Soluble extracts from a lymphoblastoid cell line modulate simian immunodeficiency syndrome (SAIDS) evolution.

Nineteen Macaca fascicularis monkeys were injected with SIV. They were subsequently divided into 5 groups. Four groups of 4 animals were injected with dialysable extracts (DLE) from a lymphoblastoid cell line which had been previously induced with DLE obtained either from the total lymphocyte population, or from the CD4 or CD8 subpopulations of mice immunized with SIV virus. The other three animals which constituted the control group received saline injections. The animals were kept under observation for a 108-day period, and the values of several biological parameters were compared in a multivariant statistical analysis. On the 108th day, the control group was significantly different from the other groups in the multivariant analysis. Furthermore, the CD4/CD8 ratio and the platelets and CD4 cell counts varied significantly between the groups in the univariant analysis. It is thus surmised that DLE obtained from CD8 cells or the total lymphocyte population of immunized animals may exert a modulating effect on the evolution of SAIDS.

Altered cellular immunity and suppressor cell activity in patients with primary retinitis pigmentosa.

A group of 54 patients with primary retinitis pigmentosa were studied and the following findings are described: response of lymphocytes to stimulation by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA); response of lymphocytes to stimulation by xenogenic retinal extract; distribution of T and T-active lymphoid populations; total suppressor activity induced by concanavalin-A (con-A). The results obtained showed a reduction in the response to PHA (p less than 0.05), a positive response of 26/45 (p less than 0.001) to stimulation by retinal extract, a reduction in the T and T-active lymphoid populations (p less than 0.01), (p less than 0.01), and a diminished total suppressor activity induced by con-A (p less than 0.01). This alterations of immune cellular responses and the diminished suppressor activity in the group of patients, in comparison with a control group of healthy subjects, seems to indicate the existence of an immune process of disregulation (autoimmunity?) in the pathology of primary retinitis pigmentosa.

Anterior cervical interbody fusion with threaded cylindrical bone.

The author describes some modifications of the original Cloward method of cervical intervertebral body fusion. These modifications include the intraoperative threading of the standard cylindrical graft dowel (either autologous or heterologous) and the development of two new instruments designed to insert the graft into the intervertebral space. This modified technique was tested in an experimental study using the cervical spine of cadavers, after which a series of 37 patients were operated on with this method. The results of both series are presented. The chief advantages of this type of interbody fusion over the standard technique are: 1) easier insertion of the graft into the intervertebral space; and 2) decrease in complications. Complications with cervical interbody fusion, both minor (such as partial displacement of the graft, vertebral angulation, and radicular injury) and major (such as spinal cord compression and/or contusion), are fortunately infrequent, but they are important because of their irreparable consequences.

Update on the Cloward procedure: new instruments.

A series of 283 patients who suffered from cervical spondylosis, herniated disc, or traumatic pathology of the cervical spine were operated on using an anterior approach. Intersomatic arthrodesis was performed in 350 cases; in every case, a threaded bone graft was screwed into the intervertebral orifice using the technique described by the author. Fusion was achieved within 6 months in 93% of cases with 92 autologous grafts and in 81% of cases with 258 heterologous grafts. In addition to the use of threaded intervertebral holes and threaded bone grafts, the Cloward technique was modified by the introduction of a set of new instruments, which largely replaced the ones previously use. These included a low-speed motor with different drills and trephines, a trephine guide retractor, and an intersomatic retractor.

[Treatment of herpes infections with transfer factor]. / Traitement des infections herpétiques par le facteur de transfert.

Twelve patients suffering from recurrent herpetic infections resistant to several current therapies were treated for a 3 to 10 months period with a bovine transfer factor specific to Herpes simplex virus of type 1 and 2. The results obtained showed that this treatment was capable of dramatically reducing the intensity, duration and frequency of the relapses. This preliminary clinical trial suggests that specific transfer factor administered orally could be an effective treatment of herpes infections.

[Therapy with transfer factor in a case of recidivating herpes with polymorphous erythema]. / Terapia con transfer factor en un caso de herpes recidivante con eritema polimorfo.

A young woman had recidivating herpes with erythema multiforme for several years. When conventional therapy failed to correct this condition she was treated with Transfer Factor (TF). Immunologic anomalies which had been registered previously became normal after the first application of TF. The skin lesions disappeared after the fourth dose. Six months later a new skin manifestation with immunologic alterations became apparent. They disappeared after two doses of TF. A year and a half later the patient has no lesions and the immunologic parameters, which were monitored throughout this period, are normal.

[Haemorrhage in arteriovenous malformations of the brain following radiosurgery: the importance of the latency period]. / Hemorragia de las malformaciones arteriovenosas cerebrales tras la radiocirugía: importancia del período de latencia.

INTRODUCTION: Arteriovenous malformations are abnormal communications between arteries and veins. Treatment can consist in surgery, embolisation and/or radiosurgery. AIM: To assess the influence of radiosurgery on the risk of bleeding and related factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 79 patients who were treated with a 6 MV linear accelerator. Clinical, morphological and dosimetric parameters were collected and a statistical analysis was performed to investigate their relationship with bleeding during the latency period. RESULTS: The mean age was 33.7 years, and 56% of patients were females. The mean volume was 6.16 cm(3). Bleeding occurred before treatment in 52.6% of cases. Altogether 25% had been embolised and 7.6% had been treated earlier using radiosurgery. Six patients suffered a haemorrhage after treatment. Bleeding occurred in 21% of those who had undergone embolisation versus 3.6% in non-embolised individuals (p < 0.02). Bleeding occurred in 33.3% of those who had been treated radiosurgically on more than one occasion, and only 5.7% if they were treated just once (p = 0.02). Bleeding took place in 28.6% of lesions above 10 cm(3) and in 3.2% when they were smaller (p < 0.01). Bleeding occurred in 16.1% of patients if they received less than 17 Gy, and in 2.22% if they received 17 or more (p < 0.01). All haemorrhages took place in treatments with more than one isocentre (p < 0.01) and with a higher homogeneity index (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Radiosurgery does not modify the risk of bleeding. The factors associated to higher percentages of bleeding are also related to poorer closure outcomes and longer latency periods.

Specific transfer factor protects mice against lethal challenge with herpes simplex virus.

Bovine transfer factor (TFd) specific to herpes simplex virus (HSV)1 or to HSV2 was prepared by immunizing calves with the corresponding virus. The TFd preparations were then injected into Swiss mice in an attempt to protect them against a subsequent lethal challenge with HSV1 or HSV2 virus. It was thus shown that injection of anti-HSV TFd protects the mice against the corresponding HSV virus, whereas the injection of a nonspecific TFd (anti-CMV) fails to protect against a challenge with HSV1. Furthermore, a dose-response effect was observed, since potent TFd preparations were ineffective when they were used at one-fifth of the original concentration. It seems, therefore, that animal models may be used to assay the potency of TFd preparations specific for herpes viruses.

Dimethyl sulfoxide inhibits human immunodeficiency virus production in vitro.

LDV/7, H9, and MOLT-4, three cell lines infectible by human immunodeficiency virus were incubated with dimethyl sulfoxide, an inducer of cell differentiation. It was shown that this is a powerful inhibitor of viral production, but its effect is transient: viral production resumes when the compound is removed from the culture medium. It does not inactivate the virus, and it fails to prevent viral infection or to inhibit expression of p24 on the surface of the infected cells.

[The regulatory role of silicon in cell division]. / Le rôle régulateur du silicium dans la division cellulaire.

Several reports have suggested that silicon has an activating effect on cell proliferation. In order to test this hypothesis, both peripheral human lymphocytes and LDV/7 lymphoblast cells were cultured in the presence of a compound composed of monomethylsilanetriol (silanol), a soluble organic form of silicon, and serine. This molecule stimulates peripheral lymphocyte proliferation at an optimal concentration of 10 mg of silicon per liter of culture medium; in identical conditions, it inhibits the growth of lymphoblastoïd cells (p less than 0.001). Silanol-serine also inhibits the growth of PHA stimulated lymphocytes. The effect of silicon on cell growth has a negative correlation (p less than 0.001) with the mitotic activity of cultured cells: the more intense the latter, the stronger is the inhibitory effect of silanol-serine. This would suggest a regulatory role of this compound on the cell cycle.

In vitro stimulation of lymphocytes in patients with chronic urticaria induced by additives and food.

We studied the stimulation of lymphocytes in 258 patients with urticaria and/or angioedema using a series of food extracts and additives. Of this group, 238 revealed a positive response index (RI). There was a positive RI to additives in 18.4% of the cases, to food extracts in 35.2% and to both extracts and additives in 46.6% of the cases. A positive RI to both aspirin and tartrazine was revealed in 25% and to all the additives tested in 11% of the cases. Diets from which food extracts and additives were excluded achieved total remission in 159 (61.1%), partial remission in fifty-seven cases (22%) and no remission in forty-two (16.2).

In vitro response of lymphocytes in patients with allergic tension-fatigue syndrome.

The authors studied the stimulation of lymphocytes in 44 patients with histories of allergic tension-fatigue syndrome using a series of food extracts and additives. Of a total of 44 patients studied, 42 produced a positive response (RI), 18.1% produced a positive response to additives, 40.9% to food and 36.6% to both. The elimination diets prescribed in accordance with the in vitro results obtained produced a total remission of the tension-fatigue syndrome in 38 patients (86.3%), partial remission in two (4.5%) and no change in four (9.0%).

T-lymphocytes and nonspecific T-suppressor activity in patients with extrinsic asthma.

The authors studied the distribution of T-lymphocytes (T-Et and T-Ea) and the nonspecific T-suppressor activity induced by ConA in a group of 104 patients (adults and children) with extrinsic asthma. Comparison with the control group revealed a diminution in the T-Et population (p less than 0.01), no significant change in the T-Ea population and a diminished nonspecific T-suppressor activity (p less than 0.001). The possible role of the T functional deficiency in the development of allergic diathesis is discussed.

Allergy to penicillin. Comparison of "in vivo" and "in vitro" tests.

Skin tests (SKT) and Lymphocyte Transformation Test (LTT) utilizing sodium penicillin G (PNG) and penicilloyl polylysine (PPL) and Rast to penicilloyl G were carried out on forty patients with a history of allergic reactions to penicillin, the results obtained indicated no statistically significant difference between the use of SKT or LTT in the diagnosis of allergy to penicillin (X2, p > 0,05), while the use of Rast showed a statistically significant difference (X2, p < 0,001) in favour of LTT and SKT. The use of either type of allergen (PNG or PPL) in LTT or SKT showed a significant difference in favour of the former (X2, p < 0,01).