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Biomedical subjects

R Maran

Publications and source records attributed to R Maran.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Antiperinuclear factor--clinical, serological and genetic correlates in Israeli patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The possible association between the presence of antiperinuclear factor (APF) and clinical and genetic parameters was investigated in 54 Israeli patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Rheumatoid factor (RF) was detected in the sera of 43 patients (80%) and APF was positive in 33 (61%). No significant statistical differences were found in the presence of HLA-DR4 and/or DR1 between APF-positive and -negative patients. Furthermore, neither the Ritchie articular index nor the patient's functional class correlated with the presence of APF. The results of our study suggested that although Israeli patients have a different genetic background, the presence and behaviour of APF is similar to that of other Caucasian populations.

Adult↗

IgG subclasses of human autoantibodies.

IgG comprises of four subclasses which differ from each other with respect to their biological properties. Fc gamma receptor shedding as well as a variety of T cell cytokines are influential in the distribution of these subclasses, but the route the antigen is introduced into the body is also important. With regard to nonorgan-specific autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, IgG1 and IgG3 autoantibodies predominate, whereas IgG4 antibodies are regularly encountered in organ-specific autoimmune diseases. This suggests that the target organ may be continuously stimulating the immune system.

Autoantibodies↗

[Ocular metastatic carcinoma--rare or common?].

Ocular metastatic carcinoma is the most common malignant neoplasm of the eye. It usually occurs after diagnosis of the primary tumor and the appearance of metastatic disease. However, it may be the initial manifestation of disease. Subclinical disease is often unnoticed because patients usually have metastatic disease to other organs which dominate the clinical picture. Regardless of the primary tumor, the prognosis following metastasis to the eye or orbit is poor, with average survival only a few months. The most common part of the eye involved by metastases is the highly vascular choroid, followed by the anterior segment, other orbital structures, lids, and retina. Early diagnosis and local treatment of the lesion maximize quality of life, but do not increase survival time.

Carcinoma↗

Isotypic distribution of anti-pyruvate dehydrogenase antibodies in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and their family members.

IgG subclasses of anti-pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) antibodies were determined in 72 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. All isotypes were detected, but IgG3, IgG1, and IgG2 predominated independently or in association. An average of 33.3 +/- 19.1% of the anti-PDH IgG was IgG1 (mean optical density, 0.863 +/- 0.783, vs 0.053 +/- 0.038 in the normal controls), 25.0 +/- 17.8 IgG2 (0.652 +/- 0.656 vs 0.062 +/- 0.030), 39.5 +/- 23.4% IgG3 (1.140 +/- 0.917 vs 0.010 +/- 0.023), and 2.4 +/- 7.4% IgG4 (0.060 +/- 0.182 vs 0.012 +/- 0.007). Anti-PDH IgG were restricted to IgG1 in the family members of patients (0.180 +/- 0.403).

Adolescent↗

[Acute lung injury as a complication of blood transfusion].

Acute lung injury as a complication of blood transfusion (transfusion related acute lung injury) may occur a few hours following transfusion and is characterized by sudden respiratory distress, severe hypoxemia, fever and hypotension. The clinical picture develops rapidly and is severe, and the radiological findings mimic the adult type of respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Treatment is mainly supportive and includes corticosteroids. Despite the relatively good prognosis, fatalities have been described. The pathogenesis involves antileukocytic antibodies, usually of the donor but occasionally of the recipient. We describe a patient who developed such complication. Since blood transfusion is a routine procedure it is of utmost importance to draw the attention of physicians to this not uncommon and potentially fatal complication. Awareness will help to prevent it, and promote early diagnosis and treatment.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Predominance of IgG1 subclass of anti-Ro/SSA, but not anti-La/SSB antibodies in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

We have developed isotype-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to assess anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB IgG subclasses in 31 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. The anti-Ro/SSA antibody production was largely but not totally restricted to IgG1, whilst the anti-La/SSB subclass distribution varied from one patient to another. IgG2 and IgG3 anti-La/SSB was more frequent in those patients with extraglandular manifestations. In addition, there were more increases in the IgG2 and IgG4 contribution to anti-La/SSB activity in the 16 DR3-positive patients than in the remaining 10.

Adult↗

Ultrastructural observations on a variant of acute promyelocytic leukemia.

A patient with acute leukemia is presented in whom the leukemic cells, as seen by light microscopy were typical promyelocytes. The cells had normal or slightly invaginated nuclei with typical cytoplasmic granules and the diagnosis was confirmed by cytochemistry. The clinical course was rapid and the patient died of disseminated intravascular coagulation and urosepsis within a few days of diagnosis. However, electron microscopic examination showed cells with extremely convoluted and lobulated nuclei with nuclear pockets and cytoplasmic bridges as well as the complete absence of cytoplasmic granules in the majority of the cells. Furthermore, the urine lysozyme (muramidase) was elevated. These findings suggest that the leukemia in this patient may be classified as a hypogranular variant of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), with monocytoid ultrastructural appearances.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Myelokathexis and monocytosis in a patient with gastric cancer.

A 66-year-old patient developed leukocytosis, neutrophilia and monocytosis following surgery for gastric carcinoma. The polymorphonuclear cells showed a marked shift to the right and abnormally hypersegmented or pyknotic nuclei, whereas the monocytes were vacuolized. The bone marrow was hypercellular with an increased number of multilobed polymorphonuclear cells. This myeloid cell defect is compatible with the nuclear abnormalities described as myelokathexis. The combination of the nuclear abnormalities of the polymorphonuclear cells with persistent monocytosis suggests the possibility of a paraneoplastic variant of myelodysplasia.

Aged↗

Malabsorption due to a ventral hernia.

A case of malabsorption due to a stagnant loop which occurred in a huge ventral hernia is presented. The clinical course was relatively indolent with symptoms of malabsorption and occasional abdominal pain. Although rare, abdominal hernia can lead to malabsorption due to bacterial overgrowth as a result of stagnant loop.

Aged↗

Modulation of tissue plasminogen activator biosynthesis by phosphatidylinositol liposomes in human fetal lung fibroblasts.

Phosphatidylinositol (PI) liposomes at 40 microM increased tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) biosynthesis by human fetal lung fibroblasts IMR-90 (FLF), after 5 days of incubation by 7.4 +/- 1.4 times of the control level. Other phospholipid liposomes, such as phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and phosphatidylglycerol (PG), had no effect on t-PA biosynthesis by FLF. The induction of t-PA biosynthesis by PI liposomes was inhibited by specific inhibitors of phosphoinositide pathway: gentamycin and lithium chloride. Thus, gentamycin inhibited the effect of PI liposomes on t-PA biosynthesis by 76% (P less than 0.001), while it had no effect on control FLF. Likewise, lithium chloride inhibited t-PA biosynthesis of both PI-treated and control FLF by greater than 84%. The induction of t-PA biosynthesis by PI liposomes was dependent on RNA transcription and independent of DNA biosynthesis.

Aphidicolin↗

[Dermatotenodesis in the treatment of "mallet finger"].

"Tenodermodesis" is a surgical technique devised and recommended in order to correct chronic mallet finger deformity. In the last ten years, at the I Orthopedic Clinic of Padua University, tenodermodesis combined with a longitudinal transarticular Kirschner wire fixation has been used for treating a total of 25 mallet fingers: 20 acute and 5 chronic lesions. This lesion was always due to a simple tendon injury with a flexion deformity up to 45 degrees. Based on the results, the authors suggest the use of this techniques for treating acute lesions especially in young people, whatever finger has been injured. The reason why the authors themselves are not capable of giving a significant opinion on the validity of the method in the treatment of chronic mallet deformity is the small number of patients treated.

Adolescent↗