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Biomedical subjects

H Link

Publications and source records attributed to H Link.

At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources

Therapy for acute myeloid leukemia in 119 adults: a comparison of two treatment protocols.

Of 119 patients with acute myeloid leukemia, 69 were treated with Adriamycin, Vincristine and Cytosine Arabinoside (Therapy 1) and 50 with Daunorubicin, Cytosine Arabinoside and 6-Thioguanine (Therapy 2) as well as a consolidation therapy. The maintenance therapy with Cytosine Arabinoside and 6-Thioguanine was the same for both groups. The complete remission rate was 44% for Therapy 1 and 68% for Therapy 2 (p less than 0.05). - The median values for remission duration were 7 and 13 months respectively (p = 0.10); for survival time the median values were 18 and 19 months. These figures show in retrospect that high remission rates can be attained through intensive induction therapy and that longer remission duration is correlated with more aggressive induction therapy. A mild form of maintenance therapy seems to have little effect on the duration of complete remission.

Adolescent↗

In vitro synthesis of immunoglobulins and autoantibodies by lymphocytes from various body compartments during chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.

Mononuclear cells extracted from regional lymph nodes, blood, spleen and central nervous system of guinea pigs with chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (r-EAE), adjuvant immunized and untreated controls were cultured for 16 h in microtitre plates, and culture supernatants were then used to measure IgG and IgM, as well as IgG class anti-myelin antibody production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Increased synthesis of these immunoglobulins and antibodies was found during the course of r-EAE both in intra- and extrathecal compartments. Long-term cultures carried out for 7 days gave similar results but anti-myelin, anti-myelin basic protein and IgG synthesis was most pronounced intrathecally. Agarose isoelectric focusing of supernatants from these cultures showed oligoclonal IgG. These findings indicate in vivo synthesis of autoantibodies within the target for immune attack and a partial sequestration of the immune response to this compartment.

Animals↗

IgM, IgA and IgG producing cells in cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood in multiple sclerosis.

The protein A plaque assay was used to enumerate IgM, IgA and IgG producing cells per 20 X 10(3) lymphocytes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood (PB) from 37 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and in PB from healthy controls. Fifty-seven percent of the MS patients displayed in CSF cells producing IgM, 70% IgA and 89% IgG. IgM or IgA producing cells predominated in CSF from 10 patients, IgG in 27. Immunoglobulin producing cells were often present when the corresponding CSF Ig index was normal, confirming that enumeration of Ig producing cells is a more sensitive variable of the intrathecal immune status. No Ig producing cells were found in CSF from four patients with tension headache, indicating absence of intrathecal Ig synthesis in healthy individuals. The patients with MS had higher numbers of IgM, IgA and IgG producing cells in PB than healthy controls, confirming occurrence of an extrathecal B cell response in MS. Active and stable MS patients did not differ regarding Ig producing cells in CSF nor in PB, which speaks in favour of continuous immune activity within as well as outside the CNS independent of clinical symptoms.

Adolescent↗

Bone marrow transplantation for acute leukemia in second or subsequent remission.

Twenty-one patients with acute leukemia in second to fifth remission were treated with bone marrow transplantation: 19 patients with transplants from HLA-matched siblings and two with transplants from identical twins. Twelve patients survived from 15 to 1,625 days after transplantation: six of 11 in the ALL group and six of 10 in the AML group. Recurrence of leukemia after marrow transplantation occurred in five patients. The cause of death in five patients was infection, in two patients combined with graft-versus-host disease. Long-term disease-free survival can probably be achieved in 30%-35% of all patients with acute leukemia who receive a marrow transplant in second or subsequent remission.

Adolescent↗

IgM and IgG responses during chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (r-EAE).

During chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (r-EAE) in guinea pigs, serum IgM and IgG concentrations increased markedly early in disease. Serum IgM and IgG increased similarly in control animals immunized with Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT). In the chronic phase of r-EAE but not in control animals, elevated IgM was also found in central nervous system (CNS) extracts, suggesting intrathecal IgM synthesis. IgG antibodies against myelin and myelin basic protein (MBP) were regularly detected in r-EAE sera from day 21 post inoculation (p.i.), reaching maximum levels in the early chronic phase. IgG antibodies against galactocerebroside (GC) and galactose appeared in some r-EAE sera. Oligoclonal IgG bands were demonstrated in all r-EAE guinea pig sera 21-26 days p.i. The bands in serum decreased in number and strength in the chronic phase. They could be traced to antibodies against MT in 4 of 10 animals, but not to antibodies against myelin, MBP, GC or galactose. Oligoclonal IgG bands were also regularly visualized in r-EAE CNS 124 days p.i., suggesting persistent intrathecal IgG synthesis. They varied in number and migration between different regions of individual CNS. Oligoclonal CNS IgG was related to antibodies against MT in only one of 7 animals, and in no case to antibodies against myelin.

Animals↗

Antibodies against oligodendrocytes in serum and CSF in multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases: 125I-protein A studies.

Antibodies against oligodendrocytes were determined in pairs of unconcentrated CSF serum from 12 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 25 control patients including 10 with aseptic meningoencephalitis (AM), using a 125I-protein A microassay. Antibody levels in serum and in CSF did not differ between MS and controls. Calculating the antibody index equal to (CSF/serum antibodies against oligodendrocytes):(CSF/serum albumin) in analogy to the CSF IgG index, thereby compensating for influence of serum antibody concentration as well as altered blood-brain barrier, no evidence was obtained for intrathecal antibody production in the patients with MS. Those with AM had higher antibody index values, probably reflecting intrathecal synthesis. Antibodies against oligodendrocytes seem to be a regular component of CSF and serum in neurological diseases; intrathecal antibody production is less frequent in MS than in AM.

Adult↗

Intrathecal production of oligoclonal IgM and IgG in CNS sarcoidosis.

A longitudinal study of multiple paired CSF and serum specimens from a patient with CNS sarcoidosis revealed high CSF IgM and IgG indices as well as oligoclonal IgM and IgG bands in CSF reflecting intrathecal IgM and IgG production. The antibody specificity of intrathecally-produced IgM and IgG remained undefined despite analysis for antibodies against mycobacterium tuberculosis and Kveim suspension. Steroid treatment induced rapid and complete clinical remission, and also decrease of CSF IgM and IgG antibodies, while oligoclonal IgM and IgG persisted in CSF. Repeated determinations of these CSF variables together with cell count and CSF/serum albumin ratio as a variable of blood-brain barrier function, might be useful in assessing effect of therapy in CNS sarcoidosis.

Antibody Specificity↗

Reference values for CSF-IgM, CSF-IgM/S-IgM ratio and IgM index, and its application to patients with multiple sclerosis and aseptic meningoencephalitis.

Immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentrations were determined in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum (S) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In 52 reference subjects, the upper reference limit was 0.46 mg/l for CSF-IgM, 0.32 X 10(-3) for CSF-IgM/S-IgM ratio, and 0.061 for IgM index equal to CSF-IgM X S-albumin/S-IgM X CSF-albumin ratio. No correlation to age over 15-85 years was found for any of these variables. Among 22 patients with aseptic meningoencephalitis (AM) elevated values of CSF-IgM were found in 68%, CSF-IgM/S-IgM ratio in 73%, and IgM index in 73%. The corresponding values among 35 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) were 66%, 60% and 63%. The differences in diagnostic sensitivities for the three IgM variables were not significant. Eleven of 16 AM patients and two of 22 with MS had elevated IgM index in the presence of normal IgG and IgA indices. Determination of IgM index should therefore be performed in suspected inflammatory nervous system disorders.

Adolescent↗

[URO-103--a new uroflow measuring device].

A new uroflow measuring instrument produced in the GDR by W. Rentsch , the Uroflow -Recorder URO-103, is presented and compared with thermistor and capacity-measuring apparatuses. The Uroflow -Recorder gives strictly linear measurements and requires extremely little maintainence . Over the test period of 8 months it functioned free from disturbance. The new apparatus is recommended for use, whereby it is suitable for combined urodynamic measurements.

Humans↗

Improved detection of oligoclonal IgG in cerebrospinal fluid by isoelectric focusing in agarose, double-antibody peroxidase labeling, and avidin-biotin amplification.

To demonstrate oligoclonal IgG bands (I) in unconcentrated cerebrospinal fluid, we used isoelectric focusing in agarose followed by protein transfer to cellulose nitrate membrane, double-antibody peroxidase labeling, and avidin-biotin amplification. I can be reliably seen after isoelectric focusing of 5-microL specimens containing 125 ng of IgG (25 mg/L). Thus the technique is more sensitive than others (e.g., silver staining) and more reliable than radioimmunofixation. When we used this technique with fluids from 62 patients with multiple sclerosis and infectious disease of the central nervous system, 84% displayed I, a percentage not increased when the same specimens were concentrated to 3.5 g of IgG per liter, examined by agarose isoelectric focusing, and stained with Coomassie Blue. Results for 53 patients with tension headache and psychoneurosis were all negative. By obviating the need to concentrate samples of cerebrospinal fluid the present method is a useful, sensitive alternative for demonstrating I.

Avidin↗

Cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytes from patients with multiple sclerosis and aseptic meningo-encephalitis respond in mixed lymphocyte culture.

Proliferative responses of cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytes (CSF-L) and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and aseptic meningo-encephalitis (AM) were tested in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC). PBL from various sources (MS, AM, healthy subjects) were used as stimulator cells. CSF-L from 10 of 13 patients with MS and all 15 patients with AM were MLC-reactive to an extent not significantly different from that of PBL. No consistent differences in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) patterns were registered in MS when clinical (exacerbation, age at onset, duration of disease, disability) and CSF variables (mononuclear cell count, CSF IgG index) or presence of HLA Dw2 were considered. The MLC response of PBL obtained from MS and AM patients did not differ significantly from that of healthy individuals. The results contrast with our previous observation of low proliferative response of MS CSF-L to mitogens. Clonal expansion of alloreactive CSF-L offers the possibility of further studies of their characteristics.

Adult↗