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Biomedical subjects

E Eerola

Publications and source records attributed to E Eerola.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Clostridium perfringens in stool, intrapartum antibiotics and gastrointestinal signs in a neonatal intensive care unit.

In 1989, we observed in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), an increased number of infants with gastrointestinal signs, including five cases of necrotizing enterocolitis. Clostridium perfringens was found in 26% of newborns (n = 168) and was associated significantly with the occurrence of flatulence, distended abdomen, foul-smelling stools, diarrhea and blood in stool (all p < 0.001). C. difficile was found in 17% of the newborns (n = 72). Cesarean section, low gestational age and low birth weight were significantly associated with C. perfringens in stools (all p < 0.001). Treatment with antibiotics was not associated with occurrence of C. perfringens. However, in infants with C. perfringens, intrapartum antibiotics were associated with increased appearance of abdominal distension (p < 0.05). Thus the antibiotics, which disturb primary colonization, may also favor the pathogenic role of opportunistic gut bacteria, such as C. perfringens.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1993

Determination of serum arabinitol levels by mass spectrometry in patients with postoperative candidiasis.

A combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique was used for serial determination of serum arabinitol levels in patients with postoperative candidiasis. Forty subjects were investigated, 18 patients with candidiasis, 7 patients with superficial Candida colonization and 15 postoperative control patients. The arabinitol levels were highly elevated, slightly elevated and normal in 13, 1 and 4 patients respectively with candidiasis; in 2, 2 and 3 colonized patients and in 1, 1 and 13 control patients (p < 0.001, chi 2, between all the groups). The sensitivity of a single arabinitol determination for detection of postoperative candidiasis was 27.6 % and the specificity 89.2 %. Use of multiple samples improved sensitivity up to 72.2% per patient (123 samples) with a specificity of 86.4 %. Highly elevated arabinitol concentrations were detected in only one patient before the onset of therapy. Determination of arabinitol levels by GC-MS is a specific test for diagnosing candidiasis, but multiple samples are required for adequate sensitivity, and the initiation of therapy must still be on an empirical basis.

Candidiasis↗
PubMed1993

Effect of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, naproxen, on faecal microbial flora.

Faecal Clostridium perfringens counts have been observed to be elevated in RA patients. The use of NSAIDs has been suggested as being responsible for this increase. To clarify the potential of NSAIDs to change faecal flora, 10 male volunteers were given naproxen 500 mg twice daily for 2 weeks in a randomized, placebo-controlled and double-blind study, and 10 other volunteers were given a placebo in tablets of identical appearance. Stool samples were collected and subjected to direct stool sample gas-liquid chromatography of bacterial fatty acids. The method has proved to be practical and sensitive in detecting overall changes in faecal flora. The samples were also cultured for Cl. perfringens. No significant change of faecal flora was observed by either method. The results show that naproxen given in doses and over a period in excess of the levels reported to increase intestinal permeability, does not change intestinal flora.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed1993

Effect of dietary fish powder on intestinal flora and development of arthritis in the pig.

In 1971 Månsson et al. reported that a 20% dry fish powder diet fed to young pigs induced arthritis and increases in faecal Clostridium perfringens counts. To confirm this interesting finding we have repeated their experiment by following their regimen as closely as possible. Twelve piglets of Finnish landrace were divided at 8 weeks of age into two groups according to litter, sex and initial weight. The control group received a cereal-based diet. In the experimental group 20% of cereal in the diet was replaced by fish meal. Stool samples were cultured for Cl. perfringens and subjected to direct gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) to provide bacterial cellular fatty acid profiles. Development of arthritis was monitored macroscopically, and synovial samples were taken at autopsy for microscopical examination. Faecal Cl. perfringens counts increased 10-40 times more in the fish diet group than in the control group. GLC revealed a significant difference in bacterial florae between the groups. No arthritis was observed and only slight synovial inflammation in four experimental pigs and in one control pig. We conclude that fish diet changed faecal flora significantly, but did not induce arthritis.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

An uncooked vegan diet shifts the profile of human fecal microflora: computerized analysis of direct stool sample gas-liquid chromatography profiles of bacterial cellular fatty acids.

The effect of an uncooked extreme vegan diet on fecal microflora was studied by direct stool sample gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) of bacterial cellular fatty acids and by quantitative bacterial culture by using classical microbiological techniques of isolation, identification, and enumeration of different bacterial species. Eighteen volunteers were divided randomly into two groups. The test group received an uncooked vegan diet for 1 month and a conventional diet of mixed Western type for the other month of the study. The control group consumed a conventional diet throughout the study period. Stool samples were collected. Bacterial cellular fatty acids were extracted directly from the stool samples and measured by GLC. Computerized analysis of the resulting fatty acid profiles was performed. Such a profile represents all bacterial cellular fatty acids in a sample and thus reflects its microflora and can be used to detect changes, differences, or similarities of bacterial flora between individual samples or sample groups. GLC profiles changed significantly in the test group after the induction and discontinuation of the vegan diet but not in the control group at any time, whereas quantitative bacterial culture did not detect any significant change in fecal bacteriology in either of the groups. The results suggest that an uncooked extreme vegan diet alters the fecal bacterial flora significantly when it is measured by direct stool sample GLC of bacterial fatty acids.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Does reduced erythrocyte C3b receptor (CR1) activity contribute to the pathogenesis of yersinia triggered reactive arthritis?

Erythrocyte C3b receptor (CR1) activity was measured in 27 patients with yersinia triggered reactive arthritis and in 151 control subjects, including 36 patients with uncomplicated yersiniosis and 115 healthy subjects. CR1 was measured by the immune adherence haemagglutination method. Patients with yersinia triggered reactive arthritis had reduced levels of CR1 compared with the controls. This difference was mainly due to the finding that five out of six HLA B27 negative patients with arthritis had decreased CR1 activity. Such a quantitative difference may contribute to the pathogenesis of reactive arthritis by affecting the clearance of immune complexes.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

FGFR-4, a novel acidic fibroblast growth factor receptor with a distinct expression pattern.

We have previously identified two novel members of the fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) gene family expressed in K562 erythroleukemia cells. Here we report cDNA cloning and analysis of one of these genes, named FGFR-4. The deduced amino acid sequence of FGFR-4 is 55% identical with both previously characterized FGFRs, flg and bek, and has the structural characteristics of a FGFR family member including three immunoglobulin-like domains in its extracellular part. Antibodies raised against the carboxy terminus of FGFR-4 detected 95 and 110 kd glycoproteins with a protein backbone of 88 kd in COS cells transfected with a FGFR-4 cDNA expression vector. The FGFR-4 protein expressed in COS cells could also be affinity-labeled with radioiodinated acidic FGF. Furthermore, ligand binding experiments demonstrated that FGFR-4 binds acidic FGF with high affinity but does not bind basic FGF. FGFR-4 is expressed as a 3.0 kb mRNA in the adrenal, lung, kidney, liver, pancreas, intestine, striated muscle and spleen tissues of human fetuses. The expression pattern of FGFR-4 is distinct from that of flg and bek and the yet additional member of the same gene family, FGFR-3, which we have also cloned from the K562 leukemia cells. Our results suggest that FGFR-4 along with other fibroblast growth factor receptors performs cell lineage and tissue-specific functions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Application of gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of cellular fatty acids for species identification and typing of coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) of bacterial cellular fatty acids was used to analyze 264 isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci, of which 178 were Staphylococcus epidermidis. The presence and amounts of individual fatty acids were determined to generate fatty acid profiles for each of the seven coagulase-negative species tested. The fatty acid profiles were then analyzed by computerized correlation and cluster analysis to calculate mean correlation values between isolates belonging to the same or different species, as well as to establish cluster analysis dendrograms. These data ultimately allowed the clustering of individual samples into species-specific clusters. Species identification by the GLC clustering was highly consistent with species identification by biochemical assays; the results were similar in 92.4% of the cases. The GLC profile correlation analysis was further used to analyze multiple blood isolates from 60 patients in order to determine the usefulness of this methodology in establishing identity, as well as differences, between consecutive patient isolates. The correlation between those multiple S. epidermidis isolates determined to be identical by standard techniques (such as the antibiogram, biotype, and plasmid profile) was significantly (P less than 0.001) higher than that between random isolates of the same species. The correlation coefficient was greater than 97 for 40 (97.6%) of the 41 patients with multiple identical blood isolates, compared with less than 95 in all 19 (100.0%) patients with multiple nonidentical isolates. The successful use of the computerized GLC analysis in this study demonstrated its appropriate application for species identification and typing of coagulase-negative staphylococci.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗
PubMed1991

Antimicrobial therapy of septicemic patients in intensive care units before and after blood culture reporting.

68 cases of positive blood cultures from 54 intensive care unit (ICU) patients were analyzed retrospectively. The empiric antimicrobial therapy was correct in 65% of the cases as judged by the species and sensitivity of the blood culture isolate. After initial Gram-staining results were known, coverage increased to 77%. After the final blood culture results the coverage was still only 81%. The bacteremia-related mortality was 13%. Although there was no significant difference between the occurrence of bacteremia-related and non-bacteremia-related deaths either in patients with correct or non-optimal empiric treatment, this study emphasizes the need for better utilization of culture reporting. A considerable part of the final blood culture results went unnoticed by the ICU physicians which stresses the importance of good communication between the laboratory and wards.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Antigen-presenting cell-T cell interaction in the chicken is MHC class II antigen restricted.

The involvement of the MHC in the recognition of Ag by avian T lymphocytes was analyzed. PBL from chickens primed with keyhole limpet hemocyanin in vivo were induced to synthesize DNA in an in vitro response to specific Ag. Responding cells were T cells as judged by immunofluorescence staining. In vivo Ag-primed PBL were stimulated in vitro with specific Ag and further propagated in the presence of IL-2. Subsequent Ag-specific T cell proliferation required the presence of Ag-pulsed peripheral blood adherent cells (APC). T cell responses were restricted by the MHC of the APC; Ag presented by allogeneic APC did not support T cell proliferation. By using MHC-recombinant chicken lines, the gene products controlled by MHC class II loci were shown to restrict the T cell-APC interaction. This conclusion was substantiated by the inhibition of the Ag-specific T cell response by a mAb against chicken MHC class II gene products but not by a mAb against chicken MHC class I gene products.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Arthritis-associated changes in flow cytometric characteristics of cultured synovial fibroblasts.

Synovial fibroblasts cultured from patients with rheumatoid or reactive arthritis and from controls were studied by flow cytometry, spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. Analysis of 29 cell lines revealed consistent differences between arthritic and normal fibroblasts. Cells cultured from inflamed synovial tissue exhibited higher autofluorescence than did control fibroblasts, and displayed exceptional light scatter properties in flow cytometry, indicating changes in cytoplasmic structures. Electron microscopic examination of the fibroblasts from arthritic synovial tissue revealed large numbers of round, swollen, laminated, mitochondrion-like bodies, which were not observed in the control fibroblasts. The changes observed by flow cytometry (light scatter and autofluorescence) coincided with the presence of the mitochondrion-like organelles. The strong autofluorescence observed in the arthritic fibroblasts resembled the fluorescence spectrum of mitochondrial flavoproteins. These data suggest that persistent metabolic and structural changes have occurred in the mitochondria of synovial fibroblasts and inflammatory synovial tissue. The usefulness of flow cytometry in identifying such cells is described.

Arthritis↗
PubMed1988

Expression of B-L and Bu-1 antigens in chickens bursectomized at 60 h of incubation.

Differences in expression between B-L (chicken class II major histocompatibility complex antigen) and Bu-1 B cell antigens were found in normal animals by using monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometric immunofluorescence analysis. Fluorescence intensity profile was used in assaying cell surface density of antigen molecules. The density of B-L antigen on the cell surface is apparently low in immature and high in mature cells, whereas the density of Bu-1 antigen does not vary in cells at different maturational stages. The existence of B-L+ and Bu-1+ cells in chickens bursectomized at 60 h of embryonic development (Bx) is demonstrated, indicating that neither B-L or Bu-1 antigen is exclusively specific for cells differentiated in the bursa. The densities of B-L and Bu-1 molecules on lymphoid cells in Bx chickens are similar to those of controls. However, the number of B-L+ and Bu-1+ cells was decreased in Bx chickens. We conclude that the extrabursal site where Bx B cells mature has an ability similar to that of the bursa to induce and enhance the expression of B-L and Bu-1 antigens. However, only few B cells proliferate and/or are released into the circulation. Further, the extrabursal site unequivocally lacks the most important function of the bursa, the creation and expansion of antibody diversity.

Aging↗
PubMed1988

Diagnostic value of DNA flow cytometry combined with fine needle aspiration biopsy in lymphomas.

The nuclear DNA content of cells from 45 malignant lymphomas and from 60 benign lymph nodes obtained by fine needle aspiration was analysed to investigate the diagnostic value of DNA flow cytometry combined with routine diagnostic cytology in lymphomas. DNA aneuploidy was found in 43 per cent of lymphomas of high grade malignancy (NCI Working Formulation) but only rarely in lymphomas of intermediate- or low-grade malignancy or in Hodgkin's disease, and never in benign lymph nodes. The median percentage of proliferative cells (S + G2/M) was 22.6 per cent in diploid high-grade lymphomas, 15.3 per cent in intermediate-, and 8.1 per cent in low-grade lymphomas, as compared with 4.9 per cent in benign lymph nodes (P less than 0.0001). If the presence of DNA aneuploidy or more than 12 per cent of proliferative cells is used as a criterion for malignancy, the diagnostic accuracy of DNA flow cytometry in detecting lymphoma is 81 per cent. DNA flow cytometry suggested correct diagnosis in 10 of the 19 false positive, false negative, or indeterminate cytological findings encountered during the study. It is concluded that DNA flow cytometry combined with fine needle aspiration biopsy has diagnostic value in lymphomas, but false negative results are common especially in low-grade lymphomas; the method should therefore be used in conjunction with light microscopy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Effect of cytosine arabinoside on the human immunosystem: metabolism and cytotoxicity studied with mitogen-stimulated normal blood lymphocytes in vitro.

The toxicity, metabolic effects and metabolism of cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) were studied with normal human peripheral blood PHA-stimulated mononuclear cells in vitro. Clinically relevant Ara-C concentrations were toxic against mitogen-stimulated blood lymphocytes. Dose-dependent effects included: (i) increased cell loss, (ii) decreased DNA synthesis assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation, (iii) decreased blastic transformation, (iv) decreased protein synthesis assessed by 14C-leucine incorporation, (v) an inhibition of the production of new cells, (vi) a delay in the proceeding of the PHA-stimulated cells to the cell cycle, (vii) an arresting of the cells in the S-phase, and (viii), a dose-dependent decrease of the number of mitoses in Ara-C-treated cultures. The mode of cell death was of the delayed type. The toxicity of Ara-C was effectively reversed by an excess of deoxycytidine, but not by cytidine or other conventional nucleosides, which is highly suggestive that the molecular mechanism of Ara-C toxicity is based on its anti-metabolic role in the salvage pathway of biosynthesis of DNA deoxycytidine. In fact, we demonstrated that Ara-C is metabolized to Ara-CTP and to a lesser extent also incorporated into DNA in human PHA-stimulated lymphocytes. Ara-C significantly decreased its own uptake and DNA incorporation. On the other hand, uracil arabinoside, which was the major catabolic product of Ara-C, was not toxic to human PHA-stimulated T-cells. The antiproliferative effect of Ara-C against human T-cells resembled that previously demonstrated with various cancer cell types.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cell Cycle↗