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Biomedical subjects

M Cramer

Publications and source records attributed to M Cramer.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Sex differences in inpatients with major depression.

To assess sex-related differences, 53 inpatients with major depression were evaluated with the Zung, Dempsey , and Hamilton depression scales, and part of the Beck scale. Women had more fitful sleep, easy crying, social withdrawal, agitation, somatic anxiety, gastrointestinal symptoms, genital symptoms, crying spells, constipation, and fast heartbeat. Men had more self-dislike and lack of clear mind. Differences in manifestations of major depression may account for misdiagnosis of female depressives as suffering from anxiety or functional insomnia and lead to treatment with anxiolytics rather than antidepressants. Self-dislike and mental clouding may lead male depressives to serious suicide attempts and work failures.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗

Identification of human lymphoma cells by antisera to malignancy-associated nucleolar antigens.

The non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) are a diverse group of human lymphoid neoplasms that have long presented pathologists with formidable diagnostic challenges. These tumors of the immune system are thought to represent neoplastic transformations of most of the recognized stages in T and B lymphocyte ontogeny. Lymphoma cells, however, often simulate their normal lymphocytic counterparts both morphologically and cell surface phenotypically, creating difficulties in discriminating normal from neoplastic lymphocytes. We have used heteroantisera to the human malignancy-associated nucleolar antigen (HMNA) to prospectively evaluate its efficacy in identifying the morphologically neoplastic cells in NHL lesions. In 65 cases of T and B cell histopathologic types of NHL, the antisera reacted with nucleoli in the morphologically and cytogenetically neoplastic lymphoma cells, but not with normal-appearing lymphoid and other cell types present in the lesions. Control specimens from normal and hyperplastic lymphoid tissue also failed to react with anti-HMNA antibodies. Normal activated lymphoid cells in vitro and growth-factor-dependent normal lymphoid cell lines also failed to express the nucleolar antigen(s). These data suggest that the HMNA is a valuable tumor cell marker for neoplastic human lymphoid cell populations and can be used with other types of cell markers for a better definition of the neoplastic cells in NHL.

Adult↗

Pathophysiology of venous claudication.

Patients with chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction may develop severe thigh pain and a sensation of tightness with vigorous exercise (venous claudication). The discomfort requires 15 to 20 minutes to subside. In the seven patients studied the venous capacitance (VC) and venous outflow (VO) are lower than those of the unaffected limb even at rest. With exercise to the point of pain, the VO was unchanged but the VC decreased even further. The problem appears to rest with the venous collaterals, which have a high and fixed resistance. Because of this high outflow resistance, venous volume increases to near maximum during exercise. With this rise in venous volume, the amount the VC can increase during the period immediately following exercise is further reduced.

Adult↗

Long-term sequelae of acute venous thrombosis.

The long-term sequelae of acute deep-vein thrombosis were examined prospectively in a series of 61 patients. The location and extent of the involvement were established by either contrast or isotope phlebography. The mean age of the patients was 47 years, with the duration of follow-up averaging 39 months (range, one to 144 months). Pain and/or swelling was noted in 67% of the patients. Pigmentation developed in 15 limbs (23%). Ulceration developed in three patients. The most important factor with regard to prognosis appeared to be the status of the distal deep veins. If these were found to be patent and competent by ultrasonic velocity studies, the long-term outlook was good, both with regard to symptoms and the development of pigmentation. Only 8% of those limbs with normal distal veins were found to have pigmentation during follow-up, as compared with 40% in those with either occlusion or incompetence of the valves.

Acute Disease↗

Idiotypic and fine specificity analysis of a (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl (NP)-specific suppressor T cell hybridoma at the level of cell surface structures, isolated receptor material and functional suppressor factor.

The (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl (NP)-specific T suppressor cell hybridoma 7C3-13 was established by fusing splenic B10.BR T cells enriched on NP-coated petri dishes with the AKR thymoma BW5147. 7C3-13 was selected by anti-NPb idiotypic and anti-I-Jk antibodies in microcytotoxicity tests. The hybridoma expressed H-2k, I-Jk, Qa-1, Thy-1.1 as well as idiotypic (binding site-related) and framework Ig VH determinants, while it was negative for I-A, I-E/C, Thy-1.2, Lyt-1, Lyt-2 and Ig constant region determinants. Hapten-binding receptor material could be isolated from 7C3-13 cells on NP-coupled nylon nets and functionally active T suppressor factor (TsF) could be extracted from the hybridoma. Both types of soluble molecules express NPb idiotype, but the TsF carries I-J determinants in addition while the isolated receptors do not. The molecular weight of the isolated receptor material is 80 000, that of the TsF activity is 27 000 and 57 000-64 000, respectively. We thus were able to show that NP-binding molecules can be obtained in the form of cellular surface receptors, isolated receptor material and extracted TsF from one and the same, monoclonal, cell source.

Animals↗

Somatic variation of H-2Kk expression and structure in a T-cell lymphoma: instability, stabilization, high production and structural mutation.

In the heterozygous T lymphoma line LDHB, variants which have lost the expression of individual H-2 class I genes are spontaneously generated in vitro at a frequency of 10(-1)-10(-2). A cell line (HK13) in which the class I gene Kk is stably expressed (frequency of loss variants less than 10(-4) was selected from LDHB cells by fluorescence activated cell sorting. Further selection of HK13 cells for high Kk expression led to the isolation of the HK22 line which expresses twice as much Kk as HK13. From HK13 and HK22 cells, spontaneous structural variants of Kk having lost individual serological determinants of the Kk wild-type molecule, were isolated by fluorescence activated cell sorting. Such variants occur at a frequency of 10(-6)-10(-7) per cell per generation. The analysis of these variants indicates that they carry mutations in the Kk structural gene and that HK13 cells express a single Kk gene which appears to be duplicated in HK22 cells. We did not find evidence for the generation of variants expressing 'alien' class I products in the LDHB cell line. The instability of class I gene expression in LDHB cells and the transition to stable expression may represent steps of T-cell differentiation in the thymus.

Animals↗

Affinity-purified antigen-specific products produced by T cells share epitopes recognized by heterologous antisera raised against several different antigen-specific products from T cells.

Heterologous antisera to murine or rat T-cell antigen-binding molecules (T-ABM) were raised in rabbits or sheep. The T-ABM used for immunization were purified by affinity for antigen and did not bear known immunoglobulin isotypes. T-ABM and anti-T-ABM were raised in three separate laboratories. Antisera to T-ABM were exchanged and tested for binding to T-ABM in three separate laboratories. Thus antisera to at least three distinct T-ABM were tested directly for binding to T-ABM or by adsorption of biological activity. Rabbit antisera to murine trinitrophenol (TNP)-specific T-ABM or rat AgB-specific T-ABM bound both murine or rat T-ABM, indicating evolutionary conservation of T-ABM. Similar results were found with sheep antisera to murine T-ABM. In addition, all heterologous anti-T-ABM antisera used bound murine T-ABM specific for TNP, 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetate (NP), SRBC, or T-cell membrane proteins with similar structure. Thus, there is a commonality of antigenic determinants between various T-ABM and T-cell membrane homologues which may be T-cell surface receptors for foreign antigen.

Animals↗

A simple mathematical model for predicting lithium dose requirement.

Available methods of predicting lithium dose have been based on kinetics of a single test dose. A statistically based mathematical model was developed in which lithium dose is derived by stepwise multiple linear regression based on desired level, form of lithium, concomitant tricyclic use, age, sex, and weight. Predictions of the model were correct to within 300 mg in 66% of the 100 initial cases and within 600 mg in 94% of cases. A validation study of 112 additional cases revealed similar percentage. The simple mathematical expression derived from record review allows the clinician to calculate the relationship of steady-state lithium dosage to serum level prior to initiating treatment.

Adult↗

Sinus node recovery time related to paced cycle length in normals and patients with sinoatrial dysfunction.

Depressed conduction in the sinoatrial junction, common in the sick sinus syndrome (SSS), should decrease the maximum pacing rate at which 1:1 capture of the SA node occurs. This may result in shorter than expected sinus recovery times (SRT) and maximal prolongation of SRT at relatively slow pacing rates. To test this hypothesis we evaluated the range of pacing rates necessary to demonstrate maximal SRT in 34 patients with and 20 patients without sinus node dysfunction. Atrial pacing was performed at multiple paced cycle lengths (PCL) between 400 and greater than or equal to 1000 msec, four times at each. A mean corrected SRT (CSRT) was determined at each PCL, and the PCL of the longest CSRT was determined (PCLp). PCLp varied linearly with sinus cycle length, was dependent on sinoatrial conduction time, and was longer in patients with SSS than in normal persons. Only 2 of 20 normal persons, but 21 of 34 patients with SSS, had a PCLp greater than 600 msec. A long PCLp (greater than 600 msec) suggests the possibility of recovery times that have been limited by A-S entrance block and appears to be indicative of sinus node dysfunction.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

Pitfall of venous occlusion plethysmography.

The supposition that the lower limb expands uniformly in circumference during venous occlusion has been investigated. The 3 compartments of the calf were found to be expand to differing degrees depending on the volume of muscle within the compartment. The effect of this phenomenon on the measurement of venous outflow and capacitance using an overlapping strain gauge was assessed. When using an overlapping strain gauge, the anatomical site of overlap was found to alter the measured values of outflow and capacitance by as much as 50%. These errors do not arise with strain gauges designed to fit a small range of limb circumferences, so that no overlap occurs. The reproducibility of plethysmography may be enhanced by attention to the site and degree of overlap of gauges which are designed to fit all sizes of limb. Technicians performing venous occlusion plethysmography should be aware of these variations, so that the examination technique can be standardized.

Acute Disease↗

Isolation of a cloned cell line expressing variant H-2Kk using fluorescence-activated cell sorting.

We describe here a method for the isolation of somatic cell variants that express a structurally altered gene product on their cell surface. The method makes it possible to select positively for cells of the variant phenotype which is defined by loss of a given antigenic determinant. As an example, we present the isolation of a cloned cell line expressing a structurally altered H-2Kk molecule, designated H-2KkS1. Cells of this phenotype were found to be present in the wild-type population at a frequency of 10(-5)-10(-6) and were isolated in three rounds of selection in the fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) and subsequent growth in vitro.

Animals↗

Locus of control and adjustment to chronic hemodialysis.

The Rotter Inventory was used to assess external vs. internal locus of control in chronic hemodialysis patients. This measure of personality was correlated to psychological and physiologic measures of adaptation to hemodialysis. Patients with high external locus of control had poorer overall compliance with higher interdialytic weight gain, but did not show more psychological distress. Nurses Observation Scale for Inpatient Evaluation correlated negatively with mean K, mean P, Beck Depression rating, and duration of dialysis.

Adult↗

Psychopathology and shamanism in rural Mexico: a case study of spirit possession.

The so-called mystical possession of Juan Jose Fong, a socially marginal Chinese-Mexican of hysterical personality is directly related to the subject's psychological conflicts and emotional complexes and familial and social standing within the immediate cultural context. The subject is seen as suffering from conflicting emotions and cognitions centering around guilt, inferiority and non-acceptance by his peer group. The personification of his personal problems in the motif of spirit possessions enables the subject to maintain a measure of self-esteem, social status and personality integration.

Catholicism↗

Antigen-specific receptor molecules isolated from murine T lymphocytes.

Hapten-specific receptor material can be isolated from sensitized murine T and B lymphocytes by the use of hapten-coupled nylon discs. The structural element shared between T and B cell receptors is the variable region of immunoglobulin heavy chains (VH), while known constant immunoglobulin domains appear not to be part of the T cell receptor molecule. The rules governing VH expression (i.e. NPb-idiotype expression) in the B and the T cell compartments are, however, different. Allotype-linked VH (idiotype) expression on T cell molecules was used in genetic reconstitution experiments to prove that the material under study is an endogenous T cell product. With the data available it seems reasonable to view the T cell molecules as representing surface receptors for antigen although this point needs further investigation.

Animals↗