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Biomedical subjects

J L Sever

Publications and source records attributed to J L Sever.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Immunological response of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients to measles virus.

The immunological responses of patients with clinical signs of SSPE were examined by the direct migration inhibition, complement-mediated antibody cytoxicity and the lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity assay techniques. Peripheral lymphocytes migrated similarly to controls when exposed to measles antigen. Lymphocytes from SSPE patients responded to a SSPE strain of measles infected cells in a manner similar to lymphocytes from controls. A factor which interfered with the expected activity of sensitized lymphocytes to measles virus was detected in some cerebral spinal fluid obtained from SSPE patients. The blocking activity varied from 100% in 4 of 20 patients with SSPE to no blocking in 2 of the SSPE patients. The occurrence of blocking factor in SSPE patients could not be related to sex or age of the patient, serum of CSF antibody levels, and duration of disease or outcome.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Nutritional studies in the pregnant rhesus monkey--the effect of protein-calorie or protein deprivation on growth of the fetal brain.

Twenty four pregnant nulliparous rhesus monkeys were distributed in three groups. While pregnant, the mothers were fed a diet, adequate in mineral and vitamins, that afforded 4.2 g protein and 100 cal; 1.2 g protein and 100 cal; or 1.2 g protein and 50 cal per kg per day. The fetuses were taken by cesarian section at 156 days gestation (term = 165 days) and the cerebrum and cerebellum were subsequently analysed chemically to assess composition and growth. Analyses revealed no statistically significant changes in protein, DNA, RNA, cholesterol, phospholipid, water, or chloride space of either tissue. The zinc concentration per gram of cerebral tissue or protein was significantly elevated in the low protein low calorie group. These results indicate that the brain of the fetus of this primate is protected during frank protein-calorie restriction of the mother. Moreover it is during this time that the major part of brain development takes place. It is argued that the differences observed after maternal restriction of protein and/or calories in subprimate mammals are not necessarily applicable to the human situation.

Animals↗

Hepatitis A and Down's syndrome: lack of an association.

The occurrence of hepatitis A early in pregnancy has been reported to result in increased births of children with Down's syndrome. Eleven sets of paired sera were obtained before conception and during pregnancy from women who delivered infants with Down's syndrome. These sera were tested for antibody to hepatitis A virus with use of immune electron microscopy. None of the women had seroconversions or increases in levels of antibody to hepatitis A virus. No evidence of an association between hepatitis A and Down's syndrome was found in the women studied.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Experimental lead paint poisoning in nonhuman primates. I. Clinical signs and course.

Lead-containing paints were administered orally to 27 rhesus monkeys for periods of 18-667 days. Lead acetate was fed to nine monkeys of three different species for 9-156 days. Excretion of one week's dose of lead in six primates ranged from 35 to 94%. The animals incurred moderate to extreme elevations of lead in blood, most lost weight, or had depressed weight gains, and developed Burtonian lines, some died suddenly and unexpectedly, and many terminated in a moribund state with profound anemia. Only one neonate had obvious signs of lead encephalopathy. The monkeys' ages, dose and source of lead, and possibly other factors, affected their response to lead.

Age Factors↗

Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus in an institution for mentally retarded persons.

Sera from patients and employees of the Lynchburg Training School and Hospital were tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen by complement fixation test and antibody against Hepatitis B surface antigen by radioimmunoprecipitation test. Hepatitis B surface antigen was detected in 20% of the Down's syndrome patients and 7 percent of the matched other retarded patients. Antibody against Hepatitis B surface antigen was detected in 40% of the Down's syndrome and 57% of the matched other retarded patients. Hepatitis B virus infection as measured by presence of either Hepatitis B surface antigen or antibody was similar in the Down's syndrome patients (59%) and the matched other retarded patients (63%). Male patients had a higher frequency of Hepatitis B surface antigen chronic carriers and a lower frequency of antibodies to Hepatitis B surface antigen than the female patients. No relationship between age at time of first institutionalization and prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection was demonstrated. However, it was observed that patients institutionalized at an earlier age were more likely to be housed in wards with a high frequency of Hepatitis B surface antigen. Increased length of institutionalization was associated with increased prevalence of Hepatitis B virus infection. Antibody to Hepatitis B surface antigen was detected in 33% of the employees. Employees who worked on wards with a high frequency of Hepatitis B virus infection had a high frequency of Hepatitis B surface antibody (50%) whereas those working on wards with a low frequency of infection had a low frequency of Hepatitis B surface antibody (9%).

Age Factors↗

Hepatitis and Down's syndrome.

Data obtained concerning Hepatitis B as a possible couse of Down's syndrome, neonatal hepatitis, and the occurrence of Hepatitis A and B in institutionalized Down's syndrome and matched non-Down's syndrome retarded patients was summarized. The results of our studies indicated that Hepatitis B infection during pregnancy was not related to the genetic changes associated with Down's syndrome. It was further indicated that in institutionalized patients the incidence of Hepatitis B infection in both Down's syndrome and other mentally retarded patients was similar. Within the institition we studied, the incidence of Hepatitis B varied among wards. This ward variation seemed to be related to age at time of institutionalization and degree of mental retardation. Those patients with most retardation and those institutionalized at an early age were placed on wards with highest incidence of Hepatitis B antigenemia.

Age Factors↗

Herpesvirus hominis type II infections in asymptomatic pregnant women.

This study was designed to determine the incidence of previous and current herpesvirus hominis Type II infections in asymptomatic pregnant women. Sera were obtained from 985 patients for detection of Type I and II herpesvirus hominis antibodies. In addition 770 cervical and 211 amniotic fluid cultures for herpesvirus hominis Type II were performed. Identification of previous herpesvirus hominis infection was determined in 352 patients (35.7%) by calculation of a Type II/I antibody index of 85 or greater. Type II herpesvirus hominis was isolated from five cervical cultures for a 0.65% antepartum incidence of infection. None of the amniotic fluid cultures demonstrated virus. The significance of these findings is discussed.

Adolescent↗

A preliminary report on investigation of oncogenic potential of herpes simplex virus type 2 in Cebus monkeys.

A total of 301 female and 133 male Cebus monkeys have been placed under study during a 3-year period. Females are inoculated intradermally into the cervix every 6 months; 225 receive virus and 76 receive control material. More than 50% of the animals were infected on primary inoculation, and a similar percentage was foundon the 1st reinoculation. Males are housed with females at 1:1 to 1:3 ratios. Eighteen % of the males exposed to virus-inoculated females have become infected. To date, a total of 55 pregnancies have produced 14 live births and 8 abortions. The remaining 33 animals are still pregnant. No neonatal herpes simplex virus type 2 infections have been identified. Cytological changes of mild (atypia) to moderate (dysplasia) anaplasia have persisted for 12 to 32 months in 13 herpes simplex virus type 2-infected females. These animals received their 1st inoculation 14 to 50 months ago. Persistent anaplasia has not been found in control animals.

Animals↗

Utilization of a further miniaturized serological microtechnique.

A new 0.01-ml serological microtechnique system produced accurate and reproducible complement-fixation and indirect hemagglutination tests. This equipment involves the use of smaller amounts of antigens and sera, and thus increases the value of the method when employed with expensive reagents or limited qualities of sera.

Antibodies, Viral↗