An analysis of breast cancer surgery after free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap reconstruction.

Background: Breast reconstruction is currently offered on a more routine basis to patients after mastectomy for breast cancer. This paper analyzes the outcomes of breast cancer surgery, and the results and effects of breast reconstruction using free TRAM flaps.

Methods: A retrospective review of 75 consecutive patients who had free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery was performed.

IgE antibodies to D. pteronyssinus in atopic patients.

An aqueous house dust mite extract was separated by SDS-PAGE and transferred to nitrocellulose membranes by Western Blotting. Two major allergens, Der pI and Der pII associated with the mite faeces and body, respectively, were identified on the protein blot. The blot was then probed with atopic sera and the bound antibodies were labelled with 125I anti-IgE and visualized by autoradiography.

Comparison of the immunogenic effects of covalent-bonded immune complexes in mice and sheep.

Covalent antigen-antibody complexes containing the protein antigen ovo-transferrin primed both mice and sheep to give an enhanced antibody response to a subsequent single injection of soluble ovo-transferrin. Complexes prepared using horse, sheep or rabbit antibody had a priming effect in mice, although rabbit antibody-antigen complexes were the most effective. In sheep, only rabbit antibody-antigen complexes significantly enhanced antibody levels.

Anti-erythrocyte autoantibody production in mice associated with the injection of rat erythrocytes.

Mice injected with rat erythrocytes developed anti-erythrocyte autoantibodies which reached a plateau at 4-12 weeks, then gradually declined until at about 24 weeks the majority of mice were negative. In such recovered mice re-challenge with rat erythrocytes produced an accelerated peak of autoantibody and a much more rapid return to a Coombs' negative state. The auto-antibody response was distinguished from the anti-rat response in being more radio-sensitive.