HLA antigens in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

HLA typing of 71 patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) showed an overall increase in frequencies of HLA-A3, -B7, -DR2 as well as concomitantly decreased frequencies of HLA-44 and DR7. The strongest associations were seen with HLA-DR2, -DR7 and -B44 in CIDP overall, although they did not reach statistical significance.

Gm haplotypes in inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathies.

The possible association of Gm haplotypes with inflammatory neuropathies has been studied in 59 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome and 55 patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. The frequency of Gm haplotype 1,2,17;21 (or z,a,x;g) was significantly raised in the patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome. These findings provide further evidence for an association of chromosome 14 genes with inflammatory neuropathies.

HLA, C4, Bf, Gm and autoantibodies in rheumatoid arthritis.

Sera from 48 subjects with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), more than 80% of which were seropositive, were examined for the presence of antibodies to intact nuclei (ANA) by immunofluorescence, extractable nuclear antigens (ENA), double-stranded DNA by immunoassay and immunoglobulins, i.e. rheumatoid factors (RF) by haemagglutination. The genetic markers of HLA, the fourth complement component (C4) and properdin factor (Bf), which are all coded for within the major histocompatibility complex and Gm immunoglobulin allotypic markers were all analysed in relation to various parameters of these autoantibodies. The only significant association to emerge was between low ENA antibody affinities and the Bf Fs phenotype (p less than 0.02). Although weak associations between individual autoantibody parameters and the other immunogenetic markers were detected, there were no significant HLA, C4 or Gm association with either ANA subsets or RF, a finding which agrees with, and also extends previous HLA studies of predominantly seropositive RA cohorts.

A model framework of alcoholism counseling: cyclic process of intensification, paradoxical shifting, and differentiation.

While recent literature on individual and family therapy has increasingly focused on the nature and use of paradoxical styles of intervention, little has been published concerning the use of paradox in alcoholism counseling. Alcoholism represents a type of problem that can lend itself to the use of such interventions. This paper first reviews the nature of paradoxical styles of intervention in relation to alcoholism. It then presents three developmentally determined paradoxical dynamics: intensification, paradoxical shifting, and differentiation. These are defined and examples from case studies are given for each. Therapists working with alcoholics are encouraged to consider the use of these patterns of response with their clients.

Paradox in alcoholism.

This work focuses upon paradoxical aspects of alcoholism. Current information suggests that double-binding dynamics exist in alcoholism and that paradoxical life-style themes do contribute to alcoholism abuse. Emphasis in this paper is focused upon the utilization of paradoxical dynamics within a therapeutic framework. It is suggested that treatment interventions must effectively alter negative paradoxical patterns operating in the alcoholic's life-style. Recent clinical findings are cited, and therapeutic uses of paradoxical and reframing and interventions are discussed.

Alcoholics view group therapy. Process and goals.

Alcoholics ranked certain elements of group therapy as more or less helpful, depending on the stage of therapy they were in.