PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Hørder

Publications and source records attributed to M Hørder.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Phenotypic presentation of the FH-Cincinnati type 5 low density lipoprotein receptor mutation.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease of lipid metabolism that in most families is caused by mutations in the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene. Though more than 150 mutations are known, the clinical picture associated with most of these is not known. Genetic FH diagnosis may soon become routine in the setting of genetic counselling, and therefore thorough information on the phenotype-genotype relationship of different mutations is now important. In this study, index patients from each of 14 Danish FH families were screened for mutations in exon 2 of the LDLR gene using a denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE)-based mutation screening assay. A deviating DGGE pattern identified two index patients, where subsequent sequencing revealed heterozygosity for the FH Cincinnati type 5 Trp23-to-Stop LDLR mutation. Data from three generations of the families allowed the first clinical and biochemical description of this mutation. Evidence that genetic analysis adds independent diagnostic information compared to traditional clinical/biochemical FH diagnosis was documented by demonstrating the presence of the FH Cincinnati mutation in a family member with a completely normal lipid profile. By comparison to non-FH family members, it was documented that carrier status for the FH Cincinnati mutation is associated with a significant risk of cardiovascular disease. Thus, genetic analysis may improve diagnostic precision and help to define more precisely which of the members of FH families are in need of preventive interventions and may aid in establishing phenotype-genotype relationships allowing more refined genetic counselling in FH.

Base Sequence↗

[Medical audit in laboratory medicine. A description of the course and some results].

All general practitioners of the Danish counties of Funen, Vejle and North Jutland were invited to participate in a medical audit concerning laboratory medicine organised by the Audit Project Odense (APO) in co-operation with the Consultative Arrangement for General Practice, emanating from the clinical/chemical departments of Funen. During three weeks the participants registered all clinical problems which would result in one or more laboratory tests. APO performed computer registrations and analyses of the results where upon each participant received a reply letter indicating the results of his own as well as the group's registrations. At a subsequent meeting the participants discussed the conception of "good general practice" as regards the use of laboratory medicine within defined clinical problems. The course of the audit demonstrated that the APO method is suitable for identification of a number of professional problems related to general practitioners' use of laboratory medicine and to reveal the variation in general practitioners' handling of laboratory medicine. Furthermore, the project showed that continuous quality development demands profound study of and research into the professional problems which the general practitioners encounter when using laboratory medicine.

Denmark↗

Genetic diagnosis with the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis technique improves diagnostic precision in familial hypercholesterolemia.

BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder of lipid metabolism caused by mutations in the LDL receptor gene. FH is characterized clinically by elevated LDL cholesterol level and premature coronary disease. Diagnosing FH on clinical grounds may be difficult, and previous genetic methods are too cumbersome for routine use except in the few populations with FH-founder mutations. A simple mutation screening technique based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) has been highly useful in detecting mutations in other genes, and in the present study we evaluated the diagnostic potential of this method for the diagnosis of FH. METHODS AND RESULTS: Conditions for screening exon 3 of the LDL receptor gene using the DGGE technique were established and 14 Danish FH families were examined. An index patient from 1 family had an abnormal DGGE pattern; consequently, an examination of exon 3 of the LDL receptor gene in 21 members of this patient's family was done. The DGGE pattern was seen only in patients with a definite clinical diagnosis of FH. Subsequent sequencing of exon 3 of the LDL receptor gene in these individuals revealed the presence of the French-Canadian type 4 Trp66-Gly mutation. However, in 4 of 11 cases in which a definite clinical diagnosis of FH had been made, the inheritance of the French-Canadian type 4 mutation could be rejected on the basis of genetic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of a simple genetic analysis based on DGGE may improve the precision of diagnosis in FH families.

Adolescent↗

Independent prognostic value of serum creatine kinase isoenzyme MB mass, cardiac troponin T and myosin light chain levels in suspected acute myocardial infarction. Analysis of 28 months of follow-up in 196 patients.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the incidence and independent prognostic value of increased serum levels of sensitive serologic markers in patients in whom a conventionally diagnosed acute myocardial infarction had been ruled out. BACKGROUND: Increased serum levels of creatine kinase (CK) isoenzyme MB mass and cardiac troponin T in patients with unstable angina pectoris are associated with a poor prognosis. METHODS: We analyzed data from 196 consecutive patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction, which was later ruled out in 124. Increased serum levels of CK-MB mass, troponin T and myosin light chains were compared with clinical findings, ST-T wave abnormalities and presence of arrhythmias. RESULTS: Of the patients in the noninfarction group, 28% had serum CK-MB mass > or = 6 micrograms/liter, 20% had troponin T > or = 0.20 micrograms/liter, and 26% had myosin light chains > or = 0.4 micrograms/liter (discrimination limits). The cardiac event rate (cardiac death, nonfatal acute myocardial infarction) within 28 months was significantly higher in patients in the noninfarction group with elevated marker levels (range 22% to 24%) than in patients with values below these discriminators (range 3% to 5%) but was not significantly different from that in patients with a definite diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (29%). Further, significant predictors of cardiac events were previous myocardial infarction; myocardial infarction or angina pectoris, or both; previous congestive heart failure; ST-T wave abnormalities on admission; a transient ST-T wave shift on serial electrocardiograms (ECGs); recurrent chest pain; and occurrence of supraventricular or ventricular tachycardia, or both, during the 1st 48 h after admission. It was found that all three biochemical markers, in the main, convey independent prognostic information with respect to clinical findings and presence of arrhythmias but not ST-T wave abnormalities on admission or a transient ST-T wave shift on serial ECGs. CONCLUSIONS: Increased serum levels of CK-MB mass, troponin T and myosin light chains all detect a subgroup of 25% of patients without acute myocardial infarction who have as poor a prognosis as that of patients with a definite diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. All three biochemical markers provide similar important independent prognostic information with regard to clinical findings and arrhythmias but add no additional prognostic information once ECG ST-T wave changes are considered.

Adult↗

Separate estimation of biological and analytical variance components when quantities and reagents are unstable.

A model for reliable estimation of variance components for biological within- and between-subject variation as well as for analytical variation when both the quantity and the reagents are unstable has been established. This model was applied to the alpha-interferon receptor on human leucocytes which involves two major problems. First, the receptor has to be quantified within a few hours after blood sampling, and second, the reagents for the measurement procedure must be used within 2 weeks. For the number of receptors per cell the biological estimates of coefficients of variation were 14% for within-subject variation and 20% for between-subject variation, respectively. For the dissociation constant both estimates were zero as expected. The model is robust and applicable to other systems with unstable quantities and reagents.

Adult↗

Robust nonradioactive oligonucleotide ligation assay to detect a common point mutation in the CYP2D6 gene causing abnormal drug metabolism.

A new nonradioactive oligonucleotide ligation assay for the detection of a common point mutation in the CYP2D6 gene is presented. The assay takes advantage of simultaneous time-resolved fluorescence measurements of lanthanide-labeled probes and the specificity of T4-DNA ligase in combination with the polymerase chain reaction. This strategy makes it possible to perform the assay using both the wild-type-specific and mutant-specific probes simultaneously, securing an internal control in each reaction. We show that the allele-specific ligation part of the assay can be performed with great accuracy over a wide range of temperatures, salt concentrations, and T4-DNA ligase concentrations. This eliminates the risk of false-positive or false-negative reactions due to variations in these factors. Because the assay is simple to perform, is very reliable, and can be partly automated, we conclude that it is well-suited for analysis in a routine laboratory.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Mutation screening of the codon 3500 region of the apolipoprotein B gene by denaturing gradient-gel electrophoresis.

Familial defective apolipoprotein B (FDB) is a clinical condition resembling familial hypercholesterolemia. The underlying genetic defects are mutations in the apolipoprotein B-100 (apo B-100) gene. Two mutations (Arg3500 --> Gln and Arg3531 --> Cys) are known to date. We designed a denaturing gradient-gel electrophoresis (DGGE) technique to detect sequence variations in codons 3456-3553 of the apo B-100 gene. In 46 heterozygous FDB patients with the predominant codon 3500 mutation, a uniform four-band DGGE pattern was seen, whereas 57 non-FDB patients showed the uniform single-band pattern expected in normal homozygotes. The recently described codon 3531 mutation and a previously unpublished Arg --> Pro mutation in codon 3480 showed unique DGGE patterns, allowing unambiguous differentiation of the three mutations. The DGGE method thus both detects known FDB mutations and screens for other mutations in codons 3456-3553 of the low-density lipoprotein receptor binding region of apo B-100; it can be used as a first-line screening method for FDB.

Apolipoprotein B-100↗

[Troponin T in acute myocardial infarction. Diagnosis and prognosis in patients admitted for suspected acute myocardial infarction].

Cardiac troponin T (TnT) is a new serological marker for use as a diagnostic tool for myocardial damage. A blinded prospective multicentre study representing 298 patients who on admission were suspected of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) to the coronary care units of six Scandinavian hospitals was undertaken to assess the diagnostic performance and prognostic efficacy of a new cardiospecific TnT immunoassay. We used a discriminator value of TnT of 0.20 micrograms/l. One hundred and fifty-five patients (52%) had definite AMI, based on WHO criteria (all had peak S-TnT values > or = 0.20 micrograms/l); 127 patients (43%) had ischaemic heart disease (IHD) without AMI; and 16 patients (5%) had non-IHD (all had peak S-TnT values < 0.20 micrograms/l). The 127 IHD-patients without definite AMI could be subdivided into a group of 44 patients with S-TnT peak values > or = 0.20 micrograms/l, and a group of 83 patients with TnT below this level. A follow-up study was able to define the clinical significance of these findings. The cumulative six months probability of suffering cardiac death or AMI was significantly higher in the subgroup with increased TnT values (14% (6/44)) as compared to the other subgroup (4% (3/83)) (Log-rank test, p = 0.025). The probability of cardiac events was 15% for the patients with definite AMI. We conclude that increased troponin T in serum can detect a subgroup of IHD-patients in whom AMI has been ruled out, but who still have a prognosis as serious as that of patients with definite AMI.

Adult↗

Cardiac troponin T and CK-MB mass release after visually successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in stable angina pectoris.

The incidence of cardiac troponin T (Tn-T) and creatine kinase (CK) isoenzyme MB mass release was studied in 23 patients with stable angina pectoris undergoing visually successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Serial blood samples were drawn for measurement of serum Tn-T, CK-MB mass, total CK activity, CK-MB activity, and lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme (LD-1). ST segment monitoring was carried out during PTCA and for the following 24 hours. None of the patients showed electrocardiographic (ECG) evidence of myocardial infarction. However, Tn-T was elevated in three patients (0.23 to 1.32 micrograms/L), and in these three and an additional three patients CK-MB mass was also elevated (7.0 to 27.5 micrograms/L). Total CK activity and LD-1 were only elevated in one of these six patients. None had elevated CK-MB activity. ST segment depression on ECG recording was not predictive of Tn-T or CK-MB mass release. Patients with elevated Tn-T or CK-MB mass did not differ with respect to demographic data, stenosis characteristics, or in the PTCA procedure. We conclude that CK-MB mass uncovers clinically and ambulatory electrocardiographically inapparent severe myocardial ischemia/minor myocardial damage (microembolization) in 26% (6 of 23) of patients after visually successful PTCA; 13% (3 of 23) had elevated Tn-T, indicating minor myocardial damage. The application of these markers in the future could be of considerable value for determining the efficacy of coronary angioplasty and atherectomy, as well as for drug therapy in connection with such procedures.

Adult↗

Detection of a single base deletion in codon 424 of the low density lipoprotein receptor gene in a Danish family with familial hypercholesterolemia.

We performed a screening of exon 9 of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene in 14 Danish families with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) using the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) technique. In one of the probands from these families an abnormal band pattern in the gradient gel was detected. Subsequent DGGE analysis of the family of this index patient revealed that the DGGE pattern cosegregated with the disease in this family. Sequencing of the exon showed a deletion of a C in codon 424 of the LDLR gene resulting in a frame shift with the introduction of a stop codon 5 codons further downstream. The mutation is referred to as FH-Odense. The predicted truncated receptor protein consists of the 428 amino terminal amino acids. Consequently, the cytosolic and membrane spanning parts of the mature LDL receptor, which normally secure the receptor in the plasma membrane, are missing. The FH-Odense mutation results in severe premature coronary atherosclerosis as shown by the clinical expression in 5 generations of the affected family.

Adolescent↗

Human ventricular myosin light chain isotype 1 as a marker of myocardial injury.

A monoclonal enzyme immunoassay for measuring human ventricular myosin light chain isotype 1 (HVMLC1) in serum has been developed. To evaluate the method in patients with suspected myocardial injury, we studied 51 patients (16 acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 19 unstable angina pectoris (UAP), 9 stable angina pectoris, 3 nonischemic heart disease, 4 hip surgery patients), and 190 controls (blood donors). Serial blood-samples were drawn from patients; a single blood-sample from controls. The diagnostic value of the HVMLC1 assay was compared with total creatine kinase (CK), CKMB activity, CKMB mass concentration, lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 1 (LD1), troponin T (TnT) and mitochondrial-aspartate aminotransferase (m-ASAT). The detection limit of HVMLC1 was 0.4 microgram/l (linear range 0-20 micrograms/l). Sera from 190 reference persons did not contain detectable levels of HVMLC1 (< 0.4 microgram/l; 99% percentile). The coefficients of variation were 13% (1.0 microgram/l) and 3.1% (17.7 micrograms/l). Cross-reactivity with myosin from skeletal muscle was seen. Times to peak value were: CK 19.3 +/- 2.0, LD1 43.4 +/- 3.2, HVMLC1 72.9 +/- 7.0, and m-ASAT 67.3 +/- 5.6 h. Time-curves of HVMLC1 and m-ASAT were similar, whereas time-curves for HVMLC1 and TnT were quite different in most cases. Peak value of HVMLC1 was five times higher than CK peak value and eight times that of LD1. HVMLC1 appeared in the blood within hours after the onset of chest pain and in the majority remained for more than a week after AMI. Among patients with UAP 16% (3/19) had elevated HVMLC1 in serum, whereas elevated TnT was seen in 26% (5/19) and elevated CKMB mass in 26% (5/19). We conclude that the new HVMLC1 assay offers a sensitive diagnosis of myocardial injury. It is characterized by a wide diagnostic time window. The similarity of the HVMLC1 and m-ASAT curves indicates that it may be used to estimate the extent of myocardial necrosis.

Adult↗

Selenium status and the effect of organic and inorganic selenium supplementation in a group of elderly people in Denmark.

The selenium status of 57 elderly people (> or = 65 years) has been investigated on the basis of selenium concentration in serum, whole blood and erythrocytes and on the basis of the activity of the selenium-dependent enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) in erythrocytes and plasma. Thirty-six elderly subjects participated in a 4-month trial of supplementation: 12 subjects were supplemented with 125 micrograms organic selenium, 12 subjects were supplemented with 125 micrograms inorganic selenium and 12 subjects participated as controls. The results showed that the selenium status of the elderly people was not significantly lower than that of younger people (p > 0.05). The effect of organic and inorganic selenium on the activity of GSH-px in plasma and erythrocytes showed a nearly identical increase (25-35%) during the period of supplementation. The effect of inorganic selenium supplementation caused a 30% increase in selenium concentration in plasma and erythrocytes which stabilized after 4 weeks. The effect of organic selenium supplementation on selenium concentration in plasma and erythrocytes showed an increase of up to 100% and 120% during the period of supplementation.

Age Factors↗

[Assessment of risk in patients admitted for observation for suspected acute myocardial infarction based on a sensitive immunoanalysis of serum creatine kinase isoenzyme MB].

We evaluated a new sensitive creatine kinase (CK) isoenzyme MB immunoassay with regard to clinical applicability and clinical outcome in 156 patients admitted consecutively to the Coronary Care Unit and suspected of having acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Sixty-five patients (42%) had AMI based on WHO criteria; 65 (42%) had ischemic heart disease (IHD) without AMI, and 26 (16%) had non-IHD. The 65 IHD-patients without AMI could be subdivided into a group of 24 patients with significant changes in serum CK MB levels and 41 patients with stable serum CK MB levels as compared to the non-IHD group. The cumulative cardiac survival after 2 1/2 year (i.e. not suffering cardiac death) was 95 +/- 3% for patients with stable CK MB levels; for those with changes in CK MB levels it was 66 +/- 10% (p < 0.003). It was 52 +/- 6% for the patients with AMI, similar to patients with changes in CK MB levels (p = 0.15). We conclude, that this new CK MB assay can, in patients with IHD without AMI, detect a sub-group, representing one-third of the patients in this group, which is not diagnosed using routine diagnostic procedures. These patients are characterized by a poor clinical outcome, similar to patients with definite AMI.

Adult↗

Effect of increased gene dosage expression on the alpha-interferon receptors in Down's syndrome.

The gene coding for the alpha, beta-interferon (alpha, beta-IFN) receptor is localized to chromosome 21. Cells from patients with Down's syndrome contain an extra chromosome 21, and thereby an expected 1.5-times increase in the number of genes located to this chromosome and in consequence a 1.5-times increase in cell surface alpha-IFN receptors. Actual measurements of these by competition binding experiments with human recombinant alpha-IFN on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with Down's syndrome resulted in a mean of 1.69, which is in accordance to the theoretical 1.50, but slightly overestimated due to the calculation method. The increased gene dosage of the alpha-IFN receptor was quantitatively verified by Southern blot-hybridizations. Further characterization of alpha-IFN receptor binding showed insignificant differences in dissociation constants among patients and healthy individuals.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21↗

Increased IFN-alpha-induced sensitivity but reduced reactivity of 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (2,5AS) in trisomy 21 blood lymphocytes.

2,5AS is induced by interferon-alpha, -beta (IFN-alpha, -beta) and polymerizes adenosine triphosphate (ATP) into pppA (2'p5'A) oligomers, leading to inhibition of protein synthesis and virus growth. The gene coding for the IFN-alpha, -beta receptor is localized to chromosome 21. In trisomy 21 cells from patients with Down's syndrome a 50% increase in gene dosage is present for the genes on this chromosome. Corresponding increase of gene products has been shown for several of these genes, e.g. the IFN-alpha, -beta receptor molecules. Here, we show a direct proportionality between the number of IFN-alpha, -beta receptors and both the basal activity of 2,5AS and the sensitivity of this enzyme for IFN-alpha, -beta. The relative increase of 2,5AS activity (the reactivity) becomes reduced consistent with the increased basal 2,5AS activity in trisomy 21 cells compared with control cells.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗

A programme for assigning target values for external quality assessment schemes in countries with no authorized reference laboratories. Annex. Experiences with deviating results on Ektachem 700 XR.

The use of consensus values in external quality assessment schemes (EQAS) involves several problems and should preferably be replaced with target values obtained by methods of high metrological level. However, such values are difficult to obtain. In the present study we transferred values from the NIST (former NBS) certified reference serum SRM 909 to lyophilized and frozen test sera for various inorganic components using flame absorption or flame emission spectrometry. Enzyme values were assigned by laboratories of members of the former Scandinavian Enzyme Committee. The assignment was based on 2-4 determinations each day through 3 days of experiment. A total of 10 laboratories participated in the work. The results were utilized in a Danish EQAS. One practical concern is the fairly long time (9 months) which was needed for production, collection and compiling all data. To get an impression of how much dry chemistry analysers, e.g, could influence consensus values a Kodak Ektachem 700 XR was studied using lyophilized and frozen sera. The results are reported in the annex. On NIST SRM 909 the values found for sodium(I) were 6% too high even though the findings on frozen human sera were accurate. For aspartate aminotransferase a result three times the target values was found on a human lyophilized serum, while the values on the frozen sera only were slightly too high.

Blood↗