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Biomedical subjects

K Kouvalainen

Publications and source records attributed to K Kouvalainen.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Biochemical characterization of alkaline phosphatase in guinea pig thymus.

1. Alkaline phosphatase (orthophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase (alkaline optimum), EC 3.1.3.1) in guinea pig thymus was extracted optimally in 10 mM Tris - HCl buffer at pH 8.0 containing 5 g/l Triton X-100. 2. alpha-Glycerophosphate, beta-glycerophosphate and phenolphthalein monophosphate were hydrolyzed by thymus extract with a pH optimum at 9.8-10.0, whereas p-nitrophenylphosphate and alpha-naphthylphosphate were hydrolyzed with pH optima at 10.7-10.8 and beta-naphthylphosphate at pH 11.2. P-Nitrophenylphosphate and phenolphthalein monophosphate proved to be the most suitable substrates. 3. Alkaline phosphatase was effectively inhibited by EDTA, Zn2+, histidine and urea therefore resembling the inhibition characteristics of alkaline phosphatase in the placenta and kidney, but not that in the liver and intestine, which differed markedly. 4. DEAE-cellulose chromatography and polyacrylamide disc electrophoresis revealed three enzyme peaks which did not differ in their substrate specificities and modifier characteristics. 5. Polyacrylamide disc electrophoresis of thymus, serum, placenta, kidney, liver, bone and intestine revealed no alkaline phosphatase bands definitely unique to thymus.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Serum immunoglobulin levels in the course of anaphylactoid purpura in children.

Serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE) were determined at frequent intervals in the course of anaphylactoid purpura (AP) in children. AP was cured without complications in 16 out of 26 cases, recurring in 7 cases. Melena was manifested in 9 cases and nephropathy in 5. The levels of IgA and IgM were elevated in AP, but serum IgG, IgD and IgE showed no significant changes. The serum level of IgM was significantly (p less than 0.0125) higher in patients with AP nephropathy than in those with recent AP. The elevated serum IgA and IgM levels are possibly related to the pathogenesis of AP and/or its renal involvement.

Child↗

Alkaline phosphate in the differentiation of guinea pig T lymphocytes.

The majority of the guinea pig thymocytes have an intensive alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity, whereas less than one per cent of the peripheral lymphocytes are AP positive. The number of peripheral AP positive lymphocytes decreased after thymectomy and after antithymocyte serum treatment, and some of them formed. E-rosettes with rabbit red blood cells. The observations support the idea that some of these AP positive peripheral lymphocytes are T cells. It seems evident that the AP positive cortical (immature) thymocytes contain two separate cell lines; during the maturation one differentiates into AP negative and the other remains AP positive. This differentiation seems to occur within the thymus.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Serum immunoglobulin levels in the course of bacterial meningitis in children.

Serum levels of 5 immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE) were determined at frequent intervals in the course of bacterial meningitis in children. 59 patients were examined; 27 with Haemophilus influenzae meningitis, 23 with meningococcal and 9 with pneumococcal meningitis. All 5 immunoglobulins increased during the 2-week course of bacterial meningitis. IgM was the immunoglobulin class responding most rapidly, regularly and intensively. IgG increased moderately. However, practically no rise of the IgG level was observed in children with H. influenzae meningitis. The elevation of the IgA and IgE levels possibly suggests that meningitis may also cause synthesis of IgA and IgE antibodies. The results of the study indicate that antibodies of all the 5 immunoglobulin classes are probably involved in the defense against the causative microbes in bacterial meningitis.

Bacterial Infections↗

Agammaglobulinemia with arthritis and celiac disease developing after infectious mononucleosis. Follow-up study of a case.

A previously healthy 2 1/2-year-old boy from a healthy family developed agammaglobulinemia with arthritis 3 months after infectious mononucleosis (IM). The response of serum immunoglobulins at the initial stage of IM was typical, with greatly elevated IgM and a positive IM-specific heterophil antibody test. A secondary celiac disease was diagnosed one year after IM. Considering the serum immunoglobulin levels and the normal half-lives of IgM and IgG, it seems very probable that the synthesis of immunoglobulins ceased about one month after the onset of IM. The role of suppresor T-cells in the development of acquired secondary agammaglobulinemia is discussed.

Agammaglobulinemia↗

Two subpopulations of guinea-pig thymocytes with different maturation stages.

Two subpopulations (F4 and F6) of guinea-pig thymocytes were separated by using bovine serum albumin gradient centrifugation. The majority of F4 thymocytes were weakly alkaline phosphatase (AP) positive cells, while most of F6 thymocytes were strongly AP positive. The significant difference between their AP activities was confirmed biochemically. In the ultracytochemical study the majority of unfractionated and F6 thymocytes were light and AP positive, whereas F4 thymocytes were mostly dark, weakly AP positive cells. F4 thymocytes responded well to PHA and Con A, while F6 thymocytes failed to respond to these mitogens. The subpopulations did not differ in their homing properties. These findings indicate that strongly AP-positive cells are immature thymocytes and weakly AP-positive cells represent a more mature subpopulation of thymocytes. A hypothetical scheme for differentiation of guinea-pig thymocytes is presented.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Oral antipyretic therapy. Evaluation of mefenamic acid (short communication).

The capacity of N-(2,3-xylyl)anthranilic acid (mefenamic acid) to reduce fever in children was compared with that of acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol and amino-phenazone. The series of cases consisted of 71 patients in the age range from 3 months to 15 years and with rectal temperatures above 38.5 degrees C. Temperatures were recorded at 15 and 30 min, and 1, 2, 4 and 6 h after challenge with the drug. The antipyretic effect of mefenamic acid in a dose of 4 mg/kg was optimal: it was 2.5 times that of acetyl-salicylic acid or paracetamol and nearly similar to that of aminophenazone. It seems possible that the antipyretic effect of mefenamic acid is stronger than its anti-inflammatory and analgetic properties.

Acetaminophen↗

Oral antipyretic therapy.

The capacity of ibuprofen to reduce fever in children was compared with that of aspirin, paracetamol, aminophenazone and indomethacin. The series of cases studied consisted of 79 patients in the age range 3 months to 13 years and with a rectal temperature above 38.5 degrees C. Temperatures were recorded at 15 and 30 minutes, and 1,2,4 and 6 hours after challenge with the drug. The antipyretic effect of ibuprofen with a dose of 6 mg/kg was optimal and twice that of aspirin or paracetamol and similar to that of aminophenazone. The antipyretic effect of indomethacin was about 12 times that of ibuprofen. This ratio is almost the same as what is said to occur between the antirheumatic effects between these drugs. Ibuprofen with a dose of 6 mg/kg would thus appear to be a useful antipyretic drug when both antipyretic and antirheumatic effects are needed.

Acetaminophen↗

Oral antipyretic therapy: evaluation of benorylate, an ester of acetylsalicylic acid and paracetamol.

The capacity of benorylate, an ester of acetylsalicylic acid and paracetamol, to reduce fever in children was compared with that of the components as such or as a combination. The series of cases studied consisted of 66 patients between the ages of 4 months and 12 years with rectal temperatures above 38.5 degrees C. Temperatures were recorded at 15 and 20 min and 1, 2, 4 and 6 hrs after the administration of the drug. The antipyretic effect of combined acetylsalicylic acid (11 mg/kg) and paracetamol (14 mg/kg) was superior to the effect of benorylate with a dose of 25 mg/kg and even of 50 mg/kg as well as better than the effect of either drug alone. Acetylsalicylic acid (10 mg/kg) and paracetamol (12.5 mg/kg) alone produced a significantly greater antipyretic effect than benorylate with a dose of 25 mg/kg. Given in a dose of 35--40 mg/kg, benorylate seems to have a significant antipyretic effect. However, this effect is clearly smaller than that of either of its components, acetylsalicylic acid or paracetamol. Therefore benorylate is probably not suitable to be used as a general antipyretic agent in children.

Acetaminophen↗