Biomedical subjects

A L Jensen

Publications and source records attributed to A L Jensen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

X-linked spondylo-epiphyseal dysplasia tarda in the Danish-Swedish farm hound.

In two litters from the same parents, three out of four males had an abnormally short leg and body length. Affected dogs showed signs of pain when moving, which could be eliminated by analgesia. On radiography, these animals had widened, radiolucent, irregularly bordered intervertebral disc spaces. When examined at seven months of age, the epiphyses appeared widened and irregular in shape and outline. General bone opacity in the vertebral column was lower in the affected male dogs than in the normal littermate. The affected dogs developed spondylosis and arthrosis of the larger limb joints. All affected dogs were euthanased on humane grounds, the eldest at the age of two years nine months. Based on the clinical and radiographic evidence, the condition seen in the male dogs described here resembles X-linked spondylo-epiphyseal dysplasia tarda caused by a collagenopathy due to malformation of COL2A1 as seen in human beings.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Cellular, hemostatic, and inflammatory parameters of the surgical stress response in pigs undergoing partial pericardectomy via open thoracotomy or thoracoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Thoracoscopy has been shown to reduce the inflammatory and immunologic response to surgical stress, as compared with corresponding open procedures in humans. The influence on the hemostatic system, however, has not been thoroughly evaluated. The current study aimed to compare the perioperative and immediate postoperative changes in cellular, hemostatic, and inflammatory parameters after a partial pericardectomy performed by either thoracoscopy or thoracotomy. METHODS: For this study, 16 pigs were randomly assigned to have a partial pericardectomy performed thoracoscopically or by thoracotomy. Blood was collected intraoperatively, then 10 min, 3 h, and 6 h after surgery. Whole ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-stabilized blood and plasma were examined for cellular, hemostatic, and inflammatory parameters, respectively, and thromboelastography (TEG) was performed on citrated whole blood. RESULTS: No significant difference in any of the parameters measured was found between the two groups except for the TEG parameter R-time, which was significantly shorter in the thoracoscopic group 3 h postoperatively. In both groups, a significant postoperative state of hypercoagulability and increase in inflammatory parameters was found. Additionally, pig blood showed a high degree of hypercoagulability in preoperative measurements, as compared with other species. CONCLUSIONS: Partial pericardectomy performed by thoracotomy or thoracoscopy in pigs produces a surgical stress response of equal magnitude, as measured by cellular, hemostatic, and inflammatory changes.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Effects of breed, gender, exercise and white-coat effect on markers of endothelial function in dogs.

This study examines how systemic biomarkers of endothelial function and nitric oxide metabolism are affected by exercise in dogs. Furthermore, breed variation and white-coat effect have been tested by sampling three different dog breeds both in their home and in a clinical setting. Short-term exercise increased plasma nitrate and nitrite (NOx) and von Willebrand factor (vWf). There was significant difference between Pointers and the small dog breeds Cairn Terriers and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in the general plasma levels of vWf and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). NOx and vWf were significantly higher when the sample was taken in the laboratory cf. at home, whereas ADMA and L-arginine were significantly lower. In conclusion, both short-term exercise and white-coat effect influence several plasma markers of endothelial function depending also on the breed and gender of the dogs. These findings should be considered in future studies concerning endothelial function in dogs.

Alaska↗

PubMed2006

Serum fructosamine concentrations in 59 dogs naturally Infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum.

Retrospectively, 89 cases of dogs infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum were examined. Fifty-nine of these 89 dogs fulfilled the criteria of not being dually infected with Crenosoma vulpis as well as having a full biochemistry profile including serum fructosamine available. The mean serum fructosamine value of the 59 dogs was 236 micromol/l (reference value 258-348 micromol/l) and significantly lower than the serum fructosamine level of 314 micromol/l in a control group of 42 clinically healthy dogs. Eleven dogs were available for follow up after successful treatment of angiostrongylosis. In this group, the serum fructosamine value rose from a mean of 244 micromol/l to a mean of 320 micromol/l following treatment. Serum glucose, albumin and protein were all within the respective reference ranges at all sampling points. The results indicate that serum fructosamine could be affected by infection with A. vasorum. Furthermore, this change cannot be explained by measurable changes in the level of glucose, albumin or protein. The clinical impact of this study is that a low fructosamine value may indicate infection with A. vasorum thereby suggesting a Baermann test to be performed.

Angiostrongylus↗

PubMed2005

Evaluation of a commercially available human serum amyloid A (SAA) turbidometric immunoassay for determination of equine SAA concentrations.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether equine serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations could be measured reliably with a turbidometric immunoassay (TIA) developed for use with human serum. Intra- and inter-assay imprecision were evaluated by multiple measurements on equine serum pools. Assay inaccuracy was determined by linearity under dilution. The assay was subsequently used for measuring SAA concentrations in clinically healthy horses, horses with inflammatory diseases, horses with non-inflammatory diseases, and in horses before and after castration. In pools with low, intermediate and high SAA concentrations, the intra-assay imprecisions were 24.4%, 1.6% and 2.1%, and the inter-assay imprecisions were 33.2%, 4.6% and 6.5%. Slight signs of inaccuracy were observed, but these inaccuracies were negligible when considering the large dynamic range of the SAA response. The assay was able to detect the expected difference in SAA levels in different groups of horses. It was also able to demonstrate the expected dynamic changes in SAA after castration. In conclusion, equine SAA concentrations can be measured reliably using the TIA designed for human SAA.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Use of serum amyloid A and other acute phase reactants to monitor the inflammatory response after castration in horses: a field study.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING THE STUDY: Early recognition of excessive inflammation and infectious complications after surgery, leading to early institution of therapy, reduces post operative discomfort and facilitates recovery. Because serum amyloid A (SAA) is a highly sensitive marker of inflammation, measurements of SAA and other acute phase reactants in the equine surgical patient may be valuable in assisting clinical assessment of post operative inflammation. OBJECTIVES: To investigate changes in inflammatory markers after castration and to correlate levels of acute phase reactants with clinical severity of inflammation after castration. METHODS: Leucocyte numbers and blood levels of iron, SAA and fibrinogen were determined before castration and on Days 3 and 8 post operatively in 2 groups of horses; Group 1 (n = 11) had mild post operative inflammation and an uncomplicated recovery and Group 2 (n = 7) had local clinical signs of moderate to severe inflammation. RESULTS: Both groups had elevated serum SAA levels at Day 3 post operatively. In Group 1 concentrations had returned to preoperative levels by Day 8, whereas in Group 2 concentrations remained elevated. Plasma fibrinogen concentrations in serum increased to equal levels in both groups and stayed elevated throughout the study period. Serum iron concentrations of Group 1 did not change in response to castration, whereas concentrations in Group 2 decreased below preoperative levels on Day 8. Leucocyte numbers remained unchanged during the post operative period in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Serum SAA and iron profiles reflected the course of inflammation and their levels correlated with the clinical severity of inflammation. In contrast, fever and changes in leucocyte numbers, which are usually considered to be hallmarks of inflammation and infection, were not useful for monitoring post operative recovery. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Measurements of SAA and iron may improve post operative monitoring. As sustained inflammation may indicate that the surgical wound has become infected, SAA and iron measurements may facilitate early recognition and hence early treatment of infection.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

PubMed2003

Evaluation of a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the determination of C-reactive protein in canine serum.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for determination of canine serum C-reactive protein (CRP). The concentration of CRP could be determined accurately and the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were in the range of 6.9-10.1 and 7.5-29.0%, respectively. This level of imprecision between runs is usually considered unacceptable for diagnostic purposes, but the overall results indicated that the assay was useful in differentiating dogs suffering from infections, from dogs suffering from various other diseases (neoplastic diseases, endocrine/metabolic disorders), and healthy dogs. The assay was also able to detect dynamic changes of CRP during development and after cessation of spontaneous occurring inflammatory stimuli in two clinical cases.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2002

The effect of concurrent infections with Pasteurella multocida and Ascaridia galli on free range chickens.

Pasteurella multocida and Ascaridia galli are observed with high prevalences in free range chickens in Denmark, but the impact is unknown. A study was carried out to examine the interaction between A. galli and P. multocida in chickens and the impact on production. Five groups, each with 20 18-week-old Lohmann Brown chickens were infected. Group 1 was orally infected with 1000+/-50 embryonated A. galli eggs. Group 2 received 10(4) cfu P. multocida intratracheally. Group 3 was infected with A. galli and subsequently with P. multocida. Group 4 was infected with P. multocida followed by A. galli. Group 5 was the control. The study ran for 11 weeks where clinical manifestations, weight gain and egg production were recorded. Excretion of P. multocida was determined on individual basis and blood smears were made for differential counts. At the end of the study pathological lesions and the number of adult worms, larvae and eggs in the faeces were recorded. The birds were more severely affected when infected with both pathogens compared to single infections with A. galli or P. multocida, respectively. A lower weight gain and egg production was observed with dual infections. A. galli infection followed by a secondary P. multocida infection resulted in more birds with pathological lesions and continued P. multocida excretion. In conclusion a negative interaction between A. galli and P. multocida was observed and it is postulated that free range chickens are at higher risk of being subjected to outbreaks of fowl cholera when they are infected with A. galli.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Spectrophotometric assessment of peritoneal fluid haemoglobin in colic horses: an aid to selecting medical vs. surgical treatment.

In a case-control study in colic horses the ability of spectrophotometric measurement of the haemoglobin concentration in the peritoneal fluid supernatant and visual assessment of the colour of peritoneal fluid supernatant to differentiate between surgical and medical treatment of colic was assessed. Based on previous studies, which have found anda association between peritoneal fluid colour and the kind of treatment required, our hypothesis was that the peritoneal fluid haemoglobin concentration would be higher in horses requiring surgical intervention than in horses amenable to medical treatment. Seventy-four horses admitted to a teaching hospital were included. Thirty-five horses were classified as requiring surgery and 39 medical treatment. Logistic regression revealed a significant (P < 0.0001) association between the haemoglobin concentration measured with the spectrophotometer and the need for surgical treatment. Odds ratio for an increase in haemoglobin concentration of 0.01 mmol/l was 6.4, which means that the odds for 'need for surgical treatment' increased when peritoneal fluid haemoglobin concentration increased. When used as a diagnostic test with a threshold of 0.01 mmol/l haemoglobin for selecting surgical vs. medical treatment, sensitivity was 80% and specificity 82%, whereas simple visual assessment had a sensitivity of only 51% and a specificity of 95%.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Factor analysis of the interrelationships between clinical variables in horses with colic.

A prospective survey of horses with colic referred to the Large Animal Hospital at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University of Copenhagen, Denmark, was undertaken between August 1994 and December 1997. The interrelationships between 17 clinical variables were analysed using factor analysis. Factor analysis uncovers the structure of the variability in data and therefore detects multicollinearity. A total of 528 horses were admitted in the study period. Of these, 16 were excluded from the analysis as a result of miscellaneous conditions. Only 205 horses had observations for all 17 variables. Because no major change occurred in the main diagnostic categories, this population was considered as a representative subset. Factor analysis confirmed the clinical impression of correlation between variables, but the multicollinearity turned out not to be strong. Four factors were extracted, and these accounted for 51% of the total variance. The retained factors were interpreted by integrating previously reported clinical research. The first factor, which was interpreted as endotoxaemia, had high loadings on capillary refill time, mucous-membrane colour, degree of pain, heart rate, packed-cell volume and abdominal sounds. In the second factor, cecal decompression, admission month and gastric reflux had the predominant influence, and this factor was explained as cecal tympany. The third factor was simply interpreted as age because it had high loadings on gender, age and temperature. In the fourth factor, the interpretation was not straightforward, although breed had the greatest influence in the formation of this factor. Subsequently, the extracted factors were used in a logistic-regression analysis to determine their association with outcome (survival/death). The two factors interpreted as endotoxaemia and age were related to the outcome.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2001

Child and adolescent psychotherapy in research and practice contexts: review of the evidence and suggestions for improving the field.

The body of evidence on child and adolescent psychotherapy outcomes has now grown to more than 500 studies. Here we summarize key findings, focusing on effectiveness and efficacy research. Research is sparse on the effectiveness of treatment in everyday practice, but available evidence suggests little benefit. By contrast, extensive research on efficacy of structured treatments administered under controlled conditions shows very substantial evidence of benefit. We note several specific treatments for which evidence is encouraging, and we offer suggestions for future research. Particularly important will be research on treatment models most often used in practice settings, tests of outcome mediators and moderators, tests employing a broadened range of treatment delivery models, and research bridging the gap between lab-tested treatments and the conditions of real-world practice.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for determination of porcine haptoglobin.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for quantification of haptoglobin in porcine serum was evaluated. The detection limit when expressed as the estimated concentration of a blank sample was 0.0003 mg/ml. The precision of the assay was acceptable with intra-assay coefficients of variation below 4% and inter-assay coefficient of variation below 5% for serum concentrations ranging from 1.0 mg/ml and above. For samples with a concentration below 0.8 mg/ml, the inter-assay coefficient of variation was above 10% The assay maintained linearity under dilution. Recovery was proportional. Haemolysis significantly decreased the measured concentration of haptoglobin in paired serum samples (one-sided t-test, P < 0.0001, degrees of freedom = 29). No significant effect on the concentration due to repeated freezing and thawing of serum was observed. The biological variation in individual pigs with no clinical signs of disease was estimated by nested analysis of variance. Between-pig variation was 86.0% within-pig variation was 13.3% and analytical variation was 0.7%. The one-sided critical difference was 12.3% and the two-sided critical difference was 14.6%. The index of individuality was 0.2. The maximum allowable analytical imprecision was 2.6% and the maximum analytical inaccuracy was 9.9%. The number of samples required to determine the true haptoglobin value in an individual pig when accounting for the day-to-day fluctuation was 5. In conclusion, the haptoglobin assay was found to be suitable for quantification of haptoglobin in non-haemolysed porcine serum samples with a haptoglobin concentration above 1.0 mg/ml. The analytical variance was found to be low. The haptoglobin concentration in serum was found to characterize individual animals. A large inter-animal variation in haptoglobin level was found.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Effect of pre-analytical handling on haematological variables in minipigs.

Pre-analytical handling may be an important determinant of haematological variables, if analysis is delayed. We investigated the effect of anticoagulants, i.e. tripotassium ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and citric acid, theophylline, adenosine, dipyridamole (CTAD), storage time (0.5, 1.5, 3.5, 5.5, 7.5, 25.5 and 27.5 h after blood sampling), and storage temperature (5 degrees C and 20 degrees C) on the variation in haemoglobin (HGB), red blood cell count (RBC), haematocrit (HCT), white blood cell count (WBC), and platelet count (PLT) in minipigs. Medians of HGB, RBC, HCT, WBC and PLT were significantly higher in EDTA tubes than in CTAD tubes due to the dilution effect of the anticoagulant. We found a minor significant increase in HCT after 25.5 h in blood stored at 20 degrees C, and at the same time a minor significant increase in WBC in EDTA tubes stored at 20 degrees C. We found a significant decrease in PLT in blood stored at 5 degrees C, especially in EDTA tubes. Minor variations were also observed in HGB and RBC. Our results indicate that PLT should only be measured in tubes placed at room temperature. If HCT or WBC analyses are to be performed on the day after blood sampling, the samples must be stored in a refrigerator until analysis. Our studies underline that time delay before analysis of haematological variables can cause increased variation, and should therefore be limited as far as possible in order to reduce the number of animals needed to make reliable conclusions.

Adenosine↗

PubMed2000

Age-related de-phosphorylation of proteins in dentin: a biological tool for assessment of protein age.

Mature tooth dentin has essentially no metabolic activity, and thus post-translational modifications accumulate with aging in this tissue. In the present paper, we have studied age-related covalent changes of human dentin proteins. Dentin phosphorproteins (PP) were extracted and purified using ion exchange chromatography. Collagen was purified by CNBr cleavage and acetic acid extraction. The amino acid composition of the resultant protein preparations was determined by HPLC after post-column derivatization. Likewise the extent of aspartic acid (Asp) racemization was determined in total dentin, dentin collagen and PP. Collagen only displayed small, insignificant changes in amino acid composition and racemization with age. In contrast, PP exhibited significant age-related changes in amino acid composition, cross-linking and racemization. Thus the rate of Asp racemization in PP was 500-fold that found in collagen. Moreover, the phosphoserine (Ser(P)) content in human PP decreases dramatically with age, resulting in almost complete dephosphorylation over a life span. The loss of Ser(P) was accompanied by an increased content of the bifunctional cross-link histidinoalanine consistent with a beta-elimination pathway. The relative Ser(P) content was highly correlated with dentin age (r2 = 0.96). The Ser(P) contents may thus potentially be applied in forensic investigations to deduce human age. The possible role of covalent modifications of the protein matrix in the degradation of mineralized tissue and its implications for the age-related decline of tissue functionality is discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Evaluation of a transportable [Ca++] and pH analyser and of the impact of different anticoagulants and sampling sites in cattle.

A mobile, hand-held ionized calcium and pH analyser, the IRMA (Immediate Response Mobile Analyser) SL (Diametrics Medical Inc. St. Paul, MN, USA), was evaluated and results interpreted with help from data derived on biological variation in five dry cows. The maximum allowable analytical imprecision (CMAX) was estimated as 1.33% for [Ca++] and 0.12% for pH; the maximal allowable analytical inaccuracy (BMAX) was estimated to be 1.82% ([Ca++]) and 0.09% (pH), and the maximum allowable difference between two methods (MAXDIFF) was calculated as 0.89% ([Ca++]) and 0.08% (pH). These values were compared with the coefficient of variation obtained by calculation from analysis results in blood samples obtained from 51 cows, heifers and calves. The between-cow coefficient of variation (CV), within-cow CV, critical difference (two-sided) and index of individuality were estimated as 4.77, 2.66 and 14.29%, and 1.08 for [Ca++] analysis. For pH measurements, values of 0.12, 0.24 and 0.96% and 2.95 were estimated. The number of samples required to determine the true value of either [Ca++] or pH in an individual cow was 5 and 1, respectively. Further, it was observed that, in investigations of blood Ca++ and blood pH in cattle, neither the use of electrolyte-balanced syringes interchangeable with sodium-heparin vacutainer nor the use of different blood sampling sites was to be recommended. IRMA SL did not correlate significantly with the chosen reference analyser (Stat Profile 5 Analyser; Nova Biomedical, Waltham, MA) with regard to plasma [Ca++] analyses (correlation coefficient r = -0.24, P = 0.22). However, a significant correlation coefficient (r = 0.63, P < 0.01) was found between analyses of pH performed on IRMA SL and Stat Profile 5 Analyser. Analysis on IRMA SL was very easy to perform. It could be a very useful aid in veterinary clinical practice, when determination of plasma pH in cattle is needed. The analyser should not yet be applied uncritically with respect to [Ca++] analyses in cattle.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Characterization of the priming effect by pituitary canine growth hormone on canine polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocyte function.

In this report, we demonstrate that canine growth hormone (cGH) is capable of priming canine polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes (PMN) in a manner resembling that of human PMN. The cGH influences important functions that are involved in the process of recruitment of PMN, i.e., shape change, chemotaxis, CD11b/CD18 expression, adhesion, and subsequent transendothelial migration. Also, intracellular O(2)(-) production was evaluated. We investigated the priming effect by incubating PMN with purified pituitary cGH at various concentrations (10 to 800 microg/liter). The capacity for shape change was significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced, whereas the chemotactic response under agarose was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced. The chemotactic migration in Boyden chambers (10-microm-thick polycarbonate filter; lower surface count technique) was significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced, presumably due to cGH-induced hyperadhesiveness to the lower surface of the filters. The adhesion in albumin-coated microtiter plates and adherence to canine pulmonary fibroblasts were significantly (P < 0.05) increased, and the increased adhesion resulted in a significant (P < 0.01) increase in transendothelial migration using canine jugular vein endothelial cells. The increase in adhesion was associated with a significant increase in CD11b/CD18 expression. Furthermore, intracellular O(2)(-) production was significantly enhanced in response to both phorbol myristate acetate (P < 0.01) and opsonized zymosan (P < 0.05). In the absence of a PMN-stimulating agent, cGH did not influence the effector functions investigated except for an increased expression of CD11b/CD18.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Microsatellite marker C04107 as a diagnostic marker for copper toxicosis in the Danish population of Bedlington terriers.

The linkage phase of marker C04107 was evaluated before implementation of the marker in a diagnostic test. Blood samples from 68 dogs were collected and genotyped by PCR. Two alleles were detected with sizes of 160 bp and 164 bp and allele frequencies of 0.45 and 0.55 respectively. Genotyping revealed that 35 dogs were heterozygous (51.5%), 22 dogs were homozygous for the normal allele (32.3%) and 11 dogs were homozygous for the disease allele (16.2%). Liver biopsies were taken from 14 selected dogs and the copper content was evaluated histologically. Biopsies from 8 dogs homozygous for the disease allele showed many copper granules along with single cell necrosis, haemosiderosis and cellular infiltration. In liver biopsies from 6 dogs genotyped to be heterozygous or homozygous for the normal allele, copper granules were absent or moderate in number and no lesions were present. The survey demonstrates that the linkage phase of marker C04107 in the Danish population of Bedlington terriers is similar to the linkage phase detected in other countries. Thus, the marker can be used in a diagnostic test for copper toxicosis in Denmark.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Determination of the adhesive capability of canine polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes using a fluorometric microtiter plate cellular adhesion assay.

A rapid fluorometric cellular adhesion assay in microtiter plates was evaluated for canine polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes (PMN) using the fluorescent indicator calcein acetoxymethyl ester (Calcein AM). Optimum adhesive responsiveness occurred in bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated plates after 30 min incubation at 37 degrees C with 5 x 10(5) PMN in 100 microl per well using phorbol myristate acetate (PMA, 100 ng/ml) as stimulant. The adhesive responsiveness for 15 laboratory beagle dogs was determined and the mean percentage of adherence for unstimulated (2.9%) and stimulated (74.3%) PMN and corresponding 95% confidence intervals was determined. The mean intra-assay coefficient of variation (CVintra) for unstimulated and stimulated adhesion in the assay was: CVintra = 12.9% and CVintra = 4.1%, respectively. The mean inter-assay coefficient of variation (CVinter) for unstimulated and stimulated adhesion, respectively, in the assay was: CVinter = 22.9% and CVinter = 5.6%. The assay was highly reproducible and labelling with Calcein AM neither reduced PMN viability nor activated the PMN.

Adhesiveness↗