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Biomedical subjects

J Elias

Publications and source records attributed to J Elias.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Studies of the cellular infiltrate of chronic idiopathic urticaria: prominence of T-lymphocytes, monocytes, and mast cells.

We have used a panel of monoclonal antibodies and enzyme histochemistry in order to characterize further the perivascular mononuclear cell infiltrate found in chronic idiopathic urticaria. Biotinylated anti-mouse immunoglobulin was exposed to avidin-biotin-peroxidase-labeled complex followed by peroxidase development in order to detect binding of monoclonal antibodies. The mean percent staining obtained for 12 patients with chronic urticaria was 47% T-lymphocytes, 22% monocytes (14% by alpha-naphthyl acid esterase), and 11% mast cells. B-lymphocytes were not detectable, and approximately 20% of cells could not be identified. Although patients varied greatly in the ratio of Leu 3a positive helper-inducer T cells to T8 positive cytotoxic-suppressor cells, the average of all patients was not significantly different from the T4/T8 ratio in plasma. Our results suggest that the infiltrate resembles that observed in cellular immune reactions (although no antigen has been identified) and that interaction of T-lymphocytes and/or monocytes with mast cells to cause mediator release appears likely.

Adult↗

Modification of ethanol-induced motor impairment by diet, diuretic, mineralocorticoid, or prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor.

Ethanol-induced motor impairment in rats was measured following a number of different dietary or drug treatments. A low sodium diet combined with injections of the diuretic furosemide, but not a low sodium diet alone, increased motor impairment while a high sodium diet decreased impairment. Blood ethanol measurements indicated that both effects were probably mediated by changes in blood ethanol levels. However, the synthetic mineralocorticoid, DOCA, and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, indomethacin, both altered ethanol-induced motor impairment without concomitant changes in blood ethanol levels. The aldosterone antagonist, spironolactone, failed to produce any effect. Since all treatments can modulate activity in the renin-angiotension system, this system appears to play a role in altering some of the behavioral properties of ethanol.

Analysis of Variance↗

Identification of erythrocytes in intervillous thrombi: a study using immunoperoxidase identification of hemoglobins.

The origin of the erythrocytes in intervillous thrombi has never been definitively established. Fetal hemoglobin-containing erythrocytes were identified in histologic sections of intervillous thrombi using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase unlabeled antibody method. In 85 per cent of intervillous thrombi containing well-preserved erythrocytes, fetal hemoglobin-containing cells were found in quantities well in excess of the number seen in maternal blood. This definitely demonstrates the presence of erythrocytes of fetal origin in intervillous thrombi. Possible pathogenic mechanisms of intervillous thrombosis and fetal-maternal hemorrhage are discussed.

Chorionic Villi↗

Continuous intrauterine copper contraception for 3 years: comparison of replacement at 2 years with continuation of use.

A total of 1245 women had a copper 7 intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) inserted in 1971-3 were followed up for three years (22 761-5 women months of use). After 24 months 483 women elected to continue with the same copper 7 (continuation group), and 183 had their copper 7 replaced with a new one (replacement group). The subsequent pregnancy and expulsion rates were both significantly lower in the replacement group. The higher pregnancy rate among the women who continued to use their copper 7 device for a third year suggests that although the copper is still there, it is not available for contraceptive action. Replacing the device at 24 months did not seem to cause again the problems that usually occur in the first six months of IUD use.

Adult↗

Graded group procedures for long term regressed schizophrenics.

It has been suggested that a graded sequence of treatments might be the most efficacious approach to the rehabilitation of the regressed schizophrenic. To date, however, no research has been reported which examines the relative effectiveness of various treatment combinations with this difficult population. The present study is an investigation of the relative effectiveness of three treatment sequences in increasing social interaction among long term regressed schizophrenics. In this study, 32 chronic schizophrenic patients were randomly assigned to one of three treatment sequences or to a control group. Each sequence began with six sessions of remotivation group therapy. Following, this, one group participated in four sessions of activities, another had social living discussions, and a third continued with remotivation therapy. Both the remotivation-activities sequence and the remotivation-only sesequence significantly increased social interaction relative to the remotivation-social living sequence and thecontrol group. Therefore it appears that both the activities groups and the remotivation groups are effective early components of a graded treatment program to increase social interaction among withdrawn schizophrenics.

Adult↗

Experimental emphysema induced with purified human neutrophil elastase: tissue localization of the instilled protease.

Human neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) elastase was purified by affinity chromatography to greater than 95% homogeneity as judged by disc-gel electrophoresis. Dog lung elastin was prepared from alveolar-enriched tissue by prior extraction of soluble and collagenous lung proteins with 0.1 M NaOH at 98 degrees C. Digestion of the remaining insoluble residue by the purified PMN enzyme was monitored by Lowry assay of acid-soluble peptides released. The PMN enzyme possessed 60% of the digestive activity of crystallized porcine pancreatic elastase (weight:weight comparison) when tested in vitro against this substrate in phosphate-NaCl buffer at pH 7.5. Whole tissue studies were then performed in lungs of laboratory animals. One-ml samples containing purified PMN elastase were instilled into lavaged and saline-perfused isolated dog lung at the level of the sixth to seventh generation bronchus. Treatment with 384 mug of the PMN enzyme produced anatomic emphysema after a 90-min incubation at room temperature, which was comparable to that produced by 100 mug of porcine pancreatic elastase. Frozen sections of treated and control lungs were examined for the presence of PMN elastase by the indirect immunoperoxidase method using a monospecific rabbit antiserum against PMN elastase as the primary stain. Light microscopy revealed elastase bound to connective tissue in the treated lungs, in close proximity to aldehyde-fuchsin-counterstained elastic fibers. A similar experiment was tn of enzyme solutions containing 1;0 mg of elastase per ml produced discrete lesions within 90 min, as before. Light microscopic studies in conjunction with the indirect immunoperoxidase staining method again demonstrated elastase in association with connective tissue elements in the lesion area. In addition, part of the instilled protease could be demonstrated within alveolar macrophages. Electron microscopy combined with immunoperoxidase staining revealed direct attachment of th einstilled enzyme to elastic fibers within alveolar septa. In enzyme-treated tissue, some septa showed severe depletion of intercellular structures with the exception of colalgen, which was generally preserved. These results show that human leukocyte elastase penetrated dog alveolar septal connective tissue after airway instillation and that the enzyme attaches to elastic fibers, inducing histologic changes comparable to thos seen in human emphysema.

Animals↗

Immunoelectronmicroscopic localization of alpha-actinin in skeletal muscle cells.

The ultrastructural distribution of alpha-actinin in skeletal myocytes was studied by a sensitive method that permits localization of antigenic proteins in intact fixed cells rather than in glycerol estracted tissues or isolated cell fractions. Binding to the Z line of specific antiserum produced in rabbits immunized with highly purified alpha-actinin was demonstrated by deposition at this site of a reaction product of horseradish peroxidase that had been coupled to antigen-binding fragments of sheep anti-rabbit gamma globulin.

Actinin↗

Nurse specialist in family planning.

In an experimental clinic, run by nurse specialists in family planning, a total of 768 patients were seen in the first year. Oral contraception was dispensed for 377 patients and 187 intrauterine devices (IUCDs) were inserted; a further 204 IUCD patients attended only for follow-up visits. All side effects were adequately diagnosed by the nurse specialist.

Community Health Services↗

Influence of certain dietary fibers on serum and tissue cholesterol levels in rats.

Pectin, carragheenan, agar gum arabic, cellulose and wheat bran were each fed to rats at a level of 5 to 7% to examine their effect on serum, liver and tissue cholesterol levels. Diets (casein-sucrose diet containing 10-15% soybean oil, or skim milk-wheat flour diet containing 10-15% soybean oil) supplemented with either 0, 0.2, or 0.5% cholesterol were used to test the possibly dietary interactions. Among the fibers tested, pectin displayed the most hypocholesterolemic effect. In some experiments, pectin lowered the level of cholesterol in the serum, liver, and aorta, but it elevated body cholesterol levels. Carragheenan was inconsistent in lowering serum cholesterol levels and tended to increase liver and carcass cholesterol levels. These results probably suggest that pectin and carragheenan can affect the distribution of cholesterol within the body. Gum arabic and agar did not lower serum cholesterol levels and in one case gum arabic elevated them. Furthermore, in some experiments they elevated liver body cholesterol levels. It appears that feeding of gum arabic and agar probably resulted in an expansion of the whole body cholesterol pool. Feeding of wheat bran or cellulose had no significant effect on either serum or liver cholesterol levels. The study indicates that the effect of dietary fiber is dependent on the composition of the diet. Furthermore, while some fibers such as pectin may exhibit a hypocholesterolemic effect in rats, other fibers such as gum arabic and agar may actually elevate serum or tissue cholesterol levels.

Acacia↗

Influence of staphylococcal enterotoxin on water and electrolyte transport in the small intestine.

The direct and indirect effects of staphylococcal enterotoxins A and C on the flux of water, sodium, and potassium have been studied in paired Thiry Vella fistulae in dogs. Administration of toxin resulted in a significant decrease in absorption, both in the loop to which the toxin had been administered and its pair. This decrease in absorption was associated with a decrease in movement out of the lumen, movement into the lumen remaining relatively unchanged. The mechanism of action of staphylococcal enterotoxins is discussed, and comparisons made with other enterotoxins.

Animals↗