Edmund Klein

The preparation and clinical administration of lyophilized platelet material to children with acute leukemia and aplastic anemia

Summary Lyophilized platelet material has been administered intravenously to patients with secondary thrombocytopenia without toxic or thromboembolic sequelae. Defective prothrombin consumption has been corrected by this platelet preparation, but its effects on hemostasis, although suggestive, require further investigation. The safety and stability of this material indicate the possibility of making various platelet factors, such as the antifibrinolysin, antiheparin, and thromboplastin-generating activity, readily available.

Preservation of viable human granulocytes at low temperatures in dimethyl sulfoxide

Summary Leukocytes were sedimented from buffy coats. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was added to make final conceutrations of 10% and 15%. Aliquots were frozen in a Linde graded temperature apparatus to −195°C at a rate of 1°C per min in the critical area of 0° to −30°C. Phagocytosis was estimated from the ingestion of polystyrene granules after thawing in a 37°C water bath. The 10% and 15% DMSO concentrations were equal in their protective capacities. Mean phagocytic indices without dilution with plasma were 3% and 2.6% for 10% and 15% DMSO, respectively. After slow dilution with fresh plasma, the phagocytic indices increased to 20.3% and 22.3%, respectively. It is concluded that peripheral blood leukocytes can retain viability following preservation at low temperatures in DMSO.

Lipases of blood and tissues. I. Purification and properties of heparin-induced plasma lipase☆

Abstract A new method for the purification of human heparin-induced plasma lipase has been developed. In the initial step, plasma containing heparin-induced lipase is extracted with ethyl ether and ethanol resulting in the formation of three layers. The intermediate layer contains approximately 90% of the original lipolytic activity at approximately tenfold concentration. By fractional precipitation with ethanol at a number of different pH levels the heparin-induced plasma lipase was concentrated 66-fold with a yield of 77% on the basis of lipolytic activity per weight of protein. Chemical, electrophoretic, and ultracentrifugal sedimentation studies on this enzyme preparation indicate the presence of one major and two minor components.

Inhibition of Lipemia Clearing Activity by Serum of Patients with Hyperlipemia

Summary 1. Serum from patients with primary and secondary hyperlipemia was found to inhibit the clearing activity present in normal serum after intravenous administration of heparin. 2. The degree of inhibition exerted by the hyperlipemic sera varied among the patients, but at appropriate concentrations of hyperlipemic serum complete inhibition could be attained in every case. 3. Intravenous administration of heparin caused considerably less clearing activity in hyperlipemic patients than in the control subjects.

Lipases of blood and tissues. II. Kinetic studies on heparin-induced plasma lipase☆

Abstract The kinetic properties of a purified preparation of heparin-induced plasma lipase have been studied. The optimum pH of this enzyme preparation is 7.9–8.1; the optimum temperature is 37–40 °C.; the energy required for activation is approximately 10,000 cal.; the Michaelis-Menten constant is 1.98 × 10 −3 M . The heparin-induced plasma lipase hydrolyzed the triglycerides of an olive oil emulsion and of human chylomicra at approximately equal rates but did not hydrolyze tributyrin or triacetin.

Effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine on some aspects of hemorrhagic state in radiation-induced thrombocytopenia.

Summary Synthetic serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine-creatinine sulfate) increased vascular resistance and shortened the duration of traumatic bleeding in irradiated thrombocytopenic guinea pigs and mice, respectively. These effects were of short duration and were observed only when large doses of serotonin were given rapidly. Transient pulmonary distress was associated with the administration of effective doses to guinea pigs.

Inhibition of Lipemia Clearing Activity by Tissue Extracts.

Summary Extracts of human rabbit tissues inhibited heparin-induced lipemia clearing activity of serum. Extracts of spleen, kidney and liver were strongly inhibitory; those of other organs exercised slight or moderate inhibition. The tissues contained inhibitory components which appear to be associated with proteins since they are nondialyzable, heat-labile and inactivated by trypsin.

Lasers In Biology And Medicine

Lasers are being applied to an increasing extent in biology and medicine. Studies have been carried out at various wavelengths, from the ultraviolet to the infrared, at energy levels from the milli-joule region to more than 100 joules per pulse and at power levels from the milliwatt to the multimegawatt region. Biological studies have been carried out at the molecular level, on cellular components and isolated cells, on microorganisms, viruses, and tissue culture, on isolated physiologic systems, individual organs, and on intact animals. Studies in man have been oriented towards the use of the laser in ophthalmology, exploration of its potential as a surgical tool and for tumor eradication. The coherence property is being used in exploratory studies directed towards radiology and diagnosis with ultrasonic holography. Hazards associated with laser radiation are being determined and methods and procedures for minimizing these hazards developed. In this survey attention will be directed towards representative studies to provide the reader with some appreciation of the use of lasers in biology and medicine.

Inhibition of thromboplastin generation by hyaluronidase preparations and reversal by lyophilized platelet material and derivatives.

Summary Bovine testicular hyaluronidase preparations inhibited formation of thromboplastin in absence of platelets or equivalent materials. This effect was not due to destruction of an essential component of the coagulation mechanism. Inhibition was prevented or reversed by platelets, thromboplastin-generating components extracted from platelets and tissues and by defatted platelet material.