Human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 is present in atherosclerotic plaques and induces death of vascular smooth muscle cells: a laboratory study.

Background: Death of smooth muscle cells in the atherosclerotic plaques makes the plaques more prone to rupture, which can initiate an acute ischemic event. The development of atherosclerosis includes the migration of immune cells e.g.

Fatal colonic ischemia: A population-based study.

Objectives: To estimate the incidence of fatal colonic ischaemia (CI) and the cause-specific mortality of CI, and to describe the localization and extension of colonic infarction and quantify the risk factors associated with CI.

Material And Methods: Between 1970 and 1982 the autopsy rate in Malmö, Sweden, was 87%, creating the possibilities for a population-based study. Out of 23,446 clinical autopsies, 997 cases were coded for intestinal ischaemia in a database.

Incidence and risk of venous thromboembolism in patients with verified arterial thrombosis: a population study based on 23,796 consecutive autopsies.

Background: The relationship between atherothrombotic disease and venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains unclear.

Patients And Methods: In a cohort of 23,796 consecutive autopsies, performed using a standardized procedure and representing 84% of all in-hospital deaths between 1970 and 1982 in an urban Swedish population, we investigated the relationship between verified arterial thrombosis and VTE, with the hypothesis that patients with thrombosis in major artery segments have increased odds of VTE.

Results: We found an increased risk of VTE in patients with arterial thrombosis (Odds ratio; OR adjusted for gender and age 1.

Monitoring of aortic and coronary atherosclerosis in native and non-native males of Yakutsk over 40 years.

We have analyzed the development of aortic and coronary atherosclerosis over 40 years in native and non-native males of Yakutsk by comparing the data obtained in 1963-1965, 1985-1987 and 2001-2003. The research was carried out in compliance with the WHO program for the atherosclerosis epidemiology studies using autopsy material. Subjects (361 natives and 692 non-natives) included in the research died of external causes at the age of 20-59 years and had no history of chronic diseases, which was confirmed by post-mortem examination.

Portal vein thrombosis: prevalence, patient characteristics and lifetime risk: a population study based on 23,796 consecutive autopsies.

Aim: To assess the lifetime cumulative incidence of portal venous thrombosis (PVT) in the general population.

Methods: Between 1970 and 1982, 23,796 autopsies, representing 84% of all in-hospital deaths in the Malmö city population, were performed, using a standardised protocol including examination of the portal vein. PVT patients were characterised and the PVT prevalence at autopsy, an expression of life-time cumulative incidence, assessed in high-risk disease categories and expressed in terms of odds ratios and 95% CI.

Trousseau's syndrome - what is the evidence? A population-based autopsy study.

Despite numerous studies documenting the association between cancer and venous thromboembolism (VTE), the reason for the excessive risk in certain cancers remains obscure. No large-scale studies have yet investigated the independent effects of cancer type, site and growth pattern. Between 1970 and 1982, 23,796 standardised autopsies were performed, representing 84% of all in-hospital deaths in an urban Swedish population.

Fatal nonocclusive mesenteric ischaemia: population-based incidence and risk factors.

Objectives: To estimate the incidence and extension of visceral organ infarction, and to evaluate potential causes, in patients with autopsy-verified nonocclusive mesenteric ischaemia (NOMI) and transmural intestinal infarction.

Setting: In Malmö, Sweden, the autopsy rate between 1970 and 1982 was 87%, creating possibilities for a population-based study.

Design: Amongst 23 446 clinical autopsies, 997 cases were coded for intestinal ischaemia in a database.

Dietary supplementation of carbonate promotes spontaneous tumorigenesis in a rat gastric stump model.

Objective: Food supplements are known to affect the development of gastric adenocarcinoma. In this study, an animal model of gastric resection was used to investigate the effects of calcium carbonate on spontaneous development of gastric adenocarcinoma.

Material And Methods: Ninety-two Wistar rats with gastric resections (performed to induce spontaneous gastric cancer) and 60 without resections (controls) were used to analyse the carcinogenic potential of different ion supplements in food.

Subcutaneous fat accumulation and BMI associated with risk for pulmonary embolism in patients with proximal deep vein thrombosis: a population study based on 23 796 consecutive autopsies.

Objective: Although deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are manifestations of the same disease, far from all patients develop PE. Our objective was to investigate risk-modifying factors. SETTING, SUBJECTS AND DESIGN: Between 1970 and 1982, 23,796 autopsies, representing 84% of all in-hospital deaths in the Malmö City population, were performed, using a standardized procedure.

Clinical implications for the management of acute thromboembolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery: autopsy findings in 213 patients.

Objective: To study findings at autopsy in patients with fatal acute thromboembolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA).

Summary Background Data: Acute occlusion of the SMA is difficult to diagnose and mortality remains high. In Malmo, Sweden, the autopsy rate between 1970 and 1982 was 87%, creating possibilities for a population-based study.

Mesenteric venous thrombosis with transmural intestinal infarction: a population-based study.

Objective: To determine the cause-specific mortality from and incidence of transmural intestinal infarction caused by mesenteric venous thrombosis (MVT) in a population-based study and to evaluate the findings at autopsy by evaluating autopsies and surgical procedures.

Methods: All clinical (n = 23,446) and forensic (n = 7569) autopsies performed in the city of Malmö between 1970 and 1982 (population 264,000 to 230,000) were evaluated. The autopsy rate was 87%.

Prevalence and risk of pulmonary embolism in patients with intracardiac thrombosis: a population-based study of 23 796 consecutive autopsies.

Aims: While right intracardiac thrombosis (IT) is a potential cause of pulmonary embolism (PE) similar to that of stroke in left-sided IT, its prevalence and prognostic significance has not been studied in the general population. The aim of this study was to assess the age- and gender-specific prevalence of IT and its relation to PE in a population-based autopsy cohort.

Methods And Results: Between 1970 and 1982, 23 796 autopsies, representing 84% of all in-hospital deaths in the Malmö city population, were performed, using a standardized procedure.

Monitoring of atherosclerosis.

Population-based epidemiological studies of atherosclerosis using autopsy material is now impossible to perform in most countries due to declining autopsy rates. Based on epidemiological studies of atherosclerosis using autopsy material in five European cities which were carried out with an interval of 25 years in the 1960s and 1980s, respectively, we have shown that atherosclerosis in young so-called practically healthy people, 20-39 years of age, who died from accidental causes, closely reflects the level of atherosclerosis in the population as a whole. These people can thus be used for monitoring the development of atherosclerosis in a population since they are normally a subject to a medico-legal autopsy; therefore, material for such studies can be obtained.

Incidence of acute thrombo-embolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery--a population-based study.

Objective: To determine the incidence of acute thrombo-embolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (AOSMA) in a population-based study.

Material: All clinical (n=23,446) and forensic (n=7569) autopsies performed in the city of Malmö between 1970 and 1982 (population 264,000-230,000 inhabitants). The autopsy rate was 87%.

[Atherosclerosis in victims of cancer].

Atherosclerotic changes in aortas and coronary arteries of victims of cancer were investigated within framework of 2 epidemiological studies of men aged 20-59 years in Malmo, Prague, Riga, Tallin, Yalta and of women aged 40-59 years in Malmo, Riga and Yalta conducted in 1963-1966 (first study) and 1985-1989 (second study) years. The first study included 763 men and 419 women and the second - 744 men and 293 women with malignancies. Control group comprised practically healthy victims of accidents.

[Monitoring of atherosclerosis].

The data of epidemiological surveys of atherosclerosis conducted with a 25-year interval in populations of 5 cities and of histometry of the standard areas of coronary arteries in healthy subjects aged 20-39 show that severity of atherosclerosis in healthy subjects correlates with that in the whole population. This finding validates usage of a group of healthy subjects for monitoring of atherosclerosis in different populations because investigation of the whole population is hindered by low rate of autopsies. Histometric studies of the arteries and aorta provide additional information to characteristics of atherosclerotic lesions which is essential for assessing the speed of atherosclerosis development in populations, especially in young population.

Detection of circulating and endothelial cell polymers of Z and wild type alpha 1-antitrypsin by a monoclonal antibody.

Globular inclusions of abnormal alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) in the endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes are a characteristic feature of AAT deficiency of the PiZZ phenotype. Monoclonal antibodies, which contain constant specificity and affinity, are often used for the identification of Z-mutation carriers. A mouse monoclonal antibody (ATZ11) raised against PiZZ hepatocytic AAT was successfully used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and in identification of Z-related AAT globular inclusions by immunohistochemical techniques.

Hyperplasia of coronary intima in young males in relation to development of coronary heart disease in adults.

Unlabelled: The aim of the investigation was to study structural features of coronary arteries in young males which may influence the development of stenosing coronary atherosclerosis in older age. We studied the coronary arteries from 84 males, 10-39 years old, who died from accidents in Moscow, Malmo and Riga, and 98 males aged 40 and above from Moscow who died from coronary heart disease (71 cases) or other diseases (27 cases). In children and young males from all three cities, musculo-elastic hyperplasia of the coronary intima took place constantly but with different degrees of expression; a strict relationship of the intimal thickness and age was observed.

Pathomorphometrical characteristics of atherosclerosis in youth. A multinational investigation of WHO/World Heart Federation (1986-1996), using atherometric system.

Background And Aim: From 1986 to 1996, 1339 autopsies were performed on children and young adults, aged 5-34 years, in 18 countries of five continents in the course of the multinational investigation of the World Health Organization/International Society and Federation Cardiology (WHO/ISFC), "Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth" (PBDAY). A set of 966 left-half thoracic and 947 left-half abdominal aortae and 958 right coronary arteries were processed in the Center of Investigations and References of Atherosclerosis of Havana (CIRAH), i.e.

World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Heart Federation (WHF) Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth Study (WHO/WHF PBDAY Study) 1986-1996. An overview and general considerations.

This paper is an overview of the PBDAY Study--a ten-year multinational collaborative study. It provides condensed information on the background, objectives and methods of the study, as well as a summary of its most significant results and recommendations for further morphometric and special studies.

Pathobiological determinants of atherosclerosis in youth (PBDAY Study), 1986-96.

This article is a summary of the 10-year multinational collaborative WHO/ISFC Study of Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth (PBDAY Study). Details are provided of the study design, relevant results, conclusions, and recommendations, as formulated at a consultation of the heads of PBDAY Reference Centres, held in Budapest, Hungary, in October 1996. The WHO/ISFC study provides unique information about the determinants of atherosclerosis and structural changes in the arteries, especially during their early stages, and their progression from early life in populations with vastly different lifestyles.

Development of atherosclerosis over a 25 year period: an epidemiological autopsy study in males of 11 towns.

We conducted an analysis of the data from two epidemiological autopsy studies of atherosclerosis in men aged 20-59 years in 1963-66 (the first study, 7470 cases) and in 1985-88 (the second study, 9600 cases). The investigations were performed in accordance with a special program of the World Health Organization in 11 town populations: Ashkhabad (Turkmenistan), Bishkek (Kirgizstan), Irkutsk and Yakutsk (Russia), Malmo (Sweden), Prague (Czech Republic), Riga (Latvia), Tallinn and Tartu (Estonia), and Kharkov and Yalta (Ukraine). Native and non-native populations were studied separately in Ashkhabad, Bishkek, and Yakutsk.

[A comparative study of the evolution of atherosclerosis in men over a 25-year period in 11 European and Asiatic cities].

Repeated epidemiologic study of atherosclerosis in males on the basis of autopsy material with 25-year interval (1963-66 and 1985-89) has been performed in 7 European cities (Malmö, Praha, Riga, Tallinn, Tartu, Kharkov, Yalta) and 4 Asia cities (Ashkhabad, Bishkek, Irkutsk, Yakutsk). Accelerated development of atherosclerosis in the 2nd study has been revealed in males in the majority of cities except Malmö and Praha. No significant differences in atherosclerosis of aorta and coronary arteries were found in these two cities.

Feasibility and quality of biological banking of human normal and tumor tissue specimens as sources of DNA for the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study.

Human tumor and normal tissue specimens, which were collected from autopsy material 1-6 days postmortem, were compared with similar tissue specimens collected within 2 h after surgical resection and transport to the pathology department. The end point criteria used to evaluate the quality of the specimens for biological banking purposes were the extractability and yield of high molecular weight DNA and UV absorption ratios at 260:280 after collection and immediate storage of the specimens at -80 degrees C. The data demonstrated that autopsy material was a quality source of DNA, although of not such high quality as surgical biopsy specimens <2 h after resection.