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Biomedical subjects

L V Jepsen

Publications and source records attributed to L V Jepsen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[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↗

The 'absent' appendix.

During an operation for suspected appendicitis, the surgeon concluded that the appendix was absent. The causes of this situation are presented and a guide to its management is suggested.

Abdominal Pain↗

Fat and gastric acid secretion.

To evaluate the importance of the terminal carboxyl group of the oleic acid molecule in the inhibition of gastric acid secretion, 6 normal persons were stimulated twice with duodenal perfusates containing either 20 mM oleic acid or 20 mM oleyl alcohol. Oleic acid significantly inhibited the gastric acid secretion stimulated by pentagastrin (100 ng/kg/h) and increased the levels of secretin in plasma. The effect of oleyl alcohol was insignificant. It is concluded that the carboxyl group of the fat molecule has an important role in the inhibition of gastric acid secretion, and the effect could in part be attributable to the release of secretin into plasma.

Adult↗

Reduced neutrophil LTB4 release in atopic dermatitis patients despite normal fatty acid composition.

Propositions about an abnormal fatty acid metabolism in atopic dermatitis patients prompted us to compare the phospholipid fatty acid composition and LTB4 release of neutrophils from 15 atopic dermatitis patients, as well as the adipose tissue triglyceride fatty acid composition, to that of 15 healthy controls matched by age, gender, and smoking habits. We found no differences in the tissue fatty acid composition between the two groups. The release of leukotriene B4 from Ca-ionophore-stimulated neutrophils in patients was on the average only 42% (p less than 0.001) of that measured in the control group, despite the very similar arachidonic acid contents of these cells. Our study does not support the assumption of an abnormal fatty acid desaturation in atopic dermatitis patients. Rather, the capacity to release and/or convert arachidonic acid into leukotrienes in neutrophils appears to be affected by this disease.

Adipose Tissue↗

Nickel-sensitive patients with vesicular hand eczema: oral challenge with a diet naturally high in nickel.

Oral challenge with nickel sulphate indicated that vesicular hand eczema in nickel-sensitive patients may be exacerbated by nickel occurring naturally in the diet. Twelve nickel-sensitive females with vesicular hand eczema were challenged with a supplementary high nickel diet for 4 days in a single-blind cross-over study. The diet had about five times the average nickel content of the daily Danish diet. An aggravation of the hand eczema was observed in six out of 12 patients on day 4 after the start of the challenge. By day II, the hand eczema was worse in 10 out of 12 patients, and remained unchanged in two.

Adult↗

Penicillamine-induced bullous pemphigoid with pemphigus-like antibodies.

A rheumatoid arthritis case is described who developed bullous skin eruption with mucosal involvement after 3 years of treatment with penicillamine. Histologically, changes compatible with bullous pemphigoid were found. Direct immunofluorescence showed linear, as well as intercellular, deposits of IgG. By indirect immunofluorescence IgG antibodies reacting with the basal membrane zone, as well as the intercellular substance, were detected in the serum. We believe that the patient had bullous pemphigoid with pemphigus-like antibodies induced by penicillamine.

Aged↗

Determination of zinc in erythrocytes, granulocytes and serum by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Zinc was determined in granulocytes, erythrocytes and serum by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Using a Teflon sampling cup, the sample volume for a single granulocyte zinc determination was reduced to 100 microliter. Zinc in serum and erythrocytes was measured by aspirating the sample at a rate of 5 ml/min. The total volume of blood used was 23-28 ml. The intra-assay coefficient of variation of the method for granulocytes was 0.01 and of the method for serum and erythrocytes 0.018. The corresponding inter-assay coefficient of variation was 0.037 and 0.03, respectively. Recovery of zinc determined by the method of aspirating the small volume (100 microliter) was 103% and by the method of aspirating 5 ml/min 97%. The coefficient of correlation between the two methods was r = 0.9968.

Adult↗

Changes in zinc and zinc-dependent enzymes in rheumatoid patients during penicillamine treatment.

Zinc in granulocytes, erythrocytes, serum, urine and zinc-dependent enzymes (alkaline phosphatase in serum and granulocytes, carbonic anhydrase in erythrocytes) were measured in patients with rheumatoid arthritis before and during penicillamine therapy for 6 months. The zinc concentration in serum, urine and erythrocytes increased, while granulocyte zinc decreased. Alkaline phosphatase activity in plasma remained unchanged, while alkaline phosphatase in granulocytes decreased. Carbonic anhydrase activity in erythrocytes decreased. None of the changes could be related to the activity of the disease.

Adult↗

Zinc and zinc-dependent enzymes in penicillamine-treated patients with generalized scleroderma.

In 7 penicillamine-treated patients with generalized scleroderma zinc in serum, erythrocytes and granulocytes, alkaline phosphatase activity in serum and granulocytes, carbonic anhydrase activity in erythrocytes were examined. No significant difference was found between patient and control values, but granulocyte zinc strongly tended to be decreased (0.1 greater than p greater than 0.05). It is our hypothesis that penicillamine may produce a zinc depletion at a cellular level.

Adult↗

A rapid one-step method for the isolation of human granulocytes from whole blood.

A rapid one-step method for the separation of granulocytes, mononuclear cells and erythrocytes from peripheral blood using two different gradients of Percoll (density solution I: 1.075 kg/l; solution II: 1.096-1.098 kg/l) is described. The influence of temperature on the density of solution II was tested and the variations were found to be of some importance. The average yield of granulocytes from 14 donors was 87.6 +/- 9.6%, and the purity of the granulocytes was 99.66 +/- 0.33%.

Cell Separation↗

Two cases of scleromyxedema.

We report two cases of scleromyxedema treated with melphalan (alkeran) and dermabrasion, both patients with central nervous system involvement. In the first case, herpetic encephalitis, possibly due to the immunoglobulin disturbance, preceded the skin changes. In the second case, impaired cerebral function was caused by a meningeoma. In the first case of short duration it seems as if progression of the disease has been arrested. In the second, of more than 26 years duration the skin changes have seemed unchanged, sclerotic for some years, though some improvement was noticed following dermabrasion.

Adult↗

Acquired cutis laxa (generalized elastolysis): light and electron microscopic studies.

The case is described of a 44-year-old man with acquired cutis laxa. The primary clinical manifestation was an erythema of the chest. Gradually there developed persistent circumscribed lesions in other areas of the skin, spreading into large erythematous plaques with loose skin. Slight restrictive ventilatory insufficiency, elongation of the vocal cord and diverticulosis of the colon were also found, indicating a chronic and widespread disorder. Skin biopsies showed diminution and degeneration of the elastic fibres. The light-microscopic features were subdivided in relation to the various skin manifestations. Ultrastructure of the skin showed various amounts of electron-dense, amorphous material and loosely bound microfibrils in and around elastic and collagen fibres as well as some microfibrils with knobs in the interfibrouer, were found normal. It is suggested that the first changes in the elastic fibres induced an inflammatory response and mild mucinous changes of the collagen fibres. Furthermore elastic fibres seemed to be replaced by newly formed collagen.

Adult↗