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Co-trimoxazole for prevention of infection in acute leukaemia.
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30 patients with acute leukaemia being treated with cytotoxic drugs were investigated in a randomised trial to determine whether oral administration of co-trimoxazole in addition to non-absorbable antibiotics would reduce the rate of infection. Three significant differences were observed between the co-trmoxazole and the control groups: (i) 15 of the 16 (94%) control patients but only 8 of the 14 (57%) patients on co-trimoxazole developed infections and required additional antibiotics intravenously; (ii) although the duration of severe neutropenia (neutrophils less than 0.1 times 10(9)/1) was similar in the two groups, control patients required intravenous antibiotics on average after 2 days of neutropenia, whereas patients receiving co-trimoxazole required these only after 12 days; and (iii) the only 2 patients who died of infection were in the control group. Prophylaxis with co-trimoxazole is important in preventing or delaying the development of infection in neutropenic patients receiving therapy for acute leukaemia.
| 79,761
|
Does that child really have cystic fibrosis?
|
A diagnosis of cystic fibrosis was incorrectly made after false-positive sweat tests in 14 children. 13 of these children had been tested at hospitals where it seems likely that sweat tests were not done very often. All the children had normal sweat-electrolyte values when the test was repeated at a regional paediatric centre where approximately 250 sweat tests are done each year. In 5 cases, detailed testing of pancreatic function was normal. None of the children had typical chest disease and only 2 had gastrointestinal symptoms. In the absence of the typical clinical features of the disease a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis should be made with extreme caution and only after meticulous testing of both sweat electrolytes and pancreatic function.
| 79,773
|
Renin and blood-pressure in children with renal scarring and vesicoureteric reflux.
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Plasma-renin-activity (P.R.A.) was raised in 9 of 15 hypertensive children with pyelonephritic scarring secondary to urinary-tract infection and vesicoureteric reflux and also in 8 of 100 normotensive children with such scars. P.R.A. was much less likely to fall with age in normotensive children with renal scarring than in normal children. The identification of hyperreninaemic normotensive children with renal scarring is important, since P.R.A. may prove to be of value in early identification of children at risk of developing hypertension. A longitudinal follow-up is proposed to establish this hypothesis.
| 79,805
|
Prevention of acute porphyric attacks by intravenous haematin.
|
A thirty-three-year-old female with acute intermittent porphyria (A.I.P.) was having regular attacks of the disease with her menstrual periods. During several of these attacks she received intravenous haematin, which was followed by chemical and clinical remissions. Hormones failed to prevent the regular attacks, which were completely prevented by 200 mg of haematin, given approximately once a week for six months. There were no changes in menstruation. The monthly attacks recurred on withdrawal of haematin.
| 79,864
|
Haemoglobin A1, blood glucose, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in insulin-requiring diabetics.
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In forty insulin-requiring diabetics there was a significant correlation between haemoglobin A1 (HbA1) and blood-glucose measured at the same time and mean clinic blood-glucose measured over the previous year. There was no significant correlation between high-density lipoprotein (H.D.L.) cholesterol concentration and HbA1 or blood-glucose. HbA1 is not a good predictor of H.D.L. cholesterol concentration in insulin-requiring diabetics.
| 79,916
|
Protective effect of dietary fibre against chemically induced bowel tumours in rats.
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101 rats were fed one of four diets containing graded amounts of dietary fibre. Subcutaeous dimethylhydrazine (D.M.H.) was given to half the rats in each of the diet groups. Stool mass was found to be directly related to the amount of dietary fibre consumed, and the incidence of D.M.H.-induced colon carcinoma was reduced as dietary fibre increased.
| 79,919
|
Drug-induced myopathies in man.
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Drug-induced diseases constitute up to 5% of hospital admissions,a figure which almost certainly understates the total morbidity due to drugs1. Sever drug-induced myopathies are uncommon, but milder forms may be more prevalent than is generally appreciated, since skeletal muscle constitutes some 45% of total body-weight and has a major metabolic role in addition to its mechanical function2. Knowledge of possible effects of drugs on the neuromuscular system is of increasing importance both because the range of therapeutic agents continues to expand and because the resulting syndromes, through usually reversible at the outset, may progress and lead to grave consequences if the drug responsible is not stopped. Drug-induced neuropathies3 will not be considered here, but it will be appreciated that muscle weakness may also be feature of such disorders and that some drugs may cause both a neuropathy and a myopathy. The features of the main drug-induced syndromes are summarised in the table. To these one could justifiably add the unwanted effects of srugs given for the treatment of central-nervous-system or neuromuscular disorders per se-e.g., the cholinergic block which may be produced by anticholinesterases alone or with corticosteroids in the myasthenic,4 and the profound weakness which may supervene after relief of spasticity with dantrolene sodium5.
| 79,927
|
[Treatment of algodystrophic syndromes with calcitonin].
|
A general account of algodystrophic syndromes is followed by the presentation of results obtained with 160 MRC U/day extracted pig or 100 MRC U/day synthetic salmon calcitonin in 95 patients with the most common form (Sudeck's syndrome). Clinical, biohumoral and radiographic data are reported. There was no difference in the response to the two products. Excellent results were noted, first clinically and then radiographically. Some radiographs are presented.
| 79,988
|
Effects of zinc sulphate pretreatment on gastric acid secretion and lesion formation in rats infused intravenously with graded doses of methacholine.
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The effects of intraperitoneal pretreatment with zinc sulphate (22, 44 or 88 mg/kg) were studied on gastric acid secretion and lesion formation induced by methacholine (125, 250 or 500 microgram/kg/h) infused intravenously in rats with stomachs perfused in situ. Graded infusions of methacholine produced dose-dependent increases in gastric acid secretion and lesion incidence in saline-pretreated control rats. These effects were progressively reduced by increasing pretreatment doses of zinc sulphate. The relationship between these findings and the action of zinc on gastric mast cells is discussed.
| 80,014
|
Urinary excretion of albumin and beta 2-microglobulin in a population from an area where Balkan nephropathy is endemic.
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The urinary excretion of albumin and beta 2-microglobulin in a population of 294 persons, living in an area where Balkan nephropathy is endemic, has been studied. In fifty-six (about 19%) of the subjects the beta 2-microglobulin concentration was above the +2 SD level for a reference group of healthy individuals from non-endemic areas. Albumin elevation was found in forty-four (about 15%) of the cases. In twenty-one of the subjects the urinary concentration of both beta 2-microglobulin and albumin were increased, in sixteen of these cases the relationship between the two proteins was consistent with tubular proteinuria. An increased beta 2-microglobulin excretion is considered to be a sign of Balkan nephropathy. Radioimmunoassay of the protein is sensitive enough to detect tubular proteinuria at an early stage and is suggested as a suitable screening test for the disease.
| 80,021
|
Analysis of mechanisms of maintenance of neonatally induced tolerance to foreign alloantigens.
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Mice made tolerant to allogeneic tissues in neonatal life have been examined at different times for their ability to respond to the tolerizing determinants in a variety of assays (in vitro CML, MCL and in vivo GvH assays). All animals were tolerant in terms of their inability to produce CTL to the relevant determinants, and to induce GvH in lethally irradiated F1 recipients. Nevertheless, some mice also showed a normal MLC proliferative response and contained antigen-specific serum inhibitory factors, while other mice contained apparently antigen-specific suppressor cells. The pool of the latter, futhermore, was expanded considerably upon adoptive transfer of tolerant cells (with tolerizing antigens) to lethally irradiated syngeneic recipients. The data are compatible with the notion that suppression of clonal expansion represents the primary mechanism of tolerance maintenance (induction), and that the infrequently observed serum reactivity in such tolerant mice represents a vestige of the means whereby-cell mediated suppression was induced.
| 80,023
|
Induction of specific unresponsiveness to transplantation antigens.
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Transplantation of tissue between non-identical human beings does normally require heavy, non-specific immunosuppressive treatment to be successful. Complications of severe nature are frequently induced by such therapy. Here, procedures allowing a selective immunosuppression of the recipient with regard to the donor's alloantigens would be of paramount importance as to reduce the need for non-specific immunosuppressive agents. Classical pathways to achieve specific reduction of reactivity against transplantation antigens include "transplantation tolerance" and "enhancement". Although occasional successful when using adult, immunocompetent individuals in experimental animal systems these approaches have so far failed to leave impressive impacts with regard to the human transplantation immunologists. In the present article an entirely new concept will be introduced, namely that of auto-anti-idiotypic immunity leading to specific lack of reactivity towards transplantation antigens. The principle and the underlying results supporting the concept wil be presented and the practical implications will be discussed.
| 80,026
|
[Multiple cartilaginous exostoses and neoplastic degeneration: review of the literature (author's transl)].
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In about 10% of patients suffering from multiple osteochondroma a malignant degeneration of one osteochondroma occurs. Data of 59 patients are collected from the literature. The malignant degeneration occurs at the age of 31 in average, mostly on the pelvic girdle, less frequently on the shoulder girdle and on the ribs. The development is slow in most cases, at times interrupted. The first clinical signs are an increase in swelling, rarely pain or neurological symptoms. Radiological findings and prognosis correspond well with those of a proliferative chondroma or a primary chondrosarcoma. Recurrences after local treatment are frequent, metastases are rarely found. Regular check-ups and good information of patients suffering from multiple osteochondroma are recommended.
| 80,065
|
The Langerhans cell: its origin, nature, and function.
|
This is the biography of a cell--a cell as elusive and as deceiving as any in medical literature. This is the biography of the Langerhans cell, literally a cell at our fingertips, yet seemingly always beyond our intellectual grasp. Here is the story of a foundling within our epidermis, yet outside our pathologist's daily view. It is the history of a cell whose stain and form belied its function. It is a biography of a cell which virtually hid from us until it came under the revealing beam of the electron microscope.
| 80,092
|
Precordial mechanical stimulation for exposing electrical instability in the ischemic heart.
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Sequenital mechanical pulsing of the chest wall with three stimuli failed to induce arrhythmias in normal dogs. After coronary arterial occlusion, this technique evoked in 11 of 12 animals repetitive ventricular tachycardia in 2. These responses corresponded closely to those elicited by electrical testing. In four conscious animals after recovery from myocardial infarction, precordial pulsing induced repetitive ventricular arrhythmias. The type of arrhythmia produced depended on the degree of prematurity of the third pulse in the sequence. The use of precordial mechanical stimulation can perhaps be modified and adapted as a method of detecting persons at high risk for sudden cardiac death.
| 80,127
|
[Discussion of the interest of estimation of hydroxyprolinuria in chronic alcoholism (author's transl)].
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24 hour hydroxyprolinuria was measured in 50 chronic alcoholics divided up into those with simple alcoholism and those complicated by cirrhosis. All the patients had a significant increase in hydroxyprolinuria. Without there being any difference between cirrhotics and alcoholics without cirrhosis. Comparison between hydroxyprolinuria and the tests usually used to follow the course of hepatic involvement in chronic alcoholism: IgA, transferrin, electrophoresis of serum proteins, alkaline phosphatase, show that there is no correlation between hydroxyprolinuria and the diagnostic or prognostic tests of an alcoholic liver among which the variable IgA is the most significant. On the other hand, hydroxyprolinuria has a linear correlation with the calciuria, which suggests that the increase in hydroxyprolinuria in chronic alcoholics is more related to changes in the collagen of bone tissue than with those in liver tissue.
| 80,146
|
Subcellular structure of bovine thyroid gland. VII. A study on the distribution of bovine thyroid plasma membranes by density gradient centrifugation in zonal rotors.
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In order to obtain plasma membrane-rich fractions two methods were tried. Approach A was based on differential pelleting followed by discontinous gradient centrifugation in a B-XIV zonal rotor. In approach B homogeneization was performed in buffered water (NaHCO3, pH 7.4). The 73 300 X g pellet from this homogenate was subjected to buoyant density equilibrium in a HS zonal rotor (continuous sucrose gradient). Using approach A, the highest relative specific activity for plasma membrane markers was found at the 30-37% sucrose interphase. However, an increase for glucose 6-phosphatase (endoplasmic reticulum marker) was also found at that interphase. Using approach B marker profiles different from approach A were found. Approach B results in a subdivision of membrane material in four distinct regions. These regions do not contain completely pure membrane species, although region I seems to be essentially derived from plasma membranes. It is also concluded from approach A that plasma membranes from bovine thyroid tissue are heterogeneous.
| 80,197
|
Inhibitor of trypsin and chymotrypsin in cultures of HeLa cells.
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An inhibitor of trypsin and chymotrypsin with apparent molecular weight of 68 000 and a mobility similar to alpha1-globulin on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was isolated from serum-free supernatant preparations from HeLa cells. Immunoelectrophoresis assays indicated that the inhibitor differed serologically from known inhibitors of serine proteinases in plasma and urine but shared antigenic determinants with an unidentified protein in these body fluids and with an inhibitor recently isolated from cultures of lung.
| 80,230
|
Search for endogenous C-type viruses in cultures of non leukemic human cells.
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Cultures of cells derived from non-leukemic human tissues were submitted to treatments known to induce endogenous C-type viruses of a number of animal species. Virus expression was evaluated by reverse transcriptase (RT) assays in the growth medium. Of 20 cultures treated or untreated with bromodeoxyuridine, 18 were totally negative in RT assays. Of the 2 positive cultures, one was a human-mouse hybrid in which the induction of RT activity coincided with the expression of murine antigens. The other culture, a diploid strain which exhibited borderline enzymatic activity, was subjected to more detailed analysis after treatment with several chemical inducers and/or irradiation, but none of these procedures gave clearly positive results. The apparent lack of an endogenous virus synthesis in these human cells is discussed.
| 80,236
|
Type D primate retroviruses: a review.
|
The prototype virus of the type D retroviruses is the Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (MPMV). MPMV was originally isolated from a breast carcinoma of a female rhesus monkey (an Old World monkey). MPMV is of obvious importance in that it is the only retrovirus thus far isolated from a mammary tumor of a primate and has been shown to have transforming potential for primate cells in vitro. Subsequent to the isolation of MPMV viruses morphologically and immunologically indistinguishable from MPMV have been isolated from normal placenta and lactating mammary glands of other rhesus monkeys in captivity. Recently, viruses morphologically resembling MPMV have been isolated from a langur monkey (another Old World monkey) and from squirrel monkeys (a New World monkey). Based on nucleic acid hybridization studies, the latter 2 viruses represent endogenous viruses in their species of origin, whereas MPMV appears to be a horizontally related to the langur monkey isolate. Studies on the immunological relatedness of the type D retroviruses have demonstrated interspecies cross-reactivities between the major internal and external proteins of the viruses. Furthermore, these viruses also share cross-reactivity of their major external glycoproteins with those of the type C baboon endogenous virus. These interspecies reactivities can also be demonstrated in natural sera from both imported and laboratory-bred monkeys. The demonstration of these interspecies cross-reactivities shared by distantly related primate retroviruses provides a means for detecting determinants that are representative of all primate retroviruses presently known and yet to be isolated and may provide new assays for detection of a human retrovirus.
| 80,259
|
Expression of a Forssman antigenic specificity in the preimplantation mouse embryo.
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A monoclonal antibody recognizing a Forssman antigenic specificity has been shown to react with cells of the preimplantation mouse embryo. The antigen is believed to be carried on glycolipid molecules on teratocarcinoma stem cells. This antigen is first detected on the trophectoderm of the early blastocyst. The topography of the expression on the trophectoderm is striking and novel. The antigen is no longer found on these cells after the blastocyst has hatched from the zona pellucida in utero. Inner cell masses are antigen-positive at all times. This is the first study of the distribution of a single antigenic determinant in early mouse embryogenesis.
| 80,282
|
Nomenclature for factors of the HLA system, 1977.
|
This article gives the decisions of the WHO nomenclature committee on leukocyte antigens, in particular concerning (a) the upgrading of certain HLA-A and HLA-B specificities to full HLA status, (b) the designation of new provisional specificities of the HLA-B, HLA-C, and HLA-D loci, and (c) the establishment of a nomenclature for the new specificities identified by serological techniques on B lymphocytes.
| 80,288
|
[Evaluation of internationally used blood stabilizers for effective erythrocyte substitution].
|
Haemotherapy developed in the direction of transfusing pure blood cell preparations, if possible and enlarging the therapy with plasma fraction considerably. Quality losses of haemotherapeutics will already occur when they are prepared. This is mainly due to the conditions of blood collecting, blood stabiliser, duration and storage temperature from the blood collecting to further processing as well as biological variability of the composition of the donor's blood. The amount of substrate available to erythrocytes differs in various blood stabilisers. Deplasmatized erythrocyte concentrates can be used after several weeks of storage, if a high glucose concentration is present in the blood stabiliser. In CPD media the function of erythrocytes, the oxygen supply of the tissue, will remain intact a week longer than in ACD media. This effect will be increased by xylitol and pyruvate as well as by adding bicarbonate simultaneously. In future a primary importance will have to be attached to an improved storage of erythrocytes in the form of resuspended buffy coat-free erythrocyte concentrates.
| 80,369
|
Hepatitis B surface antigen-specific cell-mediated immune responses in human chronic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers.
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The presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and antibody (anti-HBe), the nature of T-cell function, and specific cell-mediated immunity to HBsAg were determined and evaluated serially in groups of subjects with chronic HBsAg carrier states and in seronegative controls. The techniques of in vitro lymphocyte transformation, spontaneous rosette formation, radioimmunoassay, reverse passive hemagglutination, passive hemagglutination, rheophoresis, and liver function tests were employed for these studies. For the lymphocyte transformation assay, multiple concentrations of phytohemagglutinin and purified HBsAg were used as stimulants. Cell-mediated immunity to HBsAg was detectable in 50% of the chronic HBsAg carriers (responders) at one or more concentrations of HBsAg. The remaining carriers (nonresponders) and controls failed to manifest HBsAg-specific lymphocyte transformation activity. The profile of the responders was characterized by elevated serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels, the presence of anti-HBe, high HBsAg titers, and the conspicuous absence of HBeAg in the serum. The nonresponders were characterized by normal serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels, the presence of HBeAg and anti-HBe, and lower HBsAg titers. These observations demonstrate the presence of specific cell-mediated immunity to HBsAg in chronic HBsAg carriers who manifest biochemical evidence of liver disease.
| 80,380
|
Significance of noncapsular antigens in protection against experimental Haemophilus influenzae type b disease: cross-reactivity.
|
A bacterial strain, tentatively identified as an Actinobacillus species, was found to asymptomatically colonize the pharynx of some rats and to bear cell wall antigens which cross-react with noncapsular antigens of Haemophilus influenzae type b (HIb). The cross-reacting antigens appeared to be a heterogeneous mixture with varying molecular size and charge. The antigenic moieties are probably carbohydrate in nature. Antisera raised with this strain had both immunochemical and biological (bactericidal, opsonizing, and protective against experimental infection) activity against HIb. These findings lend further evidence to the idea that noncapsular antigens are important in the induction of resistance to HIb disease. The findings also raise the possibility of using bacteria which cross-react with noncapsular antigens for immunization against HIb disease in humans through nasopharyngeal or enteric colonization.
| 80,382
|
The aldehyde fuchsin and colloidal iron staining reactions in the canine thyroid C cell.
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The cytochemically reactive groups which are responsible for Aldehyde Fuchsin (AF) and colloidal iron (CI) staining of C cells were investigated in the canine thyroid gland. To this end, stains for proteoglycans and peptide groups were utilized in conjuction with hydrolysis of glycosidic and amide bonds. In addition, the following procedures were used: acetylation, benzoylation, nitrozation, aldehyde blockade, sulphydryl blockade, methylation and mild acid hydrolysis. No acidic proteoglycan, sialic acid, polyphosphate or polysaccharide ester sulphate were detected in C cells; the results suggest that AF staining, after an oxidation step, and CI staining are due to polypeptides. Sulphydryl and carboxyl groups together are necessary for mediating the attachment of AF in C cells and it is adduced that this attachment is due to the combined charges of sulphonic and carboxylic acids. Methylation and acetylation inhibit CI staining and those staining reactions that depend upon carboxylic acid (TB) and hydroxyl groups (PAS) for their dye attachment in C cells. Acid hydrolysis, which increases the demonstration of carboxylic acid in C cells, decreases the attachment of hydroxyferric ions. I speculate that this inhibition is due to extraction of iron sites in the C cell and conclude that it is not solely carboxylic acids in C cells that are responsible for CI staining.
| 80,395
|
On the specificity of alcoholic acidic silver nitrate reagent for the histochemical localization of ascorbic acid. A reappraisal.
|
The specificity of the alcoholic acidic silver nitrate staining method for the histochemical localization of ascorbic acid was reappraised. It was found that the method is by and large better suited for the localization of ascorbic acid in both animal and plant tissues due to its greater specificity, which is ensured by employing reagent made in carbon dioxide saturated glass distilled water as well as by carrying out the reaction at a low temperature (0-4 degrees C) and at a pH of 2-2.5.
| 80,400
|
Immunostaining of growth hormone and prolactin in paraffin-embedded and stored or previously stained materials.
|
In attempts to evaluate immunocytochemically autopsy and biopsy material previously obtained and processed for conventional histologic staining, we had to resort to immunostaining of tissues embedded years ago or even sections already stained with hematoxylin-eosin or aldehyde thionin-PAS-orange G. Hypophysial growth hormone and prolactin proved remarkably resistant to such prior treatment with regard to their antigenic properties, and could be readily immunostained in tissue embedded in paraffin 3-4 years earlier, and after destaining of sections prepared up to 7 years earlier. The results of such "retrospective" immunocytochemical evaluation of autopsy and biopsy materail is illustrated with the staining of "pregnancy cells" for prolactin in the hypophysis of a woman postpartum, the immunostaining for prolactin in the cells of adenomas associated with marked hyperprolactinemia, the staining for growth hormone in adenomas removed from children with gigantism, and the immunostaining for prolactin, growth hormone or both in several adenomas that were discovered at autopsy and not associated with a known clinical history of endocrine aberrations.
| 80,416
|
Rabbit latent group a allotypes: characterization and relationship to nominal group a allotypic specificities.
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Latent group a allotypes were detected with a sensitive radioimmune inhibition assay. Sera, IgG preparations, and antibody fractions containing these allotypes inhibited the binding of insolubilized allotypic antisera to various radiolabeled antigens including IgG pools, homogeneous antibodies, and, in the case of a3, a VH fragment from a3/b4 IgG. Several different group a antiallotypic sera were used in the assays and all gave similar results. Comparison of inhibition curves for nominal and latent allotypes indicated that the full spectrum of allotypic subspecificities may be expressed in latent allotypes. Hemagglutination studies carried out with five sera containing high levels of latent allotypes confirmed the results obtained with the radioimmunoassay and indicated that inhibition values did not, at least in four of the five samples studied, reflect the presence of antiallotype antibodies.
| 80,425
|
Nature of the antigenic complex recognized by T lymphocytes. VII. Evidence for an association between TNP-conjugated macrophage membrane components and Ia antigens.
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In the present study we examined the effects of anti-sera directed against guinea pig Ia antigens on the ability of TNP-conjugated macrophages to stimulate TNP-specific T lymphocyte proliferation. Treatment of macrophages with anti-Ia sera for 1 hr before, 1 hr immediately after, or as late as 24 hr after TNP-modification resulted in a reduced ability to stimulate the TNP-specific T cell. The inhibition produced by anti-Ia sera was specific and did not result from interference with the ability of macrophages to process TNP-conjugated membrane antigens in a nonspecific manner. Brief treatment with anti-Ia serum did not result in inhibition of Ia-antigen synthesis nor could evidence of carry-over of anti-Ia antibody into the lymphocyte cultures be obtained. These results demonstrate that anti-Ia sera interfere with the development of a TNP-specific immunogen on the macrophage surface and strongly suggest that an association exists between TNP-modified membrane proteins and Ia antigens on the macrophage surface.
| 80,427
|
Radioimmunoassay for the detection of hepatitis e antigen (HBeAG) and antibody (anti-HBe).
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A solid phase micro-immunoradiometric assay (micro-SPIRA) for the detection of hepatitis e antigen (HBeAg) and antibody has been developed. Chimpanzee anti-HBe/2 was developed by repeated immunizations with purified antigen containing HBeAg/1 and HBeAg/2. An anti-HBe/2 titer of 1:4 was determined by immunodiffusion (ID) analysis. Anti-HBe/1 was not detected. The anti-HBe IgG used in the assay was purified from plasma by a combination of DEAE-cellulose and affinity chromatography. The sensitivity of the micro-SPIRA for antigen and antibody was 193 ng/ml and 65 ng/ml, respectively. By comparing relative endpoint titers obtained by ID to micro-SPIRA, it was determined that micro-SPIRA for antigen and antibody is 320 and greater than 1300 times more sensitive, respectively, than ID. The specificity of the assay was ascertained by the examination of various non-B specimens. The application of the assay to a panel of 50 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive specimens resulted in an increase in positivity of 18% for antigen and 22% for antibody.
| 80,434
|
The correlation of bacteriophage types of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with guinea-pig virulence and in vitro-indicators of virulence.
|
Among 58 isoniazid-sensitive strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from India, Burma and East Africa, 23 were of phage type A, 31 of type I (intermediate), 4 of type B and none of type C. Type I strains differed from type A strains in being attenuated in the guinea-pig, susceptible to H2O2, sensitive to thiophen-2-carboxylic acid hydrazide and resistant to thiacetazone and p-aminosalicylic acid; the content of strongly acidic lipids and of sulphatide lipids was low and the attenuation indicator lipid was present. The pattern of results with the type B strains did not correspond to the patterns for types A or I. Strains of type I appear to be a distinct group within the species M. tuberculosis.
| 80,440
|
Immunologic methods for the identification of cell types. II. Expression of normal mouse mammary epithelial cell antigens in mammary neoplasia.
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Mouse mammary epithelial (MME) cell antigens were cell type-specific and were retained, to a large extent, by MME cells after neoplastic transformation. These MME cell antigens were expressed in mammary tumors of BALB/c, C3H, GRS/A, RIII, and Is/Bi mice tested and were not expressed in tumors whose normal counterpart was other than mammary tissue. They were not dependent on cell culture conditions or on the presence of murine mammary tumor virus; therefore, they can be used in an ubiquitous cell type marker for MME cells in both normal and neoplastic tissues.
| 80,454
|
Antimicrobial resistance and enterotoxin production among isolates of Escherichia coli in the Far East.
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The frequency of association between transferable extrachromosomal D.N.A. (plasmid) mediated antibiotic resistance and enterotoxin productin is unknown. The antimicrobial susceptibility of 176 enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli from 57 children and adults in the Philippines, Korea, Taiwan, and Indonesia has been examined. 126 isolates (72%) were resistant to one or more antibiotic(s); 77 (44%) were resistant to four or more antibiotics. 43 E. coli which produced both heat-labile and heat-stable toxin, 110 isolates which produced only heat-labile toxin, and 23 which produced only heat-stable toxin were frequently resistant to multiple antibiotics. 25 of 31 resistant isolates tested, 80% transferred antibiotic resistance in bacterial mating experiments. In 35% of the matings transferring antibiotic resistance, the ability to produce enterotoxin was also conferred on the recipients. This in-vitro observation suggests that the widespread use of antibiotics could increase the distribution of enterotoxigenic E. coli, as genes coding for antibiotic resistance and enterotoxin production are frequently transferred together.
| 80,523
|
Comparison of tienilic acid with cyclopenthiazide in hyperuricaemic hypertensive patients.
|
Tienilic acid, a diuretic with uricosuric properties, was compared with cyclopenthiazide, in an open, random-order, within-patient crossover study (3 months on each drug) in 36 hyperuricaemic hypertensive patients. All were on an established dose of cyclopenthiazide; most were also on a beta-blocker which they continued to take in their usual dose. A mean dose of 210 mg of tienilic acid gave the same antihypertensive and diuretic effect as a mean dose of 0.41 mg of cyclopenthiazide. Serum uric acid was very much lower when patients were on tienilic acid (0.29 mmol/l) than on cyclopenthiazide (0.50 mmol/l). Apart from slightly higher serum-chloride and serum-urea during the period on tienilic acid, no major differences in serum-electrolytes, renal-function tests, glucose tolerance, and fasting lipids were observed. Audiometric tests showed that tienilic acid was not ototoxic. S.G.O.T. and S.G.P.T. rose to pathological values in 3 women when they were on tienilic acid, to a lesser extent, in 2 men when they were on cyclopenthiazide. There is no definite evidence that the changes in the transaminases were related to tienilic acid. Some postural hypotension or slight fluid retention occurred during the initial, dose-finding period, and 3 patients had mild indigestion but no patient had to discontinue the trial because of side-effects.
| 80,525
|
Subcutaneous ancrod in prevention of deep-vein thrombosis after operation for fractured neck of femur.
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In a randomised double-blind controlled trial 53 patients received 5 daily subcutaneous injections of ancrod ('Arvin') after operation for fractured neck of femur, and 52 patients received saline fractured neck of femur, and 52 patients received saline injections. Deep-vein thrombosis (D.V.T.) was detected by bilateral ascending venography or necropsy 6--16 days after surgery. The frequency of D.V.T. and bilateral D.V.T. was significantly lower in the ancrod group (P less than 0.01). The frequency of major D.V.T. (thrombi in veins proximal to the calf, or calf-vein thrombi more than 3 cm long) was also significantly lower in the ancrod group (P less than 0.001). No complications of ancrod prophylaxis occurred. Ancrod reduced plasma-fibrinogen, and hence plasma and blood viscosity, during the first week after surgery; preoperative levels of fibrinogen and viscosity were not associated with post-operative D.V.T. Subcutaneous ancrod is a simple and effective alternative to oral anticoagulants for the reduction of the frequency of D.V.T. after operation for hip fracture, and merits assessment in other high-risk groups of patients.
| 80,632
|
Possible diagnostic test for Crohn's disease by use of buccal mucosa.
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Immunofluorescent tracing was used on buccal mucosa from patients with Crohn's disease to investigate some of its immunological characteristics, and to compare these with those of mucosa from controls. Normal buccal mucosa from patients with Crohn's disease, incubated with its own serum then stained for deposited antibody by the fluorescent technique, showed a positive reaction, not observed in buccal mucosa from normal persons or patients with ulcerative colitis. These observations could provide the basis of a diagnostic test.
| 80,686
|
Cervical cancer in younger women.
|
Cervical cancer does not begin in women at some vague mid-procreative term, but is a concomitant of early sexual activity. In Brighton the mean age of patients with histologically proven carcinoma of the cervix has been falling, from 50 in 1967 to 35 by 1977. In one year abnormal cells were found in cervical smears from 24 teenage girls (5 aged 16, 2 aged 17, 8 aged 18 and 9 aged 19), and in 4 of these teenage cases malignancy was subsequently proved histologically. Until the aetiology of the disease is established no lower age limit should be set for cervical screening; all young women should be entitled and encouraged to have cervical cytology tests.
| 80,696
|
The retrovirus particles in human myeloma cells RPMI8226: morphological, biochemical, immunological and infective transmission studies.
|
The retrovirus designated RPMI8226V (isolated from human myeloma cells RPMI8226) has been characterized with respect to its morphological, biochemical and immunological properties as well as its propagation in various animal and human cells. The myeloma cells RPMI8226 produce intracytoplasmatic A-type particles and extracellular particles. The extracellular particles have been classified as immature particles with translucent core center, typical mammalian C-type virus particles and C-type particles with intermediate membrane. However, the budded particles in secondarily infected human neoplastic cells contained complete doughnut-shaped nucleoids. This type of budding is rather characteristic for B-type particles. The 3H-uridine labeled RPMI8226 viral particles have a buoyant density 1.17 g/ml in sucrose gradient containing high molecular weight RNA and the distribution of viral structural proteins in SDS-PAGE is characteristic for oncornaviruses. The internal structural proteins according to MW are ranged from 13 000 to 30 000 daltons. The virus contains a magnesium-dependent reverse transcriptase. The cellular homogenate and viral concentrate from RPMI8226 cultures do not react with antibodies against ALSV, MuLV, FeLV, RD114, MP-MV and SiSLV. The only reaction was scored with anti BLV antibodies. However, anti BLV serum inhibiting the reverse transcriptase activity of BLV to 60% does not cross-react with the reverse transcriptase of RPMI8226V. In contrast to BLV concentrates, neither XC nor KC cells show syncytia formation by RPMI8226V. The RPMI8226V replication is restricted to human tumor and normal human glia-like cells. The possible origin of the virus is discussed.
| 80,755
|
Checking of carcinoma patients with the leukocyte migration technique (LMT) under agarose.
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Leukocyte migration tests under agarose (Clausen technique) were performed in 28 patients tentatively diagnosed as having any malignancy with the use of a 3 M KCl-extract panel prepared from bronchogenic, gastric, colonic, renal, and mammary carcinoma, corresponding normal tissues, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and human encephalitogenic protein (HEP). 17 out of 22 proven carcinoma patients showed sensitization by reaction with optimal concentrated KCl-extract of cancer from the same organ type as their own tumor. In some cases positive reactions could be observed also with normal tissue antigen (NTA) of tumor organ type (7/22) or with an additional carcinoma extract of organ type differing from patients own primary tumor (8/22). Gastrointestinal carcinomas, especially, showed sensitization to CEA (7/12) contrary to nongastrointestinal carcinomas (1/10). With HEP no positive reactivity could be found (0/10). With the use of tumor antigen panel (5 antigens) only few positive reactions (MI less than 0.80 or greater than 1.20) could be observed in 6 patients with nonmalignant diseases (1/30 tests) and 8 healthy blood donors (1/40 tests). A widespread individual screening program using tissue antigens for patients suspected of malignancies could give a pattern of reactivities and improve the recognition of cell-mediated sensitization against tumor tissues.
| 80,756
|
Neural tube defects: maternal serum screening and prenatal diagnosis.
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Neural tube defects represent some of the most common and serious of the congenital malformations. Although elevation of alpha-fetoprotein in amniotic fluid is not diagnostic, it does indicate an abnormality of the fetus in a very high proportion of cases. A normal level, however, does not exclude the possibility of a closed neural tube defect. It is therefore recommended that all amniocenteses performed between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation include measurement of alpha-fetoprotein. Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein assay is a screening test and pilot studies will be necessary to determine its value as a routine prenatal blood test.
| 80,780
|
Simple and durable staining of thick sections of the human brain for macroscopic study.
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Observations on gross morphology of the brain is greatly facilitated by enhancing the contrast between gray and white matter. The proposed technique is much more simple than the generally recommended Mulligan method and it variations. Moreover, there is no loss of stain since the fugitive surface impregnation, obtained by the Mulligan method, is replaced by a thoroughgoing block-staining procedure with the nonfading copper phathalocyanine dye astra blue. Staining procedure: wash formalin-fixed brain slices overnight in running tap water. Place slices in performic acid for 1 hour. Wash in running tap water. Place slices individually in staining solution consisting of 0.1 g astra blue (Merck) in 1000 cc distilled water and 1 cc HCl (37%), for 12-24 hours. Wash in running tap water. Embed in gelatin and mount in plastic cuvettes.
| 80,847
|
[Fluorescence anisotropy and myelin structure. III. Effect of temperature changes on the orientation of dye molecules in nerve fibers].
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The temperature dependence of fluorescence polarization of stained nerve fibres has been studied. As has been previously demonstrated by the authors, the dependence of fluorescence polarization on the angle between the electrical vector of exciting light and the fibre axis (azimuth characteristics) is associated with the molecular orientation of dyes adsorbed on the membranes of the myelin sheath. This permits an indirect conclusion to be made about the structure and structural changes of an adsorbent. The experiments with changing temperature show that the molecular orientation of dyes decreases with decline of temperature from the room temperature to the freezing point of the Ringer solution. The structure of myelin membranes is suggested to be stabilized through hydrophobic interaction.
| 80,851
|
Study on the nerve endings in the pancreas of Rattus rattus refescens and Gallus domsticus as revealed by the cholinesterase technique.
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An investigation was undertaken to study the nerve endings in the pancreas of Rattus rattus rufescens and Gallus domesticus by cholinesterase technique. Bulb-like nerve ending in the connective tissue (negatively stained) and dot-like nerve ending in the lobular cells were recorded in Rattus. Dot-like nerve ending on the periphery of the lobular cells and bulb like nerve endings connected with nerve bundle, were recorded in Gallus. Nerve endings were AChE-positive in nature in both Rattus and Gallus.
| 80,895
|
[Late results following palliative vascular embolization in inoperable kidney tumors. (Preliminary report)].
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During 18 months in 15 patients with inoperable renal tumours palliative therapeutic vascular embolisations were carried out with the help of an own catheter technique. In contrast to preoperative embolisation (16 patients) in the inoperable cases a non-absorpable polyvinyl alcohol foam substance ("Ivalon") was used, which leads to a secure permanent vascular occlusion. The haematuria occurring in all patients which many times threateningly increased was removed in all cases. There did not appear any essential complications. However, on account of the formation of a symptomatology of renal infarction a clinical after-treatment is necessary. In 12 patients regulary clinical and paraclinical control examinations during an observation period of on an average 11 months were carried out (minimum 6 months, maximum 18 months). 11 of these patients were still alive at the end of the report and had a tolerable or even improved general condition. In angiographical after-controls of 4 patients, and in one case by autopsy, permanent vascular occlusions with formation of necroses of a large area and partly considerable restriction of the tumour kidneys were found. In these cases the therapeutic embolisation led to a provable damage of the tumorous process. An influence of metastases distant from the primary tumour was not observed.
| 80,897
|
Fluorescent labelling of cell membranes and cytoplasmic proteins in living cells.
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Primary amino groups may be selectively labelled in living cell cytoplasmic components by staining with the covalently binding fluorochrome reagent fluorescamine. The reaction is extremely rapid and occurs at very low reagent concentrations. Cells survive such treatment and gradually remove or metabolize the labelled substances. Nuclei and nucleoli are not labelled, while lamellar cytoplasm, which contains little actual cytoplasm, is well demarcated, thus indicating that the method is useful for studies of cell membrane components. Labelled cell membranes can be prepared for further purification after preliminary external fixation of cell membranes with a supravital polyaldehyde fixative. The use of dimethylsulfoxide as a solvent for fluorescamine allows much longer survival of the cells than the use of acetone as a solvent. In addition, the use of high pH and borate buffer was not necessary to the labelling phenomenon.
| 80,918
|
Effect of copper and tri- and hexavalent chromium on the work of an activated sludge.
|
The effect of metals (Cu2+, Cr3+, Cr6+) on the work of an activated sludge grown in crude oil refining or synthetic wastes was examined. The activated sludge method was found to be applicable for the purification of wastes carrying up to 0.8 mgCu2+/1,15mgCr3+/1, or 20mgCr6+/1. Higher concentrations of these metals inhibited the work of the activated sludge which was evident in inferior purification and reduced intensity of respiration of the activated sludge microorganisms.
| 80,927
|
The effect of cyclohexane derivatives on selection of bacterial groups forming activated sludge microflora.
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The effect of cyclohexanol, cyclohekxanon and cyclohexylamine on the selection of bacteria in a model population composed of bacteria isolated from activated sludge was examined. The initial population consisted of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The latter, which accounted for 90-97% of the population, belonged mainly to three Pseudomonas groups and the Enterobacteriaceae, Vibrio-Aeromonas, Achromobacter-Alcaligenes and Flavobacterium groups. Seven day growth in medium containing cyclohexane derivatives caused pronounced qualitative changes in the population. The compounds favored the development of bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas and inhibited the growth of all other gram-negative bacteria. The direction of selection was independent of the type of cyclohexane derivative.
| 80,928
|
Studies on myelin proteins in human peripheral nerve.
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The myelin fraction from human peripheral nerve was prepared. Two basic protein fractions (BF-P2 and PB) were isolated from acid extracts of the myelin fraction and three glycoproteins (BR-PO, PASII and Y protein) were purified from its acid-insoluble residue. In biochemical analysis the human BF-P2 protein (M.W.13,000) showed similar but not identical properties to bovine BF-P2 protein. The PB fraction was suggested to include the encephalitogenic CNS-BP (M.W.18,000) and another, new protein of similar molecular weight. Both the human BR-PO protein (M.W.28,000) and PASII protein (M.W.13,000) showed similar biochemical properties to the corresponding myelin proteins of bovine peripheral nerve, while they both are clearly different from other myelin proteins. Close relationship between the BR-PO protein and the Y protein (M.W.22,000) was suggested by amino acid analysis. Injection of the myelin fraction of bovine peripheral nerve with the complete adjuvant produced EAN while the CNS-BP induced EAE in laboratory animals. However, all three purified proteins, BF-P2, BR-PO and PASII, from bovine peripheral nerve myelin were inactive in inducing demyelinating diseases.
| 80,952
|
[Antigenic relations between human papilloma viruses (HPV): experimental study in guinea-pigs (author's transl].
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A study of specific immune response in guinea-pigs after immunization with human papilloma viruses (HPV) purified from plantar warts, hand warts and condyloma acuminata is reported. The respective viruses induced the production of high antibody titres as well as specific cellular immunity as demonstrated by intradermal tests in all the animals. Formalin-inactivated HPV gave similar results. The antigenic cross reactions between the different viruses were evaluated by immunofluorescence and immunodiffusion tests and delayed hypersentitivity reactions. Serologically the results showed viral heterogeneity between condylomata and hand warts, and partial heterogeneity between condylomata plantar warts, and between hand and plantar warts. In skin-hypersensitivity reactions, however, the different viruses appeared as homologous antigens. This experimental study in guinea-pigs showed marked variance of specificity between delayed hypersensitivity reactions and humoral immunity for HPV.
| 80,972
|
Loss of the lipoprotein lipase activating ability of rat serum after administration of some fatty liver inducing drugs.
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The effects of the administration of different fatty liver inducing drugs on the serum lipoprotein lipase activating ability was investigated in rats. Addition of serum from 2-mercaptoethanol-, 2-mercaptoacetate-, ethionine- or D-galactosamine- treated rats failed to activate heart and adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase from control rats. The activating effect of serum was only slightly reduced in isopropanol-treated rats, whereas it was found unaffected in ethanol-treated ones. Electrophoresis of the lipoproteins and of the very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) fraction of sera from 2-mercaptoethanol-, 2-mercaptoacetate-, isopropanol-, ethionine- and D-galactosamine-treated rats suggest that the lack of lipoprotein lipase activation ability of these sera is most probably related to the impairing effects of these drugs upon VLDL metabolism, i.e. reduction of VLDL secretion in the case of 2-mercaptoethanol, 2-mercaptoacetate and isopropanol, production of abnormal VLDL in the case of D-galactosamine and both decreased VLDL secretion and production of abnormal VLDL in the case of ethionine.
| 80,991
|
Sex determination in nuclei of amnion fluid cells.
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Hypotonic treatment of amnion fluid cell-nuclei was found to enhance demonstration of Y chromatin and of autosomal fluorescence in interphase cell-nuclei following quinacrine mustard staining. In contrast, visualization of the Barr body was not improved by this treatment. Nuclear sex determination on cellular material from 200 samples of amniotic fluid was unequivocal in 197 cases; in only 3 cases were the findings uncertain. There were no erroneous determinations. In one instance maternal cellular tissue was observed in smear preparations. Nuclear sex determination presents a simple method of supplementing and substantiating prenatal chromosomal diagnosis.
| 81,116
|
Sequential staining of DNA-aldehyde with Schiff's reagent and acriflavine-SO2.
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Acid hydrolysed DNA of rat liver was stained with Schiff's reagent at pHs 1.7 or 3.0 followed by staining with acriflavine-SO2 at pH 2.0 as well as with acriflavine-SO2 followed by Schiff's reagent at pH 1.7 or 3.0. Nuclei stained with Schiff's reagent at pH 1.7 were brown-yellow and an analysis of their absorption characteristics revealed two peaks--one at 470 nm and the other at 570 nm. Although nuclei stained with Schiff's reagent at pH 3.0 followed by acriflavine-SO2 were deep magenta in colour, they also showed similar peaks of maximum absorption. Identical peaks were also seen when the sequence of staining was reversed. It is suggested that in the conventional Feulgen-type reactions only some of the DNA-aldehyde molecules are stained; the remaining molecules can be stained by sequential application of another Schiff or Schiff-type reagent such as acriflavine-SO2. The possible mechanism of staining in these cases has been discussed.
| 81,160
|
[The present state of prevention of rhesus immunisation (author's transl)].
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Rhesus factor immunisation and its complications should disappear if the indications and the techniques for abolishing it are followed. The indications follow from the usual mechanism by which immunisation occurs. This is the passage of Rh positive fetal red blood cells into the maternal circulation where they are detected by Kleihauer's test. If in pregnancy uterine bleeding, of accidental trauma occur or if amniocentesis, versions, operations on the pregnant uterus are performed or intrauterine death occurs, the necessary preventive action has to be performed on a rhesus negative woman. When pregnancy comes to an end, be it because of delivery at term when every rhesus negative woman who has not been immunised has to be treated (if the infant is rhesus positive) so the same applies after spontaneous abortion, extra-uterine pregnancy and especially after therapeutic termination of pregnancy after which it is often forgotten. The technique is simple: Within 72 hours a dose of 85 micrograms of anti D globulin is enough if injected intravenously or intramuscularly. Sometimes this quantity has to be increased, however, when the Kleihauer test has shown that more than 5 ml of rhesus positive blood has passed into the maternal circulation, or if blood of the wrong group has been transfused. The dose to neutralise 1 ml of blood is 10 micrograms.
| 81,222
|
Flare and itch induced by substance P in human skin.
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Intradermal injection of synthetic substance P (10(-7)--10(-5) M in humans produced flare, wheal and itching. These responses were inhibited by oral pretreatment of the subjects with an antihistaminic drug (chlorcyclizine) or by local pretreatment with Compound 48/80 administered to deplete the local stores of mast-cell bound histamine. The findings indicate that the responses induced by substance P were mainly mediated by histamine released from the dermal mast cells. In contrast to previously studied histamine liberators, substance P was less potent when acting on rat mast cells in vitro than on human skin mast cells in vivo. When incubated with rat peritoneal mast cells, about 100 times higher concentrations (10(-5) M) were required to induce histamine release than in the in vivo studies on humans. It was concluded that substance P is a potent histamine liberator in human skin.
| 81,243
|
Encephalomyelitis with thyrotoxicosis.
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A case of thyrotoxicosis associated with neuropathy and encephalomyelitis is reported which gradually improved as regards the hyperthyroidism and the neurological deficit during treatment with Tapazole. The possible role of the nervous system of an excess of thyroxine or an autoimmune factor as a cause of the involvement is discussed.
| 81,278
|
Hyperreactive (hyaline, opaque, dark) muscle fibers in Duchenne dystrophy. A biopsy study of 16 dystrophy and 205 other neuronmuscular disease cases and controls.
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Biopsies of 16 patients with Duchenne dystrophy and 205 consecutive biopsies of other neuromuscular diseases and controls were studied for the presence of hyperreactive (hyaline, dark, opaque) fibers. All biopsies of Duchenne dystrophy showed hyperreactive fibers; the percentage varies between values below 1 up to 19 (median 3.5%). In 11 (69%) of the 16 biopsies the percentage was more than 1. Only in 34 (17%) of the 205 consecutive biopsies were hyperreactive fibers found. In 30 of these 34 biopsies the percentage of hyperreactive fibers was below 1. A positive or negative correlation between the increased level of serum-CPK or the early stage of Duchenne dystrophy and the number of hyperreactive fibers could not be demonstrated. Obviously the hyperreactive fibers are not specific for Duchenne dystrophy. On the other hand a value of 1% supports this diagnosis. Delta lesions were demonstrated in 54% of the hyperreactive fibers.
| 81,285
|
Rabbit antiserum against a non-T, non-B leukemia cell line that carries the Ph1 chromosome (NALM-1): antibody specific to a non-T, non-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen.
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Rabbit immune sera against human cells of a non-T, non-B leukemia cell line bearing the Ph1 chromosome (NALM-1) were characterized. After proper and exhaustive absorption, the sera were tested by indirect membrane immunofluorescence on a panel of 19 human hematopoietic cell lines with T-, B-, or non-T, non-B cell surface characteristics. The absorbed sera reacted specifically with NALM-1 cells but not with cells of another Ph1-positive cell line, K-562. Four of the 6 leukemia T-cell lines, 2 of the 4 leukemia-lymphoma B-cell lines, all of 4 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) lines with non-T, non-B cell characteristics, and uncultured cells of all patients with non-T, non-B cell ALL were reactive with the antisera. A cross-absorption study of the antisera suggested that a single antigenic complex is involved in this antigen specificity. The antigen involved appears to be a common non-T, non-B ALL one that has been described previously.
| 81,309
|
Inhibition by RNA of RNase H activity associated with reverse transcriptase in Rauscher murine leukemia virus cores.
|
We reported earlier that core preparations of Rauscher murine leukemia virus, when separated on an isopycnic sucrose gradient, did not contain detectable levels of RNase H activity, while retaining high levels of reverse transcriptase activity. We reexamined this phenomenon, and the earlier observation was found to be reproducible. However, when doubly banded preparations of viral cores were solubilized and reverse transcriptase was isolated by ion-exchange chromatography, a coincident peak of a nuclease activity with the specificity of RNase H was observed, which indicated that RNase H was selectively inhibited in the core fractions. By direct activity measurements using the purified reverse transcriptase-RNase H from cores, this endogenous inhibitor has been identified as the viral RNA. Viral 70S RNA strongly inhibited RNase H activity purified either from whole virions or from prefractionated cores. Other RNAs tested that had inhibitory effects were yeast tRNA, polyadenylic acid, and polyguanylic acid. Polyuridylic acid and polyadenylic acid were moderately inhibitory, and polycytidylic acid did not inhibit the RNase H. A rabbit anti-reverse transcriptase immunoglobulin G inhibited both the reverse transcriptase and RNase H activities of the enzyme purified from cores. These data provide a rational explanation for the failure to detect RNase H activity in core preparations of Rauscher murine leukemia virus. Furthermore, these data are consistent with the idea that the RNase H and reverse transcriptase activities purified from cores reside on the same protein molecule. Possible biological implications of the observed inhibition of RNase H by RNA is discussed.
| 81,312
|
Limited cleavage of human immunoglobulins by elastase of human neutrophil polymorphonuclear granulocytes. Possible modulator of immune complex disease.
|
Human polymorphonuclear lysosomal granules contain a neutral protease which is capable of digesting human immunoglobulins. The protease is located in the azurophil granules and enzymatically cleaves IgG, producing a Fab-like piece which is recoverable. The Fc-like fragment is not crystallized. The Fab-like fragment competes effectively for ligands formed by native antibody from which the fragments were produced.
| 81,354
|
The MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase as an indicator of severity of myocardial ischaemia.
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86 patients with ischaemic heart-disease were assessed for the presence of the MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (C.K.-MB). Raised C.K.-MB levels with normal total C.K. were found in 10 patients with a clinical picture, but no electrocardiographic evidence, of acute myocardial infarction. 4 of these patients later had an infarction, but the remaining 6 have remained undiagnosed. Of 26 patients with unstable angina, 11 (42%) had high levels of C.K.-MB in the presence of normal total C.K. Of 50 patients with effort angina and a positive ergometric stress test, 3 (6%) with crescendo angina had high C.K.-MB levels in the presence of normal total C.K. In patients with angina, myocardial necrosis was excluded by normal serum-myoglobin levels. In both groups with angina, those with raised C.K.-MB levels had a more severe clinical picture, greater depressions of the ST segment, and lower threshold to ergometry. Raised C.K.-MB levels may indicate myocardial ischaemia.
| 81,364
|
Inhibitor of in-vitro granulopoiesis in plasma of patients with renal failure.
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Plasmas from 31 patients with moderately severe to severe renal failure inhibited granulopoietic colony formation in human marrow in vitro. The inhibitory activity could not be removed by in-vitro dialysis but was present in an ultrafiltered fraction of molecular weight less than 25 000 daltons. It inhibited the production of colony-stimulating activity (C.S.A.) by leucocytes in the culture system but had little or no effect on preformed C.S.A. or on the granulopoietic colony-forming cell itself. The level of plasma inhibitory activity correlated with the degree of azotaemia but not with the neutrophil or monocyte counts. Despite the potency with which granulopoiesis was inhibited in vitro, none of the patients was severely neutropenic, and only 4 had mild neutropenia (neutrophil count 1.5--2.1 x 10(9)/1).
| 81,413
|
A review of the bleomycin experience in the United States.
|
As bleomycin has up to now proved effective when used alone, the main thrust of current clinical investigations predominantly concerns its use in combination with other drugs. This has occurred along three broad patterns: 1) combination with vinca alkaloids which has been mainly in testicular carcinoma; 2) as part of multidrug regimens where bleomycin added for its lack of myelosuppression. This has occurred in the malignant lymphomas, lung cancer, and head and neck cancer; 3) in combination with radiotherapy which has taken place mostly in head and neck cervix cancer. To date, the combination of velban and bleomycin has had a major impact in improving the ability to induce complete remissions in advanced testicular carcinoma. Other drugs such as cis-platinum diaminedichloride and actinomycin D have been added and no definitive combination has been established. In the lymphomas the addition of bleomycin to the MOPP or CVP regimen has given higher complete response rates, but long-term survival data are still awaited.
| 81,499
|
Antitumor antibiotic bioactivation, biotransformation and derivatization by microbial systems.
|
Microbial transformations refer to reactions catalyzed by microbial enzymes, especially when specific and useful metabolites accumulate in fermentation media. These transformations have tremendous potential for use in the development of new antitumor drugs and these can also be used as models of mammalial metabolism. Microbial transformation experiments with antibiotics such as bleomycin, anthracyclines and with a variety of plant products are described.
| 81,506
|
HLA-D restriction of the macrophage-dependent response of immune human T lymphocytes to PPD in vitro: inhibition by anti-HLA-DR antisera.
|
The response of T cells from sensitized individuals to low doses of PPD in vitro is macrophage-dependent. By testing different allogeneic combinations of macrophages and T lymphocytes, it was found that an optimal response required that antigen be presented by macrophages sharing at least one of the HLA-D determinants of the T cell donor. Antisera recognizing HLA-A, -B or -DR antigens were found to be able to inhibit this proliferative response. The anti-HLA-DR antisera were found to exert their inhibitory effect only when directed towards an antigen shared by the donors of the T lymphocytes and the macrophages. Anti-HLA-A and -B sera, however, had an inhibitory effect when reactive with the responding T lymphocytes, irrespective of their reactivity with the cooperating macrophages. It is concluded that an optimal secondary response of in-vivo-immunized T lymphocytes to PPD requires the combined recognition of the antigen and 'self' membrane structures encoded by the HLA-D locus.
| 81,515
|
[Therapeutic progress. Critical analysis of controled and non-controled clinical studies].
|
Methods used in the evaluation of therapeutic results in clinical oncology are criticized on the basis of recent examples of studies including the most-used antitumor agents. The need for random allocation of patients in comparative studies is underlined and the practical, statistical, and ethical limitations on randomization procedures are reviewed.
| 81,520
|
[The fiberoptic-endocopic intubation for the palliatuve treatment of malignant esophageal stenosis].
|
Fibreoptic-endoscopic dilatation and intubation is a relatively new and safe palliative treatment for patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma. The procedure is described at length in three patients in whom it produced instant relief of dysphagia and rapid improvement of nutrition. The stay in hospital is reduced to a minimum. Possible complications are discussed.
| 81,522
|
Immune response-associated antigens on mouse leukemia cells. I. Detection of Ia antigens on GRSL cells.
|
The expression of immune response-associated (Ia) antigens on the surface of mouse strain GR (H-2dx) ascites leukemia (GRSL) cell lines was studied by cytotoxic tests, immunofluorescence, and immunoprecipitation assays. Ia expression varied among the three GRSL cells lines (GRSL 2, GRSL 14, and GRSL 15) studied by cytotoxic assay. GRSL 14 cells showed the strongest expression of Ia antigens among these three cell lines. A time-course study of tumor growth in mice revealed that Ia antigens on the tumor cells demonstrated the strongest expression 10 days after injection of GRSL cells into GR mice, and that subsequently it decreased until the death of the animal. Cells treated with neuraminidase exhibited more readily detectable Ia antigens, expecially in the late stages of leukemia, which suggested that Ia antigens had been masked by sialic acid. Immunoprecipitation studies revealed that Ia molecules on the leukemia cell had the same molecular weight as those on the normal lymphocytes. Immunofluorescence studies disclosed that Ia antigens were distributed diffusely on the surface of the tumor cells.
| 81,549
|
[Cryosurgical treatment of rectal carcinoma (author's transl)].
|
After comprehensive experimental especially morphological studies in animals, we started cryo-therapy of rectal carcinoma in 1972. We now present the first critical 5-years review concerning indication, clinical results and cryo-immunological features. In strongly indicated cases local tumour destruction by extremely low temperatures is superior to other palliative methods. Of 67 patients with rectal carcinoma treated with cryosurgery, 37 survived, 12 more than 36 months and 16 more than 24 months. Though there are only few hints indicating an increased immunological response following cryo-surgery, our investigations suggest a general influence on host's immunity by cryo-therapy.
| 81,576
|
Activity and distribution of bacteriolytic N-acetyl-muramidase during growth of Acanthamoeba castellanii in axenic culture.
|
Bacteriolytic endo N-acetylmuramidase of Acanthamoeba castellanii has been studied. In amoeba cells the enzyme, like exo N-acetylglucosaminidase and acid phosphatase, is attached to the lysosomes, as it is sedimentable when homogenates are prepared in medium containing sucrose. The sedimentability could be abolished by treatment with Triton X-100, thermal disintegration or by osmotic shock. The sedimentability and acid pH optima of the enzyme are highly characteristic of lysosomes. However, in young cultures over 50 per cent of enzyme activity was secreted by amoeba cells to the environment. The enzyme activity changed with the phase of growth cycle. The activity of enzyme expressed as units per mg of amoeba protein or per constant number of cells has been found to increase over 10 fold on aging of amoeba cultures. The increase in enzyme activity was stopped by actidione. The possible mechanisms of the regulation of the activity of lysosomal enzyme synthesis by amoebae are discussed.
| 81,598
|
Antigenic glycopolypeptides HA1 and HA2 of influenza virus haemagglutinin. II. Reactivity with rabbit sera against intact virus and purified undissociated haemagglutinin.
|
Rabbit sera produced against either intact virus or purified undissociated haemagglutinin were examined for reactivity with highly purified haemagglutinin glycopolypeptides. Sensitive radioimmunoassay for 125I-labelled glycopolypeptides revealed antibody reactive with either glycopolypeptide HA1, or glycopolypeptide HA2. Antibodies against the carbohydrate moiety were responsible only for a part of the binding activity. Under the conditions employed, the binding activity for glycopolypeptide HA2 was much stronger than for glycopolypeptide HA1. Competition assays suggested that immune reactivities were due to distinct antibody populations (i.e. with a specifity for glycopolypeptide HA1 and glycopolypeptide HA2, respectively). The immune reactivity to both haemagglutinin constituents, glycopolypeptides HA1 and HA2, was also shown by gel double diffusion. The precipitin line(s) corresponding to glycopolypeptide HA1 was (were) usually more distinct than precipitin line(s) corresponding to glycopolypeptide HA2. The glycopolypeptides HA1 and HA2 showed the reaction of nonidentity in immunodiffusion analysis.
| 81,606
|
Treatment of liver cancer with regional intraarterial 5-FU infusion.
|
The results of a retrospective three year study of forty-six patients with cancer of the liver treated with regional intraarterial infusion of 5-FU are reported. No primary mortality was noted. Oblective overall remission rate was 43 per cent. Overall median survival from onset of treatment was six months. The one year survival rate was 33 per cent and the two year survival rate 11 per cent. Patients with an objective response had a significantly prolonged survival as compared with nonresponders, especially in the colorectal group: sixteen months versus four months. Survival was not related to tumor size and involvement of the liver. During treatment 42 per cent of the patients developed extrahepatic metastases. Quality of life was improved in 63 per cent of the patients. The results indicate that infusion therapy induces reasonable response and palliation but is inadequate for the control of extrahepatic tumor growth.
| 81,616
|
Nursing care of the infant in surgery.
|
The operating room nurse, as an important team member, actively participates in the specialized care of the infant undergoing surgical intervention. Using the steps of the nursing process, he or she initiates the assessment preoperatively, collecting data about the health status of the patient. Based on these data, the nurse plans and prepares for the intraoperative phase and implements nursing actions while continuously and systematically reassessing the patient's condition and environment. In general, the most significant areas to consider in assessment, planning, and implementing care for infants undergoing surgical procedures are temperature regulation, fluid balance, readiness of the OR to receive the patient, prevention of infection, safe and reliable monitoring devices, careful tissue handling, and organization of priorities and interventions, especially to make efficient use of time.
| 81,657
|
Physicochemical and immunochemical properties of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) from different tumour sources.
|
The physical, chemical and immunochemical properties of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) purified from hepatic metastases of eight tumours, originating in the colon (6), stomach (1) and lung (1), have been examined. Differences were observed in the overall molecular charge, and also in the carbohydrate composition of the different preparations (both total % carbohydrate, and mole % of the individual sugars). Negligible differences in amino acid composition were found. Gel filtration analysis of these CEA preparations and an additional four partially purified preparations (from pancreatic, hepatic, breast and oesophageal tumour tissues) revealed a single CEA-active peak of similar molecular weight (about 200,000-300,000 daltons) in all preparations. Radioimmunoassay data for the twelve CEA preparations indicated that all preparations contain the same antigenic determinants, as detected by our antiserum, but that there are differences in the expression of these determinants in different preparations.
| 81,670
|
Release of beta-thromboglobulin from human platelets by therapeutic intensities of ultrasound.
|
The effects of therapeutic intensities of ultrasound on human platelets in whole blood were investigated by monitoring the release of the platelet specific protein beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG). More beta-TG was released as the intensity of the ultrasound was increased and also as the driving frequency was decreased from 3.0 to 0.75 MHz. Some beta-TG was released at spatially-averaged intensities as low as 0.6 W/cm2 at 0.75 MHz, a value significantly lower than that observed for the onset of aggregation of platelet rich plasma (obtained from the same volunteer) in the same exposure system. Liberation of beta-TG by ultrasound was diminished but not abolished in the presence of inhibitors which rendered the platelets functionally inert. Our data suggests that beta-TG is liberated in two ways, firstly as a result of platelet disruption by cavitation, and subsequently by potent aggregating agents, liberated in parallel with beta-TG, inducing the physiological release reaction in adjacent platelets. The low therapeutic intensities and short exposure times (30 s or less) necessary to liberate beta-TG from normal human platelets in vitro, suggests that patients with abnormally sensitive platelets and/or 'hypercoagulable state' could be at risk if subjected to high therapeutic intensities of ultrasound.
| 81,682
|
[Study of individual Pacinian corpuscle mechanoreceptors following application of colchicine to a nerve].
|
Colchicine application to the cat caudal mesenteric nerve containing sensory fibers for single mechanoreceptors (Pacinian corpuscles) causes degeneration of the axis cast of the nerve endings. Ultrastructural changes in the receptors showed no difference from the axonal degeneration after the nerve section but the rate of degeneration was considerably slower. Ultrastructural, electrophysiological, and biochemical changes occurring in the Pacinian corpuscles were not the result of direct action of colchicine, but appeared to be realized through the nerve by the axoplasmic transport block. It is suggested that the receptor's structure is under the sensory neuron neurotrophic control.
| 81,692
|
Detection of a new antibody system reacting with Dane particles in hepatitis B virus infection.
|
Antibodies in the serum reacting with antigens on the surface of radiolabelled Dane particles distinct from hepatitis B surface and core antigens (HBsAg and HBcAg) were detected, using a double antibody precipitation assay, in 12 out of 15 patients early in the course of acute type B hepatitis and at the time of disappearance of circulating Dane particles. No such antibody activity was found in 15 of the 16 patients with HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis, 13 of whom had complete Dane particles in the serum. In a group of 16 asymptomatic HBsAg carriers (without Dane particles in serum) antibody activity was shown in nine. This demonstration of antibodies precipitating Dane particles may be relevant to the clearance of circulating hepatitis B virions and the termination of infection in acute type B hepatitis. Their absence in all but one of the cases of chronic active hepatitis might explain why the virus infection persists in this group of patients.
| 81,702
|
Ethanol dependence in the rat: role of non-specific and limbic regions in the withdrawal reaction.
|
Chronic bipolar electrodes were implanted in cortical, limbic, diencephalic and mesencephalic regions of the rat. Following recovery from surgery the rats were maintained for 14--26 days on a liquid diet in which 35--42% of total calories were provided by ethanol. Following ethanol withdrawal, electrographic and behavioral monitoring was continued for 8--10 h. The withdrawal of ethanol resulted in the time-dependent appearance of a variety of withdrawal signs including tail arching, ataxia, rigidity, tremor and spontaneous and audiogenic convulsions. These behavioral signs were accompanied by the development of epileptiform abnormalities across wide-spread brain regions. Analysis of preconvulsive spike activity revealed a greater spike frequency in limbic, mesencephalic and non-specific diencephalic regions, as compared to those in cortex and specific diencephalon. Seizure discharge during the tonic-clonic phase of the primary audiogenic convulsion was initiated in the mesencephalon or amygdala, but spread rather extensively to the remainder of the brain. In those instances, however, where multiple convulsions occurred following the audiogenic convulsions, there was a marked decline in spread of seizure discharge to the cortex. These results were interpreted to support the notion that some degree of neuroanatomical specificity exists in the genesis of epileptiform abnormalities during ethanol withdrawal. A comparison of these results with those studying the neural mechanisms underlying other forms of generalized epilepsy was made. It is hypothesized that central pacemaking regions such as medial thalamus or reticular formation may serve to organize isolated epileptiform activity into coherent patterns of paroxysmal activity throughout the brain during the ethanol withdrawal syndrome.
| 81,750
|
Digital memory recorder in electromyography and nerve conduction studies.
|
Specifications are given: (i) for a 3-channel digital memory that, when connected to an inkjet writer, allows action potentials from muscle and nerve to be recorded without distortion (upper limiting frequency 10,000 Hz); (ii) for a 14-channel digital memory connected to a 14-channel inkjet writer for the measurement of the territory of the motor units by recording simultaneously from 14 leads of a multi-electrode spaced over the cross-section of the muscle; (iii) for a digital circuit that rejects signals that exceed a given amplitude and duration and interfere with electronic averaging of potentials from sensory nerve less than 1 muV in amplitude.
| 81,756
|
Activity of human hippocampal formation and amygdala neurons during memory testing.
|
Single and multiple unit recordings were made from fine wires stereotaxically implanted in the hippocampus (HC), hippocampal gyrus (HCG), and amygdala (Am) of psychomotor epileptics. During a series of memory and control tests presented on slides, 21 of 155 HCG units, 15 of 59 HC units, and 2 of 54 Am units showed what appeared to be simple phasic or tonic visual responses. Twenty-seven other units, found only in the HCG, changed firing only during slides requiring a choice ('choice units'). A given choice unit responded during choices indicated verbally or manually, and during tasks requiring recall of Recent Memory, various visual discriminations, and expressions of preference. Choice units were not affected by sensory stimulation or motor activity in contexts not requiring choice. Phasically inhibited choice units had higher firing rates and lower signal-to-noise ratios than tonically excited units. Whether an electrode recorded a choice unit was unrelated to if it recorded a response to hyperventilation, or was in an area of epileptic pathology. Recordings were also made during an interview lasting several hours and eliciting a wide range of behaviors. Five of the 131 HCG units fired in repeated extended bursts, at least 50 times background during recall of word pairs or of the patient's hospital room. The unit response did not occur during numerous control tasks possessing similar overt sensory, motor, and social concomitants, but not requiring Recent Memory.
| 81,761
|
Ag staining of the nucleolus organizer (NO) and its relationship to satellite association.
|
The frequency of involvement in satellite association and the frequency of selective staining of the secondary constrictions with silver solutions have been studied in five phenotypically normal individuals, all carriers of morphological variants of the nucleolus organizing region (NOR). The results show the preferential involvement of some morphological markers in satellite association, and also their preferential staining with Ag-I. It has also been shown that acrocentric chromosomes involved in satellite association are always stained by silver.
| 81,799
|
Synthesis of 5''-amino-3,5''-dideoxybutirosin A.
|
The titled compound was prepared by condensation of 3'-deoxyparomamine derivative (5) with 2,3-O-bis(p-nitrobenzoyl)-5-O-tosyl-D-xylofuranosyl bromide followed by 1-N-acylation with the active ester of (S)-4-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-hydroxybutyric acid. The compound was slightly more active than 3'-deoxybutirosin A against Pseudomonas.
| 81,829
|
Adrenal function and passive immunity in the dystocial calf.
|
Dystocial calves were tested for their ability to absorb colostral immunoglobulins and establish a competent passive immunity. Twenty dystocial and 20 eutocial calves were fed 1 liter of colostrum 4 h after birth and an additional liter 12 h later. Their absorption of the immunoglobulins A, G, and M, as indicated by serum concentrations, was equivalent at 16 and 24 h postpartum. Cortisol concentrations in serum at birth were high in both eutocial and dystocial calves and were correlated negatively with environmental temperatures prior to parturition. The dystocial calves had a lower cortisol concentration in serum at birth. The differences in cortisol concentrations between dystocial and eutocial calves and between experimental blocks influenced by environmental temperature could not be related to immunoglobulin absorption.
| 81,842
|
A subpopulation of adherent accessory cells bearing both I-A and I-E or C subregion antigens is required for antigen-specific murine T lymphocyte proliferation.
|
A murine T lymphocyte proliferation assay that used antigen-primed lymph node T cells, was antigen specific, and required exogenous accessory cells was used to characterize the accessory cells that supported proliferation. These cells were Thy 1.2 negative, radioresistant, glass-adherent, and were functional only if alive. The accessory cell function of spleen adherent cells was much greater than that of peritoneal cells. Also, the accessory cell function of spleen adherent cells was proportional to the length of time such cells were incubated with antigen and very small numbers of such cells provided accessory cell function. Cytotoxic studies with subregion-restricted anti-Ia antibodies and complement indicated that accessory cell function resided in a subpopulation of spleen adherent cells that bore both I-A and I-E or C subregion antigens. The function of such cells was not related to a selective ability (vs other spleen adherent cells) to take up antigen. These data indicate that antigen-specific stimulation of T lymphocyte proliferation requires at least one specific subpopulation of spleen adherent cells that can be phenotypically identified by its expression of Ia antigens and are consistent with the possibility that Ia antigens may be Ir gene products.
| 81,849
|
Studies of immunosuppression by cobra venom factor. I. On early IgG and IgM responses to sheep erythrocytes and DNP-protein conjugates.
|
The immunosuppressive activity of CVF was evaluated in mice immunized with sheep erythrocytes and dinitrophenylated proteins. Serum antibody levels to these immunogens were estimated in activity units and on a weight basis for IgG. IgM as well as IgG antibody responses were diminished in mice pretreated with CVF. However, when soluble immunogens were incorporated in CFA the suppressive effect associated with CVF was inapparent. It is suggested that C depletion per se may not fully account for the observed immunosuppression. The latter may result not only from the depression of C3 levels but also from the biologic activities of C cleavage products some of which modulate the secretory functions and state of activation of macrophages.
| 81,862
|
[Second increase in plasma volume after single infusion of hydroxyethyl starch (author's transl)].
|
6 patients without evidence for renal, hepatic or pancreatic disease were treated with intravenous infusions of 500 ml hydroxyethyl starch (6%) over a period of 60 min. In the course of the infusion we observed an increase in plasma volume from 2.72 +/- 0.101 to 3.36 +/- 0.141. After 2 h plasma volume decreased to 3.02 +/- 0.101 but showed a second peak of 3.23 +/- 0.121 after 4 h (p less than 0.01). 24 h following infusion an increase in plasma volume of 4,8% was found as compared to preinfusion values. The second increase in plasma volume cannot be explained by the total concentration of hydroxyethyl starch since the latter decreased continuously. The increase in plasma volume was accompanied by a decrease in average molecular weight (-Mw and -Mn). It is suggested that serum amylase produces small osmotic active molecules by degradation of hydroxyethyl starch, thus leading to an increase in plasma volume. 12--24 h after the infusion of hydroxyethyl starch serum amylase was more than twice as high basal values. This is caused by the formation of a high molecular hydroxyethyl starch-amylase-complex which cannot be eliminated easily. When hydroxyethyl starch is given repeatedly to normovolemic patients, the second increase in plasma volume should be considered as a possible cause for acute hypervolemia. This is especially true for patients with myocardial insufficiency.
| 81,905
|
Antenatal diagnosis of sickle-cell anaemia by D.N.A. analysis of amniotic-fluid cells.
|
The polymorphism of a restriction endonuclease site has been used for antenatal diagnosis of sickle-cell disease. In a normal person, the beta-globin gene was contained in a Hpa I-digested D.N.A. fragment 7.6 kilobases (kb) in length. In a family where the sickle gene was contained in a variant 13.0 kb fragment, restriction endonuclease mapping was used for antenatal diagnosis. The D.N.A. from amniotic-fluid cells produced both the 7.6 and the 13.0 bk beta-globin gene fragments, indicating the diagnosis of sickle-cell trait. This confirmed the diagnosis reached after investigation of a 100% sample of fetal blood. The method is sensitive and can be performed with cells obtained from 15 ml of uncultured amniotic fluid. This approach may prove useful in antenatal diagnosis of other genetic disorders.
| 81,926
|
Controlled trial of hyposensitisation to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in children with asthma.
|
Hyposensitisation with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus tyrosine absorbate in asthmatic children with bronchial sensitivity to D. pteronyssinus was effective in a 12-month double-blind controlled clinical trial. Compared with controls, treated children used a smaller quantity of drugs while maintaining clinical and lung function improvements. In most children who improved there was no change in immediate response to D. pteronyssinus on bronchial provocation test, but the late reaction was lost in half the patients and these showed the greatest improvement in symptoms.
| 81,927
|
Intermittent catheterisation in the management of children with neuropathic bladder.
|
Twenty-three children with neuropathic bladder have been treated by intermittent catheterisation during the past 3 years. Twelve are now practically dry, nine are drier than before, and two have remained wet. Urinary infections have not been a major problem, but it is too soon to assess the long-term effects on the upper renal tract. Intermittent catheterisation lightens the burden for the mothers. Four children catheterise themselves and two of them are now independent.
| 82,002
|
Levamisole in rheumatoid arthritis. A randomised double-blind study comparing two dosage regimens of levamisole with placebo. Multicentre study group.
|
The therapeutic effect of levamisole in patients with rheumatoid arthritis was evaluated in a sixteen-centre double-blind controlled study which compared continuous and intermittent levamisole treatment with placebo for six months. 363 patients with classic or definite rheumatoid arthritis and active disease were evaluated. Continuous and intermittent levamisole treatments were equally effective in controlling disease activity. 20% of patients had important drug-related adverse reactions. The results demonstrated that levamisole is an active drug in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
| 82,030
|
Cot deaths and water-sodium.
|
Over a thirty-year period in Scunthorpe, during which there were two changes in the sodium content of the water supply, there were significantly more sudden deaths in infancy during the decade when sodium levels were highest. This is compatible with the hypothesis that hypernatraemia is a factor leading to cot death. Changes in the incidence of breastfeeding over the same period may have contributed to, but are unlikely to account for, the result because the pattern was different in a neighbouring district where there was no change in water quality.
| 82,031
|
Transformation of normal bone-marrow cells by a leukaemic cell line associated with a presumptive new human virus.
|
Intracytoplasmic leukovirus-like bodies were found in the cells and culture medium of a T-cell lymphoblast line established from a leukaemic patient. When the cells were lethally irradiated and added to normal bone-marrow cells the latter were transformed into continuous replication and produced the same types of virus-like particle.
| 82,033
|
Pathogenesis of prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas.
|
42 women with amenorrhoea and hyperprolactinaemia had trans-sphenoidal surgery and resection of histologically verified pituitary adenomas. 74% of these patients developed amenorrhoea and/or galactorrhoea in immediate association with the use or discontinuation of oral contraceptives or post partum. There was enough adenomatous tissue for immunocytochemical studies in 35 specimens and specific localisation of prolactin was possible in 31. There is evidence that about 10% of the population have small pituitary tumours, and the majority of these tumours, though asymptomatic, are potentially prolactin-secreting. It is suggested that oestrogens, which are known to modulate prolactin secretion in normal human beings and in animals, can induce the growth and expression of otherwise silent pituitary lesions and that this should be considered a risk of oral-contraceptive use.
| 82,034
|
Effect of cimetidine in symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux.
|
Twenty-seven patients with symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux received cimetidine 1.6 g daily for 6 weeks and matching placebo for 6 weeks in a randomised double-blind crossover trial. They complained of significantly more episodes of pain on placebo than on cimetidine (1186 vs 581) and consumed significantly more antacid tablets on placebo than on cimetidine (1645 vs. 1011). Cimetidine and placebo had similar effects on mucosal sensitivity to acid and on oesophagitis assessed endoscopically and histologically, suggesting that the symptomatic benefit is the result of a simple antacid effect.
| 82,086
|
[Clinical relevance of serum alpha-1-fetoprotein determinations].
|
History, physiological and pathological properties and clinical significance of alpha-1-fetoprotein (AFP) are reviewed in detail. Present observations suggest that additional information can be expected from AFP-determination as an index for prognosis and response to chemotherapy in patients with AFP-producing tumors. Prenatal diagnosis of fetal distress-syndrome, screening for primary carcinoma of the liver (PLC) and malignant germ cell-tumors containing yolk sac-tissue, and postoperative controls of therapeutic efficiency are mentioned as main indications for an AFP-test. Especially encouraging are the results of a 4-year prospective study, in which 108 patients with PLC have been found among 4000 patients with hepatobiliar diseases. Diagnostic efficiency of AFP, 67-gallium-scanning and celiacography is demonstrated in 80 patients with autopically verified PLC. Overall diagnostic value with a combination of AFP and 67-Gacitrate was 93.8%. Further studies have been carried out, analyzing the histological findings in 8 patients with and 8 patients without AFP-producing hepatocellular carcinomas. A comparison of diagnostic efficiency of three AFP-test-methods with different sensitivity-limits has been done.
| 82,239
|
Effects of IRA in vitro on T- and B-lymphocytes from peripheral blood of patients with connective tissue diseases.
|
The effect of immunoregulatory alpha-globulin (IRA) in vitro on T-lymphocytes (rosette forming cells) and B-lymphocytes (surface IgG and IgM) in peripheral blood of healthy subjects and the patients with connective tissue diseases were investigated. Marked inhibitory effects of IRA were observed on T-lymphocytes and surface IgG-bearing lymphocytes from healthy subjects. The effect of IRA was almost in parallel with the amount of IRA and with the length of incubation period at 37 degrees C. The inhibitory effects of IRA were more remarkable on surface IgM-bearing lymphocytes from the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and those with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) than on those from healthy subjects. On the other hand, the effects of IRA were more remarkable on surface IgG-bearing lymphocytes from the cases of SLE than on those from healthy subjects.
| 82,280
|
Inhibition of ultraviolet and phototoxic dermatitis in the mouse.
|
The effect of inhibitors on the inflammatory oedema elicited by medium-wave ultraviolet radiation (UVB) and long-wave ultraviolet radiation (UVA) in combination with chlorpromazine has been studied in the mouse, by means of a quantitative technique. Inhibition of the UVB reaction was observed with indomethacin, acetylsalicylic acid and betamethasone valerate, whereas the latter compound only was effective in the phototoxic state. No inhibition was obtained with hydrocortisone, phenylbutazone, epsilon-aminocaproic acid, polyphloretin phosphate, clemastin, alpha-tocopherol or ascorbic acid. With indomethacin and betamethasone valerate there was no inhibition at high doses when the compound was administered before UVB irradiation. These results are in accordance with a proposed central role for the prostaglandins in UVB inflammation. It is suggested that the phototoxic reaction to chlorpromazine may not be due to mediator action but rather to the effect of toxic photoproducts.
| 82,323
|
Eosinophilic spongiosis in early pemphigus foliaceus.
|
A case of widespread non-specific, itchy exanthema in a 74-year-old female is presented. An early skin biopsy showed eosinophilic spongiosis. Later a dermatitis herpetiformis-like eruption developed. However, immunofluorescence microscopy showed intercellular IgG deposits characteristic of pemphigus. Recognition of eosinophilis spongiosis may be helpful in differentiating early pemphigus from other bullous diseases.
| 82,338
|
Treatment of acne with cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol.
|
Tablets containing 2 mg cyproterone acetate and 0.05 mg ethinyl estradiol in a calendar package of 21 days were used as an oral contraceptive to treat acne. The series comprised 20 patients. The women were 18--43 years of age, and all had acne which had previously been resistant to therapy. The treatment was continued for 6 months. Serum testosterone, 17-OHCS, 17-KS, serum ALAT and gamma-GT were recorded prior to the treatment at 3 and 6 months. Ten patients responded well to the treatment, 5 responded moderately well, 3 experienced no change, and 2 became worse. The serum testosterone level fell during the therapy and the ALAT level rose, though only one pathological ALAT value was recorded.
| 82,357
|
Systemic miconazole treatment of a patient with chronic granulomatous mucocutaneous candidiasis.
|
Miconazole given intravenously and orally was evaluated in the treatment of a patient with drug-resistant, chronic, widespread horny candida lesions. Marked clinical improvement occurred after 4 weeks of the first course of treatment, in which 400 mg of miconazole per day was given intravenously. After 3 months no signs of the disease were apparent. The patient remained free of symptoms for 3 months, after which the lesions recurred and a second course of treatment, with 200 mg of miconazole per day intravenously, was started. A prompt clinical clearing was seen within 3 weeks, after which the miconazole (1 000 mg per day) was given orally. During oral administration of the drug a limited degree of recurrence of horny patches occurred. Systemic miconazole seems to be the drug of choice in the treatment of systemic chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis.
| 82,358
|
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