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Biomedical subjects

E Smith

Publications and source records attributed to E Smith.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[HIV testing and HIV surveillance of a venereological clientele in Denmark].

The object of this investigation was to evaluate the suitability of unlinked anonymous HIV screening of persons visiting one of eight out of the nine Danish clinics for venereal diseases in the national HIV surveillance. Data were collected during the period July 1, 1990-March 31, 1991 and included: gender, sexual orientation, history of intravenous drug use (IVDU), syphilis testing and HIV testing. A total of 7,455 persons participated of whom 75% were tested for HIV antibodies. The HIV test activity was significantly higher among male IVDUs than homo/bisexuals, and higher among female IVDUs than heterosexuals. The overall HIV prevalence among tested individuals was 0.6%, ranging from 0.1% among heterosexual women to 5.3% among female IVDUs. A total of 81% were tested for syphilis with an overall HIV prevalence of at least 1.1%, ranging from 0.2% among heterosexuals to 9.3% among homo/bisexual men. Since the non-participation is great and the venereological clientele is very heterogeneous, using blood taken for syphilis serology from this group for unlinked anonymous HIV screening, would not be particularly important as a supplement to the Danish HIV surveillance.

Denmark↗
PubMed1992

High-dose chemoradiotherapy followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation as consolidation therapy during first complete remission in adult patients with poor-risk aggressive lymphoma: a pilot study.

Twenty consecutive patients with poor-risk aggressive lymphoma who at presentation either had elevated serum lactic dehydrogenase level (LDH) and any one of the other poor-prognostic features: bulky mass greater than or equal to 10 cm, advanced stage III or IV, and greater than or equal to 2 extranodal sites, or normal LDH level and all other three features, underwent high-dose chemo/radiotherapy followed by unmanipulated autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) during their first complete remission. Eighteen had B-cell lymphoma and 2 had T-cell lymphoma. Eleven patients had high-grade (7 immunoblastic, 3 small noncleaved, non-Burkitt's, and 1 Burkitt's) and 9 had diffuse large cell lymphoma. All patients had achieved a complete remission following conventional chemotherapy. Four patients had also received involved field radiotherapy to areas of bulky disease. The preparative regimen consisted of high-dose etoposide 60 mg/kg and cyclophosphamide 100 mg/kg in combination with fractionated total body irradiation (FTBI) 1,200 cGy (15 patients), or single-dose TBI 750 cGy (2 patients), or carmustine 450 mg/m2 (3 patients). All patients tolerated the treatment well and achieved complete hematologic recovery. Three patients have relapsed at days 79, 196, and 401 after transplantation. Seventeen patients (84%) are alive and relapse-free with a median follow-up of 34 months (range 2 to 54). We conclude that high-dose chemo/radiotherapy followed by autologous BMT can be given as consolidation therapy during first remission in these patients with minimal transplant-related toxicity.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Production and properties of novel human thyroid cancer specific monoclonal antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies (TCM-7, -9 and -12) against human thyroid differentiated cancers were established by screening with human thyroid cancers, normal and benign thyroid tissue, and normal human serum protein. A monoclonal antibody (TCM-9) with strong specificity for human thyroid cancer but not for Graves' disease, adenoma or normal thyroid, was shown to recognize a 300 K protein but not to bind to native or mature human thyroglobulin. When TCM-9 was used in immunohistochemical staining tests on more than 30 types of non-thyroid lesions, no reactivity of TCM-9 was observed except with skin immature teratoma, lip squamous carcinoma and stomach adenocarcinoma, which revealed weak reactivities. TCM-9 also showed strong reactivity with two undifferentiated thyroid cancer cell lines and one tissue specimen. Thus TCM-9 is a novel monoclonal antibody against the thyroid cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

[First year experience with a system of mandatory reporting of HIV-positive cases in Denmark].

During the period 1. Aug. 1990 to 31. July 1991, a total of 87,779 HIV-tests were carried out in Denmark on individuals other than blood donors according to the laboratory notification system. Of these 853 were HIV-positive which corresponds to a HIV prevalence of 0.97%. During the same period, 602 persons were notified by doctors as HIV-positive, corresponding to a percentage of notifications of 70. Out of the 602 persons, 84 were repetitions. The sex of two persons was not stated. Further 164 (36%) were previously found to be HIV-positive. Thus there remained 332 (64%) persons who could be classified as positive for the first time. In the material of HIV-positive individuals for the first time, 79% were men and 21% women. The mean age for men was 36 years and 26 years for women (p less than 0.001). 66% of the men were estimated to be infected by homosexual contact, 19% by heterosexual contact and 9% by intravenous drug use. Nineteen of the heterosexually infected men (39%) stated that they had been infected by a woman from a high-endemic region, three by a female drug user and 24 (49%) did not know the source of infection. Thirty of the heterosexually infected women (63%) were considered to be infected by a man from a high-endemic region and 21 of these women were born and had grown up in this region. Six of the women (13%) were considered to have been infected by a bisexual man and eight (17%) by a man without known risk behaviour. HIV-positive persons were notified from all Danish counties, including 57% from Greater Copenhagen. The geographical distribution is not identical for the two sexes. For men, 63% were from Greater Copenhagen and 14% from Jutland while the corresponding distribution for women were 35% and 28% (p = 0.001).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Reaction of skeletal muscle to small implants of titanium or stainless steel: a quantitative histological and autoradiographic study.

Small wire implants of titanium or stainless steel were inserted into mouse leg muscles to test the reaction of regenerating skeletal muscle. Muscle fibres regenerated rapidly, starting at 3 d; by 2 wk all implants were encapsulated in thin (10 microns) fibrous tissue capsule surrounded by myotubes for 15-20 microns. Quantitatively there were no detectable differences in muscle regeneration between the two metals. The initiation of myoblast precursor cell replication was determined in regenerating muscle next to the implants. Tritiated thymidine was injected 18-156 h after implant insertion and labelled myotube nuclei in the regenerated muscle indicated that their precursors had started DNA synthesis 24 h after implant insertion. This is similar to myogenesis in many other muscle lesions and indicated that neither titanium nor stainless steel retarded muscle regeneration.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Wear particles of total joint replacements and their role in periprosthetic osteolysis.

Total joint arthroplasties with metal, plastic, and acrylic materials have revolutionized the surgical treatment of arthritis. Wear of the materials at the articulation and at the sites of attachment to skeleton, however, is a major long-term concern. The particles liberated by fatigue, abrasion, fretting, and corrosion cause foreign body granulomatous reaction in the periprosthetic tissue. This can lead to the activation of cells to produce a variety of cytokines and proteolytic enzymes that can, by complex mechanisms, cause periprosthetic osteolysis and loosening. The mechanisms involved in the production of the wear particles and their biologic consequences are discussed in this report.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed1992

Joint hypermobility in adults referred to rheumatology clinics.

Joint hypermobility is a rarely recognised aetiology for focal or diffuse musculoskeletal symptoms. To assess the occurrence and importance of joint hypermobility in adult patients referred to a rheumatologist, we prospectively evaluated 130 consecutive new patients for joint hypermobility. Twenty women (15%) had joint hypermobility at three or more locations (greater than or equal to 5 points on a 9 point scale). Most patients with joint hypermobility had common musculoskeletal problems as the reason for referral. Two patients referred with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis were correctly reassigned a diagnosis of hypermobility syndrome. Three patients with systemic lupus erythematosus had diffuse joint hypermobility. There was a statistically significant association between diffuse joint hypermobility and osteoarthritis. Most patients (65%) had first degree family members with a history of joint hypermobility. These results show that joint hypermobility is common, familial, found in association with common rheumatic disorders, and statistically associated with osteoarthritis. The findings support the hypothesis that joint hypermobility predisposes to musculoskeletal disorders, especially osteoarthritis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

A new animal model for modulating myosin isoform expression by altered mechanical activity.

The purpose of this study was to develop a new rodent model that is capable of delineating the importance of mechanical loading on myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform expression of the plantar and dorsi flexor muscles of the ankle. The essential components of this system include 1) stimulating electrodes that are chronically implanted into a muscle, allowing for the control of the activation pattern of the target muscle(s); 2) a training apparatus that translates the moment of the ankle into a linear force; and 3) a computer-controlled Cambridge 310 ergometer. The isovelocity profile of the ergometer ensured that the medial gastrocnemius (MG) produced forces that were > 90% of maximal isometric force (Po), and the eccentric contractions of the tibialis anterior (TA) were typically 120% of Po. Both the concentric and eccentric training programs produced statistically significant increases in the muscle mass of the MG (approximately 15%) and TA (approximately 7%) as well as a decrease in myofibrillar adenosinetriphosphatase activity. Both the white and red regions of the MG and TA exhibited significant increases in the relative content of the type IIa MHC and concomitant decreases in type IIb MHC expression. Although the red regions of the MG and red TA contained approximately 10% type I MHC, the training programs did not affect this isoform. It appears that when a fast-twitch muscle is stimulated at a high frequency (100 Hz) and required to contract either concentrically or eccentrically under high loading conditions, the expression of the type IIa MHC isoform will be upregulated, whereas that of the type IIb MHC will be concomitantly downregulated.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1992

Cholesterol increases the L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel current in arterial smooth muscle cells.

To determine whether membrane free cholesterol affects calcium currents in vascular smooth muscle cells, whole-cell patch clamp recordings were made before and after cholesterol enrichment of cells by exposure to cholesterol-rich liposomes. Exposure to cholesterol-rich liposomes resulted in a gradual increase in the L-type current over 20 hours and a plateau (73 +/- 7% increase over basal) between 20 and 32 hours. This effect was associated with a rightward shift in the inactivation potential and a decrease in the sensitivity to (-)-PN-202-791, a dihydropyridine antagonist. There was no change in the maximum L-type current stimulated by (+)-PN-202-791, a dihydropyridine agonist. Liposome exposure caused a small, transient increase in the T-type current (peak effect, 20 minutes). We conclude that membrane cholesterol has important effects on the L-type calcium current in vascular smooth muscle cells, which is most likely due to an alteration in channel functional state rather than an increase in channel expression.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Infection with Mycobacterium bovis in a patient with AIDS: a late complication of BCG vaccination.

We present a 28-year-old HIV-infected man with a 2-year delayed complication of BCG immunization. When immunized the man was healthy, with an unknown HIV status, but 2 years later he was diagnosed with AIDS because of a Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. He was successfully treated and discharged in a state of good health. A few months later he presented with an enlarged lymph node and Mycobacterium bovis, BCG strain, was cultured. No sign of dissemination was found. We discuss the indications for BCG vaccination in adults, especially in areas and in populations with a high prevalence of HIV.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Impact of the 1987 revised AIDS case definition in Denmark: a follow-up study 2 years after its adoption.

We present a follow-up study on Danish AIDS patients notified according to the latest revision of the AIDS case definition during the first 2 years after its adoption. A total of 271 adult AIDS cases were notified in the period of study (Jan. 1, 1988-Dec. 31, 1989). 60 patients (22%) met only the revised AIDS case definition and of these 17 patients (28%) developed diseases meeting the old AIDS case definition. Thus, AIDS reporting increased by 28% due to the change in case definition, the impact being 19% after adjusting for patients developing old case diseases. No time trend in the impact was found. We estimated the cumulative percent of cases meeting the new case definition who subsequently will develop diseases meeting the old definition as 15% after 6 months and 51% after 18 months. The revision produced a disproportionate increase in reporting of female cases (p less than 0.05), transfusion cases (p less than 0.01) and to a lesser extent of heterosexual cases, while the impact on reporting of homo/bisexual men showed a decrease (p less than 0.01). Cases notified with new case definition diseases were older than cases notified with old diseases. Among patients meeting only the new case definition, 25 died and 18 (30%) had not developed old case diseases before death. We found no difference in survival rates between patients within the 2 groups of case definition. Among patients meeting the new definition we found no differences in HIV antigenemia or CD4 cell count between those developing diseases meeting old case definition and those who did not.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

[The AIDS epidemic in Denmark 1980-1990].

By 31.12.1990, a total of 726 patients with AIDS were diagnosed and notified including 679 men (94%) and 47 women (6%). The first diagnosis was made in 1980. Since then, an annual increase in the number of notified AIDS patients has been observed although the increase has declined from 1989 to 1990. During the years, homo/bisexual men have constituted a decreasing proportion of the annual number of notified AIDS patients (p less than 0.001): from 87% in 1980-1986 to 72% in 1989-1990. The proportion of heterosexually infected patients and intravenous drug users increased during the period of study from 3% and 0.7%, respectively, during the period 1980-1986 to 11% and 7%, respectively, during the period 1989-1990. The number of women with AIDS also increased during the period and constituted 9% of notified patients in 1990. The figures are, however, limited. AIDS patients have been notified from all counties but 72% of the patients live in the Copenhagen region. During the period 1987-1990, approximately 2/3 of the notified AIDS patients had been recognized as HIV-positive for more than one year before the diagnosis of AIDS was established. A stable proportion of approximately 1/4 were HIV tested for the first time and found positive around the time the diagnosis of AIDS was established.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

The effects of genetic exchange on variable antigen expression in Trypanosoma brucei.

The inheritance of variant surface antigens in Trypanosoma brucei has been determined by identifying variable antigen types (VATs) in each of two cloned parental stocks and then examining the presence and abundance of these VATs in hybrid progeny produced when these stocks undergo genetic exchange during co-transmission through tsetse flies. Nine VATs have been identified from the repertoire of the parental stock STIB 247L and 5 VATs have been identified from the parental stock STIB 386AA; the identified VATs were exclusive to each stock. Their inheritance was elucidated using two assays. In the first, repertoire antisera (RAS) containing antibody specificities to many different VATs were raised in rabbits to the 2 parental stocks and 6 progeny clones. The presence of VAT-specific antibodies in these RAS was then determined by antibody-dependent complement-mediated lysis. In the second assay, the 2 parental stocks and 4 hybrid progeny clones were each independently transmitted through tsetse flies and VATs observed using VAT-specific antisera in indirect immunofluorescence of metacyclic trypanosomes and in bloodstream forms of fly-bitten mice. The results from both assays showed that (1) both metacyclic- and bloodstream-VATs were inherited into the progeny, (2) each hybrid progeny clone contained some VATs from both parents, (3) hybrids did not express all the VATs from either parent, (4) there was little apparent pattern as to which VATs had been inherited and which had not and (5) the VAT repertoires of the hybrid progeny appeared to be larger than those of the parents. In addition, two results indicated that control of VAT expression remains unaltered after genetic exchange.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗