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Biomedical subjects

A Haq

Publications and source records attributed to A Haq.

70 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Vaccination of rabbits against Entamoeba histolytica with aqueous suspensions of trehalose-dimycolate as the adjuvant.

Rabbits were immunized with soluble Entamoeba histolytica antigen with an aqueous suspension of trehalose-6,6'-dimycolate used as the adjuvant. Induction of protective immunity in the immunized animals was demonstrated by enhanced humoral and cell-mediated immune responses and 100% survival after challenge. Administration of soluble antigen only failed to induce a similar degree of protective immunity. Trehalose-6,6'-dimycolate alone produced only a slight increase in nonspecific resistance.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Experimental infection of rhesus monkeys with Entamoeba histolytica mimics human infection.

Experimental infection of Entamoeba histolytica was successfully established in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Parasites of proven pathogenicity maintained through liver passage in hamsters were used in this study. Laparotomized monkeys were inoculated intracecally/intrahepatically with trophozoites, or by oral administration of cysts (2000 cysts/ml). The cysts were isolated from an infected human stool sample. Formation of typical amebic lesions in the inoculated tissues along with alterations in hematologic indices were studied in the infected monkeys. All the experimentally inoculated monkeys showed leukocytosis and mild neutrophilia, while the hemoglobin content and levels of blood sugar and blood urea remained unaltered during the post-infection period. Specific antiamebic antibodies were readily detectable in post-infected sera.

Amebiasis↗

Interleukin 1 secretion by human monocytes and macrophages.

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) is generally regarded as a major regulator of T lymphocyte proliferation. Macrophages from animals and cloned tumor cell lines have been shown to produce this monokine in response to a variety of stimuli. The ability of human monocytes and macrophages to generate IL-1 is much less well characterized. We previously demonstrated that human monocytes cultured for 1-6 days transformed to macrophages but retained their capacity to support concanavalin A-driven T cell proliferation. However, cultured macrophage capacity to support antigen-driven T cell proliferation began to decline after 3 days of culture and was markedly deficient by 6 days of culture. To determine if this loss of accessory cell function was due to the inability to secrete IL-1, we measured the monokine produced by normal fresh human monocytes and macrophages cultured in vitro from monocytes. IL-1 was assayed by the mouse thymocyte proliferation method. Fresh monocytes secreted IL-1 readily in response to lipopolysaccaride and latex particles. Macrophages cultured from fresh monocytes, however, lost this ability after greater than or equal to 2 days in culture. Mixing experiments failed to demonstrate an inhibitor present in the macrophage supernatants that would suppress thymocyte proliferation. Stimulated T cells incubated with monocytes and 3-day cultured macrophages failed to prolong or promote IL-1 secretion.

Animals↗

Increased macrophage migration inhibition factor production in hamsters sensitized by amoebic antigen and glucan.

Well defined cell-mediated immune responses were detectable following experimental immunization of hamsters with Entamoeba histolytica antigen, using glucan as an adjuvant. Peritoneal cells from amoeba antigen-glucan sensitized animals, upon incubation with specific antigen in vitro, were found to release into the supernatant a macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF). Such supernatant fluids inhibited the migration of macrophages from non-sensitized hamsters. The production of MIF was found to be greatly increased if glucan is added to amoeba antigen when sensitizing animals. The optimal concentration for maximum inhibition was recorded at 10(-8) dilution of the supernatant.

Animals↗

Continuous monitoring of mixed venous oxygen saturation in hemodynamically unstable patients.

A balloon-tipped catheter has recently become available which, when placed in the pulmonary artery, in addition to enabling the usual measurements of pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and cardiac output by thermodilution, measures mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) by spectrophotometry. Unlike the measurement of cardiac output by thermodilution, which is done intermittently, the continuous measurement of SvO2 is an effective method of monitoring hemodynamically unstable patients, since changes in cardiac output will immediately become apparent via a corresponding change in SvO2. This is of particular benefit in patients in whom knowledge of the immediate effects of therapy is important. It is also of value in assessing the time of onset of action and duration of action when a cardioactive drug is given to increase cardiac output. We suggest that monitoring SvO2 will provide an earlier indication of the effect of both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions and, therefore, will improve our management in such patients.

Aged↗

The spectrum of right ventricular involvement in inferior wall myocardial infarction: a clinical, hemodynamic and noninvasive study.

The clinical experience with 37 patients with acute transmural inferior wall myocardial infarction who were assessed for evidence of right ventricular involvement is reported. On the basis of currently accepted hemodynamic criteria, 29 patients (78%) had evidence suggestive of right ventricular infarction. However, only 5 (20%) of 25 patients demonstrated right ventricular uptake of technetium pyrophosphate on scintigraphy. Two-dimensional echocardiography or isotope nuclear angiography, or both, were performed in 32 patients; 20 studies (62%) showed evidence of right ventricular wall motion disturbance or dilation, or both. Twenty-one patients demonstrated a late inspiratory increase in the jugular venous pressure (Kussmaul's sign). The presence of this sign in the clinical setting of inferior wall myocardial infarction was predictive for right ventricular involvement in 81% of the patients in this study. It is suggested that right ventricular involvement in this clinical setting is common and includes not only infarction but also dysfunction without detectable infarction, which is likely on an ischemic basis.

Adult↗

Vasodilator therapy in refractory congestive heart failure: a comparative analysis of hemodynamic and noninvasive studies.

The response to vasodilator therapy was assessed in 12 patients with chronic severe congestive heart failure refractory to conventional treatment. Cardiac output and intraarterial and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures were recorded continuously to assess the hemodynamic response to the vasodilators used. Control and post-treatment M mode echocardiograms and radionuclide angiograms were obtained to assess the change in left ventricular size and ejection fraction concurrent with the hemodynamic improvement. Despite a 33 percent decrease in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (p less than 0.001) and a 35 percent increase in cardiac index (p less than 0.001), no significant change occurred in left ventricular end-diastolic or end-systolic chamber size on echocardiography or in ejection fraction measured with radionuclide angiography. In this study M mode echocardiography and radionuclide angiography were of no value in monitoring the actual hemodynamic response to vasodilator therapy in this group of patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 30 percent.

Aged↗

Preliminary experience with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was employed in seven patients of endstage renal failure (ESRF). All the patients had symptom-free ambulant life during CAPD. Blood pressure was well controlled and the haemoglobin level improved significantly. Blood urea and serum creatinine levels were maintained near normal levels. Metabolic acidosis was corrected. Recurrent peritonitis, heavy protein loss and catheter failure were the main complications of CAPD. It appears from these observations that CAPD may be helpful in patients with ESRF.

Abdomen↗

Hemodynamic effects of nifedipine in acute myocardial infarction with observations on infarct size.

To assess the safety of the slow calcium-channel blocker nifedipine in patients with acutely evolving myocardial infarction, hemodynamic effects of the drug were studied in 12 patients and infarct size was determined by enzymatic method in 14 patients presenting within 12 h of onset of pain. Nifedipine (3 doses of 20 mg given sublingually at 8-h intervals) produced a significant increase in heart rate and cardiac output accompanied by a fall in systemic arterial pressure and vascular resistance. These effects were sustained for a 24-h period of study. Despite an increase in heart rate and cardiac output, there was no worsening of symptoms or electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial ischemia. Assessment of infarct size did not reveal any differences between the control group and the patients who received nifedipine. We conclude that nifedipine may be safely given to patients with acute myocardial infarction. The drug may be usefully employed in patients with acute myocardial infarction accompanied by angina or hypertension.

Adult↗

Immunosuppression by human seminal plasma fractionated by DEAE Sephadex A-50 ion exchange chromatography.

We fractionated the whole human seminal plasma on DEAE Sephadex A-50 ion exchange columns. Complete separation was achieved in seven peaks using different salt concentrations in phosphate buffer pH 6. The seminal plasma proteins were separated by sodium dodecyl-sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Human seminal plasma (SP) and its fractions were used in mixed lymphocyte reaction in vitro. Fractions 3, 4, and 7 were found to suppress the proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to phytohemagglutinin and pokweed mitogen at a concentration of 10 micrograms ml-1 while stimulatory effect was observed at lower concentrations (1 microgram and 2.5 micrograms ml-1). Whole human SP and other fractions failed to suppress the proliferation of lymphocytes in vitro. Furthermore, the effect of human SP and its fractions was also investigated on phagocytic function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) using luminol dependent chemiluminescence assay stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate and opsonized yeast. Fractionated SP was found to have a suppressive effect on the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of PMNs in the whole blood.

Chromatography, Ion Exchange↗

Effect of beta-carotene, canthaxanthin, or lutein on lymphocyte proliferation (in vitro) of newly hatched chicks.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of beta-carotene, canthaxanthin, and lutein on lymphocyte proliferation (in vitro) of newly hatched chicks. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) was used as the vehicle to introduce carotenoids in the culture media. So, we also determined effect of THF on viability of cells. The viabilities of fibroblast cells at 10(-3) dilution were 98% and 96% after 24 and 48 hr of incubation. Therefore, 10(-3) (v/v) THF dilution was decided upon as the vehicle to introduce carotenoids in culture media. Chick bursal lymphocytes were incubated in the presence or absence of beta-carotene, canthaxanthin, or lutein and stimulated with phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate. The results of this experiment suggested that THF rather than the carotenoids stimulated bursal lymphocyte proliferation. The mechanism by which THF acted as a mitogen is not known. We conclude from this study that beta-carotene, canthaxanthin, and lutein are not effective in enhancing in vitro bursal lymphocyte proliferation at concentrations of less than 10(-6) M in the presence of THF.

Analysis of Variance↗