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Biomedical subjects

L Jensen

Publications and source records attributed to L Jensen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Diagnostic laparoscopy and ultrasonography for colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To evaluate diagnostic laparoscopy (DL) and laparoscopic ultrasonography (LUS) in the diagnostic workout of patients with colorectal liver metastases, who were considered to have resectable disease after multi detector computed tomography (MDCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of 45 patients, 22M/23F, mean age 62.0 (+/-10.6), who were considered to have resectable liver metastases after CT-scan, were analysed. RESULTS: DL and LUS could not be performed in 7 patients (16%) because of adhesions. Unresectable disease was detected by DL in 3 patients (7%), in all cases due to carcinosis. Additional lesions in the liver were detected by DL in 2 cases (4%), none of these making the patient unresectable. LUS showed additional lesions in 3 patients (7%), which in one case (2%) made the patient unresectable. None of the patients in the present study experienced adverse effects to DL or LUS. CONCLUSION: DL and LUS, due to the low efficacy with regard to avoid unnecessary laparotomies and the relative high failure rate because of adhesions, should not be a routine part of the diagnostic work out in patients with colo-rectal liver metastases.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed2005

Theory and method for calculating resonance Raman scattering from resonance polarizability derivatives.

We present a method to calculate both normal Raman-scattering (NRS) and resonance Raman-scattering (RRS) spectra from the geometrical derivatives of the frequency-dependent polarizability. In the RRS case, the polarizability derivatives are calculated from resonance polarizabilities by including a finite lifetime of the electronic excited states using time-dependent density-functional theory. The method is a short-time approximation to the Kramers, Heisenberg, and Dirac formalism. It is similar to the simple excited-state gradient approximation method if only one electronic excited state is important, however, it is not restricted to only one electronic excited state. Since the method can be applied to both NRS and RRS, it can be used to obtain complete Raman excitation profiles. To test the method we present the results for the S2 state of uracil and the S4, S3, and S2 states of pyrene. As expected, the results are almost identical to the results obtained from the excited-state gradient approximation method. Comparing with the experimental results, we find in general quite good agreement which enables an assignment of the experimental bands to bands in the calculated spectrum. For uracil the inclusion of explicit waters in the calculations was found to be necessary to match the solution spectra. The calculated resonance enhancements are on the order of 10(4)-10(6), which is in agreement with experimental findings. For pyrene the method is also able to distinguish between the three different electronic states for which experimental data are available. The neglect of anharmonicity and solvent effects in the calculations leads to some discrepancy between theory and experiment.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Finite lifetime effects on the polarizability within time-dependent density-functional theory.

We present an implementation for considering finite lifetime of the electronic excited states into linear-response theory within time-dependent density-functional theory. The lifetime of the excited states is introduced by a common phenomenological damping factor. The real and imaginary frequency-dependent polarizabilities can thus be calculated over a broad range of frequencies. This allows for the study of linear-response properties both in the resonance and nonresonance cases. The method is complementary to the standard approach of calculating the excitation energies from the poles of the polarizability. The real and imaginary polarizabilities can then be calculated in any specific energy range of interest, in contrast to the excitation energies which are usually solved only for the lowest electronic states. We have verified the method by investigating the photoabsorption properties of small alkali clusters. For these systems, we have calculated the real and imaginary polarizabilities in the energy range of 1-4 eV and compared these with excitation energy calculations. The results showed good agreement with both previous theoretical and experimental results.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Microscopic and macroscopic polarization within a combined quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics model.

A polarizable quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics model has been extended to account for the difference between the macroscopic electric field and the actual electric field felt by the solute molecule. This enables the calculation of effective microscopic properties which can be related to macroscopic susceptibilities directly comparable with experimental results. By separating the discrete local field into two distinct contribution we define two different microscopic properties, the so-called solute and effective properties. The solute properties account for the pure solvent effects, i.e., effects even when the macroscopic electric field is zero, and the effective properties account for both the pure solvent effects and the effect from the induced dipoles in the solvent due to the macroscopic electric field. We present results for the linear and nonlinear polarizabilities of water and acetonitrile both in the gas phase and in the liquid phase. For all the properties we find that the pure solvent effect increases the properties whereas the induced electric field decreases the properties. Furthermore, we present results for the refractive index, third-harmonic generation (THG), and electric field induced second-harmonic generation (EFISH) for liquid water and acetonitrile. We find in general good agreement between the calculated and experimental results for the refractive index and the THG susceptibility. For the EFISH susceptibility, however, the difference between experiment and theory is larger since the orientational effect arising from the static electric field is not accurately described.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Effect of high intensity training on capillarization and presence of angiogenic factors in human skeletal muscle.

The effect of intense training on endothelial proliferation, capillary growth and distribution of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was examined in human skeletal muscle. Two intermittent knee extensor training protocols (at approximately 150% (Study 1) versus approximately 90% (Study 2) of leg (O(2) max)) were conducted. Muscle biopsies were obtained throughout the training periods for immunohistochemical assessment of capillarization, cell proliferation (Ki-67-positive cells), VEGF and bFGF. In Study 1, microdialysis samples were collected from the trained and untrained leg at rest and during exercise and added to endothelial cells to measure the proliferative effect. After 4 weeks of training there was a higher (P < 0.05) capillary-to-fibre ratio (Study 1: 2.4 +/- 0.1 versus 1.7 +/- 0.1) and number of Ki-67-positive cells (Study 1: 0.18 +/- 0.05 versus 0.00 +/- 0.01) than before training. Neither the location of proliferating endothelial cells nor capillarization was related to muscle fibre type. The endothelial cell proliferative effect of the muscle microdialysate increased from rest to exercise in both the untrained leg (from 262 +/- 60 to 573 +/- 87% of control perfusate) and the trained leg (from 303 +/- 75 to 415 +/- 108% of perfusate). VEGF and bFGF were localized in endothelial and skeletal muscle cells and training induced no changes in distribution. The results demonstrate that intense intermittent endurance training induces capillary growth and a transient proliferation of endothelial cells within 4 weeks, with a similar growth occurring around type I versus type II muscle fibres.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Regulation of VEGF and bFGF mRNA expression and other proliferative compounds in skeletal muscle cells.

The role of muscle contraction, prostanoids, nitric oxide and adenosine in the regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and endothelial cell proliferative compounds in skeletal muscle cell cultures was examined. VEGF and bFGF mRNA, protein release as well as the proliferative effect of extracellular medium was determined in non-stimulated and electro-stimulated rat and human skeletal muscle cells. In rat skeletal muscle cells these aspects were also determined after treatment with inhibitors and/or donors of nitric oxide (NO), prostanoids and adenosine. Electro-stimulation caused an elevation in the VEGF and bFGF mRNA levels of rat muscle cells by 33% and 43% (P < 0.05), respectively, and in human muscle cells VEGF mRNA was elevated by 24%. Medium from electro-stimulated human, but not rat muscle cells induced a 126% higher (P < 0.05) endothelial cell proliferation than medium from non-stimulated cells. Cyclooxygenase inhibition of rat muscle cells induced a 172% increase (P < 0.05) in VEGF mRNA and a 104% increase in the basal VEGF release. Treatment with the NO donor SNAP (0.5 microM) decreased (P < 0.05) VEGF and bFGF mRNA by 42 and 38%, respectively. Medium from SNAP treated muscle cells induced a 45% lower (P < 0.05) proliferation of endothelial cells than control medium. Adenosine enhanced the basal VEGF release from muscle cells by 75% compared to control. The present data demonstrate that contractile activity, NO, adenosine and products of cyclooxygenase regulate the expression of VEGF and bFGF mRNA in skeletal muscle cells and that contractile activity and NO regulate endothelial cell proliferative compounds in muscle extracellular fluid.

Adenosine↗
PubMed2002

Non-lethal infection parameters in mice separate sheep Type II Toxoplasma gondii isolates by virulence.

The zoonotic protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii can infect all warm-blooded animals, but virulence of isolates has previously been characterised mainly by the ability to kill mice after experimental infections. In the present study, 15 Type II strains of T. gondii, isolated from five adult sheep, six sheep abortions, two pigs, one cat and one fox were examined for their virulence to young mice by less dramatic parameters. Clinical disease of inoculated mice, directly evidenced by reduced weight gain, was correlated to increase in serum level of haptoglobin and level of specific antibodies. Although Type II T. gondii strains are non-virulent to mice by lethality studies, significant differences in mouse virulence were observed between the strains of T. gondii isolated either from adult sheep or from sheep abortions. It was not possible to characterise strains isolated from sheep abortions as being more or less virulent than strains isolated from adult slaughter sheep.

Aborted Fetus↗
PubMed2002

A newly developed socket design for a knee disarticulation amputee who is an active athlete.

This case report describes a newly developed socket design for a world class knee disarticulation athlete. To meet the demands concerning especially the suspension of the prosthesis a new type of socket was developed. The socket is made from carbon fibres and polyaramid fibres and is designed with a slit in the socket creating a flexible flap. This allows the amputee to both increase and decrease the inner circumference of the socket, thereby allowing the amputee to adjust the socket to stump variations. According to the amputee the new design offers an excellent fit and enables him to concentrate fully on the technical aspects of the different disciplines.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

An assay for the mannan-binding lectin pathway of complement activation.

The mannan-binding lectin (MBL) pathway of complement activation has been established as the third pathway of complement activation. MBL is a carbohydrate-binding serum protein, which circulates in complex with serine proteases known as mannan-binding lectin associated serine proteases (MASPs). When bound to microorganisms, the MBL complex activates the complement components C4 and C2, thereby generating the C3 convertase and leading to opsonisation by the deposition of C4b and C3b fragments. This C4/C2 cleaving activity is shared with the C1 complex of the classical pathway of complement activation. Therefore, in a generally applicable complement activation assay specific for the MBL pathway, the activity of the classical pathway must be inhibited. This can be accomplished by exploiting the finding that high ionic strength buffers inhibit the binding of C1q to immune complexes and disrupt the C1 complex, whereas the carbohydrate-binding activity of MBL and the integrity of the MBL complex is maintained under hypertonic conditions. In the assay described here, the specific C4b-depositing capacity of the MBL pathway was determined by incubating serum diluted in buffer containing 1 M NaCl in mannan-coated microtiter wells before the addition of purified C4. The interassay coefficient of variation in the ELISA version was 7.3%. As expected no activity was found in MBL-deficient serum. When 100 normal serum samples were analysed we found that the MBL level correlated with the amount of C4b deposited on the mannan-coated surface. However, we also found a threefold variation in C4b-depositing capacity between individuals with similar MBL concentrations. The assay permits for the determination of MBL complex activity in serum and plasma samples and may thus be used to evaluate the clinical implications of complement activation via this pathway.

Carrier Proteins↗
PubMed2001

A case of forearm amputation after ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of forearm amputation after ovarian stimulation for IVF-ET. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: A university hospital. PATIENT(S): A 41-year-old woman, who had coagulation disorder as a result of an ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) for IVF-ET. INTERVENTION(S): Retrospective evaluation of angiographic studies and surgical treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Medical follow-up after forearm amputation due to OHSS. RESULT(S): The patient underwent many cycles of IVF-ET with administration of purified FSH (75 IU 10 times per day, for 12 days) and chorionic gonadotropin (5,000 IU). The patient had a coagulation disorder as a result of OHSS, with thrombosis of the axillary vein, recurring after thromboarterectomy and leading to the paradoxical result of the amputation of an arm. CONCLUSION(S): An ethical evaluation of this case is mandatory, since the desire for pregnancy, the role of medical science, health, and human life itself are all factors involved.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Effect of a high monounsaturated fatty acid diet on blood pressure and glucose metabolism in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of a diet rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) on blood pressure, glycemic control, lipids and insulin sensitivity was evaluated in women with gestational diabetes mellitus. DESIGN AND METHODS: A randomized, unpaired diet intervention was performed in 27 women with gestational diabetes mellitus in an outpatient clinic. After randomization the women received either a high-carbohydrate diet (H-CHO) or a high-MUFA diet (H-MUFA) from the 33rd gestational week of pregnancy. Outcome measures were 24 h ambulatory blood pressure, blood lipids, glycemic control and insulin sensitivity estimated by an intravenous glucose tolerance test. RESULTS: The 24 h diastolic blood pressure increased more in the H-CHO group than in the H-MUFA group (P<0.04). CONCLUSIONS: After 5 weeks of treatment with a MUFA-enriched diet, no increase in 24 h diastolic blood pressure and no adverse effects on blood lipids were seen. The favorable effect on the blood pressure by the MUFA diet is a possible non-medication treatment. The H-MUFA diet had no advantage to the H-CHO diet in ameliorating the decline of insulin sensitivity in third term of pregnancy in GDM.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Characterization and quantification of mouse mannan-binding lectins (MBL-A and MBL-C) and study of acute phase responses.

Rat monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against mouse mannan-binding lectin (MBL)-A and MBL-C were generated and assays for MBL-A and MBL-C were constructed. This allowed for the quantitative analysis of both proteins for the first time. Previously only MBL-A has been quantified using less standardized methods. In a mouse serum pool the concentrations were now determined at 7.5 microg MBL-A and 45 microg MBL-C per ml. On gel permeation chromatography of mouse serum, MBL-A eluted corresponding to a M(r) of 850 kDa whereas the majority of MBL-C eluted corresponding to a Mr of 950 kDa. On sucrose density gradient centrifugation the sedimentation velocities of MBL-A and MBL-C were estimated at 7.3 S and 10.8 S, respectively. The MBL-A and MBL-C levels in 10 laboratory mice strains were compared and found to vary between 4 microg/ml to 12 microg/ml, and 16 microg/ml to 118 microg/ml, respectively. After the induction of acute phase responses by intraperitoneal injection of either casein or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), MBL-A was found to increase approximately two-fold, with a maximum after 32 h, while MBL-C did not increase significantly. In comparison, serum amyloid A component (SAA) peaked at 15 h with an approximate 100-fold increase.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed2001

Treatment of resistant mycoplasma infection in immunocompromised patients with a new pleuromutilin antibiotic.

Patients with primary antibody deficiency (PAD) are prone to mycoplasma infection with unusual strains which may be resistant to conventional antibiotics. Mycoplasmas were isolated from the joint fluid (Ureaplasma urealyticum) of two PAD patients with arthritis and from the cerebral spinal fluid (Mycoplasma maculosum) in one with meningitis, the latter probably originating from the patient's dog. Combinations of doxycycline and quinolones or macrolides failed to clear the infections, but after demonstrating in-vitro sensitivity to the pleuromutilin, Econor, for two of the isolates, all three patients responded to oral treatment with Econor. The infection was completely eradicated in two patients, with the emergence of a resistant strain in the third. Mycoplasma infection should be considered in PAD patients with unexplained sepsis. Pleuromutilins such as Econor are powerful new anti-mycoplasmal agents which provide an additional therapeutic option when patients fail to respond to conventional antibiotics.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Transplacental transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in minipigs infected with strains of different virulence.

Infections with the zoonotic protozoan Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy can result in severe fetal infections. To investigate the use of pigs as animal models for congenital toxoplasmosis, tachyzoites of 5 T. gondii strains, with low to intermediate virulence in mice, were intravenously inoculated into pregnant minipig gilts. Two strains caused abortions of uninfected fetuses following severe disease of the mothers. One strain caused no disease in the gilts but slightly elevated anti-T. gondii antibodies in 2 of 9 fetuses. One strain produced clinical disease with 4 mummified fetuses and 2 full-term, congenitally infected piglets in 1 gilt and no clinical disease but elevated specific fetal antibodies in both piglets of the other gilt. Infection with the fifth strain (SVS-O14), which was considered apathogenic to both pigs and mice based on the clinical course of this and previous experiments, resulted in significant numbers of congenitally infected piglets, as indicated by production of anti-T. gondii antibodies in all 12 fetuses; the parasite was identified in 3 of these fetuses. This pattern of infection indicates that pigs infected with SVS-O14 (or a similar strain) are relevant animal models for studies of transplacental transmission and pathogenesis of congenital toxoplasmosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Frequency and kinetics of polyclonal and clonal B cells in the peripheral blood of patients being treated for multiple myeloma.

Recent studies concerning the numbers of circulating clonal B cells in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have reported conflicting data regarding the exact level and phenotype of clonal B cells and their response to treatment. In this report we document that the peripheral blood tumor burden at presentation was reduced by induction therapy to a low level, regardless of the initial tumor burden. However, the residual clonal compartment persisted before and after transplant. The level of clonal cells showed no correlation with CD19(+) cell levels. In a single patient with MM, high numbers of phenotypically aberrant clonal cells with altered CD19 expression were identified. (Blood. 2000;96:4357-4359)

Antigens, CD19↗
PubMed2000

[Information, satisfaction and anxiety in connection with anesthesia. A questionnaire study].

The purpose of the study was to assess the level of information, anxiety and satisfaction with treatment and care among patients undergoing general anaesthesia. A questionnaire was answered by 406 patients. Seventeen criteria comprising various aspects of the total course of anaesthesia were defined to characterise a "satisfactory anaesthetic experience". After the preoperative visit 65% of the nervous patients were less nervous. Only 47% were informed of possible postanaesthetic side effects. Although 86% were "satisfied" with the treatment and care, only 36% met the criteria of satisfaction. The main problems were anxiety (especially fear of not waking up again), nausea and pain after waking up. We conclude that patients are not told enough about anaesthesia and side effects. Many patients, particularly the younger patients and the female patients, are afraid of anaesthesia.

Adolescent↗