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Biomedical subjects

J M Fine

Publications and source records attributed to J M Fine.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Effects of fine and ultrafine sulfuric acid aerosols in guinea pigs: alterations in alveolar macrophage function and intracellular pH.

Acidic sulfate is the most toxicologically important sulfur oxide which exists in the ambient air. To determine if particle size influences toxic effects of sulfuric acid, we investigated the effects of sulfuric acid aerosols of two different sizes on biochemical and cellular parameters of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from exposed guinea pigs. Guinea pigs were exposed to fine (mass median diameter, 0.3 micron), and ultrafine (mass median diameter, 0.04 micron) sulfuric acid aerosols at 300 micrograms/m3 for 3 hr/day. The animals were euthanized immediately and 24 hr after 1 and 4 days of exposure and lungs were lavaged. Elevated beta-glucuronidase, lactate dehydrogenase activities, and total protein concentration as well as decreased cell viability were observed in the lavage after a single exposure to sulfuric acid aerosols of both sizes. These alterations were small, though statistically significant, and transient. No alteration in these parameters was observed after 4 days of exposure to acid aerosols. In contrast, sulfuric acid-induced alterations in alveolar macrophage function were more pronounced and longer lasting. Immediately after a single exposure to fine acid, there was a 2.7-fold increase in the spontaneous tumor necrosis factor (TNF) release over that in the control group while endotoxin-stimulated TNF release was increased by 2.2-fold. In addition, acid aerosols of both sizes increased the TNF release from macrophages after 4 days of exposure, although there was no clear temporal pattern of induction or recovery. Furthermore, immediately after 4 days of exposure to either fine or ultrafine acid, the amount of H2O2 that could be induced from baseline production by alveolar macrophages was 2.2-fold higher than that of the controls. The phagocytic function of macrophages was also altered by exposure to sulfuric acid aerosols. Twenty-four hours after single or multiple exposure, fine acid enhanced (as high as 78% above control) the in vitro phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophages while ultrafine acid depressed the phagocytic capacity (as much as 50% below that in the control). In addition to these biochemical parameters and cellular functions, we also measured the intracellular pH (pHi) of macrophages harvested after exposures to these acid aerosols using a pH-sensitive fluorescent dye. The resting pHi was depressed after a single exposure to both acid aerosols. The depression in pHi persisted 24 hr after ultrafine acid exposure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aerosols

Interspecies differences in the phagocytic activity of pulmonary macrophages subjected to acidic challenge.

Examining interspecies differences in response to ambient pollutants is an essential component of risk assessment. The potential hazard to public health from the inhalation of acid sulfate aerosols is of current concern. A significant biological target is the pulmonary macrophage, which provides a primary defense of the respiratory region of the lungs. One essential function of these cells is phagocytosis of particles. This study assessed the effects of acidic environments on the phagocytic activity of pulmonary macrophages obtained by lavage from humans and three species of laboratory animals commonly used in acid aerosol toxicology studies, namely, rats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. Cells were incubated with polystyrene latex particles in media acidified by addition of sulfuric acid. The percentage of cells which were phagocytic, as well as the relative number of particles ingested by these cells, was found to decrease with increasing acidity for all species. The ranking of response in order of decreasing sensitivity to acidic challenge was as follows: guinea pig > rat > rabbit > human.

Adult

Pulmonary effects of inhaled zinc oxide in human subjects, guinea pigs, rats, and rabbits.

Occupational exposure to freshly formed zinc oxide (ZnO) particles (less than 1.0 micron aerodynamic diameter) produces a well-characterized response known as metal fume fever. An 8-hr threshold limit value (TLV) of 5 mg/m3 has been established to prevent adverse health effects because of exposure to ZnO fumes. Because animal toxicity studies have demonstrated pulmonary effects near the current TLV, the present study examined the time course and dose-response of the pulmonary injury produced by inhaled ZnO in guinea pigs, rats, rabbits, and human volunteers. The test animals were exposed to 0, 2.5, or 5.0 mg/m3 ZnO for up to 3 hr and their lungs lavaged. Both the lavage fluid and recovered cells were examined for evidence of inflammation or altered cell function. The lavage fluid from guinea pigs and rats exposed to 5 mg/m3 had significant increases in total cells, lactate dehydrogenase, beta-glucuronidase, and protein content. These changes were greatest 24 hr after exposure. Guinea pig alveolar macrophage function was depressed as evidenced by in vitro phagocytosis of opsonized latex beads. Significant changes in lavage fluid parameters were also observed in guinea pigs and rats exposed to 2.5 mg/m3 ZnO. In contrast, rabbits showed no increase in biochemical or cellular parameters following a 2-hr exposure to 5 mg/m3 ZnO. Differences in total lung burden of ZnO, as determined in additional animals by atomic absorption spectroscopy, appeared to account for the observed differences in species responses. Although the lungs of guinea pigs and rats retained approximately 20% and 12% of the inhaled dose, respectively, rabbits retained only 5%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Albumin Paris 2: a new genetic variant distinguished by isoelectric focusing.

Until recently, the characterization of genetic variants of human serum albumin was performed by electrophoretic typing prior to the determination of their amino acid substitutions. We describe a procedure using isoelectric focusing in the presence of urea for the analysis of the genetic variation of albumin. This procedure allowed a clear distinction of a new variant, previously found to be identical with albumin Sondrio according to its relative electrophoretic mobilities at 3 pHs. This new variant, the third rare albumin allotype identified in the Ile-de-France region, was called albumin Paris 2.

Amino Acid Sequence

[Diversity and relative inaccuracy of internal images of antigen group A revealed by IEF analysis].

The diversity of a polyclonal anti-idiotypic response (Ab2) to a murine monoclonal anti-A (Ab1) was investigated after purification of two Ab2 populations. One was eluted from human polyclonal anti-A column and the other from Ab1. Analysis of the Ab specificity, as well as screening of the clonotypic distribution, were achieved after splitting Ab by IEF; this was followed by immunoblotting and probing with various anti-ABH mAb. The first population reacted with almost all the murine anti-ABH mAb, as well as with four human anti-A mAb, and consequently consisted of Ab2 beta. The second was composed of "true" Ab2 directed against Ab1. In the first population internal images mimicked either A Ag, or H Ag, or some epitopes common to both. This study demonstrates the plurality of internal images-bearing Ig molecules, some mimicking completely, and some only partially or even unfaithfully the nominal A determinant. The analysis of this idiotypic cascade proves the existence of a degeneracy of the initial restricted antigenic specificity. The consequences of such a process are discussed.

Animals

mu-chain disease. Report of two new cases.

We report two cases of mu-heavy-chain disease. Both patients were affected with a lymphoproliferative disease that shared several suggestive features with the previously reported cases of mu-chain disease: the presence of vacuolated plasma cells in bone marrow, a small amount of alpha 2 moving abnormal mu-chain protein, and urinary kappa Bence Jones protein in one case.

Diagnosis, Differential

The evolution of asymptomatic monoclonal gammopathies. A follow-up of 20 cases over periods of 3-14 years.

Twenty cases of "asymptomatic" monoclonal gammopathies were detected by routine electrophoresis in patient's sera or in blood donors and were followed over 3-14 years. Four cases have shown a malignant evolution-two evolved toward Waldenström's macroglobulinemia after 3 years and two could be classified as myeloma 3 and 7 years, respectively, after detection of the monoclonal protein. The remaining cases were still "asymptomatic" 4 years later (7 cases), 7-9 years later (8 cases) and 14 years later (1 case). A malignant evolution occurred in approximately 20% of cases.

Adult

[Incidence of monoclonal gammopathies in blood donors].

A routine screening of monoclonal gammopathies (M.G.) was performed in the serum from 36, 015 blood donors by cellulose acetate electrophoresis. The incidence of M.G. was estimated to 0.14 per cent. About 86 per cent of cases can be classified as asymptomatic M.G. and 14 per cent as malignant M.G. (myeloma or Waldenström macroglobulinemia). In asymptomatic forms, heavy chain classes are only IgG or IgM with a large predominance of IgG (86,4%). It is suggested that donors in whom M.G. have been detected should not be allowed to give blood. A yearly clinical, hematological and an immunoglobulin check-up is recommended to these patients in order to defect the first sign of a malignant process.

Adult

[Monoclonal gammapathy of a familial type. Discovery of myeloma in the sister of a patient suffering from Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia].

The relatives of a 82 years old female patients with a Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia were submitted to clinical and hematological investigations. A diclonal gammapathy (IgG kappa and IgG lambda) was found in the sister's serum and was related to a myeloma. A noticiable Bence Jones Proteinuria (light chain of lambda type) was equally found in serum and urines of the propositus brother but without any clinical or hematological evidence of myeloma. The examination of two other sisters of these patients does not reveal any immunological of hematological disorder. This new observation underlines the interest of a systematical investigation in the siblings of the patients with monoclonal gammapathies.

Aged

Human serum albumin variants: determination and repartition of allotypes in 24 cases of bisalbuminemia observed in the French population.

Weitkamp et al. (1973) using starch gel electrophoresis in three different systems of buffers (pH 5, 5.6 and 6.9) distinguish at least 24 genetically determined variants. In the European area only seven variants have been observed. The study of 24 cases of bisalbuminemia observed in the french population by acetate electrophoresis at pH 8.6 and polyacrylamide agarose gel electrophoresis at pH 8.7 and pH 6.9 can distinguish three slower variants than the normal albumin. The most frequent variant is the B type observed in 16 cases. The other types are the Pollibauer type observed in 7 cases, and the Gainsville type in one case only. The incidence of these variants can be estimated to 0.7 p. 1000 individuals.

Blood Protein Disorders

Distribution of heavy chain classes and light chain types in 757 cases of monoclonal gammapathies.

The distribution in heavy chain classes and light chain types of M components were studied in 757 cases of monoclonal gammapathies. These gammapathies were classified according to clinical and hematological data in 439 myeloma (MM), 165 Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) and 152 monoclonal gammapathies occurring in other conditions. The IgG/IgA ratio differs in myeloma and in non-myelomatous gammapathies (64% IgG versus 33% IgA in myeloma and 95% IgG versus 5% in absence of myeloma). Presence of free light chains in patient's urines (Bence Jones proteinuria) was detected in about 72% of cases of MM, 48% of WM and only in 9% in others gammapathies. Concerning the sex of patients, an equal repartition between males and females is observed in MM, whereas males predominate in WM. The age distribution of the patients shows that 74% of myeloma and 79% of WM were above sixty. In addition to the 757 cases under study, 10 sera with two M Components were characterized.

Adult