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Biomedical subjects

J C Goldsmith

Publications and source records attributed to J C Goldsmith.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Pulmonary emboli in patients receiving chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Combination chemotherapy has dramatically improved the prognosis of patients with intermediate and high grade histologic subtypes of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Treatment-related complications, however, are considerable, and a common problem encountered is respiratory distress or respiratory insufficiency. Usually these difficulties have been attributed to infectious etiologies or to chemotherapy-induced interstitial fibrosis, most often involving bleomycin. We describe five patients presenting with respiratory problems several weeks after the initiation of chemotherapy. These patients, who represent 3 percent of all patients treated with a single bleomycin-containing regimen for intermediate or high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, were all initially thought to have chemotherapy-induced interstitial fibrosis but were found on subsequent evaluation to have pulmonary emboli. Of the three patients in whom pulmonary emboli were diagnosed antemortem, two had symptoms suggestive of pulmonary emboli and all were successfully treated and remained well and free of lymphoma for over 24 months. Two additional patients were diagnosed at autopsy. We suggest that pulmonary emboli may contribute significantly to the morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and recommend that patients presenting with respiratory difficulties be evaluated for pulmonary emboli.

Aged↗

High prevalence and high titers of LAV/HTLV-III antibodies in healthy hemophiliacs in the midwestern United States.

Twenty-eight patients from the Nebraska Regional Hemophilia Center were studied for the prevalence and titers of antibodies to lymphadenopathy-associated virus/human T cell lymphotropic virus type III (LAV/HTLV-III) and for clinical symptoms of possible progression to the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Ten of 18 (56 percent) patients with hemophilia A who were frequently treated with commercial factor VIII concentrate were seropositive for LAV/HTLV-III antibodies as determined by immunofluorescent study and Western blot testing. Of the four factor VIII-deficient patients who were seronegative, one had received only heat-treated factor VIII concentrates, two had received only cryoprecipitate, and one had received no transfusions since 1983. None of the patients treated only with factor IX concentrate, volunteer donor plasma, or cryoprecipitate had LAV/HTLV-III antibodies. In nine of 10 seropositive hemophiliacs, titers of serum antibodies to LAV/HTLV-III ranged from 1:1,280 to 1:10,240, indicating a strong immune response against LAV/HTLV-III antigens and/or persistent infection with the virus. Serum from seropositive hemophiliacs interacted on Western blot testing with all the major LAV/HTLV-III polypeptides, including envelope proteins gp 42 and gp 120. Despite the possible exposure to LAV/HTLV-III during the past four years, none of the patients in this group had symptoms suggestive of progression towards AIDS. Whether or not immunity to the AIDS retrovirus developed in this group of patients remains to be determined.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

HTLV-III/LAV antibodies and virus in hemophilia patients in Nebraska: survey and initiation of a prospective study.

Thirty-nine patients from the Nebraska Regional Hemophilia Center were studied for the prevalence and titers of antibodies to HTLV-III/LAV, and for clinical symptoms of possible progression toward the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Fourteen of 26 (54%) patients with hemophilia A were positive for HTLV-III/LAV antibodies as determined by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Retrovirus was detected in cultured lymphocytes of two out of three seropositive individuals by reverse transcriptase assay and molecular hybridization with cloned HTLV-III/LAV probe. Of the twelve factor VIII-deficient patients who were seronegative, one had received only heat-treated factor VIII concentrates, six only cryoprecipitate or fresh frozen plasma, two prothrombin complex concentrates, one had not been transfused since 1983, and two had never been transfused. None of the patients treated only with factor IX concentrates, volunteer donor plasma, or cryoprecipitate had HTLV-III/LAV antibodies. In 12 of 14 seropositive hemophiliacs, titers of serum antibodies to HTLV-III/LAV ranged from 1:1,280 to 1:10,240, indicating a strong immune response against HTLV-III/LAV antigens and/or persistent infection with the virus. In spite of the possible exposure to HTLV-III/LAV during the past four years, none of the patients in this group had AIDS. Whether or not this group of patients has developed immunity to the AIDS retrovirus remains to be determined.

Antibodies, Viral↗

An idiopathic factor VIII anticoagulant: resolution following plasmapheresis and cytotoxic therapy.

A case is described in which plasmapheresis and immunosuppressive therapy were employed to treat a patient with a spontaneously occurring idiopathic polyclonal immunoglobulin G factor VIII anticoagulant. The favorable response observed supports the usefulness of the described treatment methods for the acute and chronic management of acquired circulating factor VIII inhibitors.

Blood Coagulation↗

Reversible oxidant-induced increases in albumin transfer across cultured endothelium: alterations in cell shape and calcium homeostasis.

To determine whether reactive oxygen molecules could directly and reversibly increase the transfer of albumin across an endothelial barrier, we measured albumin transfer across monolayers of endothelium cultured on micropore filters before and after exposure to xanthine and xanthine oxidase. Xanthine and xanthine oxidase increased endothelial albumin transfer in a dose-dependent fashion. Parallel phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy demonstrated retraction of adjacent cells from one another and disruption of the actin filaments. The oxidant-induced increases in albumin transfer and changes in cell shape were reversed by removing xanthine oxidase and then incubating the monolayers for 3 1/2 hours in tissue culture media enriched with fetal bovine serum. However, incubation in tissue culture media without serum resulted in progressive injury and cell death. Hence, the brief exposure to oxidants initiated a progressive injury process that was reversed by incubation in serum. Because intracellular and extracellular calcium are important determinants of cell shape, and because some oxidized membrane lipids act as calcium ionophores, we asked whether oxidants altered endothelial calcium homeostasis. Xanthine-xanthine oxidase increased release of 45Ca++ from preloaded cells. The calcium antagonist lanthanum chloride prevented xanthine-xanthine oxidase increases in endothelial albumin transfer and prevented the changes in cell shape; chelation of extracellular calcium inhibited lysis of endothelium by xanthine-xanthine oxidase; and the calcium ionophore A23187 increased endothelial albumin transfer and mimicked the oxidant-induced changes in cell shape. Lanthanum chloride inhibited these effects of A23187. These data suggest that oxygen radicals can reversibly increase endothelial permeability to macromolecules, that this is associated with reversible changes in endothelial cell shape and actin filaments, and that the changes in cell shape are related to oxidant-induced changes in endothelial calcium homeostasis.

Animals↗

Hemophilic arthropathy complicated by polyarticular septic arthritis.

A case of multiple pyarthroses due to Staphylococcus aureus occurring in a severe classical hemophiliac is presented. Successful management depended on drainage of the infected joints and a prolonged course of antibiotics. Several criteria are suggested for recognition of hemophiliacs who might benefit from joint aspiration as a diagnostic tool for the presence of septic arthritis.

Adult↗