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I Shperling

Publications and source records attributed to I Shperling.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

An immunohistochemical study of the secretory immune system in human fetal endocrine glands and their precursors.

We examined the presence and distribution of components of the secretory immune system (SIS) in fetal endocrine organs and their embryonic precursors. Specimens from 16 embryos (4 to 8 weeks of development) and 32 fetuses (9 to 38 weeks) were divided into those that had not been exposed to massive foreign antigenic effects (Group I, n=28) and those that had suffered from chorioamnionitis (Group II, n=20). An immunohistochemical study was performed using antibodies against the secretory component (SC), joining (J) chain, IgA, IgM, IgG, subsets of T and B lymphocytes, and macrophages. Positive immunostaining for SIS components in the precursors of endocrine organs was seen from 4 to 6 weeks of development, and was present thereafter in the pituitary body, thyroid, pancreatic islets and adrenals. J chain and immunoglobulins were found in all endocrine cells throughout intrauterine development, but the massive antigenic influence caused by chorioamnionitis decreased the latters immunoreactivity. The presence of SC in the precursors of adenohypophysis and pancreatic islet cells decreased significantly after their transformation into definitive endocrine organs. In the thyroidal follicular epithelium and the pars intermedia of the pituitary body cells, SC was present during the entire period of pregnancy. In adrenals, SC was not found. Maternal immunoglobulins, together with SC and J chain, are accumulated in endocrine gland cells from the early stages of intrauterine life. They are the major mechanism of endocrine cell defense during the early prenatal period when the common immune system is still structurally and functionally incompetent.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1991

Coexisting hyperparathyroidism with thyrotoxicosis.

The coexistence of hyperparathyroidism complicating thyrotoxicosis is quite rare. We report the case of one patient who presented with thyrotoxicosis, (total thyroxine of 15.1 micrograms/dl (5-13), free thyroxine index of 18 (4-15) and triiodothyronine by RIA of 305 ng/dl (70-230) and asymptomatic hypercalcemia of 15 mg/dl (8.5-10.6), who was also initially noted to have an elevated (C-terminal) serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level of 8,800 pg/ml (50-340). With propylthiouracil and propranolol, however, this patient became normocalcemic with a decrease in iPTH values to 714 pg/ml. As the patient was tapered from medication, after being rendered euthyroid, a recurrence of hypercalcemia with rising iPTH levels occurred. PTH levels should be helpful in defining coexisting hyperparathyroidism in patients with thyrotoxicosis since in the latter iPTH is usually suppressed. Our findings support the recommendation that in patients suspected of having both hyperparathyroidism and hyperthyroidism, a diagnosis of the former can only be made with certainty after the patient has been rendered euthyroid with persistently elevated serum calcium and iPTH levels. While there are no clinical features which permit the easy identification of patients who present with dual lesions, the determination of iPTH values may be the most consistently helpful test initially, whereas other parameters such as vitamin D, serum phosphate are less reliable.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The role of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 as a tumour marker of oesophageal cancer.

Carcinoma of the oesophagus is endemic in certain well demarcated areas throughout the world, and a method of screening population groups at high risk for oesophageal cancer is urgently needed. In this study the sensitivity and specificity of the carbohydrate antigen CA19-9 as a marker of carcinoma of the oesophagus in African patients was examined. The normal range was established by assay of serum samples from healthy black blood donors, using a solid phase radioimmunoassay with mouse monoclonal antibody to CA19-9 labelled with 125I. Serum concentrations of CA19-9 were then measured in 100 African patients with oesophageal cancer and 28 patients with benign oesophageal disease. The upper limit of CA19-9 in the normal controls was 40 U ml-1. Thirty-four patients with oesophageal cancer and five with benign oesophageal disease had elevated levels. Therefore, in this series, the sensitivity of CA19-9 as a marker of oesophageal cancer was 34% and the specificity was 82%. While CA19-9 is not sufficiently sensitive to be used as a screening test of oesophageal cancer, it compares favourably with other known tumour markers of this disease, and may have a role in monitoring disease recurrence and response to treatment.

Adult↗