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Biomedical subjects

M O Bitker

Publications and source records attributed to M O Bitker.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Pancreatic islet transplantation: isolation techniques and in vitro immunomodulation].

OBJECTIVES: To develop pancreatic islet isolation and purification techniques in order to be able to test two human pancreatic islet immunomodulation techniques on an in vitro model of allograft islet rejection. METHODS: Islet isolation was performed according to Ricordi's method, which was slightly modified during the study. Purification was performed according to the Euroficoll discontinuous gradient method on a Cobe 2991 centrifuge. The results of immunomodulation techniques (depletion of cells expressing class II HLA molecules, and immunomasking of HLA class I molecules) were assessed in vitro by mixed lymphocyte-islet cocultures (MLIC). RESULTS: Seventeen pancreatic islets were isolated then purified. Technical improvements increased the yield from 2,247 +/- 1,984 to 4,567 +/- 990 islet-equivalents per gram. The mean purity was 70 +/- 19% (40-90%). Immunomodulation by depletion of class II HLA molecules regularly inhibited (84%) MLIC in contrast with masking of class I antigens, which induced only a moderate (44%) and inconstant (4 experimentations out of 6) inhibition. CONCLUSION: The modifications made to the islet isolation method improved its yield and now allow the possibility of clinical applications. The results of mixed lymphocyte-islet cocultures suggest that the suppression of nonendocrine cells expressing class II HLA molecules on their surface reduces the immunogenicity of pancreatic islet grafts.

Graft Rejection↗
PubMed1995

Effects on renal haemodynamics and tubular function of the contrast medium Ioxaglate in renal transplant patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Ioxaglate on renal haemodynamics and tubular function in renal transplant patients at increased risk of nephrotoxicity. 21 patients undergoing either intravenous pyelography or arteriography with Ioxaglate were studied. Renal clearance studies were carried out 1 day before and 1 day after administration of Ioxaglate (173 +/- 37 ml) injected into each patient. None experienced any adverse reaction. Mean serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) and urinary NAG excretion were unaltered by ioxaglate. No patient suffered a nephrotoxic reaction or acute oliguria that required dialysis as a result of the administration of contrast material. In the subset of seven patients receiving cyclosporine the same results were observed. In the subset of 10 patients with a GFR lower than 60 ml/min before injection of Ioxaglate were also observed no significant change in mean GFR, ERPF and urinary NAG excretion. Only two patients had a transient decrease of GFR of between 10 and 20%. The results of this study show that the ionic, low osmolar contrast medium ioxaglate may be used safely in patients with a renal transplant thus extending previous data obtained in patients with chronic renal failure.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗
PubMed1995

Lymphoproliferative disorders after organ transplantation: a report of 24 cases observed in a single center.

PURPOSE: Organ recipients are at a high risk of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) as a complication of immunosuppressive therapy. We report the incidence, clinical presentation, pathologic findings, treatment, and outcome for 24 cases of PTLD observed at our institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four (1.7%) of 1,385 organ transplant recipients developed PTLDs. Dosages of immunosuppressive drugs were reduced in 19 patients. Treatment consisted of anti-B-cell monoclonal antibodies (12 patients), and/or chemotherapy (eight patients), or surgery (two patients). RESULTS: The median time between grafting and the onset of PTLD was 210 days. Tumors were classified as monomorphic and polymorphic in nine and 15 cases, respectively. Three of 24 cases were of T-cell origin. Genotypic studies confirmed the monoclonality of the tumors in 11 cases among 14 PTLDs tested. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection was associated with 70% of B-cell PTLDs tested. The overall survival duration was 5 months. Ten patients are alive and disease-free with a median follow-up time of 37 months; most were treated with anti-B-cell antibodies. Two other patients died in complete remission of unrelated causes at 33 and 38 months. CONCLUSION: Anti-B-cell monoclonal antibody therapy seems to be effective in PTLD, even in monoclonal B-cell forms, but other approaches will be necessary to improve survival further.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Artificial urinary sphincter].

The artificial urinary sphincter is a totally implantable hydraulic prosthesis designed to restore continence without inducing dysuria. It is composed of 3 silicone elastomer elements: a periurethral or pericervical cuff, a pressure regulating reservoir balloon inserted in the retropubic space, and a pump situated in the scrotum or labia majora. The prosthesis is filled with a liquid containing a contrast agent. Pressure on the pump allows passage of liquid from the cuff towards the balloon and allows micturition. After 3 to 4 minutes, the liquid is automatically transferred from the balloon to the cuff to restore continence. The artificial sphincter is currently a very effective therapeutic solution in cases of severe urinary incontinence with 3 main indications: persistent incontinence after prostatic surgery, recurrent incontinence in women due to sphincter insufficiency, and certain forms of neurogenic incontinence. The Pitié-Salpêtrière Urology Department's experience currently consists of 200 implantations performed over the last 10 years. The overall success rate varies from 80 to 90% according to sex and the aetiology of incontinence, in patients in whom the sphincter remains in place. In fact, there is a risk of explantation due to erosion of the tissues by the cuff or infection, but this risk is less than 15%. The risk of prosthesis failure is about 20%, but after correction of the defective element, cure is achieved in almost every case. Analysis of the results in the first 120 patients with the two most frequent aetiologies and with at least three years' follow-up (range: 3 to 10 years) reveals: in a series of 75 men, treated for severe incontinence persisting more than one year after surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia, the explantation rate was 15% and, in the patients in whom the sphincter remained in place, complete cure was obtained in 73% of cases without any incontinence, while 17% of patients suffered from minimal incontinence, not requiring protection, 7% had moderate incontinence requiring protection and 3% were considered to be failures. The revision rate for technical failure was 24%. In a series of 45 women with recurrent incontinence after surgery, due to sphincter insufficiency, the explanation rate was 13% and, in women in whom the sphincter remained in place, complete success was obtain in 78% of cases without any incontinence, while 17% suffered from minimal incontinence, usually not requiring protection, 5% require protection, with no failures and a revision rate for technical failure of 24%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Peritoneal dialysis and renal or renal-pancreas transplantation].

The number of patients using continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis is increasing. This treatment may also be suitable for patients waiting for renal or renal-pancreas transplantation. In vitro studies of the immune status of peritoneal dialysis patients are conflicting. The most useful conclusions come from comparable series of patients transplanted after either PD or haemodialysis. All such studies report identical results for the two groups. There appears to be a consensus that transplantation should not be sooner than 2 to 6 weeks after the last peritonitis episode. The attitude to the catheter during the transplantation is similarly unanimous. It should be withdrawn 6 to 8 weeks after transplantation, except in exceptional cases. The use of a PD catheter immediately after transplantation is associated with a significant risk of peritoneal infection. Overall, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis appears to be suitable for patients waiting for double renal-pancreas transplantation, assuming that the catheter is given a medial exit site.

Contraindications↗