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Biomedical subjects

L Meadows

Publications and source records attributed to L Meadows.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Abnormal monocyte chemotaxis in patients with breast cancer: evidence for a tumor-mediated effect.

The chemotactic responsiveness of peripheral blood monocytes was measured in 194 individuals: 37 patients with breast cancer, 17 patients with a history of breast cancer but clinically free of disease after surgery, 42 patients with benign breast masses, and 98 normal controls. Monocyte chemotactic responsiveness (MCR) in vitro was not significantly different from normal [mean = 72.8 migrating monocytes/oil immersion field, +/- 9.3 (1 SD)] in 2 groups of patients: a) those with benign breast masses (mean = 72.6 +/- 15.1; P greater than 0.3) and b) those previously having breast cancer resected and remaining clinically free of disease (mean = 69.0 +/- 12.5; P greater than 0.4). However, MCR was significantly depressed in the group of patients with active breast cancer (mean = 57.2 +/- 20.7; P less than 0.0025). Resection of malignant breast masses resulted in a significant change in MCR (P less than 0.0025), whereas resection of benign lesions did not (P greater than 0.4). MCR was abnormal in all clinical stages of breast cancer, including breast cancer without evidence of metastasis to regional lymph nodes. These data supported the hypothesis that neoplasms adversely affect monocyte function and may thereby hinder immunologically mediated destruction of malignant cells.

Adenocarcinoma

Epiphysiolysis as a method of limb lengthening.

Epiphysiolysis followed by distraction was performed at the proximal tibial growth plates in 18 young rabbits. Union across the distracted plate occurred in all animals. In 12 rabbits skeletally immature at operation, premature fusion of the separated plate resulted in growth arrest of the operated limb. The contralateral control limb was longer at maturity by an average 1.10 cm. In 6 rabbits near skeletal maturity at epiphysiolysis, the operated limb was the longer at maturity by the amount distracted, an average of 0.62 cm. In all animals a permanent loss of joint motion resulted. Epiphyseal distraction in the very young rabbit does not appear to be practical due to consistent premature fusion of the distracted growth plate. It is possible to lengthen the limbs of rabbits near skeletal maturity with this procedure. An added advantage is that union between the epiphysis and the metaphysis always occurred, eliminated the problem of delayed ana non union found in diaphyseal lengthening. However, at this time, until the effects of distraction and compression on the adjacent joint can be minimized, epiphysiolysis as a method of limb lengthening is not recommended in children.

Age Factors

Generalized microsporum audoninii infection and depressed cellular immunity associated with a missing plasma factor required for lymphocyte blastogenesis.

Described herein is a 15 year old girl with a generalized, possibly systemic Microsporum audouinni infectin associated with anergy and defective lymphocyte transformation as a consequence of a deficiency of an uncharacterized plasma factor. Intravenous administration of plasma, obtained from normal donors, has produced consistent although incomplete clinical improvement. Defective lymphocyte transformation to M. audiouinii antigen cultured in autologous plasma became normal after infusions of normal plasma were instituted. Systemic administrations of griseofulvin, clotrimazole and miconazole produced transient and incomplete clinical improvement. Clearing of the cutaneous infection and stabillization of the neurologic status was finally achieved with plasma infusions combined with parenterally administered amphotericin B.

Adolescent

Abnormalitieis of monocyte chemotaxis in patients with melanoma: effects of immunotherapy and tumor removal.

The chemotactic responsiveness of peripheral blood monocytes was studied before and after immunotherapy was administered to 56 patients with melanoma. Abnormal chemotaxis was found in 36 patients (64%) prior to treatment; this abnormality correlated with severity of disease and prognosis. Immunotherapy with BCG and sensitized autologous lymphocytes and X-irradiated melanoma cells or surgical removal of the neoplasm both reduced the percentage of patients with abnormal chemotactic responses. The best prognosis was found for those patients who had normal chemotaxis prior to therapy. The data support the hypothesis that abnormalities of monocyte function might render the host less likely to destroy developing neoplasms and that malignant tumors themselves might affect monocyte function.

Adolescent