Biomedical subjects

H Madsen

Publications and source records attributed to H Madsen.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Food selection behaviour of potential biological agents to control intermediate host snails of schistosomiasis: Sargochromis codringtoni and Tilapia rendalli.

The food selection behaviour of two fish species indigenous to Zimbabwe (Tilapia rendalli and Sargochromis codringtoni) was studied under laboratory conditions with a view to considering them as biological agents for snail control. Six glass aquaria were set up and divided into two sets each with two aquaria. One S. codringtoni was introduced into each aquarium of the first set while one T. rendalli was introduced into each aquarium of the other set. In one of the aquaria of each set the fish were supplied with snails and trout food. Snails and weeds were provided, but trout food was excluded in the second aquarium of each set while the third aquarium for each set was provided with trout food, snails and weeds. A fourth aquarium with weeds and snails but no fish was set up as a control. Data collected over 9 weeks showed that T. rendalli was primarily herbivorous while S. codringtoni was shown to be malacophagous. Presence of trout food made no difference in the snail-eating habit of S. codringtoni or the weed-eating behaviour of T. rendalli. However, trout food seemed to be a good protein supplement to T. rendalli as the fish with access to trout food gained more weight and length.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Release of foreign bodies (particles) by clinical use of intravenous infusion sets.

In clinical practice, stripping the plastic tubes of intravenous (i.v.) infusion sets with a scissor blade is a commonly used method for re-establishing flow in malfunctioning i.v. sets. The present investigation concludes that this procedure results in release of plastic particles from the luminal wall of the tube. Particles are subsequently flushed into the patient. The average amount of particles released exclusively from the i.v. infusion sets under these circumstances may exceed the standards for acceptable particle content per millilitre in large volume i.v. injectable fluids, according to the British Pharmacopoeia (1980) and the United States Pharmacopoeia (1990).

Foreign Bodies↗

PubMed1996

Patterns of infection and transmission of human schistosomiasis mansoni and schistosomiasis haematobium in White Nile Province, Sudan.

The overall prevalences of infection with Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium or both species among 6122 children from 27 schools in the former White Nile Province of Sudan (now divided into the Kosti, El Getaina, El Gebelein and El Duem Provinces) were 10.1%, 21.4% and 4.5%, respectively. Geometric mean egg counts in the pure S. mansoni and pure S. haematobium infections were 97.7 eggs/g faeces and 12.9 eggs/10 ml urine, respectively. There were marked differences in levels of endemicity between provinces and also between schools within each province. School-specific prevalences and intensities of infection were positively correlated, both for S. mansoni and for S. haematobium. Prevalences and intensities of infection were generally similar in male and female subjects and in the different age groups into which they were split (i.e. 5-9, 10-14 and 15-19 years). Community-based surveys of all age groups in two villages showed typical patterns of infections with S. mansoni and S. haematobium, with indices peaking in those aged 10-19 years, both in males and females. Observations on snail-related aspects of transmission revealed that transmission of both S. mansoni and S. haematobium was highly focal and also seasonal, taking place during the hot, dry and post-rainy seasons.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Imipramine metabolism in relation to the sparteine oxidation polymorphism--a family study.

The relationship between genetic polymorphism and imipramine metabolism has never been studied in a family study. A sparteine/mephenytoin test was carried out in 31 parents and 20 siblings of 18 Danish poor metabolizers of sparteine (PMs). One week later, each subject took 25 mg imipramine followed by urine collection for 24 h. The urinary content of imipramine, desipramine, 2-hydroxy-imipramine and 2-hydroxy-desipramine was assayed by HPLC. There were 10 PMs (20%; 9.8-33%, 95% confidence interval) and 41 extensive metabolizers of sparteine (EMs) among parents and siblings. In 26 of the 28 PMs among probands and relatives, there were concordance between phenotype and genotype: D6-A/D6-D (n = 2), D6-A/D6-B (n = 5), D6-B/(n = 15) or D6-B/D6-D (n = 4). Two PMs were apparently heterozygous (EMs), D6-wt/D6-B. Accordingly, based on the present sample of 28 PMs the specificity of the genotype test was 100% and the sensitivity was 92.9%. Two EMs were homozygous dominant D6-wt/and 39 were heterozygous EMs; D6-wt/D6-D (n = 5), D6-wt/D6-B (n = 27), D6-wt/D6-A (n = 6), D6-wt/D6-wt* (unknown mutation) (n = 1). As previously reported in a population study the hydroxylation ratios (i.e. 2-hydroxymetabolite over parent compound) of imipramine were much lower in PMs than in EMs. This and the pedigrees confirmed the co-segregation of sparteine oxidation, imipramine 2-hydroxylation and the CYP2D6 genotype. None of the hydroxylation ratios could separate EMs and PMs completely, mainly because the 2-hydroxylation of imipramine also depends on P450s other than CYP2D6.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Human thymic epithelial cells express functional HLA-DP molecules.

HLA-DP molecules function as restriction elements in the presentation of foreign antigens to T cells by antigen presenting cells and certain HLA-DP molecules confer susceptibility to autoimmune disease. Because HLA molecules play an essential role in thymic selection and elimination of autoreactive T lymphocytes, we examined whether human thymic epithelial cells (TEC) expressed HLA-DP molecules. We present evidence that TEC obtained from short time culture express low but significant levels of HLA-DP molecules. The expression of HLA-DP molecules was comparable to or higher than the expression of HLA-DQ but lower than that of HLA-DR. Upon IFN-gamma treatment, HLA-DP expression was strongly upregulated. Since HLA-DQ and DR expression was upregulated in parallel, the hierarchy between MHC class II isotypes remained unchanged following interferon treatment. TEC elicited significant proliferation of HLA-DP allospecific primed lymphocyte typing (PLT) CD4 T cell lines. IFN-gamma treatment strongly upregulated the HLA-DP allospecific PLT responses whereas other PLT responses remained largely unchanged. In conclusion, these data indicate that human thymus epithelial cells express significant levels of functional HLA-DP molecules.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed1995

[Quality control of echocardiographic examination in a central hospital].

The purpose of this consecutive retrospective study of echocardiographic descriptions and matching case reports was to examine the number of echocardiographic examinations and their consequences for the treatment of the patients. This study was performed in a district hospital in Svendborg, Denmark, during the period from 1.12.93 to 31.03.94 (n = 195). We found that more women than men in the over 69 age group were examined with echocardiographic examination whereas fewer women than men were examined in the 59-69 year-old age group. In 48% of the cases, the actual clinical suspicion was verified by echocardiography; in 40% the echocardiography did not show anything abnormal and in 12% a different diagnosis was found. The echocardiographic examination had a consequence for 29% of the patients regardless the actual clinical suspicion. The frequency of a consequence was the same for the expected and the unexpected finding by echocardiography. Conclusively, this massive rise in the number of performed echocardiographies (n = 51 in 1983; n = 595 in 1993) cannot be reduced by being more restrictive in performing echocardiography for any single clinical suspicion, because all indications for performing echocardiography seem to have equal therapeutic consequences.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Infection and transmission pattern of Schistosoma mansoni in the Managil irrigation scheme, Sudan.

The endemicity (prevalence, intensity and incidence) of schistosomiasis mansoni and its patterns of transmission (focality, seasonality) were studied in five villages in the Managil irrigation scheme, Sudan. Marked differences between villages were observed in overall prevalence (33.3%-54.8%), intensity (77.3-135.0 eggs/g faeces), incidence (15.2%-57.9%) and age-related patterns of Schistosoma mansoni infections. Overall, prevalence and intensity of infection peaked in those aged 10-14 years and then declined slowly with increasing age. However, there were second, smaller peaks in both prevalence and intensity of infection in the older males (> 40 years) and, in general, the indices of infection for males exceeded those for females. The infection pattern was influenced by occupation and possibly by having a latrine. Transmission of S. mansoni in the Managil irrigation scheme is highly focal and seasonal, taking place in a few major human-contact sites near villages and peaking during the hot and dry season (April-June). The infection and transmission patterns of S. mansoni in the scheme show great resemblance to those in the neighbouring Gezira irrigation scheme.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Imipramine metabolism in relation to the sparteine and mephenytoin oxidation polymorphisms--a population study.

1. Sparteine and mephenytoin phenotyping tests were carried out in 327 healthy Danish subjects. Two weeks later each subject took 25 mg imipramine followed by urine collection for 24 h. The urinary content of imipramine, desipramine, 2-hydroxy-imipramine and 2-hydroxy-desipramine was assayed by h.p.l.c. 2. The medians of the hydroxylation ratios (i.e. 2-hydroxy-metabolite over parent compound) were 6 to 14 times higher in 300 extensive metabolizers of sparteine (EMs) as compared with 27 poor metabolizers (PMs), but none of the ratios separated the two phenotypes completely. 3. There were 324 EM of mephenytoin (EMM) and three PM (PMM) in the sample. The demethylation ratios between desipramine, 2-hydroxy-desipramine and their corresponding tertiary amines showed statistically significant correlations with the mephenytoin S/R isomer ratio (Spearman's rs: -0.20 and -0.27, P < 0.05). 4. The demethylation ratios were higher in 80 smokers than in 245 non-smokers. This indicates that CYP1A2, which is induced by cigarette smoking, also catalyzes the N-demethylation of imipramine. 5. CYP2D6 genotyping was carried out by PCR in 325 of the subjects, and the D6-wt allele was amplified in 298 EMs, meaning that they were genotyped correctly. One PMs was D6-wt/D6-B, another PMs had the genotype D6-wt/ and hence both were misclassified as EMs. The remaining 25 PMs were D6-A/D6-B (n = 5), D6-B/ (n = 18) or D6-D/D6-D (no PCR amplification, n = 2).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1994

[Relation between cervical conization, microbial colonization and threatening preterm labor].

UNLABELLED: The relationship between prior cervical conization, the cervical microbial colonization and threatening preterm delivery was investigated in 35 women with preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM), 38 women with idiopathic preterm labor and 75 normal pregnant women at 26-34 weeks of gestation. Prior cervical conization occurred with a significantly higher frequency in PPROM patients than in patients with preterm labor (p < 0.01) and normal pregnant women (p < 0.001). The prevalence of lactobacilli was lower in patients with PPROM than in patients with preterm labor (p < 0.05) and control patients (p = 0.05)--and lower in patients with prior cervical conization than in patients without prior conization (p < 0.05). All other microorganisms occurred with the same frequencies in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Prior conization was associated with PPROM. Women with prior conization and women with PPROM had a reduced prevalence of lactobacilli in the cervix. The "absence" of lactobacilli may indicate changes in the cervical microflora, which could be of importance for PPROM.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Evaluation of focal mollusciciding in the Rahad Irrigation Scheme, Sudan.

Since the establishment of the Rahad Irrigation Scheme in 1979, the prevalence of schistosomiasis has increased to high levels in some villages despite the efforts of the Blue Nile Health Project to prevent this. Although a programme of focal snail control has been implemented since 1979, when the first intermediate host snails were detected, infected snails are abundant in human water contact near villages where transmission of both S. mansoni and S. haematobium takes place. The objective of the present study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the focal snail control operations in irrigation canals, in terms of reductions in snail density and repopulation rates of treated sites. The efficacy of focal mollusciciding was evaluated by (1) evaluation of the routine molluscicide operation done by the Blue Nile Health Project, (2) experimental application of various dosages of the molluscicide and (3) study of snail repopulation rates. Efficiency was measured by mortality among caged snails placed in the target stretch and from pre- and post-treatment counts of relative snail densities. The short-time application of niclosamide can be very effective in reducing the density of the intermediate host snails in the target stretch of canal. An efficient exposure seems to be approximately 3 ppm (a.i.) for 30-40 min when water flow is slow, while 1 ppm is efficient when water velocity is very slow, i.e. less than 0.04 m S-1, and 0.6 ppm is efficient when the water is virtually stagnant. Turbidity seems not to impair the effect of the treatment and vegetation does not reduce the efficiency of niclosamide, provided the current speed is low and the chemical is applied to the entire width of the canal. However, the results also clearly demonstrate some of the shortcomings of the standard procedure of niclosamide application. A high water velocity and discharge will rapidly wash the chemical through the target canal stretch and the snails will be exposed only for a short period if the routine procedure is followed. In addition, the chemical will not mix sufficiently with water within standards of aquatic macrophytes. Recolonization of treated canal stretches is fast, especially during the irrigation period when water velocities are high and juvenile snails are abundant. Snail density may attain pretreatment levels three weeks after an effective application. Since the routine procedure is most effective at low current speeds, it is suggested that water velocity could be controlled during the application in coordination with the Irrigation Department.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Schistosoma haematobium infection patterns in the Rahad Irrigation Scheme, Sudan.

Patterns of infection of urinary schistosomiasis (Schistosoma haematobium) were studied in 4 highly endemic village areas in the Rahad Irrigation Scheme, Sudan. The prevalence of S. haematobium infection in the total study population of 4725 individuals was 30%, and the age-prevalence and age-intensity figures increased rapidly to reach their maxima in the younger age groups. The overall prevalence of infection among males (31.7%) was slightly higher than among females (28.7%), and the two sexes differed in their age-specific prevalence patterns. The pattern of intensity of infection in males and females was rather similar. Marked differences in prevalence and intensity of S. haematobium infection were recorded between the four village areas, and the infection level in camp inhabitants exceeded markedly that in village inhabitants. Specific problems related to low school attendance rates, limited use of treatment opportunities provided at health centers and less than optimal efficacy of the focal snail control approach taken may be kept responsible for the fact that the control programme implemented in the Scheme has not achieved transmission control.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Uro-genital microbial colonization and threatening preterm delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether there is a relationship between the uro-genital microbial colonization and threatening preterm delivery. STUDY DESIGN: The microflora in the urine and endocervix was studied in 43 women with preterm labor, 45 women with preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) and 80 normal pregnant women at 26-34 weeks of gestation. Amniotic fluid was examined in 20 of the patients with preterm labor. Data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test (two-tailed). RESULTS: The microflora in the urine was not significantly different in patients with preterm labor, PPROM and normal pregnant women. Compared with normal pregnant women, patients with preterm labor had significantly lower prevalences of corynebacteria (p < 0.05) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (p < 0.01) in the cervix, while patients with PPROM had significantly lower prevalences of lactobacilli (p < 0.05) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (p < 0.05) in the cervix. Positive amniotic fluid cultures were detected in three of the 20 patients with preterm labor who underwent transabdominal amniocentesis. Evidence of ascending colonization was found in two of these cases. CONCLUSIONS: The microbial colonization of the urine was not associated with threatening preterm delivery. Reduced prevalences of lactobacilli, corynebacteria and coagulase-negative staphylococci in the cervix were associated with threatening preterm delivery.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

The relationship between prior cervical conization, cervical microbial colonization and preterm premature rupture of the membranes.

The occurrence of prior cervical conization and the cervical microbial colonization was investigated in 38 women with idiopathic preterm labor, 35 women with preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) and 75 normal pregnant women at 26-34 weeks of gestation. Data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test (two-tailed). The frequency of prior cervical conization was significantly higher in PPROM patients compared to normal pregnant women (P < 0.001) and to patients in preterm labor (P < 0.01). Lactobacilli occurred with a lower frequency in patients with PPROM compared to patients in preterm labor (P < 0.05) and control patients (P = 0.0543)-and with a lower frequency in patients with prior cervical conization (P < 0.05). All other microorganisms occurred with the same frequencies in all groups. The absence of lactobacilli may indicate changes in the cervical flora, which could increase the risk of PPROM. Prior cervical conization may impair the antimicrobial defense-mechanisms in the cervix, which could facilitate ascending microbial colonization. This may lead to a release of prostaglandins and proteolytic enzymes and subsequently preterm labor and rupture of the membranes.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

[Hysteroscopically guided endometrial destruction in the treatment of menorrhagia].

Until recently, hysterectomy has been the alternative method of treatment in cases of premenopausal menorrhagia where it has not proved possible to obtain satisfactory regulation of the haemorrhage by medical means. Within recent years, a series of hysteroscopic methods have been developed for selective destruction of the endometrium by means of neodymium-laser, electroresection and coagulation. Compared with hysterectomy, hysteroscopic destruction of the endometrium appears to be a much more rapid, simpler and cheaper form of treatment of menorrhagia and appears to be associated with considerably fewer complications. The duration of hospitalization and the period of convalescence can be reduced considerably but, primarily, a large group of women can avoid hysterectomy. As yet, no controlled investigations of selective destruction of the endometrium as compared with conventional hysterectomy are available. There are no comparative investigations of the different methods nor of the long-term sequelae after destruction of the endometrium. This method of treatment has hitherto only been employed to a limited extent in Denmark. Coordination of the activities in this field in connection with establishing this form of treatment in Denmark should be encouraged.

Dilatation and Curettage↗

PubMed1992

Ecological studies on the intermediate host snails and the relevance to schistosomiasis control.

A detailed knowledge of distribution patterns of schistosome intermediate hosts and their population dynamics and factors affecting these patterns will provide useful information about the possibilities and desirability of conducting snail control measures in various transmission situations. On the basis of various case studies the association between the occurrence of human water contacts and the presence of schistosome intermediate hosts or infections in the intermediate hosts is illustrated. Other parameters affecting snail distribution patterns and density fluctuations are discussed. It is concluded that ecological studies on the intermediate hosts are extremely relevant, either to optimally apply existing control measures or to develop alternative measures of snail control, such as ecological or biological control.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

[The relationship between low pH in the umbilical cord artery in neonates and later development of cerebral paresis].

Routine determination of the pH in umbilical arterial blood immediately after delivery is a commonly employed variable for assessing the risk of subsequent cerebral paresis caused by hypoxia. Opinions differ regarding the lower limit for normal NS-pH (acidosis limit) and this is due mainly to variable conceptions of what a normal delivery is. Lower limits from 7.04 to 7.14 are thus observed if the limit -2 SD is chosen. Even if the limit of 7.04 is chosen, only very few of the infants who are acidotic on delivery subsequently develop cerebral paresis. The most important reason for this is that the prevalence of cerebral paresis developed as a result of hypoxia during delivery is very low and that a low NS-pH value most probably originates from a neonate who recovers without cerebral paresis. Another reason is that the relationship between the pH value and the degree of hypoxia is far from perfect and this holds also true for the relationship between the degree of hypoxia and cerebral paresis. It is therefore concluded that in connection with cerebral paresis, NS-pH does not fulfill the requirements of a diagnostic test. Determination of NS-pH may, on the other hand, be of significance for neonatal treatment as the combination of a low Apgar score and NS-pH is a reasonable predictor for the neonatal morbidity.

Cerebral Palsy↗

PubMed1991

The influence of maternal weight, smoking, vascular complications and glucose regulation on the birth weight of infants of type 1 diabetic women.

The influence of maternal blood glucose regulation, weight gain, pre-pregnancy weight, vascular complications and smoking on the birth weight of infants was investigated in 72 type 1 (insulin-dependent) pregnant diabetic women. In patients with vascular complications (n = 23) the birth weight was significantly lower than in patients without vascular involvement (n = 49) (mean 380 g, P less than 0.05). The mean RBWR (relative birth weight ratio) of infants of patients who smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day was statistically significant lower compared to the mean RBWR of infants of non-smokers (P less than 0.025). A significant correlation was present between haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and RBWR (r = 0.28, P less than 0.02) and between maternal net weight gain and RBWR (r = 0.36, P less than 0.005) and this correlation became even stronger when only patients without vascular lesions were considered (n = 49) (r = 0.51, P less than 0.005) and (r = 0.50, P less than 0.005), respectively. In contrast no correlation was found between pre-pregnancy weight and RBWR. The study suggests that factors other than maternal hyperglycaemia stimulate fetal growth and may explain why fetal macrosomia may occur despite of strict blood glucose regulation.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Idiopathic preterm delivery and subclinical genital infection].

Investigations from abroad suggest that idiopathic preterm delivery may be due to ascent of microorganisms from the cervix. These may then colonize the decidua, foetal membranes and amniotic fluid and may thus precipitate preterm contractions or rupture of the membranes. In subclinical urogenital infections, antibiotic treatment appears, in some cases, to be capable of reducing the risk of preterm birth. In cases of treated premature delivery, antibiotic treatment may possibly prolong the pregnancy and prevent neonatal and puerperal infections. Further investigations are, however, recommended before introduction of routine antibiotic treatment in cases of threatened premature birth.

Amniotic Fluid↗