PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J C Cochrane

Publications and source records attributed to J C Cochrane.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Mesothelioma in relation to asbestos fibre exposure. A review of 70 serial cases.

Seventy consecutive patients suffering form mesothelioma of the pleura were referred to the National Research Institute for Occupational Diseases. In only 1 case was it not possible to elicit a history of significant exposure to asbestos dust. An occupational and environmental history must be taken by a knowledgeable person before it is possible to conclude that there has been no asbestos exposure.

Asbestos↗

Immunological studies of patients with asbestosis. II, Studies of circulating lymphoid cell numbers and humoral immunity.

As part of an overall assessment of immunological function, several aspects of humorial immunity and circulating lymphocyte subpopulations were evaluated in a group of twenty-six patients with radiographic evidence of parenchylmal asbestosis. Statistical comparisons were made between the patient group and a comparable group of forty-five controls. Both the percentages and absolute numbers of circulating T lymphocytes were significantly reduced in the patient group compared with controls. Significant elevations of salivary secretory IgA and of serum IgA, IgG, IgM and IgE were noted amongst the patients compared with the controls. Non-organ-specific autoantibodies and cold-reactive lymphocytotoxins were present in high frequency in the patients' sera. Neoplasms were detected in four of the patients. The possible significance of these findings is discussed.

Antilymphocyte Serum↗

Immunological studies of patients with asbestosis. I. Studies of cell-mediated immunity.

A variety of cancers have been documented in patients exposed to asbestos dust. Since a deranged immune system may play a rôle in cancer development, the general level of immunocompetence was studied in a group of twenty-six patients with radiographically defined asbestosis, who might be at risk of developing asbestos-related neoplasms. Statistical comparisons were made with a comparable control group. A disproportionate number of the patients displayed cutaneous energy to certain recall antigens and to 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene. In vitro studies of cellular immunity, as evaluated by phytohaemagglutinin-induced proliferative and cytotoxicity assays, showed significantly lower values amongst the patient group. Serum inhibitors of mitogen-induced lymphocyte transformation were also detected in several of the patients. The possible significance of these findings is discussed.

Adult↗

The immunology of asbestosis.

Forty-one employees with varying degrees of asbestosis have been tested for any alteration in the immunological profile. Of these, twenty-two employees showed evidence of pleural thickening and nineteen parenchymal asbestotic fibrosis. Those employees showing pleural thickening gave a strong reaction to different skin tests and a few of those with a parenchymal asbestotic fibrosis showed depressed cutaneous reactivity. Lymphocytotoxic antibodies were present in the sera of 60% of those with pleural thickening and 94% of those with parenchymal asbestosis. An immunological screening schedule is suggested for those employees who show pleural thickening.

Asbestosis↗

Spore Germination and Carbon Metabolism in Fusarium solani V. Changes in Anaerobic Metabolism and Related Enzyme Activities during Development.

Macroconidia of Fusarium solani f. phascoli have no detectable capacity to respire glucose anaerobically; germinated spores and mycelium, on the other hand, ferment glucose, although slowly.Extracts of ungerminated spores contain hexokinase, phosphohexoisomerase, phosphofructokinase, aldolase, triose phosphate dehydrogenase, triose phosphate isomerase, phosphoglyceric kinase, enolase, phosphoglyceric mutase, pyruvate kinase, and pyruvate decarboxylase. It follows, therefore, that the appearance of fermentative capacity during spore germination cannot be ascribed to the de novo synthesis of any of these enzymes.During germination and mycelial development the specific activity of all of the enzymes named except phosphohexoisomerase and aldolase increases 2- to 8-fold. Specific activity of all of the enzymes is substantially higher than the fermentative capacity of intact cells, i.e., none is limiting to anaerobic respiration.The enzymatic assay data are consistent with a conclusion reached earlier on the basis of studies of aerobic glucose metabolism, that the process of germination involves an acceleration of pre-existing metabolic systems rather than an appearance of new pathways.

Journal Article↗