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Biomedical subjects

N Arber

Publications and source records attributed to N Arber.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Bromobenzene accelerates hepatocyte streaming in rats.

Sixty male adult rats weighing between 250 and 300 g were divided in two equal experimental groups. The first experiment was designed to evaluate hepatocyte streaming. Animals were injected with 0.5 microCi [3H]thymidine and 1 hour later received one intraperitoneal injection of bromobenzene (3.8 mmol/kg, dissolved in corn oil). The animals were then killed in groups of five at 1 hour and 2, 4, 7, 14, and 30 days. The aim of the second experiment was to evaluate labeling index changes with time. Animals received one intraperitoneal injection of bromobenzene and were killed in groups of five at 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 14 days. They received [3H]thymidine 1 hour before killing. Bromobenzene induced a necrosis in the third acinus zone that disappeared within a week. On day 0 the labeling index of hepatocytes and littoral cells was 0.3% +/- 0.04% and 0.4% +/- 0.05%, respectively. On the second day, it reached 14.6% +/- 2.6% and 10.1% +/- 3.1% and returned to its initial value after 1 week. Dead cells in the third zone were replaced by inflowing cells from the intact zones. Hepatocytes and littoral cells streamed at the same velocity of 6 +/- 0.5 micron/day, faster than in untreated animals with velocity of 3.2 microns/day. Parenchyma and stroma responded to injury in a coordinated fashion. From the functional point of view, hepatocytes and littoral cells operate as a unit that is called proliferon. The maximal proliferon life span was 57 days after bromobenzene treatment and 108 days in controls.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

The state of leukocyte adhesiveness/aggregation in the peripheral blood is more sensitive than the white blood cell count for the detection of acute mental stress.

We determined the state of the leukocyte adhesiveness/aggregation in the peripheral blood by using a simple slide test and found it to be more sensitive than the white blood cell count for the detection of acute mental stress. Included were 71 controls, 64 young athletes examined just before their exercise, 14 volunteers who were examined 10-20 min before engagement in rappelling while an additional group of 20 were examined just before the act as they were facing an abyss from the top of a cliff. The state of leukocyte adhesiveness/aggregation correlated significantly (p less than 0.0005) only with the increasing strain assumed to occur from the first to the fourth group. The state of leukocyte adhesiveness/aggregation was 3.3 x more sensitive than white blood cell count in both rappelling groups and 5 x more sensitive than white blood cell count when evaluated in those examined at the last minute. We concluded that the state of leukocyte adhesiveness/aggregation is a reliable marker of acute mental stress.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Halitosis and Helicobacter pylori. A possible link?

The exact pathophysiological mechanism of halitosis is not clear, and in many patients the etiology is an enigma. We followed three couples in which one member or both had halitosis. All the subjects had evidence of Helicobacter pylori infection. All received a treatment course of colloidal bismuth subcitrate four times a day and 250 mg metronidazole three times a day. There was impressive improvement in their symptoms, the halitosis disappearing along with eradication of the organism. We call the attention of physicians to the possible connection between halitosis, H. pylori infection, and familial occurrence. Further studies to confirm this surprising association are in order.

Antacids↗
PubMed1992

Yersinia enterocolitica endocarditis on a prosthetic valve.

Yersinia entercolitica endocarditis has rarely been described before. This is the first report of prosthetic valve Yersinia enterocolitis endocarditis, complicated by infected brain embolization. The patient, however, completely recovered after 6 weeks of combined therapy with ceftriaxone and gentamicin.

Brain Abscess↗
PubMed1992

Streptococcus bovis endocarditis as a presenting manifestation of idiopathic ulcerative colitis.

Streptococcus bovis bacteraemia and endocarditis have been associated with several gastrointestinal diseases, mainly malignant or potentially malignant tumours, and less commonly non-malignant gastrointestinal disorders. We describe a 73 year old man in whom Streptococcus bovis endocarditis developed, and was the presenting manifestation of undiagnosed quiescent ulcerative colitis. Such an association has not been described previously.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Erythromycin base-induced rash and liver function disturbances.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of erythromycin base-induced rash and liver function disturbances. CASE SUMMARY: A patient with erythema nodosum and high antistreptolysin-O titers was treated with erythromycin on the assumption that occult streptococcal infection was the cause of the erythema nodosum. Forty-eight hours after the initiation of therapy the patient developed fever, severe generalized rash, pruritus, and cholestatic and hepatocellular liver function disturbances. Extensive evaluation to determine the cause of liver function disturbances was unrevealing. Marked improvement was noticed within days after cessation of erythromycin. DISCUSSION: Case reports in the literature on the adverse effects of erythromycin and its derivatives were reviewed. The possible immunologic mechanism involved is postulated. CONCLUSIONS: Erythromycin base must be added to the list of erythromycin derivatives that can cause rash and liver function disturbances. The concomitant appearance of fever, rash, jaundice, and liver function disturbances raises the possibility of hypersensitivity as the mechanism for the liver disturbances.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Corynebacterium CDC group A-4 native valve endocarditis.

A patient with endocarditis caused by Corynebacterium CDC Group A-4 is described. This is the first case in the literature of endocarditis caused by this bacteria, and is unique in that the patient was immune competent and the infection occurred on a native valve. This case illustrates that corynebacteria cannot be considered a contaminant and that the exact pathogen should be identified.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Azathioprine treatment increases hepatocyte turnover.

The effect of azathioprine on the hepatocytes cell turnover was evaluated. This was accomplished by injection of rats with trituim thymidine. The distance of labeled liver cells from the portal space was determined, after 1 hour and 30 days, in control and azathioprine-treated rats. In the control group, the streaming velocities of hepatocytes and littoral cells were 3.2 microns/day and 3.1 microns/day, respectively. In azathioprine-treated animals, the respective velocities were 7.0 microns/day and 5.5 microns/day. In the liver acinus, cell displacement velocity is proportional to cell production. Because hepatocyte velocity in azathioprine-treated animals increased by 218% and littoral cell velocity by 177%, their respective turnovers also increased to 218% and 177%. It can be concluded that the liver is essentially a slowly renewing cell population. Azathioprine increased the hepatocytes' and littoral cells' streaming velocities. This in vivo experimental model may help evaluate the effect of hepatotoxic drugs on the kinetics of liver cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Streaming kidney.

Twenty-five male young adult random bred rats, weighing 250-300 g, were injected with 18.5 kBq/g body weight tritiated thymidine (specific activity 185 GBq/mM). The rats were then killed in groups of five, at the following times: 1 h and 14, 30, 60 and 120 days. The kidneys were processed histologically and dipped into liquid emulsion, exposed for 3 weeks and developed. Kinetic measurements were restricted to juxta-medullary glomeruli, their adjacent convoluted tubules and medullary tubuli. All other nephrons were ignored. The medullary pole of the juxta-medullary glomerulus served as reference point for all measurements and was referred to as the origin. The distance of a labelled cell from the origin was measured with an eye-piece micrometer and expressed in terms of two units: distance (microns) and cell location, defined as the number of cells separating a labelled cell from origin. Since only medullary nephrons were considered, these measurements represent distances directed toward the papilla. One hour after labelling, most cells were in the vicinity of the juxta-medullary glomerulus, not further than 800 microns from the origin in the direction of the papilla. During the following days labelled cells advanced toward the papilla at a daily velocity of 13.8 microns, covering 1.1 locations/day. Kinetically, the juxta-medullary nephron is a two-compartment cell renewal system. Its compartments, the progenitor (P) and the functional (Q), cover locations 0-80 and 81-150, respectively. The first feeds the second with cells. Morphologically, the progenitor compartment includes proximal and distal convoluted epithelia and a part of thick straight tubules. Other nephron portions belong to the Q-compartment. It is assumed that the nephrocyte is a part of a cell stream directed toward the papilla, which probably also includes stroma and vasculature.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Streaming liver. VIII: Cell production rates following partial hepatectomy.

Twenty-four young, female, random-bred rats weighing 250 g were partially hepatectomized and killed in groups of four animals at the following times: 1 h and 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14 days. One hour before killing, each rat was injected i.p. with 0.5 microCi [3H]-thymidine, specific activity 5 Ci/mmol/g body weight. Livers were processed histologically and dipped into liquid emulsion for autoradiography. Twenty-four hours after partial hepatectomy, hepatocyte and littoral labelling indices rose, reaching on the third day respective peak values of 3.7%, and 15.4%, whereupon they declined, remaining slightly above pre-treatment level. Labelling indices served for cell production estimates. On day 3 the hepatocyte labelling index rose 26-fold. At the same time hepatocytes doubled their ploidy, indicating that half of the observed L.I. increase was directed to DNA accumulation and not to cell division. The hepatocyte production rate therefore increased 13-fold (or 1300%). The acinus diameter increased 15%, and cell density declined 5%, so that the acinus capacity to retain cells increased only 5%. Since the acinus did not enlarge proportionally to cell production, it is concluded that 95% of newly formed cells were eliminated. Partial hepatectomy thus triggers two processes: an acute process lasting about a week marked by massive and rapid cell turnover during which most newly formed cells are eliminated; and a second, more protracted process which serves for liver mass restoration. It is proposed that partial hepatectomy induces an acute shortage of a hitherto unknown metabolite that is produced by newly formed cells immediately after hepatectomy.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Close association of HLA-B51 and B52 in Israeli patients with Behçet's syndrome.

Epidemiological data, family history, clinical data, and HLA typing were studied in three groups of patients with Behçet's syndrome: six Israeli Ashkenazi Jews, 29 non-Ashkenazi Jews, and three Israeli Arabs. HLA-B51 and B52 were present in 24/38 (63%) and 8/38 (21%), respectively, of the patients compared with 13/151 (9%) of the control group for both cases, a relative risk of 18.2 and 2.8 respectively. The syndrome was found in six of the 34 families. Ninety five per cent of the affected family members were either B51 or B52 positive. Eleven of the 14 families (79%) chosen for study contained a close relative of the proband who had recurrent oral ulcers. All the relatives with ulcers, except for one, were B51 or B52 carriers. Recurrent oral ulcers in the patients with Behçet's syndrome began a few years before other manifestations of the syndrome occurred. Our findings suggest that (a) HLA-B51 and HLA-B52 are primarily associated with Behçet's disease of Israeli patients; (b) the familial occurrence of this syndrome is high and occurs predominantly in the B5 positive group; (c) recurrent oral ulcers may be the first symptom of Behçet's syndrome, appearing early in life; HLA analysis can provide the clue for a correct diagnosis; (d) ulcer recurrence is common among members of a family containing a patient with Behçet's syndrome.

Behcet Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

Detection of aggregated leukocytes in the circulating pool during stress-demargination is not necessarily a result of decreased leukocyte adhesiveness.

Leukocyte endothelial interactions are essential for a normal immune response. It is known that this response is influenced by stress and that the latter induces demargination. We examined the question of whether stress demargination results from a decreased state of leukocyte adhesiveness. Included were various volunteers and patients under different degrees of stress. 66 young athletes before beginning their daily exercises, 67 middle-aged healthy volunteers, 25 patients before ergometry for evaluation of chest pain, 75 patients who were referred to the emergency room with chest pain without ischemia/infarction, 78 patients with ischemia/infarction, 65 patients with minor trauma, 25 with a fracture and 12 with polytrauma. The leukocyte adhesiveness/aggregation (LAA) values were measured with a direct slide test. The respective LAA values were 7.4 +/- 4.7, 6.3 +/- 4.4, 5.8 +/- 3.6, 5.2 +/- 3.5, 10.8 +/- 8.5, 9.1 +/- 5.8, 12.2 +/- 6.6 and 19 +/- 12.6% of aggregated leukocytes. We conclude that an increase in aggregated white blood cells can be detected in the circulating pool during major stress. It is therefore suggested that stress demargination is not necessarily a result of diminished leukocyte adhesiveness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Possible role for a plasma factor in the induction and/or maintenance of the state of leukocyte adhesiveness/aggregation in the peripheral blood. A study of mothers and their newborns.

The adhesive property of white blood cells is essential for a normal immune response. We examined the state of leukocyte adhesiveness/aggregation (LAA) in the peripheral blood of 31 mothers and their newborns by means of a direct slide test and found it to differ significantly, the respective per cents of aggregated leukocytes found in the peripheral blood being 15 +/- 6.4 and 5 +/- 3.3 (mean +/- SD). However, the particle concentration of white blood cells in the peripheral blood did not differ significantly (14.2 +/- 4.4 and 13.6 +/- x 10(9) l-1). By incubating a mother's plasma with her newborn's whole blood we could induce a significant (p less than 0.0001) increment in the state of LAA. We conclude that deficiency of a plasma factor that does not cross the placenta is responsible for the low LAA in the newborn's peripheral blood.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1991

Heterotypic leukocyte aggregation in the peripheral blood of patients with leukemia, inflammation and stress.

This study deals with the question of whether the aggregates of leukocytes in the peripheral blood are homo- or heterotypic. One hundred-fifty individuals with leukemia, inflammation, and physical and mental stress, were examined. It was found that the various cell populations of the peripheral blood are represented in the aggregates and that aggregates are generally heterotypic. Normal and malignant leukocytes were noted in aggregates of patients with leukemia, suggesting that adhesive mechanisms are similar for both normal and malignant leukocytes. This was also supported in two animal models, one with leukocytosis of normal cells and the other with leukocytosis of leukemic cells, in which the state of leukocyte adhesiveness/aggregation in the peripheral blood correlated with tissue leukostasis. The possibility exists that "non specific stickers", present in the peripheral blood, promote interactions between the white blood cells, normal and malignant, and between these cells and the endothelium.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Native valve Staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis: report of seven cases and review of the literature.

This report describes seven patients from three university hospitals whose native valve infective endocarditis was caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis. The literature on endocarditis caused by S. epidermidis is also reviewed and the clinical features of patients with native valve endocarditis due to this organism are compared with those of patients from a general series of infective endocarditis cases. Compared with infective endocarditis caused by other organisms, S. epidermidis endocarditis tends to occur more frequently in male patients. Patients with S. epidermidis endocarditis exhibit fewer embolic complications and skin manifestations. The frequency of congestive heart failure is lower in this group. The relative indolent course and apparent rarity of native valve S. epidermidis endocarditis necessitate a high index of suspicion for early diagnosis.

Aged↗