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Biomedical subjects

A Andersen

Publications and source records attributed to A Andersen.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Mass screening for cervical cancer in Ostfold county of Norway 1959-77.

In 1959, the Norwegian Cancer Society started a research project in Ostfold county to assess the effect of a mass screening program for cervical cancer. The program comprised 5 screening rounds during the period 1959-77. At each screening a clinical gynecological examination was performed in addition to the cytological test. A total of 45,960 women aged 25-59 years at the first screening were invited to participate. The follow-up, which was based on the data base of the Cancer Registry of Norway, lasted until December 31, 1982. For the follow-up period as a whole, the observed incidence and mortality were reduced to 78% and 83% of the expected values, respectively. Through the initial phase of the program there was a cumulation of patients with early-stage disease, while the incidence of advanced disease and mortality were reduced. In the later part of the follow-up period, a decrease in incidence of early and advanced disease as well as in mortality was observed. Women not participating in the screening program had a significantly higher risk of cervical carcinoma than the reference population, and a less favorable stage distribution as well. Among participants in the screening program, the reduction of risk was dependent upon the number of previous negative smears. Women with 5 previous negative smears had a risk of disease which was only 18% of that expected. Problems concerning choice of reference population, migration, attendance rates, sensitivity and specificity of the cytological tests and intervals between screenings are discussed. Also, the probable conversion rates of pre-cancerous lesions to cancer and the health hazards involved in possible over-treatment of pre-cancerous cases which otherwise would have regressed, are considered. A dynamic model is suggested. In order to achieve a reduction of mortality in the short term, the efforts of the program should initially be concentrated on older women. To achieve a reduction of incidence in the long run, younger women should gradually be included. Finally, special efforts should be made to increase attendance rates among high-risk women.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Trace elements intake in the Faroe Islands. I. Element levels in edible parts of pilot whales (Globicephalus meleanus).

We examined the distribution of copper, zinc, selenium, arsenic, cadmium and mercury (total and methyl mercury) in samples of muscle, liver, kidney and blubber from pilot whales (Globicephalus meleanus) caught off the Faroe Islands in 1977 and 1978. The very high total mercury level in the mature pilot whale exhibited differences among tissues and was highest in the liver. The total mercury concentration increased with body size. With increasing body size the ratio of methyl mercury to total mercury was relatively constant in muscle and kidney, but it decreased in liver. The concentrations of total mercury in the tissues of immature whales were much lower than those of mature whales. Selenium levels increased with body size. Significant correlation coefficients were found between the total mercury and selenium in liver and kidney. Selenium was present in the kidney in molar excess relative to mercury, whereas the opposite was the case in the muscle tissue. High cadmium contents were found in kidney and liver. In muscle and liver no significant correlations were found between cadmium and selenium, but a weak correlation between these elements was recorded in the kidney.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1987

Trace elements intake in the Faroe Islands. II. Intake of mercury and other elements by consumption of pilot whales (Globicephalus meleanus).

The long-term intakes of total mercury, methyl mercury and cadmium from eating pilot whale (Globicephalus meleanus) in the Faroe Islands have been estimated. The long-term intakes of both total and methyl mercury far exceed the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes (PTWI) recommended by WHO. For the general population The PTWI's are 300 and 200 micrograms mercury per person per week for total and methyl mercury, respectively. The calculated intake of methyl mercury in this study approaches the lower value (1200 micrograms/person/week) of the recognized critical level of methyl mercury intoxication in the general population. In the years 1980 and 1981 the cadmium intake from consuming pilot whale foods exceeded the PTWI by a factor of 2. The PTWI for cadmium is 400-500 micrograms/person/week. It is concluded that the general Faroe Island population should significantly restrict the consumption of pilot whale foods. Pregnant women probably should not eat pilot whale foods at all, as the critical levels for methyl mercury intoxication of pregnant women and fetuses are lower by a factor of 2-5 than for the general population.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1986

Localization of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)-immunoreactive material in the hypothalamo-pituitary complex of the frog.

The presence of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)-like material in the hypothalamo-pituitary complex of the frog (Rana ridibunda) was studied by means of indirect immunofluorescence and immunogold techniques. In the hypothalamus, numerous ANF-positive cell bodies were located in the preoptic nucleus, the lateral forebrain bundle and the dorsal infundibular nucleus. The ventral infundibular area and the median eminence contained only ANF-immunoreactive fibers. A dense network of fibers and nerve terminals was observed in the neural lobe of the pituitary. Scarce nerve endings were also noted in the intermediate lobe whereas ANF-like immunoreactivity was totally absent in the anterior lobe of the pituitary. At the ultrastructural level, positive material appeared restricted to dense core vesicles (about 100 nm in diameter). These results demonstrate that an ANF-like substance is contained in nerve terminals of the frog pars nervosa, and support the hypothesis that ANF may exert a physiological role in the control of release of neurohypophyseal peptides.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Updating lung cancer mortality among a cohort of man-made mineral fibre production workers in seven European countries.

A historical cohort of 21,967 workers ever employed in 13 European factories manufacturing various types of man-made mineral fibres (MMMF) was observed until 1982. Overall there were 2719 deaths (standardised mortality ratio (SMR) = 111) of which 189 were from lung cancer (SMR = 125). For the glasswool and rockwool/slagwool production subcohorts the lung cancer SMRs rose with time since first exposure, exceeding 170 for the period of 30 or more years. Adjustment for regional variations in mortality substantially reduced the excess in the glasswool group, but not in the rockwool/slagwool. In neither subgroup was there any relationship of lung cancer mortality with length of employment. During the early years of rockwool/slagwool production there was the potential for much higher fibrous dust exposure than at present, because of the absence of dust suppressing oil and/or the use of a batch production process. In addition slag was widely used as a raw material. Amongst workers employed during the early phase, there were 10 lung cancer deaths giving SMRs of 270 and 244 for the periods 20-29 and 30 or more years since first exposure. This group accounts for most of the absolute excess of lung cancer for the rockwool/slagwool plants.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Calcium antagonist (PY 108-068) treatment may further decrease flow in ischemic areas in acute stroke.

The effect of the possible influence of a new calcium antagonist, PY 108-068, on regional CBF was studied in patients suffering acute ischemic stroke. The dosage was 1.5 + 2.5 mg intravenously in six patients (series 1) and 2.5 + 5.0 mg intravenously in five other patients (series 2). CBF was measured before and after treatment by xenon-133 inhalation and single-photon emission computed tomography (Tomomatic 64). In the first series, no changes in hemispheric CBF, MABP, or clinical symptoms were noted after treatment, but one patient showed an increase of CBF in part of the periinfarct area. In the second series, slight increases in mean hemispheric flow values were seen, but in three of the five patients CBF decreased even further in the ischemic area. MABP decreased by 13%, and the clinical symptoms were unchanged.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1986

Cancer incidence among workers in the Norwegian ferroalloy industry.

The total mortality and the incidence of cancer was studied among a cohort of employees at the six oldest ferrosilicon and ferromanganese plants in Norway. The cohort consisted of 6494 men employed for more than 18 months before 1970 and has been followed up from 1953 to 1982. The standardised incidence ratio (SIR) for cancer (all sites) was 0.94. The observed number of cancers was as expected for lung cancer (SIR = 0.99) and for most of the other cancer sites studied. A statistically significant reduction of stomach cancer was found (SIR = 0.72). There was an increased incidence of lung cancer (SIR = 1.75) and cancer of the prostate (SIR = 1.56) in the workers at one ferrosilicon plant and of colonic cancer (SIR = 1.90) at another ferrosilicon plant.

Female↗
PubMed1986

Incidence of cancer among workers producing calcium carbide.

The overall mortality and the incidence of cancer have been studied among male employees at a plant producing calcium carbide. The cohort was defined as all men employed at the plant for at least 18 months in the period 1953 to 1970 and was classified according to 10 occupational categories. The 790 men have been observed from 1953 to 1983 and the incidence of cancer in the cohort has been compared with national incidence rates. A significant excess of colonic cancer (standardised incidence ratio, SIR = 2.09) and of prostatic cancer (SIR = 1.78) was found, and also a slight excess of lung cancer among furnace and maintenance workers (SIR = 1.56). The possible exposure of the workers to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, asbestos, and cadmium is discussed.

Acetylene↗
PubMed1986

Prognostic factors in renal cell carcinoma.

We studied 569 cases of renal cell carcinoma in the files of the Department of Pathology of the Norwegian Radium Hospital from 1964 to 1974. A nephrectomy had been performed in all cases. Clinical information on sex, age, survival time and metastases was traced. The histological slides were examined and tumour growth pattern, cell type, cell shape, nuclear atypia, abnormal nucleoli, nuclear grade, vascular invasion and tumour demarcation were all evaluated. Besides well-known prognostic factors such as tumour stage, presence or absence of metastases and vascular invasion, nuclear grade was found to be a useful prognostic factor. Younger patients were found to do better than older, and women better than men. Smaller tumours carried a better prognosis than larger and clear cell tumours had a better prognosis than those composed of eosinophilic or basophilic cells. The presence of spindle cells was a bad prognostic omen.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Incidence of cancer in the mineral-wool producing industry in Norway.

This study concerned the Norwegian phase of a European collaborative investigation on workers in man-made mineral fiber production. A study population of 2,361 men from four Norwegian plants was examined for mortality and cancer incidence, especially lung cancer, based on a comparison of observed and expected figures, the latter determined according to the five-year age-specific mortality and incidence rates for the entire country. Violent deaths among workers with less than one year of employment represented the only significant mortality excess. A borderline, statistically significant excess risk was found for cancer of the buccal cavity and pharynx, but the fact that the excess occurred in one factory only led to the assumption that the risk was associated with factors other than mineral wool. An excess risk for lung cancer was also found among those with 20 years or more since first exposure (9 observed and 4.36 expected). The risk that emerged was presumably initiated before 1960, when the environmental conditions were more hazardous than later.

Calcium Compounds↗
PubMed1986

Trends in cancer incidence in the Nordic countries. A collaborative study of the five Nordic Cancer Registries.

Time trends and differentials in cancer incidence in the five Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, were investigated, using material collected by the cancer registries in each country. The incidence at all sites combined and at 23 anatomical sites was studied by age, birth cohort and time period. The maximum lengths of the trends were used for each country. In Denmark the material comprised all the tumours diagnosed in 1943-1980, in Finland and Norway those diagnosed in 1953-1980, in Iceland those diagnosed in 1955-1980, and in Sweden those diagnosed in 1958-1980. For males the age-adjusted cancer incidence rates at all sites combined were highest in Denmark and Finland, and lowest in Sweden and Norway. In females the incidence was highest in Denmark and Iceland, and lowest in Finland. The rates increased slightly for both sexes. For cancer of the pancreas, Hodgkin's disease, acute leukaemia and childhood cancer (all sites combined) the rates in all the Nordic countries were similar every year. For cancers of the stomach, colon, breast, corpus uteri, ovary, prostate, testis, urinary bladder, melanoma of the skin and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas the trends were similar but on different levels. For cancers of the larynx and lung in males the rates in Finland decreased during the 1970s, whereas the rates were increasing in the other Nordic countries. For cancer of the rectum, the trend showed a decrease in Denmark but an increase in the other Nordic countries. For lip cancer the rate in Sweden was almost constant over time, but in Denmark, Finland and Norway a decrease occurred. For oesophageal cancer in males the rates decreased in Finland and Iceland in the 1970s, whereas in Denmark and Norway there was very little change, and in Sweden there was an increase in the rates. For cancer of the cervix uteri the rates started to decrease in Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden in the mid-1960s, but in Norway not until some ten years later. The differentials between the countries were largest for cancers of the testis and thyroid, in which the highest incidence was five to six times as large as the lowest. For testicular cancer the rate was the highest in Denmark, for thyroid cancer in Iceland. For both of these cancers the rate was the lowest in Finland. Melanoma of the skin was the cancer with the most rapid increase in incidence with time in all the Nordic countries.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

The man-made mineral fiber European historical cohort study. Extension of the follow-up.

The study concentrated on 21,967 workers producing rock wool/slag wool, glass wool or continuous filament in 13 European factories. The expected deaths and incident cancer cases were derived from multiplying the accumulated person-years by national reference rates across sex, age, and calendar-year strata, correction factors for regional lung cancer mortality also being used. Exposure assessment was based on the results of a historical environmental investigation reported elsewhere. There were 189 deaths (151.2 expected), and for rock-wool/slag-wool and glass-wool workers the standardized mortality ratios for lung cancer showed a pattern of increasing mortality with time since first exposure but not duration of employment. There was an excess of lung cancer among rock-wool/slag-wool workers employed during an early technological phase before the introduction of dust-suppressing agents, and fiber exposure, either alone on in combination with other exposures, may have contributed to the elevated risk. No excess of the same magnitude was evident for glass-wool production, and the follow-up of the continuous filament cohort was too short to allow for an evaluation of possible long-term effects. There was no evidence of an increased risk for pleural tumors or nonmalignant respiratory diseases.

Calcium Compounds↗
PubMed1985

Asbestos exposure, smoking habits, and cancer incidence among production and maintenance workers in an electrochemical plant.

The incidence of cancer was studied in a cohort of 287 men who were exposed to asbestos at a nitric acid production plant from 1928 onwards. During the observation period from 1953 through 1980 all cancer cases among the cohort members were identified in The Cancer Registry. For the whole cohort 42 cases of cancer were observed versus 30.6 expected. The figures for cancer of the lungs and pleura combined were 17 observed versus 3.7 expected. The corresponding figures for a heavily exposed subcohort were 11 observed and 1.2 expected. In that group there was also an increased incidence of colon cancer with 3 cases observed against 0.8 cases expected. Within the whole cohort four cases of pleural and one case of peritoneal malignant mesothelioma were found. There was also an increased incidence of malignant melanoma of the skin with 3 cases observed against 0.6 expected. For cancer cases that were registered as of unknown origin there were 7 cases observed and 1.4 expected. There was no increased rate ratio for cancer at any site before 20 years after the first asbestos exposure. The smoking habits of all cohort members were recorded and the relative rates for lung cancer were calculated in relation to smoking habits. In common with previous studies the results indicate a multiplicative model for the interaction between asbestos exposure and smoking in regard to lung cancer risk.

Asbestos↗