Immunologically mediated glomerulonephritis induced by heavy metals.
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Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
A Bernard
Publications and source records attributed to A Bernard.
Comparison of renal function and psychomotor performance in workers exposed to elemental mercury.
Renal function and psychomotor performance (eye-hand coordination, arm-hand steadiness) of a group of 43 workers exposed to mercury vapor were examined. Their mean age an average duration of exposure to mercury were 38 and 5 years, respectively. The results were compared with those in a matched group of 47 control workers. Increased proteinuria and albuminuria were found slightly more prevalent in the Hg-exposed group than in the control workers. These results are in agreement with those found during a previous study carrier out in another group of workers also exposed to elemental mercury (Buchet et al. 1980). The scores of the psychomotor tests were less satisfactory in the Hg workers than in the control workers, the arm-hand steadiness test being more discriminative than the eye-hand coordination test. Preclinical changes in psychomotor function can be detected independently of the presence of signs of renal dysfunction. No clear-cut relationships were found between the prevalence of abnormal psychomotor scores and the level of mercury in blood (HgB) or in urine (HgU). Increased prevalences of abnormal psychomotor scores seem however to occur for HgB between 1 and 2 micrograms/100 and for HgU between 50 and 100 micrograms/g creatinine. Therefore, a biologic threshold limit value of 50 micrograms/g creatinine in proposed for urinary mercury to prevent the development of preclinical effects on the central nervous system. A similar critical HgU level based on renal dysfunction prevalences has been suggested in a previous study.
Adult↗
The correlation of adenosine deaminase and purine nucleoside phosphorylase activities in human lymphocytes subpopulations and in various lymphoid malignancies.
Adenosine deaminase (ADA) and purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) were measured in normal human and in malignant lymphoid cells. Thymocytes had high ADA activity (21.2 +/- 6.8 10(3) nM/h/mg) and low PNP activity (1.2 +/- 0.6), whereas T peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) had low ADA activity (1.20 +/- 0.22) and high PNP activity (2.8 +/- 1.3). Moreover cortico-thymocytes had higher ADA and lower PNP levels than medullary thymocytes. A linear correlation was observed between ADA and PNP activities in both thymocytes and T-PBL. Cells from 13 patients with T acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 10 patients with T lymphoblastic lymphoma (LL) had very high levels of ADA (respectively 13.0 +/- 5.4 and 22.8 +/- 14) and low levels of PNP (respectively 1.9 +/- 0.8 and 2.5 +/- 1.4). However no clear relationship appeared between subgroups of these T-cell malignancies defined by their patterns of surface antigens, revealed by reactivity with monoclonal antibodies, and ADA and PNP levels, and there was no correlation between the two enzymes. In contrast, cells from 31 patients with HLA-DR+ common ALL had significantly low values of ADA as compared to cells from six patients with HLA-DR- common ALL and a linear correlation was observed between ADA and PNP in cells from children with non-T, non-B ALL. These results show that specific stages of T-cell development may be characterized by the relationships and the correlation between the two enzymes and suggest that T-ALL and T-LL appear to be the group of lymphoid malignancies with a high degree of incoordination between ADA and PNP activities.
Adenosine Deaminase↗
Probing human malignant T cells with lectins: a comparison with their surface antigen patterns defined by monoclonal antibodies.
Tumor cells from 40 children and 13 adults with T cell malignancies were assessed for staining with fluorescinated peanut agglutinin (PNA) and soybean agglutinin (SBA). These cell populations had also been characterized for surface surface antigens using a series of monoclonal antibodies (Mo. Ab.) that permit an assignment of malignant cells to discrete stages of normal T cell differentiation. We had previously shown a clear correspondence between lectin- and Mo. Ab-defined cell compartments within thymuses from normal children and T cells in peripheral blood. We report here that the pattern of reactivity of malignant T cells populations with lectins correlates closely the degree of maturation, as assessed by Mo. Ab. Thus, utilization of lectins together with Mo. Ab., can be clinically useful to characterize T cell malignancies. This observation shows that, in spite of a high degree of heterogeneity of malignant T cell populations from one patient to the other, in their pattern of surface antigens, these populations seem essentially to conform to the scheme of normal T cell differentiation.
Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
Evolution of cadmium-induced renal dysfunction in workers removed from exposure.
A retrospective examination of the medical records gathered during several surveys carried out among cadmium workers has permitted the identification of a group of 19 workers who had been examined before and after removal from cadmium exposure. All the workers had been exposed for more than 15 a (range 15.6-41.7 a). Their last examination took place from 0.3 to 7.9 a after the date of removal from cadmium exposure. At that time, all the workers exhibited sign(s) of cadmium-induced renal dysfunction. Comparison of the renal function parameters (serum creatinine, total proteinuria, aminoaciduria, albuminuria, beta 2-microglobulinuria, and the urinary excretion of retinol-binding protein) before and after the cessation of exposure indicated that cadmium-induced renal lesions, albeit of slow progression, are not reversible when exposure ceases.
Adult↗
Changes in surface antigens on malignant T cells from lymphoblastic lymphomas at relapse: an appraisal with monoclonal antibodies and microfluorometry.
By using a panel of monoclonal antibodies reactive with lymphoid differentiation antigens and microfluorometry, we investigated the malignant cells from five patients with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma both at initial involvement and at relapse. We have observed changes in cell surface antigens densities in four of the five cases. These changes could be interpreted as a shift in the status of differentiation of the malignant cells. In two cases the malignant cells appeared to be arrested at an earlier stage at relapse than at initial involvement, while in the two other cases, cells at relapse appeared to be arrested at a later stage than at initial involvement. Interestingly, a parallelism was observed between regression of the differentiative status of the malignant T cells and "leukemic conversion." These observations are also relevant to the understanding of the development of tumor resistance to chemotherapy.
Adolescent↗
Non-T, non-B lymphomas are rare in childhood and associated with cutaneous tumor.
Tumor cells from a total of 116 children with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were studied for their pattern of reactivity with a battery of cell markers, including their capacity for spontaneous formation of sheep erythrocyte rosettes (E-rosettes), demonstration of surface immunoglobulins (SIg), and positivity with antisera against T-cell antigens, the common acute-lymphoblastic-leukemia-associated antigen (cALLa), and Ia-like antigens. Fifty-eight children (50%) had T-cell lymphomas, including all those with mediastinal tumors. Fifty children (43%) had B-cell lymphomas, including 44 of the 45 with abdominal primaries. Eight children (7%) had non-T, non-B tumors, 4 of whom presented at a young age with cutaneous lymphoblastic tumors. These results demonstrate that the great majority of children with NHL, not leukemic at diagnosis, have tumors clearly committed to either T- or B-cell differentiation pathways and only rarely exhibit the common ALL phenotype (cALLa+, Ia+, E-, T-, SIg-), contrasting with the distribution of childhood lymphoblastic leukemias. The unusual association of these non-T, non-B cases with skin involvement has not previously been reported, raising speculation regarding patterns of lymphocyte traffic and origins of childhood lymphomas and leukemias.
Adolescent↗
[Cadmium toxicity: summary of personal studies].
Occupational and environmental exposure to cadmium leads to a progressive and almost irreversible accumulation of the metal in the body. The epidemiological and experimental studies carried out by the authors allow them to draw the following conclusions: 1) the kidney is usually the critical organ i.e. the organ exhibiting the first signs of adverse effects following long term moderate exposure to cadmium by inhalation or by ingestion. 2) Cadmium interferes not only with the tubular reabsorption process(es) for low molecular weight proteins (e.g. beta 2 . microglobulin, retinol binding protein) but also with the glomerular or tubular mechanism determining the excretion of high molecular weight proteins (e.g. albumin, transferrin). Both types of proteinuria may occur independently. 3) The renal functional disturbances induced by cadmium and compatible not only with a tubular dysfunction but also a glomerular dysfunction. 4) The early detection of renal disturbances induced by cadmium should not rely only on the determination of total proteinuria but necessitates the analysis in urine of at least one low molecular weight protein (beta 2-microglobulin or retinol binding protein) and one high molecular weight protein (albumin). 5) Before the occurrence of renal dysfunction and providing the intensity of exposure to cadmium is moderate, urinary cadmium reflects mainly the body burden whereas blood cadmium reflects mainly the last few months exposure. 6) In adult male workers occupationally exposed to cadmium, the critical concentration of cadmium in the renal cortex is in the order of 200 ppm. The corresponding critical urinary level is approximately 10 micrograms/g creatinine. The critical level of cadmium in the renal cortex is not reached if the exposure is kept at a level where cadmium in blood does no exceed 1 microgram/100 ml. 7) Comparison of literature data on current exposure of the general population to cadmium and the critical exposure level indicates that some groups of the general population absorb daily amounts of cadmium closed to the critical level. 8) The critical biological levels indicated under (6) do not necessarily prevent an exacerbation of the age-related decline in renal function. 9) A preliminary study performed in Belgium suggests that cadmium might play a role in the increased mortality by renal diseases in a population living in an area polluted by cadmium. More detailed studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.
Cadmium↗
Sperm numbers and in-vitro fertilisation.
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Fertilization in Vitro↗
[Sarcoid nodules of the skin at the site of venipuncture (author's transl)].
In a 56-year-old female patient with sarcoidosis, venipuncture for withdrawal of blood specimens resulted in the formation of a histologically confirmed sarcoid granuloma at the precise site of the puncture. Eight similar cases are reported in the literature. They concern women aged 37 on average and presenting with pulmonary lesions. The sarcoid nodules, large or small, occurred earlier at the sites of venipuncture than on visible scars. One may wonder whether the formation of these nodules could be due to a hypersensitivity reaction developing as a result of blood cells extravasation during an active phase of the disease.
Blood Specimen Collection↗
[Use of the ex vivo vascular perfusion technique in the rat for the study of the intestinal absorption of fatty acids into the blood].
Lipid emulsion containing tritiated decanoic or oleic acid was infused in an isolated intestinal loop in situ. An ex vivo vascular perfusion technique has been used, allowing the continuous sampling of mesenteric portal blood. With decanoic acid the amount of radioactivity recovered in portal blood was high and similar for actidione-cycloheximide treated and control Rats. On the contrary the amount of radioactivity recovered in control Rats after oleic acid absorption was low. These results show that the ex vivo vascular perfusion technique can be used to study the non-esterified fatty acid intestinal absorption.
Animals↗
[Intestinal lymphatic absorption of labelled oleic acid in the normal rat and rat treated with actidione-cycloheximide or acetoxycycloheximide].
Actidione-cycloheximide or acetoxycycloheximide treated and control Rats prepared with main mesenteric lymph duct cannulation were infused with a 90 mumol lipid emulsion composed of an equimolar mixture of monopalmitin, palmitic acid and 14C oleic acid and added with bile. In control Rats 75% of 14C oleic was recovered in lymph instead of 4,5% in treated rats. Although a low amount of lipids was concerned in this experiment, actidionecycloheximide and acetoxycycloheximide strongly inhibit intestinal absorption of oleic acid in lymph.
Animals↗
Measles virus: evolution of a persistent infection in BGM cells.
An African green monkey kidney cell line (BGM) persistently infected with measles virus (BGM/Hallé cells) has been studied during 3 years in culture. The early cell passages were characterized by slow growing cultures producing high yields of infections virus (10(6)--10(7) PFU/ml). These cells were gradually replaced by a population of cells multiplying at a similar rate as non-infected cells. During this evolution, the virus released from the cells changed from a large plaque variant, to a small plaque and eventually unlysed foci. Despite greater than or equal to 95 per cent of the cells being infected, the virus yield fell to the limits of detection. [35S]-methionine labelling of BGM/Hallé cultures at the 20th and 140th passage showed that in both cases all the measles virus structural proteins were synthesized. There were no changes in the apparent molecular sizes of the viral proteins during passage. Cell surface [125I]-labelling of BGM/Hallé cells indicates that viral envelope antigens are inserted into the membrane despite the diminution in virus yield. Several cell proteins not labelled in non-infected BGM cells are also labelled. These proteins could also be [125I]-labelled in clones of BGM/Hallé cells with had been "cured" of virus. Chase experiments of [125I]-pre-labelled BGM/Hallé cultures showed the radiolabelled antigen to be incorporated into virus particles. Non-infections virus particles released from the cells contained the same polypeptides as those released from a lytic infection.
Animals↗
Environmental exposure to cadmium and renal function of aged women in three areas of Belgium.
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Aged↗
In vivo measurement of liver and kidney cadmium in workers exposed to this metal: its significance with respect to cadmium in blood and urine.
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Adult↗
Characterization of the proteinuria induced by prolonged oral administration of cadmium in female rats.
Female Sprague-Dawley rats were given 200 ppm cadmium (Cd) in the drinking water for 11 months. Total proteinuria and the concentrations of Cd in blood, urine, liver and kidney cortex were determined monthly. The proteinuria was characterized by Sephadex G-75 chromatography and by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. From the 8th month of treatment, the Cd concentration in the kidney cortex levels off at a value of about 250 microgram/g wet wt and this phenomenon coincides with the occurrence of proteinuria. The proteinuria was characterized by an increased urinary excretion of high molecular weight (HMW) proteins, particularly gamma-globulins. Aminoaciduria also increased which suggests the existence of a slight tubular dysfunction. The renal dysfunction induced by chronic oral administration of Cd seems different from that observed in a previous study in which Cd was administered by the i.p. route (1 mg Cd/kg, 5 times a week for 2 months). For the same level of Cd in the kidney cortex the proteinuria induced by i.p. injection of Cd was usually of mixed type and in some cases of the tubular type. The development of this proteinuria was coincident with the levelling off of Cd concentration in the kidney cortex and in the liver. The saturation of liver by Cd is very likely at the origin of he extensive tubular lesion and of the mixed type proteinuria observed in the i.p. experiment. These results demonstrate the importance of mode of Cd administration on the nature of the Cd-induced proteinuria in animal. They support also our proposal that both low and HMW proteins should be determined in urine for the early detection of renal damage occurring in man chronically exposed to cadmium.
Administration, Oral↗
Cell surface characterization of malignant T cells from lymphoblastic lymphoma using monoclonal antibodies: evidence for phenotypic differences between malignant T cells from patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma.
A series of monoclonal antibodies was used for the characterization of malignant T cells from 21 patients with lymphoblastic lymphoma (LL). The tumor population from these patients showed a marked degree of phenotypic heterogeneity and a proportion (one-third) of patients had tumor cells that did not conform exactly with the cells normally detected in the thymus. However, these cell populations could be related to the early or common or late thymocyte population (about one-third of the patients in each category). This contrast, with the characterization of malignant T cells from 43 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that could be related to either early or common thymocytes, with an exception of two patients categorized as having a tumor population related to late thymocytes. Further phenotypic differences between cells from ALL and LL could be demonstrated by investigation with two additional monoclonal antibodies, A50 and U4. Among patients with malignant T cells related to common thymocyte, 0/12 patients with ALL had cells recognized by A50, where 5/8 patients with LL had A50+ cells. Among patients with early thymocytes, only patients with ALL had cells recognized by U4. In addition, 5 LL patients had cells reactive with J5, a monoclonal antibody recognizing the common ALL antigen (CALLA). Since CALLA was found on cells related to common and late thymocytes, CALLA is neither lineage specific, nor can it be viewed as being peculiar to malignant lymphoid cells arrested at very immature stages of differentiation.
Adolescent↗
Correspondence between lectin-defined and surface antigen-defined cell subpopulations in the human thymus: its variation during ontogeny.
In the thymus of children, congruent to 50% of cells are recognized both by peanut agglutinin and soybean agglutinin (PNA+, SBA+), congruent to 23% of cells are PNA-, SBA-, and 23% are PNA-, SBA+. This pattern of recognition was compared with the reactivity of these cells with monoclonal antibodies recognizing T cell differentiation antigens A 50 and a series (T3, T6, T8) that defines 3 discrete stages of T cell differentiation. Most PNA+, SBA+ display T6 and T8 but not T3 antigens; most PNA-, SBA+ display T3+ and A 50+ but not T6; and T3-, T6-, A 50- cells are PNA-, SBA-. Thus, there is a close correspondence between PNA+, SBA+ cells and the common (cortical) T3-, T6+ thymocytes; between PNA-, SBA+ cells and late (medullary) T3+, T6- thymocytes; and between PNA-, SBA- cells and early thymocytes. During ontogeny, although there are fewer PNA+ cells in the thymus, the proportion of T3+ cells, T6+ cells, and T3-, T6- cells showed no major modification as early as 16 wk.
Agglutinins↗