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Biomedical subjects

E Katz

Publications and source records attributed to E Katz.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Immunohistochemical demonstration of nerve fibers in pelvic adhesions.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the presence of nerve fibers in pelvic adhesions potentially capable of conducting pain stimuli. METHODS: Pelvic adhesions from 17 patients, ten of whom had a history of pelvic pain, were examined histologically. Routine hematoxylin and eosin stains and immunoperoxidase stains for S100 protein, B lymphocytes, and T lymphocytes were performed. Mesothelial proliferation, presence of calcification and/or psammoma bodies, edema, vascularization, inflammation, fibroblastic proliferation, and collagenization were graded from 0 (absent) to 3 (extensive); their prevalences were compared between patients with and without pelvic pain. RESULTS: Nerve fibers were present in specimens from ten of the 17 patients (five of ten patients with and five of seven without pain). There was no statistically significant difference in the numbers with nerve fibers or in the presence of mesothelial proliferation, calcification and/or psammoma bodies, edema, vascularization, inflammation, fibroblastic proliferation, or collagenization between the groups. In all cases, the infiltrating lymphocytes were T lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: We were able to demonstrate the presence of nerve fibers in pelvic adhesions; however, their presence was not more prevalent among patients with pelvic pain. These findings support the concept that the formation of adhesions has different stages, with the final formation of mature connective tissue with its own vascularization and innervation.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1993

Hepatitis C in liver allografts.

Recurrent or intercurrent hepatitis C represents significant problems in patients with liver transplants and must be differentiated from hepatic allograft rejection and other conditions affecting allografts. Often, the currently available anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) tests are not helpful in the differential diagnosis, because preexisting anti-HCV may persist after transplantation or its development may be delayed. We determined the presence of HCV RNA by the reverse double polymerase chain reaction in biopsy specimens of liver allografts from nine patients with acute or chronic hepatitis of uncertain origin and from three patients with cellular allograft rejection. The NS3 region sequences of HCV were detected in seven of nine liver allograft biopsy specimens 6 weeks to 20 months after transplantation. Hepatitis C virus RNA was not detected in two patients. One of these patients was anti-HCV positive, showing mild acute hepatitis 5 weeks after transplantation. Anti-HCV was present in three patients with detectable HCV RNA in the liver but was absent from four other patients with HCV RNA. These findings suggest that HCV is a major cause of acute and chronic hepatitis following liver transplantation, that detection of HCV RNA by polymerase chain reaction in the liver biopsy specimen represents a reliable method for the diagnosis of hepatitis C in liver allografts, and that in some patients HCV may be acquired during transplantation while in others it may represent a recurrent infection.

Hepacivirus↗
PubMed1992

Evidence for the production of a nonsteroidal endotheliotropic factor by human granulosa cells in culture.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the cellular source of the angiogenic activity displayed by follicular fluid (FF). DESIGN: Human granulosa cells were harvested from 27 follicular aspirates obtained 34 to 36 hours after eight patients, previously treated with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), follicle-stimulating hormone plus hMG, or clomiphene citrate and hMG received human chorionic gonadotropin (10,000 IU intramuscularly). Granulosa cells from individual follicles were plated at 50,000 cells/cm2 in Medium 199 (Sigma, St. Louis, MO) supplemented with either 5% calf serum or 0.1% bovine serum albumin; media collected 24 hours later was assayed in vitro measuring endothelial cell migration. Fractions depleted of steroids by reversed phase C1 chromatography were assayed as well. RESULTS: Granulosa cell-conditioned media from 18 of 27 follicles significantly stimulated endothelial cell migration (P less than 0.05). Chemoattractant activity did not appear to be related to steroid accumulation in the media and was not diminished in steroid depleted fractions. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that human granulosa cells are a source of (nonsteroidal) endotheliotropic-angiogenic activity in FF.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1992

Human intraovarian interleukin-1 (IL-1) system: highly compartmentalized and hormonally dependent regulation of the genes encoding IL-1, its receptor, and its receptor antagonist.

To delineate the scope of the human intraovarian IL-1 system we used a solution hybridization/RNase protection assay to test for expression of the genes encoding IL-1, its type I receptor (IL-1R), and its receptor antagonist (IL-1RA). IL-1 transcripts were not detected in whole ovarian material from days 4 or 12 of an unstimulated menstrual cycle but transcripts (IL-1 beta much greater than IL-11 alpha) were detected in preovulatory follicular aspirates from gonadotropin-stimulated cycles. Concurrently obtained peripheral monocytes did not contain IL-1 beta transcripts but macrophage-depleted follicular aspirates did, thus implicating the granulosa cells as the site of IL-1 expression. IL-1R transcripts were detected in RNA from whole ovaries and follicular aspirates but not in RNA from peripheral monocytes. IL-1RA transcripts were detected in whole ovarian material as well as in macrophage-free follicular aspirates. Cultured human granulosa and theca cells did not contain mRNA for IL-1 beta or IL-1RA but did contain mRNA for IL-1R. Treatment of cell cultures with forskolin (25 microM) induced IL-1 beta transcripts in granulosa but not theca cells. Forskolin also increased the basal levels of IL-1R transcripts in both granulosa and theca cells but did not induce IL-RA transcripts in either cell type. Taken together, these findings reveal the existence of a complete, highly compartmentalized, hormonally dependent intraovarian IL-1 system replete with ligands, receptor, and receptor antagonist.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Complications of low-dose amiodarone].

Complications of low-dose amiodarone in 83 patients, in whom the drug was effective and who were followed for 1-13 years, are presented. Hypothyroidism was diagnosed in 11 (in 8 by the finding of elevated TSH). In 2 of the 3 in whom clinical signs of hypothyroidism were evident, amiodarone was continued, but thyroxine was also given. In 5 others thyrotoxicosis ensued. Propylthiouracil (PTU) was given and amiodarone was discontinued. PTU was then stopped within 4-8 months, without recurrence of the hyperthyroidism. In 1 patient pneumonitis resolved spontaneously a few weeks after stopping amiodarone. Because of gastrointestinal distress amiodarone was stopped in 1 patient. In none were liver enzymes elevated, nor was the nervous system affected clinically. Photosensitivity in 6 patients and skin discoloration in 2 did not necessitate discontinuation of the drug. Blurred vision was reported by 4, but its connection with amiodarone was not proven. There was sinus bradycardia in 2. There was no arrhythmic effect of amiodarone seen on ECG nor on Holter monitoring, nor was there any mortality. We conclude that amiodarone in low doses causes many complications, most of them mild and transient. However, in only a few cases is discontinuation of the drug indicated.

Amiodarone↗
PubMed1991

Effects of midline medullary lesions on velocity storage and the vestibulo-ocular reflex.

1. Crossing fibers were sectioned at the midline of the medulla caudal to the abducens nucleus in four cynomolgus monkeys. In two animals the lesions caused the time constant of horizontal and vertical per- and post-rotatory nystagmus to fall to 5-8 s. The slow rise in optokinetic nystagmus (OKN), as well as optokinetic after-nystagmus (OKAN) and cross-coupling of horizontal to vertical OKN and OKAN were abolished. Steady state velocities could not be maintained during off-vertical axis rotation (OVAR). Pitch and yaw nystagmus were affected similarly. We conclude that the ability to store activity related to slow phase eye velocity, i.e., "velocity storage", was lost in these monkeys for nystagmus about any axis. Velocity storage was partially affected by a small midline lesion in the same region in a third animal. There was no effect of a more superficial midline section in a fourth monkey, and it served as a control. 2. The gain (eye velocity/head velocity) of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) was unaffected by the midline lesions. Saccades were normal, as was the ability to hold the eyes in eccentric gaze positions. The gain of the fast component of OKN increased in one monkey to compensate for the loss of the slow component. 3. One animal was tested for its ability to adapt the gain of the VOR due to visual-vestibular mismatch after lesion. Average changes in gain in response to wearing magnifying (2.2x) and reducing (0.5x) lenses, were +35% and -30%, respectively. This is within the range of normal monkeys. Thus, a midline lesion that abolished velocity storage did not alter that animal's ability to adapt the gain of the VOR. 4. Lesions that reduced or abolished velocity storage interrupted crossing fibers in the rostral medulla, caudal to the abducens nuclei. Cells that contributed axons to this portion of the crossing fibers are most likely located in central portions of the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) and/or in rostral portion of the descending vestibular nucleus (DVN). The implication is that velocity storage arises from neurons in MVN and DVN whose axons cross the midline.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

A comprehensive alternative to residential treatment for adolescents and young adults.

This paper describes a treatment modality for adolescents and young adults who do not respond successfully to treatment within the family context. A comprehensive therapeutic program is implemented in the open community, providing benefits of residential care while avoiding many of the drawbacks. Five key components are discussed: creating individualized programs using community resources; effecting a complete separation from parents; maximizing autonomy and self-reliance; facilitating a corrective family experience; and capitalizing on transference in intensive individual psychotherapy, which is enhanced when a married couple functions as the treatment team. Suggestions for implementing this model are discussed and advantages and limitations are cited.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Isolation and characterization of herpes simplex virus resistant to nucleoside analogs.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 was isolated from nine patients with herpes labialis who were not previously exposed to any antiviral agent. A significant variation in the growth of these isolates in BSC1 cells in the presence of 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine and acyclovir was observed. One of the isolates was highly resistant to 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine and acyclovir and failed to induce significant activity of thymidine kinase in cultures. Herpesvirus reisolated from the same patient 3 1/2 years later did not show significant changes in its resistance to acyclovir, suggesting that the patient has a latent infection with a drug-resistant virus.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1991

Do prostaglandins lead to ovulation in the rabbit by stimulating proteolytic enzyme activity?

OBJECTIVE: To determine if prostaglandins (PGs) have a direct effect on the ovarian proteolytic enzyme system by examining ultrastructure of the follicle wall and the microvasculature in the presence and absence of indomethacin and by using the isolated perfused rabbit ovary. DESIGN: Nine hours after administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or hCG plus indomethacin, follicles were removed and processed for scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Isolated perfused rabbit ovaries were induced to ovulate with PGF2 alpha (100 ng/mL) in the presence and absence of tranexamic acid (0.1, 1.0, or 10 mM), a plasminogen activator inhibitor. RESULTS: The addition of indomethacin to hCG inhibited ovulation and production of PGs without affecting the follicular microvasculature. However, the changes in follicle wall architecture were less pronounced after treatment with indomethacin. Ovulatory efficiency in response to PGF2 alpha (the percent of follicles greater than 1.5 mm that ovulate) was significantly reduced (P less than 0.01) by 10 mM tranexamic acid. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PGs induce follicular rupture by activation of proteolytic enzymes located in the follicle wall.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Synthesis and properties of some peptide analogues of actinomycin D.

Analogues of actinomycin D (AMD) were synthesized in which amino acid replacements were made at various sites in the peptide moieties. These include (i) replacement of both N-methylvalines by N-methylleucine, (ii) replacement of both sarcosines by N-[2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]glycine, and (iii) replacement of one or both D-valines by D-threonine. The purpose of replacements ii and iii was to ascertain the effect upon biological activity of introducing a new side chain which could be functionalized to allow the attachment of carrier molecules such as antibodies. NMR data indicated that none of the analogues had solution conformations significantly different from that of AMD. Difference spectra with DNA revealed that replacement i enhanced binding while the other analogues bound less strongly to DNA. All the analogues had lower antimicrobial activities than AMD. In contrast, 5,5'-(MeLeu)2AMD displayed in vitro antitumor activity comparable with that of AMD at approximately 100-fold lower concentrations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗