Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J Partanen

Publications and source records attributed to J Partanen.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

The Tie receptor tyrosine kinase is expressed by human hematopoietic progenitor cells and by a subset of megakaryocytic cells.

Growth factor receptors in human hematopoietic progenitor cells have become the focus of intense interest, because they may provide tools for the monitoring, enrichment, and expansion of stem cells. We have shown earlier that the Tie receptor tyrosine kinase is expressed in erythroid and megakaryoblastic human leukemia cell lines, in the blood islands of the yolk sac, and in endothelial cells starting from day 8.0 of mouse development. Here, the expression of Tie was studied in human hematopoietic cells of various sources. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were Tie-. However, a large fraction of CD34+ cells from umbilical cord blood (UCB) and bone marrow (BM) expressed tie protein and mRNA. On average, 64% of the fluorescence-activated cell sorting-gated UCB CD34+ cells including CD38- cells and a fraction of cells expressing low levels of c-Kit were Tie+. Also, 30% to 60% of BM CD34+ cells were Tie+, including most of the BM CD34+CD38-, CD34+Thy-1+, and CD34+HLA-DR- cells. Under culture conditions allowing myeloid, erythroid, and/or megakaryocytic differentiation, purified UCB CD34+ cells lost Tie mRNA and protein expression concomitantly with that of CD34; however, a significant fraction of cells expressed Tie during megakaryocytic differentiation. These data suggest that, in humans, the Tie receptor and presumably its ligand may function at an early stage of hematopoietic cell differentiation.

Animals↗

A comparative study of HLA genes in HLA-B27 positive ankylosing spondylitis and HLA-B27 positive peripheral reactive arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether HLA-B27 positive patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and reactive arthritis (ReA) share additional HLA factors that confer disease susceptibility. METHODS: HLA class I antigens were typed serologically, and class II antigens molecularly, in samples taken from 33 patients with AS, 30 patients with ReA, and 55 healthy HLA-B27 positive controls. RESULTS: There was no major difference between the HLA alleles in AS and ReA patients, but deviations were observed when compared with healthy controls, especially between the antigens that were probably encoded by genes in the non-B27 chromosome. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that both HLA class I and class II genes may influence the pathogenesis of HLA-B27 positive ReA, whereas class I antigens seem to be the major additional genetic factors in HLA-B27 positive AS.

Adult↗

Distinct immunologic features of Finnish Sjögren's syndrome patients with HLA alleles DRB1*0301, DQA1*0501, and DQB1*0201. Alterations in circulating T cell receptor gamma/delta subsets.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there were differences in the circulating T lymphocyte subsets or clinical features of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) who were positive for different HLA alleles. METHODS: Two- and three-color flow cytometry analyses were performed, using a whole blood lysing method. RESULTS: Patients with SS who had the HLA alleles DRB1*0301, DQA1*0501, and DQB1*0201 had lower levels of circulating V delta 1-positive T cell receptor gamma/delta (TCR gamma/delta) cells and higher levels of circulating CD45RO-positive TCR gamma/delta cells compared with patients with SS who did not have these alleles. The patient subgroup with these alleles also had higher levels of anti-SS-A/Ro and anti-SS-B/La. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that patients with primary SS may be immunologically divided into subgroups according to their HLA status. These immunologic changes in SS may also be typical of other autoimmune disorders in patients with the HLA-DR3 haplotype.

Adult↗

An approach to mapping haplotype-specific recombination sites in human MHC class III.

Studies of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in mouse indicate that the recombination sites are not randomly distributed and their occurrence is haplotype-dependent. No data concerning haplotype-specific recombination sites in human are available due to the low number of informative families. To investigate haplotype-specific recombination sites in human MHC, we here describe an approach based on identification of recombinant haplotypes derived from one conserved haplotype at the population level. The recombination sites were mapped by comparing polymorphic markers between the recombinant and assumed original haplotypes. We tested this approach on the extended haplotype HLA A3; B47; Bf*F; C4A*1; C4B*Q0; DR7, which is most suitable for this analysis. First, it carries a number of rare markers, and second, the haplotype, albeit rare in the general population, is frequent in patients with 21-hydroxylase (21OH) defect. We observed recombinants derived from this haplotype in patients with 21OH defect. All these haplotypes had the centromeric part (from Bf to DR) identical to the original haplotype, but they differed in HLA A and B. We therefore assumed that they underwent recombinations in the segment that separates the Bf and HLA B genes. Polymorphic markers indicated that all break points mapped to two segments near the TNF locus. This approach makes possible the mapping of preferential recombination sites in different haplotypes.

Alleles↗

Systematic screening for genetic polymorphism in human platelet glycoprotein Ibalpha.

Glycoprotein Ibalpha (GP Ibalpha; CD 42b; hereafter GPIBA) is a component of the cell surface receptor for the von Willebrand factor (vWf) on platelets. Immunizations against various platelet surface antigens play a major role in neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia and in post-transfusion purpura. Only one antigenic polymorphism in GPIBA has thus far been established: the HPA-2 (Ko) alloantigen system. To screen other polymorphisms in GPIBA systematically, we analyzed the whole coding sequence of the GPIBA gene in 50 Finnish blood donors using the single-strand conformation polymorphism method. In addition to the known polymorphisms, we detected three others. Sequencing of the gene segments carrying the new polymorphisms revealed that none of them changed the predicted amino acid sequence. Polymorphism designated RS was located five base pairs upstream from the initiation codon at position 3064 and had the gene frequency of 16% for R and 84% for S, respectively, in the Finnish population, and it was detectable by the restriction enzyme Hae III. The EF polymorphism was at position 3842 (Asn242) and the gene frequencies were 97% for E and 3% for F. The KL polymorphism was at position 4142 (Arg342) and the gene frequencies were 98% for K and 2% for L. The five polymorphic positions in GPIBA formed altogether six different alleles of the gene. The data suggest that there are only a few variable amino acids in GPIBA.

Alleles↗

Influence of 50-Hz electric and magnetic fields on human blood pressure.

This investigation studied the effects of 50-Hz electric and magnetic fields on the pulse rate and blood pressure in humans. Electrocardiograms (ECG) and the blood pressure of 41 male volunteers were recorded using ambulatory methods. Twenty-six subjects were measured in and outside real fields and 15 subjects in and outside "sham' fields. The results of the ECG recordings have been presented earlier. This article deals with the analysis of the blood pressure measurements. Measurement took 3 hrs. First, the subjects spent 1 h outside the fields, then 1 h in real or "sham' fields, followed by 1 h outside the fields. The electric field strength varied from 3.5 to 4.3 kV/m and the magnetic flux density from 1.4 to 6.6 microT. When analysing the blood pressure, which was measured with a noninvasive cuff method, it could not be shown that the fields (< 4.3 kV/m and < 6.6 microT) affected diastolic or systolic blood pressure.

Adult↗

Slow-wave activity in the spectral analysis of the electroencephalogram and volumes of hippocampus in subgroups of Alzheimer's disease patients.

This study examined patients who fulfilled the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke/Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association Work Group criteria for probable Alzheimer's disease (AD; n = 35) and controls for magnetic resonance imaging and psychometric data (n = 16) and for quantitative electroencephalogram data (n = 34). A cluster analysis performed on neuropsychological variables identified 2 AD subgroups: The AD1 group (n = 12) had impaired memory and executive functions but preserved verbal and visuospatial functions. The AD2 group (n = 23) had global impairment. The AD2 group had higher theta amplitude in the temporo-occipital, centroparietal, and frontal derivation and lower peak and mean frequency than the AD1 group or controls. Both AD groups had more severe memory deficits and clearly smaller hippocampal volumes than controls. This may implicate that the degree of damage in ascending activating systems differs in these subgroups, although the damage in the hippocampus is equal.

Aged↗

Genetic susceptibility to severe course of nephropathia epidemica caused by Puumala hantavirus.

Nephropathia epidemica (NE) caused by Puumala hantavirus is one type of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). There is considerable variability in the clinical severity of NE. Many infections are subclinical but the disease can even be fatal. We questioned whether the wide spectrum in the outcome of NE is dependent, on host-related immunological factors by determining the major histocompatibility complex markers (MHC) in 74 adult patients with NE. Patients with the most severe course of the disease had a very high frequency of HLA B8, C4A*Q0, and DRB1*0301 alleles. HLA B8 was found in all 7 (100%) patients with shock and in 9 of the 13 (69%) patients who required dialysis, versus in only 25 of 74 (34%) in the entire population, and in 14 of 93 (15%) controls. In addition, various other clinical findings pointing to a severe form of NE were found to be associated with these alleles. Interestingly, the same MHC alleles are risk factors for various autoimmune diseases. This is the first study where a certain HLA haplotype is found to be associated with the clinical course of an acute viral disease or acute nephritis.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

EEG reactivity correlates with neuropsychological test scores in Down's syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Down's syndrome patients express a neurodegenerative disorder and mental retardation. We studied the reactivity of EEG and its correlation with neuropsychological test score in Down's syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 32 patients with Down's syndrome and 31 controls for blocking of occipital EEG activity. The temporo-occipital EEG with eyes open (EO) was compared with resting EEG with eyes closed (EC), (EC/EO ratio). RESULTS: Both Down patients and controls showed significant diminution of alpha, beta and theta activity and decrease of EEG frequency with EO. However, there was a significant impairment in Down patients in the EC/EO ratio in alpha band, compared to controls. The controls had no correlation of the alpha EC/EO ratio with age or gender. The Down patients showed a significant correlation of this variable with age which is in accordance with a gradually progressing disease. They had also significant correlations of the alpha EC/EO ratio and neuropsychological test scores which indicates that this ratio may be a more general measure of cerebral or hemispherical dysfunction than a mere impairment of visual activation. Down patients also showed significant differences in resting EEG variables, compared to the controls, even if the conventional EEG showed normal or mildly slowed dominant occipital rhythm in most of the patients. The correlation analysis between resting EEG and EC/EO ratio variables pointed out that they are relatively independent, representing different factors in the regulation of EEG. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the alpha EC/EO ratio of EEG add a new domain in the assessment of cerebral dysfunction in Down's syndrome.

Adult↗

Itraconazole increases serum digoxin concentration.

Itraconazole can interact with several drugs by inhibiting their metabolism. Many drugs known to increase serum digoxin concentration are inhibitors of CYP enzymes (e.g. verapamil, diltiazem, amiodarone, cyclosporine). Case reports suggest that itraconazole, added to digoxin therapy, may induce digoxin intoxications; hence we wanted to study their possible interaction. In this two-phase study ten healthy young volunteers ingested 0.25 mg of digoxin daily for 20 days. Concomitantly, they received either 200 mg itraconazole or placebo orally once daily for 10 days in a double-blind, randomized, cross-over study design. Serum concentrations of digoxin and itraconazole were measured (12 hr after administration) on days 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20. Digoxin concentrations were measured by fluorescence polarization immunoassay and confirmed (days 10 and 20) by affinity column-mediated immunoassay. Itraconazole increased serum digoxin concentration in each of the subjects. On the 10th day of the placebo phase serum digoxin concentration was 1.0 +/- 0.1 nmol/l, and on the 10th day of the itraconazole phase 1.8 +/- 0.1 nmol/l (P < 0.001). Care should be taken if itraconazole is prescribed to patients using digoxin. The mechanism of the itraconazole-digoxin interaction is unclear but may be related to CYP3A4-mediated changes in the pharmacokinetics of digoxin.

Adult↗

HLA DQ and DP in Finnish families with celiac disease.

We studied DQA1, DQB1, and DPB1 alleles in 31 Finnish families with celiac disease (CD). All healthy first-degree relatives underwent clinical investigation, including in most cases biopsy, to establish whether clinically silent CD was present. Our results indicate that all patients, having either full clinical CD or its silent form, had the susceptibility alleles DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0201. The different clinical outcomes of CD were therefore not directly determined by the DQ alleles. The frequency of DPB1*0101 was also higher in CD patients, but the association appeared secondary to those of DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0201 (DQ2). The primary association of CD with the DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0201 alleles, rather than with HLA haplotypes, was confirmed in multiplex families.

Adolescent↗

Acute heavy alcohol intake increases silent myocardial ischaemia in patients with stable angina pectoris.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of acute alcohol ingestion on myocardial ischaemia in patients with coronary heart disease and stable angina. DESIGN: Randomised crossover study using fruit juice with and without ethanol. SETTING: Division of cardiology in a university hospital. PATIENTS: 20 patients with stable exertional angina and > or = 50% luminal diameter narrowing of at least one major coronary artery. INTERVENTIONS: Each patient was studied on two separate days, once after administration of 1.25 g of ethanol per kilogram of body weight diluted to 15% in juice, and once after an equivalent volume of juice; both tests were in the evening and lasted 90 minutes. The patients were scheduled to have 8 periods of walking for 10 min according to a time table. An ambulatory electrocardiogram and the occurrence of anginal attacks were recorded and blood pressure and blood ethanol concentration were measured until the next morning. RESULTS: The blood ethanol concentration (mean (SD)) rose to 28.8 mmol/l (1.3 (0.4)/1000). Alcohol raised the systolic blood pressure from 132 (16) to 141 (14) mm Hg (P < 0.05 compared with juice). The mean heart rate increased from 57 (7) to 64 (8) beats/min (P < 0.05) for 13 hours after ethanol ingestion compared with juice. The total duration of ischaemia during the ethanol test was 3.5 (median, range 0-80) min, compared with 0 (range 0-67) min for the juice test (P < 0.05). The difference resulted mainly from more silent ischaemia after ethanol ingestion (2.3 (0-80) v 0 (0-67) min; P < 0.05). The ST segment depression time integral increased during the ethanol test (4.4 (0-170) mm x min) relative to that during the juice test (0 (0-103) mm x min; P < 0.01) and especially during the following 13 hours after alcohol (3.5 (0-123) mm x min) compared with juice (0 (0-67) mm x min; P < 0.005). There were no changes in the number, duration, or ST segment depression time integral of the episodes of symptomatic angina, indicating that ethanol augmented the appearance of silent ischaemia. CONCLUSIONS: Acute heavy ethanol drinking aggravates myocardial ischaemia in patients with stable angina pectoris.

Adult↗

Antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase and insulin-dependent diabetes in patients with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type I.

To evaluate the association of autoimmunity to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and IDDM-associated human leukocyte antigen (HLA) types, we studied a unique group of 47 patients with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1, a recessive disease not associated with HLA. GAD65 antibodies (GAD65-Ab), GAD67-Ab, islet cell antibodies, and HLA-DQA1, -DQB1, and -DRB1 were analyzed in relation to IDDM or a decreased insulin secretory capacity. GAD65-Ab were found in six of the eight diabetic patients 0.9-8.0 yr before the onset of IDDM and in 16 (41%) nondiabetic patients during a follow-up of 2.4-19.5 yr. Eleven (28%) nondiabetic patients had GAD67-Ab and islet cell antibodies. Fasting C peptide (mean +/- SD, 0.5 +/- 0.24 vs. 1.03 +/- 0.49 nmol/L; P = 0.003) and first phase insulin response (75.6 +/- 37.9 vs. 166.4 +/- 112.7 mU/L; P = 0.019) were lower in patients with than in those without GAD65-Ab. No HLA genotype predominated in the IDDM patients or GAD65-Ab-positive nondiabetic patients, but the IDDM high risk genotypes were decreased in frequency among the patients with GAD65-Ab. In conclusion, nondiabetic autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 patients frequently have GAD65-Ab together with a decreased insulin secretory capacity, suggesting subclinical islet cell inflammation not invariably progressing to diabetes. This is not associated with HLA haplotypes conferring susceptibility to or protection from IDDM.

Adolescent↗

Cell autonomous functions of the receptor tyrosine kinase TIE in a late phase of angiogenic capillary growth and endothelial cell survival during murine development.

TIE is a receptor tyrosine kinase expressed in both mature endothelial cells and their precursors, as well as in some hematopoietic cells. Mouse embryos homozygous for a disrupted Tie allele die at midgestation due to impaired endothelial cell integrity and resulting hemorrhage. Here we have performed chimeric analysis to study further the function of the murine TIE in the development of embryonic vasculature and in the hematopoietic system. Cells lacking a functional Tie gene (tie(lcz)/tie(lczn-) cells) contributed to the embryonic vasculature at E10.5 as efficiently as cells heterozygous for a targeted Tie allele (tie(lcz)/+ cells). Thus, TIE does not play a significant role in vasculogenesis or in early angiogenic processes, such as formation of the intersomitic arteries and limb bud vascularization. At E15.5 tie(lcz)/tie(lczn-) cells still readily contributed to major blood vessels and to endothelial cells of organs such as lung and heart, which have been suggested to be vascularized by angioblast differentiation. In contrast, the tie(lcz)/tie(lczn-) cells were selected against in the capillary plexuses of several angiogenically vascularized tissues, such as brain and kidney. Our results thus support a role for TIE in late phases of angiogenesis but not vasculogenesis. Furthermore, the results suggest that different mechanisms regulate early and late angiogenesis and provide support for a model of differential organ vascularization by vasculogenic or angiogenic processes. Analysis of adult chimeras suggested that TIE is required to support the survival or proliferation of certain types of endothelial cells demonstrating heterogeneity in the growth/survival factor requirements in various endothelial cell populations. Chimeric analysis of adult hematopoietic cell populations, including peripheral platelets and bone marrow progenitor cells, revealed that tie(lcz)/tie(lczn-) cells were able to contribute to these cell types in a way indistinguishable from tie(lcz)/+ or wild-type cells. Thus, the primary function of TIE appears to be restricted to the endothelial cell lineage.

Animals↗

Profuse mediastinal haemorrhage due to mediastinitis after sternotomy. Report of three cases and review of the literature.

Profuse spontaneous haemorrhage occurred in association with mediastinitis after median sternotomy for coronary bypass surgery in three men aged 54, 47 and 59 years. The bleeding sites were aorta, right ventricle and saphenous bypass graft. The aortic rupture occurred during closed lavage, the right ventricle ruptured during open saline mediastinal packing and the saphenous vein graft was eroded by a mediastinal drainage tube after discontinuation of closed lavage. This third patient survived and recovered, but the two others died. Previously published reports of 56 patients with 65 bleedings from this rare complication are reviewed. The outcome was fatal in 34% of cases.

Hemorrhage↗