Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Gustafsson

Publications and source records attributed to A Gustafsson.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Long-term persistence of false positive antibody reactivity in HIV western blot testing of sera from a healthy blood donor.

HIV-Western blot (WB) testing of sequential sera from a blood donor revealed identical bands in the p24 and p55 positions. Additional testing using indirect immunofluorescence antibody technique, radioimmunoprecipitation assay and an HIV p24 antigen immunoassay were negative. During a 5-year follow-up period the blood donor has remained apparently healthy and no signs of disease have developed. We conclude that sera from this blood donor show a false positive HIV WB reactivity. The nature of this reactivity remains obscure but has practical implications for the routine HIV screening of blood donors.

Adult↗

Total parenteral nutrition and the function of the intestinal microflora in Crohn's disease.

The effect of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) on the following six intestinal microflora-associated characteristics (MACs) was studied in patients with Crohn's disease: faecal tryptic activity (FTA), formation of coprostanol, urobilinogen, and deoxycholic acid, and degradation of mucin and beta-aspartylglycine. The FTA showed high levels before TPN, in accordance with previous findings, and decreased during TPN. Formation of coprostanol, urobilinogen, and deoxycholic acid was reduced in some patients, whereas no changes were found in the mucin and beta-aspartylglycine degradation.

Adult↗

The augmentation of human natural killer cell activity by interferon-gamma is not associated with the induction of the interferon-alpha-inducible proteins.

Treatment of partly purified large granular lymphocytes (LGL) with either IFN-alpha or IFN-gamma for 2 hr augmented their NK cell activity. This augmentation was completely inhibited by the addition of 10 micrograms/ml of cycloheximide. In contrast, when the effects of IFN-gamma on the synthesis of specific proteins in these cells was directly studied by use of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, we found that IFN-gamma was unable to induce any of the earlier detected, IFN-alpha/IFN-beta-inducible proteins within 18 hr of incubation. No additional, IFN-gamma-induced proteins were detected in either the partly purified LGL or purified T cells. In contrast, the effects of the two factors were comparable in the glioma cell line 251 MG. This shows i) that the effects of IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma are dependent on the responder cell type, ii) that there exists at least one mechanism that can augment NK cell activity that is not dependent on the increased synthesis of the IFN-alpha-inducible proteins, and iii) that either the nine IFN-alpha-inducible proteins are not involved in any leukocyte function that is augmentable by both IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma, or that the two factors exert their actions in leukocyte through different mechanisms.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Similar effects of treatment with alpha interferon on the protein synthesis of human large granular lymphocytes, T cells, and monocytes.

Preparations of human large granular lymphocytes (LGL), T cells, and monocytes (MC) were obtained through centrifugation on Percoll gradients and preparative E-rosetting. The different preparations contained more than 80% of the appropriate cell type, as judged by their ability to lyse 51Cr-labelled K562 cells, cell morphology, and the presence of cell surface structures recognized by the OKT3, OKT10, Leu 7 and OKM1 monoclonal antibodies. The protein synthesis is unstimulated and alpha interferon (IFN-alpha)-treated cells of the different types was studied by subjecting 35S-methionine-labelled cell extracts to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The general pattern of protein synthesis in LGL and T cells was virtually identical, whereas at least 7 major proteins were synthesized at a higher rate in monocytes. The effects of IFN-alpha on the protein synthesis of LGL and T cells were identical, IFN-alpha increasing the rate of synthesis of 9 proteins. These proteins were also expressed, but not always IFN-augmentable, in monocytes. No additional, cell-type associated, IFN-inducible proteins were found. This suggests that the augmenting effect of IFN-alpha on the cytotoxic capacity of LGL, T cells, and monocytes may be to affect common steps in their lytic machineries.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Rapid induction of seven proteins in human lymphocytes by interferon; correlation to natural killer cell activity.

The early effects of interferon (IFN) on the synthesis of protein in human nylon wool-nonadherent lymphocytes have been stimulated by use of two-dimensional electrophoresis. IFN-alpha or -beta as well as Escherichia coli-produced IFN-alpha 2 induced the rapid formation of seven proteins (Mr 80, 75, 62, 53, 38, 36, and 33 kD). At least five proteins were expressed within 2 hr of incubation with IFN. The synthesis of the seven proteins seemed to require rapid transcription of new RNA, because actinomycin D markedly inhibited their formation only when added less than 30 min after IFN. A good correlation was found between the ability of actinomycin D to inhibit both the formation of new proteins and the augmentation of natural killer (NK) cell activity. Screening of a panel of 10 hematopoietic and two anchorage-dependent cell lines revealed that p62 and p38 were induced in most cell lines, whereas p80 and p33 were preferentially induced in lymphoid cell lines. Three proteins could not be induced by IFN in any of the 12 cell lines, and thus could represent molecules mediating differentiated functions, possibly involved in NK cell function.

Blood Proteins↗

Radioimmunoassay and chemical ionization/mass spectrometry compared for plasma cortisol determination.

We describe a method for determination of cortisol in plasma and urine, based on chemical ionization/mass spectrometry with deuterium-labeled cortisol as the internal standard. The within-run precision (CV) was 2.5-5.7%, the between-run precision 4.6%. Results by this method were compared with those by a radioimmunological method (RIANEN Cortisol, New England Nuclear) for 395 plasma samples. The latter method gave significantly higher (approx. 25%) cortisol values.

Administration, Topical↗

Diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis. A comparison between electroencephalography and computed tomography findings.

In a series of six cases of encephalitis caused by herpes simplex virus, type 1, the diagnostic and prognostic value of the electroencephalogram (EEG) was investigated. Special interest was focused on the time relationship between the appearance of abnormal EEG findings, the initial clinical symptoms and the changes in cranial computed tomography (CT). The characteristic periodic EEG pattern can be demonstrated within 2 days of disease, before typical structural changes appear in CT. A unilateral periodic pattern may be associated with a good prognosis, whereas all patients with bilateral changes died in spite of specific antiviral therapy.

Adult↗

An evaluation of a post-operative vacuum drainage system.

The effectiveness of a plastic bottle vacuum drainage system ('Steritex vacu-drain') was evaluated in 50 randomly selected patients undergoing major surgery. The incidence of post-operative wound infection was 6%. The drainage system was found to be effective and acceptable to both patients and personnel involved in its management.

Adult↗

Extracorporeal renal surgery for renovascular hypertension.

Nine cases of renovascular hypertension caused either by lesions in the distal part of the renal artery or by proximal renal atery stenosis where local reconstruction was considered dangerous were treated by extracorporeal reconstructive surgery and autotransplantation. The kidney were removed, cooled and preserved by simple hypothermia during workbench reconstruction on a separate side table. After reconstruction the kidneys were reimplanted to the groin. One kidney was lost due to infection and bleeding. All patients were preoperatively severely hypertensive. Blood pressure was normalized in all cases but one with a homotransplanted kidney which also was undergoing chronic rejection. The method is simple and safe and offers new possibilities to treat lesions in the kidney which previously were impossible or very risky to treat surgically. It is a safe alternative to conventional methods in case of anatomical structures making local reconstruction difficult.

Adult↗

Survival of patients on hemodialysis after renal graft failure.

The influence of kidney graft failure on the survival rate after reentering maintenance hemodialysis has been studied in 63 patients. Twenty-eight patients were observed for at least 12 months after a primary graft failure and 35 had a second transplant some time during this period. Patient survival 12 months after graft failure was 57%. This result was compared with the 1-year survival of 82% in 150 patients dialyzed prior to the first transplantation. The majority of the deaths on dialysis after graft failure were caused by infectious complications probably related to the immunosuppressive treatment. It is suggested that survival on dialysis after graft failure may be improved by an early reduction of the immunosuppressive treatment in patients with failing grafts.

Adolescent↗