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Biomedical subjects

J Plum

Publications and source records attributed to J Plum.

140 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Distribution of mononuclear cells during pregnancy.

Leucocyte and lymphocyte counts, the distribution of erythrocyte rosette-forming cells (E-RFC), erythrocyte-antibody-complement rosette-forming cells (EAC-RFC), cells bearing surface membrane immunoglobulin (SMIg), latex-ingesting cells and the PHA stimulation index of lymphocytes were evaluated in both pregnant and non-pregnant women. In the gravid female leucocytosis due to neutrophilia is seen, and the PHA-induced transformation of maternal lymphocytes in the absence of autologous plasma remains unaltered. There was a rise in the percentage of EAC-RFC and cells bearing SMIg during a pregnancy, but after monocyte adsorption on plastic dishes of the mononuclear cells, obtained after Ficoll-Hypapue centrifugation, this increase is abolished. There is a significant increase of the number of latex-ingesting cells during pregnancy. These findings indicate a significant increase of the monocytes during pregnancy.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1978

Basic concepts in immunology.

The immune system exhibits the capacity to react specifically towards antigens. This capacity depends on the activation of T and B cells. The cooperation between B and T cells is necessary for the production of IgG, IgA and IgE. The productions of these antibodies together with the formation of the other immune products (IgM and sensitized T cells) result in an altered state of reactivity towards the antigen. This becomes manifest in variety of ways: from protection to destruction. In the case of allergic rhinitis the tissue damage is caused by the presence of IgE and the subsequent release of vaso active amines by the mastcell after contact with the antigen.

Allergens↗
PubMed1977

Levamisole versus placebo as an adjunct to primary therapy of laryngopharyngeal epidermoid carcinoma. Evaluation of the immune status.

Twenty-four patients, with a biopsy-proven laryngeal or hypopharyngeal carcinoma, received as an adjunct to their primary treatment (surgery and/or radiotherapy), levamisole (150 mg daily during three consecutive days, every fortnight) or placebo, following a single-blind, but randomized method. At the end of the follow-up, an investigation of the immune status was done, and compared with that of a healthy control-group. It is concluded that the immunity is disturbed in patients with laryngo-pharyngeal cancer, but that this disturbance does not clearly correlate with the clinical state of the disease. Also, the immunological measures did not appear relevant to the significantly favourable effect of levamisole on the prognosis.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1975

LDH isozymes of human T and B lymphocytes.

Peripheral lymphocytes were obtained from five normal healthy adults. T and B lymphocytes were separated by rosette formation. LDH (L-lactate: NAD-+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.27) isozymes were studied on both populations after agar gel electrophoresis. The mean B lymphocyte pattern was: LDH-1, 7.2%; LDH-2, 25.0%; LDH-3, 39.2%; LDH-4, 21.9%; LDH-5, 6.6%. The mean T lymphocyte pattern was: LDH-1, 25.8%; LDH-2, 35.1%; LDH-3, 28.3%; LDH-4, 9.4%, LDH-5, 1.3%. This makes the T lymphocytes look more aerobic than the B lymphocytes. Daudicells had the following pattern: LDH-1, 8.4%; LDH-2, 19.1%; LDH-3, 26.6%, LDH-4, 24.9%; LDH-5, 20.9%.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatitis C among risk groups for HIV and hepatitis B.

In order to obtain more information on sexual transmission of hepatitis C (HCV) we compared different high-risk groups for HIV and hepatitis B to see if they were seropositive for HCV. A high seroprevalence (38/81) of hepatitis C (HCV) was found among intravenous drug users. Nursing staff (n = 35) and patients of a dialysis unit (n = 57) had a low prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies (0% and 5%, respectively). Serology laboratory technicians also had a very low prevalence (0% out of 29). Among prostitutes (n = 114), healthy homosexual men (n = 132) and HIV-infected homosexual men (n = 31), we found a remarkably low seroprevalence of HCV (3.5%, 0.8% and 0.0% respectively). These data support the view that parenteral exposure to the virus is the most important way of acquiring the infection and that neither heterosexual nor homosexual promiscuity are associated with a high risk of transmission of hepatitis C.

Belgium↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Phenotyping of mononuclear cells from tonsils and corresponding biopsies using a cytofluorimeter. A comparative study.

A series of B, T, natural killer cell (NK) and monocyte-specific monoclonal antibodies was used to determine the distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations in cell suspensions obtained from whole tonsils as well as their corresponding biopsies. The majority of the mononuclear cells stained with OKB-7 and anti-Dr. A consistent lower percentage of the B lymphocytes stained with OKB-2. The T lymphocytes were composed of a majority of OKT4+ lymphocytes. Only a minority of the lymphocytes stained with Leu-7, whereas Leu-llb+ lymphocytes were virtually absent. A significant proportion of the mononuclear cells stained with OKM-1. There was a highly significant correlation between the distribution of the cells stained with the different monoclonal antibodies obtained from the whole tonsil and the corresponding biopsy (r2 = 0.95). This study shows that biopsies offer a reliable source to study the lymphocyte subsets in tonsils and that cytofluorimetry can be applied to study the lymphocyte distribution in this organ.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An amino acid-based peritoneal dialysis fluid buffered with bicarbonate versus glucose/bicarbonate and glucose/lactate solutions: an intraindividual randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: In order to study acute metabolic changes and peritoneal transport, amino acids as osmotic agent and bicarbonate as buffer were tested as new agents in peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions. DESIGN: In a prospective, cross-over, randomized, intraindividual study, we investigated the acute metabolic changes following the application of three different PD fluids: (1) a 1% amino acid-based PD solution buffered with bicarbonate (34 mmol/L) (Amino/Bic); (2) a 1.5% glucose anhydrous-containing bicarbonate-buffered solution (34 mmol/L) (Glu/Bic); and (3) a conventional 1.5% glucose anhydrous-based dialysis solution with lactate (35 mmol/L) (Glu/Lac). SETTING: University medical center. PATIENTS: Ten nondiabetic patients stable on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (time on dialysis, 42.5 +/- 21.5 months) were treated and monitored with the test solutions over a 6-hour dwell. Three different study days followed in a randomized order for each patient (interval of 1-3 weeks). Blood and dialysate samples were taken at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours. Immediately after the 1-hr dwell (and after sampling), the patients received a standardized breakfast, thereby simulating usual food intake. RESULTS: Following the application of Amino/Bic a significant increase in plasma amino acids occurred, with peak levels (maximum 250% increase) after either the 1-hr or the 2-hr dwell. Before taking the standard meal (0.5 hr, 1 hr), the mean serum glucose level with Amino/Bic was 8% +/- 13% lower than with Glu/Bic (p = 0.06) and 14% +/- 8% lower than with Glu/Lac (p < 0.01). This difference was still significant after the standard breakfast and also for the whole dwell (average serum glucose 0.5-6 hr: Amino/Bic, 91 +/- 6 mg/dL; Glu/Bic, 100 +/- 8 mg/dL; Glu/Lac, 102 +/- 7 mg/dL; p < 0.01 MANOVA). The serum insulin profiles did not differ between the fluids. A transperitoneal protein- and amino acid-related nitrogen loss of 0.49 +/- 0.18 g and 0.48 +/- 0.12 g per dwell was measured using Glu/Bic and Glu/Lac, while a positive balance of 1.80 +/- 0.43 g was achieved with Amino/Bic. The parameters of acid-base status (pH, HCO3, pCO2) remained nearly unchanged in the blood, irrespective of the solution used, while dialysate values differed markedly. No significant differences with respect to ultrafiltration (Amino/Bic, -68 +/- 199 mL/6 hr; Glu/Bic, -51 +/- 89 mL/6 hr; Glu/ Lac, -2 +/- 134 mL/6 hr) and peritoneal creatinine clearance (Amino/Bic, 4.9 +/- 0.6 mL/min; Glu/Bic, 5.1 +/- 0.6 mL/min; Glu/ Lac, 4.8 +/- 0.5 mL/min) were measured. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that ultrafiltration and small solute clearance over a 6-hour dwell with a 1% Amino/Bic solution were comparable to those of 1.5% Glu/Bic and 1.5% Glu/Lac. Reduced serum glucose concentrations were found with Amino/Bic and this fluid compensated the transperitoneal protein-nitrogen loss of about three glucose dwells. Bicarbonate buffering (34 mmol/L) did not change blood acid-base status combined with either glucose or amino acids.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The AIDS epidemic: the spread of a deadly disease in the biotech era.

In the last two decades we have witnessed the progression of a newly introduced infection in humans. It is sobering that despite a world-wide effort and the tremendous progression of technical capabilities and scientific knowledge we are still not able to control the global epidemic of HIV. In 2004 more than 40 million people were infected. Educational approaches to modify risk-taking behavior is still the most critical component of prevention and the most important measure to limit the spread of the infection. Vaccine development, which is still far from promising, is probably the only way to control the disease in the future.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Oral versus intraperitoneal application of clindamycin in tunnel infections: a prospective, randomized study in CAPD patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential superiority of either oral or intraperitoneal treatment of catheter tunnel infections (TI), using clindamycin as a first-line antibiotic and ultrasound as a diagnostic tool. DESIGN: This was a prospective, randomized study in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients. From August 1993 until August 1995, 16 clinically- and ultrasound-proven episodes of TI were randomly assigned to either an oral or an intraperitoneal (IP) treatment (100 patients, 1414 patient-months). Main criteria for TI diagnosis were purulent drainage from the exit site and/or a positive ultrasound (pericatheter fluid collection of at least 2 mm, 7.5 MHz transducer). Initially, clindamycin (20 mg/kg body weight) was given via the oral (three times per day) or intraperitoneal route (four times per day). In the case of incompatibility or resistance to clindamycin, either oxacillin or ciprofloxacin were used orally or IP. RESULTS: Based on ultrasound criteria, the mean time until a > or = 50% reduction of pericatheter abscess diameter was 26 days (median) (range: 8-28 days) in the oral, and 15 days (8-27 days) in the IP group (p < or = 0.05). Showing no significant difference of pericatheter fluid at study entry with 4 mm (median) (range: 2-6 mm) in the oral group and 4 mm (2-4 mm) in the IP group, the IP treatment resulted in a decrease to 0 mm (0-2 mm) after 28 days (p < 0.05), while the diameter was still 2 mm (0-10 mm) (NS) in the oral group. Disappearance of exit-site infection was also somewhat earlier in the intraperitoneal group (51 vs 15 days, NS). Catheter removal had to be done once in the IP group and twice in the oral group within 6 months after study entry. CONCLUSIONS: The results give evidence for greater efficacy of the IP application of clindamycin as a first-line antibiotic compared to the oral route for the treatment of tunnel infections.

Abscess↗