Cytokine patterns in adults with AIDS.

Background: It has been reported that in HIV infected patients enhanced production of IL-4 and IL-10 in response to stimulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes with phytohemagglutinin is associated with disease progression. Some have proposed that a switch from a cytokine profile associated with CD4+ Th1 predominance (IL-2, IFN-G, TNF-B) to Th2 predominance (IL-4, IL-5) plays a major role in the progression of HIV infection. Others find no clear evidence for the dichotomy of Th1 and Th2 predominance in HIV infected patients Discrepant results have been reported in studied populations in which only a few cytokines have been examined.

Immunomodulation in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a model for autoimmune disorders.

Seventeen multiple sclerosis (MS) patients progressing under conventional therapy (average treatment duration: 3 years) with performance status 3-4 (mean Disability Status Scale [DSS]: 82) who demonstrated circulating lymphokine inhibitor factors were selected for a monthly immunomodulatory protocol using plasmapheresis, followed by 3 days of human intravenous immunoglobulin, and low-dose methylprednisolone, cyclophosphamide, interferon-a, and interferon-g, as well as octreide. Twelve of the 17 patients presented with visual problems, 12 had lower extremity weakness or paraperesis/paralysis, and 6 had bladder/bowel dysfunction. Following 4 months of therapy, 4 recovered completely, 7 showed loss of paralysis/paraparesis, and 5 had improvement in lower extremity weakness.

Fetal weights and measurements as determined by postmortem examination and their correlation with ultrasound examination.

Two hundred fifty fetuses from healthy singleton pregnancies terminated other than on health grounds at 21 to 26 weeks gestation were examined by ultrasound in utero and by autopsy. No significant maturational difference between male and female fetuses was noted, although larger biparietal distances (0.2 cm) and smaller femur lengths (0.