PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Kolstad

Publications and source records attributed to A Kolstad.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Look to Norway! (But not uncritically).

The authors of the paper argue that Norway's national health service, despite public perceptions, is both inexpensive and technologically advanced. Norway has a highly regulated medical system at both the national and local levels, and many distribution issues take the form of political debate. As a result, the authors believe that medical care and equipment is equitably distributed, but perhaps over-densely, throughout the country. Although the overall picture is optimistic, there is some concern that technologies, health care priorities, and decision-making processes should be more carefully examined by consensus conferences, advisory groups, and experts in technology assessment.

Communication↗

A cytotoxic human-human hybridoma antibody (TrH6) specific for HLA-DRw52.

TrH6 is a new human-human hybridoma antibody (Ab) of IgM, lambda isotype. At concentrations of 17-5000 ng IgM/ml, TrH6 killed twelve out of fourteen lymphoblastoid cell lines that expressed DRw52, but none of the nine DRw53 homozygous lines. Both DRw52+ cells (LUY, TAB) not killed by TrH6 were DR8+, suggesting that these lines express a structural variant of DRw52 linked to DR8. The murine cytotoxic DRw52-specific mAb 7.3.19.1 (Koning et al. 1984) exhibited the same pattern of reactivity with DRw52+ cells as TrH6. However, unlike TrH6, 7.3.19.1 cross-reacted weakly with two DR7+DRw53+ homozygous cell lines, suggesting that the TrH6 epitope has a more limited distribution. The reactions with a panel of cells with known deletions in the HLA-region supported the conclusion that TrH6 is specific for DRw52. Further evidence was obtained in a competition RIA, where the murine mAbs L243 (anti-DR monomorphic) and 7.3.19.1 (anti-DRw52) inhibited binding of radiolabeled TrH6 to DRw52 homozygous cells. TrH6-coated magnetic beads provided a simple rosette-assay for typing of "buffy-coat" leukocytes for the TrH6 epitope.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

A human-human hybridoma (Tr7E2) producing cytotoxic antibody to HLA-DQw1.

A human-human IgM (lambda) hybridoma antibody (called Tr7E2) was constructed by fusing Epstein-Barr virus-transformed cells from a multiparous woman with the human fusion partner KR12. By eosin exclusion microcytotoxicity the monoclonal antibody killed 12 of 13 human leukocyte antigen DQw1-bearing lymphoblastoid cells. No reaction was seen with any of 19 DQw1-negative cells. The single DQw1+ cell line that was not killed by Tr7E2 was the homozygous cell called 9WS 806 TAB (DR8,8; DQw1,1) of Japanese origin. The radioimmunoassay indicated that this result was probably not because of a decreased expression by this cell of DQ antigens, and these cells were killed by the mouse monoclonal antibody Genox3.53G2a5, reported to be specific for DQw1. Thus, the Tr7E2- cell line TAB probably expresses a novel structural DQw1 variant. Of 213 Norwegians, 107 were Tr7E2+ Genox+; none expressed only one of these epitopes. The putative split is, therefore, probably very rare in this population. Monodisperse magnetic polymer beads coated with Tr7E2 formed rosettes selectively with peripheral blood mononuclear cells from DQw1-positive individuals, suggesting a new approach to typing for class II antigens.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

A human-human hybridoma antibody (TrB12) defining subgroups of HLA-DQw1 and -DQw3.

We have constructed an IgG, kappa human--human hybridoma Ab(TrB12), which precipitates a molecule consisting of two polypeptides of about 33 and 27 kD in size. TrB12 reacted with; (1) 7 out of 10 DQw1-positive cell lines in IIF, and all 10 in a rosette-assay; (2) 5 out of 12 DQw3-positive cells, both in IIF and the rosette-assay; (3) none of 4 DQw2 homozygous cells. Detergent cell lysate of DQw1 homozygous cell lines contained antigens that cross-linked the mouse monoclonal antibody Genox 353 G2a-5 (anti-DQw1) and TrB12. TrB12 competed with the mouse DQw3-specific monoclonal antibody IVD-12 for binding to DQw3 homozygous cells. The data imply that the TrB12 epitope is associated with molecules that carry DQw1 and DQw3 serological specificities. By radioimmunoassay, TrB12 and the mouse monoclonal antibody IIB3 divided both DQw1- and DQw3- bearing cell lines into three phenotypic groups: (1) TrB12+IIB3hi, (2) TrB12-IIB3lo, and (3) TrB12-IIB3-. For DQw1 the results suggest that the first two groups represent structural variants but the third group may reflect low expression of DQw1. For DQw3 the evidence suggests that all three phenotypes represent structural variants. DQw3 has previously been divided into two serologically defined alleles, TA10+IIB3- and TA10-IIB3+. The TrB12+IIB3hi and TrB12-IIB3lo variants of DQw3 described in this study probably represent novel subgroups of the TA10-IIB3+ allele.

Alleles↗

A human-human hybridoma producing cytotoxic antibody to HLA-B15, cross-reacting with B17, B5, B35 and B18.

Mononuclear blood cells from a multiparous woman were transformed with Epstein Barr virus, and a cell line (Tr2D8) producing anti-HLA antibody was obtained. This cell line was immortalized by hybridization to the human fusion partners KR4 and KR12. While the EBV line died after 7 months, the hybridomas have remained stable for 13 months. The EBV line supernatant (40 micrograms IgM/ml) lysed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) bearing B15, B17, B5 and B35. Consistent lysis of B18 bearing cells was only observed with lymphoblastoid cell lines. The supernatant from the Tr2D8 (EBV line X KR4) hybridoma (2.7 micrograms IgM/ml) only lysed B15 bearing PBMC. At a concentration of 13.5 micrograms IgM/ml, the hybridoma antibody lysed lymphoblastoid cell lines bearing B15, B17, B5, B35 and B18.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Epidemiology of blindness in Nepal.

This report presents the major findings of the Nepal Blindness Survey, the first nationwide epidemiological survey of blindness, which was conducted in 1979-80. The survey was designed to gather data that could be used to estimate the prevalence and causes of blindness in the country. Ancillary studies were conducted to obtain information on socioeconomic correlates and other risk factors of blinding conditions and patterns of health care utilization.The nationwide blindness prevalence rate is 0.84%. Cataract is the leading cause of blindness, accounting for over 80% of all avoidable blindness. Trachoma is the most prevalent blinding condition, affecting 6.5% of the population. Very few cases of childhood blindness were detected.The implications of the survey findings for programme planning, health manpower development, and health education are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Associations among cataract prevalence, sunlight hours, and altitude in the Himalayas.

The relationship between cataract prevalence, altitude, and sunlight hours was investigated in a large national probability sample survey of 105 sites in the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal, December 1980 through April 1981. Cataract of senile or unknown etiology was diagnosed by ophthalmologists in 873 of 30,565 full-time life-long residents of survey sites. Simultaneously, the altitude of sites was measured using a standard mountain altimeter. Seasonally adjusted average daily duration of sunlight exposure for each site was calculated by a method which took into account latitude and obstructions along the skyline. Age- and sex-standardized cataract prevalence was 2.7 times higher in sites at an altitude of 185 meters or less than in sites over 1000 meters. Cataract prevalence was negatively correlated with altitude (r = -0.533, p less than 0.0001). However, a positive correlation between cataract prevalence and sunlight was observed (r = 0.563, p less than 0.0001). Sites with an average of 12 hours of sunlight exposure had 3.8 times as much cataract as sites with an average of only seven hours of exposure. Sunlight was blocked from reaching certain high altitude sites by tall neighboring mountains.

Adolescent↗

Monolayered explants in the study of retinal pigment epithelial behavior in culture.

A technique that permits removal of viable retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) explants of determined size from Bruch's membrane, and the transfer of such explants with maintained apico-basal polarity to cell culture dishes is presented. The RPE is a polarized tissue where the apical surface is involved in the interchange of material between the choroid and sensory retina and in phagocytosis of visual receptor outer segments. The maintenance of this polarity is of importance in studies aimed at elucidating these functions on pure RPE explants in early primary culture. No previous work has presented a method that permits this maintenance. The possibility of standardizing the size of these explants should facilitate quantitative studies on phagocytosis and uptake of markers and labelled compounds. The described dissection procedure is also currently used to separate the RPE as a pure cell population from surgically removed chorio-retinal biopsies for cell culture purpose.

Animals↗

Reactive changes in the human retinal pigment epithelium in vitro.

Explants from the retinal pigment epithelium and the underlying choroid and sclera were dissected from human eyes and transferred to culture wells. The mechanical trauma caused by the dissection and removal of the explants, and the changes in biological milieu caused by transfer of the tissue to an in vitro system causes injury, necrosis and detachment of cells from Bruch's membrane. In the retinal pigment epithelium, cells adjacent to damaged, spherical and detaching cells and smaller cell free zones from rosettes. At the periphery of big defects, the cells spread out to cover the denuded areas of Bruch's membrane. The present work has shown that cell injury in the human retinal pigment epithelium is followed by reactive cellular changes in vitro. The result of these reactive changes are increased variation in cellular form and magnitude and in pigment concentration per unit area.

Culture Techniques↗

Organ cultured donor material for penetrating corneal grafts. A preliminary report.

Fresh and undamaged cornea had unchanged endothelial cell density for four weeks in culture, while eyes removed at autopsy suffered a cell loss. Acceptable cell density was found in eyes removed within eight hours, and this was confirmed by the results of 55 penetrating grafts using cultured autopsy material. Storage in culture for more than one week seemed to influence the results unfavourably. Immune reactions were not seen.

Cell Survival↗

The use of contact lenses in children with unilateral traumatic aphakia.

Seveteen children under the age of ten years with unilateral traumatic aphakia, who had been fitted with contact lenses, were reviewed by an ophthalmologist and an orthoptist, on average three years after the injury. Thirteen children were still using their lenses. Of the seventeen, none were deeply amblyopic. Only one had orthophoria. Twelve of the seventeen had heterotropia, which in most cases was moderate. Six of the children achieved stereopsis in the synoptophore, only four by the Titmus sterotest, all of these were six years old or more at the time of the injury, and had had lenses fitted within the first six months of the injury. All the patients, as well as their parents, were motivated for lens-wearing, and the lens played an important part in the treatment of amblyopia. It is concluded that the sooner the contact lens is supplied, the better are the changes of obtaining binocular function. Beginning with a soft lens a few weeks after achieving clear pupil is recommended.

Amblyopia↗

[Skier's eye].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Cold Temperature↗

Antibodies to granulocytes detected by an indirect immunofluorescence method not requiring chemical modification of cells.

IgG antibodies to neutrophil polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) were detected by a simple indirect immunofluorescence method that did not require chemical or enzymatic modification of the cells. Based on recent information about the human PMN Fc gamma-receptor, nonspecific binding of IgG to PMNs was virtually completely prevented by incubating cells at 37 degrees C with human serum diluted 1 to 3 in the presence of a high concentration of rabbit IgG. This also facilitated distinction of sera with weak anti-PMN activity from normal sera. On the other hand, nonspecific staining remained on a fraction (10-25%) of mononuclear leukocytes. Following first-time transfusion of 0.5 to 5 units of whole blood or red cell concentrate, 4 of 27 patients (15%) developed anti-leukocyte antibodies. Anti-leukocyte antibodies were detected in 51 percent of 47 patients with reported febrile transfusion reactions; the IgG antibodies bound to PMNs in 38 percent of these 47 patients. Since only about one in three patients with febrile transfusion reactions had detectable IgG anti-PMN antibodies, fever may be caused by lysis of leukocytes other than PMNs.

ABO Blood-Group System↗