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Biomedical subjects

M Duczyminer-Kahana

Publications and source records attributed to M Duczyminer-Kahana.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

[Prognostic factors in multiple myeloma].

There have been major advances in the treatment of multiple myeloma in the past 20 years, but for the individual patient the prognosis still remains uncertain. As the length of survival varies from several months to over 10 years, definition of prognostic parameters at the time of diagnosis, and early detection of disease activity are most important. In our study, median survival was 42 months with very good quality of life. Factors not helpful in prognosis were sex, WBC and platelet counts, BUN, serum M protein type, extent of osteolytic lesions, percentage of plasma cells in bone marrow and plasma cell asynchrony. However, age, hemoglobin, calcium, uric acid, Bence-Jones proteinuria and polyclonal Ig concentrations had a certain degree of prognostic importance. Due to more sensitive and more specific laboratory methods, peripheral blood findings are lately gaining in importance. With new "salvage" protocols, the detection of additional prognostic parameters and sensitive indicators of disease activity may be most important for further improvement in the survival of patients with multiple myeloma.

Bence Jones Protein↗

Immunologic studies in Darier's disease.

Humoral and cellular immunity were evaluated in 10 patients with Darier's disease. The mean levels of serum immunoglobulins, serum complement, peripheral macrophages, and peripheral B and T lymphocytes were within normal limits. Secretory IgA was present in all patients studied. Skin tests for delayed hypersensitivity revealed complete anergy in one of the eight patients tested. Lymphocyte transformation tests revealed statistically significant enhanced responsiveness to both PHA and ConA mitogens in several concentrations studied. These findings may suggest either the existence of alterations in immunoregulation of lymphocyte subpopulations in Darier's disease or may be limited to alterations in membrane functions of certain lymphocyte subpopulations which can be detected only in vitro. The role that such immunologic aberrations may play in the pathogenesis of Darier's disease is still obscure.

Adult↗

Immunologic alterations in xeroderma pigmentosum patients.

Nine xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) patients were investigated. In comparison to a normal control group the XP patients had a reduced OKT-4 lymphocyte subpopulation, reduced response of lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin in autologous serum, and diminished delayed hypersensitivity skin reaction. The possible contribution of ultraviolet irradiation to the observed immunologic alterations, and the link of these alterations to the susceptibility of patients for malignant transformation is discussed.

Adolescent↗