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Biomedical subjects

R Penny

Publications and source records attributed to R Penny.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Secretion of prorenin by a virilizing ovarian tumor.

A 53-year-old normotensive, normokalemic female presented with a 6-month history of virilization. Estradiol, LH, FSH, urinary-free cortisol, and DHEA-S levels were normal. Pelvic ultrasound and computerized tomography were also within normal limits. Her serum testosterone (551 ng/dl; nl, 20-70) and plasma prorenin (124 ng AI/ml/hr; nl, less than 50) levels were elevated. At surgery, a lipoid/steroid cell tumor of the right ovary was removed. Postoperative testosterone and prorenin levels were normal. Ovarian tumor cells, in culture, produced large amounts of prorenin. Immunohistochemistry localized prorenin and/or renin to tumor cells. Determining plasma prorenin levels may be a useful adjunct in diagnosing or following patients with nonepithelial ovarian tumors. A larger clinical study of prorenin levels in patients with such tumors is needed.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1992

Epstein-Barr virus and HIV play no direct role in persistent generalized lymphadenopathy syndrome.

Persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL) and polyclonal B cell activation are features of infection with HIV. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and HIV are known to activate B cells in vitro, but whether they are important B cell activators in patients infected with HIV is less clear. In this study, lymph node tissue was obtained from 10 patients with PGL and assessed for evidence of EBV and HIV gene sequences. DNA was extracted and specific viral gene sequences identified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). EBV sequences were difficult to detect in the PGL tissue, with a signal intensity similar to that of other benign and malignant lymphoid conditions not associated with EBV. HIV sequences were also rare in the PGL tissue, consistent with HIV infection of the small number of peripheral blood cells and nodal T cells likely to be present in such a sample. These findings suggest that the polyclonal B cell activation typical of HIV is not driven by direct EBV or HIV infection of B cells.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1979

The testis.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Circulating immune complexes in acute uveitis: a possible association with the histocompatibility complex locus antigen B27.

39 patients with acute anterior uveitis were investigated for the presence of circulating immune complex (IC) and correlation with the major histocompatibility complex antigen B27 (HLA-B27). ICs were demonstrated by a number of techniques including rheumatoid factor, complement (C) activation, anticomplementary activity, cryoglobulins, inhibition of IgG-EA rosette formation and neutrophil chemotactic index (NCI) in plasma. ICs were most frequently detected in HLA-B27-negative patients. These results indicate that deposition of circulating ICs may be involved in the pathogenesis of acute anterior uveitis, especially in HLA-B27-negative patients.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1979

Corticosteroid enhancement of immunoglobulin synthesis by pokeweed mitogen-stimulated human lymphocytes.

The effects of the addition in vitro of corticosteroid on pokeweed mitogen (PWM) induced Ig synthesis by human peripheral blood lymphocytes were studied. IgG in supernatants produced under standardized culture conditions was measured by double antibody radioimmunoassay. The addition of 10(-6)M prednisolone caused a remarkable enhancement of PWM-stimulated IgG synthesis beginning at day 4 of culture and increasing at a faster rate than that in cultures with PWM alone. 10(-6)M prednisolone resulted in a geometric mean enhancement of 5.6-fold of PWM-stimulated IgG synthesis in all twenty-five normal controls studied. This enhancement occurred up to 3 days after the addition of PWM. 10(-6)M and 10(-5)M prednisolone resulted in significantly greater enhancement of PWM-stimulated IgG synthesis than 10(-7)M prednisolone. Hydrocortisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, betamethasone and dexamethasone at 10(-6)M were all equally effective in the enhancement of PWM-induced IgG synthesis.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1979

Testosterone and estradiol concentrations in paired maternal and cord sera and their correlation with the concentration of chorionic gonadotropin.

Testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) concentrations were determined and correlated with beta human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG) concentrations in 43 paired maternal and cord sera (22 female and 21 male infants). Mean (+/- SD) maternal E2 concentrations were significantly (P less than .005) higher when the sex of the fetus was male than when the sex of the fetus was female (20.6 +/- 3.9 vs 13.5 +/- 3.2 ng/ml). Maternal T concentrations were not significantly different when related to the sex of the fetus (males, 114.8 +/- 60.7 vs females, 113.8 +/- 54.5 ng/100 ml, P greater than .1). Regression analysis did not show a significant correlation between maternal T or E2 concentrations and maternal beta-HCG concentrations. Mean cord serum T and E2 concentrations of male infants were significantly greater than that of female infants (T, 38.8 +/- 8.5 vs 25.8 +/- 7.1 ng/100 ml, P less than .005; E2, 9.1 +/- 3.3 vs 6.6 +/- 2.0 ng/ml, P less than .005). Regression analysis showed a significant (P less than .005) correlation between cord beta-HCG concentrations and E2 concentrations for male infants (r = .7) and female infants (r = .6). A significant correlation between cord beta-HCG concentrations and T concentrations was found for male infants (r = .5; P less than .01) but not for female infants (r = .3; P greater than .05). There was no correlation between maternal and infant E2 concentrations (males, r = .3, P greater than .05; females, r = .3, P greater than .2) or T concentrations (males, r = .02, P greater than 0.4; females, r = .06, P greater than .3). These data (1) confirm the sex difference in cord serum T and E2 concentrations, (2) indicate that the lower beta-HCG concentrations in mothers of male infants are associated with E2 concentrations which are greater than those in mothers of female infants, and (3) are consistent with an influence of beta-HCG on fetal T and E2 secretion.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗
PubMed1979

Tissue C3b receptors.

Using fluorescein-labelled S. typhi coated with C3b (FBC) the presence of a receptor for C3b in normal human glomeruli has been confirmed. A quantitative system, counting the number of FBC bound per unit area of glomerulus, has been developed. Experimental variables have been studied to determine optimal conditions for FBC binding. Glomerular FBC binding has been shown to be dependent on FBC concentration, temperature and time of tissue incubation. A standardized procedure has been adopted. Using this technique we have examined a number of target tissues, including synovium, skin, lung, choroid plexus and uveal tract, which are frequently affected in systemic immune complex diseases. No evidence of this receptor has been found in these tissues. These results suggest a mechanism different from the C3b receptor operating to localise immune complexes in these non-renal sites.

Choroid Plexus↗
PubMed1978

Lymphoproliferative disease with IgM lambda monoclonal protein and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. A report of four cases and a review of the literature.

Four patients with lymphoproliferative disease with immunoglobulin M lambda (IgMlambda) monoclonal proteins and severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia are described. These patients had many features in common that may warrant their recognition as a specific entity within the lymphoproliferative spectrum. In each case, a wide thermal range low titer cold agglutinin was present. The association of cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia with IgMlambda monoclonal protein and lymphoproliferative disease is unusual. The literature on IgM monoclonal proteins associated with lymphoproliferative disease is reviewed with emphasis on the presence of direct antiglobulin test positive autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Blood hyperviscosity in cryoglobulinaemia: temperature sensitivity and correlation with reduced skin blood flow.

Cryoglobulins cause an increase in plasma viscosity and this has been attributed to increased protein-protein interaction. The purpose of the present study was to analyse the interaction between red cells and these proteins by measuring the viscosity of whold blood from 21 patients with cryoglobulinaemia not only at high (73 sec-1) and low (0.18 sec-1) shear rates, but also at different temperatures. At 35 degrees blood hyperviscosity was found in 62% of the patients at the high shear rate, and in 76% of patients at the low shear rate. Cooling of the blood to 25 degrees caused an increase in the blood viscosity which was particularly marked at the low shear rate. The plasma viscosity was significantly increased at both temperatures. The hand blood flow was measured at 32 degrees, 27 degrees and 20 degrees in 12 patients to assess the degree of impairment of the peripheral circulation. The flows were significantly reduced at each temperature and there was an increase in the sensitivity of the flow through this region to local cooling. These findings indicate that in the presence of a cryoglobulin there is an increased viscous resistance, particularly at low flow rates. The temperature and shear rate characteristics of the blood viscosity suggest that cryoglobulins markedly potentiate red cell aggregation. This explains, at lest in part, the high incidence of skin and vascular complications in patients with cryoglobulinaemia and the characteristic localization of these features to exposed peripheral tissues.

Blood Viscosity↗
PubMed1978

Raynaud's disease: reduced hand blood flows with normal blood viscosity.

Hand blood flows and the blood and plasma viscosities were measured in patients with Raynaud's disease in an attempt to identify the mechanism of the episodic vascular insufficiency. Using venous occlusion plethysmography the following observations were made: (1) the hand blood flows were significantly less than in normals at 32 degrees, 27 degrees and 20 degrees C; (2) the percentage decrease in flow with cooling was greater in normals and (3) cooling of one hand from 32 degrees to 27 degrees C caused an abnormal decrease in flow through the contralateral hand. Using a rotational viscometer the blood and plasma viscosities were found to be normal at both high and low shear rates. The percentage increase in the blood viscosity with cooling from 35 degrees to 25 degrees was also normal. These studies demonstrate an increased constrictive response of the cutaneous vasculature of the hand to both local and reflex stimulation, and exclude a rheological abnormality, under conditions similar to those of the present study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Experience with large volume plasmapheresis in malignant paraproteinaemia and immune disorders.

Clinical experience with large volume plasmapheresis in a wide range of malignant and immune disorders is described. An average of 4 litres of plasma was exchanged for various colloid and electrolyte solutions. Patient tolerance was good but close medical and nursing supervision in monitoring fluid balance and adverse reactions to replacement fluids is necessary. Plasmapheresis has been established to be of benefit in immunoproliferative diseases when complicated by hyperviscosity, and may also have a place in other cases with haemostatic or renal impairment. Autoantibodies, alloantibodies and immune complexes can be removed by plasmapheresis, but the effect is usually transient and the procedure should be combined with immunosuppressive therapy in most cases. The removal of blocking factors in disseminated malignant melanoma is an experimental procedure at present, but initial results have been encouraging.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Effects of anti-rheumatic drugs on immunological parameters.

A short review is presented of the immune and inflammatory sites of action of the more common agents in use by rheumatologists--in particular, corticosteroids, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1978

Scleroderma: pathogenic factors and current management.

The aetiology of scleroderma remains unknown. Pathogenetic mechanisms may originate from vascular, collagen or immune abnormalities. These are reviewed and the current management although in the main unsatisfactory may alleviate a number of the distressing symptoms.

Blood Vessels↗
PubMed1978

Systemic factors contributory to retinal vein occlusion.

This study was undertaken in 79 patients with retinal vein occlusion to assess the different systemic mechanisms contributing to the occlusion, namely, intrinsic vessel disease and abnormalities of the blood constituents and blood viscosity. In 55 patients older than 50 years of age, important associations were hypertension, abnormal results on glucose tolerance test, hyperlipidemia, chronic lung disease, and elevated serum IgA levels. In the 24 patients younger than 50 years of age, male incidence was high and important associations were head injuries, hyperlipidemia, and the use of estrogen-containing preparations. Hyperviscosity and cryofibrinogenemia were prominent in both groups. The pathogenesis of retinal venous occlusion is complex involving interaction between the vessel wall and blood constituents.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Gonadotropin excretion and body composition.

Urinary follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) excretion was correlated with calculated total body water (TBW) and body fat (BF) in 140 normal girls and 142 normal boys, ages 3 to 16 years. In girls, there was a significant increase in gonadotropin excretion at the time of a significant increase in BF as a percent of body weight and decrease in TBW as a percent of body weight. Pubertal changes in body composition were seen in girls at the same chronological age and stage of puberty as increased gonadotropin excretion. Similar findings were observed in boys. Pubertal changes in body composition (an increase in TBW as a percent of body weight and decrease of BF as a percent of body weight) accompanied significantly increased gonadotropin excretion. Both developmental changes were seen at the same chronological age and stage of puberty. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that characteristic changes in body composition as well as the other hallmarks of puberty, including menarche in girls, result from increased gonadotropin and gonadal steroid secretion. They do not support the hypothesis that changes of body composition trigger increased hypothalamic function and hormone secretion leading to the subsequent events of puberty.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1978

An immunologist's view of viral disease.

Immunologists see viral infection as a struggle between host defences and viral invasion. The outcome of such invasion may be sub-clinical or self limiting clinical infection or a less favourable outcome with chronicity, "slow virus" disease, autoimmunity or malignancy. A limited number of immune manipulations are possible in viral disease--immunization, immune enhancement with transfer factor or levamisole. An understanding of immune defences is vital at a time when antiviral chemotherapy is still so poorly developed.

Humans↗