Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Johansen

Publications and source records attributed to C Johansen.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Incidence and mortality of breast cancer among women in Denmark 1943-1992].

Nationwide incidence and mortality rates are presented for female breast cancer in Denmark from 1943 to 1992. The annual incidence rate of breast cancer has increased among Danish women from 61 in 1943-1947 to 105 per 100,000 women in 1988-1992. Mortality rates have increased to a smaller extent, from 36 to 43 per 100,000 women. We found that only a small part of the observed increase in incidence of breast cancer can be explained by the known risk factors, based on calculation of population attributable-risk per cent.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Comparison of a self-administered questionnaire and a telephone interview of 146 Danish waste collectors.

Methods to collect epidemiologic data include, among other means, self-administered questionnaires and personal and telephone interviews. In some studies, these data collection methods are used simultaneously. However, little is known about the comparability of the data obtained, thus, the validity of pooling data. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 146 waste collectors, who participated in a telephone interview 3 months later. The responses to health questions were compared. Agreement percentages and kappa values were calculated. An answer pattern shift was detected in a subgroup of questions with five answer options. Grouping the answer options diminished the shift in the answer pattern. The questions in a yes/no format generally showed no shift in the answer pattern. The study indicates that caution should be exercised when pooling data collected by self-administered questionnaire and telephone interview in epidemiological research. Some types of questions seem to be sensitive to the data collection method.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Psychological stress, cancer incidence and mortality from non-malignant diseases.

Psychological stress has been claimed to contribute to the onset of cancer and to increase mortality from a number of non-malignant diseases. We investigated the effect of a genuine psychological stressor, i.e. cancer in a child, on the incidence of cancer and mortality from non-malignant diseases of 11,231 parents in a Danish nationwide population-based study. The children were identified from records in the Danish Cancer Registry for the period 1943-85; their parents were identified from population registers. Overall, 1665 parental malignancies were diagnosed from the date the cancer of the child was reported until 1992, compared with 1702 expected from national incidence rates, yielding standardized incidence ratios of 1.0 (95% confidence interval, 0.9-1.0) for all parents, 1.0 for mothers and 1.0 for fathers. No statistically significant deviation of the relative risk from unity was seen for any period of follow-up after the stressful event, and no excess risk was seen for any particular type of cancer. Moreover, a total of 2137 parental deaths were observed over the period 1974-92, compared with 2333 expected from national mortality rates, giving an overall standardized mortality ratio of 0.9 (range 0.9-1.0). No excess mortality was seen from causes associated with allergic illness, autoimmune conditions, chronic illness or changes in behaviour. Our data provide no support for the hypothesis of an association between psychological stress and the incidence of cancer or mortality from non-malignant diseases. We conclude that the human organism is highly adaptable, even to extreme psychological stress.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1997

Protamine-induced permeabilization of cell envelopes of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

The inhibitory effect of the cationic peptide protamine on Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Shewanella putrefaciens has been studied in detail. The addition of protamine (10 to 1,000 micrograms/ml) resulted in inhibition of oxygen consumption after less than 1 min and loss of intracellular carboxyfluorescein and ATP after 2 to 5 min. Maximum antibacterial activity was reached at alkaline pH and in the absence of divalent cations. The efficient permeabilization of cell envelopes of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria suggests that protamine causes a general disruption of the cell envelope, leading to a rapid and nonspecific efflux of low- and high-molecular-weight compounds.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1997

Enzymatic removal and disinfection of bacterial biofilms.

Model biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were made on steel and polypropylene substrata. Plaque-resembling biofilms of Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces viscosus, and Fusobacterium nucleatum were made on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite. The activity of enzymes against bacterial cells in biofilm was measured by fluorescence microscopy and an indirect conductance test in which evolution of carbon dioxide was measured. Glucose oxidase combined with lactoperoxidase was bactericidal against biofilm bacteria but did not remove the biofilm from the substrata. A complex mixture of polysaccharide-hydrolyzing enzymes was able to remove bacterial biofilm from steel and polypropylene substrata but did not have a significant bactericidal activity. Combining oxidoreductases with polysaccharide-hydrolyzing enzymes resulted in bactericidal activity as well as removal of the biofilm.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1997

A questionnaire study of sexological problems following urinary diversion in the female patient.

A questionnaire study was conducted to evaluate the sexological problems after urinary diversion, using the continent Kock reservoir or the ileal conduit diversion. Thirty-seven female patients completed the questionnaire: 17 patients had a continent and 20 an ileal conduit diversion, with a median follow-up of 0.8 year (range 0.5-4.4) and 4.6 years (range 2.8-12.0), respectively. Data from only 33 patients were eligible for analysis, but no significant between-group differences were found. Coital frequency remained unchanged or increased among 44% of patients with a continent reservoir and among 18% of ileal conduit patients (p = 0.11). Among those reporting other than unchanged/increased activity almost one-third gave physical problems or decreased desire as the reason, and 30% felt less sexually attractive, with cystectomized patients reporting a higher percentage than others. A higher frequency of dyspareunia among patients with a continent reservoir was an unexpected finding (p = 0.06), and merits further investigation in a larger sample. Here it may be due to the shorter follow-up of these patients. Thirty per cent of all patients would have like more sexological counselling.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Influence of marital status on survival from colon and rectal cancer in Denmark.

Survival from colorectal cancer has been analysed in relation to marital status in a nationwide Danish study of 9596 patients with complete follow-up of 22-26 years. After exclusion of 2294 patients with missing information adjusted five-year survival among married patients was significantly longer (RR=0.85; 95% CI 0.78-0.93).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Changes in cell morphology of Listeria monocytogenes and Shewanella putrefaciens resulting from the action of protamine.

Protamine, which is an antibacterial basic peptide, was shown to alter the cell morphology of Listeria monocytogenes and Shewanella putrefaciens. Atomic force microscopy revealed that protamine smoothed the surface of cells, formed holes in the cell envelope, and caused fusion of S. putrefaciens cells. Immunoelectron microscopy of protamine-treated cells of both L. monocytogenes and S. putrefaciens showed great damage to the cell wall and condensation of the cytoplasm. Respiration of the cells was decreased due to treatment with sublethal concentrations of protamine, probably due to leakage or loss of cell envelope potential. It was concluded that protamine disrupted the outer surface structure and condensed the cytoplasm of sensitive cells and, in sublethal concentrations, altered membrane structures, thereby eliminating respiration.

Fluorescent Dyes↗
PubMed1996

Risk of colorectal cancer and other cancers in patients with gall stones.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of gall stones has repeatedly been associated with an increased risk for cancer of the colon, but risk associated with cholecystectomy remains unclear. AIMS: To evaluate the hypothesis in a nationwide cohort of more than 40,000 gall stone patients with complete follow up including information of cholecystectomy and obesity. PATIENTS: In the population based study described here, 42,098 patients with gall stones in 1977-1989 were identified in the Danish Hospital Discharge Register. METHODS: These patients were linked to the Danish Cancer Registry to assess their risks for colorectal and other cancers during follow up to the end of 1992. RESULTS: The analysis showed a modest increase in the number of cancers at all sites combined (n = 3940; RR, 1.07; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.0 to 1.1). A weak association was found for cancer of the colon (n = 360; RR, 1.09; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.2), which remained unchanged when analysed by sex, anatomical subsite, and duration of follow up. Multivariate analysis with adjustment for cholecystectomy and clinically defined obesity did not change these estimates to any significant extent. Excess risks were found for cancers of the pancreas and the small intestine. A non-significant increased risk for breast cancer was seen in women five years after initial discharge for gall stones. CONCLUSION: A borderline significant association was seen between gall stones and cancer of the colon, and for cancer of pancreas and small intestine as well as for breast cancer in women.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Cancer in patients with ulcerative colitis.

A cohort of 5,546 ulcerative colitis patients was identified from the Danish Hospital Discharge Register for 1977-1989. Patients not included in the cohort comprised those with proctitis, those treated in outpatient clinics and those for whom follow-up was less than 1 year. The cohort was linked to the Danish Cancer Registry in order to assess the risks for colorectal and other cancers. The linkage revealed a significant increase in the number of colorectal cancers over that in the general population (RR = 1.8; n = 42; 95% CI = 1.3-2.4) with consistent relative risks during early and late follow-up. The relative risk was considerably higher among younger (20-39 years: RR = 22; n = 8; 95% CI = 9.7-44) than older patients (> or = 60 years: RR = 1.3; n = 25; 95% CI = 0.8-1.9), but the risk difference between patients and the general population was approximately constant across all ages. In addition, we observed a significant increase in the relative risk of hepatobiliary cancers (RR = 2.3; n = 9; 95% = 1.0-4.3) and a slight but significant increase in the relative risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (RR = 1.4; n = 37; 95% CI = 1.0-1.9). In summary, our population-based study confirms the increased risk of colorectal cancer among patients with ulcerative colitis and provides new leads suggesting that hepatobiliary cancer and non-melanoma skin cancer should be considered as possible sites for future patient monitoring.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Antibacterial effect of protamine assayed by impedimetry.

Impedimetric measurements were used to assay the antibacterial effect of protamine. A good linear correlation between the impedance detection time and the initial cell counts was obtained (r = 0.99, n = 2). As basic peptides may cause clumping of cells, this correlation curve was used when estimating the cell number after protamine treatment, rather than colony counts. Protamine from salmon killed growing Gram-positive bacteria and significantly inhibited growth of Gram-negative bacteria in Tryptone Soy Broth (TSB) at 25 degrees C. In general Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive to protamine than Gram-negative bacteria; the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) determined for Gram-positive strains varied from 20 to 1000 micrograms ml-1 and for Gram-negative strains from 500 micrograms ml-1 to more than 4000 micrograms ml-1. The effect of protamine on non-growing Listeria monocytogenes Scott A suspended in buffer was not lethal as was the effect on growing cells; however, protamine (50-500 micrograms ml-1) killed the Gram-negative fish spoilage bacteria Shewanella putrefaciens when the live cells were suspended in buffer.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Health-related quality of life after cystectomy: bladder substitution compared with ileal conduit diversion. A questionnaire survey.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the health-related quality of life after bladder substitution with that following ileal conduit diversion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-seven male patients with bladder cancer completed the questionnaire; 38 had undergone bladder substitution and 29 ileal conduit diversion; the median follow-up was 1.0 year (range 0.5-3.0) and 4.8 years (range 1.1-15.2), respectively. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted and analysed, and the questionnaire was developed based upon these results. RESULTS: Both day- and night-time urinary leakage occurred more frequently following bladder substitution (18% against 10%, and 21% against 3%). Nevertheless, urinary leakage affected conduit patients more severely and they scored higher on a leakage distress scale. Furthermore, 58% of the ileal conduit but only 21% of the bladder substitution patients gave urinary leakage as their main concern (P = 0.04). Ileal conduit patients did not retain their body image as well as those with bladder substitution. The frequency of both sexual and non-sexual physical contacts decreased in the majority of the conduit patients but only in a minority of the bladder substitute patients. Global satisfaction was high and similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: These results show that the health-related quality of life is retained to a higher degree after bladder substitution and supports the use of this procedure as the standard method of diversion after cystectomy for bladder cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Colorectal cancer in Denmark 1943-1988].

Nation-wide incidence rates are presented of colorectal cancer in Denmark from 1943 to 1988. In Denmark notification of malignant and related diseases is mandatory. The percentage of histologically confirmed tumours is now 95. The annual incidence rate of colon cancer in Denmark has been increasing among men and women combined from 684 cases in 1943-1947 to 2020 cases in 1988. In the same period the incidence of rectal cancer has increased from 762 cases in 1943-1947 to 1108 cases in 1988. We analyzed the effects of age, calender time, and birth cohort with multiplicative Poisson models. We did not find consistent period effects in the models. We suggest an etiologic distinction between carcinoma of the rectum, the left colon and the right colon.

Colonic Neoplasms↗
PubMed1994

Age-period-cohort modelling of large-bowel-cancer incidence by anatomic sub-site and sex in Denmark.

In a previous investigation, statistical modelling was used to examine the relationship between large-bowel-cancer incidence and age, time period and birth cohort by anatomic sub-site and sex, using data from the Connecticut Tumor Registry (CTR) for the period 1950 to 1984. This analysis revealed differences in age-period-cohort patterns that suggested etiologic distinctions among sub-site groupings and between the sexes. To test the generalizability of the Connecticut findings, we have conducted a similar age-period-cohort analysis using data from the Danish Cancer Registry (DCR) for the period 1953 to 1987. Cancers of the large bowel were classified into 6 anatomic sub-sites: cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum. Data were fitted to log-linear age-period-cohort models. If we interpret differences in age-period-cohort patterns as reflecting etiologic distinctions, the Denmark analysis, in conjunction with the Connecticut findings, was consistent with there being etiologic distinctions between cancers of the colon vs. the rectum in both males and females, between cancers of the cecum and the ascending colon vs. the remainder of the colon in females and between males vs. females for cancers of the sigmoid colon and rectum. Cancers of the cecum and the ascending colon were the most similar between males and females. Due to the ambiguities of age-period-cohort modelling, these should be considered only tentative conclusions that can be tested by analytical epidemiologic studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Health-related quality of life after urinary diversion: continent diversion with the Kock pouch compared with ileal conduit. A questionnaire study.

A questionnaire study was carried out to compare the health-related quality of life after continent urinary diversion using a Kock pouch with that following ileal conduit diversion. 76 patients completed the questionnaire: 26 patients had a continent and 50 an ileal conduit diversion, median follow-up was 0.9 year (range 0.5-4.4) and 4.9 years (range 2.4-14.7), respectively. The type of operation carried significant relation to the presence of leakage distress associated with urine leakage; 78% among conduit patients versus 50% among continent diversion patients experienced distress. Physical contact between patient and partner was reduced significantly less following continent diversion: 16% against 43% among patients with conduit diversion. Global satisfaction with life was high and similar in the two groups. Continent urinary diversion appears to be superior to conventional ileal conduit diversion.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Colorectal cancer in Denmark 1943-1988.

Nation-wide incidence rates are presented of colorectal cancer in Denmark from 1943 to 1988. In Denmark notification of malignant and related diseases is mandatory. The percentage of histologically confirmed tumours is now 95. The annual incidence rate of colon cancer in Denmark has been increasing among men and women combined from 684 cases in 1943-47 to 2020 cases in 1988. In the same period the incidence of rectal cancer has been increasing from 762 cases in 1943-47 to 1108 cases in 1988. We analyzed the effects of age, calendar time, and birth cohort with multiplicative Poisson models. We did not find consistent period effects in the models. We suggest the trends in colorectal cancer incidence rates may be due to changes in environmental factors such as dietary habits and in physical activity. Furthermore, we suggest an etiologic distinction between carcinoma of the rectum, the left colon and the right colon.

Cohort Effect↗
PubMed1993

Survival of Danish cancer patients 1943-1987. Digestive organs.

Cancers of the digestive organs and peritoneum constituted 28% of all cancers in Denmark in 1943-87. The lack of a common trend in incidence rates for the different tumour types indicates different aetiologies. Survival is worst for cancer of the oesophagus and improves gradually for cancer of the stomach, cancer of the small intestine and colorectal cancers. Survival from these tumours differ little between the sexes, but females have a slightly more favourable prognosis, which is most pronounced for sites with the best survival. The changes in survival over the study period, 1943-87, show virtually no change in the prognosis for oesophageal cancer, very slight, if any, improvement in that for stomach cancer, a detectable improvement in survival from cancer of the small intestine and substantial improvements in survival from colorectal cancer. Survival rates after colorectal cancer appear to be lower in Denmark than those seen in the USA. This finding may be due to the exclusion of certain precancerous lesions from the Danish material, which is not possible in US studies. Cancers of the liver, gallbladder and pancreas all carry extremely high mortality rates, with five-year survival rates below 5%, and one-year survival rates below 5% for cancers of the liver and pancreas.

Age Factors↗