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At least 1,747 records · Page 97Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Proline-glutamic acid-proline-lysine peptide set as a specific antigen for the serological diagnosis of strangles.

The reactivity of synthesised peptide sets for the M-like proteins SeM and SzPSe with sera from horses infected with Streptococcus equi or Streptococcus zooepidemicus, or control horses, was investigated by an ELISA. Seventeen horses were infected experimentally with S equi or S zooepidemicus, convalescent sera were obtained from 25 horses and control sera were obtained from 1945 horses. The serum antibody responses of individual horses to the peptide sets were highly variable. Some of the peptide sets for SeM reacted strongly with the sera from the horses infected experimentally with S equi, but also reacted with sera from some of the horses infected experimentally with S zooepidemicus. However, the proline-glutamic acid-proline-lysine (PEPK) repeats peptide set, synthesised from the PEPK repeats areas of SzPSe, reacted most strongly with the sera from the horses infected experimentally with S equi and the horses convalescing from strangles, and reacted only minimally with the sera from the horses infected experimentally with S zooepidemicus and the control horses.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Comparison of the transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approach.

OBJECTIVES: The efficacy of transperitoneal (TP) and retroperitoneal (RP) laparoscopic adrenalectomy was compared. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients (male: 13; female: 16) with benign adrenal tumor were evaluated in this study. Seventeen were treated with the TP, and 12 with the RP approach. RESULTS: Convalescence for the TP group took longer than that for the RP group and postoperative pain was stronger for the TP than the RP group, although the difference was not significant. In addition, the amount of blood loss was larger for the TP than the RP group. When the cases were divided according to site of disease, the operating time for the right side was 351 min for the TP group and 347 min for the RP group, while that for the left side was 528 min for the TP group and 267 min for the RP group. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, we recently prefer the RP approach for left adrenalectomy, but consider either approach suitable for the right side. The reason for this preference is that shortening the operating time is most important, also in the case of laparoscopic adrenalectomy because of the resulting reduced blood loss and the patients' early convalescence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Ventricular arrhythmias in the late hospital phase of acute myocardial infarction. Relation to left ventricular function detected by gated cardiac blood pool scanning.

Abnormalities of left ventricular function and extent of myocardial infarction were studied in relation to prevalence of late ventricular premature contractions (VPCs) in 36 patients in the convalescent stage of acute myocardial infarction (MI). Left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and percent akinesis (%A) were calculated from gated cardiac blood pool scans; myocardial infarct size was estimated from peak CPK values; and VPCs were detected by 24 hour ambulatory ECGs 2-4 weeks following hospitalization for acute MI. Twenty-two patients had either zero (class 0) or less than 30/hour unifocal VPCs (class I). Fourteen patients had greater than 30/hour unifocal (class II), multifocal (class III) or coupled VPCs (class IV), including ventricular tachycardia. Thirteen of 14 class II-IV patients had EF less than 40% compared with only 8 of 22 class 0-I patients. Class II-IV patients had significantly lower mean EF (30.5 +/- 2.3 SE to 49.6 +/- 4.0) P less than 0.01, higher mean %A (28.1 +/- 2.2 to 16.9 +/- 3.7) P less than 0.05, and higher mean peak CPK (1350 +/- 187 to 721 +/- 155) P less than 0.05 than class 0-I patients. These data suggest that VPCs may not be an independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death in the convalescent phase of MI.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

Twenty-four-hour beta-endorphin secretory pattern in stroke patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Abnormalities of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis function have been observed frequently in stroke patients. The aim of this study was to investigate plasma beta-endorphin and cortisol 24-hour secretory patterns in patients early after stroke and in the convalescent period to evaluate a possible influence of brain damage on hormonal circadian pattern. METHODS: Patients (n = 15; age, 46 to 75 years) were evaluated in the first 24 hours and 10 days after hospital admission for ischemic cerebral stroke and compared with 15 age- and sex-matched normal subjects. Blood samples for beta-endorphin and cortisol determination were drawn every 4 hours from 8 AM to 8 PM and every 2 hours from midnight to 6 AM. RESULTS: Mean 24-hour beta-endorphin and cortisol levels, recorded in the acute phase, were significantly (P < .05) higher than those recorded in normal subjects; circadian rhythm was not demonstrable for either hormone. In the convalescent period, plasma cortisol 24-hour mean values and circadian rhythm returned to the normal range, whereas the plasma beta-endorphin 24-hour mean values and circadian rhythm did not. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral stroke induces abnormalities of beta-endorphin and cortisol circadian secretion. Whereas cortisol abnormalities are transient, those of beta-endorphin last longer. The dissociation between beta-endorphin and cortisol 24-hour secretory patterns might potentially serve as a marker of psychoneurological abnormalities occurring after stroke.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Recognition and characterization of stage-specific oocyst/sporozoite antigens of Toxoplasma gondii by human antisera.

Human infection with Toxoplasma gondii is presumed due to the ingestion of either tissue cysts containing bradyzoites or oocyst/sporozoites that are excreted in the feces of infected cats. The incidence of human infection in the general population by either of these routes is unknown. We have previously described unique stage-specific oocyst/sporozoite antigens identified by murine hybridoma monoclonal antibodies. We obtained acute and convalescent antitoxoplasma antisera from patients in an epidemiologically well-documented outbreak of oocyst-transmitted infection associated with the ingestion of contaminated water. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay comparing equal numbers of tachyzoites (invasive stage) and oocyst/sporozoite (excreted stage) indicated that these antisera recognized antigens from both life forms. Absorption of pooled antisera with purified oocyst/sporozoites reduced both the antioocyst immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) titer but had only minimal effect on the antitachyzoite titer. Absorption of the antisera with tachyzoites reduced the IgG and IgM antioocyst and antitachyzoite titer. A sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel analysis of radioiodinated oocyst/sporozoites shows that the principal stage-specific surface proteins of the oocyst/sporozoite have approximate Mr of 67,000 and 25,000. Periodic acid and silver stain of purified oocyst/sporozoite identified bands of similar molecular weight not present in the tachyzoite preparation. Western blot analysis of purified parasites assayed with human antioocyst antisera identified specific oocyst/sporozoite antigens not present on the tachyzoites. At least two major stage-specific oocyst/sporozoite antigens of approximate Mr of 67,000 and 190,000 were identified by the infected patients' antisera and not by the normal controls. Reaction to these oocyst/sporozoite antigens was seen primarily in the IgM fraction of the acute phase and the IgG fraction of convalescent phase antisera. Neither absorption of the antisera with tachyzoites nor periodate treatment of the oocyst/sporozoites reduced the antibody recognition of these stage-specific antigens. These data suggest that individuals infected by a presumed oocyst-transmitted route develop antibodies against unique stage-specific oocyst/sporozoite antigens.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunologic responses against lipopolysaccharide of Hemophilus influenzae in patients with acute sinusitis.

The serum antibodies against lipopolysaccharide of Hemophilus influenzae were measured in acute and convalescent phase sera from 30 patients with acute maxillary sinusitis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Levels of antibodies in the maxillary antral secretions were also measured. In convalescent phase sera from 15 patients with acute sinusitis due to H influenzae, there was a threefold, 1.5-fold, and threefold increase in the geometric mean titers of IgG, IgM, and IgA, respectively. In antral secretions, titers were significantly higher (p less than .01) in culture-positive patients than in culture-negative patients for all antibodies. These data indicate that the immune system has the ability to respond systemically and locally with specific antibodies against lipopolysaccharide of H influenzae.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

A theory of postoperative fatigue.

The concept of fatigue has entered medicine from other disciplines in which the term refers to weakening of a material by demands put upon it. Its application to the behavioural and subjective changes that characterize postoperative convalescence has led to the assumption that these changes reflect the physiological and metabolic consequences of surgery. Because evidence does not support this view, we outline a new theory in which postoperative fatigue is the product of physiological, psychological and cultural factors. This theory leads to novel predictions that can be tested in future clinical research. Of particular interest will be the evaluation of systematic attempts to change patient and staff expectations about postoperative convalescence.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2001

Importation of beef from countries infected with foot and mouth disease: a review of risk mitigation measures.

Risk mitigation measures to reduce the risks associated with importing beef from countries affected by foot and mouth disease (FMD) consist of controls at the farm of origin, inspection of slaughterhouses and maturation and deboning of carcasses. This assessment evaluates the effect of these measures on the mitigation of the risks presented by meat from cattle with FMD, for each of the different stages of the disease. The four disease stages considered are the incubation period, the period of clinical signs, convalescence and the carrier stage. Efficient animal health systems, disease surveillance, and ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection of all cattle effectively reduce the risk of FMD transmission from cattle slaughtered during the period of clinical signs or convalescence. These measures fail if the cattle are slaughtered during the incubation period, because of the absence of clinical signs. Cattle in this stage of the infection are likely to be viraemic, with FMD virus present in the skeletal muscles. Maturation of the carcasses of viraemic cattle reduces the risk of virus presence in the beef. In addition, deboning and removal of the principal lymph nodes and large blood vessels eliminate a source of FMD contamination of the beef. However, the slaughter of viraemic cattle creates an additional hazard of gross environmental viral contamination of the slaughterhouse facilities. Therefore, the maturation process may create a false sense of security, and the emphasis should instead be placed on disease surveillance within the infected zone and on the farms of origin, to prevent the slaughter of herds that are incubating FMD. Cattle slaughtered during the carrier stage do not pose a risk for the international beef trade.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Porcine rubulavirus LPMV RNA persists in the central nervous system of pigs after recovery from acute infection.

In order to study persistence of the porcine rubulavirus LPMV, we examined tissue samples collected from pigs 53 days after experimental infection. These pigs survived the initial infection and could clinically be considered to have recovered from the infection. Two of the pigs used in this study were chemically immunosuppressed during the last 4 days before necropsy. No infectious virus or viral antigen could be detected in any tissue using standard methods for virus isolation and detection. However, the presence of viral genomic RNA and mRNA could be demonstrated in the mid brain of the convalescent pig using an optimised RT-nested PCR. Mid brain, forebrain and lung were all shown to contain LPMV RNA in the immunosuppressed convalescent pigs. In addition we examined the P-gene editing in the recovered pigs and conclude that the viral genome is transcriptionally active in these pigs. The relevance of the persistence of LPMV for maintenance and spread within and/or between pig populations is discussed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

Beneficial effects of early coronary reperfusion on left ventricular remodeling and systolic function in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the beneficial effects of early coronary reperfusion on left ventricular remodeling (LVRM) and systolic function in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: Eighty-one patients with first AMI in the convalescent stage and having undergone left ventriculography (LVG) and coronary arteriography (CAG) were divided into four groups: the anterolateral wall (ALW) myocardial infarction (MI) non-reperfusion (n = 20) and reperfusion (n = 21), and inferoposterial wall (IPW) MI non-reperfusion (n = 20) and reperfusion (n = 20), according to infarct location and early treatment with or without successful coronary reperfusion therapy within 6 hours after onset of symptoms. By LVG, the parameters of LVRM and systolic function in the four MI groups were analyzed and compared with those in normal group (n = 25) and between the two reperfusion and non-reperfusion MI groups. RESULTS: In both ALW and IPW MI non-reperfusion groups, the left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume (EDV), circumference (EDC), short-axis dimension (EDD), short to long axis ratio (ED-D/L), sphericity index (ED-SI) and end-systolic volume (ESV) were all significantly increased (P < 0.01-0.001), while LV ejection fractions (LVEF) were significantly decreased (both P < 0.001) when compared with those of normal group; and the increase in ESV and decrease in LVEF were both significantly greater in ALW than in IPW MI groups (both P < 0.01). In both ALW and IPW MI reperfusion groups, however, the EDV, EDD, ESV, as well as the extent and severity of regional wall motion abnormality (RW-MA) were significantly smaller (P < 0.05-0.001), while LVEF were significantly higher (P < 0.01-0.001) when compared with those in the two non-reperfusion MI groups respectively. There were no longer significant differences in LVEF and ESV between ALW and IPW MI groups (both P > 0.05). The EDC in IPW MI reperfusion group and the ED-D/L and ED-SI in ALW MI reperfusion group were also significantly reduced compared with those in the two non-reperfusion MI groups respectively (P < 0.05-0.001). All the above parameters in the two reperfusion MI group were decreased to the normal in comparison with normal group except ESV and LVEF, and ED-D/L and ED-SI in IPW MI group. CONCLUSION: It was indicated that in both ALW and IPW MI non-reperfusion groups, LVRM had occurred in convalescent stage of AMI with an increase in EDV and EDC, spherical change in LV shape, and accompanying reduction in LV systolic function; and early coronary reperfusion in AMI could reduce the extent and severity of RWMA, prevent from LV enlargement and remodeling, and preserve or improve LV systolic function with more prominence in ALW MI.

Convalescence↗
PubMed1999

Effects of acupuncture on the levels of endothelin, TXB2, and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in apoplexy patients.

In order to delve into the mechanism governing the treatment of apoplexy by acupuncture at yangming channel points as main points, we observed the changes in the endothelin (ET) level in plasma, TXB2 and 6-Keto-PGF1 alpha levels in urine in convalescent apoplexy patients during acupuncture treatment. The results showed that the ET level in plasma in convalescent apoplexy patients was significantly higher than that in healthy subjects (P < 0.05), and the ET level in plasma in patients was decreased after one course of acupuncture treatment. It was found that before treatment the TXB2 level in urine in apoplexy patients was significantly higher than in healthy subjects, and the 6-Keto-PGF1 alpha level in urine in the patients was significantly lower than that in healthy subjects, with an increased ratio of TXB2 to 6-Keto-PGF1 alpha. After acupuncture treatment, the TXB2 level in urine was lowered with a decrease in the ratio of TXB2 to 6-Keto-PGF1 alpha. All this indicated that one of the mechanisms governing acupuncture treatment of apoplexy acupuncture at yangming channel points as main points was that acupuncture could produce therapeutic effects by adjusting the imbalance of important vaso-active substances, ET, TXA2, and PGI2.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed2001

[The use of flow cytometry for the determination of the hepatitis B virus pre-S1 envelop protein binding by human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro in the course of recovery].

The course of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection depends on the host immune response to various antigens of the virus, including hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg), which is present on the envelope of HBV and which contains Pre-S1, Pre-S2 and S proteins. The peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from patients with chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) and patients acutely infected with HBV and recovered completely (convalescents) were studied for detecting of Pre-S1 antigen binding. We used a cytometric method for measurement of the binding of fluorescein labeled Pre-S1 antigen (FITC/Pre-S1) to the PBL. The binding of FITC/Pre-S1 was determined on resting lymphocytes and on lymphocytes cultured in vitro for 5 days in the presence of Pre-S1 and phytohaemagglutinin-P (PHA-P). The expression of CD3 and CD19 molecules on the surface of PBLs simultaneously with the expression of FITC/Pre-S1 was also analysed using flow cytometry. We found that the Pre-S1 binding significantly depends on the state of the activation of lymphocytes. Specific stimulation of the convalescent lymphocytes with Pre-S1 resulted in an increase in the percentage of the FITC/Pre-S1 binding cells in relation to the unstimulated cultured and resting cells as well as to the cells from CHB patients. We suggest that flow cytometric measurement of Pre-S1 binding by lymphocytes may be useful indicator of the disease activity.

Convalescence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Characteristics of antitoxic and antibacterial immune response in nontoxic forms of oropharyngeal diphtheria].

The enzyme immunoassay system (EIA) for differentiation of antibodies in therapeutic heterogeneous antitoxic serum and antibodies to Corynebacterium diphtheriae toxigenic strains in patients and carriers was developed. The use of EIA permitted the dynamic evaluation of the characteristics of humoral antitoxic and antibacterial immune response in 50 patients with the localized and disseminated forms of stomatopharyngeal diphtheria and 14 "healthy" carriers of toxigenic C. diphtheriae. As revealed in this study, the symptoms of the disease in patients with disseminated forms of stomatopharyngeal diphtheria developed in the presence of statistically significant low quantitative values of antitoxic and antibacterial antibodies to C. diphtheriae antigens. In the group of patients with the localized forms of the disease the initially low level of antitoxic antibodies was detected with the concentration of antibacterial antibodies remaining unchanged. During the period of convalescence the levels of antitoxic antibodies in both groups reached those of healthy persons. In case of localized forms of the disease the level of antibacterial antibodies decreased as compared with healthy persons, starting from the second week of the disease. The period of convalescence in the disseminated forms was characterized by the low concentration of antibacterial antibodies. Carrier state was formed in the presence of high levels of antitoxic antibodies and significantly low levels of antibacterial ones.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[The capacity of IL-2 production of peripheral blood lymphocyte in patients with pneumonia].

The capacity of IL-2 production of peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) were determined in 54 patients with pneumonia in acute stage (23 cases of 20-57 years old and 31 cases over 60 years old) and 33 cases in convalescent stage. 20 elderly COPD in remission patients and 59 healthy control (32 aged 20-55 and 27 over 60) were determined also. It was shown that the capacity of IL-2 production of the patients with pneumonia in acute stage were markedly lower than healthy control (P less than 0.01), and that of the elderly patients' were markedly lower than elderly COPD patients also (P less than 0.01). The IL-2 level were also lower in the patients with pneumonia in convalescence than in the healthy control (P less than 0.01). The capacity of IL-2 production of elderly COPD patients and healthy elderly donors were at the same level (P greater than 0.05), both of the two groups' IL-2 level were significantly lower than that of the healthy young-middle age donors. It was suggested that the lowered immune function may be one of the important factors causing the COPD patients and the elderly people susceptible to infection, and it may be one of the important causes of the more severe condition and protracted course in elderly patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[The excretion of Shigella antigens in persons recovering from dysentery].

Shigella antigens can be detected in the excreta of convalescents after dysentery for a long time. Most frequently these antigens occur in feces, less frequently in urine and rarely in saliva. According to indirect data, S. flexneri 1-6 antigens can be detected in excreta for a longer period after convalescence than S. sonnei antigens. When antigen indication is used for the diagnosis of dysentery and epidemiological analysis is carried out, one should bear in mind the length of the agent persistence in the body, related to Shigella type.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed2004

[Expression of serum hepatocyte growth factor in patients with acute renal failure].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in patients with acute renal failure (ARF) and to evaluate the clinical value. METHODS: Serum HGF levels were determined by ELISA in 31 patients with ARF at the stages of oliguria, polyuria and convalescence and in 28 healthy controls. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, the HGF levels in the serum increased significantly in the ARF group at the stages of oliguria and polyuria, while the serum HGF returned to normal levels at the convalescence stage. There was significant positive correlation between the serum HGF and BUN or SCr in the ARF group. CONCLUSION: Serum HGF in ARF patients increased significantly and tended to rise at first but dropped afterwards, which reflected the course of renal injury and the recovery of renal epithelial cells.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed2006

[Lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis of peripheral granulocytes in patients with prior salmonella infection].

The in vitro induction of granulocytes in the presence of high and low concentrations of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) allowed the authors to study a dose-dependent apoptotic response in the population of intact cells and in that of primed cells in the period of convalescence in patients with Salmonella infection. An experimental system was used to study a respiratory burst and granulocytic apoptosis in the presence of hypothalamic neuropeptides. The clinical manifestations of the diseases were studied in 32 inpatients. It was shown that there was an increase in the sensitivity of granulocytes to the apoptotic action of low, suboptimal doses (100 ng) of S. enteritidis LPS in patients with salmonellosis at convalescence. This correlates with the severity of a clinical course of the experienced disease and with the suppressed sensitivity of apoptosis to the optimal doses (1000 ng) LPS.

Apoptosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

CD8 lymphocytes during Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection: A CD29 positive population is expanded in acute infectious mononucleosis.

The expression of phenotypic markers on CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes during the acute and convalescent phases of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) induced infectious mononucleosis was examined by two colour flow cytometry. Activated CD8 cells constitute the major population increased during acute infectious mononucleosis; in this phase we observed a preferential expansion of the CD8 CD29+ compared to the CD8 CD45RA+ cells. Serum soluble CD8 levels were also raised during the acute phase and a correlation with CD8 CD38+ and CD8 CD29+ cell numbers was found. The convalescent phase of infectious mononucleosis was characterized by a progressive return of CD8 subset and of soluble CD8 to baseline normal values. These results demonstrate that acute EBV infection induces the expansion of a CD8 subset with peculiar surface antigenic profile.

Acute Disease↗