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Biomedical subjects

K Bertheussen

Publications and source records attributed to K Bertheussen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The cytotoxic reaction of hemocytes from the freshwater crayfish, Astacus astacus.

Crayfish hemocytes displayed cytotoxic capacity towards all tested mammalian tumor and nontumor cell lines. The ratio required for the cytotoxic action of effector cells to target cells was at least 1:1. The lysis of the target cells required a minimum of 1 hr to become detected. After separation and isolation of the hemocyte populations of crayfish, the semigranular and granular cells retained their cytotoxic capacity. These cells contain the prophenoloxidase activating (proPO) system, a complement-like pathway, which in an activated form lyses semigranular cells in vitro, but failed to kill the tested target cells.

Animals↗

Ligament reconstruction of the thumb carpometacarpal joint using a modified Eaton and Littler technique.

A modification of the Eaton and Littler technique for reconstructing ligaments and restoring stability of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb is described. We use a strip from the flexor carpi radialis tendon, which is split down to the crest of the trapezium. The tendon strip is led beneath the ligaments and the abductor pollicis longus insertion, through a tunnel drilled in the metacarpal base, around the insertion of the flexor carpi radialis tendon and finally back to the dorsum of the base of the metacarpal where it is inserted in the periosteum. This procedure ensures a dynamic fixation of the apical ligament and therefore a better stability.

Adult↗

Translunate, transmetacarpal, scapho-radial fracture with perilunate dislocation. A case report.

A case translunate, transmetacarpal, scapho-radial fracture with perilunate dislocation occurred as a young man drove his motorcycle into the side of a car. Closed reduction was performed initially. Open reduction was performed with a screw in the lunate. Eighteen months later the screw was removed and after two and a half years x-rays revealed no signs of avascular necrosis or arthrosis. The patient fully recovered. This case stresses the necessity of open reduction in cases of complicated carpal fracture dislocations.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Median artery in carpal tunnel syndrome.

Among the large group of carpal tunnel syndromes, it is possible to distinguish two distinct entities, which are related to a persistent median artery. The first is associated with thrombosis, which causes a sudden onset of pain and paresthesia, often severe, while the second is associated with a normal median artery. In the latter case, symptoms predominate during work, and the physical signs are inconsistent. For both entities, the patients are fairly young, with a mean age of 33.6 years. Resection of the artery is recommended after ensuring an adequate arterial supply to the fingers.

Adult↗

Phagocytosis by human monocytes of particles activating the alternative pathway of complement.

The phagocytosis of particles activating the alternative pathway of complement by human monocytes cultured under serum-free conditions was studied. In contrast to native zymosan particles, which were easily ingested, rabbit erythrocytes and agarose beads had to be coated with C3b or C3bi to be engulfed by the monocytes. The binding and ingestion by monocytes of particles coated with C3bi were greater than for the same particles coated with the equivalent amount of C3b. The binding and uptake of rabbit erythrocytes and agarose beads were proportional to the amount of C3b or C3bi on the particles. In contrast to the complement activator particles, C3b- and C3bi-coated sheep erythrocytes, which are non-activators, were not ingested by the monocytes, although attachment to the monocytes took place. The presence of methylamine or cobra venom factor, which are complement inhibitors, strongly reduced the ingestion of native zymosan by the monocytes, whereas the uptake of C3b- or C3bi-coated zymosan particles were only weakly affected. This suggests that the binding of native zymosan to monocytes is sensitive to interference from a cell-derived alternative pathway C3 convertase (C3bBb). Binding and uptake of activators by human monocytes via complement receptor(s) are discussed.

Animals↗

Complement-like activity in sea urchin coelomic fluid.

A complement-like activity in echinoid coelomic cell-free fluid is described. The activity is detected by the lytic action on rabbit erythrocytes (RRBC), and by the opsonic effect on echinoid coelomic phagocytes and mouse peritoneal macrophages. This activity is very heat-labile, being completely destroyed at 37 degrees C 1/2 hr, and is inhibited by Ca2+ concentrations below 10 mM and by low pH. Lysis was complete within 3-4 min, and the titer (10(7) RRBC/ml) was 20-60 between animals. Various substances known to inhibit human complement also inhibited the lytic and opsonic activities in echinoid fluid. RRBC opsonized with echinoid fluid were attached to mouse macrophages without being internalized, an effect which resemble complement opsonization. It is concluded that an activity is present in echinoid coelomic fluid, which strongly resembles mammalian complement activated via the alternative pathway. A lectin-like activity with specificity for D-fucose was detected by the agglutination of RRBC (titer 300-600). Hemagglutination was inhibited by sugars which did not inhibit the lytic and opsonic process. On the other hand, hemagglutination was resistant to various physio-chemical treatments which led to inactivation of the complement-like system; thus these two activities seem to be unrelated. The lectin-like activity did not mediate any opsonic effect.

Animals↗

Receptors for complement on echinoid phagocytes. I. The opsonic effect of vertebrae sera on echinoid phagocytosis.

The ingestion of sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) by echinoid phagocytes was greatly increased after treatment of SRBC with sera from mouse, human and fish. The opsonic principle in the sera was heat labile (56 degrees C 1/2 hr). Opsonization with mammalian sera was studied more extensively. It was dependent on pre-sensitization of SRBC with specific antibody (IgM), required Ca2+, and was inhibited by low temperature (4 degrees C). The finding that serum depleted of C 3 only opsonized very weakly strongly indicates that the opsonic principles is the complement cascade C 1-4-2-3 activated via the classical pathway, and that the opsonic effect largely coincides with the coating of SRBC with C 3b. A role of C 5 or later components was excluded, since the mouse AKR serum was C 5 deficient, and the human serum was normally treated with zymosan. When variations known to impair the opsonic function of C 3 was introduced in the opsonization procedure, a parallel inhibition was recorded on attachment of SRBC to mouse peritoneal macrophages and on ingestion of SRBC by echinoid cells. Thus C 3 receptors are probably present on echinoid phagocytes.

Animals↗

Receptors for complement on echinoid phagocytes. II. Purified human complement mediates echinoid phagocytosis.

The ingestion of sheep erythrocytes (E) coated with specific IgM antibody (EA) and various purified human complement components (EAC 1, EAC 14, EAC 142, EAC 1423b, EAC 43b) by echinoid phagocytes was examined. E, EA, EAC 1, EAC 14 and EAC 142 were ingested at a similar and very low level, while a strong opsonic effect was found by coating red cells with purified C 3 (EAC 1423b and EAC 43b). When erythrocyte-bound C 3b was converted to the hemolytically inactive C 3bi, the opsonic effect was markedly increased. Conversion of C 3bi to C 3d resulted in a total loss of opsonic activity. A similar response pattern was found when binding of erythrocytes to mouse macrophages was recorded. Since it cannot be ruled out that phagocytes convert C 3b to C 3bi by endogeneous C 3 inactivator, it is concluded that echinoid phagocytes display CR3 (C 3bi) and possibly also CR1 (C 3b) receptors, while CR2 (C 3d) receptors are lacking.

Animals↗

Partial carpal arthrodesis as treatment of local degenerative changes in the wrist joints.

Twelve patients with partial arthrodesis of the wrist were re-evaluated. The follow-up time ranged from 1 year 2 months to 13 years. In 10 cases the indication for operation was isolated scapho-trapezial osteoarthritis, and in two cases isolated degenerative changes following perilunar luxation. Bony union was achieved in 9 cases, and these patients experienced relief of pain. One of the patients with non-union did not improve at all, another used a stabilizing bandage at work and the third had no complaints. Degenerative changes in the adjacent joints of the wrist were not seen. A disadvantage of this operation seems to be the long period of treatment.

Adult↗

The influence of posture, Valsalva manoeuvre and coughing on portal hypertension in cirrhosis.

Percutaneous transhepatic catheterization of the portal venous system and pressure readings were performed in nineteen patients with cirrhosis of the liver and bleeding varices. Portal pressures were recorded in awake and mobile patients in supine, sitting and standing position, during sleep, ingestion of food, Valsalva manoeuvre and coughing. No significant differences were recorded in the different postures, during sleep or food intake. Four patients with hepatofugal portal blood flow had, however, lowest pressure in standing position. During Valsalva manoeuvre portal pressure was doubled, and it became fourfold during coughing. Elevations of this magnitude have not previously been reported. A relationship was found between portal pressure and size of varices.

Adult↗

Influence of general anaesthesia on portal pressure in liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

In 19 patients with cirrhosis of the liver and portal hypertension, a catheter was inserted into the portal vein using a percutaneous transhepatic technique. The portal pressure was measured during general anaesthesia with and without halothane, and in the awake state. Addition of halothane to the N2O:O2 anaesthesia did not change portal venous pressure, in spite of a significant fall in arterial blood pressure. Portal venous pressure under general anaesthesia with complete muscle relaxation did not differ from the pressure in the resting, awake patient.

Adult↗

The morphology of echinoid phagocytes and mouse peritoneal macrophages during phagocytosis in vitro.

The morphology of mouse peritoneal macrophages and echinoid phagocytes during phagocytosis in vitro was studied. A striking similarity in the function of the foreign surface receptor is found in the two systems. Glutaraldehyde-treated erythrocytes attached randomly over the entire surface of the cells and were internalized without circumferential attachment between the particles and the phagocyte membrane. The particles seemed to sink directly into the cytoplasm of the cells. Tannin-treated erythrocytes were phagocytosed by the echinoid cells in a similar mode. The complement-coated erythrocytes were attached only in the perinuclear area of the echinoid phagocyte's membrane, but the morphology of their internalization was similar to that mediated by the foreign surface receptor. A circumferential attachment between the particles and the phagocyte membrane did not seem necessary. This is also the case for mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Animals↗