Biomedical subjects

J E Berman

Publications and source records attributed to J E Berman.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1985

Control of B cell proliferation: inhibition of responses to B cell mitogens induced by plasma cell tumors.

A multitude of factors has been described that positively and negatively regulate B cell proliferation. A model system for the study of negative control of B cell function is provided by mice bearing plasmacytomas (PC-mice). In PC-mice, the primary immune response, as measured by development of antibody-forming cells (AFC), is severely suppressed. The present report specifically identifies a block in B cell proliferation as the apparent cause of this reduction in AFC production. Thus, the proliferative response of B cells from the spleens of PC-mice (PC-spleens) was significantly impaired when stimulated with four different B cell mitogens (lipopolysaccharide, Salmonella typhimurium mitogen, anti-mu conjugated to Sepharose, and 8-mercaptoguanosine). Nevertheless, the mitogen-responsiveness of these B cells was recovered when they were segregated by various methods from macrophages. These data suggest that the proliferative ability of the B cells in PC-spleens is inherently normal. In concordance with this conclusion, it was shown that suppressor cells from PC-spleens can block the proliferation of normal B cells derived from nontumor-bearing mice. This inhibition does not require direct cell contact and is mediated via soluble factors. The relevance of these results to previous studies of PC-induced immunosuppression and to the control of normal B cell proliferation is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Changes in splenic histology and cytology in mice bearing plasmacytomas.

Studies of immunosuppression in plasmacytoma-bearing mice (PC-mice) yield important information for understanding a variety of immune phenomena. Most investigations of this model system have utilized splenic cells; thus, valid interpretation of much of this data rests on knowledge of the nature of the cells present in the spleens of PC-mice (PC-spleen). Nevertheless, no comprehensive description of PC-spleens has ever been made and is therefore the subject of this report. Major differences exist between normal and PC-spleens. PC-spleens are enlarged and contain an increased number of cells, the greater proportion of which are large in size. On the basis of morphology and expression of cell surface markers the absolute number of B cells and T cells per spleen was found to be normal or somewhat increased in PC-mice. However, the percentage of these cells was decreased due to an increase in other cell types causing changes predominantly in the red pulp of the spleen. The major populations expanded are polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages. The numbers of megakaryocytes, immature precursor cells, and metastatic tumor cells are also increased to a smaller degree. The implications and relevance of these data to studies of PC-induced immunosuppression are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1978

Efflorescence of new warts: a sign of onset of involution in flat warts.

The sudden eruption of large numbers of tiny new warts in a patient with multiple flat warts often signals the onset of involution and subsequent regression of all flat warts. We have observed 5 such cases and, in this report, describe 2 cases in which the sudden efflorescence of many new warts was used as a sign to predict accurately the onset of involution and subsequent regression of all flat warts. Correlation of the histopathological and clinical findings provides an explanation for this phenomenon.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of a normothermic dressing on pressure ulcer healing.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of radiant heat applied through a semiocclusive dressing on periwound skin temperature and wound healing. DESIGN: Before-after trial. SETTING: Spinal cord injury and geriatric units of a VA medical center. PATIENTS: Twenty inpatients with 21 Stage III and IV pressure ulcers. INTERVENTIONS: A semiocclusive, heated dressing was applied to 15 Stage III and IV pressure ulcers for 4.5 hours, Monday through Friday, for 4 consecutive weeks. The dressing emitted heat at 38.0 degrees C for 2 60-minute periods daily. At all other times, the wounds received only standard wound care. Six wounds in a separate control group received only standard wound care during the same 4-week period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Periwound skin temperature within and adjacent to the dressing and measurements of wound surface area. MAIN RESULTS: Mean skin temperatures inside and outside the heated dressing increased by 0.97 degree C and 1.08 degrees C (P < .05), respectively, from baseline values. Wounds treated with standard care plus the heated dressing underwent a statistically significant reduction in mean surface area of 60.73%. Wounds in the control group underwent a statistically insignificant reduction in mean surface area of 19.24%. CONCLUSION: Wounds treated with a radiant heat dressing healed significantly faster than wounds that received only standard care. There were no adverse effects from the radiant heat dressing.

Adult↗