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M Pless

Publications and source records attributed to M Pless.

42 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Multiple transcription start sites and 5' alternate splicing of murine IL-3 receptor beta-chain transcripts.

The murine interleukin-3 receptor beta-chain genes, IL-3R beta IL-3 and IL-3R beta c, encode the signal transducing chains of the high affinity receptors for IL-3 and IL-3, GM-CSF and IL-5 respectively. Little is known about the regulation of their expression. To enable the study of the promotors of IL-3R beta IL-3 and IL-3R beta c, we have characterized their respective 5' untranslated regions using a modified 5' RACE protocol. Four classes of alternatively spliced transcripts were isolated that initiate in a 400 nt region upstream from a previously reported start site(1). The initially reported partial IL-3R beta IL-3 clone belongs to the first class of transcripts(2). The second class starts in the middle of an intron as defined by the first class. The 3rd and 4th class establish 2 novel splice donor sites. These results were confirmed by RNAse-protection assay. The complex organization as evident from our data establishes an experimental framework for future experiments aimed at the study of the promoters for the murine IL-3R beta genes.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1994

[Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia during therapy with 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2-CDA)].

We report the case of a 70-year-old patient with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. During therapy with the new purine analog 2-chloro-deoxyadenosine (2-CDA) the patient developed Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). Although the mechanism of action of 2-CDA suggests the incidence of opportunistic infections and therefore pneumocystis pneumonia, this is the first case of PCP among 140 patients of the Swiss study of 2-CDA. The mechanism of action of 2-CDA is described and the occurrence of PCP among patients without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[How long should cyclosporin be administered following bone marrow transplantation?].

After organ transplantation, life-long immunosuppression is mandatory to prevent rejection. This is not the case after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The mechanisms of tolerance are little understood and there is little data about the required duration of immunosuppression. In a retrospective study we analyzed the use of cyclosporine A (CyA) treatment in all BMT patients who where transplanted in Basel from 1979 to 1991. 243 patients with a median age of 26 (2-49) years received CyA to prevent graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD) and rejection. 206 patients had leukemia, 26 severe aplastic anemia and 10 a lymphoproliferative disorder. All were treated according to a common CyA regimen with initial parenteral administration followed by oral treatment for a year; after 1988 treatment duration was reduced to 6 months. Drug dosage was adjusted according to clinical symptoms, plasma levels and toxicity. At relapse of the original disease CyA was always withdrawn. Three months after BMT 96% were still on CyA. After 6 months 79%, after 1 year 61%, after 2 years 29%, after 3 years 18%, after 4 years 15%, after 5 years 8% and after 8 years 2% of patients were still taking CyA. All 20 patients who are still alive 10 years after BMT are off CyA. CyA was administered parenterally for a median of 31 (5-147) days. Oral treatment started at day 25 (4-28). The oral dose was reduced 5 (1-20) times, increased once (1-75) and finally discontinued after a median time lapse of 1 year (14d-8y).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

The epidemiology of Chagas' disease in a hyperendemic area of Cochabamba, Bolivia: a clinical study including electrocardiography, seroreactivity to Trypanosoma cruzi, xenodiagnosis, and domiciliary triatomine distribution.

A clinicoepidemiologic survey of Chagas' disease was conducted in the remote rural village of Tabacal in southcentral Cochabamba, Bolivia. In June and July 1988, we interviewed and examined 153 of 160 villagers > five years old for signs and symptoms of Chagas' disease. All participants had electrocardiograms (EKGs) and serologic analysis performed, and 20 villagers underwent xenodiagnosis. All 40 houses in the village were examined for triatomes, and house construction materials and defects were recorded. Seventy-four percent of all villagers had serologic evidence of Chagas' disease, and were defined as cases. Cases were three and one-half times more likely to have signs and symptoms of heart failure than non-cases (P = 0.2) and were nine times more likely to have EKG conduction abnormalities than non-cases (P = 0.02). Thirty-three percent of all EKG conduction defects occurred in individuals < 35 years of age. All dwellings had evidence of triatome infestation; 72% of the triatomes collected were positive for metacyclic trypanosomes. We conclude that Trypanosoma cruzi infection is highly prevalent in Tabacal and is a common cause of morbidity in that region.

Adolescent↗