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Biomedical subjects

J Olsen

Publications and source records attributed to J Olsen.

At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources

[Knowledge of AIDS and of transmission risks of HIV infection in a group of homosexual people. A questionnaire study].

A questionnaire investigation among 430 homosexual persons all of whom were members of an organization for homosexuals was completed by 144 (33%). These replies showed that they knew about HIV infection, risk behaviour and "safe sex". Their knowledge about the signs of HIV infection and AIDS was, however, more limited. The replies were compared with an age-matched group of the male population. The results of the investigation provide reasons to suppose that the information campaigns have been of value but information to prevent spread of infection is still necessary. In addition, further information is necessary about the subjective signs of HIV-infection so that persons in whom these signs develop may be offered the best possible treatment as early as possible.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[A group of homosexuals change their sex habits after information about AIDS. A questionnaire survey].

A questionnaire investigation to which 144 homosexual persons replied anonomously revealed alterations in the sexual habits after information about AIDS. Significant reduction in the annual number of partners and significantly fewer employ the more dangerous sexual practices which now occur particularly in more permanent partnerships are among the alterations started. An unchanged number still employ active anal and orogenital coitus. Employment of condoms has increased significantly, particularly in anal coitus and "casual" partners (from 3% to 82%). The majority accept the use of condoms and state that they employ more "safe sex" than prior to information about AIDS. 12% stated that they had sex with both sexes and the possibility of spread of infection from homosexual to heterosexual groups is present. The intensive informative work from the homosexuals own organisation and from public health authorities appear to have had some effect but further information and influencing are necessary if the spread of HIV infection is to be stopped.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Cloning of the pig aminopeptidase N gene. Identification of possible regulatory elements and the exon distribution in relation to the membrane-spanning region.

We have isolated four lambda-phages covering the complete pig aminopeptidase N/CD13 gene. The sequence of 2.85 kbp encompasses 1.18 kbp of the 5' upstream region and 1.67 kbp of the structural gene. In the promoter region we find a TATA box and potential binding sites for CTF-1/NF-1 and AP-2. By sequence comparisons we have found three domains showing similarity to promoter regions of the genes encoding human alpha 1-antitrypsin and human intestinal alkaline phosphatase. The gene sequence includes the first three exons and two introns. It shows that a single exon encodes the cytoplasmic tail, the membrane anchor and the junctional peptide.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

[Regional distribution of birth weights in Denmark during the period 1979-1983].

We investigated the geographical distribution of birthweights among liveborn infants in Denmark for the years 1979-1983, using the Medical Birth Register of the Danish National Board of Health. The investigation includes 272,361 liveborn children. The birthweight varies with the sex of the child, and with the age and parity of the mother. In the analysis of geographical variation of birthweight correction was made for these factors. We found an association between birthweight and urbanization, the lowest average birthweight being found in the capital, and the highest in the rural areas. Further, the average birthweight was higher in the western than in the eastern part of Denmark, especially in Northern Jutland and in Aarhus County. Geographical variation in gestational age explains part of the geographical variation in birthweight, but part of the variation must be explained by variation in the growth of fetuses. The role of genetic variation, variation in living conditions, and variation in the conduct of the health services is discussed. We found an unexpected association between the average birthweight in the counties, and neonatal mortality; the counties with high average birthweights also had a significantly increased neonatal mortalities.

Birth Weight↗

Treatment of radiation side effects with oral pilocarpine.

Radiation therapy is commonly utilized either alone or in combination with surgery in the treatment of malignancies arising in the upper aerodigestive tract. Frequent post-treatment sequelae include xerostomia, dysgeusia, and dysphagia. Numerous commercial products designed to decrease these symptoms have not been uniformly successful. This pilot study was designed to evaluate prospectively oral pilocarpine as a means of stimulating minor and major salivary gland flow to eradicate these radiation-induced symptoms. The results of this pilot study support the hypothesis that the salivary glands are capable of responding to oral pilocarpine, and this therapeutic approach warrants further study.

Administration, Oral↗

Influence of nifedipine therapy on indocyanine green and oral propranolol pharmacokinetics.

Nine healthy adults were administered indocyanine green (ICG) 0.5 mg.kg-1 IV alone and after the administration of the following oral drugs: nifedipine 10 mg, propranolol 80 mg, propranolol 80 mg and nifedipine 10 mg, and propranolol 80 mg after nifedipine 10 mg every 8 h for 5 days. Heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were also determined. Nifedipine increased ICG clearance by 14% and decreased t1/2 by 26%. Propranolol decreased ICG clearance by 21% and increased t1/2 42%. Nifedipine and propranolol given together increased ICG clearance 63% and decreased t1/2 by 19%. All changes were statistically significant. Propranolol given after multiple doses of nifedipine did not change ICG kinetic parameters. Propranolol Cmax, tmax, oral clearance, and t1/2 did not change after nifedipine therapy. However, partial propranolol AUC values between 0-0.33, 0-0.5, 0-1.0 and 0-1.5 h were significantly larger after single and multiple doses of nifedipine indicating higher propranolol concentrations during the absorption phase. Heart rate and MAP did not change after nifedipine treatment. Similar declines in heart rate and MAP occurred after propranolol alone and propranolol after single and multiple doses of nifedipine.

Administration, Oral↗

Localization by hand-held gamma probe of tumor labeled with antibody "cocktail".

Five groups (n = 4) of congenitally athymic female nude mice bearing subcutaneous implants of CX-1 and/or SW-1116 tumor in the hind limbs received iodine-125 radio-labeled monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) B72.3 (two groups), 17-1A (two groups), and cocktail (one group) (iodogen method, 50 microCi/10 micrograms/mouse). Daily probe counts were made in duplicate with a hand-held detector over each tumor site and the front leg (background) for 21 days. Animals were sacrificed and appropriate well counts were obtained. All the single MoAb preparations localized well in both tumor cell lines. Uptake of monoclonal antibody 17-1A was similar in the two tumor cell lines, with counts initially high and slowly decreasing over the 21-day period. Tumor/background ratios continued to increase over time, indicating that both tumor lines have similar antigenic expression for the monoclonal antibody 17-1A. This was not the case for monoclonal antibody B72.3, which showed a preferential uptake by the CX-1 tumor, with higher initial counts and prolonged binding of the antibody, giving rise to higher tumor/background ratios. The mixture of monoclonal antibodies B72.3 and 17-1A markedly improved the uptake by the CX-1 tumor cell line but not that by the SW-1116 cell line, where the effect was negative when compared to the uptake of the single MoAb preparations. The use of a monoclonal antibody mixture can enhance targeting of some tumor sites. Due to the heterogeneity of tumor cell lines, even within the same animal, different mixtures of monoclonal antibodies are needed to increase the targeting of tumor.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Biocompatibility of urinary catheters. Effect on complement activation.

The ability of 2 brands of urinary catheters to activate the complement system in vitro as a marker of biocompatibility was investigated. Pieces of a silicone/latex catheter and an all-silicone catheter were incubated in human serum. Complement activation was tested in 2 enzyme immunoassays, one evaluating C3 activation and the other the terminal complement complex (TCC) formation. The silicone/latex catheter caused considerably more complement activation in both assays than did the all-silicone one. The findings are in agreement with previous results of tissue toxicity tests. The methods presented may prove valuable for the practical purpose of testing the biocompatibility of urinary catheters.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Changing smoking, drinking, and eating behaviour among pregnant women in Denmark. Evaluation of a health campaign in a local region.

Health behaviour during pregnancy was examined before and after a comprehensive health campaign targeted at pregnant women in Odense, Denmark. Furthermore, lifestyle habits were compared before and during the campaign with similar habits in Aalborg, Denmark. All 13,815 pregnant women (equal numbers from each city) were enrolled in the study, and 11,980 gave information on eating, drinking, and smoking habits during pregnancy. Data collection in both cities took place from April 1984 to April 1987. The campaign, which was entitled "Healthy Habits for Two", ran from April 1985 to April 1987 in the city of Odense only. No significant change in health behaviour in the Odense area was noted after the start of the campaign.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Cloning and sequencing of the bovine gastrin gene.

In order to deduce the primary structure of bovine preprogastrin we therefore sequenced a gastrin DNA clone isolated from a bovine liver cosmid library. Bovine preprogastrin comprises 104 amino acids and consists of a signal peptide, a 37 amino acid spacer-sequence, the gastrin-34 sequence followed by an amidation-site (Gly-Arg-Arg), and a C-terminal nonapeptide. Comparison with human, porcine, and rat cDNA sequences revealed extensive homology in the coding region as well as in short noncoding structures.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of low-dose exogenous secretin and somatostatin on pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion in man.

The inhibitory effect of intravenous infusion of secretin (0.05 CU kg-1h-1) and somatostatin (60 pmol kg-1h-1), given alone or in combination, on pentagastrin-stimulated (100 ng kg-1 h-1) acid secretion was studied in 10 healthy subjects. Secretin inhibited acid secretion by 54% (p less than 0.05), and somatostatin inhibited by 70% (p less than 0.05). The combined infusion of secretin and somatostatin decreased acid output by 64% (p less than 0.05). The differences between the three groups were not significant (p greater than 0.05). Median plasma concentrations of secretin and somatostatin were of the same magnitude as seen after duodenal acidification. The present study did not demonstrate any interaction between secretin and somatostatin in the inhibition of gastric acid secretion.

Adult↗

Repeated screening for colorectal cancer with fecal occult blood test. A prospective randomized study at Funen, Denmark.

Two screenings with Hemoccult-II were performed in a randomized study, allocating 30,970 persons to screening and 30,968 as controls in a population of 140,000 between 45 and 74 years old on the island of Funen, Denmark. The test was completed in 20,672 initially and in 18,779 of these during rescreening 2 years later. Positive H-II tests were found in 215 and 159 persons during the two screenings, respectively. A total colonoscopy was performed in 187 and 144, and cancer was detected in 37 and 13 and adenomata in 86 and 76, respectively. Interval cancers had developed in 40 persons at the end of the second screening, and 39 non-responders had developed cancer. Cancer was diagnosed in 115 controls and an adenoma in 100 during the same period. Interval cancers presented as rectal cancers more frequently than those detected by screening. Early cancers were more frequent in the screening group, and, accordingly, more patients had curative and also less extensive surgery, with a low postoperative mortality. The total number of deaths from colorectal cancer was 37 in the screening group, including interval cancers and cancers in non-responders and persons who developed cancer before they could be invited, which suggests a reduction in mortality of 27% (51 deaths among controls, compared with 37). The reduction is as yet not statistically significant, and final evaluation must await at least one more screening, ending in 1990, and a follow-up of some years. Removal of more large adenomas during screening makes it possible that the incidence of cancer will decrease.

Adenoma↗

An assessment of prolonged reactivity of seven monoclonal antibodies against CX-1 tumor xenografts using a hand-held gamma-detecting probe.

The biodistribution and kinetics of 7 monoclonal antibodies (MAb) with known reactivity against CX-1 tumor were examined over 21 days using a hand-held gamma-detecting probe (Neoprobe system). Twenty-eight immuno-deprived (athymic) nude mice implanted with human colon adenocarcinoma CX-1 xenografts were injected intraperitoneally with 50 microCi of 125I-labeled antibodies (4 mice/antibody). Of the 7 monoclonal antibodies, 4 were anti-CEA (MA, MB, MC, and MD), 2 were anti-TAG 72 (B72.3 NCI and B72.3 fermented) and one was anti-colorectal cancer (17-1A). Daily probe counts were recorded in duplicate over the tumor site and the contralateral nontumor site (background), and tumor-to-background (Tu/Bkg) ratios were calculated. Animals were sacrificed on day 21, and blood, heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, intestine, muscle, and the tumor were removed for gamma well counting. All antibodies identified the tumor as early as 24 h postinjection and specific tumor localization improved over time. Patterns of prolonged tumor binding varied considerably from one antibody to another, although all but one (MB) showed continuously increasing Tu/Bkg ratios. These data indicate progressive clearance of the antibodies from the background tissue and a persistence of labeled MAb activity in tumor resulting in improved tumor localization with increasing postinjection time.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Time to pregnancy among Danish pharmacy assistants.

Time to pregnancy was studied as a parameter of couple fertility in a national cohort of all female members (less than 40 years) of the union of pharmacy assistants from 1979 to 1984. A total of 4 924 women were included in the study. Information on time to pregnancy and exposure was obtained by postal questionnaires in April 1985 (response rate 92%). Prolonged time to pregnancy according to occupation in production or a dispensary or in product control, bottling, and packing is presented, unexposed pharmacy assistants being used as referents. It was possible to use time to pregnancy in an occupational setting as 95% of the women were able to state their time to pregnancy and as 90% of all pregnancies were planned. No association was found between type of work or pharmacy and time to pregnancy, but pharmacy assistants exposed to antibiotics had a slightly increased risk of prolonged time to pregnancy.

Adult↗

Chondrolipoma of the breast.

Benign cartilage-containing mesenchymal tumors of the breast are extremely rare. We describe a patient with chondrolipoma of the breast who presented with a breast mass that was detected by routine mammography. Although the mammographic features of chondrolipoma are not specific, the histologic features are diagnostic and show a well-circumscribed mass composed of benign adipose tissue and lobules of mature cartilage. We also discuss the differential diagnosis of benign mesenchymal tumors of the breast.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Complete amino acid sequence of human intestinal aminopeptidase N as deduced from cloned cDNA.

The complete primary structure (967 amino acids) of an intestinal human aminopeptidase N (EC 3.4.11.2) was deduced from the sequence of a cDNA clone. Aminopeptidase N is anchored to the microvillar membrane via an uncleaved signal for membrane insertion. A domain constituting amino acid 250-555 positioned within the catalytic domain shows very clear homology to E. coli aminopeptidase N and contains Zn2+ ligands. Therefore these residues are part of the active site. However, no homology of the anchor/junctional peptide domain is found suggesting that the juxta- and intra-membraneous parts of the molecule have been added/preserved during development. It is speculated that this part carries the apical address.

Amino Acid Sequence↗