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Biomedical subjects

A Adler

Publications and source records attributed to A Adler.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Immunity in wart resolution.

The involvement of the humoral and cell-mediated immune systems in the regression of wart infection has been investigated extensively in recent years. This review examines the supporting evidence for the roles of humoral and cellular immunity in wart regression and its possible implications. From the available data it does not appear that a conclusion can be drawn that only humoral or cell-mediated immunity is involved, or that both are essential, in the regression of wart infection. Studies by several investigators, however, suggest that, since agents known to stimulate the cell-mediated immune system have been reported to be followed by the successful resolution of warts, the cell-mediated immune system appears to play a critical role in wart resolution. It may be that the direction which should be taken in eradication of warts resistant to conventional modalities of treatment is one which relies upon the stimulation of the patient's immune system in a very specific manner. Probably the most efficient way to accomplish this, based on available data, would be by autogenous vaccination. Following the patient's humoral and cell-mediated immune response prior to, during, and following treatment with autogenous vaccination may help to elucidate the precise mechanism by which the successful resolution of warts occurs.

Antibody Formation

Tetraethylthiuram disulfide (Antabuse) inhibits the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

Plasmodium falciparum in culture grows optimally at 3% oxygen. Oxygen levels down to 0.5% still support growth, but anaerobic conditions do not. These findings, and the absence of the Krebs cycle in Plasmodium, suggested that in this organism oxygen may not function in electron transport but rather may act through metalloprotein oxygenases. Tetraethylthiuram disulfide (Antabuse, disulfiram) and its reduction product diethyldithiocarbamate inhibit many metalloprotein oxygenases and have a lipid/H2O partition coefficient and high binding constant for metal ions, favoring selective toxicity to the malaria parasite. These compounds exhibited active antimalarial effects in vitro in concentrations down to 0.1 microgram/ml, the lowest level tested. Tetraethylthiuram disulfide at a level as low as 1 microgram/ml inhibited parasite glycolysis with no effect on glycolysis of normal erythrocytes. Erythrocytes pretreated with this drug at 10 microgram/ml did not support growth of the parasite.

Animals

Malignant melanoma of the head and neck in children. Review of the literature and report of a case.

Perusal of the literature revealed that until 1970, 13 children with malignant melanoma of the head and neck had been reported. This group includes two cases of melanoma that developed in a giant cell nevus, as well as one case of congenital melanoma. The biologic features of prepubertal melanoma appear basically analogous to those of the adult variety. Malignant melanoma of the auricle is described in a 2 1/2-year-old child. Surgical therapy was given, and BCG vaccination was used as an adjuvant. The patient is alive and free of signs of the disease 2 1/2 years following the operation. This appears to be the third reported case of malignant melanoma of the external ear in a child.

Child, Preschool

Immunocompetence, immunosuppression, and human breast cancer. I. An analysis of their relationship by known parameters of cell-mediated immunity in well-defined clinical stages of disease.

General immune competence was examined 255 breast cancer patients, including 104 operable, 44 locally advanced/inoperable, and 44 with demonstrable metastatic dissemination, all at the time of diagnosis, as well as 63 disease-free long survivors; this was compared with that of 100 normal controls. The parameters employed were PPD and DNCB skin testing, lymphocyte response to PHA mitogen, E-rosette formation, and lymphocyte number. Significant patients, with only 31% showing optimal and 25% showing minimal levels of immune function, as compared with 70% optimal and 2% minimal function in controls. Immune competence was not affected by metastatic involvement of regional lymph nodes. In patients with early, occult metastatic dissemination (as determined in retrospect), the degree of immune competence was found to be identical to that of patients who did not develop disease dissemination. Remarkably, this early phase of tumor spread is not accompanied by immune impairment, such as is evident in clinically demonstrable metastatic disease and, to a lesser degree, in advanced local and regional disease. Since tumor dissemination preceded impairment of general immunocompetence, it emerges as the cause rather than the result of immunosuppression. Long disease-free survivors, who had postoperative irradiation 5-12 years previously, were shown to have a notably low level of immune competence. Lymphocyte response to PHA stimulation was found to be impaired in the earlier stages of disease, while skin DHR was still well maintained; in advanced disease both parameters tend to correlate as total immunologic impairment ensues. The sequence of immunologic events leading up to immunosuppression with disease progress is discussed.

Breast Neoplasms

A comparison of student radiographic reject rates.

Educators and administrators often are called upon to estimate the economic considerations of students in radiology departments for clinical education. Yet, little has been written about student radiographic reject rates. This study assessed the radiographic reject rate of 320 first- and second-year students from 21 hospital- and college-sponsored programs in 18 states.

Humans