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Biomedical subjects

B Hardy

Publications and source records attributed to B Hardy.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A monoclonal antibody against a human B lymphoblastoid cell line induces tumor regression in mice.

We have developed a monoclonal antibody (BAT) to Daudi B lymphoblastoid cell line membranes. The antibody was selected for its ability to stimulate lymphocyte proliferation. Splenocytes of BALB/c or C57BL mice given i.v. injections of 10 micrograms/mouse of BAT exhibited increased proliferation and cytotoxic activity. A single i.v. administration of BAT monoclonal antibody 2 weeks after B16 melanoma cell inoculation resulted in a striking antitumor effect as manifested by the elimination of lung metastases and prolonged survival of the treated mice. BAT monoclonal antibody was also effective in the regression of tumors in mice bearing 3LL (Lewis lung carcinoma) and MCA-105 (fibrosarcoma). Transfer of 10(7)-10(8) splenocytes from mice that had been given injections of BAT to B16- or 3LL-inoculated recipients led to a reduction of lung metastases. Splenocytes from B16-inoculated mice that were cured by BAT were more effective than those from mice treated with BAT alone against recipients bearing either B16 or 3LL tumors. The antitumor activity of BAT is related to its immunostimulatory properties.

Animals↗

Kidney allocation under the UNOS point system: an update.

1. The 1,480 patients awaiting cadaveric renal transplants at 14 Southern California transplant centers as of December 3, 1992, were compared with patients transplanted using a point system for one kidney and a hospital-based allocation for the second, or the current system allocating all locally procured kidneys by the point system with regard to several demographic parameters. 2. Of 1,472 waiting patients with sensitization data, 8.5% were broadly sensitized (> 80% PRA). Of the 737 kidneys allocated by the point system, 7% went to broadly sensitized patients, compared with 3% of 438 kidneys allocated by the hospitals (p < 0.001). 3. Of 1,470 waiting patients with information available, 23% were awaiting a repeat transplant. Under the point system, 18% of kidneys were used for repeat transplants compared with 9% of hospital-allocated kidneys (p < 0.001). 4. Of 1,434 waiting patients where the time waiting was available, 26% had waited 1-2 years, 12% 2-3 years, and 6% more than 3 years. Under the point system, patients waiting longer received significantly more kidneys than those recently added to the list: 35% had waited 1-2 years, 21% 2-3 years and 14% more than 3 years (p < 0.001). Kidneys allocated by the hospitals were transplanted to patients in approximately the same proportions as the waiting list: 29% to those waiting 1-2 years, 10% 2-3 years, and 3% more than 3 years. 5. Racial distribution of recipients was not significantly different under either allocation system from that of the waiting list. Whites comprised 39% of waiting patients, the same as the population of Los Angeles County.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

California↗

Policy networks and the implementation of community care policy for people with mental handicaps.

Although community care has been the professed policy of successive governments over three decades, according to the Prime Minister's own adviser, Sir Roy Griffiths, 'in few areas can the gap between political rhetoric and policy on the one hand or between policy and reality in the field on the other hand have been so great'. This paper examines the extent and causes of this 'implementation gap' in respect of services for people with mental handicaps--a consistent priority group for national policymakers. We examine centre-periphery relations in the health and personal social services in the light of Rhodes' power-dependence framework and his concepts of policy networks and policy communities. The NHS has been described as the archetypal professionalised policy network but we conclude that it is possible to account for implementation failures in community care only partly in terms of the dominance of the medical professions' values and interests and the deficiencies of accountability and control due to clinical autonomy. Such failures are due also to the inherently limited power of the centre. Sub-central units are not merely its meek agents. Moreover, the centre must explicitly structure local environments by itself providing a coherent framework of service and resource policies compatible with the national objectives it is seeking to achieve.

Community Mental Health Services↗

[Comparative activity of new oral cephalosporins and quinolones against Escherichia coli resistant to ampicillin isolated from urinary specimens].

The activity of eight antibiotics was studied against fifty Escherichia coli strains resistant to ampicilline from positive urine cultures. We compared the in vitro activity and the inhibitory power of urine. Three antimicrobial agents are the most active: pefloxacin, ofloxacin and cefotaxime. Then in activity order: pipemidic acid, cefixime, cefuroxime, amoxicilline-clavulanic acid and cefalotine.

Ampicillin Resistance↗

A monoclonal antibody to human B lymphoblastoid cells activates human and murine T lymphocytes.

A B lymphoblastoid cell line can provide a comitogenic, accessory signal for mitogen-treated T cells. In a study evaluating the antigenic determinant of such cells that mediate this effect, a monoclonal antibody (I57) was raised against the Daudi cell line. This antibody was found to interact with a 30-kDa protein on these cells and had agonistic properties. It enhanced the B lymphoblastoid accessory cell and interleukin 1 (IL-1)-dependent stimulation of PHA-treated murine thymocytes. The stimulatory effect of I57 on PHA-treated thymocytes was more pronounced at high, supraoptimal concentrations of the lectin. This was in contrast with the effect of IL-1 that failed to stimulate these cells treated with PHA at high concentrations. I57 also enhanced stimulation of thymocytes treated with IL-2 alone or with both PHA and IL-2. I57 exhibited by itself mitogenic activity for human T cells. These cells, treated with IL-2, were further stimulated by I57. I57 seems to be different from other agonistic antibodies that have been described so far.

Animals↗

The clinical use of lithium carbonate in old age: a review.

The authors review the available data concerning the pharmacokinetics and clinical use of lithium carbonate in old age. Guidelines for lithium prophylaxis are provided including a recommendation to maintain 12 hour blood levels at approximately 0.5 mmol/l using a single bedtime dosing regimen. The value of a specialized clinic to manage and monitor elderly patients maintained on lithium is discussed. Empirical clinical findings on the use of lithium may help to elucidate issues of classification in the affective disorders of old age. Increasing clinical data supports a spectrum theory of affective disorder.

Aged↗

Glucocerebroside storage in normal monocyte cultures.

Glucocerebroside in Gaucher disease is stored in large Gaucher cells of monocyte-macrophage origin. Our aim was to achieve storage of this substrate in monocytes in vitro, in order to mimick the Gaucher cells in vivo. The method described using glucocerebroside-albumin complex, enabled such uptake and storage. The monocytes used changed to large hellical cells. Glucocerebrosidase activity was not affected by the accumulation and storage of the substrate. Although morphological evidence for the accumulation of glucocerebroside within the lysosomes has not yet been obtained, we suggest that these monocytes might represent an in vitro model for the study of Gaucher cells.

Cells, Cultured↗

Function and cell distribution of KC-1, a novel natural killer cell-associated antigen.

Natural killer (NK) cell have been implicated in immune responses to tumor and viral antigens. We describe here a monoclonal antibody, anti-KC-1, that blocks lysis of NK targets by fresh but not activated NK cells. Anti-KC-1 has no effect on cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity or on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. This antibody may be useful in the analysis of NK cell activation and the mechanism of lysis.

Animals↗

Target specificity and cell surface structures involved in the human cytolytic T lymphocyte response to endothelial cells.

Two long-term cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) lines derived from the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of a single donor were analyzed for target specificity and involvement of cell surface molecules in CTL-target interactions. One line, AH2, was generated after stimulation with B lymphoblastoid cells. Cytolysis by these cells was restricted to targets expressing the appropriate HLA-A2 specificity and was blocked by mAb recognizing CD2, CD3, CD8, LFA-1, and LFA-3. The second line, AE1, was generated after stimulation with cultured endothelial cells derived from human newborn preputial microvessels. These CTL lysed all human target cells tested, except autologous cells and the Class I negative cell line Daudi. In addition, mAb specific for CD2, CD3, and CD8 did not affect cytolysis. Anti-LFA-1 and -LFA-3 mAb blocked cytolysis of B lymphoblastoid targets but not endothelial targets. These results indicate that some CTL utilize as yet uncharacterized cell surface structures for CTL-target interactions.

Antigens, Surface↗

Immunological and isoelectric focusing study of beta-glucocerebrosidase from normal and Gaucher disease.

Comparison of normal and Gaucher disease beta-glucocerebrosidase by agarose isoelectric focusing (IEF) demonstrated additional bands at the pI-6 area seen within the mutated enzyme, while both normal placenta and spleen enzyme preparations manifest only major activity at pI-5. Antiglucocerebrosidase antibodies precipitated both normal and pathological enzymes, however, more antibodies were needed to reach an equivalence with the normal enzymes than with the Gaucher's. Cross reactivity of the IEF isozymes were detected by direct immunodiffusion on the prefocused gel.

Female↗

Lymphocyte enzymes in the detection of Niemann-Pick Carriers.

An improved method for the detection of Niemann-Pick disease type A and B carriers is described. Niemann-Pick disease is a genetic disorder characterized by the accumulation of sphingomyelin in several organs, among them spleen, liver and brain. A deficiency in sphingomyelinase activity is the characteristic defect in this lipid storage disorder, and the decreased enzyme activity in these types can be demonstrated in various cells and tissues. Low activity levels of enzymes were found in leukocyte fractions of peripheral blood from patients screened for Niemann-Pick disease. In heterozygote patients levels were within the lower range of control values. We therefore determined sphingomyelinase activity in discrete cell types isolated by two different methods from the total leukocyte fraction. In normal subjects sphingomyelinase activity is five to ten-fold higher in lymphocytes than in granulocytes. Monocytes have an intermediate level. pH profile and stability to heat inactivation were tested in separated lymphocytes and granulocytes and were found to be insignificantly different. Detection of carriers for Niemann-Pick type A and B by using separated lymphocyte as enzyme source, overcomes the difficulty of overlapping values with normal controls and serves as an excellent tool to detect heterozygotes.

Genetic Carrier Screening↗