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Biomedical subjects

C Jersild

Publications and source records attributed to C Jersild.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Prognostic significance of maternal DR histocompatibility types in Danish women with recurrent miscarriages.

In a previous case-control study of women with unexplained recurrent miscarriages we reported that the frequency of women positive for each of the two histocompatibility (HLA) types HLA-DR1, Br and HLA-DR3 was increased in a subset of patients with a history of four or more miscarriages. In the present study we examined whether the increased frequency of the two HLA types in this subset of patients indicated that they would result in a poor pregnancy prognosis. We related pregnancy outcomes to the mothers' HLA-DR type in a prospective study of a well-defined, closely supervised group of 94 women with unexplained recurrent miscarriages who had achieved intra-uterine pregnancy in the course of one of two prospective placebo-controlled trials concerning the efficacy of immunotherapy. Of the patients who were HLA-DR1, Br and/or HLA-DR3 positive 62% miscarried their next pregnancy compared with 29% of the patients negative for the two HLA types [relative risk of miscarriage in the former group = 2.2 (P < 0.002) unadjusted, and 1.8 (P = 0.025) when adjusted for the number of previous miscarriages]. The results suggest that Danish women with unexplained recurrent miscarriages who are positive for HLA-DR1, Br and/or -DR3 display a poorer pregnancy outcome than patients negative for these types.

Abortion, Habitual↗

Multiple sclerosis in the Faroe Islands. VI. Studies of HLA markers.

Occurrence of clinical neurologic multiple sclerosis (CNMS) among resident Faroese began between 1943 and 1973 and comprised three epidemics. The occupation by British forces for 5 years during World War II was interpreted to have been of major importance for the occurrence of these epidemics and led us to believe that CNMS is the rare, late result of a single, widespread, systemic and specific infectious disease which we have labelled the primary MS affection (PMSA). In this study we describe the occurrence of genetic markers of the HLA system in 16 Faroese MS patients, 25 of their siblings, 30 unrelated healthy neighbors and spouses to MS patients, 18 healthy controls from areas where no MS cases have been detected, and 80 unrelated normal Faroese. These studies show no significant deviations of HLA class I antigens, whereas the class II antigens do deviate: 50% of the Faroese MS patients carry the HLA-DR2 (DQ1/DRB 15) antigen, compared to a frequency of 15-20% among the control groups. Also the group of siblings of MS patients showed an increased frequency of DR4 (72%) compared to normal frequency among MS patients and other normal controls (43-47%). However, if DR15-positive individuals were excluded, this difference was further reduced. If PMSA was widespread within this group, DR4 or some closely associated genetic marker may confer protection against PMSA developing into CNMS. The occurrence of CNMS in these epidemics seems therefore associated to HLA class II-linked genetic factors similar to those found in studies of other caucasians with MS. This observation seems important in understanding the pathogenesis of this disease.

Cohort Studies↗

Studies of RFLP-inferred HLA-DR-DQ haplotypes in Danish women with recurrent fetal losses.

Results of HLA-DR and -DQ typing by RFLP in 152 unrelated women with at least 3 unexplained fetal losses were compared with those of 210 normal controls. The overall distribution of DR-DQ phenotypes did not differ significantly between patients and controls. In a subgroup of 59 patients having had at least 4 fetal losses, a significantly higher number of patients than controls were DRw17,DQw2-positive (RR = 2.9, pcorrected less than 0.02). DR-DQ haplotypes which carry DQB1 alleles encoding an amino acid other than aspartic acid at codon 57 in the second exon (non-Asp57 haplotypes) have been reported to confer susceptibility to several immunologically-mediated diseases. We found that the total frequency of non-Asp57 haplotypes (other than DR7,DQw2 which has unique features) was significantly increased in patients (50.0%) compared with controls (39.3%) (p less than 0.005). In the total group of patients and in the group with at least 4 fetal losses, 22.4% and 32.2% respectively were homozygous non-Asp57/non-Asp57 compared with 13.3% among controls (RR = 1.9, p less than 0.025 and RR = 3.1, p less than 0.001, respectively). The results suggest that DRw17,DQw2 confers susceptibility to suffer recurrent fetal losses. However, it is possible that the HLA-associated susceptibility may be primarily conferred by DQ molecules lacking aspartic acid at codon 57 in the DQ beta chain.

Abortion, Habitual↗

Long-term supplementation with n-3 fatty acids, II: Effect on neutrophil and monocyte chemotaxis.

The effect of a daily supplement with 4 g of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) for 9 months to 24 healthy volunteers on neutrophil and monocyte chemotaxis was studied using the under-agarose technique. Autologous serum and n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine were used as chemoattractants. The effect after 9 months of supplementation with n-3 PUFA was also compared to results after short-term supplementation with n-3 PUFA for 6 weeks. Monocyte chemotaxis was reduced after 9 months of supplementation with n-3 PUFA to the same extent as after 6 weeks supplement. Neutrophil-directed migration towards chemoattractants was reduced after 9 months on fish oil, and this decrease was significantly greater than the decrease obtained after 6 weeks of supplementation. The spontaneous migration of neutrophils was significantly attenuated after 9 months compared to baseline and to 6 weeks. These findings lend support to a role for n-3 PUFA in the management of chronic inflammatory and atherosclerotic vascular diseases.

Adult↗

Increased frequency of HLA-DRw14b(w6)-associated RFLP in Greenlanders of Eskimo origin.

HLA-DR typing by the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique of 42 Greenlanders living in northern Jutland, Denmark, revealed a phenotype frequency of 33.3% for HLA-DRw14b(w6), which is significantly different from the frequency of 0.0% observed among 98 Danes of Caucasian origin. When comparing the two populations, the frequency of other HLA-DRB allogenotypes show insignificant variations. Since HLA-DRw14b(w6) is carried by approximately one-third of the Greenlanders tested, this allogenotype may serve as a useful marker in further anthropological and immunogenetic studies.

Denmark↗

Lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Quantitation of T-lymphocyte subsets and natural killer cells in peripheral blood of 16 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and 15 controls with normal cervical cytology was performed using specific monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. No differences were observed in T-helper lymphocytes, T-suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocytes, Th/Ts cell ratios, or natural killer cells. The results indicate that disturbances of the cell-mediated immune response, observed in patients with invasive cancer of the cervix, are secondary to the disease and of no significance in the initiation of cervical cancer.

Female↗

HLA or HLA-linked genes reduce birthweight in families affected by idiopathic recurrent abortion.

HLA typing was performed in 49 families, each containing at least one woman with a history of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), and reproductive histories were recorded for the siblings. Abortion rate in sisters sharing two HLA haplotypes with the proband was significantly (p less than 0.01) increased, whereas abortion rates of brothers' wives seemed independent of the brothers' degree of HLA sharing with the proband. Birthweights of offspring of both the sisters and the brothers decreased with increasing HLA haplotype identity between the sibling and the proband (p = 0.05). The mean birthweight of infants of siblings sharing both parental haplotypes with the proband was 3158 g which was significantly (p less than 0.02) less than the average birthweight in Denmark (3417 g). Significantly (p less than 0.05) decreased mean birthweight in infants of brothers who were HLA-identical with the proband suggested that the disposition to growth retardation could be inherited with HLA also through the male gametes. It has been shown that, in their few successful pregnancies, women with RSA bear infants with a birthweight which is approximately 300 g less than normal. The present study demonstrated that the two obstetrical conditions, RSA and retarded fetal growth, share common genetic markers: HLA. It is suggested that HLA or HLA-linked genes causing growth retardation in fetuses are part of the putative complex of genes involved in the pathogenesis of recurrent abortion.

Abortion, Incomplete↗

Effect of physical exercise on cytokines and lymphocyte subpopulations in human peripheral blood.

To examine the effect of intensive physical exercise on interleukin 2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and lymphocyte subsets, eleven elite and well-conditioned runners were tested in relation to a five-kilometer race. IL-2 was significantly decreased (p less than 0.01) immediately after the exercise and significantly increased after 24 hours (p less than 0.05), compared to the pre-exercise values taken at steady state. TNF alpha was significantly increased after 2 hours (p less than 0.05), and returned to habitual values after 24 hours. In the steady state at rest, elevation of HLA-DR+ cells was observed in all runners compared with control subjects (p less than 0.05), indicating a persistent activation of lymphoid cells. In connection with exercise a significant increase in NK cells (CD16+) was observed (p less than 0.01). The T-helper/T-suppressor (CD4+/CD8+) ratio was significantly reduced in connection with physical activity (p less than 0.01). In seven runners the ratio was reduced to a value of less than one. This decrease was observed immediately after the exercise, followed by increased ratios 2 hours later (p less than 0.01), due to oppositely directed quantitative changes of the CD4+ and CD8+ cell populations. After 24 hours the ratios returned to habitual levels. Furthermore, we confirmed an increase in the total number of granulocytes in connection with exercise (p less than 0.01), and observed a decrease in absolute numbers of lymphocytes two hours after exercise (p less than 0.01). We emphasize the importance of obtaining information about physical activity within the previous 24 hours before measuring white blood cell parameters.

Adult↗

[Lipids in the plasma of voluntary blood donors. A 2-year retrospective study (1985-1987)].

In a regional blood transfusion centre, we observed 45 episodes of hyperlipidemic plasma among the 45,000 units produced from 12,000 unpaid volunteer blood donors during a two year period. Analysis of fasting serum cholesterol and serum triglycerides showed that 26 of the 45 were raised in either one or both of the values. Dietary instructions were given, in most cases through their general practitioners, who were informed of the results. Control of serum lipids taken in average 9.5 weeks later by the general practitioner showed a remarkable decrease in triglyceride and a slight decrease in serum cholesterol. Among the 26 we found one case of non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, three possible and three chronic alcohol abusers. Based on these findings, fasting serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride are now analysed in donors, who repeatedly show hyperlipemic plasma.

Adult↗

Cod liver oil inhibits neutrophil and monocyte chemotaxis in healthy males.

Epidemiological evidence suggests a reduced rate of chronic inflammatory diseases and ischaemic heart disease in populations with a high consumption of fish. This has been ascribed to the high content in sea food of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), belonging to the n - 3 family. We have studied neutrophil and monocyte chemotaxis in 12 healthy males before and after 6 weeks supplementation with cod liver oil, corresponding to 5.3 g n - 3 PUFAs daily. Neutrophil and monocyte chemotaxis were investigated using the under agarose technique with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (N-FMLP) and autologous serum as chemoattractants. Neutrophil chemotaxis towards both chemoattractants and monocyte chemotaxis towards N-FMLP were significantly reduced after supplementation with cod liver oil.

Adult↗

The effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on lipids, haemostasis, neutrophil and monocyte chemotaxis in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). There is some evidence that polyunsaturated fatty acids of the marine n-3 type (n-3 PUFA's) may offer protection against CAD. We have studied the effect of short-term dietary supplementation with n-3 PUFAs on lipids, haemostasis, neutrophil and monocyte chemotaxis in 10 patients with IDDM. The patients were given 4 g daily of n-3 PUFAs (fish oil) for 6 weeks and were investigated before and after the supplement. No significant effects on platelets or haemostasis were observed. High density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol significantly increased, and triglycerides and the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol significantly decreased. Monocyte chemotaxis was unaltered, while neutrophil chemotaxis significantly increased after fish oil. The finding of an improvement in neutrophil chemotaxis after supplementation with n-3 PUFAs to patients with IDDM needs to be confirmed in future studies.

Adult↗

Association of maternal HLA haplotypes with recurrent spontaneous abortions.

Histocompatibility typing was done on 63 women with idiopathic, recurrent abortions (greater than or equal to 3 consecutive, spontaneous abortions; summarized abortion rate: 92.8%), 112 of their full siblings and 101 parents. The distribution of full sisters sharing 2, 1 and 0 of the probands' haplotypes diverged from expected Mendelian segregation (p less than 0.05). Sisters sharing both the probands' haplotypes had an abortion rate of 59.1%, haploidentical sisters had an abortion rate of 25.0% whereas 6.3% of the pregnancies of the 0 haploidentical sisters had ended in miscarriage. The probands' HLA haplotypes included a significant (p less than 0.02) excess of HLA-A, B haplotypes which have previously been shown to exhibit features of positive linkage disequilibrium in Danes. Analysis of abortion rates among the probands and their siblings indicate that the idiopathic recurrent abortion syndrome and probably also the tendency to some sporadic abortions are inherited conditions determined by genes in the HLA region. The presented data may be compatible with an additive polygenic mode of inheritance with exclusive or predominant phenotypic expression in females controlled by an HLA linked spontaneous abortion susceptibility region (SASR).

Abortion, Habitual↗

Real-time scanning and image analysis. A fast method for the determination of neutrophil orientation under agarose.

We describe a newly developed method for fast determination of neutrophil chemotaxis and orientation in concentration gradients of chemotactic factors. The system implements video-based real-time scanning and image analysis of neutrophil migration under agarose, using an interactive easy-to-use computer program. Two methods for determining cell orientation are presented. No statistically significant difference between the methods was found. The analysis program distinguishes between chemokinetic and chemotactic behaviour of the cells (P less than 0.01).

Algorithms↗