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S Jacobsen

Publications and source records attributed to S Jacobsen.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Scleroderma--systemic sclerosis. Serology, lung function and survival].

Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) were studied with regard to the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and their clinical correlates (n = 230), pulmonary function (n = 176), and mortality and causes of death (n = 344). ANA were found in 85%. Anti-centromere antibodies were found in 34%, anti-Scl-70 antibodies in 13% and anti-U1-RNP antibodies in 6.5%. These serological groups were associated with limited SSc, diffuse SSc, and myositis/arthritis, respectively. The most prevalent finding at first lung function test was isolated reduction of diffusion capacity (47%). Further deterioration of diffusion capacity was related to the presence of anti-centromere antibodies and increased sedimentation rate. The standardized mortality rate (SMR) was 2.9, higher in young patients (SMR = 13) and patients with diffuse SSc (SMR = 4.5).

Adolescent↗

Identification of wheat varieties using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry and an artificial neural network

A novel tool for variety identification of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has been developed: an artificial neural network (ANN) is used to classify the gliadin fraction analysed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS). The robustness of this novel method with respect to various experimental parameters has been tested. The results can be summarised: (i) With this approach 97% of the wheat varieties can be classified correctly with a corresponding correlation coefficient of 1.0, (ii) The method is fast since the time of extracting gliadins from flour can be reduced to 20 min without significant decrease in overall performance, (iii) The storage of flour or extracts under standard conditions does not influence the classification ability (i. e. the generalisation ability) of the method, and (iv) The classification obtained is not influenced by the identity of the operator making the analysis. This study demonstrates that a combination of an ANN and MALDI-TOFMS analysis of the gliadin fraction provides a fast and reliable tool for the variety identification of wheat. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Journal Article↗

Mannose-binding lectin polymorphisms and susceptibility to infection in systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether variant alleles in the coding portion of the mannose-binding lectin (MBL) gene are associated with increased susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and concomitant infections. METHODS: MBL alleles and serum concentrations were determined by polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively, in 91 Danish patients with SLE and in 250 controls. RESULTS: Homozygosity for MBL variant alleles was observed in 7.7% of the SLE patients compared with 2.8% of the controls (P = 0.06), while no difference was seen for heterozygosity (33.0% versus 34.4%). Homozygotes had an increased risk of acquiring serious infections compared with patients who were heterozygous or homozygous for the normal allele (odds ratio 8.6, 95% confidence interval 1.5-47.6, P = 0.01). The time interval from the diagnosis of SLE to the first infectious event was shorter (P = 0.017), and the annual number of infectious events was 4 times higher, among homozygotes (P = 0.00002). They were especially prone to acquire pneumonia (P = 0.00004). CONCLUSION; Homozygosity for MBL variant alleles may explain much of the increased risk of complicating infections seen in SLE patients. Additionally, it is a minor risk factor for acquiring SLE.

Adolescent↗

A narrative review on classification of pain conditions of the upper extremities.

Local and regional musculoskeletal discomfort and pain in the shoulder girdle or upper extremities are often reported, especially in the working population. In this review we describe the most important problems and factors when classifying musculotendinous pain in the upper extremities and shoulders. This includes an analysis of how four common diagnoses (wrist tenosynovitis, lateral epicondylitis, rotator-cuff tendinitis, myofascial pain syndrome) fulfil basic criteria of validity. It is evident that there are some serious problems regarding the validity of the current classification of the conditions. Clinical criteria are often poorly defined and the reliability insufficiently tested. The relationship to objective pathoanatomic or physiological findings seems inconsistent. Although magnetic resonance and ultrasonographic imaging are promising, they are still only preliminary methods for evaluation of tendon and connective tissue structures. The prognosis with and without treatment also seems heterogeneous and can vary between studies. A generally accepted terminology is lacking in the pathogenetically complex regional muscle pain conditions.

Acute Disease↗

Mortality and causes of death of 513 Danish patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

A multicentre cohort of 513 clinic attenders with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was retrospectively identified, representing 4185 patient-years of follow-up. Expected numbers of death were calculated by means of age- and sex-specific mortality rates of the general Danish population. The observed number of deaths was 122. The survival rates were 97%, 91%, 76%, 64% and 53% after 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 years respectively. The overall mortality rate was 2.9% per year (95% CI 2.4-3.5), and the standardized mortality rate (SMR) was 4.6 (95% CI 3.8-5.5). The causes of death included active SLE (n = 19), end stage organ failure due to SLE (n = 16), infections (n = 25), malignancy (n = 9), cardiovascular disease (n = 32), and other causes (n = 21). SLE was directly related to one third of the excess mortality. In conclusion, SLE patients in the present cohort had a 4.6-fold increased mortality compared with the general population and half of the deaths were caused by SLE manifestations or infections, especially in young patients during the early period of the disease.

Adolescent↗

Prognostic value of renal biopsy and clinical variables in patients with lupus nephritis and normal serum creatinine.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate factors with possible influence on the renal outcome in patients with lupus nephritis but without chronic renal insufficiency (CRI). METHODS: Renal biopsies from 94 patients were re-assessed with regard to WHO class, activity, chronicity and tubulointerstitial indices without knowledge of clinical features. The outcome parameters were CRI defined as irreversibly increased serum creatinine and renal end stage disease. RESULTS: The risk ratios (RR) of developing CRI were 2.6 for active urinary sediment, 3.1 for hyaline thrombi and 7.3 for glomerular leukocyte exudation. The RR of renal end stage disease was 5.0 when the duration of renal disease exceeded one year at the time of biopsy and 4.3 when biopsy disclosed a class IV lesion. Glomerular sclerosis was also associated to renal end stage disease. CONCLUSION: Early renal biopsy and the abovementioned signs of active renal disease carry prognostic information that may have significant therapeutic implications.

Adolescent↗

Distribution of the fungal transposon Restless: full-length and truncated copies in closely related strains.

The fungal transposon Restless of Tolypocladium inflatum ATCC 34921 is a member of the hAT family of mobile DNA elements. In order to study the distribution of this transposon we have looked at 13 fungal strains, most of which are taxonomically related to strain ATCC 34921. Three strains, which show identical banding patterns in a comparative RAPD analysis with strain ATCC 34921, similarly carry multiple copies of Restless. In addition, 1 T. inflatum strain and 2 Beauveria nivea strains contain only a few or even single copies of the transposon. Inverse PCR and DNA sequencing analysis revealed that 1 strain contains a nonmobile truncated version of the element, while the other one harbors a full-length transposon copy which was named Restless-2. The presence of a single transposon copy of Restless in a defined Beauveria strain indicates recent acquisition of this transposon, since class II transposons usually occur in several copies per haploid genome. Notably, the corresponding genomic location is not occupied by a transposon copy in strain ATCC 34921.

Base Sequence↗

A multicentre study of 513 Danish patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. I. Disease manifestations and analyses of clinical subsets.

A Danish multicentre study was undertaken of the manifestations, infections, thrombotic events, survival and predictive factors of survival in 513 Danish patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) according to the 1982 classification criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. The mean duration of follow-up was 8.2 years from diagnosis and 12.8 years from first symptom. This paper describes the most common clinical and laboratory manifestations and their relationship to sex and age at the time of onset and diagnosis. Cluster analysis revealed three clinically defined clusters at the time of disease onset. Cluster 1 (57% of patients) consisted of relatively elderly patients without nephropathy or malar rash, but with a high prevalence of discoid lesions. Cluster 2 (18%) consisted of patients with nephropathy, a third of whom also developed serositis and lymphopenia. The patients of the third cluster (25%) all had malar rash and half were photosensitive. Follow-up showed that the patients of cluster 2 developed azotaemia, large proteinuria, arterial hypertension and myositis significantly more often than did the rest of the patients, but the mortality was not increased. The risk of developing renal end-stage disease was highest in men with early-onset disease.

Adolescent↗

A multicentre study of 513 Danish patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. II. Disease mortality and clinical factors of prognostic value.

In this Danish multicentre study, predictive clinical factors of mortality and survival were calculated for 513 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 122 of whom died within a mean observation period of 8.2 years equalling a mortality rate of 2.9% per year. Survival rates were 97%, 91%, 76% and 64% after 1, 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively. The direct causes of death included SLE (n = 35), infections (n = 25), malignancy (n = 9), cardiovascular disease (n = 32) and other causes (n = 21). Uni- and multivariate analyses of survival and mortality were performed for all deaths and for SLE-related deaths. Azotaemia (one-fifth of the patients) was a strong predictor of increased overall and SLE-related mortality, but nephropathy per se (one-half of the patients) and large proteinuria (one-sixth of the patients) were unrelated to survival. Haemolytic anaemia had a significant negative influence on survival related to mortality caused by infections. Diffuse central nervous system disease and myocarditis were related to increased SLE-related mortality, whereas photosensitivity predicted a decreased mortality. Non-fatal infections and thrombotic events predicted a decreased overall survival. Since 1980 the mortality caused by SLE manifestations has decreased significantly.

Adolescent↗

Clinical features and serum antinuclear antibodies in 230 Danish patients with systemic sclerosis.

The objective was to investigate the relationship between the presence of different types of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and the presence of clinical features. Sera from 230 patients with SSc were tested for the presence of ANA, including anticentromere antibodies (ab), antitopoisomerase I ab, anti-U1 RNP ab and antinucleolar ab, including anti-Th RNP, anti-U3 RNP and anti-U17 RNP. Clinical features were registered prospectively in a clinical database. Eighty-two per cent of the patients were women. The median age was 58 yr (45-67, quartiles) and median age at disease onset was 44 (30-55) yr. ANA were found in 86% of the patients (anticentromere: 34%; antitopoisomerase I: 14%; anti-U1 RNP: 6.5%; antinucleolar total: 16%; anti-Th RNP: 2.2%; anti-U3 RNP: 3.5%; anti-U17 RNP: 0%). Anticentromere ab were found to be related to a high prevalence of calcinosis, telangiectasia, digital ulcers, acrosclerosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, isolated reduction of pulmonary diffusing capacity, and a low prevalence of radiological evidence of pulmonary fibrosis. Antitopoisomerase I ab were associated with a high prevalence of digital joint deformity, distal osteolysis, radiological signs of pulmonary fibrosis, a low prevalence of calcinosis and late onset of disease. Anti-U1 RNP ab were related to a high prevalence of arthritis and myositis, a low prevalence of calcinosis, and early disease onset. The presence of antinucleolar ab, including anti-U3 RNP and anti-Th RNP, was not significantly related to any particular clinical features in this study; possibly due to the small number of patients with these ab. The presence of anticentromere, antitopoisomerase I and anti-U1 RNP ab in the serum was also found to have previously described clinical correlations in a group of Danish SSc patients.

Adolescent↗

Mortality and causes of death of 344 Danish patients with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)

OBJECTIVE: To determine survival, mortality and causes of death in Danish patients with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), and to analyse how these parameters are influenced by demographic variables and the extent of skin involvement. METHODS: A cohort of 344 patients with incident systemic sclerosis (SSc) after 1 January 1960 was retrospectively identified, representing 3716 patient-years of follow-up. The vital status at the end of the study ultimo 1996 was established by reviewing the clinical charts and by contacting the Danish Central Person Register. The causes of death were based on information obtained from the hospital charts and the autopsy reports (80%) and death certificates (20%). The extent of skin sclerosis was described by means of a two-subset model (limited and diffuse involvement) and a three-subset model (digital, extremity and truncal involvement) in all patients. Expected numbers of deaths were calculated by means of age- and sex-specific mortality rates of the general Danish population. RESULTS: Crude mortality rates were 6.5 and 3.9%/yr, respectively, in men and women. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was 2.9 (95% CI 2.5-3.4) and was not significantly influenced by sex or age at disease onset. Mortality rates were significantly increased in patients with diffuse skin sclerosis (SMR 4.5, 95% CI 3.5-5.7) and patients under the age of 35 yr (SMR 13, 95% CI 2.7-37). Of the 160 patients who died during the study, 41 deaths (26%) were SSc related, accounting for one-third of the excess mortality. CONCLUSION: We found a significantly increased mortality in patients with SSc, particularly in the subset of patients with diffuse skin sclerosis and in young patients. The excess mortality was due to an increase in both the SSc-related mortality and the unrelated mortality. However, all other subsets also had a significantly increased risk of death, mainly due to an increased risk of death due to causes unrelated to SSc, cancer among others. The fact that the unrelated mortality in SSc was found to be 2-fold increased suggests that the excess mortality that was classified as unrelated should more appropriately be termed indirectly SSc related.

Adolescent↗

Identification and characterization of a 29-kilodalton protein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture filtrate recognized by mouse memory effector cells.

Culture filtrate proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis induce protective immunity in various animal models of tuberculosis. Two molecular mass regions (6 to 10 kDa and 24 to 36 kDa) of short-term culture filtrate are preferentially recognized by Th1 cells in animal models as well as by patients with minimal disease. In the present study, the 24- to 36-kDa region has been studied, and the T-cell reactivity has been mapped in detail. Monoclonal antibodies were generated, and one monoclonal antibody, HYB 71-2, with reactivity against a 29-kDa antigen located in the highly reactive region below the antigen 85 complex was selected. The 29-kDa antigen (CFP29) was purified from M. tuberculosis short-term culture filtrate by thiophilic adsorption chromatography, anion-exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. In its native form, CFP29 forms a polymer with a high molecular mass. CFP29 was mapped in two-dimensional electrophoresis gels as three distinct spots just below the antigen 85 complex component MPT59. CFP29 is present in both culture filtrate and the membrane fraction from M. tuberculosis, suggesting that this antigen is released from the envelope to culture filtrate during growth. Determination of the N-terminal amino acid sequence allowed cloning and sequencing of the cfp29 gene. The nucleotide sequence showed 62% identity to the bacteriocin Linocin from Brevibacterium linens. Purified recombinant histidine-tagged CFP29 and native CFP29 had similar T-cell stimulatory properties, and they both elicited the release of high levels of gamma interferon from mouse memory effector cells isolated during the recall of protective immunity to tuberculosis. Interspecies analysis by immunoblotting and PCR demonstrated that CFP29 is widely distributed in mycobacterial species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Two-dimensional electrophoresis for analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture filtrate and purification and characterization of six novel proteins.

Culture filtrate from Mycobacterium tuberculosis contains molecules which promote high levels of protective immunity in animal models of subunit vaccination against tuberculosis. We have used two-dimensional electrophoresis for analysis and purification of six novel M. tuberculosis culture filtrate proteins (CFPs): CFP17, CFP20, CFP21, CFP22, CFP25, and CFP28. The proteins were tested for recognition by M. tuberculosis-reactive memory cells from different strains of inbred mice and for their capacity to induce a skin test response in M. tuberculosis-infected guinea pigs. CFP17, CFP20, CFP21 and CFP25 induced both a high gamma interferon release and a strong delayed-type hypersensitivity response, and CFP21 was broadly recognized by different strains of inbred mice. N-terminal sequences were obtained for the six proteins, and the corresponding genes were identified in the Sanger M. tuberculosis genome database. In parallel we established a two-dimensional electrophoresis reference map of short-term culture filtrate components and mapped novel proteins as well as already-known CFP.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Aseptic loosening of cemented, total hip alloplasty].

The cemented low-friction arthroplasty of the hip (THR) has emerged as one of the most successful operations. About 3.500 THR's are inserted every year in Denmark, the clinical success rate at ten years being 90-95 percent. The most frequent long-term complication remains aseptic loosening of the prosthesis. This mechanism of failure is still a matter of discussion and it seems that aseptic loosening is a rather complex and multifactorial process. Our review deals with the various hypotheses with special reference to particulate debris generated at the prosthesis' surfaces and its active biological role in inducing aseptic loosening.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip↗

A longitudinal study of pulmonary function in Danish patients with systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the types, prevalence and development of respiratory abnormalities in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and to correlate the results with clinical and serological findings. METHODS: 176 patients with SSc observed longitudinally were retrospectively included in the study. The change per year of vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume in one second/vital capacity (FEV1/VC), diffusing capacity (DLco) and diffusing constant (Kco) of carbon monoxide from the first till the latest pulmonary function test were correlated to clinical and serological findings, including anti-centromere, anti-Scl-70, and antinucleolar antibodies. RESULTS: An isolated reduction of DLco was seen in 47% and a restrictive ventilatory pattern in 25% of the patients. Restrictive ventilatory pattern correlated to pulmonary fibrosis, dyspnoea, a low prevalence (13%) of anti-centromere antibodies and a high prevalence of anti-Scl-70 antibodies (36%). Progression of DLco reduction was related to long disease duration, presence of anti-centromere antibodies and absence of treatment with penicillamine. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary involvement is common in patients with SSc. The occurrence of different serological abnormalities in patients with restrictive disease and in patients with progressive isolated reduction of DLco, suggests that the two types of pulmonary damage may have different pathogeneses rather than being different stages in the progression of pulmonary damage.

Adult↗

Specificities of anti-neutrophil autoantibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The objective of this study was to characterize antigens recognized by neutrophil-specific autoantibodies from patients with RA. Sera from 62 RA patients were screened by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF). Positive sera were further tested by ELISAs for antibodies against various granule proteins and by immunoblotting of electrophoretically separated cell, granule or nuclear extracts. Forty-two sera (68%) reacted with ethanol-fixed neutrophils. In the ELISAs 32% of the 28 medium to strongly IIF-positive sera were negative, while 43% were weakly positive for more than one antigen. Immunoblots of whole neutrophils showed IgG reactions at 25-35 kD, in the 55-kD region, at 80 kD, and at 110 kD. Most sera reacted with more than one band. Except for the 55-kD antigen, none of the antigens appeared in lymphocytes. The most notable reactivity in subcellular fractions was with lactoferrin and with bands of 25-35 kD from nuclei. In conclusion, anti-neutrophil autoantibodies from RA patients recognize different antigens in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus. Lactoferrin is one of the common antigens recognized, but also unknown nuclear antigens of 25-35 kD mol. wt are involved.

Adult↗

Ultrasonography screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip joint.

The use of ultrasonography as a complement to clinical examination will increase the reliability of the evaluation of unstable hips in newborn infants. In particular, the number of false-positive Ortolani and Barlow tests will decrease. However, the interpretation of the ultrasonogram in newborn infants has a steep learning curve with considerable risk of a high number of false-positive hips being diagnosed. Therefore, universal screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip by ultrasonography cannot yet be recommended from a cost-benefit point of view.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗