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Biomedical subjects

C Webb

Publications and source records attributed to C Webb.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Neuritogenic and encephalitogenic properties of the peripheral nerve basic proteins.

Two basic proteins, P1 of molecular weight 14,200 and P2 of molecular weight 12,300, purified from bovine peripheral nerve, were assayed for biological activity. The P1 protein is an exclusively neuritogenic agent, capable of producing clinical signs of experimental allergic neuritis (EAN) and histological abnormalities in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) of guinea pigs and rabbits, without any changes in their central nervous system (CNS). P2 protein, like the CNS basic encephalitogenic protein (BE), has combined neuritogenic and encephalitogenic activities, therefore it induces in these animals neurological signs and pathological evidence of EAN, as well as histological characteristics of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE).

Animals

Cell-mediated immunity to neural antigens in idiopathic polyneuritis and myeloradiculitis. Clinical-immunologic classification of several autoimmune demyelinating disorders.

Patients with peripheral nervous system disorders were tested for the presence of cellular hypersensitivity to peripheral and central nervous system antigens by means of the in vitro lymphocyte transformation technique. Lymphocytes sensitized to the neuritogenic peripheral nervous system P1L basic protein were found in pure polyradiculitis of the Guillain-Barré syndrome type. Lymphocytes from patients with myeloradiculitis underwent transformation by peripheral P2 basic protein and by central nervous system basic encephalitogenic protein. In cases of chronic relapsing polyneuropathy response was shown to the central nervous system basic encephalitogen and to both of the peripheral nerve basic proteins. Lymphocytes from patients with other neurologic conditions showed no response to any oth these antigens. These findings suggest that cell mediated immunity to specific basic proteins of the myelin plays a rolw in the pathogenesis of the above-mentioned demyelinating disorders and may lead to a new approach in their classification and diagnosis.

Adult

Cellular immune response to acetylcholine receptor-rich fraction, in patients with myasthenia gravis.

Lymphocytes from patients with myasthenia gravis were stimulated when cultured in vitro with an electric eel extract enriched in acetylcholine receptor. No stimulation was observed with other antigens from nerve or muscle origin. Lymphocytes from non-myasthenic patients showed no response to any of these antigens. These findings suggest that an in vivo sensitization of lymphocytes to self acetylcholine receptor may occur in myasthenia gravis. The presence of sensitized lymphocytes, probably resulting from an autoimmune mechanism, might be an important factor in the pathogenesis of the neuromuscular block in this disease.

Acetylcholine

Fractionation of functional lymphocytes sensitized to basic encephalitogen on derivatized collagen and gelatin gels.

The lymph node cells of basic encephalitogen (BE)-sensitized guinea pigs were fractionated on derivatized collagen and gelatin gels. The population of cells specifically reactive to this antigen can be isolated from derivatized gelatin gels and retain their viability and functionality as assayed in vitro. The specific binding of BE-sensitized cells to BE-derivatized gels comprised between 1 and 2% of the cells applied per plate. The ratio of sensitized cells bound to non-sensitized cells bound ranged between 4 and 6. The viability and functionality of adherent cells detached from collagen gels after enzymatic degradation were impaired. In contrast, the responses obtained with the adherent cell population released from the gelatin gels, by melting at 37 degrees C, were equal or greater than those of the original unfractionated lymph node cell cultures. Furthermore, it was possible to obtain a nonadherent cell population which was virtually completely depleted of the capacity to respond to the sensitizing antigen.

Animals

What is nursing?

Recent efforts to redefine nursing have moved away from the traditional medically dominated approach, towards psychosocial care and forming relationships with patients. This article questions whether the focus has moved too far and urges nurses not to forget the bodily care that patients value and expect.

Humans

Collecting midstream specimens of urine--the research base.

The study reported here, which is based on an undergraduate dissertation, analyses the content of medical and nursing articles published between 1956 and 1989 which consider the collection of mid-stream specimens of urine (MSSUs). Subjective or qualitative and objective or quantitative content analyses were performed. A large disparity was discovered between the results of the two methods of analysis, implying that this research base cannot be translated into recommendations for collecting MSSUs.

Adolescent