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Biomedical subjects

F Mielke

Publications and source records attributed to F Mielke.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Efficacy of sulfasalazine in patients with inflammatory back pain due to undifferentiated spondyloarthritis and early ankylosing spondylitis: a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of sulfasalazine (SSZ) on inflammatory back pain (IBP) due to active undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (uSpA) or ankylosing spondylitis in patients with symptom duration <5 years. METHODS: Patients with IBP and a Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) >3 from 12 centres were randomly assigned to 24 weeks' treatment with SSZ 2 g/day or placebo. The primary outcome variable was the change in BASDAI over 6 months. Secondary outcomes included measures of spinal pain, physical function and inflammation. RESULTS: 230 patients (50% men, age range 18-64 years, 67% human leucocyte antigen B27 positive) were treated with either SSZ 2x1 g/day or placebo for 6 months. Enthesitis was found in 50%, and peripheral arthritis in 47% of the patients. The mean (SD) BASDAI dropped markedly in both groups: by 3.7 (2.7) and 3.8 (2.4), respectively, as did most secondary outcome measures. No noticeable difference in treatment was observed between groups. Patients with IBP and no peripheral arthritis had significantly (p = 0.03) more benefit with SSZ (BASDAI 5.1 (1.3) to 2.8 (2.3)) than with placebo (5.2 (1.6) to 3.8 (2.4)). Spinal pain (p = 0.03) and morning stiffness (p = 0.05) improved with SSZ in these patients, but other secondary outcomes were not markedly different. CONCLUSION: SSZ was no better than placebo for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of uSpA; however, SSZ was more effective than placebo in the subgroup of patients with IBP and no peripheral arthritis.

Adolescent↗

Development of a solid phase enzyme immunoassay for the detection of anti-Ro autoantibodies.

An enzyme immunoassay was developed to detect anti-Ro(SS-A) autoantibodies. Both Ro-antigen components (52 and 60 kD) were purified from a pig spleen extract, using fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC). Anti-La, anti-RNP, anti-DNA and anti-Sm antibodies do not react to the purified antigen. There was a strong correlation between anti-Ro activity in EIA and the titers in counter immunoelectrophoresis (rs = 0.893). Anti-Ro antibodies were found in 54 (69.2%) of 78 SLE sera by the developed EIA.

Animals↗

Development of a DNA-adsorbent for the specific removal of anti-DNA autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Autoantibodies against DNA are of primary importance for the diagnosis and pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematousus (SLE). The level of anti-DNA antibodies correlates well with the disease activity and renal involvement. In such patients the removal of anti-DNA antibodies from plasma may lead to a clinical improvement. For this reason an adsorbent was made by covalent coupling of calf thymus DNA to a solid support based on ethylene dimethacrylate cross-linked hydroxethyl methacrylate. Up to 2.5 mg of DNA were immobolized to 1 ml of the support activated chemically by aminosilane and glutaraldehyde. The incubation of 40 ml of SLE plasma with 1 ml of the adsorbent resulted in a 50% decline in anti-DNA activity. There was no release of immobilized P-32-DNA into the plasma. Biocompatibility, sterilisation, and reapplication (without loss of binding capacity) of the adsorbent could be demonstrated. We concluded that the adsorbent may be suitable for treatment.

Autoantibodies↗

[Fibronectin concentrations in the plasma of newborn infants and their mothers and various plasma preparations].

The article describes a method for the quantification of plasma fibronectin (FN) by means of electroimmunodiffusion after Laurell. By this means the fibronectin concentrations of healthy, mature newborns as well as of their mothers were determined. The average FN-level of the newborns lies at 33% related to the value for adults and at 48%, respectively, related to the maternal FN-content. There is no difference between male and female newborns. The FN-concentrations of the adults stated by us with 330 and 314 mg/l, respectively, for males and females correspond to the data in literature. Furthermore, the FN-content in plasma preparations was determined, with an average value of 2,356 mg/l this was highest in the factor-VIII-concentrate. The expediency and the prerequisites for a possible fibronectin substitution are discussed.

Blood Transfusion↗

[Plasma fibronectin in acute leukemia. Effects of the cytostatic therapy on plasma fibronectin level].

Twice a week plasma (Pl.)-fibronectin was determined quantitatively in the course of disease with immunoelectrophoresis according to Laurell in 12 patients suffered from acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) and in 12 patients affected with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). At diagnosis Pl.-fibronectin concentration was found to be significantly lowered only in those patients affected with ANLL. During the induction therapy Pl.-Fibronectin could be observed to decline significantly in all patients: in acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia from mean 270 micrograms/ml, s 93 micrograms/ml, to mean 185 micrograms/ml, s 89 micrograms/ml (p less than 0.01), and in acute lymphoblastic leukemia from mean 290 micrograms/ml, s 98 micrograms/ml, to mean 180 micrograms/ml, s 94 micrograms/ml (p less than 0.01). After administering L-asparaginase there is a strong decline of Pl.-fibronectin. Pl.-fibronectin concentration could be observed to be significantly lower in patients without remission in comparison to those with remission. A correlation between Pl.-fibronectin concentration and tumour mass could not be identified.

Acute Disease↗

[The role of fibronectin in nonspecific defense from the immunologic viewpoint].

The present article gives a review of the essential data of literature concerning the importance of fibronectin (Fn) for the unspecific defence. In this case the function of Fn postulated as unspecific opsonin stands in the foreground. Fn mediates the binding of gelatine particles, bacteria and other above all particular materials on phagocytizing cells (monocytes, macrophages and neutrophils). Up to now it is, however, controversial whether or not this binding causes an increased endocytosis. The participation of cofactors or inhibitors and the problem whether Fn or certain proteolytic Fn-fragments are effective still need a further clarification. Fn, its fragments or Fn-substrate-complexes can activate phagocytes and have a chemotactic effect on them. The mechanism of activation is still unknown, for monocytes in increased expression of Fc- and C3b-receptors is supposed. Fn might consequently perform a defence function as an unspecific cell activator and at the same time have a pro-inflammatory influence. There are controversial opinions as to the questions which phagocytes are activated and which Fn-molecules (complete plasma-Fn or fragments) are responsible. The high sensitiveness of Fn to proteolytic enzymes and denaturating processes is supposed to be one of the causes for the different results.

Animals↗

[Digestive and endocrine functions after partial duodeno-pancreatectomy].

Pancreatico-duodenectomy was performed in 11 patients for malignant or inflammatory tumours of the head of the pancreas or the region of the papilla. Digestive and endocrine functions were determined after the operation. In all cases faecal fat values were abnormal, indicating a 90% loss of pancreas. 14C-exhalation measurement, chymotrypsin determination in stool, and amylose tolerance test were also performed. Oral glucose-tolerance tests with plasma-insulin measurement indicated asymptomatic diabetes mellitus in the majority of patients. Two patients whose diabetes was controlled by tablets before the operation required insulin treatment afterwards. A decreased serum-gastrin level proved the existence of gastric and extragastric sources of gastrin.

Blood Glucose↗