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Biomedical subjects

B Petersen

Publications and source records attributed to B Petersen.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Comparison of Minnesota antilymphoblast globulin and Upjohn antithymocyte globulin for induction immunosuppression of human renal allografts.

BACKGROUND: An analysis of heterologous polyclonal antisera in first renal transplants was continued after replacement of Minnesota antilymphoblast globulin (MALG) with antithymocyte globulin (ATGAM), testing the hypothesis that these are functionally equivalent drugs. METHODS: Sequential induction immunosuppression used MALG (20 mg/kg/day, n = 33) or ATGAM (15 mg/kg/day, n = 14), corticosteroids, azathioprine and cyclosporine. White blood cell, platelet, and T-cell subsets were measured. Percent of patients with and time to first rejection were determined. Anti-horse antibody was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Minimum follow-up after transplantation was 1 year. RESULTS: Human leukocyte antigen mismatch, peak and current panel reactive antibodies, age, gender, percent cadaver donors and diabetic recipients were similar. Depletion of CD2, CD3, CD4, and CD8 T-cell subsets and platelet and white blood cells was similar. Early renal function was better with MALG than with ATGAM (p = 0.005, ANOVA), but by 2 weeks the groups were similar. The percent of patients receiving MALG versus patients receiving ATGAM with cytomegalovirus (28 versus 50), anti-horse antibodies (50 versus 62), and rejection (58 versus 50) and the median day of first rejection (48 versus 47) were similar. Three grafts were lost. CONCLUSIONS: MALG and ATGAM are equally effective in eliminating T cells and preventing and delaying the onset of renal allograft rejection.

Adult↗

Microsensors and mobile laboratory as instruments for computer-based health management in a pork-production chain.

Diseases are directly associated with production in regard to product quality and quantity. The purpose of health-management programs is to prevent mortality and morbidity during production. Within the European Community, there are several concepts for management and health-control programs. The most important part is the collection and interpretation of data, which can be used at the farm level and down the production chain. Collecting data electronically by use of sensors, identification systems and tests can enhance a human's ability to achieve this.

Animal Husbandry↗

Expression and characterization of biologically active human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) by insect cells infected with HGF-recombinant baculovirus.

A cDNA containing the entire coding sequence of human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) [also known as scatter factor (SF)] was inserted into the genome of Autographa california nuclear polyhedrosis virus (baculovirus) adjacent to the polyhedrin promoter by homologous recombination. Insect cells (Spodoptera frugiperda) infected with the recombinant virus secrete relatively high levels (3-8 mg/L) of biologically active HGF into the culture medium. The recombinant HGF induces pronounced morphological changes and scattering of primary cultures of rat, mouse, and human hepatocytes within 24 h after plating and stimulates DNA synthesis in these cells with the same magnitude as native HGF derived from human placenta or rabbit serum. The human recombinant HGF produced by the insect cells is N-glycosylated, binds to heparin like native HGF, and is recognized by polyclonal antiserums raised against human or rabbit HGF as assessed by immunoblot, ELISA, and immunoneutralization experiments. Metabolic radiolabeling with L-[35S]methionine (pulse-chase experiments) as well as Western blot analysis indicates that the recombinant HGF is synthesized and secreted by the infected insect cells as the unprocessed single-chain form (pro-HGF) when the cells are cultured in serum-free medium. However, when the infected insect cells are cultured in insect culture medium (Grace's medium) containing fetal bovine serum, the secreted HGF is present mainly in the mature heterodimeric form. Addition of serum to the baculovirus-expressed single-chain [125I]HGF in a cell-free system results in conversion to the heterodimeric two-chain form, and the activation is prevented by the serine protease inhibitor PMSF. Incubation of 125I-labeled pro-HGF with rat liver or spleen extracts resulted in conversion of pro-HGF to the heterodimeric two-chain form. A truncated form of HGF containing the N-terminal portion of HGF (kringles 1-3) was also produced in the same expression system. This deleted HGF, by itself, did not have any detectable biological activity; however, it abrogated the stimulatory effects of full-length HGF on hepatocytes. This is the first successful production of bioactive recombinant HGF in large quantities, which will allow purification on the milligram scale of pro-HGF and will permit future studies to elucidate pathways involved in HGF activation by its target tissues.

Animals↗

[Homeless psychiatric patients, a study of registration of clients in hostels and foster homes].

In November 1990 a prevalence study and a one month incidence study of previous admissions to psychiatric hospitals or wards were carried out among clients in hostels and care homes in three Danish counties. The study includes Aarhus county, the county of Northern Jutland and the municipality of Copenhagen. Both incidence and prevalence were of approximately the same magnitude in the three counties, between 50% and 75%. When clients who at their latest discharge from a psychiatric hospital or ward were diagnosed alcoholics or drug abusers were excluded the figures were reduced to 25-33%. Eight per cent of the total of 1008 persons investigated (90% males, 10% females) had previously been diagnosed as schizophrenic. Twenty-three per cent of the patients previously admitted to psychiatric hospitals or hostels were admitted to ward or care homes within 24 hours of discharge from hospital and 29% within one month. Among the patients discharged from psychiatric hospitals or wards within two years previous to their present admission to hostels or care homes, 70% were between 25 and 44 years old, 8% younger than 25 years.

Adult↗

Localization of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene on human chromosome 7.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent mitogen for hepatocytes and a variety of epithelial cells in culture. The cDNAs for human and rat HGF have been cloned by different researchers, including ourselves; however, no information on the genomic structure and chromosome localization of the HGF gene is yet available. To investigate HGF's chromosomal localization, DNA from a battery of human-hamster somatic cell hybrids was digested with BglII and analyzed by Southern blot using a 2.3-kb human HGF cDNA as a hybridization probe. The gene encoding the human HGF was assigned to human chromosome 7. Restriction enzyme and Southern blot analyses using the HGF cDNA and HGF-specific oligonucleotides as probes suggest that the human HGF gene exists as a single-copy gene and is composed of several exons.

Blotting, Southern↗

Immune functions during treatment of growth hormone-deficient children with biosynthetic human growth hormone.

Immune functions, including cell surface markers, interleukin-2 receptor levels and responses of lymphocytes to mitogenic stimulation were evaluated in seven growth hormone deficient children ages 4-15 years, during treatment with biosynthetically derived human growth hormone. Treatment resulted in a decrease in % B cells and in % T total cells and also decreases in most individual patients' mitogen responses and interleukin-2 receptor levels. Most of the changes noted were transient and similar to those previously demonstrated during pituitary-derived human growth hormone treatment. Although not resulting in overt clinical manifestations in our patients, we think that potential interactions between growth hormone and immune functions need to be considered by physicians treating children with growth hormone.

Adolescent↗

Overberg Research Projects. XI. First stage larval reduction test to assess anthelmintic efficacy ante mortem in sheep.

Two field trials, one with suckling Merino ewe lambs and the other with yearling Dohne Merino rams, are described. In these the anthelmintic efficacy of febantel (a benzimidazole), ivermectin, levamisole and morantel are compared, using the 1st stage larval reduction test. The mean natural log (+1 for zero values) of the post treatment larval counts of the treated groups was compared with that of the untreated controls and the percentage reduction used to assess anthelmintic efficacy. Febantel was only 87.4% effective against Teladorsagia in suckling lambs but the other anthelmintics were more than 99% effective against this genus. Efficacy against Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus ranged from 93.2%-100% for all 4 compounds. In the rams all compounds were 100% effective against Trichostrongylus, with the exception of morantel which was only 87.5% effective. None of the compounds were effective against Teladorsagia, particularly morantel, animals treated with which having more larvae than the controls. The interpretation of anthelmintic efficacy; the advantages of the first stage larval reduction test, compared with the faecal egg count reduction test; and the importance of incubating cultures at 30 degrees C for 24 h, in order to harvest first stage larvae, are discussed.

Animals↗

Complex segregation analysis of autism.

A complex segregation analysis of autism in 185 Utah families was carried out using the mixed model. The 209 affected individuals in these families represent nearly complete ascertainment of the autistic cases born in Utah between 1965 and 1984. The sibling recurrence risk for autism was 4.5% (95% confidence limits 2.8%-6.2%). Likelihoods were maximized for major-gene models, a polygenic model, a sibling-effect model, and a mixed model consisting of major-gene and shared-sibling effects. The analysis provided no evidence for major-locus inheritance of autism. Subdivision of the sample according to the probands' IQ levels showed that sibling recurrence risk did not vary consistently with IQ level. A segregation analysis of families in which the proband had an IQ less than 50 also failed to provide evidence for a major locus. However, because of the etiologic heterogeneity of this disorder, genetic analysis of other meaningful subsets of families could prove informative.

Autistic Disorder↗

The UCLA-University of Utah epidemiologic survey of autism: genealogical analysis of familial aggregation.

To assess familial aggregation of autism, 86 autistic subjects were linked to the Utah Genealogical Database. Kinship coefficients were estimated for all possible pairs of autistic subjects and then averaged. Fifty replicate sets of matched control subjects (86 members in each set) were drawn randomly from the database, and the average kinship coefficient was computed for all possible pairs of individuals in each set. The average kinship coefficient for the autistic subjects was approximately 1/1,000, while the average kinship coefficients for the 50 control groups ranged from 4/100,000 to 1.6./10,000. These results indicate a strong tendency for autism to cluster in families. When kinship was analyzed by specific degrees of relationship, it was shown that the familial aggregation of autism is confined exclusively to sib pairs and does not extend to more remote degrees of relationship. This finding indicates that a single-gene model is unlikely to account for most cases of autism.

Autistic Disorder↗

Disposition of a murine monoclonal antibody vinca conjugate (KS1/4-DAVLB) in patients with adenocarcinomas.

The pharmacokinetics of a murine monoclonal antibody vinca conjugate (KS1/4-DAVLB) was investigated in 13 patients with adenocarcinomas who received single intravenous doses ranging from 40 to 250 mg/m2 and in three patients who were administered 1.5 mg/kg every 48 to 72 hours for up to 15 doses. Five patients in the single-dose study also received 100 microCi of [3H]-KS1/4-DAVLB. Overall mean values for the pharmacokinetic variables were as follows: elimination half-life, 31.5 hours; distribution volume, 4.43 L; and clearance, 0.09 L/hr. KS1/4-DAVLB demonstrated linear elimination kinetics in both the single- and multiple-dose studies. Significant concentrations of KS1/4-DAVLB were noted in a pleural effusion. Ten percent of the radioactive dose was recovered in the urine and 20% in the feces over a 5-day period. Small molecular weight vinca species were detected in the feces but not in the serum.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Drug residues from slurry and their effect on the development of resistance of E. coli isolates from swine].

A study of veterinary drug residues in the environment of pigs and their effects on selection of bacterial resistances via external contact. Slurry containing sulphonamide (sulphadimidine) residues in a similar concentration to that which could be expected after medication of a pig herd was applied to the stable floor. In reaction to that faecal E. coli of non-medicated pigs showed no significant variations of total bacterial resistance. However some variations concerning the rate of multiple resistant E. coli were manifest. They passed away although drug residues were still detectable.

Animals↗

The incidence of severe duodenal anomalies in patients submitted to barium meal examination, in normals, and in different clinical subgroups.

The incidence of severe duodenal anomalies (MD) has been investigated in 458 patients submitted to barium meal examination and in 176 subjects comprising various clinical subgroups. The incidence of MD in patients submitted to barium meal examination was 11.6%. The incidence of MD in 25 normals was 4%, which was not significantly different from the incidence (10%) of MD in patients with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. Compared with in normals, MD occurred with a significantly higher incidence in 45 patients with X-ray-negative dyspepsia (24%), in 36 patients with the irritable bowel syndrome (44%), and in 37 patients with asthma (38%). It is concluded that demonstration of MD in a patient is only indicative of a possible disorder.

Adolescent↗

Comparative characterization of organic emissions from diesel particles, coke oven mains, roofing tar vapors and cigarette smoke condensate.

This paper reports the characterization of the extractable organics from diesel particulate emissions compared to other complex organics which have been reported to increase the risk of human lung cancer. Class fractions of diesel, cigarette smoke condensate, roofing tar, and coke oven extracts were obtained using liquid/liquid partitioning and silica gel chromatography. Capillary GC/MS was used to identify compounds in each extract fraction. This manuscript reports the mass distribution after fractionation of each extract, all identified fraction components and quantification of selected mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds.

Air Pollutants↗

Intracoronary administration of streptokinase in a canine model. Disturbance in thromboxane A2-prostacyclin balance.

The potential impact of local intracoronary infusion of streptokinase (SK) on vascular prostaglandin synthetic pathways was studied in a canine model. Control animals (n = 10) underwent left coronary artery (LCA) infusion of 50,000 units SK for 90 minutes; experimental animals (n = 10) underwent LCA infusion of normal saline. Plasma samples for radioimmunoassay (RIA) of prostacyclin (PGI-2) and thromboxane (TXA-2) were obtained from the coronary sinus (CS) as follows: one sample preinfusion, six samples during infusion, and three samples postinfusion in each animal. Comparisons between control and experimental plasma levels of PGI-2 and TXA-2 were made for each sampling time. The PGI-2 levels remained at or below the lower limits of detectability by RIA (the most sensitive assay available) in both control and experimental animals. TXA-2 levels were higher in experimental than in control animals at all sampling times, with the most significant differences occurring in samples 3 (after 30 minutes of infusion, .001 less than P less than .01), 4 (after 45 minutes of infusion, .05 less than P less than .10), and 5 (after 60 minutes of infusion, .02 less than P less than .05). We suggest (1) it is unlikely that any of the beneficial effects of coronary streptokinase infusions are PGI-2-mediated, (2) that the TXA-2 increases in our model may represent a pathophysiologic-biochemical correlate of previously identified morphologic evidence of endothelial damage in animals infused with fibrinolytic agents, and (3) that our findings may indicate that fibrinolytic infusions produce competing effects: lysis of thrombi and endothelial injury with TXA-2 production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

The Lundia Pro 5 dialyzer, a polycarbonate membrane dialyzer.

Results of acute and long-term test runs of the Lundia Pro 5 dialyzer are presented. It is concluded that it has worked as an effective and safe dialyzer during the test period. Thoughts on future dialyzer tests are put forward for consideration.

Blood Pressure↗

Molecular forms of gastrin in antrum and duodenum after parietal cell vagotomy.

We examined whether parietal cell vagotomy (PCV) changed the distribution between the different molecular forms of gastrin. Serum, antrum, and duodenum from PCV patients, unoperated duodenal ulcer (DU) patients and control subjects were studied. PCV was followed by a twofold increase in the serum gastrin concentration, while the distribution between small and large gastrins were unaffected. However, sulfation of antral gastrins was reduced from 45 percent in unoperated DU patients to 34 percent in PCV patients (p less than 0.01). We conclude that gastrin sulfation is diminished after PCV. Diminished sulfation seems to be correlated to hypergastrinaemia of antral origin and not to specific diseases.

Adult↗