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Biomedical subjects

J Weintraub

Publications and source records attributed to J Weintraub.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Use of sterile insect releases in an IPM program for control of Hypoderma lineatum and H. bovis (Diptera: Oestridae): a pilot test.

A joint Canadian-U.S. pilot test study was conducted for 4 yr on about 3,800 km2 on the Montana-Alberta border to determine the effect of sterile male releases on Hypoderma lineatum (Villers) and H. bovis (L.) populations remaining after initial chemical treatments. Chemical treatments initially reduced populations, making sterile male releases more efficient. Insect material for release was obtained from yearling animals held in confinement, an expensive, labor-intensive method of production. Sterile males of H. lineatum were released in one-half of the study area and sterile males of H. bovis were released in the other half. The unsterilized species in each half served as a control. Although the number of sterile males released was limited (265-462 yr), each species was eliminated in its respective release area, whereas the control species was not.

Alberta↗

CA 125 is an excretory product of human endometrial glands.

The present investigation was undertaken to study the cellular localization and kinetics of synthesis of CA 125 in the endometrium. CA 125 was localized by immunohistochemistry to the infranuclear region of epithelial cells during the proliferative phase and to the apical luminal border during the secretory phase. In gestational endometrium, both the cytoplasm and the apical luminal border of epithelial cells were intensely positive. No staining was seen in endometrial stromal cells during the normal cycle or in decidualized endometria. Results obtained from in vitro cultures of separated glandular and stromal cells were similar to those obtained by immunohistochemistry. That is, epithelial cells released between 5 and 25 times more CA 125 into the culture medium than did stromal cells. The release of CA 125 was highest in epithelial and stromal cells obtained during the early secretory phase. CA 125 concentrations were markedly elevated in endometrial aspirations obtained during the secretory phase or in endometria with crumbling stroma compared to plasma levels. Plasma levels of CA 125 were slightly elevated during menses. These results suggest that CA 125 is an exocrine product of endometrial epithelial cells. Plasma levels of CA 125 may be of endometrial origin only when the membrane barriers, which normally prevent its entry into the circulation, are damaged.

Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate↗

[Melanoma of the vagina. Apropos of a case and review of the literature].

We describe the unusual case of a 60-year-old woman with malignant melanoma of the vagina and positive right inguinal lymph nodes. Etiopathogenesis of this lesion, prognostic factors, and therapeutic attitude, are discussed in the light of data from the literature and the case reported herein.

Female↗

A simple method for estrogen receptor antigen preservation in cytologic specimens containing breast carcinoma cells.

We report a modified method to prepare cytologic specimens for the evaluation of estrogen receptors by immunocytochemistry. Cytologic samples were obtained by needle aspiration of tumor masses (nine patients) and body cavity fluids (nine patients). The cytologic material was divided, and slides for immunostaining were prepared according to two different techniques: (1) fixation of cells in suspension (modified method); and (2) fixation of cells adherent to slides (standard method). The results after immunostaining demonstrated that the number of cells adhering to slides prepared according to the modified method was greatly increased as compared with the number of cells remaining attached to slides prepared according to the standard method. There was no loss of cell groups or aggregates using the modified method. The antigenicity of estrophilin and the cell morphology were well-preserved for up to 30 days. With this modified method, cytologic samples may be stored and conveniently processed in batches, thereby improving the utilization of laboratory resources.

Antigen-Antibody Reactions↗

Evaluation of estrogen receptors by immunocytochemistry on fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens from breast tumors.

The estrogen receptor (ER) content of 31 surgically removed breast tumors (26 duct carcinomas, one lobular carcinoma, one papillary carcinoma, one colloid carcinoma, one duct carcinoma in situ, and one atypical fibroadenoma) was determined by a commercially available immunocytochemical method (Abbott Laboratories, ER-ICA) on cytologic material obtained by fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of surgical specimens. Immunocytochemical staining of cells by a peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique was evaluated on the basis of the percentage of positive cells and the intensity of staining. An immuno-staining score for cytologic (IS-CYTO) and histologic (IS-HISTO) material was defined and a threshold of positivity determined to facilitate the semi-quantitation of results and the comparison of cases. The results of immunostaining of cytologic material were compared with the evaluation of ER in corresponding tissue samples as determined by the radioligand binding assay using the dextran-coated charcoal procedure (ER-DCC) and by ER-ICA using cryostat sections of frozen tissue. The sensitivity, specificity, predictive value of a positive test, and test efficiency of ER-ICA in cytologic material as compared to ER-DCC was 96%, 83%, 96% and 93%, respectively. The IS-CYTO was significantly correlated with the IS-HISTO in corresponding histologic material (r = 0.72, P less than 0.001). In conclusion, the combination of ER-ICA with FNAB represents a useful new technique for the evaluation of ER which may be applied to small primary tumors, tumor recurrences, and metastases.

Axilla↗

Comparison of methods for analysis of CSF proteins in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and controls was analyzed by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, electron microscopy, and fluorescence microscopy with thioflavin S staining. In CSF from patients with AD, abnormal proteins were found following two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and silver staining. In CSF samples from most of the AD patients studied, a highly argentophilic material was detected upon silver staining the stacking gel of the one-dimensional gels. Electron microscopy of material eluted from the stacking gel showed fibers of approximately 7-10 nm diameter, with some twisting; properties consistent with paired helical filaments or amyloid. Furthermore, material with the characteristics of amyloid (fiber diameter ranging from 4-10 nm) was found in the CSF sediment. The CSF from AD patients had significantly elevated numbers of yellow fluorescent particles following thioflavin S staining when compared with age-matched, other neurological disease controls. We did not see an increase in autofluorescence, indicating that thioflavin S staining is specific. Our data suggest that AD CSF contains plaque amyloid and possibly proteins from neurofibrillary tangles. The thioflavin S staining method appears to have potential for development as a diagnostic tool.

Aged↗

Immunological responses to parasitic arthropods.

Parasitic arthropods are responsible for enormous economic losses to livestock producers throughout the world. These production losses may range from simple irritation caused by biting and non-biting flies to deaths and/or damage to carcass, fleece, or skin resulting from attack by myiasis flies. The estimated costs of these losses are colossal but even these usually include only direct losses and ignore those associated with pesticide application. In the USA alone (in 1976), these losses were conservatively estimated at more than 650 million US dollars. The long term use of chemical control measures for these pests has resulted in many serious problems including residues in meat and milk products, rapid development of insecticide resistance, the destruction of non-target organisms, environmental pollution, and mortality and morbidity of livestock. These concerns have prompted researchers to seek alternative methods of arthropod control, including the artificial induction of immunity. In this review, R. W. Baron and J. Weintraub discuss several examples of ectoparasites that can induce immunological resistance in the host, including Sarcoptes and Demodex mites, the sheep ked (Melophagus ovinus), Anopluran lice and myiasis-causing flies such as Hypoderma.

Journal Article↗

Lymphocyte responsiveness in cattle previously infested and uninfested with Hypoderma lineatum (de Vill.) and H. bovis (L.) (Diptera: Oestridae).

Cattle exposed to their third consecutive warble (Hypoderma lineatum and H. bovis) infestation had significantly reduced apparent and accumulative grub populations and produced significantly fewer grubs than animals exposed to their first infestation. These resistant animals had enhanced reactivity to mitogens (concanavalin A (con A) and pokeweed) upon reinfestation and a strong antigen-specific response at 2 months post-infestation. Their responsiveness to con A and antigen was also enhanced at 7 months post-infestation when grubs appeared in the backs, and the response to antigen continued at 10 months post-infestation. Responsiveness to mitogens in previously uninfested animals was similar to the control response throughout the infestation apart from the suppression of the con A response at 7 months post-infestation. These animals finally responded to antigen at 10 months post-infestation. These results suggest that acquired resistance to hypodermosis has a cellular basis with participation of both B- and T-cell components.

Animals↗

[Use of immunohistochemistry in clinical cytology].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of immunocytochemical methods of diagnosis in cytology. Pleural effusions and ascites fluids were analyzed from 16 patients in whom the possibility of a malignant effusion was suspected. Cells obtained from the effusions were examined following routine staining by the Papanicolaou method and immunocytochemical staining to determine the presence of tissue specific antigens, i.e. common leucocyte antigen (CLA), cytokeratins (CAM 5.2, AE1), a determinant of the Human Milk Fat Globule (HMFG2) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The results of the immunocytochemistry studies were compared with the cytologic diagnosis obtained from Papanicolaou stained smears. Good agreement was observed between the diagnosis based on the interpretation of the immunocytochemical studies and the morphological diagnosis. In particular the malignant as well as the benign cells were stained with the epithelial and leucocyte markers according to their tissue origin. Anti-cytokeratin antibody stained epithelial and mesothelial cells, antibody against HFMG2 and anti-CEA stained epithelial (adenocarcinoma) but not mesothelial cells. However macrophages were also positive with anti-CEA antibody. Anti-CLA antibody stained lymphocytes, granulocytes and macrophages but did not distinguish between benign and malignant cells. Based on the results of the present study, immunocytochemical methods using a panel of tissue specific antibodies represent a useful tool in the differential diagnosis of cellular effusions.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Immunization of cattle against hypodermatosis (Hypoderma lineatum (deVill.) and H. bovis (L.)) using H. lineatum antigens.

The feasibility of immunizing calves against Hypoderma lineatum and H. bovis with a crude H. lineatum larval extract or culture-derived antigen was investigated. Larval survival was followed through pupation. Grub appearance in the backs of both of the immunized groups was found to be 50% of that in the control groups. First appearance of H. bovis was significantly retarded in both immunized groups; however, H. lineatum was unaffected. Duration of H. bovis dropping was also shorter in animals receiving crude extract than in controls while duration of dropping of H. lineatum was not influenced by immunization. Survival of H. lineatum larvae to pupation was significantly reduced in animals immunized with crude larval extract, but not in those receiving culture-derived antigen. H. bovis survival was reduced by both treatments.

Animals↗

Essential thrombocythemia and leukemic transformation.

Alkylating agents and 32P have been widely employed in the treatment of patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET). During a four-month period, we observed 3 cases of ET that had transformed into leukemia. Two patients had been treated with uracil mustard: One developed acute myelogenous leukemia 79 months after institution of therapy, and the other patient developed chronic myelomonocytic leukemia 24 months after the start of therapy. The third patient had been treated with busulfan, and ET evolved into myelofibrosis and eventually into acute undifferentiated leukemia with myelofibrosis. The patient who developed acute myelogenous leukemia was asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis of ET but was treated because his platelet count was greater than 1,000,000/mm3. He died 1 month after leukemic transformation, during induction chemotherapy. The other 2 patients presented with symptoms referable to their thrombocythemia. Review of the English literature revealed 12 other definite or probable cases of ET with leukemic transformation, all but 1 having been treated with alkylating agents and/or 32P. We propose that the natural history of ET may be similar to that of polycythemia vera, with evolution into leukemia being an unusual occurrence except in the setting of previous chemotherapy. Therefore, the current practice of treating asymptomatic patients with ET may not be justified, since administration of alkylating agents or 32P may increase the risk of subsequent development of leukemia.

Adult↗

Prevention of cerebral malaria by adoptive transfer of malaria-specific cultured T cells into mice infected with Plasmodium berghei.

Murine T cell populations specific for Plasmodium berghei parasites were generated in vitro from BALB/c immune lymph node cells. The malaria-specific T lymphocytes were shown: a) to proliferate specifically in vitro in response to stimulation with P. berghei-infected red blood cells; b) to exhibit the Thy-1+, Lyt-1+2- cell surface phenotype; c) to provide specific helper activity for an in vitro anti-hapten (TNP) plaque-forming cell antibody response; and d) to protect P. berghei-infected mice from early mortality due to cerebral malaria.

Animals↗

Lymphoma in cardiac allotransplant recipients. Clinical and histological features and immunological phenotype.

To characterize further lymphomas which arise in chronically immunosuppressed allotransplant patients, we studied the clinical and histological features of seven cases of nonHodgkin's lymphoma and determined the immunological phenotype in four cases, which developed in a series of 182 patients who underwent cardiac transplantation at Stanford University Hospital. Clinical features which were correlated with the development of lymphoma included patient age, pretransplant diagnosis, and the number of transplants. All cases of nonHodgkin's lymphoma presented as solitary or multiple localized extranodal lesions while none presented in lymph nodes. Extranodal sites of involvement included brain, lung, and soft tissues of the thigh at the site of antilymphocyte serum injections. Histologically, five of seven lymphomas were classified as high grade, large cell, immunoblastic and two of seven as intermediate grade, large noncleaved cell. The immunological phenotype of the neoplasm from four patients was determined by reaction with immunoglobulin light and heavy chain reagents and monoclonal antibodies to T cell and B cell antigens. All lymphomas from four patients which were tested stained for Ia antigen (HLA-DR) but did not stain for immunoglobulin or the T cell antigens detected in this study.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗