Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D Jensen

Publications and source records attributed to D Jensen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Healing practices: trends, challenges, and opportunities for nurses in acute and critical care.

Florence Nightingale espoused a very holistic orientation in nursing. It was her belief that nursing should put the patient in the best possible condition for nature to restore or preserve health, to prevent or cure disease or injury. In other words, nurses should create environments in which healing can happen. Complementary therapies and healing practices offer nurses and patients an expanded array of options to improve health and healing. This article provides an overview of complementary therapies and healing practices and offers suggestions on how to incorporate these therapies when caring for critically ill patients.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

[Gamma-hydroxybutyrate, a new central nervous system stimulant].

In the last months we have seen an increasing number of younger patients admitted to the emergency room in a deep coma, mostly without cardio-pulmonary symptoms. After a few hours they suddenly woke up without any after-effects. Subsequently the patients related that they had taken an unknown drug for recreational purposes and afterwards fell asleep. The patients did not remember anything else about the episode. We believe they had taken gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB). This drug has not previously been described in Danish scientific reports.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Interferon therapy of multiple sclerosis].

The use of beta-interferon in the relapsing-remitting phase of multiple sclerosis is a new though fairly established therapy. The beneficial effect of this treatment is thought to be due to immune modulation, with inhibitory action on proliferation of leukocytes and antigen presentation, an increased amount of interleukins, but no change in the proinflammatory cytokine interferon-gamma. In Norway, one interferon-beta 1b and two interferon-beta 1a products have recently been introduced for administration by either subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. Approximately 30% reduction in the relapse rate is reported for both products,but differences appear in the effect on the disability progression, and also with regard to adverse reactions. Patients less strongly affected by the illness seem to have the best outcome. Neutralizing antibodies are often produced during this treatment, but the significance of this is still unclear. Results from international studies on interferon therapy of multiple sclerosis are discussed. Initial results from studies on interferon treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis are now available. A further expansion, also in Norway, of the indications for beta-interferon therapy of multiple sclerosis is expected in the near future.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1999

Determination of sodium and ammonium ions in disproportionate concentration ratios by ion chromatography.

In ion chromatography, samples of very different ammonium-to-sodium concentration ratios are difficult to quantify since these two cations have similar selectivities for stationary phases containing commonly used sulfonate or carboxylate cation-exchange functional groups. The IonPac CS15 cation-exchange column, with carboxylate and phosphonate functional groups as well as a crown ether group, was developed to address this limitation. Selectivity for the common inorganic cations on this column is different from that of conventional cation-exchange columns in that the separation between sodium and ammonium ions has been greatly increased, allowing for determinations of low levels of one in the presence of high levels of the other with an isocratic eluent. For larger than 4000:1 sodium-to-ammonium concentration ratios, an eluent step change or gradient elution is needed. For moderate ratios, combinations of this column with a carboxylate column, containing no crown ether group, can be used at room temperature with an isocratic eluent containing no organic solvent.

Amines↗
PubMed1999

Interferon-alpha2a reduces MRI disease activity in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Norwegian Study Group on Interferon-alpha in Multiple Sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of interferon-alpha2a (IFN-alpha2a) in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). BACKGROUND: Several immune-modulating therapy regimens of IFN-alpha have shown varying results in MS. A recent pilot study suggested benefits from IFN-alpha2a. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients were randomized to receive subcutaneous injections of placebo (33 patients) or 4.5 million international units (mIU) (32 patients) or 9.0 mIU (32 patients) of IFN-alpha2a three times weekly for 6 months, with a further 6 months of follow-up. Monthly gadodiamide-enhanced MRI was the primary method of evaluating efficacy. RESULTS: IFN-alpha2a treatment resulted in fewer new MRI lesions during the treatment period (p < 0.003). The probability of no new lesions during treatment was >2.5 times higher with 9.0 mIU IFN-alpha2a than with placebo (p < 0.005). The median number of lesions at the end of treatment was lower with IFN-alpha2a treatment than with placebo (p = 0.0004), but the difference disappeared during follow-up. The total number of lesions (mean) increased by 4.78 with placebo, 0.86 with 4.5 mIU IFN-alpha2a, and 0.28 with 9.0 mIU IFN-alpha2a during treatment (p = 0.030). No treatment effect on exacerbation rate, progression of disability, or quality of life was detected. Nine patients discontinued treatment, five because of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: IFN-alpha2a treatment significantly reduced disease activity as measured by MRI, but the efficacy disappeared within 6 months after discontinuation of treatment. A long-term study of more patients using disability as a primary outcome measure is needed to evaluate the clinical impact.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Guillain-Barre syndrome. Current treatment principles in the light of clinical aspects].

The Guillain-Barré's syndrome, or acute polyradiculoneuropathy, is a monophasic neurological disease affecting 50-100 persons a year in Norway. In addition to peripheral paresis, respiratory and autonomic disturbances may occur. We present 22 patients, mean age 34.8 years, including four children between four and six years of age, who all received plasma exchange treatment. All our patients reported symptoms of a modest infection average 19 days before the neurological symptoms appeared. All patients had walking difficulties, half of them were unable to walk without assistance. There were cranial nerve findings in 18 patients, and nine had autonomic disturbances when admitted. All except one had increased protein contents in the spinal fluid as well as pathological findings in electrophysiological investigations. They received on average 8.6 plasma exchanges. In spite of such treatment, the total mortality rate has not decreased substantially. Two of our patients died, and three developed severe permanent paresis. Further studies on pathogenesis will be required to increase treatment success.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Growth/cell cycle regulation of Sp1 phosphorylation.

Sp1 sites can mediate growth/cell cycle induction of dihydrofolate reductase in late G1 (Jensen, D. E., Black, A. R. Swick, A. G., and Azizkhan, J. C. (1997) J. Cell. Biochem. 67, 24-31). To investigate mechanisms underlying this induction, effects of serum stimulation on regulation of Sp1 were examined. In Balb/c 3T3 cells, serum stimulation did not affect Sp1 synthesis or the relative binding of Sp1 family members to DNA; however, it did result in a rapid, approximately 2-fold increase in Sp1 levels and an approximately 3-fold increase in specific Sp1 phosphorylation in mid-G1. In normal human diploid fibroblasts, serum stimulation also increased Sp1 phosphorylation in mid-G1 but did not affect Sp1 levels. Therefore, Sp1 phosphorylation is regulated in a growth/cell cycle-dependent manner which correlates temporally with induction of dihydrofolate reductase transcription. Further studies revealed a kinase activity specifically associated with Sp1 in a growth-regulated manner. This activity is distinct from purified kinases previously shown to phosphorylate Sp1 in vitro and phosphorylates Sp1 between amino acids 612 and 678 in its C terminus, a region also phosphorylated in mid-G1 in vivo. Therefore, this study indicates that phosphorylation of the C terminus of Sp1 may play a role in the cell cycle regulation of its transcriptional activity.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1998

Roles of DnaK and RpoS in starvation-induced thermotolerance of Escherichia coli.

DnaK is essential for starvation-induced resistance to heat, oxidation, and reductive division in Escherichia coli. Studies reported here indicate that DnaK is also required for starvation-induced osmotolerance, catalase activity, and the production of the RpoS-controlled Dps (PexB) protein. Because these dnaK mutant phenotypes closely resemble those of rpoS (sigma38) mutants, the relationship between DnaK and RpoS was evaluated directly during growth and starvation at 30 degrees C in strains with genetically altered DnaK content. A starvation-specific effect of DnaK on RpoS abundance was observed. During carbon starvation, DnaK deficiency reduced RpoS levels threefold, while DnaK excess increased RpoS levels nearly twofold. Complementation of the dnaK mutation restored starvation-induced RpoS levels to normal. RpoS deficiency had no effect on the cellular concentration of DnaK, revealing an epistatic relationship between DnaK and RpoS. Protein half-life studies conducted at the onset of starvation indicate that DnaK deficiency significantly destabilized RpoS. RpoH (sigma32) suppressors of the dnaK mutant with restored levels of RpoS and dnaK rpoS double mutants were used to show that DnaK plays both an independent and an RpoS-dependent role in starvation-induced thermotolerance. The results suggest that DnaK coordinates sigma factor levels in glucose-starved E. coli.

Adaptation, Biological↗
PubMed1998

Mechanisms of cardioprotection by peroxynitrite in myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury.

Peroxynitrite (ONOO-), an intermediate formed from the equimolar interaction of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide, is thought to be an important mediator of tissue injury in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion. However, physiologically relevant (i.e., maximally achievable) concentrations of ONOO- significantly decreased neutrophil-endothelium interactions in the rat mesentery. We therefore examined the dose-response relationship of infusion of different concentrations of ONOO- in a feline model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion and provide data on the cellular mechanisms responsible for these observed effects. Cats subjected to 90 min of ischemia followed by 270 min of reperfusion were infused with different concentrations of ONOO- 10 min before reperfusion and continuing throughout reperfusion. We observed that infusion of 2 microM ONOO- provided significant cardioprotection, whereas either 0.2 or 20 microM ONOO- did not protect. ONOO- at 2 microM also preserved coronary endothelial function, decreased P-selectin expression, and attenuated polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) adherence to the vascular endothelium. ONOO- did not exert its cardioprotective effects by acting as a direct NO donor in solution. However, in vitro, ONOO- can react with glutathione to form S-nitrosoglutathione, which can act as an NO carrier and exert beneficial effects. Thus only maximally achievable concentrations of ONOO- exert significant cardioprotective effects, in part by decreasing surface expression of P-selectin and decreasing PMN-endothelium interactions.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Successful management of eleven splanchnic artery aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with the management of aneurysms of the splanchnic arteries. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Teaching hospital, Norway. SUBJECTS: Eleven consecutive patients with aneurysms of the splanchnic arteries treated between 1986 and 1996, six of them between 1994 and 1996. Four aneurysms were hepatic (37%), two splenic (18%), one coeliac (9%), one gastroepiploic (9%), one pancreaticoduodenal (9%), one superior mesenteric (9%), and one jejunal (9%). Five were pseudoaneurysms (46%). INTERVENTIONS: Six patients (55%) were treated by operation, four (36%) by embolisation and one (9%) expectantly. RESULTS: The pathogenesis was inflammatory (acute pancreatitis, anastomotic leak) in four patients (36%), athero-sclerotic in three (27%), arterial infusion of cytotoxic drugs in one (9%), and unknown in four (36%). Seven patients (64%) presented with rupture, two (18%) with other symptoms, and two patients (18%) were diagnosed incidentally. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION: There may be an increased incidence in splanchnic artery aneurysms, particularly those created by inflammatory lesions. The diagnosis should be suspected if acute bleeding occurs during the course of severe intra-abdominal inflammation. Arteriography should be used to diagnose an aneurysm in haemodynamically stable patients. Control of bleeding is obtained either by transarterial catheter embolisation or by operation.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Hepatic artery aneurysm. Diagnosis and treatment].

From 1990 until 1995, four patients were successfully treated for symptomatic aneurysm of the hepatic artery, with rupture in three of them. In two of the patients, the aneurysm was located in the common hepatic artery. In one patient it ruptured. Both aneurysms were resected. One patient also underwent vascular reconstruction. The other two aneurysms ruptured in the left and right hepatic artery respectively. The aneurysm in the right hepatic artery was treated by selective embolization. The aneurysm in the left hepatic artery was ligated, and the patient was subsequently reoperated on for septic necrosis of the left lobe of the liver.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Cell cycle regulation of BRCA1 messenger RNA in human breast epithelial cells.

BRCA1 was originally isolated as a gene that conferred susceptibility to early-onset familial breast and ovarian cancers. The function and regulation of this gene is presently unknown. Northern blot analyses using probes that recognize different regions of the BRCA1 cDNA revealed the presence of at least two distinct mRNA species. In synchronized normal and immortalized human mammary epithelial cells, BRCA1 mRNA levels were high in exponentially growing populations, decreased upon growth factor withdrawal, and subsequently increased again in late G1 just prior to S-phase entry. BRCA1 mRNA levels were found to be dramatically reduced in senescent normal human mammary epithelial cells and in normal human mammary epithelial cells treated with transforming growth factor beta 1. When considered together, these data indicate that expression of BRCA1 mRNA is highly sensitive to changes in growth conditions in vitro. BRCA1 proteins with apparent molecular weights of M(r) 210,000, 185,000, 160,000, 135,000, and 85,000, respectively, were detected at varying levels in all breast epithelial cells examined. Further molecular characterization of the nature and function of the different BRCA1 mRNAs and proteins should increase our understanding of this gene in the etiology of human breast cancers.

Breast↗
PubMed1996

The importance of complex repetitive discharges in the striated female urethral sphincter and the male bulbocavernosus muscle.

Pseudomyotonic electromyographic (FMG) activity recorded from the female external urethal sphincter called decelerating bursts and complex repetitive discharges (CRD), are assumed to reflect pathology which may cause disturbances in micturition. Out of 477 consecutive neurological and non-neurological patients referred to neuro-urological evaluation, as many as 50 presented such bizarre EMG potentials. These were not only found in female sphincter, but also in the bulbocavernosus muscle and the external and sphincter. A particularly high percentage was detected of patients with urinary stress incontinence or peripheral affection of the pelvic floor muscles. It is concluded that CRD may inhibit the normal micturition reflex, and detrusor contraction in particular.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1995

Coronary artery imaging at 0.5 T using segmented 3D echo planar imaging.

The application of segmented 3D gradient echo EPI at 0.5 T for coronary artery imaging is described. Experiments were performed using fat suppression, ECG triggering, and a patient-controlled breath-holding scheme. This approach provides a sufficient signal-to-noise ratio for thin contiguous slices in conjunction with a phased array cardiac receive coil. Wide 3D volumes, covering the proximal branches of the coronary tree, were measured with a high spatial resolution. Such data sets can be used for subsequent vessel segmentation. Furthermore, data out of narrow 3D volumes were obtained containing fewer slices angulated in the direction of a selected coronary artery. This provides a good visualization of the selected vessel over several centimeters without the need for segmentation.

Coronary Vessels↗
PubMed1995

Endometrial cancer in premenopausal women 45 years and younger.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the experience with endometrial carcinoma in women 45 years or younger at the Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, Australia. METHODS: We evaluated the clinical history, morphology, treatment, and follow-up of 17 premenopausal women 45 years or younger who had been diagnosed with endometrial cancer. All histopathology was reviewed. RESULTS: Sixteen patients received their primary treatment at the Royal Hospital for Women, and one was referred with recurrent disease. Synchronous ovarian malignancies were found in five of 17 cases (29.4%), compared with 11 of 237 (4.6%) women older than 45 (P < .001). Three other patients had secondary ovarian involvement. Five (29%) patients had stage III or IV disease. Thirteen (76.5%) women were alive with no evidence of disease 12-78 months after primary surgery; two were lost to follow-up, but had no evidence of disease at 21 and 29 months, respectively. Two women died of recurrent disease. All but two patients with stage IV disease receiving primary treatment at the Royal Hospital for Women were offered hormone replacement therapy on discharge from the hospital. CONCLUSION: Ovarian and lymph node involvement were common in women 45 years and younger with endometrial cancer. Hormone replacement therapy did not appear to compromise survival.

Adenocarcinoma↗