Biomedical subjects

Mia Talmor

Publications and source records attributed to Mia Talmor.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Effective expansion of alloantigen-specific Foxp3+ CD25+ CD4+ regulatory T cells by dendritic cells during the mixed leukocyte reaction.

Thymic-derived CD25+ CD4+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) suppress immune responses, including transplantation. Here we evaluated the ability of dendritic cells (DCs) to expand alloantigen-specific Tregs in the mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) that develops from polyclonal populations of T cells. The allogeneic DCs, when supplemented with IL-2 in the cultures, were much more effective than bulk spleen cells in expanding the numbers of Tregs. Likewise, DCs and not spleen cells were effective in sustaining expression of the transcription factor Foxp3 in Tregs, but neither IL-2 nor CD80/86 was required for this effect in the cultures. On a per-cell basis, the DC-expanded, but not unexpanded, Tregs were more potent suppressors of a fresh MLR by CD25- CD4+ T cells. Suppression was 3- to 10-fold more active for MLRs induced by the original alloantigens than for third-party stimulators. When DC-expanded Tregs were introduced into sublethally irradiated hosts, the T cells suppressed graft-versus-host-disease induced by CD25- CD4+ T cells. Again, suppression was more active against the same mouse strain that provided the DCs to expand the Tregs. Therefore, alloantigen-selected Tregs are more effective suppressors of responses to major transplantation antigens, and these Tregs can be expanded from a polyclonal repertoire by DCs.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Hand infections: basic principles and management.

BACKGROUND: An untreated hand infection can lead rapidly to tissue destruction and permanent disability. METHODS: Review of the pertinent English literature. RESULTS: Early diagnosis and timely, effective intervention is crucial to treatment. Anatomically, the hand consists of multiple potential spaces and tissue planes that can become infected with a wide variety of organisms. Thus, a working knowledge of hand anatomy as well as pharmalogical therapies is imperative for successful management. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the basic principles of hand care, relevant anatomy, infectious organisms, and clinical signs of an unusually aggressive infection greatly improves treatment efficacy.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2004

Botox and collagen for glabellar furrows: advantages of combination therapy.

Plastic surgeons frequently administer botulinum toxin A (Botox) or collagen as monotherapy to treat glabellar furrows. This study evaluates the possible advantages of combination therapy. Sixty-five patients with moderate to severe glabellar rhytids were prospectively randomized to receive standard injections of Botox, Zyderm II collagen, or a combination. Improvement in rhytids was assessed over 3 months using patient satisfaction scores and an independent physician evaluation. Baseline wrinkle severity was similar in all 3 groups. By 1 month posttreatment, the combination arm showed significantly greater improvement in furrows (79% compared with only 56% and 50% in the Botox and Zyderm arms, respectively; P < 0.05). At 3 months postinjection, the dual-therapy arm maintained better improvement (57% versus 33% and 27% in the monotherapy arms; P < 0.05). Patient satisfaction further highlighted the superiority of the combination approach. By simultaneously addressing the static and dynamic aspects of glabellar furrows, dual therapy provides optimal treatment of this problem.

Botulinum Toxins, Type A↗

PubMed2003

COX-2 up-regulation in idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome.

The objective of this study was to determine whether cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is up-regulated in the synovium of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Twenty patients were enrolled: 16 consecutive patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and four control patients (exploration for non-carpal tunnel syndrome-related wrist or forearm pathology). Clinical data (demographics, pertinent history, symptomatology) were obtained preoperatively. Flexor tenosynovial tissue was isolated from all patients and clinically graded as thin, intermediate, or thick. Histologic evaluation was conducted to rule out the presence of inflammatory cells. Immunohistochemical staining for COX-2 was performed. The immunohistochemical data were confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis of COX-2 mRNA. Results showed that the majority of carpal tunnel syndrome specimens (88 percent) showed synovial hypertrophy compared with 0 percent of the controls (p < 0.05). Also, 69 percent of carpal tunnel syndrome specimens (11 of 16) versus 0 percent of controls (zero of four) stained positively for COX-2 (p < 0.05). Of the carpal tunnel syndrome patients, 91 percent of thick specimens versus 33 percent of intermediate specimens versus 0 percent of thin specimens showed COX-2 staining. The authors conclude that synovial hypertrophy is a prominent finding in carpal tunnel syndrome. COX-2 is up-regulated in the tenosynovium of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, and this upregulation may correlate with the clinical grade of the tenosynovium. The role of COX-2 in carpal tunnel syndrome may be to mediate remodeling of pathologic tissue. To this end, it may be a potential therapeutic target for specific inhibition.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in the periprosthetic capsule surrounding a silicone shell implant in the rat.

Prosthetic breast implants are used frequently for both aesthetic and reconstructive purposes. Histologically, the normal tissue response to silicone implants typically involves an inflammatory infiltrate that consists initially of macrophages, and later consists of fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and lymphocytes. To characterize further the nature of the inflammatory response to silicone breast implants, the authors evaluated the expression of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) by the tissues and cells of the breast capsule after silicone augmentation in an animal model. COX-2 is an inducible enzyme that is expressed primarily in response to inflammatory stimuli and mediates the production of prostaglandins that support the inflammatory process. Fifty-nine animals at five time points were evaluated. Specifically, on days 4, 7, 14, 28, and 80 the authors identified cytoplasmic COX-2 expression in each of the three cell types of interest, including endothelial cells, macrophages, and fibroblasts. Selective COX-2 inhibiting agents may be an appropriate pharmacological intervention for modulating the formation of periprosthetic capsules.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Facial atrophy in HIV-related fat redistribution syndrome: anatomic evaluation and surgical reconstruction.

The use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with protease inhibitors can result in a syndrome of peripheral wasting, facial fat atrophy, and central adiposity in as many as 64% of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who are treated with this regimen for 1 year. In this study the authors evaluated 9 consecutive patients who presented with this disease to define further its anatomic features and to explore techniques for surgical correction. Three of these patients presented with severe facial atrophy, and underwent surgical exploration and reconstruction with submalar silicone implants. Two patients required additional soft-tissue augmentation with synthetic fillers and/or autologous fat. Outcomes were determined through clinical impressions of the patient and surgeons, and comparison of pre- and postoperative photographs. No extrusion or infection was encountered, although 1 patient required repositioning on one side. Both surgeons and patients were satisfied with the results at the long-term follow-up. Detailed anatomic evaluation revealed the presence of a fat pad of Bichat in all patients. Facial atrophy in HIV-related fat redistribution syndrome (HARS) is secondary to atrophy of the subcutaneous fat, but not of the deeper fat pads, as has been described. Durable surgical reconstruction is achieved with a combination of submalar silicone implantation and augmentation of the nasolabial fold. HARS causes noticeable disfigurement that stigmatizes the HIV-infected patient. Given the overall benefit of decreased morbidity and prolonged survival associated with HAART therapy, it is beneficial to attempt surgical correction of these debilitating sequelae before discontinuation of these drugs.

Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active↗