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Biomedical subjects

P Andersen

Publications and source records attributed to P Andersen.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Information for cancer patients entering a clinical trial--an evaluation of an information strategy.

Informing patients before the start of antineoplastic treatment is important due to the anxiety and uncertainty felt by the patients and the legal aspects of trials. 34 women were interviewed 3 months after receiving information. Results show that the information was well remembered, patients were glad to bring a relative, two consultations with time for deliberation were well-received and that patients viewed written information as an important reinforcement. Overall, information provided was positively evaluated. Detailed information allowed patients to understand and participate in treatment decisions, thereby reducing their pretherapy anxiety. These results support expansion of the structured information programme to include all patients about to begin long-term cancer therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

T cell response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The T cell-mediated acquired immune response to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, both in humans and in experimental models in the mouse, is a complex event believed to involve a variety of T cell subsets that manifest themselves in numerous functions, including protection, delayed-type hypersensitivity, cytolysis, and the establishment of a state of memory immunity. These functions in turn involve the secretion of an array of cytokines, several of which direct cells of the monocyte/macrophage axis to contain and destroy the invading bacilli. This article reviews the development of these ideas, both from clinical experience and from basic research in animal models. In addition, the newly emerging hypothesis that the secreted or export proteins of M. tuberculosis are the key protective antigens leading to the initial expression of acquired specific resistance to this organism is examined.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

The cutaneous corticosteroid vasoconstriction assay: a reflectance spectroscopic and laser-Doppler flowmetric study.

Cutaneous vasoconstriction induced by topical corticosteroids was investigated using non-invasive bioengineering techniques. Corticosteroids of different potency in alcoholic solution were applied topically, under occlusion, and cutaneous blanching was investigated using visual scoring, reflectance spectroscopy (RS) and laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF). The RS technique allowed separation of cutaneous haemoglobin content into arterial oxygenated (OH) and venous deoxygenated haemoglobin (DOH) components. Application of alcohol decreased total haemoglobin by 10%, with a corresponding 8% increase in blood flow (BF). Clobetasol propionate was the most potent vasoconstrictor, inducing significant visible blanching and decreasing DOH (30%), OH (33%) and BF (18%) (P < 0.01). Fluocinolone acetonide, betamethasone-17-valerate and dexamethasone also caused visible blanching (P < 0.01). There was no significant decrease in BF, but reflectance spectroscopy showed a decrease in DOH (P < 0.01). Tixocortol, CMJ and hydrocortisone acetate did not produce significant blanching, although DOH was decreased compared with the alcohol control. Measured by reflectance spectroscopy, corticosteroid-induced blanching was predominantly venoconstriction and only the most potent corticosteroid caused a significant decrease in OH and blood flow. This may explain why previous attempts to improve cutaneous vasoconstriction assays using laser-Doppler flowmetry have been unsuccessful.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1993

Specificity of a protective memory immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

We have investigated the memory T-cell immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. C57BL/6J mice infected with M. tuberculosis were found to generate long-lived memory immunity which provided a heightened state of acquired resistance to a secondary infection. The T-cell response of memory immune mice was directed to all parts of the bacilli, i.e., both secreted and somatic proteins. Major parts of the memory T-cell repertoire were maintained in a highly responsive state by cross-reactive restimulation with antigens present in the normal microbiological environment of the animals. A resting non-cross-reactive part of the memory repertoire was restimulated early during a secondary infection to expand and produce large amounts of gamma interferon. The molecular target of these T cells was identified as a secreted mycobacterial protein with a molecular mass of 3 to 9 kDa.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Electromyographic evaluation of muscular work pattern as a predictor of trapezius myalgia.

Electromyographic (EMG) measurements and interviews concerning muscular pain and disability were performed prospectively every 10th week on 30 healthy new female employees of a chocolate manufacturing plant. The static muscle activity and rate of short unconscious interruptions in EMG activity (EMG gaps) of the trapezius muscle during repetitive work tasks were evaluated as possible risk factors for patient status with trapezius myalgia. At the start of employment, the static and median contraction levels were significantly higher in future patients than in the rest of the subjects (nonpatients). In subsequent recordings these values were reduced to the level of the nonpatients. Throughout the study, the future patients had a lower frequency of EMG gaps than the nonpatients. A regression analysis showed a significant value for a low rate of EMG gaps to predict future patient status.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Spatial learning impairment parallels the magnitude of dorsal hippocampal lesions, but is hardly present following ventral lesions.

The hippocampus plays an essential role in spatial learning. To investigate whether the whole structure is equally important, we compared the effects of variously sized and localized hippocampal aspiration lesions on spatial learning in a Morris water maze. The volume of all hippocampal lesions was determined. Dorsal hippocampal lesions consistently impaired spatial learning more than equally large ventral lesions. The dorsal lesions had to be larger than 20% of the total hippocampal volume to prolong final escape latencies. The acquisition rate and precision on a probe test without platform were sensitive to even smaller dorsal lesions. The degree of impairment correlated with the lesion volume. In contrast, the lesions of the ventral half of the hippocampus spared both the rate and the precision of learning unless nearly all of the ventral half was removed. There was no significant effect of the location (dorsal or ventral) of damage to the overlying neocortex only. In conclusion, the dorsal half of the hippocampus appears more important for spatial learning than the ventral half. The spatial learning ability seems related to the amount of damaged dorsal hippocampal tissue, with a threshold at about 20% of the total hippocampal volume, under which normal learning can occur.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Cost-benefit analysis of electric stimulation of the spinal cord in the treatment of angina pectoris].

Since August 1988, in Odense Hospital, electric spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been employed for the treatment of pain in patients with confirmed ischaemic heart disease who suffer from incapacitating angina pectoris despite maximal medical/surgical treatment. The object of the present investigation was to assess not only the social economic consequences of SCS treatment (cost-utility analysis) but also altered quality of life in SCS patients (perception of pain, mobility, function in daily life and physical activity). Sixteen consecutive SCS patients all of whom were resident in the County of Funen and who were submitted to implantation of an SCS system during the period August 1988 to December 1989, participated in this investigation. The results are based on data from the year prior to SCS implantation compared with the subsequent time with SCS treatment. Saving was found at hospital level (reduction in number of admissions) og 40,200 Danish crowns/annum/patient (approximately IJ 3,000) (1989 prices), and for non-hospital related expenses a corresponding saving of 16,289 Danish crowns/annum/patient (approximately IJ 1,600) was found mainly on account of reduction in the amount of home nursing required. The total saving was found to constitute 56,489 Danish crowns/annum/patient (approximately IJ 5,600). In addition, improvements were registered in all respects which constituted assessment of the quality of life of the patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Plasma lipoproteins and renal function during simvastatin treatment in diabetic nephropathy.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of simvastatin on plasma lipoproteins and renal function in hypercholesterolaemic Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy. Twenty-six hypercholesterolaemic (total cholesterol greater than or equal to 5.5 mmol/l) Type 1 diabetic patients with nephropathy were enrolled in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study for 12 weeks. The active treatment group (n = 14) received simvastatin (10-20 mg/day) for 12 weeks while the remaining 12 patients received treatment with placebo. The results during simvastatin treatment (baseline vs 12 weeks): total cholesterol 6.6 vs 4.8 mmol/l (p less than 0.01), LDL-cholesterol 4.25 vs 2.57 mmol/l (p less than 0.01) and apolipoprotein B 1.37 vs 1.06 mmol/l (p less than 0.01). HDL-cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A-I remained unchanged. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein B remained unchanged during placebo treatment. Albuminuria measured during the simvastatin and the placebo treatment (baseline vs 12 weeks) (the data are logarithmically transformed before analysis because of their positively skewed transformation; geometric mean (x/divided by antilog SE) is indicated) was 458 (x/divided by 1.58) vs 393 (x/divided by 1.61) and 481 (x/divided by 1.62) vs 368 (x/divided by 1.78 micrograms/min (NS). Glomerular filtration rate during simvastatin and placebo treatment (baseline vs 12 weeks) was 64 vs 63 and 72 vs 74 ml.min-1.1.73 m-2, respectively. Two patients receiving simvastatin treatment were withdrawn, one due to gastrointestinal side effects and one due to myalgia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

A recombinant-based feline immunodeficiency virus antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

We have developed an antibody detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the identification of animals infected by feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). The ELISA solid-phase antigen consists of recombinant FIV gag proteins expressed in bacteria. The proteins are purified from bacterial lysates as insoluble inclusion bodies. In the case of bacterially expressed p24gag, it is shown that all of the linear, sequential epitopes presented by viral p24 during infection are retained. Purified preparations can be substituted for solid-phase whole virus in the IDEXX PetChektm immunoassay. The antibody ELISA duplicates the sensitivity and specificity of the whole virus based PetChek plate assay.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Hypercoagulability and reduced fibrinolysis in hyperlipidemia: relationship to the metabolic cardiovascular syndrome.

Hypercholesterolemia is seen as an important risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), as the incidence of CAD is strongly correlated with the level of serum cholesterol in epidemiological studies. However, hypercoagulability and reduced fibrinolytic capacity, often seen in survivors of myocardial infarction, are associated with hypertriglyceridemia (possibly concomitant with low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and not with increased levels of total or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The important role of thrombogenesis in CAD is supported by the fact that initial high levels of plasma fibrinogen, coagulation factor VII (VIIc), and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) are all independent risk factors for CAD or recurrent myocardial infarction as found in multivariate analyses of epidemiological studies. Furthermore, high plasma levels of VIIc and PAI-1 are associated with hypertriglyceridemia, reduced glucose tolerance, overweight, and hyperinsulinemia. The contribution of thrombogenic risk factors to the metabolic cardiovascular syndrome (MCVS) is thus established. Diet intervention is preferable for the normalization of hypercoagulability and hypofibrinolysis associated with MCVS. In familial combined hyperlipidemia, however, and especially with concomitant thromboembolic disease, diet alone is often not sufficient, and drug treatment with anticoagulants and/or lipid-lowering drugs may be necessary.

Blood Coagulation↗
PubMed1992

Identification of immunodominant antigens during infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

T lymphocytes isolated from mice infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis response vigorously to proteins secreted by the bacilli and these antigens may be of importance in the generation of protective immunity against the disease. In this study, short-term culture filtrate (ST-CF), which constitutes a complex mixture of secreted proteins, was fractionated by a modified preparative SDS-PAGE technique. The ability of each fraction to be recognized by T cells isolated from infected mice was evaluated by quantifying proliferation and IFN-gamma production in cell cultures. Two molecular mass regions 4-11 and 26-35 kDa were found to possess marked stimulatory properties. Four potent single antigens were mapped within the stimulatory regions. These purified antigens stimulated T cells isolated from mice at the height of a tuberculous infection to produce large amounts of IFN-gamma. Two of these stimulatory antigens belonged to the antigen 85 complex.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1992

Synaptically triggered action potentials begin as a depolarizing ramp in rat hippocampal neurones in vitro.

1. During just-suprathreshold synaptic activation of CA1 pyramidal cells in rat hippocampal slices in vitro the action potential begins as a slow depolarizing ramp, superimposed on the underlying EPSP and forming an integral part of the action potential. We call this ramp a synaptic prepotential (SyPP). 2. In order to examine the SyPP, a procedure for subtraction of the underlying EPSP was necessary. Because action potentials were only elicited by a subset of EPSPs with larger than average amplitude, a subtraction of the mean subthreshold EPSP would not give valid results. Instead, an EPSP to be subtracted was selected from an assemblage of subthreshold EPSPs, so that its amplitude matched the initial part of the spike-generating EPSP. 3. Virtually all action potentials started with a SyPP. Using an amplitude criterion of 1 S.D. of the mean of the matching subthreshold EPSPs, just-suprathreshold EPSPs gave prepotentials in 72-100% of all action potentials from fifteen randomly selected cells. With a criterion of 2 S.D.S, the frequency of occurrence ranged from 36 to 100%. 4. With a constant stimulus strength, there was a certain variability of the spike latencies. Shorter latency spikes had steeper, but smaller SyPPs than later spikes, suggesting that the slope of SyPP influenced the timing of the cell discharge. 5. The SyPP was best fitted by a single, exponentially rising curve, and was both smaller and slower than the large amplitude action potential. Its amplitude was 1-6 mV and the time constant 1-5 ms, which was 10-50 times slower than that of the upstroke of the action potential. 6. A properly timed hyperpolarizing current pulse could block the large amplitude action potential, thereby unmasking the SyPP as an initial depolarizing ramp. 7. The SyPP was more sensitive than the large amplitude action potential to intracellular injection of QX-314, a lidocaine derivative. At the concentrations used (10 or 30 mM) no detectable changes were seen in the large amplitude action potential. 8. Droplet application of a specific N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (1 mM), reduced both the EPSP and the firing probability, but did not change the SyPP. 9. The SyPP amplitude and time course depended upon the membrane potential at which the cell was activated. Depolarization enhanced and prolonged the SyPP, while hyperpolarization gave opposite effects. In part, the depolarization-induced amplitude increase could be attributed to membrane accommodation. 10. Antidromically evoked action potentials never started with a prepotential.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Structure and function of a 40,000-molecular-weight protein antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

A gene encoding a protein antigen from Mycobacterium tuberculosis with a molecular weight of 40,000 has been sequenced. On the basis of sequence homology and functional analyses, we demonstrated that the protein is an L-alanine dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.1). The enzyme was demonstrated in M. tuberculosis and Mycobacterium marinum but not in Mycobacterium bovis BCG. The enzyme may play a role in cell wall synthesis because L-alanine is an important constituent of the peptidoglycan layer. Although no consensus signal sequence was identified, we found evidence which suggests that the enzyme is secreted across the cell membrane. The enzyme was characterized and purified by chromatography, thus enabling further studies of its role in virulence and interaction with the immune system of M. tuberculosis-infected individuals.

Alanine Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1992

Effect of acute hyperglycemia on glucose metabolism in skeletal muscles in IDDM patients.

The effect of acute hyperglycemia on glucose metabolism in skeletal muscles was assessed during replacement insulin infusion in 11 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). With a primed continuous [3-3H]glucose infusion and indirect calorimetry, glucose metabolism was assessed during a basal period (plasma glucose [PG] 5 mM) and during a hyperglycemic period (4-h i.v. glucose infusion, PG 12.1 mM). Biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle during both periods. On a control day, glucose metabolism was assessed in 10 patients during a basal period (PG 5.2 mM) and after 4 h with no glucose infusion (PG 4.2 mM). Nonoxidative glucose disposal increased during hyperglycemia (32 +/- 7 vs. 51 +/- 9 mg.m-2.min-1, P less than 0.05), whereas glucose oxidation remained constant. On the control day, nonoxidative glucose disposal decreased from the basal to the second (control) period (33 +/- 7 vs. 22 +/- 6 mg.m-2.min-1, P less than 0.05), and glucose oxidation remained constant. The activity of glycogen synthase in muscle biopsies (fractional velocities [0.1 and 10 mM glucose 6-phosphate (G6P)]) decreased slightly during hyperglycemia (18 +/- 2 vs. 12 +/- 2%, P less than 0.05) and on the control day (26 +/- 4 vs. 20 +/- 3%, P less than 0.05). Hyperglycemia increased the intracellular concentration of free glucose, corrected for estimated extracellular glucose (0.56 +/- 0.11 vs. 1.43 +/- 0.19 mM, P less than 0.01), G6P (0.14 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.23 +/- 0.08 mM, P less than 0.02), and lactate (2.88 +/- 0.33 vs. 4.46 +/- 0.61 mM, P less than 0.05), whereas these substrate concentrations remained constant on the control day.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1992

Apolipoprotein(a) in insulin-dependent diabetic patients with and without diabetic nephropathy.

Insulin-dependent diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy have a highly increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. To determine whether altered levels of apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)), the glycoprotein of the potentially atherogenic lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), contribute to the increased risk of ischaemic heart disease, apo(a) was determined in 50 insulin-dependent diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy (group 1), in 50 insulin-dependent diabetic patients with microalbuminuria (group 2), in 50 insulin-dependent diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria (group 3), and in 50 healthy subjects (group 4). The groups were matched with regard to sex, age and body mass index. The diabetic groups were also matched with regard to diabetes duration. The level of apo(a) was approximately the same in the four groups, being: 122 (x/ divided by 4.2) U l-1, 63 (x/ divided by 4.4) U l-1, 128 (x/ divided by 3.5) U l-1 and 126 (x/ divided by 3.7) U l-1 (geometric mean (x/ divided by antilog SD)) in group 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. 1 U l-1 apo(a) approximates 0.7 mg l-1 Lp(a).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Oestriol in the prophylactic treatment of recurrent urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women.

A block randomized, double-blind, group-comparative, placebo-controlled study was conducted to assess the effect of oestriol on recurrent urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women. 40 women, median age 78 years (66-91), 20 in each group, were treated with oestriol three mg p.o. per day or corresponding placebo for four weeks, followed by one mg per day for eight weeks. The main response parameter was the number of urinary tract infections per week in the two treatment periods. Both oestriol and placebo reduced the number of infections per week significantly in both periods, compared with the pretreatment period. There was no difference between oestriol and placebo treatment in the first period. In the second period, however, oestriol treatment was significantly more effective than placebo (p = 0.05). Correspondingly, there was a significant difference between the two groups in the vaginal pH at the end of the study (p less than 0.05). We conclude that oestriol reduces recurrent urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women.

Aged↗