Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Klein

Publications and source records attributed to M Klein.

At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources

Assessment of nonarticular tenderness and prevalence of fibromyalgia in children.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) is most common in midlife, but may be seen at any age. Its prevalence and assessment of tenderness in healthy children is not known. We assessed 338 healthy schoolchildren for tenderness thresholds and prevalence of FS. In all children a point count of 18 tender points (TP) was conducted by thumb palpation and tenderness of some of the TP sites as well as control point sites was further assessed using a Chatillon dolorimeter. All children and their parents were questioned about the presence of widespread pain or aching. Children were considered to have FS if they met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for diagnosis of FS. Of the 338 children, 21 (6.2%) had FS. Thresholds of tenderness of 9 TP were 5.0 (1.2) (kg) [mean (standard deviation)] for boys vs 3.6 (0.8) (kg) for girls (p < 0.001). Thresholds of tenderness of the control point sites were 7.1 (1.4) (kg) for boys vs 5.5 (1.1) (kg) for girls (p < 0.001). Thresholds of tenderness of TP and control points in the children with FS were 2.5 (0.4) (kg) and 4.2 (0.5) (kg) vs 4.5 (1.2) (kg) and 6.6 (1.4) (kg) respectively in the children without FS (p < 0.001). We suggest that FS is common in the pediatric age group. Boys have lower tenderness than girls; children with FS have lower thresholds for tenderness both at control and TP compared to the subjects without FS.

Adolescent↗

The contributions of protein kinase A and protein kinase C to the actions of 5-HT on the L-type Ca2+ current of the sensory neurons in Aplysia.

In the sensory neurons of Aplysia, 5-HT acts through cAMP to reduce current flow through two classes of K+ channels, the S-K + channel and a transient K+ channel (Ikv). In addition, 5-HT increases a voltage-dependent, nifedipine-sensitive Ca2+ current. In this article we show that, while the effect on the S-K+ channel is mediated exclusively by cAMP, the effect on the Ca2+ current can be mimicked by phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) as well as by intracellular injection of cAMP. We then use specific blockers of protein kinase C (PKC) and the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) to examine the roles of PKC and PKA in mediating the effect of 5-HT on the nifedipine-sensitive Ca2+ current. We find that H-7, a kinase inhibitor that appears to inhibit PKC more effectively than PKA in intact Aplysia neurons, reverses the increase in the Ca2+ current produced by PDBu. Moreover, H-7 partially blocks the effect of 5-HT on the Ca2+ current without affecting the decrease in the S-K+ current. A more specific PKC inhibitor (the 19-31 pseudosubstrate of PKC) also partially blocks the increase in the Ca2+ current produced by 5-HT, suggesting that this increase is mediated by PKC. Rp-cAMPS, a specific blocker of PKA, did not block the increase in the Ca2+ current produced by 5-HT, suggesting that the effect of 5-HT on this current may be mediated to only a small extent by PKA. The effect of 5-HT on the S-K+ current and the Ca2+ current can also be separated on basis of the time course of their appearance. The fact that the decrease in the S-K+ current precedes the increase in Ca2+ current suggests that there may be a temporal difference in the activation of the two kinase systems.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

Familial omphalocele: considerations in genetic counseling.

Nonsyndromal omphalocele is generally regarded as a sporadic malformation. Recurrence risk is considered negligible. We report on a patient in whom 5 consecutive pregnancies (by 2 separate nonconsanguineous partners) were complicated by omphalocele as an isolated defect. Neither the patient nor her partners had history of relatives with omphalocele, although the patient's brother and his son had large umbilical hernias requiring repair in infancy. Some familial cases of nonsyndromal omphalocele have been previously reported; most such pedigrees suggest vertical transmission, although there are a few cases with only a single generation involved. In our case, the multigenerational finding of ventral wall hernias makes an autosomal dominant mechanism with variable expressivity a tenable explanation. The collected instances of familial nonsyndromal omphalocele emphasize omphalocele heterogeneity and caution in counseling recurrence risks.

Female↗

Polyarthritis associated with hydatid disease (echinococcosis) of the liver.

A 36-year-old male developed asymmetric polyarthritis during the course of hydatid disease of the liver. Excision of the hydatid cyst was accompanied by full remission of the arthritis without recurrence during the 7-year follow-up period. This sequence of clinical events suggests an eventual cause and effect relationship. A "reactive" immune mechanism, triggered by a parasite located at a distant site, appears to be responsible for this type of arthritis.

Adult↗

Treatment of lymphangioleiomyomatosis by ovariectomy, interferon alpha 2b and tamoxifen--a case report.

The gender-specific prevalence of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) in premenopausal women suggests a hormonal etiology. Despite the antiestrogenic treatment (ovariectomy, tamoxifen) this disease is often refractory to therapy and almost inevitably leads to the patient's death. We describe a case where the antiproliferative effect of systemically applied interferon alpha 2b was successfully employed in addition to ovariectomy and the patient reached complete remission.

Adult↗

Non-ovarian peritoneal papillary serous carcinoma with high CA125 levels.

A patient with peritoneal papillary serous carcinoma involving the colon and omentum is presented. Following palliative right-sided hemicolectomy and partial omentectomy, chemotherapy was given. The patient had a second look operation after 6 months when a pelvic clearance was done and histology revealed some residual tumor in one mesosalpinx. She was well and clinically free of recurrence after a further 6 months. Serum CA125 and CEA levels were measured and CA125 levels remained high throughout.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗

Comparative analysis of the immunostimulatory properties of different adjuvants on the immunogenicity of a prototype parainfluenza virus type 3 subunit vaccine.

The immunogenicity of a parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV-3) subunit vaccine consisting of affinity-purified haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and fusion (F) surface glycoproteins was tested in guinea-pigs and hamsters. The ability of several different immunopotentiating agents to enhance the antibody response of animals to the PIV-3 surface glycoproteins was evaluated. The immunity induced by HN and F alone was compared with the response elicited by purified proteins combined with Freund's complete adjuvant, aluminium phosphate, Syntex's threonyl-muramyl dipeptide (MDP) SAF-MF formulation, or Ribi's adjuvant formulation containing BCG cell wall skeleton (CWS), trehalose dimycolate (TDM) and monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) in a 2% squalene-in-water emulsion. Purified proteins were also incorporated into three different liposome formulations prepared by the detergent dialysis procedure. Immunization of guinea-pigs and hamsters with two 15 micrograms doses of the PIV-3 surface glycoproteins administered in the absence of adjuvant elicited high haemagglutination inhibition, neutralization and anti-fusion titres. The liposome preparations failed to enhance the antibody titres. Ribi's adjuvant formulation was effective at inducing a good secondary response to the purified proteins while the immunostimulatory effects of aluminium phosphate, Syntex and Freund's adjuvants were clearly demonstrated in both primary and secondary responses. When administered without adjuvant, a 15 microgram dose of the HN and F mixture was capable of protecting hamsters against live virus challenge. The immunoprotective dose of the purified proteins could be reduced to at least 0.1 microgram by the addition of aluminium phosphate, Syntex or Freund's adjuvants.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Using serial observations to identify predictors of progression to AIDS in the Toronto Sexual Contact Study.

The Toronto Sexual Contact Study comprises a cohort of 249 male sexual contacts of men with HIV disease which has been followed every 3 months for almost 5 years. On enrollment 143 were seropositive and 16 seroconverted during the follow-up period. By 31 December 1989, 41 of the 159 seropositive cohort members had developed AIDS. Using Cox relative risk regression models, we investigated the association of a number of laboratory and clinical variables and progression to AIDS. Fixed covariate models examined laboratory variables from the enrollment visit of cohort members, with time calculated from this date. In models assessing time dependent covariates, time was calculated from the estimated date of HIV infection. In the univariate models of either fixed or time dependent covariates, many variables were significantly associated with risk of progression to AIDS (T4 cell count, T4/T8 ratio, blastogenic responses to phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, and pokeweed mitogen, serum IgA, appearance of p24 antigen, and the development of oral hairy leukoplakia, thrush, or herpes zoster). Appearance of persistent generalized lymphadenopathy was not associated with increased risk of progression. In the multivariate model which evaluated fixed laboratory covariates, T4/T8 ratio, IgA level, and PHA response at enrollment were significantly associated with elevated risk.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

Subsequently occurring leiomyosarcoma and desmoid tumor of the right thigh.

We present the case of a 44-year-old patient with a primary leiomyosarcoma of the right upper thigh, who developed a second mesenchymal lesion at the same thigh, diagnosed as an extra-abdominal desmoid tumor, some months after surgical treatment of his leiomyosarcoma. Clinically, histomorphologically, DNA cytometrically, immunohistochemically and radiologically the different histogenetic origin of the two lesions could be proven. The patient died 17 months after his first tumor diagnosis of lung metastases of his leiomyosarcoma.

Adult↗

'Sports anemia'--a real or apparent phenomenon in endurance-trained athletes?

In order to critically define the apparently widespread condition 'sports anemia', the red cell indices and iron status of male distance runners and triathletes, and female distance runners and ballet dancers were compared to non-exercising controls of both sexes. The mean hemoglobin (Hb) levels of all groups were within the normal ranges and there was no difference between the athletic and control groups of each sex. The mean serum ferritin (SF) concentration of the male distance runners (79.8 micrograms/l) was significantly lower than that of the triathletes (123.5 micrograms/l) and controls (138.3 micrograms/l). Iron deficiency (SF less than 12 micrograms/l, % saturation less than 18%) was evident in 3.3% and 5% of the male and female runners respectively, and 3.3% of the ballet dancers. Iron deficiency anemia (abnormal red cell indices and iron status) occurred in only 1.7% and 3.3% of the male and female distance runners respectively, and 3.3% of the dancers. However, 7 (11.7%) each of the male and female distance runners and 6 (20.0%) of the ballet dancers recorded hemoglobin values lower than the normal range of 140 g/l and 120 g/l for males and females respectively. This anomaly can be explained by a significantly expanded plasma volume in endurance-trained individuals, causing a 'pseudoanemia'. We conclude therefore that athletes are at no greater risk for developing a frank anemia than the non-exercising population, and that the term 'sports anemia' is misleading, as it does not describe a specific clinical entity.

Adolescent↗

[Obstetrical management of dysfibrinogenemia with increased thrombophilia].

Dysfibrinogenaemias are characterised by qualitatively abnormal fibrinogen, causing functional defects. In pregnant women, the incidence of recurrent abortions and placental abruption as well as haemostatic complications is high. In this case report, we report on a 22 year old woman with dysfibrinogenaemia complicated by thrombotic episodes. After two stillbirths under dramatic circumstances (placental abruption, eclampsia) and after an early abortion (7th gestational week), the patient was treated by subcutaneously administered heparin. Pregnancy ended successfully by delivery in the 39th gestational week.

Adult↗