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Biomedical subjects

K Hansen

Publications and source records attributed to K Hansen.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

Cryopreservation of human prophase I oocytes collected from unstimulated follicles.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cryopreservation of immature human oocytes obtained from unstimulated ovarian tissue. DESIGN: Immature prophase I oocytes were obtained from unstimulated follicles and were either cryopreserved or cultured as controls. Cryopreservation was performed in a programmable freezing machine using one of two protocols. Method I (n = 133) used a one-step addition of cryoprotectant followed by a slow freeze and thaw protocol. With method II (n = 95), the cryoprotectant was added in a stepwise manner with cryopreservation performed in the presence of 0.2 M sucrose followed by rapid freezing and thawing. SETTING: Basic research center at a medical school. PATIENTS: Patients undergoing oophorectomy for nonovarian pathology. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rates of survival and maturation to metaphase II were compared between control oocytes and oocytes cryopreserved with methods I and II. RESULTS: With method I, a survival rate of 15.6% was obtained with 58.3% of surviving oocytes reaching metaphase II after culture compared with 50.0% of nonfrozen control oocytes. Method II produced a survival rate of 43.3% with 27.3% maturing to metaphase II. Maturation of control oocytes for method II was 46.4%. Although the survival rate with method II was significantly higher than with method I, the rate of in vitro maturation to metaphase II showed no difference. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that human prophase I oocytes obtained from unstimulated antral follicles are capable of meiotic maturation after cryopreservation.

Cell Survival↗

Epitope mapping and binding kinetics of monoclonal antibodies studied by real time biospecific interaction analysis using surface plasmon resonance.

The interaction between human heart myoglobin and ten specific monoclonal antibodies was investigated with a new biosensor technology, real time biospecific interaction analysis (RT BIA), using surface plasmon resonance. Analysis of association and dissociation kinetics was monitored in real time, with unlabelled reactants. Antibody isotyping was rapid and simple. Epitope mapping with RT BIA confirmed, with substantial time saving, the sum of results obtained in conventional labelled systems. Monoclonal antibodies with four different epitope specificities and optimal binding function were selected for a myoglobin sandwich assay with enhanced sensitivity. BIAcore can be used directly as a diagnostic tool, or as an analytical tool in immunoassay development.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

[Long-term prognosis for women with chronic pelvic pain without laparoscopically demonstrable cause].

With the object of assessing the long-term prognosis and the frequencies of recurrence and remission in women chronic low abdominal pain without laparoscopically visible cause, questionnaire were sent in 1985 and 1991 to 55 women who had been submitted to laparoscopy in 1982-1984 for this reason. These women had been told that there was no demonstrable explanation of the pain experienced and were then discharged. 65% and 55% respectively had experienced and unfavourable course with considerable and continued symptoms. Only 22% stated in both investigations that they had experienced a favourable course and that they were, by and large, free from pain. 36% changed from an unfavourable to a favourable course or the reverse. The assessment made by the women was confirmed by a series of subordinate questions and this demonstrated a marked difference between the favourable and unfavourable courses of the condition. It is concluded that laparoscopy with exclusion of significant pathology is not, in itself, satisfactory as treatment of this patient group and that no improvement occurs in the course of time. The condition varies greatly with many recurrences and remissions and, for this reason, uncontrolled reports of the therapeutic effects are of no significance. When compared with the literature, it is suggested that this patient group should be referred early in the course of the condition to a therapist with specialist psychological/sexological insight and/or to a physiotherapist with interest in this patient group.

Abdominal Pain↗

Individual and work-related risk factors associated with symptoms of musculoskeletal complaints.

Individual and work-related risk factors in the development of occupational musculoskeletal complaints were investigated in a cross-sectional study of 52 female production workers and 34 female office workers. The work tasks of the production workers were considered to generate shoulder muscle loads of low amplitude and high repetitiveness, and the work tasks of the office workers, muscle loads of low amplitude and low repetitiveness. The symptom scores were similar in the two groups, with the highest score for both groups in the shoulder-neck region. Previous pain symptoms were an important risk factor for musculoskeletal pain in all body regions, whereas psychosocial problems at work were a risk factor for complaints in the shoulder-neck region. For the office workers, 27% of the variance in shoulder-neck symptoms was explained by the variance in the parameters "previous pain symptoms" and "psychosocial problems" in a multilinear regression model. In three groups of workers with different physical loads on the shoulder muscles the symptom scores for workers without previous pain symptoms and psychosocial problems were related to the physical load. For workers with previous pain symptoms and psychosocial problems, the symptom scores were high and similar for all three groups.

Adult↗

Trapezius muscle load as a risk indicator for occupational shoulder-neck complaints.

Upper trapezius muscle activity was quantified by electromyographic (EMG) recordings using surface electrodes to study occupational muscle load as a risk indicator for the development of shoulder-neck complaints. Thirty-nine female production workers and thirty-two female office workers showed much larger interindividual differences than the mean difference in muscle activity between the two groups. By comparison with the production workers, the muscle activity patterns of the office workers were characterized by more short pauses and a lower static load. The median load level was similar for the two groups. For the office workers, but not for the production workers, weak correlations were found between symptoms of pain in the shoulder-neck region and some of the EMG parameters (static level and frequency of micropauses > 0.6 s. Current techniques for measuring shoulder muscle load by EMG recordings seem inadequate as screening methods to predict future risk of development of muscle pain symptoms.

Adult↗

Cystic dysplasia of the testis.

Cystic dysplasia of the testis (CDT) is a rare congenital defect that results in the formation of numerous irregular cystic spaces within the mediastinum testis. We describe a 4-year-old boy with right testicular swelling who underwent orchiectomy for CDT after a preoperative ultrasound examination revealed a multicystic, anechoic lesion. Grossly, the lesion was 2 cm in size and was composed of multiple, irregularly shaped cystic spaces lined by flattened cuboidal epithelium. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that the epithelial cells expressed keratin, vimentin, and epithelial membrane antigen. Both the histologic appearance of the cyst lining and the immunohistochemical profile resembled the epithelium of rete testis. In our review of the literature 10 cases (including this lesion) of CDT have been described. A defect in the connection between the efferent ductules, derived from the mesonephric epithelium, and the rete testis and seminiferous tubules, derived from the gonadal blastema, is currently thought to be the most likely explanation of the pathogenesis of CDT.

Child, Preschool↗

Spatial variability of throughfall fluxes in a spruce forest.

The spatial variability of throughfall deposition of H(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Na(+), K(+), Cl(-), NO(3)(-), NH(4)(+), O(4)(2-) to a Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forest was intensively examined during the period October 1986 to October 1987. Large systematic spatial variability of the atmospheric deposition within the forest was observed. The flux of throughfall water was higher away from the trunk compared to the flux close to the trunk. In contrast to this, the deposition of all substances was considerably higher close to the trunk compared to the deposition at the periphery of the canopy. A linear decrease in deposition as a function of the distance from the nearest tree trunk was found. Further, the deposition varied quite dramatically between trees according to their size. The observed spatial variability in throughfall may be due to variabilities in the processes taking part in altering the distribution and composition of the precipitated water as it moves through the canopy. The influence of these processes of precipitation, wash-off, dry deposition and canopy exchange is discussed, and it is found that both increased dry deposition and canopy exchange in the tree tops contribute to the higher solute fluxes found close to the tree trunk.

Journal Article↗

[11C]NNC 687 and [11C]NNC 756, dopamine D-1 receptor ligands. Preparation, autoradiography and PET investigation in monkey.

NNC 687 and NNC 756 [(+)-5-(2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-7-yl)-7-hydroxy-3-methyl- 8-nitro-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine and (+)-8-chloro-5-(2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-7-yl)-7-hydroxy-3-methyl-2,3,4,5- tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine] are two new potent dopamine D-1 receptor antagonists. [11C]NNC 687 and [11C]NNC 756 were both prepared by N-methylation of the corresponding desmethyl compounds with [11C]methyl iodide. The reactions were performed in acetone with subsequent normal-phase semi-preparative HPLC and resulting in 50-60% radiochemical yield (from EOB and decay-corrected) with a total synthesis time of 30-35 min and a radiochemical purity higher than 99%. The specific radioactivity obtained at time of injection was about 1500 Ci/mmol (55 GBq/mumol). Autoradiographic examination of [11C]NNC 687 and [11C]NNC 756 binding in post-mortem human brain sections showed specific binding in the striatum, a region with high density of dopamine D-1 receptors. PET examination of the radioligands in a Cynomolgus monkey demonstrated accumulation of radioactivity predominantly in the striatum. The ratio between radioactivities in the striatum and the cerebellum was about 2 and 8 for [11C]NNC 687 and [11C]NNC 756 after 60 min. [11C]NNC 756 should have potential as PET ligand for examination of central dopamine D-1 receptors in man.

Alkylation↗

Headache resembling tension-type headache as the single manifestation of Lyme neuroborreliosis.

We present two patients with monosymptomatic headache resembling chronic tension-type headache as the first manifestation of Lyme neuroborreliosis. The headache developed over a few days in both cases and lasted for three months in the first case and for two and a half years in the second case before the diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis was made. Neuroimaging and many laboratory investigations did not lead to the diagnosis, which was only established after lumbar puncture. The CSF in both cases showed high protein, lymphocytic pleocytosis and Borrelia burgdorferi-specific intrathecal antibody synthesis. The headache disappeared completely after treatment with penicillin G. In patients suffering from daily headaches which have developed subacutely, Lyme neuroborreliosis should be considered even in the absence of signs of meningeal irritation. A lumbar puncture should be performed more often than is presently customary and the CSF should be examined for pleocytosis as well as Borrelia burgdorferi-specific intrathecal antibody synthesis.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

[MRT in cervical disk herniation: plain vs. contrast-enhanced images].

Aim of this study was to assess the value of Gd-DTPA administration in MRI of cervical disk herniations. In 34 patients, showing 40 cervical disk herniations, plain proton density- and T1-weighted as well as contrast-enhanced T1-weighted 2D-FLASH images were generated. Contrast between the herniated material and the CSF already was sufficient without administration of Gd-DTPA in all cases. Sufficient contrast between the herniations and the intraforaminal structures was obtained in 13/40 cases and 40/40 cases on plain and contrast-enhanced images, respectively. Definition of the herniated disks was judged to be sufficient in 30/40 cases on plain images and 40/40 cases on contrast-enhanced images. The diagnostic value of the images was improved in 3/12 lateral and 7/8 intraforaminal herniations by contrast administration, whereas there was no significant increase in diagnostic value in posterior or posterolateral herniations. As a result, Gd-DTPA administration is recommended if definition of lateral and intraforaminal disk herniations in MRI is poor.

Adult↗

Intrathecal synthesis of anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies in neuroborreliosis: a study with special emphasis on oligoclonal IgM antibody bands.

Pre- and post-treatment (up to 3-26 months after antibiotic therapy) humoral immune responses were investigated in five neuroborreliosis patients. Anti-Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi IgG and IgM antibodies in CSF and serum were quantitated by capture ELISA. Agarose gel isoelectric focusing (AIF) and protein blotting were used to detect oligoclonal IgG and IgM bands as well as oligoclonal anti-B. burgdorferi IgG and IgM antibodies. These latter components were visualized by transfer to antigen-coated membranes (immunoblot) and immunoenzymatic staining. By ELISA, intrathecal anti-B. burgdorferi IgG and IgM antibody synthesis was detected in all initial specimens and continued 3-26 months after antibiotic therapy in four and three cases, respectively. AIF with protein blotting showed oligoclonal bands of total IgG as well as total IgM in the initial CSF specimens of all patients and persistence of such components occurred in four and five cases, respectively. By AIF and immunoblot, oligoclonal anti-B. burgdorferi IgG and IgM antibody bands could be detected in the CSF of every patient. IgG antibody bands were present in all initial CSF samples. The first specimen of one patient was negative for IgM antibody bands but such components appeared 3 weeks later. Oligoclonal CSF anti-B. burgdorferi IgG antibody components persisted over the entire follow-up periods in all but one case where they disappeared 6 weeks after treatment. The oligoclonal IgM antibodies in CSF vanished in two cases (after being present up to 4 and 11 months after antibiotic therapy) while they persisted over the entire (3-6 months after antibiotic therapy) follow-up periods in three cases. The specificity of the IgM antibody immunoblot technique was corroborated by control experiments, including antibody absorption studies and use of 41 kDa flagellar antigen.

Adult↗

Effects of amiloride and ouabain on short-chain fatty acid transport in guinea-pig large intestine.

1. Effects of H+ secreting mechanisms on unidirectional passage of the short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) acetate, propionate and n-butyrate across isolated guinea-pig caecum, proximal and distal colon were studied under short-circuit current conditions in Ussing chamber isotope flux experiments. 2. In the caecum and the proximal colon the serosal-to-mucosal fluxes (Jsm) were higher than the mucosal-to-serosal fluxes (Jms). Thus a net secretion of SCFA was present in the caecum and proximal colon. The higher Jsm appears to be coupled to the Na+ gradient established by the basolateral membrane Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, whereas Jms is related to the operation of an apical membrane Na(+)-H+ exchanger. Inhibition of Na(+)-H+ exchange by amiloride (1 mM) added to the mucosal solution decreased Jms of SCFA in caecum and in proximal colon, but had no major effect in distal colon. 3. In distal colon Jms exceeds Jsm and thus a net absorption of SCFA was observed. Jms is Na+ independent and coupled to the activity of the apical membrane K(+)-H(+)-ATPase. Inhibition of the K(+)-H(+)-ATPase by addition of ouabain (0.1 mM) to the mucosal solution diminished Jms in the distal colon; in the caecum and proximal colon ouabain had no effect on Jms. 4. Neither amiloride nor ouabain caused major changes in Jsm in any of the large intestinal segments. 5. In conclusion, absorption of SCFA, e.g. Jms, in all large intestinal segments is related to the presence and activity of H+ secreting systems located in the apical membrane of colonocytes. In the caecum and proximal colon the predominant system appears to be Na(+)-H+ exchange, and in the distal colon K(+)-H(+)-ATPase. Supply of H+ ions allows protonation of SCFA anions and subsequent permeation by non-ionic diffusion across the apical membrane. These mechanisms account for 35, 40-50 and 60-80% of SCFA transport in the caecum, the proximal and the distal colon of guinea-pig, respectively. The nature of the Na(+)-dependent secretory pathway in the caecum and proximal colon remains to be determined.

Acetates↗

Polymorphism in ospC gene of Borrelia burgdorferi and immunoreactivity of OspC protein: implications for taxonomy and for use of OspC protein as a diagnostic antigen.

The nucleotide sequences of the ospC gene from five Danish human Borrelia burgdorferi isolates representing all three B. burgdorferi genospecies (B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii sp. nov., and group VS461) and from the American type strain B31 were determined and compared with the published ospC sequence from the German B. burgdorferi isolate PKo (R. Fuchs, S. Jauris, F. Lottspeich, V. Preac-Mursic, B. Wilske, and E. Soutschek, Mol. Microbiol. 6:503-509, 1992). The ospC gene was present in all isolates, regardless of the presence or absence of its product, OspC. The deduced amino acid sequences of OspC from the seven isolates were aligned and revealed pairwise sequence identities ranging from 60.5 to 100%. Differences were scattered throughout the amino acid sequences. A phylogenetic tree was constructed and revealed three distinct phenotypic groups OspCI to OspCIII corresponding to the three delineated genospecies. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the seven OspC proteins tested have both common and specific epitopes. There is significant epitope diversity, since even polyclonal antisera showed serotype-restricted specificity. Therefore, a serodiagnostic assay for Lyme borreliosis utilizing OspC as a test antigen should include all three OspC phenotypes in order to obtain a species-wide sensitivity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Borrelia burgdorferi-specific intrathecal antibody production in neuroborreliosis: a follow-up study.

We used a capture ELISA with biotinylated Borrelia burgdorferi flagella as antigen to analyze the kinetics of intrathecal antibody production against B burgdorferi in 27 patients with neuroborreliosis. All patients had lymphocytic pleocytosis, 13/27 had intrathecal specific IgM production, and 26/27 had intrathecal IgG synthesis against B burgdorferi before therapy. All patients improved after antibiotic treatment. At follow-up, 11 months to 8 years later (median, 1 1/2 years), 20 patients had had a complete clinical recovery, and seven suffered from sequelae. One patient without sequelae had persistent specific intrathecal IgM synthesis. Ten of 20 patients without sequelae and five of seven patients with sequelae had persistent intrathecal IgG production against B burgdorferi. None of the 16 patients with persistent specific intrathecal antibody synthesis had pleocytosis at follow-up. Therefore, intrathecal immunoglobulin production against B burgdorferi, especially IgG, may persist for years after treatment of neuroborreliosis without clinical signs of active disease.

Adolescent↗

Evidence for human meiotic recombination interference obtained through construction of a short tandem repeat-polymorphism linkage map of chromosome 19.

An improved linkage map for human chromosome 19 containing 35 short tandem repeat polymorphisms (STRPs) and one VNTR (D19S20) was constructed. The map included 12 new (GATA)n tetranucleotide STRPs. Although total lengths of the male (114 cM) and female (128 cM) maps were similar, at both ends of the chromosome male recombination exceeded female recombination, while in the interior portion of the map female recombination was in excess. Cosmid clones containing the STRP sequences were identified and were positioned along the chromosome by fluorescent in situ hybridization. Four rounds of careful checking and removal of genotyping errors allowed biologically relevant conclusions to be made concerning the numbers and distributions of recombination events on chromosome 19. The average numbers of recombinations per chromosome matched closely the lengths of the genetic maps computed by using the program CRIMAP. Significant numbers of chromosomes with zero, one, two, or three recombinations were detected as products of both female and male meioses. On the basis of the total number of observed pairs of recombination events in which only a single informative marker was situated between the two recombinations, a maximal estimate for the rate of meiotic STRP "gene" conversion without recombination was calculated as 3 x 10(-4)/meiosis. For distances up to 30 cM between recombinations, many fewer chromosomes which had undergone exactly two recombinations were observed than were expected on the basis of the assumption of independent recombination locations. This strong new evidence for human meiotic interference will help to improve the accuracy of interpretation of clinical DNA test results involving polymorphisms flanking a genetic abnormality.

Base Sequence↗