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Biomedical subjects

B Miller

Publications and source records attributed to B Miller.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

[Acquired immunologic deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and other sexually transmissible diseases with gastrointestinal manifestations].

Various kinds of gastrointestinal symptoms are seen in connection with AIDS. Furthermore, because of special sexual practices, other sexually transmitted diseases are found, especially in the oral cavity, the oesophagus and the anorectum. Whereas in most of the cases infections can be treated successfully under a strict drug regimen, the treatment of malignant lymphomas or Kaposi's sarcoma is problematic. When the digestive tract is affected by the latter diseases, treatment is normally restricted to symptomatic measures. In the future, gastroenterologists will be faced with the above mentioned problems more frequently.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1986

Neutrophil defect associated with malignant infantile osteopetrosis.

We studied the phagocytes from three infants with malignant osteopetrosis and from their families in an attempt to define further the phagocyte abnormalities associated with this disorder. The rapid membrane potential depolarization in response to the soluble stimuli formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (FMLP) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) served as a measure of neutrophil activation, with 3,3-dipentyloxacarbocyanine (diOC5 [3]) used as the probe. A fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) allowed us to use small volumes of blood in a new quantitative evaluation of neutrophil response. The neutrophils from the infants with malignant osteopetrosis were very minimally activated with either stimulus, as demonstrated by incomplete membrane potential depolarization (10% to 15% of normal controls). This finding indicates that malignant osteopetrosis is accompanied by a significantly reduced neutrophil response to stimulation. The abnormal activation process was also reflected in the respiratory burst response of the patients' neutrophils and monocytes. Fifty percent to 60% of the infants' neutrophils totally failed to reduce nitro blue tetrazolium dye (NBT), 30% to 40% of the cells showed only slight reduction after PMA or FMLP stimulation, and only 5% to 10% demonstrated normal reduction. Peripheral blood monocytes failed to reduce NBT in 35% to 70% of the cells tested. Similar testing of granulocyte-macrophage colonies grown in vitro from circulating progenitor cells also showed an abnormal distribution of response to PMA, with a majority of colonies showing a decrease or absence of NBT reduction. Thus control of expression of the osteopetrotic defect occurs at or before the progenitor cell level.

Flow Cytometry↗
PubMed1986

Clinical features of inflammatory joint and spine manifestations in Crohn's disease.

167 patients with Crohn's disease were investigated for joint and spine inflammation. Arthritis was observed in 23 patients (14%), sacroiliitis in 24 (14%), and sacroiliitis in combination with arthritis in 11 patients (7%). 15 patients (9%) had ankylosing spondylitis; 9 of them were HLA-B27 positive (60%). A parallel pattern in the course of bowel disease and joint inflammation was observed in 22 out of 34 patients with arthritis (59%). An association between the localization of Crohn's disease and the type of spondylarthritis could not be demonstrated. Patients with arthritis alone developed erythema nodosum (35%) or aphthous stomatitis more often (21%) than patients without spondylarthritis+ (6% and 12%, respectively). Other extra-intestinal manifestations of Crohn's disease did not reveal any association with the development of spondyloarthritis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Hemorrhagic colitis as a sequela of a soap enema--case report].

The case of a 45 year old man is reported who developed an acute hemorrhagic colitis after the administration of a soapsud enema. Clinical, laboratory, radiologic, endoscopic and histologic findings are presented and compared with reports from the literature. Differential diagnosis of soap colitis has to include ischemic and drug-induced colitis. Because of the possible complication soapsud enemas should not be used any longer in medical practice.

Colitis↗
PubMed1986

Endocrine-responsive pancreatic carcinoma: steroid binding and cytotoxicity studies in human tumor cell lines.

We have begun to investigate the steroid responsiveness of pancreatic cancer by comparing human (MiaPaCa, Colo-357, RWP-1, RWP-2) and rodent (AR42j) pancreatic tumor cell lines with cultured estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells (MCF-7, T47-D). The four human pancreatic tumors contain measurable levels of specific estradiol binding sites with dissociation constants (Kd) that range from 1 to 9 nM, in contrast to the higher-affinity binding sites measured in the breast cancer cells (Kd less than or equal to 1 nM). Growth of one pancreatic tumor line (MiaPaCa) is stimulated 40% above control by exposure to nanomolar concentrations of estradiol, suggesting that the estrogen receptor in these cells is functioning like that in MCF-7 and T47-D cells. Glucocorticoids (dexamethasone, hydrocortisone) and androgen (fluoxymesterone) stimulate proliferation of Colo-357 cells by as much as 30%. Paradoxically, glucocorticoids inhibit AR42j cells to less than 50% of control growth. Micromolar exposures of estrogen (17 beta-estradiol), antiestrogen (tamoxifen), antiandrogen (dehydroxyflutamide), progestins (progesterone, R5020, medroxyprogesterone acetate), and inhibitors of steroid-metabolizing enzymes (17 beta-N,N-diethylcarbamyl-4-methyl-4-aza-5 alpha-androstan-3-one, danazol) impair growth of these pancreatic tumors to varying degrees, and with little relationship to estrogen receptor content. In general, progestins are slightly more growth inhibiting to these pancreatic tumor lines than the other endocrine agents tested, including tamoxifen. Only the RWP-2 cells appear completely resistant to steroidal therapy, showing less than 25% growth inhibition with exposure to therapeutic concentrations (less than or equal to 2.5 microM) of these agents. Colo-357, MiaPaCa, and AR42j cells are most responsive to these endocrine agents, and their overall pattern of sensitivity suggests that the steroid-dependent growth-inhibitory mechanisms of some pancreatic carcinomas may involve both receptor antagonism and direct inhibition of steroidal oxidoreductases. 17 beta-N,N-Diethylcarbamyl-4-methyl-4-aza-5 alpha-androstan-3-one, a potent inhibitor of 5 alpha-reductase with minimal affinity for androgen receptor, inhibits growth of Colo-357 cells to less than 40% of control and also inhibits AR42j and MiaPaCa cells. Dehydroxyflutamide, a potent androgen receptor antagonist with no direct influence on 5 alpha-reductase activity, inhibits growth of MiaPaCa and AR42j cells but has no affect on Colo-357 growth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aminoglutethimide↗
PubMed1986

[Etiology of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases].

Furthermore the aetiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unknown. The familial accumulation makes a genetic disposition probable. Presumably, the development of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is contingent upon several factors, including perhaps environmental factors in the broadest sense. A large number of microorganisms have been implicated, but there is still no convincing proof that any of them have an important role in the aetiopathogenesis of IBD. The observed immunological phenomena are as yet difficult to interpret.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1986

Aminoglutethimide without hydrocortisone in the treatment of postmenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer.

In a phase II study, 38 evaluable patients with advanced progressive breast cancer were treated with 4 X 250 mg of aminoglutethimide per day without hydrocortisone supplementation. Partial remissions were observed in five patients (13%), with a median duration of 9 months (range, 7-15), and stable disease was observed in 17 patients (45%), with a median duration of 4 months (range, 2-11). The recorded side effects (CNS, cutaneous, gastrointestinal) were tolerable and transient and required drug discontinuation in only four patients. Serial determinations of serum hormone levels during aminoglutethimide treatment revealed a significant decrease in estradiol and an increase in gonadotropins, testosterone, and progesterone. No patients had adrenal insufficiency. In contrast, despite prolonged aminoglutethimide treatment and persisting hypoestrogenemia, both cortisol levels and adrenal responses to ACTH remained unaltered. It is concluded that aminoglutethimide alone is effective in the treatment of postmenopausal patients with breast cancer. Moreover, based on the present findings, a prospective randomized study is warranted to show that hydrocortisone supplementation appears to not be mandatory, either for increase in efficacy or for decrease in side effects of the treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Genetics of Crohn disease: study of the HLA association in 169 patients].

Histocompatibility (HLA) antigen phenotypes have been studied in 169 patients with Crohn's disease. The following results could bei shown: HLA-Aw33, -B45 and -Cw3 showed a positive association and HLA-A26, -DR3 and -DRw8 a negative association with Crohn's disease compared to healthy controls. However, when the p-values were corrected by multiplying them by the number of determined antigens per gen-locus, the differences were not significant. Patients with a late onset of the disease (greater than 25 years) showed a statistical significant negative association with HLA-DR3. Numerous studies revealed no significant association between Crohn's disease and HLA-antigens except Smolen et al. (HLA-B12). The significant association of Crohn's disease and HLA-B12 reported by Smolen et al. could be caused by an increased frequency of HLA-B45 as we found in our patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Unexplained lymphadenopathy in homosexual men. A longitudinal study.

In January 1982, the Centers for Disease Control began a prospective study of unexplained generalized lymphadenopathy syndrome in 78 homosexual or bisexual men. As of Aug 1, 1984, the median durations of lymphadenopathy and enrollment were 29.5 months and 20 months, respectively. Antibodies to human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus were present in 75 (96%) of the study patients. Five (6%) of the patients were diagnosed as having the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome five to 25 months after the onset of lymphadenopathy. At the time of their initial visit, these five patients had lower T-helper cell counts, hematocrits, lymphocyte counts, and pokeweed mitogen stimulation ratios and were more likely to report severe symptoms than patients who did not develop the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. During 318 follow-up visits, except for the development of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in five patients, there has been little change in the initial laboratory and clinical measures of this cohort. Within the follow-up period of this study, the features of lymphadenopathy syndrome have been unremitting for the majority of patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1985

Experimental vitrectomy. A lens-sparing technique in the rabbit eye.

We describe a technique for experimental vitrectomy in the rabbit eye, in which the lens remains intact and the postoperative intraocular inflammatory response is minimized. In comparison with combined vitrectomy and lensectomy, our technique allows the fundus to remain visible for follow-up from the very first postoperative day; traction retinal detachment does not develop as a late complication. We also describe a simple method for gross identification and estimation of the amount of residual vitreous gel on the retinal surface.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Experimental vitreous syneresis.

Perfluoropropane gas was injected into the vitreous body of a primate eye. Clinical and morphologic studies revealed that the gas bubble created a large cavity within the vitreous. The cavity that subsequently filled with viscous liquid was completely enveloped by vitreous gel, thus simulating the clinical condition known as vitreous syneresis. The shell of residual vitreous, which was much thicker inferiorly and behind the lens than superiorly, seemed to be an intact and continuous layer. In spite of the extensive syneresis, posterior vitreous detachment failed to develop. Our findings suggest that a vitreous cavity, voluminous as it may be, is not sufficient to cause posterior vitreous detachment in the primate eye.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Energy requirements for gestation and lactation in a delayed implanter, the American badger.

1. Two adult female badgers were water-deprived and/or fasted during the last one-half to two-thirds of pregnancy while a third pregnant female received water ad libitum and was fed meat and dog food. 2. The litter size, birth weights, post partum energy consumption, growth rate, development of homeothermy, tooth eruption and date of weaning, as well as other developmental characteristics, were not significantly different between cubs born to the fed or fasted mothers. 3. The energy demands for gestation are apparently small and are accommodated by fat reserves during periods of food deprivation. However, the calculated energy for lactation is 16 times that of gestation, which is quadruple the expenditure for most mammals. 4. As a result of delayed implantation, the length of gestation and litter weights of badgers are considerably below those predicted from allometric equations. 5. The period of lactation is therefore extremely critical to the survival of both the cubs and lactating adults which require heavy fat stores and possibly torpor to ensure sufficient energy availability during prolonged winter food shortage.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

A mutation in Escherichia coli K-12 results in a requirement for thiamine and a decrease in L-serine deaminase activity.

Mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 deficient in L-serine deaminase (L-SD) activity have been isolated. These strains required thiamine and grew normally when it was provided. The decrease in L-SD activity caused no obvious metabolic deficiency. A study of revertants and transductants showed that a single mutation was responsible for the thiamine requirement and for the decrease in L-SD activity.

Drug Resistance, Microbial↗