Anti-idiotypic antibodies against a monoclonal antibody specific for the trichothecene mycotoxin T-2

A BALB/c murine monoclonal antibody against the trichothecene mycotoxin T-2 was generated. The antibody, designated HD11, specifically bound T-2 mycotoxin. The binding of HD11 to T-2 conjugated to bovine serum albumin was inhibited by free T-2 toxin but not by the water-soluble heterocyclic guanidines saxitoxin and tetrodotoxin. The T-2 detection limit in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with HD11 was in the nanogram range. The in vitro cytotoxicity of T-2, as measured by the inhibition of radiolabeled leucine uptake of the human epidermoid carcinoma Hep-2 and KB cell lines, was completely reversed by the addition of HD11. Rabbit anti-idiotypic antibodies specific for HD11 were generated and characterized.     

Liver transplantation: patients' experiences

The Dutch orthotopic liver transplant programme was evaluated recently. This article focuses on the physical functioning, the pattern of activities, the social functioning and the level of wellbeing of 31 transplant patients. Data were generated by means of questionnaires and interviews. The majority of the patients look upon themselves as 'healthy'. Their physical potential has greatly improved. Three-quarters of the patient group think they are able to go back to work. However, from the interviews it appears that one third of the patient group suffered from more or less serious psychological problems following transplantation.     

Dermatologic changes associated with interleukin 2 administration

We have prospectively evaluated the skin changes that occurred in ten patients who were undergoing immunotherapy with interleukin 2 (IL-2) and autologous lymphokine-activated killer cells to treat cancer. Serial skin biopsy specimens were obtained before therapy (baseline), during IL-2 administration, and during IL-2/lymphokine-activated killer cell infusion. All patients developed an eruption that was characterized by macular erythema, with burning and pruritus of the skin. It began after two or three days of IL-2 infusion and was usually localized to the head and neck; it occasionally became generalized (ie, erythroderma). The eruption resolved with desquamation within 48 to 72 hours after cessation of infusion of IL-2. Histologically, the changes were not specific. The only consistent immunohistological finding noted was the presence of DR+/Leu-4+ lymphoid cells surrounding blood vessels in the papillary dermis, with fewer of these cells in the epidermis. There was no difference between the clinical or histological features of the eruption that occurred with IL-2 alone and that which occurred with IL-2 and lymphokine-activated killer cell infusion, suggesting that the cutaneous effects were mediated by IL-2 alone.     

Comparison of uterine activity induced by nipple stimulation and oxytocin

Intermittent nipple stimulation has been proposed as a substitute for exogenous oxytocin infusion in the performance of contraction stress tests. To compare the uterine activity produced by these two methods, we studied a group of 45 term pregnant women undergoing indicated inductions of labor. Twenty-five patients had nipple stimulation and 20 patients received oxytocin infusions according to a study protocol. The two groups were similar in all obstetric parameters. Pre- and posttest uterine activity was measured by internal tocodynamometry and quantified in Montevideo units. A significant increase in uterine activity occurred in both groups (P less than .01). Regular uterine activity (three contractions in ten minutes) was achieved more rapidly (P less than .005), but at a lower level (P less than .001) in the nipple stimulation group. Pre- and posttest tonus did not change significantly in either group. In the nipple stimulation group, five patients (20%) did not achieve adequate contraction patterns after 15 stimulation-rest cycles (a total of 110 minutes) and three subjects (12%) experienced uterine hyperstimulation. These observations suggest that exogenous oxytocin and intermittent nipple stimulation may not have equivalent effects on uterine contractility. Therefore, it may not be justified to substitute one technique for the other or to use the same criteria for interpretation of contraction stress tests produced by both techniques.     

Incidence of malnutrition in adult patients at Groote Schuur Hospital, 1984

In order to determine nutritional status and the incidence of malnutrition 700 consecutive adult medical (395) and surgical (305) patients admitted to Groote Schuur Hospital between January and November 1984 were studied. Significant depletion in body weight was observed in 20% of all patients, fat depletion in 30% and muscle depletion in 15%; 40% were hypo-albuminaemia. Intergroup analysis demonstrated that malnutrition was more common in medical than surgical patients, and in non-white patients 38% of coloureds and 42% of blacks were fat depleted. Since malnutrition is associated with enhanced mortality and morbidity rates from any disease state, the results indicate that, particularly in non-white patients, nutritional support should be given greater emphasis in overall patient care.