Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Holm

Publications and source records attributed to J Holm.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Effects of variously processed starch on pH of human dental plaque.

The aim of this investigation was to study the effect of starch in various cereal products on pH of human dental plaque in vivo as compared to availability to the alpha-amylase of starch in vitro. Three separate experimental series were performed including: 1) rye and wheat products, 2) wheat products processed under both mild and severe conditions, and 3) wheat products with and without added sucrose. The pH drop in dental plaque was studied after a mouthrinse in groups of 10 subjects. Solutions of glucose or sucrose were used as references. No differences were found between boiled rye and boiled wheat, nor between rye bread and wheat bread. Severely popped wheat resulted in the greatest pH drop, followed, in order, by drum-dried and extrusion-cooked products. Mildly steam-flaked and mildly dry-autoclaved products induced comparable small pH falls. Sucrose-sweetened wheat products resulted in lower plaque pH values compared to unsweetened products. This effect was most pronounced with a mildly processed sample. In all three series, the glucose and sucrose reference solutions showed the greatest pH drop. In conclusion, all processing methods increased the fermentability of starch in human dental plaque in vivo. Thus, the more severe the processing conditions the more prominent the pH falls. The pH drop in plaque in vivo correlated (r = 0.96 in Series 1 and r = 0.92 in Series 2) with the rate of starch hydrolysis with alpha-amylase in vitro.

Biological Availability↗

Immunologic control of vascular cell growth and differentiation.

Several recent studies demonstrate that T lymphocytes and monocytes enter the vessel wall during pathologic conditions and accumulate both in atherosclerotic and arteritic lesions. This brief review summarizes our phenotypic analysis of such T lymphocytes. Effects of T lymphocytes and their secretory products (lymphokines) on vascular cells are discussed on the basis of both cell culture studies and animal experiments. Finally, the role of complement activation for recruitment of blood-borne cells is evaluated.

Animals↗

Detection of activated T lymphocytes in the human atherosclerotic plaque.

It was recently shown that the human atherosclerotic plaque contains significant amounts of T lymphocytes, and also that smooth muscle cells in these plaques express class II MHC (Ia) antigens. These antigens are not normally present on smooth muscle cells but are inducible by interferon-gamma, a secretory product of activated T cells. Therefore, T cell activation in the plaque was analyzed by immunofluorescent detection of activation markers on T cells isolated from the plaques and in cryostat sections of carotid endarterectomy specimens. Of cells isolated from the plaque, 5% exhibited the E rosettes characteristic of T cells. One third of these cells expressed HLA-DR and VLA-1 (very late activation antigen-1), which in T cells are synthesized only in the activated state. T cells were also identified in sections using immunofluorescent detection of the T cell-specific surface protein, CD3 (Leu-4), with rhodamine labeled second-step antibodies. The frequency of activated T cells was then determined by staining the same, or serial, sections with antibodies to HLA-DR or to the interleukin-2 receptor, followed by biotin-avidin-FITC detection. Of the T cells in the plaque, 34% and 6%, respectively, expressed these cell surface proteins. Taken together, these results indicated that a substantial proportion of the T cells in atherosclerotic plaque are in an activated state. The activation pattern, with a high frequency of HLA-DR and VLA-1 expression and a much lower frequency of interleukin-2 receptor expression, was similar to that reported to occur in chronic inflammatory conditions. Interferon-gamma could be detected in and around some of the lymphocytes, suggesting that paracrine secretion of this lymphokine may occur in the plaque. T cells may be activated locally, presumably by antigen(s) presented in the context of class II MHC expressing smooth muscle cells and/or macrophages, in the atherosclerotic lesion. Such activated T cells may in turn modulate the functions of other cells in the plaque.

Adult↗

Serum antibodies to cow's milk folate-binding protein in patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

Antibodies to folate-binding protein (FBP) of cow's milk were studied in serum from patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (CIBD), since earlier studies had shown IgG- and IgM-serum antibodies to other isotypes of milk proteins to be elevated in such patients, indicating a possible primary role or an epiphenomenon in the pathogenesis of CIBD. The amount of IgG antibodies to FBP was compared to disease activity, localization and duration by means of a newly developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). No statistically significant differences were seen between groups of patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, as compared to healthy volunteers. Median values of FBP for ulcerative colitis were: 13 units/ml (4-74), for Crohn's disease: 14 units/ml (7-73), and healthy volunteers: 14 units/ml (4-51). No correlation was seen when comparing serum antibody values to disease activity, localization or duration. The intra-assay coefficient of variation of the ELISA technique was 0.05. The concentration of FBP in cow's milk (10 mg/l) is more than 50 times lower than that of other proteins (albumin, lactoglobulin, and casein). Even if a local defect in the endothelial barrier in these diseases may allow access of other milk protein antigens into the blood circulation, FBP is consequently not of importance for the humoral immune response in CIBD.

Adolescent↗

Abdominal aortic reconstruction without renal bypass in renal transplant patients.

Abdominal aortic reconstruction was successfully performed in three kidney transplant patients without the use of any specific measures to protect the kidney transplant during aortic cross-clamping. The cases are discussed in relation to previously published case reports describing various surgical techniques to protect kidney transplants during abdominal aortic reconstruction.

Aorta, Abdominal↗

Quantification of biotin in serum by competition with solid-phase biotin for binding to peroxidase-avidin conjugate.

We have developed a simple, fast, accurate, and reproducible method--an Enzyme-Linked Ligand Sorbent Assay (ELLSA)--for quantifying biotin without the use of isotopes and immunological reagents. The analytical principle is based on the competition between biotin of the sample and immobilized biotin, i.e., biotinylated bovine serum albumin coated onto immunoplates, for binding to horseradish peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7)-avidin conjugate. The amount of conjugate bound to immobilized biotin is subsequently measured.

Binding, Competitive↗

Relationship between the urinary excretion of albumin and retinol-binding protein in insulin-dependent diabetics.

The glomerular and proximal tubular function of the diabetic kidney was investigated. The urinary excretion (relative clearance) of albumin, a marker of glomerular function, and retinol binding protein (RBP), a low molecular weight (LMW) protein and marker of proximal tubular function, was determined in insulin-dependent diabetics. No correlation between the relative clearances of albumin and RBP was observed. LMW proteinuria without microalbuminuria was observed in 27 patients which suggests that tubular dysfunction may be an early stage in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Microalbuminuria was found in 16 patients while a mixed type of proteinuria (microalbuminuria and LMW proteinuria) was present in 56 patients several of whom had advanced nephropathy with elevated serum levels of RBP and creatinine. It is suggested that a combination of tubular and glomerular malfunction may be responsible for some cases of mixed proteinuria.

Adolescent↗

A competitive enzyme-linked ligand sorbent assay (ELLSA) for quantitation of folates.

An enzyme-linked ligand sorbent assay (ELLSA) for quantitation of folates is described. The method involves the following steps: (a) folate complexed to bovine serum albumin is adsorbed onto microtiter plates; (b) added folates compete with immobilized folate for binding to added biotinylated folate-binding protein; (c) biotinylated folate-binding protein bound to immobilized folate is detected after binding of avidin-alkaline phosphatase. The specificity of ELLSA is similar to that of conventional radioisotope dilution methods, and the sensitivity is high (lower limit of detection 20 fmol/sample). Quantitation of folates in erythrocyte lysates from 43 persons was performed by ELLSA. The results correlated fairly well with those obtained by the conventional radioisotope dilution method.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Epidural vs general anaesthesia and leg blood flow in patients with occlusive atherosclerotic disease.

Total leg blood flow (plethysmography), skin blood flow (laser-Doppler flowmetry), and haemodynamic stability (MAP, HR, RPP) were studied in vascular (ABI less than 1.0; n = 31) and in non-vascular (ABI greater than 1.0; n = 24) surgical patients during epidural or fentanyl-supplemented general anaesthesia. During epidural anaesthesia significant increases in total leg blood flow were observed in vascular (from 1.9 +/- 0.2 to about 3 ml/100 ml tissue/min) as well as in non-vascular (from 2.5 +/- 0.6 to about 7 ml/100 ml tissue/min) patients and leg blood flow remained high in the postanaesthetic period. During general anaesthesia total leg blood did not increase, either in vascular or in non-vascular patients, and in the postanaesthetic period blood flow values even lower than the initial ones were observed. Skin blood flow increased about 4-fold in vascular as well as in non-vascular patients following both types of anaesthesia. In the immediate postanaesthetic period low flow values were again observed but only in the general anaesthesia groups. In vascular patients no critical redistribution of blood flow within the limb was observed irrespective of the type of anaesthesia. Good haemodynamic stability could only be maintained in the epidural group. It is concluded that epidural anaesthesia seems to offer considerable advantages over general anaesthesia for high-risk vascular patients during arterial reconstructions since better haemodynamic stability and higher leg blood flow can be achieved.

Aged↗

Enzymatic activities in heart and skeletal muscle of children with cyanotic and noncyanotic congenital heart disease.

The activity of phosphofructokinase (PFK), citrate synthetase (CS), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 3-OH-CoA dehydrogenase (ACDH) and cytochrome-c-oxidase (cyt-ox) was measured in right atrial auricle and abdominal rectal muscle biopsies from 24 children, aged 3-12 years, with congenital heart malformations. Twelve children had cyanotic conditions (tetralogy of Fallot or truncus malformations) and 14 were noncyanotic (septal defects or vascular lesions). The cyt-ox activity was significantly higher in the cyanotic subgroup than in the noncyanotic (skeletal muscle: 55.71 +/- 10.4 vs 19.48 +/- 2.6 mmol/g protein/min, p less than 0.01; auricle: 93.1 +/- 11.8 vs 65.58 +/- 7.5, p less than 0.05). There were no significant differences between the activities of PFK, LDH, CS or ACDH in the cyanotic and noncyanotic groups. Within the normal range of hemoglobin and hematocrit, there was no correlation between these parameters and cyt-ox. On the other hand, above the normal range of hemoglobin and hematocrit a correlation coefficient of 0.89 (p less than 0.01) was observed which suggests the higher cyt-ox activity to be an adaptive phenomenon triggered by reduced availability of oxygen.

3-Hydroxyacyl CoA Dehydrogenases↗

Cyclosporin A inhibits smooth muscle proliferation in the vascular response to injury.

The arterial response to injury is dominated by proliferation of smooth muscle cells and infiltration of blood-borne cells in the vascular intima. Arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation is under growth factor control, but how this regulation operates in vivo is unclear. We studied the effect on arterial response to mechanical injury of cyclosporin A, a drug that inhibits T-lymphocyte activation. Cyclosporin A treatment at surgery caused a persistent inhibition of the intimal proliferative lesion. Cyclosporin A also inhibited expression of Ia antigens on smooth muscle cells in situ but had no direct effects on smooth muscle cell proliferation in culture. Therefore, the inhibition of intimal cell proliferation appears to be mediated via the immune system.

Animals↗

Degree of starch gelatinization, digestion rate of starch in vitro, and metabolic response in rats.

Glycemic response after ingestion of starchy foods varies. Starch in many common ready-to-eat foods is only partly gelatinized. In view of this, the relationships among degree of starch gelatinization, in vitro digestion rate, and in vivo metabolic response in rats were studied. Wheat starch with different degrees of gelatinization was used in the experiments. Plasma glucose and insulin responses as well as the rate of in vitro hydrolysis with alpha-amylase were strongly correlated to the degree of starch gelatinization (r = 0.88, r = 0.90, and r = 0.96, respectively). Plasma glucose and insulin responses were also positively correlated to the rate of hydrolysis with alpha-amylase in vitro (r = 0.98 and r = 0.76, respectively). These results suggest that the degree of starch gelatinization is an important determinant both for the rate of starch hydrolysis in vitro and for the metabolic response in vivo.

Animals↗

Do contrast media aggravate Fanconi's syndrome in rats? A comparison of diatrizoate, iohexol, and ioxilan.

Urine profiles (albumin, glucose, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase [NAG], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], L-gamma-glutamyltransferase [GGT], sodium, and phosphate) were followed for seven days after intravenous (IV) administration of either diatrizoate, iohexol, ioxilan, or saline in 24 Wistar rats with a tubular dysfunction induced by IV sodium maleate. Ioxilan and saline had a similar effect on albumin excretion, iohexol had an intermediate effect, and diatrizoate increased it significantly from day 2 to day 7. Glucosuria was significantly greater after diatrizoate than after the nonionic contrast media (CM) or saline. Diatrizoate delayed normalization of enzymuria, whereas iohexol and ioxilan did not. None of the CM affected urinary sodium or phosphate excretion. It is concluded that Fanconi's syndrome is significantly aggravated only by diatrizoate.

Animals↗

Urine profiles following intravenous diatrizoate, iohexol, or ioxilan in rats.

The effects of intravenous diatrizoate, iohexol, ioxilan, or saline on albumin, glucose, sodium and the enzymes N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and L-gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in the urine of 24 normal Wistar rats were followed for seven days. During the first two hours after administration of diatrizoate, all profile components changed markedly; the albumin excretion was significantly greater than following ioxilan and iohexol; glucose, LDH, and GGT excretions were significantly greater than following ioxilan. Iohexol and ioxilan caused a higher excretion of albumin, LDH, and GGT than saline. Iohexol also increased glucose and sodium levels. Glucose and GGT were significantly higher following iohexol than following ioxilan. Both high osmolar and low osmolar contrast media may cause temporary glomerular and tubular damage. Urine profile components are affected most by diatrizoate, less by iohexol, and least by ioxilan.

Animals↗

Effects of plasmapheresis on the plasma concentration of proteins used to monitor the disease process in multiple myeloma.

We studied the influence of plasmapheresis on the plasma concentrations of proteins (IgG, IgA, beta 2-microglobulin) used for estimation of tumour cell mass in patients with multiple myeloma. Simultaneously, the effects of plasmapheresis on plasma concentrations of proteins (CRP, alpha 1-antitrypsin, haptoglobin) used for the assessment of inflammatory processes were studied. Also, changes in the plasma concentration of protein HC, a recently described protein occurring both as a free protein and as an IgA complex, were studied. The influence of plasmapheresis varied for the different proteins. The plasma levels of IgG, IgA, CRP, alpha 1-antitrypsin, and haptoglobin decreased during plasmapheresis. The simultaneous reduction of the level of protein HC was smaller than that of IgG, IgA and haptoglobin. The plasma concentration of beta 2-microglobulin did not decrease during plasmapheresis. The recovery rates of the proteins were found to be approximately inversely related to their molecular weights.

Alpha-Globulins↗