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Biomedical subjects

B Frey

Publications and source records attributed to B Frey.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

[Efficacy of recombinant interferon alpha-2 in 34 patients with hairy cell leukemia. Effect of splenectomy and dosage reduction results of therapy].

In a retrospective study of 34 patients with hairy cell leukemia treated with recombinant interferon-alpha 2, we have observed a hematological remission rate of 97%. The true complete remission rate based on bone marrow findings was 17%. Although complete remissions can be obtained only in a few cases, treatment with interferon is justified in cytopenic patients since long-standing clinically meaningful improvement of the peripheral blood values can be attained. If interferon is stopped in the remission phase, the blood values deteriorate in 40% of the patients within 5 months. In contrast, it appears that the remission can be maintained with intermittent administration of interferon weekly or even every other week. As compared to splenectomized patients, granulocyte recovery is delayed in nonsplenectomized patients. However, after several months of treatment there is no difference in peripheral blood values between splenectomized and non-splenectomized patients. In the light of the present results, primary splenectomy remains justified in a selected group of patients for whom the risk of surgery (due to low granulocytes and/or platelets) is low and for whom careful evaluation predicts a high potential for long-standing remission after splenectomy. In the other cases, initial interferon therapy seems justified.

Adult↗

New function of vitamin B12: cobamide-dependent reduction of epoxyqueuosine to queuosine in tRNAs of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium.

Queuosine (Q), 7-[(4,5-cis-dihydroxy-2-cyclopentene-1-yl)-amino)methyl)-7- deazaguanosine, and Q derivatives usually replace guanosine in the anticodon of tRNAs(GUN) of eubacteria and of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial tRNAs of lower and higher eucaryotes except yeasts. Q appears to be synthesized de novo exclusively in eubacteria, and the free-base queuine serves as a nutrient factor for eucaryotes. Recently, a Q derivative, oQ, containing a 2,3-epoxy-4,5-dihydroxycyclopentane ring, has been identified in Escherichia coli tRNA(Tyr). Here we show that oQ is formed when E. coli or Salmonella typhimurium is grown in glucose-salt medium. The formation of oQ was independent of molecular oxygen, and oQ-tRNAs were converted to Q-tRNAs by adding cobalamin to the growth medium. Under strictly anaerobic conditions, considerable amounts of Q were present in E. coli and S. typhimurium tRNAs when the bacteria were grown in the presence of cobalt ions with glycerol as the carbon source and fumarate as the electron acceptor. Under these conditions, the biosynthesis of cobalamin was induced. The results suggest that oQ is derived from ribose and that oQ is finally reduced to Q by a cobamide-dependent enzyme.

Aerobiosis↗

[Splenectomy in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria with pancytopenia].

Two patients with long known paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) were hospitalized for progressive severe pancytopenia or thrombocytopenia. Clinical and laboratory findings revealed a hematologic complication related to the course of PNH. In view of normocellular bone marrow hematopoiesis and documented increased splenic sequestration of RBC, functional hypersplenism was diagnosed. Selective splenectomy confirmed this hypothesis and was followed by long-standing remission of pancytopenia for 10 or more years in both patients.

Aged↗

Ciclosporin concentration in the rabbit aqueous humor and cornea following subconjunctival administration. Importance of anatomical site of injection.

The model compound lidocaine was used in the rabbit to investigate different sites of subconjunctival injection for the achievement of reproducible drug concentrations in the aqueous humor. Only epibulbar injections were satisfactory, but not parabulbar or injections under the lower fornix. After epibulbar administration of 0.8 ml 5% ciclosporin, median concentrations in the aqueous humor were 360, 700 and 200 ng/ml after 2, 8, and 24 h, respectively. Corresponding levels in the cornea were 32, 27, and 12 ng/ml. It appears that drug concentrations resulting from epibulbar injections may be therapeutically useful.

Animals↗

Pharmacokinetics of cefoperazone in patients undergoing chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: clinical and pathophysiological implications.

The pharmacokinetics of cefoperazone after i.p. and/or i.v. administration were studied in 12 CAPD patients. After i.v. injection, the plasma half-life was 2.65 +/- 0.4 h, the total clearance amounting to 70.1 +/- 19.2 ml/min. Peritoneal clearance was calculated to be 6.9 +/- 1 ml/min. After peritoneal instillation, the bioavailability was 63.9 +/- 5%. After repeated i.p. administration, no accumulation of the drug in the body was observed. Thus, cefoperazone can be safely administered for the treatment of peritonitis in CAPD patients.

Cefoperazone↗

Effects of conjunctival resection on the corneal immune response.

In order to evaluate the effect of perilimbal conjunctival resection on the corneal immune response, we immunized rabbits with either intravenous or topical administration of bovine gamma globulin. After unilateral perilimbal conjunctival resection, the corneas were challenged with intracorneal injections of bovine gamma globulin. Perilimbal conjunctival resection prevented the development of peripheral corneal infiltrates in the rabbits immunized intravenously (P less than .0016) but not in those immunized topically. All the animals developed antibody titers to bovine gamma globulin. Similarly, perilimbal conjunctival resection did not prevent corneal graft rejection in rabbits sensitized to their donors by previous skin grafting.

Administration, Topical↗

[Certain and disputed indications of immunosuppressive therapy in kidney diseases].

The effect of immunosuppressive agents in different glomerulopathies is reviewed and some guidelines for their use in clinical practice are proposed. The immunological aspects of pyelonephritis and interstitial nephritis are studied to evaluate future possibilities of either therapeutic immunosuppression or immunization in these diseases.

Glomerulonephritis↗

[Activation of the complement system in different forms of glomerulonephritis].

The complement system may be activated by two pathways, the classical and the alternate. To evaluate their respective participation in different forms of glomerulonephritis, the plasma values of C3, C4, C3PA, C1q and properdin were determined in 70 patients. In systemic lupus erythematosus (LED), acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (AGN) and septicemia the classical pathway appears to be mainly involved, whereas the amplification loop and the alternate pathway seem to be of secondary importance. By contrast, in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) the alternate pathway plays a major role. However, the present data suggest that activation of the classical pathway may often be involved as well. In minimal change glomerulonephritis no signs indicating involvement of the complement system were apparent. Follow-up observation demonstrated a correlation between decreases in plasma complement concentrations and the clinical severity of the primary disease in LED, AGN and septicemia, but not in MPGN.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

Prevalence and patterns of physician referral to clergy and pastoral care providers.

BACKGROUND: There is a heightened interest in spiritual and religious interventions in clinical settings, an area marked by unease and lack of training by physicians. A potential resource for generalists is specialty consultation and referral services, although little is known about the prevalence and patterns of involvement of clergy or pastoral professionals in patient care. OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence and patterns of physician-directed patient referral to or recommended consultation with clergy or pastoral care providers and to describe attitudinal and demographic variables that can predict referring and nonreferring physicians. DESIGN: A mailed anonymous survey. SETTING: Family physicians in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: Active members of the American Academy of Family Physicians whose self-designated professional activity is direct patient care. Of the 756 randomly selected physicians for participation in the study, 438 (57.9%) responded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physician reporting on their attitudes and referral behaviors, including referral frequency, and conditions or reasons for referral or nonreferral to clergy and pastoral care providers. RESULTS: More than 80% of the physicians reported that they refer or recommend their patients to clergy and pastoral care providers; more than 30% stated that they refer more than 10 times a year. Most physicians (75.5%) chose conditions associated with end-of-life care (ie, bereavement, terminal illness) as reasons for referral. Marital and family counseling were cited by 72.8% of physicians; however, other psychosocial issues, such as depression and mood disorders (38.7%) and substance abuse (19.0%), were less prevalent. Physicians who reported a greater degree of religiosity had a small increased tendency to refer (r = 0.39, P<.05) to these providers. In addition, physicians who were in practice for more than 15 years were more likely to refer to clergy (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Most family physicians accept clergy and pastoral professionals in the care of their patients. In medical settings, the providers of religious and spiritual interventions have a larger and more expanded role than previously reported.

Adult↗

Proinflammatory effects in experimental mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis of the immunosuppressive agent SDZ RAD, a rapamycin derivative.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The new immunosuppressant SDZ RAD, a rapamycin derivative, inhibits growth factor driven cell proliferation. SDZ RAD designed for transplantation may also be a candidate agent to treat inflammatory kidney diseases. Therefore, we investigated the effects of SDZ RAD in two different animal models of glomerulonephritis, in anti- Thy1.1 nephritis and in acute puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) nephrosis. METHODS: Eighty-seven male Wistar rats were investigated. Anti-Thy1.1 nephritis: healthy rats (n = 9), SDZ RAD-treated healthy rats (n = 6), nephritic rats (n = 9), SDZ RAD placebo treated nephritic rats (n = 6), SDZ RAD-pretreated nephritic rats (n = 9), and early (n = 6) as well as delayed (n = 6) SDZ RAD-posttreated nephritic rats. PAN nephrosis: healthy rats (n = 6), SDZ RAD-treated healthy rats (n = 6), nephritic rats (n = 12), and SDZ RAD-pretreated nephritic rats (n = 12). In a separate study, 12 male Sprague-Dawley rats were analyzed in anti-Thy1.1 nephritis: healthy rats (n = 3), nephritic rats (n = 3) and pretreated nephritic rats (n = 6). SDZ RAD and SDZ RAD placebo were given at single doses of 2.5 mg/kg body weight per day by gavage. The experiments lasted until days +2 and +9 after induction of anti-Thy1. 1 nephritis and until day +13 in the case of PAN nephrosis. RESULTS: In anti-Thy1.1 nephritis, SDZ RAD demonstrated marked proinflammatory effects in a time-dependent manner, as reflected by severe focal damage to glomerular histology including inhibition of mesangial cell proliferation, reduction of creatinine clearance, and increase in plasma creatinine levels as well as proteinuria. Almost identical results were obtained in both rat strains. In contrary, SDZ RAD ameliorated significantly the development of PAN nephrosis. Animals pretreated by this agent showed a significant reduction of proteinuria and of glomerular invasion of monocytes/macrophages. CONCLUSION: Some caution is warranted for the use of SDZ RAD in inflammatory glomerular diseases, since it accentuated glomerular damage induced by anti-Thy1.1 antibodies.

Animals↗