Biomedical subjects

J L Biesecker

Publications and source records attributed to J L Biesecker.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1983

Determination of alternate pathway complement kinetics by electron spin resonance spectroscopy.

We describe a technic that measures the kinetics of the metabolic burst of peripheral blood neutrophils (PMN) by electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trapping. Using this technic, a functional assay for the kinetics of the alternate pathway complement cascade is developed. PMN were stimulated by phagocytosis of opsonized zymosan (OpZym) to undergo the metabolic burst and the resulting free hydroxyl radicals generated during the burst were trapped using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) to form a stable spin adduct. Rapid sequential measurements of the spin adduct concentration were made using a computer-controlled ESR spectrometer to follow the time course of the metabolic burst. Differences in the results obtained with OpZym and with PMN incubated with unopsonized zymosan (Zym) and serum yields information about the kinetics of opsonization. The kinetics of the alternate complement pathway opsonization in sera from normal and C8-deficient patients were compared and found not to be affected significantly by the absence of C8 complement protein.

Adult↗

PubMed1983

Results of tests for rheumatoid factor on CAP survey specimens.

Performances of participants for the detection and measurement of rheumatoid factor on 18 consecutive CAP survey specimens are tabulated. All reagents used by participants performed well qualitatively on the positive and negative specimens. Quantitation of positive specimens by titer and International Units demonstrated prominent interlaboratory variance.

Humans↗

PubMed1981

Normal neutrophil function in human renal allograft recipients receiving Minnesota anti-lymphoblast globulin (MAG).

Equine anti-human lymphoblast globulin (MAG) used in combination with other immunosuppressive agents did not impair chemotaxis, phagocytosis, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction or halogenation by peripheral blood neutrophils (PMN) from seven human recipients of cadaver renal allografts. MAG was given to the allograft recipients following transplantation, and the dosage was determined each day by quantitation of peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes. No deposition of immunoglobulin or complement on the recipient's PMN was detected by indirect immunofluorescence. Chemotaxis of PMN was determined in blind-well chambers, and phagocytosis of opsonized zymosan was quantitated by spectrophotometric measurement of solubilized formazan, and halogenation was measured by quantitating the incorporation of 125I into PMN that had phagocytosed opsonized zymosan. Chemotaxis, phagocytosis, NBT reduction, and halogenation by neutrophils from patients receiving MAG, prednisone and azathioprine were not impaired.

Adult↗

PubMed1981

A large urban outbreak of histoplasmosis: clinical features.

An outbreak of histoplasmosis estimated to involve more than 100,000 residents in Indianapolis, Indiana, occurred between September 1978 and August 1979. In the 435 cases evaluated, 52% of the patients were between 15 and 34 years old, and 63% were black. Fifteen patients died, and 46 progressive disseminated infection. Twenty-four patients had pericarditis, and 26 had rheumatologic syndromes. Unusual manifestations that occurred in 18 patients included esophageal and vocal cord ulcers, parotitis, adrenal insufficiency, uveitis, fibrosing mediastinitis, interstitial nephritis, intestinal lymphangiectasia, and epididymitis. The highest attack rate was in the central part of the city, which is a densely populated, disproportionately black section. The source of the outbreak has not been proved by positive culture results; two sites, however, were suspected on an epidemiologic basis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1981

Performances of urine pregnancy tests on College of American Pathologists Survey specimens.

The participant performances on the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Urine Survey specimens distributed during 1979 and 1980 for pregnancy testing are reviewed. Almost all the reagent methods used by the participants performed well on the negative specimens. Prominent differences in results on the positive specimens were found. Awareness by laboratorians of the reagent sensitivity, limitations, and capabilities of commercial tests for determining human chorionic gonadotropin in urine is recommended.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗

PubMed1973