense Sleeping Sickness.
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Post-therapeutic follow-up is essential to confirm cure and to detect early treatment failures in patients affected by sleeping sickness (HAT). Current methods, based on finding of parasites in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and counting of white blood cells (WBC) in CSF, are imperfect. New markers for treatment outcome evaluation are needed. We hypothesized that alternative CSF markers, able to diagnose the meningo-encephalitic stage of the disease, could also be useful for the evaluation of treatment outcome. METHODOLOGYPRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Cerebrospinal fluid from patients affected by HAT and followed for two years after treatment was investigated. The population comprised stage 2 (S2) patients either cured or experiencing treatment failure during the follow-up. IgM, neopterin, B2MG, MMP-9, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, CXCL10 and CXCL13 were first screened on a small number of HAT patients (n = 97). Neopterin and CXCL13 showed the highest accuracy in discriminating between S2 cured and S2 relapsed patients (AUC 99% and 94%, respectively). When verified on a larger cohort (n = 242), neopterin resulted to be the most efficient predictor of outcome. High levels of this molecule before treatment were already associated with an increased risk of treatment failure. At six months after treatment, neopterin discriminated between cured and relapsed S2 patients with 87% specificity and 92% sensitivity, showing a higher accuracy than white blood cell numbers. CONCLUSIONSSIGNIFICANCE: In the present study, neopterin was highlighted as a useful marker for the evaluation of the post-therapeutic outcome in patients suffering from sleeping sickness. Detectable levels of this marker in the CSF have the potential to shorten the follow-up for HAT patients to six months after the end of the treatment.PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 02/2013; 7(2):e2088. · 4.69 Impact Factor -
Article: New biomarkers for stage determination in Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense sleeping sickness patients.
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ABSTRACT: Accurate stage determination is crucial in the choice of treatment for patients suffering from sleeping sickness, also known as human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). Current staging methods, based on the counting of white blood cells (WBC) and the detection of parasites in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have limited accuracy. We hypothesized that immune mediators reliable for staging T. b. gambiense HAT could also be used to stratify T. b. rhodesiense patients, the less common form of HAT.A population comprising 85 T. b. rhodesiense patients, 14 stage 1 (S1) and 71 stage 2 (S2) enrolled in Malawi and Uganda, was investigated. The CSF levels of IgM, MMP-9, CXCL13, CXCL10, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, neopterin and B2MG were measured and their staging performances evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses.IgM, MMP-9 and CXCL13 were the most accurate markers for stage determination (partial AUC 88%, 86% and 85%, respectively). The combination in panels of three molecules comprising CXCL13-CXCL10-MMP-9 or CXCL13-CXCL10-IgM significantly increased their staging ability to partial AUC 94% (p value < 0.01).The present study highlighted new potential markers for stage determination of T. b. rhodesiense patients. Further investigations are needed to better evaluate these molecules, alone or in panels, as alternatives to WBC to make reliable choice of treatment.Clinical and translational medicine. 01/2013; 2(1):1. -
Article: EasyProt - an easy-to-use graphical platform for proteomics data analysis.
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ABSTRACT: High throughput protein identification and quantification analysis based on mass spectrometry are fundamental steps in most proteomics projects. Here, we present EasyProt (available at http://easyprot.unige.ch), a new platform for mass spectrometry data processing, protein identification, quantification and unexpected post-translational modification characterization. EasyProt provides a fully integrated graphical experience to perform a large part of the proteomic data analysis workflow. Our goal was to develop a software platform that would fulfill the needs of scientists in the field, while emphasizing ease-of-use for non-bioinformatician users. Protein identification is based on OLAV scoring schemes and protein quantification is implemented for both, isobaric labeling and label-free methods. Additional features are available, such as peak list processing, isotopic correction, spectra filtering, charge-state deconvolution and spectra merging. To illustrate the EasyProt platform, we present two identification and quantification workflows based on isobaric tagging and label-free methods.Journal of proteomics 12/2012; · 5.07 Impact Factor -
Article: MMP-9 and cellular fibronectin plasma concentrations are predictors of the composite endpoint of length of stay and death in the intensive care unit after severe traumatic brain injury.
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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The relationship between severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and blood levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) or cellular fibronectin (c-Fn) has never been reported. In this study, we aimed to assess whether plasma concentrations of MMP-9 and c-Fn could have predictive values for the composite endpoint of intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) of survivors and mortality after severe TBI. Secondary outcomes were the state of consciousness measured with the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of survivors at 14 days and Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) at 3 months. METHODS: Forty-nine patients with abbreviated injury scores of the head region >= 4 were included. Blood was sampled at 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after injury. MMP-9 and c-Fn concentrations were measured by ELISA. The values of MMP-9 and c-Fn, and, for comparison, the value of the GCS on the field of the accident (fGCS), as predictors of the composite outcome of ICU LOS and death were assessed by logistic regression. RESULTS: There was a linear relationship between maximal MMP-9 concentration, measured during the 6-12-hour period, and maximal c-Fn concentration, measured during the 24-48-hour period. The risk of staying longer than 9 days in the ICU or of dying was increased in patients with a maximal early MMP-9 concentration >= 21.6 ng/ml (OR = 5.0; 95% CI: 1.3 to 18.6; p = 0.02) or with a maximal late c-Fn concentration >= 7.7 mug/ml (OR = 5.4; 95% CI: 1.4 to 20.8; p = 0.01). A similar risk association was observed with fGCS <=8 (OR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.2-15.8; p = 0.02). No relationship was observed between MMP-9, c-Fn concentrations or fGCS and the GCS at 14 days of survivors and GOSE at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma MMP-9 and c-Fn concentrations in the first 48 hours after injury are predictive for the composite endpoint of ICU LOS and death after severe TBI but not for consciousness at 14 days and outcome at 3 months.Scandinavian Journal of Trauma Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine 12/2012; 20(1):83. · 1.85 Impact Factor
