Imprint immunofixation of electrofocused immunoglobulins

An imprint immunofixation (IIF) technique for the characterization of electrofocused immunoglobulins (Ig) is described. Electrofocused proteins are blotted (imprinted) from the separating polyacrylamide gel to agarose gels by gel-to-gel overlays. The protein imprints are chemically fixed in the agarose gels with a solution of 46% methanol, 8% acetic acid and 46% water. The imprinted Ig are then identified radioimmunologically, using an indirect system with monoclonal mouse anti-human Ig antibodies in the first layer and ¹²⁵I-labelled rabbit anti-mouse Ig in the second, followed by autoradiography. The method is sensitive and permits characterization of Ig in unconcentrated cerebrospinal fluid. By sequential imprinting, each separated specimen can be characterized for up to 10 separate antigenic determinants without loss of sensitivity.     

HLA-DRB1, -DQA1, -DQB1, -DPA1 and -DPB1 genes in Japanese multiple sclerosis patients

Japanese MS patients and controls were examined for the distribution of HLA-DRB1, -DQA1, -DQB1, -DPA1 and -DPB1 alleles using in vitro amplification of genomic DNA and probing with sequence-specific oligonucleotides. No significant difference in frequency of the examined alleles was observed among the two groups. This is in contrast to Norwegian MS patients, where an association to a combination of certain DQA1 and DQB1 alleles has previously been demonstrated.     

Rheumatoid arthritis may be primarily associated with HLA-DR4 molecules sharing a particular sequence at residues 67–74

Genomic typing of in vitro amplified DNA with sequence-specific oligonucleotide (SSO) probes was performed for DRB1, DQA1, DQB1, DPA1 and DPB1 alleles in 54 random Norwegian rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 181 healthy controls. DRB1 alleles encoding the serological specificity DR4 were found in 80% of the patients, compared to 34% of the controls (relative risk = 7.9, p less than 0.0001). All DR4-positive RA patients carried either DRB1*0401 (Dw4), 0404 (Dw14), or 0405 (Dw15), while no patients were found to carry DRB1*0402 (Dw10) or 0403 (Dw13). The frequency of the DRB1*0101 allele encoding DR1 was not increased, even among DR4-negative RA patients, and we were unable to detect any sharing of other class II alleles among DR4-negative patients. No contribution of any DQA1, DQB1, DPA1 or DPB1 alleles to RA susceptibility could be detected. The results suggest that in the Norwegian population RA is primarily associated with a shared sequence at residues 67-74 of the DR beta 1 chain, but only when this sequence is expressed on DR4 molecules.     

Does the Incredible Years Teacher Classroom Management programme improve child–teacher relationships in childcare centres? A 1-year universal intervention in a Norwegian community sample

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry - The Incredible Years Teacher Classroom Management (IY TCM) programme has shown promise in reducing behaviour problems among high-risk children in...     

HRQoL changes,mood disorders and satisfaction after treatment in an unselected population of patients with lung cancer

Objectives: This study intended to explore the impact of the first treatment modality on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), mood disorders and mastery in an unselected population of patients with primary lung cancer and to judge patient satisfaction with treatment. Materials and Methods: An unselected group of 479 patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer in Southern Norway (Agder counties) were included prospectively from June 2002 to June 2005, collecting data on histology, treatment options, HRQoL, mood disorders and mastery at baseline as well as satisfaction with treatment, and changes in HRQoL and mood disorders after finishing the first treatment modality. Results: After finishing the first treatment modality, patients experienced a worsening of nine HRQoL parameters and an improvement in one. Patients in good performance status experienced reduced physical and role function, and if in reduced performance, improved emotional and role function. Patients with mood disorders experienced reduced anxiety and depression, anxious patients experienced reduced neuropathies, and depressed patients experienced improved social functioning and appetite. Half of the patients treated actively were definitely positive to repeat the same treatment again compared with only 15% in the best supportive care group. Surgery was associated with reduced role function and increased dyspnoea, radiation was associated with increased fatigue, and chemotherapy in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), to a larger extent, was associated with alopecia than in non‐SCLC (NSCLC). Conclusion: The development of many HRQoL parameters after the first treatment modality in an unselected population of patients with primary lung cancer seemed, at large, well correlated to general disease progression and to well‐known treatment side effects. However, reduced role function after lung surgery, and reduced anxiety and depression in patients with mood disorders at baseline might be surprising. Patient satisfaction with treatment was surprisingly good. Several findings in this study may help clinicians to improve their handling of patients with lung cancer. Please cite this paper as: Rolke HB, Bakke PS and Gallefoss F. HRQoL changes, mood disorders and satisfaction after treatment in an unselected population of patients with lung cancer. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2010; 4: 168–175.     

Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation after implantation of a titanium cervical disc prosthesis: a comparison of 1.5 and 3 Tesla magnet strength

Purpose

Cervical disc prostheses induce significant amount of artifact in magnetic resonance imaging which may complicate radiologic follow-up after surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate as to what extent the artifact, induced by the frequently used Discover^® cervical disc prosthesis, impedes interpretation of the MR images at operated and adjacent levels in 1.5 and 3 Tesla MR.

Methods

Ten subsequent patients were investigated in both 1.5 and 3 Tesla MR with standard image sequences one year following anterior cervical discectomy with arthroplasty.

Outcome measures

Two neuroradiologists evaluated the images by consensus. Emphasis was made on signal changes in medulla at all levels and visualization of root canals at operated and adjacent levels. A “blur artifact ratio” was calculated and defined as the height of the artifact on T1 sagittal images related to the operated level.

Results

The artifacts induced in 1.5 and 3 Tesla MR were of entirely different character and evaluation of the spinal cord at operated level was impossible in both magnets. Artifacts also made the root canals difficult to assess at operated level and more pronounced in the 3 Tesla MR. At the adjacent levels however, the spinal cord and root canals were completely visualized in all patients. The “blur artifact” induced at operated level was also more pronounced in the 3 Tesla MR.

Conclusions

The artifact induced by the Discover^® titanium disc prosthesis in both 1.5 and 3 Tesla MR, makes interpretation of the spinal cord impossible and visualization of the root canals difficult at operated level. Adjusting the MR sequences to produce the least amount of artifact is important.     

Trends in periodontal health among 35-year-olds in Oslo, 1973-2003

AIM: The aim of the present study was to describe trends in periodontal health and oral hygiene using data available from four epidemiological studies on 35-year-olds in Oslo performed from 1973 to 2003. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Periodontal status of randomly selected 35-year-olds was assessed clinically and radiographically. Clinical registrations were based on the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) and the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index. In addition, the proportion of individuals with marginal bone loss was assessed using available orthopantomograms. RESULTS: The proportion of persons with CPITN score 4 (one or more pockets > or = 6 mm) decreased from 21.8% in 1984 to 8.1% in 2003. In addition, the mean number of sextants with deep pockets per person was considerably lower in 2003 than previously. The proportion of persons without recorded bone loss increased from 46% in 1973 to 76% in 2003. An improvement in oral hygiene scores was also observed during this period. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that periodontal health and oral hygiene have been improving among 35-year-olds in Oslo during the last 30 years.