[Cardiopulmonary function disorders in collagenoses].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to H G Velcovsky.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Cytoplasmic islet-cell antibodies, insulin antibodies, islet-cell surface antibodies and islet-cell specific cytotoxicity were determined in serum of the following groups: 131 patients with type I diabetes, 19 with type II diabetes, 29 with mumps, 29 with enterovirus infections, 18 with measles and 28 healthy controls. Cytoplasmic islet-cell antibodies were found predominantly in type I diabetics. Islet-cell surface antibodies, on the other hand, were relatively frequently (60-80%) present in sera of both diabetics and patients with various virus infections. Islet-cell specific cytotoxicity in vitro was found not only in sera of diabetics, but also of patients with mumps or enterovirus infections. Sera of five patients with measles, however, had cytotoxic reactions comparable to those of the controls. These results suggest that cytotoxic antibody reactions against islet cells in vitro occur also in sera of non-diabetic patients. Under certain circumstances, infections which induce such immune reactions may be of significance in the pathogenesis of diabetes.
Serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) are two very good tumor markers for diagnosis and for monitoring response to therapy in patients with lung carcinoma. Especially, NSE has a high sensitivity and specificity for early detection of small-cell lung cancer and for management of these patients.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
An increased alpha-2-macroglobulin level and a decreased functional capacity of the mononuclear phagocytic system in diabetics appears to be another important factor in the pathogenic cause of micro- and macro-angiopathy. Additionally, the disturbed immunobalance, especially in the micro-environment as well as the type and intensity of infections and inflammatory reactions are involved.
Two years ago, the foundation "Deutscher Polleninformationsdienst" was established in Cologne/West Germany. Measurements from pollen collectors, together with the weather forecast were combined to a prognosis of pollen flight for the following 2 days. In spring and summer, these informations were given to the public services twice a week. Now, in nearly all regions of West Germany, pollen measurement points are established. The aim of a pollen information service is to give further information to pollinosis patients and physicians on their medicaments, i.e. how to use them effectively and prophylactically.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Acute exogenous allergic alveolitis with the typical symptoms of unproductive cough, dyspnoea on exertion, fever, loss of weight, headache and limb pains was observed in a 24-year-old bank employee. Leucocytosis was accompanied by raised ESR; pronounced hypoxaemia and marked restrictive ventilatory defects were found. X-ray changes consisted of severely increased fine reticular interstitial shadowing. The differential diagnosis of allergic alveolitis was confirmed by the demonstration of precipitating antibodies in serum against Pullularia pullulans, Trichoderma viride, Cephalosporium acremonium and Aspergillus fumigatus, moulds with an ubiquitous occurrence. Typical changes of alveolitis were found histopathologically and immunohistologically in the lung tissue after a mini-thoracotomy. The source of exposition leading to the disease were pot plant earth and containers in the patient's flat. Moulds could be isolated from these substrates.
Allergic reactions of the immediate type to insulin are known since its introduction of the treatment of diabetes mellitus. After the development of the chromatographically purified insulins they are to be found significantly reduced, though still particular cases are observed. The simultaneous occurrence of insulin allergy and insulin resistance seems to be not too rare. The immediate type allergy to insulin is mostly released by the presence of IgE-antibodies. Another but not at all rare allergic reaction is the Arthus phenomenon, released by IgG-antibodies. For diagnosis of these allergic states intradermal skin tests with various insulins are used. Also specific IgE-antibodies are to be measured radioimmunologically lately. There is a strong correlation between the outcome of the allergic reactions and the definite degree of the specific IgE-antibodies. Low levels of specific IgE are found in insulin treated diabetics without any visible allergic reactions to insulin. This fact proves that the hormone, though being a clean insulin of a very high degree, is the antigen itself. Not only immunologic mechanism, but also other exogenic influences cause allergic reactions of the immediate type to insulin.
Disodium cromoglycate (Intal) has been found several years ago to act as an reliable drug in the treatment of allergic states of the respiratory system. The effective mechanism seems to be its stabilizing function for circulating and sessile mast cells, thus avoiding the release of histamine and other vasoactive amines after an immunological or non-immunological stimulus. Although DSCG does not inhibit the binding of antigen to its antibody it must be given prophylactically before the antigen has access to the mast cells. Most efficiently DSCG is used in the treatment of the exogenous allergic asthma, and secondly in allergic rhinitis (70-90% success). Own observations confirm the effectiveness of the drug especially in patients with pollinosis. In addition it was found that DSCG can be used during hyposensitization procedures and that the drug does not influence the results of skin testing. At present there have been detected neither side-effects nor interactions with other drugs.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Antinuclear factors were demonstrated during D-penicillamine treatment in patients with rheumatiod arthritis (72) and scleroderma (7). While in 13 antinuclear factors were demonstrable already before treatment was started, they occurred in the course of treatment in another 34. D-penicillamine administration had to be discontinued in 18 because of severe side effects, with a marked correlation between their severity and the presence of antinuclear factors. Side effects requiring stoppage of the drug were especially common in patients who had antinuclear factors even before onset of treatment. The severest complication of D-penincillamine treatment, renal damage, was found only in patients with antinuclear factors, in this instance antibodies against denatured DNA. The following therapeutic consequences should be drawn from these findings: (1) D-penicillamine should, if possible, not be given to any patient with antinuclear factors; (2) in patients in whom antinuclear factors occur in the course of D-penicillamine treatment but its administration is to be continued, blood picture, renal functions and urine must be regularly tested.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
A preliminary study was performed to estimate the effect of biosynthetic human insulin (BHI) produced by the Eli Lilly Company in comparison with purified pork insulin (PPI) from the same manufacturer. Immunologic studies were done using an intradermal skin test with both insulins and in vitro studies binding with sera containing preformed antibodies against bovine and pork insulin. The studies were undertaken in eight healthy volunteers aged 24-31 yr. Insulin was given subcutaneously in an amount of 0.1 U/kg and 3 days later intravenously in an amount of 0.03 U/kg injected slowly over 1 min. Blood glucose, insulin, C-peptide, and growth hormone were measured at different times between 0 and 360 min. It was shown that BHI and PPI behaved similarly in lowering blood glucose, suppressing C-peptide, and increasing growth hormone via hypoglycemic action. After s.c. injection, BHI was found to reach higher serum concentrations after 60 min than PPI. Correspondingly, the blood glucose curve was significantly lower after BHI than after PPI. This difference was not observed after the i.v. application of both forms of insulin.
Bovine and porcine insulins elicit specific antibody response in diabetic subjects after a few months of treatment. In seven type I diabetic individuals who were exclusively treated with human insulin (recombinant DNA) each month, sera were examined for the development of insulin-specific IgG and IgE antibodies. In all patients (except one), IgG antibodies occurred after 2 mo and tended to further increase in concentration after 5-6 mo. IgE antibodies could be detected after 1 mo with a further increase after 2-3 mo and a marked decline thereafter. No patient exhibited allergic symptoms. The results indicate that physicochemical properties of insulin preparations used for treatment and the route of administration are of more importance for immunogenicity than species differences of insulin.