[Circulating immune complexes and complement factors in patients following cardiosurgical operations]

In patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery complement levels and immune complexes dropped significantly immediately after surgery, followed by a late rise in not complement fixing IC, suspected to be the product of polyclonal immune stimulation.

Identification of the apparently lymphocyte-specific human liver-derived inhibitory protein (LIP) as cytoplasmic liver L-arginase

This paper describes the identification of a human liver-derived inhibitory protein (LIP), which has recently been purified, as cytoplasmic liver arginase. Arginase activity was purified to homogeneity parallel to lymphocyte proliferation inhibitory activity. The reaction products were identified by thin-layer chromatography to be ornithine and urea from arginine. The enzyme activity could be increased by the addition of manganese ions, and the inhibitory effect on cell proliferation could be reversed by additional arginine. An antiserum against LIP cross-reacted with cytoplasmic calf liver arginase.

Identification of the apparently lymphocyte-specific human liver-derived inhibitory protein (LIP) as cytoplasmic liver L-arginase

This paper describes the identification of a human liver-derived inhibitory protein (LIP), which has recently been purified, as cytoplasmic liver arginase. Arginase activity was purified to homogeneity parallel to lymphocyte proliferation inhibitory activity. The reaction products were identified by thin-layer chromatography to be ornithine and urea from arginine. The enzyme activity could be increased by the addition of manganese ions, and the inhibitory effect on cell proliferation could be reversed by additional arginine. An antiserum against LIP cross-reacted with cytoplasmic calf liver arginase.

Concurrent validity of the behavior development survey

The Vineland Social Maturity Scale, the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT), the Adaptive Behavior Scale (ABS), and the Behavior Development Survey, an abbreviated five-domain version of the ABS, were administered to a stratified random sample of 111 mentally retarded individuals. The network of correlations obtained among these measures indicated that the Behavior Development Survey is a concurrently valid method of assessing adaptive behavior and demonstrates a pattern of correlations with the Vineland and the PPVT similar to that demonstrated by the more extensive ABS.

Purification and biochemical characterization of human liver-derived inhibitory protein (LIP)

The liver-derived inhibitory protein (LIP), described by us in 1974 (1), has now been purified and biochemically characterized. LIP was purified 166-fold from liver extract (LE) by a combination of gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography, using AcA 44, DEAE-cellulose, hydroxylapatite and Sephadex G-150 superfine. The m.w. of purified LIP was determined by gel filtration to be 67,000 daltons and by SDS-PAGE to be 37,000 daltons. The pI was in the range of 8.83 to 8.96. The protein is temperature labile (60 to 70 degrees C) and acid labile (pH 4). The specific lymphocyte inhibitory activity of the purified protein is 0.15 microgram/culture. LIP is distinct from other liver-derived inhibitory proteins.

Purification and biochemical characterization of human liver-derived inhibitory protein (LIP)

The liver-derived inhibitory protein (LIP), described by us in 1974 (1), has now been purified and biochemically characterized. LIP was purified 166-fold from liver extract (LE) by a combination of gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography, using AcA 44, DEAE-cellulose, hydroxylapatite and Sephadex G-150 superfine. The m.w. of purified LIP was determined by gel filtration to be 67,000 daltons and by SDS-PAGE to be 37,000 daltons. The pI was in the range of 8.83 to 8.96. The protein is temperature labile (60 to 70 degrees C) and acid labile (pH 4). The specific lymphocyte inhibitory activity of the purified protein is 0.15 microgram/culture. LIP is distinct from other liver-derived inhibitory proteins.

[Passive prophylactic immunisation against post-transfusion hepatitis by immunoglobulin preparations: a prospective clinical study]

In the course of a randomised prospective study involving 98 patients who had undergone cardiac surgery, 51 patients were given 20 g human immunoglobulin i.v. over four months, 47 received merely blood transfusions, like all other patients, averaging 4.4 units per patient. Antibodies against HBs antigen or Hbc antigen were present in 20% of patients before operation. After operation (plus blood transfusions) antibodies against hepatitis-B virus were demonstrated in 43% of the control group but 94% of those treated with immunoglobulins. These antibodies persisted in the course of further immunoglobulin administrations, while they fell in the control group. Hepatitis-B infections occurred in ten patients of the control group, after 30-90 days; three of them developed acute hepatitis. In the group treated with immunoglobulins there were only two patients with an infection, one of whom developed hepatitis. Antibodies against cytomegalic virus increased in the control group but not in the treatment group. In both groups there was the same incidence of non-A-non-B hepatitis.

Interaction of myelin basic protein with mononuclear cells: the primary reaction for the MEM and EMT tests

The primary reaction of the macrophage electrophoretic mobility test (MEM) and its modifications (viz. the interaction of myelin basic protein (MBP) and mononuclear cells) has been investigated. The binding of MBP to mononuclear cells is rather weak, and on incubation with mononuclear cells the MBP is proteolytically degraded. A fast process leads to fragments with mol. wts in the range 9000-14,000, followed by a slower process leading to peptides smaller than 5000. Both binding and proteolytic degradation are the same for mononuclear cells from cancer patients and from control individuals.

Dynamic models for animal orientation

The orientation of an animal moving in a plane towards a point-like mark is investigated. The control exerted by the optomotor (tracking) response on the motion of the animal is interpreted as an external force acting on the animal itself, which is modeled as a dipole or as a single point. The optomotor response is assumed as a rather general function of distance and angle. Differential equations governing the motion are derived and analyzed qualitatively and numerically. The role of distance-dependence and of the width of the visual field is investigated in detail and related to some typical kinds of paths in the plane, such as hitting the mark, coming close to the mark within a short distance, circular or undulating motion around the mark.

[Transfer factor (TF) treatment of patients with HBs-Ag-positive chronic active hepatitis. A prospective, controlled study (author's transl)]

It is a clinically and experimentally well supported working hypothesis that infection with hepatitis B virus may result in chronic active hepatitis in patients with suspected immune deficiencies. On this basis, a pilot study was performed in order to evaluate the effect of "specific" transfer factor (TF) in the treatment of HBS-Ag-positive chronic active hepatitis. From the leukocytes of 500 ml venous blood each of 40 volunteers that had completely recovered from acute virus hepatitis B within the last 6 months, a unique TF pool (40 units of TF) was prepared according to the method of Lawrence. Preexaminations indicated that this preparation was able to enhance cellular immune reactions in vitro. Thirteen patients with HBS-antigenemia and chronic active hepatitis (i.e., two liver biopsies within the last 6 or more months with the histological criteria of chronic aggressive hepatitis according to de Groote, elevated serum levels of bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, transaminase activities, and/or gamma-globulines) were randomized: Seven received s.c. injections of two units of TF each on days 1 and 15, the other six saline. Conversion of skin reactions to some ubiquitous antigens occurred in the TF group, but no significant and constant drop of HBS-Ag serum titers was observed. Although some of the biochemical parameters seemed to ameliorate in the TF group, the differences versus the control group did not prove to be significant within the limited number of patients under observation. The in vitro reactivity of patients' lymphocytes to HBS-Ag, tested by means of the 3H-thymidine uptake, was never found enhanced after TF application. In the used doses, "specific" TF was not effective in the treatment of HBS-Ag-positive chronic active hepatitis; unfavorable side-effects were not observed.

[Changes in blood lymphocytes and their subpopulation in patients with myeloblastic leukemia treated with cytostatic agents]

Quantitative determinations of lymphocytas were done in the active period of the disease, immediately after treatment by the COAP schedule and during remission. In 6 patients the determinations were done several times during 20 weeks of maintenance treatment. It was found that independently of the stage of the disease the absolute lymphocyte count and the counts of B and T populations were low, while that of lymphocyte O population was raised. It was observed that the reduced count concerned all 4 subclasses of lymphocytes B, that is those with surface receptors for IgA, IgM, IgG and IgE immunoglobulins. In remission the values of lymphocytes and their T and B subpopulations increased, failing, however, to reach the normal values. This rise was more pronounced in the case of lymphocytes T. Lymphocyte depression in these patients is explained by the authors as due mainly to intensive cytostatic treatment.

Epstein-Barr virus infections in childhood

IgM and IgG antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) capsid antigen and antibodies against EBV nuclear antigen and heterophil antibodies were investigated in 115 paired sera of children with acute infections and in 100 sera of healthy controls of the same age and sex. EBV-specific IgM antibodies could be recognized in 13.7% of the patients and in 7% of the controls. Antibodies against EBV nuclear antigen were not detected in the IgM-positive sera.

Studies on Miltenberger class III, V, Mv and Mk red cells. I. Sodium-dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic investigations

The glycoproteins in erythrocyte membrane from individuals exhibiting the rare alleles at the MNSs blood group locus Miltenberger (Mi-) III, V, Mv and Mk were studied by sodium-dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic techniques. The results suggest that the genes Mi-III and -V give rise to the formation of Ss sialoglycoproteins whose electrophoretic mobilities are altered. The Mi-V alteration is additionally associated with a decreased MN glycoprotein content. The allele Mv leads to a decreased Ss glycoprotein content. Data on ordinary Mk and Mk/Mi-III red cells suggest that the gene complex Mk does not give rise to the synthesis of Ss glycoprotein.

Interaction of peanut agglutinin with human lymphocytes. Binding properties and topology of the receptor site

The relationship between the mitogenic lectin PNA and other mitogenic and non-mitogenic lectins was investigated. PNA labelled with 125I was found to bind equally well to T and B lymphocytes, after neuraminidase treatment, with 3.88 times 10(6) and 3.73 times 10(6) binding sites respectively. Only the T cell fraction was stimulated, however, and only after neuraminidase treatment. Preincubation of neuraminidase-treated cells with non-mitogenic lectins and antiserum which appeared to bind to the same receptor as PNA, enhanced the latter's stimulatory properties. Capping and co-capping techniques were used to examine the topology of lectin receptors on the lymphocyte surface. The receptor glycoprotein for the mitogenic PNA lectin was found to be distinct from that possessing the Con A and PHA receptors, as well as that possessing the receptor for the non-mitogenic lectin from Helix pomatia.

[Graft-versus-host reaction following granulocyte transfusion from a normal donor (author's transl)]

Graft-versus-Host disease following the transfusion of leukocytes from normal donor occured during remission-reinduction therapy in a 5 years old girl with acute lymphocytic leukemia. The clinical picture consisting of rash, diarrhea and somnolence was congruent with the diagnosis. Graft-versus-Host disease was confirmed by histology of skin biopsy and exclusion of other causes. The child survived the disease. We recommend the irradiation of leukocyte concentrates before transfusion.

Tridacnin, a new mitogenic lectin from invertebrate sources

A new group of invertebrate lectins with anti-beta-galactosyl specificity, the so-called Tridacnins from the Tridacnid bivalve clams have been found to show not only agglutinating and precipitating properties, but also mitogenic activity as tested with human lymphocytes.

[Humoral and cell-bound immunological reactions in chronic hepatitis (author's transl)]

Various forms of chronic hepatitis can be differentiated on the basis of histological changes as well as of immunological findings. Humoral and cell-bound immune phenomena in chronic hepatitis are described; their significance for the pathogenesis and for establishing a diagnosis is discussed.

[On the question of drug-induced pseudo-LE syndrome: preliminary results in 58 cases (author's transl)]

Drug intake had been checked in 58 patients with pseudo-LE-syndrome. In view of the findings of the Zürich group a connection between the intake of Venopyronum¿ coated tablets and a pseudo-LE syndrome was strongly suspected in 45. In a further seven patients who also had taken the drug no definite connection could be shown because there was no temporal relationship between drug and disease. Three patients had taken Venopyronum-triplex capsules. Only three patients categorically denied ever having taken the drug in any form.

Effect of D-penicillamine on lymphocyte function

Lymphocyte stimulation by different stimulating agents was dose dependently inhibited by D-penicillamine (Metalcaptase-R). The influence of D-penicillamine on the lymphocyte metabolism after the stimulation was established, was time dependently reduced. After preincubation of lymphocytes with D-penicillamine the lymphocyte metabolism was dose dependently reduced. The inhibition of the mixed lymphocyte cultures was by far less extensive after preincubation of the stimulator cells than of the responder cells. HeLa-cells were dose dependently inhibited by D-penicillamine, too. From these results there is much to be said for the assumption that D-penicillamine acts at the level of the cell membrane. D-Penicillamine seems to affect "membrane dependent" metabolic processes rather than block antigenic or other immunologically relevant structures.

Influence of D-penicillamine on the immune response of mice

Studies on the influence of D-ss, ss-dimethylcystein (D-penicillamine, Metalcaptase-R) on the primary immune response of mice after immunization with sheep red blood cells show, that D-penicillamine up to doses of 20 mg/kg has no effect on the synthesis of hemagglutinating antibodies. Plaque forming cells in the spleen were not significantly reduced after administration of 80 mg/kg. A striking inhibition of the formation of immune rosettes is demonstrated. 80 mg/kg led to a significant reduction of rosette forming B-lymphocytes in the spleen.