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Biomedical subjects

J Wasserman

Publications and source records attributed to J Wasserman.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Enteral and parenteral nutrition in anorectic patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer.

Seventeen patients with advanced, noncurable gastrointestinal cancer with symptoms of anorexia and malnutrition were treated with controlled enteral or total parenteral nutrition over a 3-week period. Eleven patients received enteral and six parenteral nutrition. The nutrition was given with 30-40 kcal/kg b.w. daily. No anticancer treatment was given. Before and after the treatment period, the patients were assessed regarding their nutritional, immunological, and performance status. None of the studied nutritional parameters changed significantly over the 3-week period and there was no clear indication of an improved lymphocyte reactivity. There was a tendency toward improvement in performance status for the patients on enteral nutrition, while the reverse seemed to be true for the parenteral group. It is concluded that nutritional support may halt the progressive malnutrition often seen in patients with cancer and serve as a palliative treatment in selected patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Prostaglandin sensitivity of the PHA-response of blood lymphocytes following radiation therapy for breast cancer.

The reduction of mitogen responses of blood lymphocytes which occur after radiation therapy for breast cancer, known to be largely due to inhibitory monocytes, can partly be reverted by indomethacin which is an inhibitor of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis. This may indicate that PG-synthesis by blood monocytes is increased after irradiation or that PG-sensitivity of the lymphocyte population is increased. To test the latter possibility the sensitivity of the PHA-response of blood lymphocytes to varying concentrations of PGE2 and PGD2 was examined in 15 patients with breast cancer before and up to 6 months after local radiation therapy (46 Gy). The results showed that the sensitivity of the PHA-response was not significantly changed after treatment suggesting that the immunosuppression observed after irradiation is partly due to an increased production of PGs rather than an increased PG-sensitivity of lymphocytes.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Long-term effects on the immune system following local radiation therapy for breast cancer. 4. Proliferative responses and induction of suppressor activity of the blood lymphocyte population.

The long-term effect of local irradiation for breast cancer on the blood lymphocyte population was examined in 149 women who had been disease-free for 5-6 and 10-11 years. The patients were included in a clinical trial aiming at determining the value of pre- and post-operative irradiation (45 Gy) compared to surgery only. It was observed that the relative mitogen responses of lymphocytes to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and Concanavalin (Con A) and in a mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) were significantly lower in irradiated compared to unirradiated patients at least a decade after treatment. The prolonged reductions of mitogen responses after irradiation could partly be due to an increased proportion of lymphocytes which may express suppressor function since the Con A-inducible suppressor activity of lymphocytes was significantly higher in irradiated compared to unirradiated patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Study on the E-rosette-blocking effects of E receptors.

Lymphocytes were purified from 10 samples of normal peripheral blood. E receptors were detached by heating to +45 degrees C. The sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and 2-aminoethylisothiouronium bromide (AET)-treated SRBC (AET-SRBC) were incubated at +4 degrees C for 2 h, with E receptors. E receptors detached by heating blocked E-rosette formation with SRBC, but not with AET-SRBC. The results suggest that E receptors may exhibit different conformational structures or different molecules which are responsible for E-rosette formation and E-AET-rosette formation, respectively.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Effect of tamoxifen on pokeweed mitogen stimulated immunoglobulin secretion in vitro.

The influence of Tamoxifen on pokeweed mitogen induced immunoglobulin (Ig) secretion of human blood lymphocytes was tested in vitro. It was observed that pretreatment of T cell enriched preparations with "therapeutic" concentrations of Tamoxifen augmented their capacity to promote IgG but not IgM secretion of untreated autologous B-lymphocytes. Cultures containing Tamoxifen pretreated B cell enriched preparations and untreated T cells exhibited reduced secretion of both IgG and IgM.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Bestatin treatment enhances the recovery of radiation induced impairments of the immunological reactivity of the blood lymphocyte population in bladder cancer patients.

Bestatin, an immunostimulating substance of microbial origin, was examined for its capacity to augment immune responses of blood lymphocytes in bladder cancer patients having received a full course of local irradiation (64 Gy). Following irradiation the patients became lymphopenic and the lymphocytes exhibited impaired mitogenic responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD) and reduced poke weed mitogen induced secretion of immunoglobulins in vitro. Patients who were randomized to receive daily oral Bestatin treatment exhibited enhanced recoveries of PHA- and PPD-responses and enhanced recovery of the IgM secreting capacity compared to irradiated patients who did not receive Bestatin. Repopulation of the blood lymphocyte population, however, was not enhanced by Bestatin treatment. It is concluded that Bestatin treatment may enhance the recovery of radiation induced functional defects of the immune system in cancer patients.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1985

Blood lymphocyte counts with subset analysis in operable breast cancer. Relation to the extent of tumor disease and prognosis.

Blood lymphocyte counts and various lymphocyte subsets, as defined by rosette tests, were examined in breast cancer patients and correlated to the extent of tumor disease and prognosis. One hundred sixty-six patients tested before or shortly after surgery were included. It was observed that the frequency of E-rosette-forming lymphocytes correlated to the development of distant metastases (P = 0.007) and survival (P = 0.022). A high frequency of E-rosette-forming cells was associated with a poor prognosis. The well-known prognostic value of clinical tumor stage and axillary lymph node involvement was also confirmed. A possible relation between the tumor disease and other immune variables was indicated by the finding that the frequency of EAC-rosette-forming lymphocytes (mainly B-cells) was reduced in patients with relatively large primary tumors. This relation was most pronounced in patients without axillary node involvement (P less than 0.01). In addition, it was observed that the blood lymphocyte counts were significantly higher in patients with three or more tumor-involved axillary nodes than in those with zero to two (P less than 0.005). Our results seem to stand in contrast to the generally held view that low lymphocyte counts and a low proportion of E-rosette-forming cells in the blood are associated with a large tumor burden and a poor prognosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Differences in twins: the importance of birth order.

Despite the clinical impression that firstborn twins do better than second-born twins, recent reports have shown no difference in perinatal mortality between them. In order to evaluate differences in twins, more sensitive means than perinatal deaths are necessary. This study examines differences between 80 firstborn and second-born twin pairs with respect to Apgar score, umbilical venous and arterial blood gas, and acid-base data. The umbilical venous and arterial blood PO2, PCO2, base deficit, pH, and lactic acid concentration were measured in paired samples and compared with the paired t test and chi 2 when applicable. Statistically significant differences favoring twin A, the firstborn, were found in 1-minute Apgar score, umbilical venous pH, PO2, and PCO2, and umbilical arterial PO2. The other factors in umbilical venous and arterial blood did not show statistically significant differences. When these parameters were examined with respect to route of delivery, monochorionic and dichorionic twins, interval between twins, and vertex twins only, with the possible effects of malpresentation eliminated, the results persistently favored the firstborn twin. Thus it is unequivocally demonstrated that there are substantial differences at birth favoring the first twin, despite similar perinatal mortality for both. The data suggest that the second-born twin has potentially greater susceptibility to hypoxia and trauma.

Apgar Score↗
PubMed1985

Cells responsible for tumor surveillance in man: effects of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and biologic response modifiers.

Currently, the most probable theory of tumor surveillance is neither the existence of any tumor-specific, antigen-dependent, T-cell-mediated cytotoxic effect that could eliminate spontaneous tumors in man and that could be used for some kind of vaccination against tumors, nor the complete absence of any surveillance or defense systems against tumors. What is probable is the cooperation of a number of antigen-independent, relatively weakly cytotoxic or possibly only cytostatic humoral and cellular effects, including nutritional immunity, tumor necrosis factor, certain cytokines, and the cytotoxic effects mediated by macrophages, NK cells, NK-like cells, and certain stimulated T-cells. One question remaining to be solved is why these antigen-independent effects do not attack normal cells. A number of plausible hypotheses are discussed. The hypothetical surveillance system is modulated both by traditional cancer treatment and by attempts at immunomodulation. Radiotherapy reduced the T-helper cell function for almost a decade, but not those of macrophages or NK cells. T-cell changes have no prognostic implication, supporting, perhaps, the suggestion of a major role for macrophages and NK cells. Cyclic adjuvant chemotherapy reduces the peripheral lymphocyte population and several lymphocyte functions but not NK activity. Most of the parameters were normalized some years following treatment, but NK activity remained elevated and Th/Ts cell ratio was still decreased. This might possibly be taken to support the surveillance role of NK cells. Bestatin increases the frequency of lymphocytes forming rosettes with sheep red blood cells (but not their mitogenic responses), enhances NK activity, and augments the phagocytic capacity of granulocytes and monocytes (but not their cytotoxic activity). Improved survival with Bestatin treatment following chemotherapy has been observed in patients with melanoma Stages 1b and II and in patients with acute nonlymphatic leukemia, where BCG also seems active, although possibly only in patient groups with less than 49% complete remissions.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1985

Long term effects on the immune system following local radiation therapy for breast cancer. I. Cellular composition of the peripheral blood lymphocyte population.

Local radiation therapy for breast cancer depletes the blood of various subsets of lymphocytes. Previous studies showed that the recovery is still incomplete at 30 months. To further elucidate the recovery we examined blood lymphocyte counts of 138 disease-free women and various lymphocyte subsets in 102 of these patients. These patients, 5-6 and 10-11 years earlier, had entered a clinical trial in which preoperative irradiation (45 Gy) was evaluated against postoperative irradiation (45 Gy) or surgery only. Patients who had undergone surgery only served as controls. Total lymphocyte counts of the irradiated patients were still significantly reduced 10-11 years after treatment. This reduction was mainly attributable to a subnormal level of T-cells as determined by the monoclonal antibody Leu-1 and the ability to form rosettes with sheep erythrocytes, whereas the number of non-T cells, expressing C'3 receptors, did not differ significantly from the controls. Within the T-cell population a subset with helper/inducer phenotypes, detected by Leu-3a antibodies, was significantly reduced even 10-11 years after irradiation. T-cells with suppressor/cytotoxic phenotypes, stainable with Leu-2a antibodies, however, had already recovered 5-6 years after irradiation. The duration of the radiation induced reductions of different lymphocyte subsets may be related to the physiological turn-over of the cells or a changed distribution of cells in the body.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Persistent generalized lymphadenopathy: immunological and mycological investigations.

Immunological and mycological investigations were carried out in 21 Swedish homosexual males. One of them had AIDS, one pre-AIDS and 19 lymphadenopathy of whom 18 fulfilled the criteria of persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL) as defined by the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, (CDC). The patients were investigated immunologically with respect to their in vitro lymphocyte reactivity to various mitogens. The patients with AIDS and pre-AIDS belonged to the group of 8 patients with low response to mitogens. Blood helper T cell percentages and serum beta 2-microglobulin concentrations correlated with the PHA reactivity. Three patients, with the diagnoses AIDS, pre-AIDS and PGL respectively, had clinical signs of oral candidiasis with rich growth of Candida albicans in culture. These were all low responders to mitogen stimulation. Six cases of tinea pedis were diagnosed and seemed to be distributed among the patients irrespectively of the severity of their immunological disorders.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1985

Protective effect of nicotinamide against nephropathy in diabetic rats.

Nicotinamide was given for 6 months to rats with streptozotocin induced diabetes. Presence of glomerular depositions (mesangial distribution) of IgG was evaluated with immunofluorescence technique. The immunofluorescence staining of the nicotinamide-treated diabetic rats was significantly less pronounced than that of the untreated diabetic rats. Normal age matched controls showed no such staining. The results indicate that nicotinamide retarded the development of the diabetic nephropathy. The findings might be explained by a normalizing effect of nicotinamide on a disturbed tryptophan and/or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide metabolism. A metabolic hypothesis is formulated, which is consistent with the "glucose overutilization" theory.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Lymphocyte subpopulations and immunoglobulin production in IgA nephropathy.

Lymphocyte subpopulations were identified and Ig production in vitro was studied in patients with IgA nephropathy and in age-matched controls. The investigations were performed in an infection-free interval. The proportions of T-lymphocytes with Fc receptors for IgG and IgM, respectively, did not differ between patients and controls. T-suppressor (Leu 2A) and T-helper (Leu 3A) cells, as defined by monoclonal antibodies, were within normal range. The PWM-stimulated in vitro synthesis of IgA, IgG and IgM was somewhat higher in the patients than in the controls. However, the differences were not statistically significant. Thus, in the infection-free interval no evidence for a uniform disturbance in the lymphocyte subsets could be found.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Further studies on the influence of interferon on pokeweed mitogen induced Ig-synthesis in vitro.

Preincubation with pure interferon beta, but not partially purified interferon alpha, increased immunoglobulin production from non-fractionated peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by pokeweed mitogen. Preincubation of B lymphocytes, but not T lymphocytes or monocytes, with pure interferon beta also increased immunoglobulin synthesis. It is concluded that interferon has a direct effect on B lymphocytes in enhancing immunoglobulin production.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1985

Long-term effects on the immune system following local irradiation for breast cancer. Pokeweed mitogen induced immunoglobulin secretion by blood lymphocytes and serum immunoglobulin levels.

Previous studies have shown that the PWM driven immunoglobulin (Ig) secretion by blood lymphocytes in vitro is reduced shortly after local radiation therapy for breast cancer. In this investigation we have examined the long-term effects of radiation therapy (45 Gy) on this lymphocyte function. A total of 111 disease-free patients treated for operable breast cancer 5-6 and 10-11 years earlier were examined. The Ig classes studied were IgM, IgA and IgG. All patients belonged to a clinical trial where the effect of pre- or post-operative local radiation therapy was evaluated against surgery only. Significant reductions of the amount of spontaneously released IgM in vitro were observed among irradiated patients as compared to the unirradiated 5-6 and 10-11 years after treatment. Such a difference was not observed for IgA and IgG. The PWM induced Ig secretions did not differ significantly between the three patient groups. The long standing reduction of the spontaneous release of IgM by blood lymphocytes in vitro probably lacks clinical significance since the serum levels of this Ig class, as well as IgA and IgG, were similar in irradiated and unirradiated patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

The Apgar score: is it enough?

One thousand thirty-two neonates were evaluated with umbilical venous and arterial blood samples drawn at delivery for assessment of pH, PO2, PCO2, and base deficit. These values were statistically correlated with Apgar scores in all of the neonates studied. Infants were divided into Apgar groupings (group A, greater than or equal to 7 at one and five minutes; group B, less than 7 at one minute, greater than or equal to 7 at five minutes; group C, less than or equal to 7 at both one and five minutes). Generally, umbilical artery and umbilical venous data were parallel. The differences in means for pH, PO2, PCO2, and base deficit was significant when group A was compared with group B in both umbilical artery and umbilical venous data. However, a severe degree of biochemical disturbance must take place before significant association with neonatal depression can be made. It appears that umbilical blood biochemical data are related to fetal metabolic status before birth but only modestly influence the one-minute Apgar score.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗