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Biomedical subjects

H Offner

Publications and source records attributed to H Offner.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

Stimulation of active E-rosette forming lymphocytes from multiple sclerosis patients by gangliosides and cerebrosides.

An active subpopulation of blood T-lymphocytes, characterized by rapid (4 min) rosette formation with sheep erythrocytes was measured in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, other neurological diseases (OND) and healthy subjects after 15 min incubation with low doses (0.1-5 pg) of brain cerebrosides and gangliosides. A 15% rise in the active E-rosettes after incubation with antigens was indicative of a response to given antigen. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from all 35 patients with MS responded to brain cerebrosides in the active E-rosette test (AER). Lymphocytes from 33 MS patients also responded to brain gangliosides. Three out of 26 other neurological patients were stimulated by cerebrosides and gangliosides. Fifteen healthy subjects did not respond to any antigen in the AER test. The significance of the results in relation to the process of demyelination is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Fast and economic conversion of images to a tactile presentation for blind people.

A new procedure for the conversion of binary black and white images to a tactile presentation perceptible by the blind is described. Conventional procedures are very time-consuming and expensive and are not adapted to produce the required low editions of tactile displays, e.g., for schools for the blind or individual applications. The procedure recently developed allows the fast, economical conversion of even single drawings to a tactile display with high resolution. An account of the investigations and valuations of all possible physical procedures of optical-to-tactile conversion is given. The new procedure, based on a slightly modified Xerox copying process in a first step and gumming tactile material with the tone powder at the darkened regions in a second step, is described in detail. The device realised is presented. It allows the conversion of one page of a drawing to a tactile display with a resolution of 0.3 mm within 1 min. Various applications of the system and experiences with blind users are reported. The implement proved to meet most of the requirements of blind people. It is easy to handle and produces tactile drawings of excellent quality. As it is based on commercial subsystems it promises an economical production even at small series.

Blindness↗
PubMed1979

Stimulation of active E-rosette forming lymphocytes by myelin basic protein and specific antigens from multiple sclerosis brains.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 30 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) responded to low doses (i.e. 0.1--5 pg total protein) of crude MS myelin basic protein (BP) as assayed by the active E-rosette test (AER). Of the MS patients studied 20 (65%) responded to control BP. The optimum response of MS lymphocytes to MS BP was obtained at a lower concentration than their response to control BP. Thirty percent of other neurological patients (OND) were stimulated by both MS and control BP. Lymphocytes of all MS patients but none of the OND responded to partially purified protein fraction of MS brain ("peak 2"). Crossed immunoelectrophoresis revealed the presence of one common specific antigen in crude MS BP and MS "peak 2" antigens. The nature of these antigens is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

The enhancing effect of multiple sclerosis brain homogenates on the active E-rosette forming lymphocytes in neurological disorders.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 23 out of 27 (85%) patients with multiple sclerosis responded to MS brain homogenates by increased formation of active E-rosettes. Lymphocytes from only six out of 78 (8%) patients with other neurological diseases responded to MS brain homogenates. The possible value of the test in the diagnosis of MS is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Partial purification of MS specific brain antigens.

The present study was devoted to an immunochemical elucidation of antigenic similarities and differences between cytoplasmic and microsomal fractions of six multiple sclerosis (MS) and seven non-MS brain autopsy specimens. The antigenic composition of the samples studied was traced by crossed immunoelectrophoresis using antibodies made by immunization of rabbits with the corresponding fraction. The following data were obtained: 1. A measles antigen (defined as an antigen formed in vero cells during measles infection) and two specific antigens have been purified more than 3000-fold from MS brains by means of molecular filtration and DEAE cellulose chromatography. 2. All three antigens have a molecular weight between 10(5)-10(6) daltons and isoelectric points between 3.5-6.0. 3. Measles antigen has also been found in three out of seven non-MS brains, however, it did not stimulate antibody formation in rabbits in contrast to measles antigen of MS brain. The significance of the above-mentioned data is discussed in view of the immunological abnormalities previously found in MS patients. It cannot be excluded that the antigens found represents one or more viral antigens.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

E rosette-forming lymphocytes in multiple sclerosis patients. Basic protein stimulation of rosette-forming cells.

"Total" and "active" T cells were enumerated using sheep red blood cell (SRBC) rosetting technique. The percentages of "total" and "active" T lymphocytes were not significantly different in multiple sclerosis patients as compared to other neurological disorders and/or healthy controls. However, the number of "avid" T cells binding more than three SRBC was significantly increased in MS patients. Active E rosette test has shown hypersensitization to myelin basic protein in 50% MS patients and 31% OND patients. All healthy controls studied, except one had negative response.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

The enhancing effect of unsaturated fatty acids on E rosette formation.

The number of bound sheep red blood cells (SRBC) per lymphocyte of 16 healthy subjects were assayed prior and after addition of unsaturated fatty acids. Addition of fatty acids to the assay system was found to increase significantly the number of avid T lymphocytes (which bind more than 10 SRBC). It is suggested that increased fatty acid level might change lipid fluidity of the plasma membrane and increase the number of attachment points between the cell surface of the lymphocyte and SRBC. The immunoregulatory effect of fatty acids is discussed.

Arachidonic Acids↗
PubMed1977

Lymphocyte stimulation in multiple sclerosis patients untreated and treated with transfer factor. Long-term studies on the effect of different stimulants on myo-(2-3H)inositol incorporation into phosphatidylinositol of lymphocytes.

The lymphocytes from controls, untreated MS and MS patients treated with transfer factor were stimulated with PHA, PWM, PPD, LPS and MA and the increased incorporation of myoinositol into phosphatidylinositides was determined. As compared with controls, the untreated MS patients revealed significantly lower index of stimulation with PHA, LPS, PPD and MA. The response of lymphocytes from MS patients treated with transfer factor was intermediate. No correlation between disease progression and stimulation of inositol incorporation was observed. Analysis of variance showed that the myoinositol test is not applicable in long-term studies to distinguished single subjects, however it is useful to determine differences between MS patients and controls.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Lysolecithin fusion of cells from multiple sclerosis patients with Vero cells.

Investigations were performed on cell cultures derived from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in order to trace a possible virus infection as a cause of the disease. Cell cultures were established from one brain autopsy specimen and four lymph node biopsies from MS patients. Lymphocytes from 28 MS patients and six healthy controls were used for fusion or cocultivation experiments, either immediately after isolation or after mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC). Lysolecithin fusion and cocultivation experiments were made with Vero cells and with, respectively: cultured brain cells, lymph node cells and lymphocytes from MS patients. Electron microscopical examination revealed intranuclear filamentous structures in 5 per cent of the cells in primary cultures of MS brain and lymph node and in control skin organ cultures. Multinucleated cells were found in six out of 19 cocultures of Vero cells and MS lymphocytes preincubated for 2 days at 37 degrees C. The cultures were tested for the presence of viruses, i.e. measles virus and virus producing hemadsorption with human type O and/or guinea pig erythrocytes and virus against which the MS patients showed serum FA-antibodies. No virus antigen could be demonstrated in the cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Correlation between incorporation of myo-(2-3H)inositol into the phosphatidylinositol of lymphocytes and disability degree, stage and duration of multiple sclerosis.

The present study revealed a positive correlation between the degree of disability of MS patients and the rate of incorporation of myo-(2-3-H)inositol into phosphatidylinositol of lymphocytes stimulated with basic protein (BP) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA). No correlation could be found between the response of lymphocytes to measles antigen (MA) and the degree of disability, stage and duration of multiple sclerosis. No correlation could be observed between the response of lymphocytes to the stimulants studied and the duration of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Morphological changes of astrocyte-like cells induced by serum beta-lipoprotein in brain cell culture.

When added to brain cell cultures of newborn rats, serum and, in particular, its beta-lipoprotein fraction caused significant morphological transformations of astrocyte-like cells present in the culture. The changes were instantaneous as they appeared within 1 min after addition of beta-lipoprotein and they were characterized by swelling and loss of cellular processes of all astrocyte-like cells present. The lipoprotein effect was reversed after a period of about 7 h. Since the blood-brain and blood-spinal fluid barrier in multiple sclerosis is decreased towards serum macromolecules, i.e. the serum beta-lipoprotein, this protein may enter the central nervous system and thereby initiate a demyelinating process.

Animals↗