Detection of Platelet Autoantibodies by a Radioactive Anti-Immunoglobulin Test

Abstract. A direct and an indirect version of a platelet radioactive anti-immunoglobulin test (PRAT) has been developed. It is shown that this assay is sensitive, reproducible and quantitative for the demonstration of HLA as well as incomplete P1A1 antibodies. Furthermore, platelet autoantibodies were searched for in sera of 105 thrombocytopenic patients. Positive results were obtained in 15 out of 45 patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), in 1 of 17 cases with acute ITP and in 3 of 4 patients with ITP-like syndrome of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The platelet autoantibodies mostly had low titers, reacted with autologous platelets and did not show any specificity. An elevated concentration of IgG on autologous platelets was detected by the direct PRAT in 11 of 18 patients with ITP and in 4 of 5 patients with thrombocytopenia and suspected SLE. 4 of the 7 negative ITP cases were in clinical remission or had platelet counts of over 50,000/μl. There appeared to be an inverse correlation between the concentration of surface-bound IgG and the platelet number in patients with ITP and SLE. It is concluded that the PRAT is a new and valuable tool for the detection of various types of platelet antibodies and therefore a true alternative to existing serological techniques in platelet immunology.     

Exploring Preconception Care: Insurance Status,Race/Ethnicity,and Health in the Pre-pregnancy Period

Objective To measure the association of preconception health insurance status with preconception health among women in New York City, and examine whether this association is modified by race/ethnicity. Methods Using data from the New York City Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System 2009–2011 (n?=?3929), we created a “Preconception Health Score” (PHS) capturing modifiable behaviors, healthcare services utilization, pregnancy intention, and timely entry into prenatal care. We then built multivariable logistic regression models to measure the association of PHS with health insurance status and race/ethnicity. Results We found PHS to be higher among women with private insurance (7.3?±?0.07) or public insurance (6.3?±?0.08) before pregnancy than no insurance (5.9?±?0.09) (p?<?.001). However, when stratified by race/ethnicity, the positive association of PHS with insurance was absent in the non-white population. Conclusions for Practice Having health insurance during the pre-pregnancy period is associated with greater health among white women, but not among black or Hispanic women in NYC.     

Studies on catabolism of 125I-labelled fibrinogen in normal rabbits and in rabbits with indwelling intravenous catheters: methodologic aspects.

The catabolism of rabbit fibrinogen labelled with radioactive iodine was studied over a period of 7-9 days in normal rabbits and in rabbits with indwelling intravenous catheters. The labelled fibrinogen was highly clottable and homogeneous on immunoelectrophoresis and disc electrophoresis. The protein-bound 125I-activity amounted to at least 99%. Normal rabbits with a weight between 1.6 and 2.2 kg exhibited a mean plasma volume of 41.65 ml/kg. A mean half-life time of 1.69 days and a mean fractional catabolic rate of 59.8% of the plasma fibrinogen pool per day was computed by tracing labelled fibrinogen. The absolute catabolic rate revealed a mean value of 58.7 mg/kg body weight/day. Comparable results were obtained for all three labelled fibrinogen batches. A siliconized polyvinyl tubing with an outer diameter of 2.0 mm inserted into a jugular vein up to a length of 10-12 cm and indwelling for more than 10 days did not significantly influence the parameters studied for controlling the fibrinogen catabolism except for the absolute catabolic rate of 112.8 mg/kg/day which differed significantly from that of the control group. Thus, the indwelling intravenous catheter had no or only a minor effect on the activation of intravascular coagulation.     

Esthetic soft tissue ridge augmentation using an acellular dermal connective tissue allograft

Residual ridge defects present significant limitations to the esthetic restoration of edentulous tooth sites. Augmentation techniques can aid in the re-establishment of natural ridge contours. This article describes a technique in which an acellular dermal connective tissue allograft is used to augment a buccolingual residual ridge defect. A single vertical incision enables the allograft to be placed laterally into a buccal pouch. Augmentation of this edentulous site permitted a three-unit bridge to be placed with a highly esthetic pontic. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This article presents a simplified method of esthetic ridge augmentation that reduces patient discomfort.     

Die Divertikel des Verdauungskanals

Ohne ZusammenfassungNach einem Vortrage, gehalten vor der Gesellschaft für Natur- und Heilkunde zu Dresden am 27. Oktober 1930.