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Biomedical subjects

K A Mark

Publications and source records attributed to K A Mark.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Allergic contact and photoallergic contact dermatitis to plant and pesticide allergens.

BACKGROUND: The panel of patch test allergens used for the evaluation of patients with suspected photoallergy typically does not include plant and pesticide allergens. The prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis and photoallergic contact dermatitis to plant and pesticide allergens was determined for this subgroup of patients. OBSERVATION: Positive reactions were detected in 12 of 26 patients who were tested with our photoallergen series: 5 with allergic contact dermatitis, 5 with photoallergic contact dermatitis, and 2 with both. Four of the 12 patients had positive patch and photo-patch test reactions to plant allergens, pesticide allergens, or both. The positive patch test reactions were to the plants Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) and Tanacetum vulgare (tansy) and to the pesticides folpet and captafol. Positive photo-patch test reactions were to the pesticides folpet and captan. The histories of the patients suggested that 2 or 3 of the 4 patients had clinically relevant reactions. In the other 8 patients, positive reactions to the patch and photo-patch tests included fragrances, sunscreens, and antibacterial agents. CONCLUSION: Plant and pesticide allergens should be included in the patch and photo-patch test series used for the evaluation of patients with suspected photoallergy.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Mind-body medicine. Practical applications in dermatology.

It is only recently that Western physicians are rediscovering the link between thought and health. The spectrum of causative factors in inflammatory dermatoses are often multifactorial. Stress and negative thoughts are major factors in dermatologic conditions. This article begins with some basic information on the ways that thoughts affect health. Practical methods of intervention including meditation, journal writing, affirmations, prayer, biofeedback, and hypnosis are presented.

Biofeedback, Psychology↗
PubMed1995

Antibody reactivity to the HRES-1 endogenous retroviral element identifies a subset of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and overlap syndromes. Correlation with antinuclear antibodies and HLA class II alleles.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between the presence of antibodies to an endogenous retroviral element-encoded nuclear protein autoantigen, HRES-1, and the presence of other antinuclear antibodies and HLA class II alleles in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and overlap syndromes. METHODS: Antibody reactivities to native and recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides were assessed by counterimmunoelectrophoresis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blotting. HLA class II alleles were determined by oligonucleotide typing. RESULTS: Forty-eight percent of the 153 patients with autoimmune disease, and 52% of the subgroup with SLE, had HRES-1 antibodies. In contrast, 3.6% of 111 normal donors, and none of 42 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or 50 asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus 1-infected patients, had HRES-1 antibodies. Chi-square analyses revealed a significant association between anti-HRES-1 and anti-RNP and an inverse correlation between HRES-1 and Ro/La autoantibodies in patients with SLE or overlap syndromes. Antigenic epitopes of HRES-1 and the retroviral gag-related region of the 70-kd protein component of U1 small nuclear RNP, which share 3 consecutive highly charged amino acids (Arg-Arg-Glu), an additional Arg, and functionally similar Arg/Lys residues, represent cross-reactive epitopes between the two proteins. Selective removal of HRES-1 antibodies from sera of HRES-1-seropositive/RNP-seropositive patients by absorption on recombinant HRES-1/glutathione-S-transferase-conjugated agarose beads had no effect on anti-RNP reactivities. A comparative multivariate analysis of HLA class II genes revealed a differential segregation of DQB1 alleles in HRES-1-seropositive versus HRES-1-seronegative patients (P = 0.04). While a relative increase of DQB1*0402 among HRES-1-seropositive patients was noted across ethnic groups (P = 0.02), a decrease of DQB1*0201 and DQB1*0301 was found in white HRES-1-seropositive patients (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Autoantibodies to HRES-1 are detectable in a distinct subset of patients with autoimmune disease, primarily in those who do not have antibodies to Ro and La. Anti-HRES-1 and anti-RNP reactivities are mediated by cross-reactive but separate antibody molecules. HLA-DQB genes, rather than HLA-DRB or DQA genes, may have a more significant influence on generation of these antinuclear autoantibodies.

Alleles↗
PubMed1985

Serotoninergic system in dementia of the Alzheimer type. Abnormal forms of 5-hydroxytryptophan and serotonin in cerebrospinal fluid.

Serotonin (5-HT), its precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), and its major metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 14 patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) and in nine controls by high-performance liquid chromatography with a novel multisensor coulometric detection system. Concentrations of both 5-HT and 5-HIAA detected by this system were lower than the concentrations obtained using conventional amperometric detection. This difference was caused by coelution of compounds that could be resolved from 5-HT and 5-HIAA by the multisensor coulometric system. One of the coelution compounds, observed in DAT but not in control CSF, behaved like a partially oxidized 5-HT. A compound behaving like partially oxidized 5-HTP was also observed in DAT CSF. Concentrations of 5-HTP, 5-HT, and 5-HIAA were lower in DAT CSF than in a corresponding fraction of control CSF. These results indicate involvement of the serotoninergic system in DAT and might lead to development of a diagnostic test for DAT.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗
PubMed1985

Cholinesterase activity in plasma, erythrocytes, and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type.

Cholinesterases, including pseudocholinesterase (BChE) of human plasma and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) of erythrocytes and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), have been considered as possible markers in dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). Reported data, however, are widely varied, and no significant pattern emerges when total enzyme activity is assayed. In the present studies, we have reexamined the relationship of ChE activities in DAT and control patients. ChE activity was measured in plasma, erythrocytes, and CSF from DAT patients and compared with normal controls as well as with samples from patients with a diagnosis other than DAT. Early age onset (presenile) and late age onset (senile) DAT were also compared. No significant differences in total enzyme activity were found in any of the comparisons. Calculations of AChE/BChE ratios in CSF also provided no significant indication of any changes in ChE activities in DAT. It is suggested that measurements of total AChE or BChE activity in these biological materials do not provide a useful index of alterations in central cholinergic function in patients with DAT.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1984

n-Electrode three-dimensional liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection for determination of neurotransmitters.

Coulometric electrodes in series have been used with liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection to increase selectivity and resolution for the direct analysis of tissue neurotransmitters. Use of three coulometric sensors for electrochemical modification, selectivity, and peak identification has been expanded into "gate" cells of three or four coulometric electrodes that allow elimination of all electrochemically irreversible substances, and "array" cells of up to 15 coulometric electrodes for separation of co-eluting compounds by their current/voltage characteristics. On-column sensitivity of the sensor arrays is 0.4 to 4 pg. Gate cell selectivity favors electrochemically reversible compounds over irreversible ones, e.g., 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol vs ascorbate, by a factor of up to 10(4). Resolution across the multi-electrode array cells allows separation of co-eluting compounds with half-wave potentials differing by as little as 30 to 40 mV. Cells with three to 15 electrodes have been used to measure monoamines and metabolites in brain; monoamines directly in serum filtrate; and the state of oxidation of 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxytryptophan in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Alzheimer's disease.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗