Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Hansen

Publications and source records attributed to H Hansen.

266 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

Public health implications of hazardous waste sites: findings, assessment and research.

In this paper we present an overview of the chemicals released from hazardous waste sites (HWS) and some of the mixtures of substances that have been released into environmental media. We describe how this information can be used to assess the public health hazard of releases of chemical mixtures from waste sites. Wherever possible, research on chemical mixtures should use chemical mixtures actually identified in, or representative of, mixtures in environmental media. A narrative, weight-of-evidence approach to characterize the toxicity of mixtures that incorporates mechanistic insights on chemical interactions is described. The utility of this information in the context of risk analysis and public health practice is discussed.

Animals↗

[Permanent central venous access in chronically-ill children].

15 patients aged 8 months to 18 years received implanted venous access catheters. Blood sampling and continuous infusions up to 52 days were performed via these devices. The systems were used for 18-166+ days and implanted for 18-635+ days. The complication rate was low and seems to be dependent on the experience of the caretaker. The systems are a valuable addition in the care of chronic sick children and offer new perspectives of therapy.

Adolescent↗

Early use of pressure masks to avoid facial contracture during the pregrafting phase.

This article introduces the concept of early application of pressure therapy as a form of splinting in the pregrafting phase. It is based on the principles of (1) the use of pressure therapy to reduce contraction and hypertrophic scar formation and (2) the knowledge that most wound contraction occurs within the initial few weeks of healing. This idea has most application in facial burns, where wound contraction can be disfiguring and functionally disabling, and in situations where unavoidable delay in debridement and grafting may be present. The idea is illustrated with a case report.

Adolescent↗

Leisure time habits and physical fitness in adults with epilepsy.

By means of a questionnaire, we analyzed leisure time habits of 44 adult in-patients with active epilepsy (i.e., at least one seizure a month for the last year). Twelve patients had a generalized epilepsy and 32 a partial epilepsy. All received antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and none had additional handicaps. Despite good facilities in their surroundings for participation in social, cultural, and physical activities, most patients lived a sedentary life. Social contact was limited, and they were only half as active physically as the average Norwegian population of comparable age and sex. Work capacity was tested as maximum oxygen uptake, using the bicycle ergometer test. Maximum oxygen uptake was considerably lower (75-80%), and the decrease observed in aerobic capacity with increasing age was more pronounced than that of the average Norwegian population. In comprehensive care of patients with epilepsy, we believe that prescription of adapted physical activity is an important means of improving quality of life.

Adolescent↗

Determination of amoxicillin in trout by liquid chromatography with UV detection after derivatization.

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method based on solid-phase extraction was developed for determination of amoxicillin in muscle tissue of rainbow trout. The compound was extracted in an aqueous solution by precipitation of organic material with a mixture of sulfuric acid and sodium tungstate. The extract was processed by solid-phase extraction on an end-capped phenyl sorbent, and concentrated on a divinylbenzene-co-N-vinylpyrrolidone polymeric sorbent. The extract was derivatized and analyzed by reversed-phase gradient LC on a C18 column with UV detection at 323 nm. The method detection limit was 2.9 micrograms/kg. Mean recovery in muscle was 80.5% (range 10-200 micrograms/kg). The method was applied to fillets from trout offered feed containing amoxicillin in an aquaculture pilot plant. Amoxicillin was detected in muscle tissue shortly after administration but not 3 weeks later. The relative repeatability standard deviation for incurred residues in muscle tissue was 6.4% (range 11-143 micrograms/kg).

Adsorption↗

Circulating cytokines and soluble CD23, CD26 and CD30 in ANCA-associated vasculitides.

OBJECTIVE: To assess circulating immunoregulatory cytokines and soluble surface markers of T and B cell activation in the plasma of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) during active and inactive disease, in order to establish their value in discriminating between disease entities and as markers of disease activity. METHODS: Plasma levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IFN-gamma and soluble CD23, CD26 and CD30 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patients with WG (n = 21), CSS (n = 19) and MPA (n = 14) during active disease and remission. RESULTS: Concerning cytokines, no differences were observed for IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13. Plasma levels of IL-12 were decreased in all subgroups of patients. On the contrary, IL-10 levels were significantly elevated only in patients with CSS. Levels of sCD30 were significantly increased in patients with active generalized WG and CSS, but not in those with MPA and localized WG, correlating with the disease extent and activity. sCD26 levels were markedly decreased in patients with generalized WG, CSS and MPA and increased towards remission. sCD23 levels were slightly, but not significantly increased in CSS and generalized WG. CONCLUSION: Regarding the investigated immunoregulatory cytokines (Th1/Th2 type), only the measurement of plasma levels of IL-10 discriminated CSS from WG and MPA. The reported data could indicate a similar status of T cell activation in generalized WG and CSS, and possibly a shift in peripheral immunity towards a more humoral dominated immune response. The differences observed between patients with the localized and generalized forms of WG seem to reflect the clinically known biphasic course of this disease.

Adult↗

Detecting colorectal cancer with a large scale fecal occult blood testing program.

The researchers analyzed outcome data for 439 persons who had positive fecal occult blood tests in a 1984 statewide program for Connecticut residents. Among those with positive test results, colorectal cancer was diagnosed in 33 persons, 7.5 percent of the sample, during 3.5 years of follow-up. More than one-half of all cases found, 15 of 29 persons, or 52 percent, were diagnosed with in-situ or localized tumors, which are most likely to be treated successfully. The predictive value of a positive test varied according to the screened person's age and the number of positive tests obtained from that person. Among those 60 years or older, the positive predictive value of the screening test was 9 percent, compared to 3 percent for persons younger than 60 years. Having more than one positive test was associated with a positive predictive value of 12 percent, compared to 5 percent for one positive test. The findings support the use of fecal occult blood testing for early detection of colorectal cancer.

Aged↗

Screening for phenylketonuria in New York City. Threshold values reconsidered.

In New York City from 1966 to 1970, almost all 736,469 newborns were screened for phenylketonuria (PKU). Among 1,094 infants with presumptive positive test results, 763 were followed up and 46 of them were judged to require preventive treatment. The considerable annual variation observed in the frequency of values of 4 to 6 mg/100 ml bood phenylalanine suggested low reliability at this level. Screening test results of 4 mg/100 ml, with no cases detected among them, represented 53% of all false positive results; newborns with 6 mg/100 ml results yielded 1 infant in need of treatment and accounted for 40% of the false positive results. The large volume of presumptive positive results generated by these levels presumably contributed to incomplete followup. If the threshold value for followup were raised, the effectiveness and the efficiency of the screening program could be improved. The experiences of other large PKU programs in the United States support these observations.

False Positive Reactions↗

[The use of Ergocomb in symptoms of cerebrovascular insufficiency].

Using a test design of subjective, clinical and psychometric parameters, Ergocomb was tested, in a double-blind trial, on fifty-five patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency. The test results, which are in agreement with those reported in the literature, show a substantial improvement of various subjective and objective criteria. Therefore, Ergocomb, in the form of swallowable tablets, is considered suitable for application to patients with senile cerebral insufficiency, the recommended dosage being 3 x 1 mg.

Aged↗