Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to H Zwick.
Problems in the diagnosis of mould allergies arise from a large number of mould species, different expression of allergens and limited supply of allergens in test systems. Only the use of many different and special diagnostic methods enables an accurate clearing up of diseases. Not until all diagnostic problems are resolved, an adequate therapy is possible and should use new ways.
Obstructive sleep apnea is frequently found in middle-aged men. Usually, these patients are obese and therefore predisposed to hypertension. This study aimed to elucidate the relationships between hypertension, obesity and obstructive sleep apnea in 48 men suffering from sleep apnea. Hypertension was found in 39 of them (= 81%), 27 patients (= 56%) were morbidly obese (Broca index above 125%), 17 patients (= 36%) were moderately obese (Broca index between 100 and 125%) and 4 patients (= 8%) showed normal weight (Broca index below 100%). Severity of sleep apnea did not correlate with obesity or hypertension. Patients with sleep apnea who were hypertensive were significantly (p less than 0.025) more obese than those with normal blood pressure. Compared with an unselected population showing a similar degree of obesity, patients with obstructive sleep apnea showed a higher prevalence of hypertension and this is independent of age. These findings establish sleep apnea as a risk factor for hypertension.
The expression of HLA-DR antigen on alveolar macrophages obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage in healthy controls and patients with different diseases was investigated, using cytofluorographic analysis and phykoerythrin conjugated monoclonal mouse anti-human HLA-DR antibody. Alveolar macrophages in patients with extrinsic allergic alveolitis (n = 4), idiopathic lung fibrosis (n = 4), sarcoidosis (n = 6), rheumatoid lung disease (n = 6) and pulmonary infection (n = 5) showed increased density of HLA-DR antigen expression compared to healthy control subjects (n = 5). The increased expression of HLA-DR antigen on alveolar macrophages confirms the importance of these cells for recognition of antigens and immunological responses in different pulmonary diseases.
Development of more sensitive human clinical visual function tests is required for early detection of both acute and chronic laser exposure effects. Detection of low-level laser light exposure depends upon the measure of visual function employed. Visual function measures may reflect physiological processes at the retina as well as those at higher visual cortical centers. This paper focuses on the complexity of these measures through review of various experimental investigations using a variety of different measures to correlate retinal and functional alteration.
Respiratory allergies and subclinical sensitization to aeroallergens were investigated in 129 rural and in 222 urban probands. The incidence of respiratory allergies was not significantly higher in the urban residents. Sensitization to aeroallergens was investigated with Phadezym RAST (house dust mite, Cladosporium, orchard grass, birch pollens) and the Phadiatop multi RAST and found to be significantly more frequent in polluted than in unpolluted areas. Allergen-specific IgE was detected n 37.8% of urban probands and in 25.6% of rural probands with Phadezym RAST (P less than 0.025) and a positive Phadiatop multi RAST was found in 43.7% versus 32.6 (P less than 0.05).
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Regenerating neurons synthesize new, rapidly transported, growth-associated proteins which are thought to mediate the regeneration process. We have studied these proteins in the regenerating optic nerves of goldfish by using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis coupled with gel fluorography and computer analysis. The results indicate that goldfish retinal ganglion cells produce 3 polypeptides which qualify as growth-associated proteins. Properties shared by each of these 3 polypeptides suggest that they may originate from a common precursor.
A patient with hypersensitivity pneumonitis showed positive Ouchterlony's immunodiffusion tests against pigeon faecal extract, Cephalosporium and Pullularia antigens. Deposits of immunoglobulins-IgG and IgM antibodies-were detected in a subendothelial position in arterial and venous vessels and on alveolar macrophages in the lung tissue. The IgG deposits in blood vessels belonged to IgG1, IgG2 and IgG3 subclasses and the absorbed IgG on alveolar macrophages to all IgG subclasses. The detection of allergen specific antibodies in lung tissue was made by indirect immunofluorescent staining with FITC conjugated antigen extracts from pigeon faeces and demonstrated the aetiology of this hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Antibodies directed against neuronal cells were found in the serum of 10 out of 27 patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) by means of an indirect immunofluorescent test. Positive staining was found either in nuclei of neurons with sparing of nucleoli or in the cytoplasm only. Antibodies belonged to IgG or IgM. A comparison with a control group of 60 patients yielded a high specificity of the circulating antibodies for SCLC. Contrary to recent reports, we were not able to confirm an association between the existence of circulating antibodies against neurons and the incidence of neurologic paraneoplastic disorders.
In a prospective study the occurrence of rye-specific IgG4 was investigated. We compared 17 bakers with clinical symptoms of bakers' asthma and a more than 100% increase in specific airway resistance following rye dust provocation to 16 bakers who showed neither symptoms of asthma nor an increase in specific airway resistance following rye dust provocation. In the group of patients with allergic type I responses, specific IgG4 was found in 15 cases by an indirect immunofluorescent test on rye grains. In none of the asymptomatic bakers was rye-specific IgG4 detected. In 15 symptomatic subjects rye-specific IgE alone or together with rye-specific IgG4 was found. In 2 cases only rye-specific IgG4--the so-called short-term sensitizing antibody--was demonstrated to explain the allergic bronchial response.
To calculate their respective exposure to mold spores, volumetric spore sampling was performed with Burkard personal air samplers in the homes of six asthmatic patients with different mold allergies, of three patients with baker's asthma and of four healthy controls. The spore samples were investigated with an indirect immunofluorescent test. Spore-specific IgE was detected in the serum of all the asthmatic patients with mold allergies, even in patients with only slightly increased or no detectable specific IgE in Phadezym-RAST. In serum of patients with baker's asthma and healthy controls, no spore-specific IgE was found.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.