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Biomedical subjects

J Larsen

Publications and source records attributed to J Larsen.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Reduction of RNA and DNA in Methylococcus capsulatus by endogenous nucleases.

A method for reducing RNA and DNA in the bacterium Methylococcus capsulatus (Bath) has been developed. Endogenous RNase and DNase were activated by a 10 s heat shock at 90 degrees C. Cells were then incubated at 60 degrees C for 20 min to allow degradation of the nucleic acids. The optimum pH for the process was 7.0. The protein loss was less than 10% and occurred during the initial heat shock. No protein loss was found during incubation. The total dry-weight loss in connection with an 80% reduction of the nucleic acid content was 20%-25%, giving a final product with a raw protein content of approximately 75%. Reduction of both RNA and DNA was inhibited by CuSO4 and ZnSO4. DNA reduction was stimulated by other minerals. Optimal stimulation was found at 1 mM FeSO4. Reduction of RNA was not increased by any of the minerals tested.

DNA, Bacterial↗
PubMed1996

Health-related quality of life in women with breast cancer undergoing autologous stem-cell transplantation.

The functional capacity and the health-related quality of life were investigated in nine women (ages 23-58 years) undergoing high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT). Data were obtained by using two questionnaires: the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) and the Swedish Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWED-QUAL). The patients answered the questionnaires on three occasions: on admission to the transplant unit, at discharge from the unit, and 7-15 weeks after ASCT. It was found that the women were affected by the treatment in various dimensions of daily life. The transplantation primarily affected their self-rated physical health and functions. Their physical-health status was poorest at the time of discharge. The women's emotional status was found to be poor during the whole study period. The results of the present study indicate that professional nursing is essential for breast cancer patients undergoing ASCT.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1996

Acute post-treatment enterocolitis in 13 horses treated in a Norwegian surgical ward.

Case histories, results of laboratory analyses, treatment regimens and outcome are described for 13 horses that developed acute enterocolitis after various surgical treatments. Twelve of the 13 horses had been cast in lateral recumbency, and 10 of those 12 had received general anesthesia. Eleven horses had been treated with antimicrobial drugs. Most horses (11) developed diarrhea 2 days after initiation of treatment, with a variation from 1 to 5 days. The most apparent symptoms were fever, up to 40.5 degrees C, elevated heart rate, discoloration of mucous membranes, and diarrhea. Dehydration, acidosis and leukopenia were marked at the time clinical signs occurred. Packed cell volume and total serum protein values were elevated. Therapy was directed toward replacement of fluid losses, restoration of acid-base balance, and counteraction of inflammation. Seven horses (54%) died or were euthanized. At necropsy, pathological changes showed large variations between individuals. Salmonella spp. were not isolated from any of the horses, and no common causative agent was identified. Preventive efforts to avoid post-treatment enterocolitis have been taken with regard to preoperative routines, premedication and anesthesia, with apparent success.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Speech prosody in affective contexts in Thai patients with right hemisphere lesions.

The production of speech prosody in emotional contexts was examined in Thai patients with unilateral right hemisphere damage. Twelve right hemisphere patients and nine normals read target sentences embedded in paragraphs that cued either a happy, sad, or neutral affect. Perceptual evaluations of their productions revealed a severe deficit in right hemisphere patients. Acoustic analysis indicated that longterm measures of fundamental frequency, timing, and energy at the sentence level were aberrant in right hemisphere patients. Findings are discussed in relation to nature and extent of prosodic deficits in right hemisphere patients, hemispheric specialization for linguistic and affective prosody, and the effect of language structure on the manifestation of affective prosody.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Affective facial expression in infants with focal brain damage.

Children are fluent affective communicators by their first birthday. The development of affective facial expression in infants with focal brain damage thus provides a promising context in which to investigate the developing neural substrates of emotions. We examined both positive and negative affective expression in 12 infants (6-24 months) with pre- or perinatal unilateral focal brain damage (6RHD and 6LHD) and their age- and gender-matched controls. Infants were videotaped in free and semi-structured tasks. Interactions were microanalytically coded, including the use of FACS. Both normal and babies with posterior LHD exhibited the full range of appropriate affective expressions. In contrast, infants with posterior RHD showed marked affective impairment to positive, but not to negative simulation.

Affect↗
PubMed1995

A single-blind study of podophyllotoxin cream 0.5% and podophyllotoxin solution 0.5% in male patients with genital warts.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy-safety ratio of a new topical podophyllotoxin cream 0.5% compared with podophyllotoxin solution 0.5% (Condyline) in male patients with genital warts. METHODS: In an observer-blinded controlled study a total of 136 and 133 wart lesions were treated with podophyllotoxin cream 0.5% and podophyllotoxin solution 0.5%, respectively. The preparations were applied twice daily for 3 days, repeated with 4 days intervals for a minimum of two and a maximum of four treatment cycles. RESULTS: At the conclusion of the study (8 weeks after completion of therapy) a significant reduction in mean wart area was observed in both the cream group (87.7, SD 8.4 to 20.6, SD 2.7) and in the solution group (92.3, SD 7.5 to 21.5, SD 2.8) (p < 0.01). At the same time all treated warts had completely cleared in 63% of patients in both study groups. Mild to moderate side effects occurred to the same extent in both podophyllotoxin cream and podophyllotoxin solution recipients. CONCLUSION: We conclude that podophyllotoxin 0.5% administered in a cream formulation does not give additional clinical benefits when compared with podophyllotoxin solution 0.5% in male patients with external genital warts.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1995

Ranitidine reduces postoperative interleukin-6 induced C-reactive protein synthesis.

BACKGROUND: The mechanism of post-traumatic immunosuppression is still not known in detail. However, histamine released during trauma and major surgery may play a significant role in the process. Previously, we showed that the histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA), ranitidine, reduced trauma-induced suppression of certain immunological parameters. STUDY DESIGN: The effect of perioperative ranitidine on postoperative change in plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels was assessed in 23 women undergoing elective abdominal hysterectomy. The patients were randomized to receive intravenous ranitidine, 100 mg twice a day from skin incision, for two days, followed by oral ranitidine, 150 mg twice a day, for a further three days, or no ranitidine. Interleukin-6 and CRP were analyzed in plasma and serum, respectively, drawn preoperatively and six, 24, 48, and 120 hours after skin incision. RESULTS: Routine blood analyses, clinical data (except age), duration of surgery, anesthesia, antibiotic prophylaxis, blood loss, and perioperative blood transfusion were similar in the two groups. Interleukin-6 levels were significantly increased in all patients and without difference between the ranitidine-treated and non-ranitidine-treated patients after six, 24, and 48 hours compared to preoperative levels, respectively. C-reactive protein levels were also significantly increased in all patients after 24, 48, and 120 hours, respectively; however, at 48 hours, CRP was significantly reduced in ranitidine-treated patients compared with non-ranitidine-treated patients (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that histamine-2 receptor activation mechanisms may not be involved in postoperative IL-6 synthesis. However, the reduced CRP level in ranitidine-treated patients suggests that H2RAs modulate IL-6 signal transduction in hepatic cells.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1994

Cystic fibrosis screening in neonates--measurement of immunoreactive trypsin and direct genotype analysis for delta F508 mutation.

This study investigated the clinical usefulness of screening for cystic fibrosis (CF) in 19,992 newborns, over 39 months, in an Austrian population. Immunoreactive serum trypsin (IRT) determination was followed by sweat chloride analysis (sweat test) to establish diagnosis. In a retrospective analysis covering 6 months of the study period, individuals who were considered to be at risk after IRT estimation (n = 22) were analysed for delta F508 mutation, using a new method of DNA extraction from the initial dried blood specimens. A total of 119 infants (0.6%) had values greater than 750 ng trypsin/ml whole blood. In 88 babies sweat tests were performed, leading to the diagnosis of CF in 11 cases. One patient was not initially identified by screening but was later discovered due to his clinical status. Three infants were noted to carry the delta F508 mutation (1 homozygous, 2 heterozygous). Two of these babies already had CF. The second heterozygote was a carrier. A highly efficient three tier screening strategy is presented in which IRT estimation, determination of delta F508 status and sweat chloride testing could lead to a high sensitivity analysis of this population.

Cystic Fibrosis↗
PubMed1994

Scratching and ultraviolet irradiation: an experimental animal model.

The purpose of the study was to establish a useful animal model for quantification of itching and to examine whether the wavelengths inducing itching were identical to those inducing erythema. Four groups of hairless mice were irradiated with 4 different light sources in order to provoke itch. The light sources were adjusted to give equal erythrogenic doses. The groups were treated 5 times weekly for a year. For the first 16 weeks the daily dose was 0.6 minimal erythema dose (MED) and for the following 36 weeks 1.2 MED. The severity of the itching in the 4 groups and in a control group of untreated mice was compared. The chosen parameters were the number of scratch-sequences and the summarized time of scratching during an observation period of 1 h. Ultraviolet irradiation provoked itching. Especially the wavelengths 315-330 nm were more itch-provoking than erythemogenic. The difference between the control group and a group treated with Philips TL12 combined with a Tempax filter was significant. An action spectrum of itching does not seem to be identical to the erythema action spectrum. The animal model described is usable to quantify itch but has to be simplified. Of the lamps used, Philips TL01 was the least itch-provoking lamp type and may be preferred in the treatment of itching diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Structure of hydrated oligonucleotides studied by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy.

We have used the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) to image several synthetic oligonucleotides adsorbed onto a positively charged Au(111) electrode. The molecules were deposited and imaged in aqueous electrolyte under potential control, a procedure that eliminated the problem of the substrate artifacts that had limited some previous STM studies. Experiments were carried out with two types of single-stranded molecules (11 and 20 bases long) and three types of double-stranded molecules (20 and 61 base pairs and 31 bases with 25 bases paired and 6-base "sticky" ends). The molecules lie along symmetry directions on the reconstructed (23 x square root of 3) gold surface, and length measurements indicate that they adopt simple base-stacked structures. The base stacking distances are, within experimental uncertainty, equal to the 0.33 nm measured for polymeric aggregates of stacked purines by direct imaging in identical conditions. The images show features consistent with helical structures. Double helices have a major-groove periodicity that is consistent with a 36 degrees twist. The single helices appear to be more tightly twisted. A simple tunneling model of STM contrast generates good agreement between measured and calculated images.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1993

[Frequency and follow-up of non-negative cervical smears in the counties of Storstrøm, Vestsjaelland and Bornholm in 1979-1989].

The outcome of the cervical cancer screening in Storstrøm, West Zeeland and Bornholm counties in 1979-1989 was evaluated. About 6% of the screened women had at least one non-negative smear requiring further follow-up. 2% were women with positive smears. Only 3/4 of women with positive smears were followed up within the first three months after the positive smear. Late follow-up probably resulted in a few cases of invasive cervical cancer. The computerized pathology registration system permits automatic monitoring of women with positive smears, and it is suggested that these facilities should be used systematically.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Flow cytometric measurement of RNA synthesis using bromouridine labelling and bromodeoxyuridine antibodies.

Nuclear RNA synthesis can be analysed by flow cytometry of cells labelled with 5-bromouridine (BrUrd) and stained with anti-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) antibody and FITC-conjugated secondary antibody. A panel of 5 different commercially available anti-BrdUrd antibodies was tested on cells of a HL-60 human leukemia cell line, stained as a methanol-fixed nuclear suspension. The BrUrd-induced fluorescence signals were highest with the antibody ABDM (Partec), moderate but reproducible with B-44 (Becton Dickinson), variable or low with BR-3 and IU-4 (Caltag), and not detectable with Bu20a (DAKO). Treatment of BrUrd-labelled nuclei with ribonuclease before staining with antibodies indicated that ABDM and B-44 antibodies specifically recognized BrUrd-substituted RNA, whereas BR-3 and IU-4 antibodies also bound to BrUrd-unlabelled RNA. Combined analysis of BrUrd and DNA contents demonstrated the variation of RNA synthesis during the cell cycle. The BrUrd incorporation was high in the S and G2 phase, variable in G1, and negligible in mitosis. Similar results were obtained using other cell types.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1993

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA among anti-HCV-positive blood donors and their recipients.

Seven of 24 blood donors positive in Ortho's first-generation antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) test (EIA-1) were also positive in Ortho's second-generation test (EIA-2). All 7 had at least two anti-HCV positive recipients, whereas only 1 of the 17 EIA-2-negative donors had an anti-HCV-positive recipient. This recipient was a multitransfused patient with von Willebrand's disease. Five of the 7 EIA-2-positive donors had detectable HCV RNA. We traced and tested 38 of the still living blood recipients from the 7 EIA-2-positive donors. Twenty-eight of these were EIA-2 positive and 22 were HCV-PCR positive. One patient with Waldenstroem's hypergammaglobulinemia was EIA-2 negative but HCV-PCR positive. All the EIA-2-positive sera showed reactivity in Ortho's recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA-2), but 5 of the 28 recipients and 1 of the donors reacted with only one band (RIBA-2 indeterminate). Among 32 recipients who probably had received EIA-2-positive blood, 29 (91%) had markers of an HCV infection. Twenty-two (75%) of the HCV-infected recipients had detectable HCV RNA more than 6 months after transfusion and hence were chronic HCV carriers.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Interferon alpha-2b treatment of symptomatic chronic vulvodynia associated with koilocytosis.

In an open study with identical criteria for diagnosis, 16 female patients with typical symptoms of chronic vulvodynia associated with acetowhitening of the vestibular epithelium and koilocytosis in biopsy specimens received recombinant interferon alpha-2b 5 MIU intralesionally 3 times weekly for 3 weeks or subcutaneously 3 times weekly for 8 weeks. Three months after end of therapy, clinical symptoms had disappeared in 7 (70%) of the 10 patients treated intralesionally, compared with only one (16%) of the 6 patients treated subcutaneously. In addition, the last 3 (30%) patients in the first group had a partial response to therapy. The acetowhitening persisted in all patients. The koilocytosis remained unchanged in 13 (81%) of the 16 patients. Our results indicate that recombinant interferon alpha-2b administered intralesionally seems to be efficacious in reducing clinical symptoms in vulvodynia with suspected human papillomavirus infection but does not eliminate the infection. Subcutaneous administration had neither symptomatic nor antiviral effect. A placebo-controlled study is needed, but with our present knowledge we recommend intralesionally administered interferon as a symptomatic treatment of vulvodynia.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Flow cytometric measurement of RNA synthesis based on bromouridine labelling and combined with measurement of DNA content or cell surface antigen.

RNA synthesis can be analysed in nuclei or cells labelled with 5-bromouridine (BrUrd) and stained using cross-reacting anti-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) antibody. Flow cytometric dual parameter analysis of BrUrd incorporation and DNA content in nuclear suspensions of human blood lymphocytes showed that RNA synthesis increased within the first 24 hours of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation, reaching a maximum at 48 hours, when cells had entered the cell cycle. Using a new method for flow cytometric dual parameter analysis of BrUrd incorporation and a cell surface antigen, spontaneous RNA synthesis in HL-60 and K-562 cells was measured simultaneous with CD13 expression.

Antigens, CD↗