Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D J Marmer

Publications and source records attributed to D J Marmer.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Depressed neutrophil chemotaxis in infants with cow's milk and/or soy protein intolerance.

Neutrophil chemotaxis and random migration were studied in 11 infants with active cow's milk and/or soy protein intolerance and in an additional four infants following clinical recovery. Results were compared to 15 age-matched control subjects. Infants with active intolerance exhibited depressed chemotaxis and enhanced random migration. The four recovered infants had values similar to those of control subjects.

Animals↗

Breast-feeding and Salmonella infection.

Various assays were used to examine chemotaxis, opsonization, phagocytosis, and killing of Salmonella organisms by colostral and breast-milk components. Vigorous responses of colostral a;d milk cells against this organism and nonspecific opsonizing capacity of the aqueous phase of colostrum and milk were demonstrated. An assay with acridine orange was used to directly visualize the phagocytic and killing processes; colostral and milk cells were demonstrated to be more active against Salmonella than blood neutrophils. In a retrospective survey, a diagnosis of Salmonella infection was confirmed in 253 infants less then 1 year of age. Only 12 infants had ever been breast-fed, and only one near the time he had the disease. During the same period of time, 27% of matched control infants were breast-fed.

Breast Feeding↗

Von Willebrand Factor (VIIIVWF) in lyophilized Factor VIII concentrates.

Several (14) commercially prepared, lyophilized Factor VIII concentrates were assayed for VIIIAHF, VIIIAg, and VIIIVWF. Significant levels of VIIIAg (immunologic) and VIIIVWF (von Willebrand Factor) were present in addition to VIIIAHF (Functional VIII, Antihemophilic Factor, Factor VIII coagulant activity). An average of 0.95 units of VIIIVWF (range 0.47--1.7) were present for every 1.0 unit of VIIIAHF (as stated on the manufacturer's label). We suggest that the various lyophilized preparations of Factor VIII concentrate available could be assayed for VIIIVWF and should be tested therapeutically in patients with von Willebrand disease.

Blood Coagulation Factors↗

Bactericidal mechanisms of human breast milk leukocytes.

The functional capacity of human breast milk phagocytes was evaluated with both bactericidal and biochemical assays. Acridine orange was used as a vital stain for bacteria to directly visualize phagocytosis and killing. Bactericidal capabilities were further examined by colony count and chemiluminescent methods. Cytocentrifuged specimens stained for myeloperoxidase exhibited enzyme activity in breast milk leukocytes equal to that of peripheral neutrophils. A radioisotopic assay of hexose monophosphate shunt activity demonstrated metabolic activity in breast milk leukocytes greater than that in peripheral blood neutrophils. However, the chemiluminescent response of breast cells was negligible, apparently the result of quenching secondary to fat present in the milk; preincubation of human blood leukocytes with the fatty layer of breast milk produced similar inhibition in the chemiluminescence assay. By most parameters breast milk phagocytes are at least equal to blood neutrophils.

Colostrum↗

Comparative in vitro imunotoxicology of acyclovir and other antiviral agents.

In vitro lymphocyte blastogenic responses to the commonly employed mitogens phytohemagglutinin, pokeweed, and concanavalin A were evaluated when acyclovir, adenine arabinoside, cytosine arabinoside, and idoxuridine were added to the culture materials. Similarly, specific antigen-induced blastogenic responses, including herpes group antigens, and cytotoxicity and leukocyte inhibitory factor assays with herpes group viruses were determined in the presence and absence of antiviral agents. No depression of these cellular immmune responses by acyclovir or adenine arabinoside ws demonstrated. This was in contrast to the effects of cytosine arabinoside and idoxuridine, which severely inhibited blastogenic and cytotoxic responses but not leukocyte inhibitory factor production. Even at concentrations up to 20 microgram/ml, the antiviral agent acyclovir did not depress selected cellular immune responses that are important for successful elimination of invading herpes group viruses.

Acyclovir↗

A simplified [3H] serotonin release assay for the detection of platelet antibodies.

The [3H] platelet serotonin release assay is a sensitive means for detecting antiplatelet antibodies. We have found that by using prelabeled frozen platelets which have been treated with the cryoprotective agent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) the performance of this assay can be facilitated without interfering with its sensitivity. There was 100% correlation between the standard [3H] platelet serotonin release assay using fresh platelets and the modified assay using prelabeled, frozen, cryopreserved platelets when sera from 12 patients with known antiplatelet antibodies were tested. When normal serum samples (n = 111) were tested against ten platelet donors, a false-positive rate of 3.9% was observed. This modification provides a simple means for quickly screening large numbers of potential platelet donors at one time.

Antibodies↗

An improvemed assay for von Willebrand factor.

The authors have developed an improved assay for von Willebrand factor (VIIIVWF) utilizing 4% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) to freeze formalin-fixed washed platelets. A platelet aggregometer is used to conduct the assay. The platelets are thawed and an activity curve is established using normal pooled plasma to support ristocetin-induced agglutination. The VIIIVWF level in unknown plasma can then be measured. The platelet preparation is stable for more than a year. Correlation of VIIIVWF measured by this system and Factor VIII antigen (VIIIAg) measured by electroimmunodiffusion was excellent. This is evidence that these two properties reside on the same molecule. Neither VIIIVWF nor VIIIAg correlates well with Factor VIII antihemophilic factor (VIIIAHF).

Antigens↗

Immunologic aspects of human endometriosis.

General and specific immune function were examined in women with endometriosis. Nonspecific parameters included total leukocyte and differential counts, quantitative immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, and IgM) determinations, total hemolytic complement, C3, C4, mitogen-induced lymphocyte stimulation, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing; no differences were observed when data were compared to age-matched controls without endometriosis. In contrast, the specific immune response T-lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity to autologous endometrial cells was significantly reduced (P less than 0.01) in women with endometriosis. When results from patients were analyzed according to clinical severity of endometriosis, even more striking immunologic alterations were delineated. In addition, lymphocyte stimulation responses to autologous endometrial antigen were lower in patients with severe or moderate disease, approaching statistical significance (P = 0.18 and 0.12, respectively). These studies suggest an immunologic basis for development of endometriosis.

Adult↗

Immunologic monitoring with Orthoclone OKT3 therapy.

Muromonab-CD3 monoclonal antibody (Orthoclone OKT3) was used 146 times in 123 transplant recipients to treat or prevent rejection. Reversal and prevention of rejection were evaluated 1 week and 1 year after OKT3 therapy. Eighty-one percent (73 of 90) of the rejection episodes in kidney transplant patients were reversed with 67% of these grafts functioning at 1 year. Eighteen of 20 (90%) rejection episodes in liver transplant recipients were reversed, as were 11 of 13 (85%) heart transplant rejection episodes. Only one of five pancreas transplant episodes were reversed. OKT3 was used prophylactically in 18 transplant recipients (13 kidney, four heart, one liver). Immunologic monitoring (lymphocyte subsets, serum OKT3 levels, and antimurine antibodies) was performed during and after OKT3 therapy. Antimurine antibody formation rate was 28% (26 of 94 patients monitored). OKT3 therapy resulted in a rapid depletion of CD3+ cells from the peripheral circulation (less than 20/mm3) and trough serum OKT3 levels of greater than 800 ng/ml by the third day of therapy in all transplant types. Twenty-three patients (14 kidney, five liver, three heart, and one pancreas) were retreated with OKT3; reversal of rejection occurred in 87% of patients (13 of 15) with no antimurine antibodies and in 83% of patients (five of six) with a low antibody titer but did not occur in the two patients with a high antibody titer. Retreatment of patients with no anti-OKT3 antibody resulted in a depletion of CD3+ cells from the peripheral blood, but it took longer than in patients treated with OKT3 for the first time. Similarly, serum OKT3 levels increased slower in retreated patients compared with first treatment. In retreatment patients with a low titer antimurine antibody, often it was necessary to increase the dose of OKT3 to achieve adequate serum OKT3 levels and to deplete CD3+ cells. Antimurine antibody developed de novo in four of the 15 antibody negative patients (27%) who were retreated. Overall, OKT3 was an effective agent in reversing and preventing rejection in solid organ transplantation with few severe side effects and a low mortality. Retreatment with OKT3 should not be considered unless the antibody status of the patient is known. Development of low titer antibodies does not preclude successful retreatment with OKT3. Alternate antirejection therapy, however, should be used in patients with high titer antimurine responses.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗