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Biomedical subjects

J Karvonen

Publications and source records attributed to J Karvonen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Lesional psoriatic epidermis displays reduced neurofibromin immunoreactivity.

Neurofibromin enhances the inactivation of protooncogene p21ras and has been suggested to function as a regulator of cell growth and differentiation. In normal skin, neurofibromin is particularly abundant in the basal keratinocytes of epidermis. The present study utilized antibodies raised against two synthetic peptides corresponding to different regions of neurofibromin. One of the antibodies recognized all forms of neurofibromin and the other was specific for type II neurofibromin. The following specimens were analyzed for neurofibromin immunoreactivity: 1) skin of apparently healthy volunteers, 2) active lesions of 15 psoriatic patients, 3) apparently healthy skin of the same patients at the time of the active phase of the disease, and 4) the previously lesional areas after anti-psoriatic treatment of the same patients. The presence of neurofibromin mRNA in normal epidermis and in keratinocytes cultured from normal skin was demonstrated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction or by Northern hybridization. In marked contrast to normal epidermis, active psoriatic lesions were characterized by a weak immunosignal for types I and II neurofibromin in the basal cell layer of the epidermis. Previously lesional, clinically healed areas displayed variable, yet clearly detectable, expression of neurofibromin. Our results demonstrate that the epidermis of psoriatic lesions displays reduced immunostaining for type I and II neurofibromins compared to normal epidermis, and that neurofibromin immunoreactivity is partially restored concomitant with clinical healing of the lesions. The question whether the changes in neurofibromin expression in psoriasis are causal or consequential with respect to the pathogenesis of psoriasis remains to be elucidated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Two antireflux operations: floppy versus standard Nissen fundoplication.

The effects of fundic mobilization in Nissen fundoplication on belching ability, abdominal gas volume, bloating and flatus were assessed in a prospective, randomized study of 25 patients with refractory gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Reflux was cured regardless of fundic mobilization. Subjective ability to belch was restored to preoperative in 73% of the patients with fundic mobilization, compared to 50% without. About 10% in both groups totally lost their ability to belch. Disturbance from flatus increased postoperatively slightly in both groups, but from bloating it remained the same or even diminished. The residual intra-abdominal radioactivity (median (interquartile range)) after provoked belching was preoperatively 8.9% (4.4-12.0) with and 13.2% (6.8-15.2) without fundic mobilization, compared to 36.7% (31.1-40.9) of the controls (P < 0.05). After fundoplication this residual activity was normalized in both study groups. Disturbance from postoperative bloating or flatus were not related to the ability of belching. Preoperatively symptomatic patients tended to have more complaints postoperatively. In conclusion, fundic mobilization restored belching ability slightly more effectively without compromising antireflux efficacy, but there did not seem to be any advantage regarding flatus or bloating.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Mononuclear cell subsets in the nickel-allergic reaction in vitro and in vivo.

Nickel is the major cause of metal-induced contact allergy. To understand the mechanism of its immune reaction, we studied changes in lymphocyte surface markers during nickel challenge in both allergic and healthy subjects using an in vitro nickel reaction in which the lymphocytes of allergic subjects divide when they are stimulated with nickel sulfate. The lymphocytes were labeled with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to cell-surface antigens and studied by flow cytometry. Mononuclear cells from the nickel reaction in vivo were studied from skin biopsy specimens using MAbs and avidin-biotin immunohistochemistry. Nickel-induced lymphoblast transformation occurred in vitro only in cells from nickel-allergic subjects. CD4+ cells and CD45RO+ cells were overrepresented among the lymphoblasts of nickel-sensitive subjects, whereas CD8+ and CD8+CD11b+ and CD4+CD45R+ cells were underrepresented. The lymphoblasts contained T cells with the following activation markers: CD25, HLA-DR, CD26, CD71, Ki-67, and activation-associated antigen detected by the MAb, M21C5, but they were CD30-. CD16+ cells were overrepresented among the lymphoblasts. Nickel-reacting T cells used predominantly the T cell receptor, alpha beta-heterodimer, but no preferential selection of either V beta 5, V beta 6, or V beta 8 was observed. The phenotypes of nickel-reacting cells from cutaneous biopsy specimens were in agreement with the in vitro results.

Antigens, Differentiation↗
PubMed1992

Alcohol and smoking: risk factors for infectious eczematoid dermatitis?

Risk factors for infectious eczematoid dermatitis (IED) were analyzed in a study of males aged 19-50 years. The subjects were 43 IED patients and 226 controls with other skin diseases from the dermatological outpatient clinics of three University Hospitals in Finland. The patients' lifestyles were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire pertaining to two specified periods: the period 12 months before the onset of the skin disease and the period 12 months before the examination date. Recalled mean alcohol intake before the onset of the skin disease was 39.2 g/day for the IED patients and 17.1 g/day for the controls (p = 0.04). The average number of cigarettes smoked daily was 17.7 for the IED patients and 10.4 for the control patients (p = 0.001). The IED patients significantly reduced their alcohol intake after the onset of the skin disease. In logistic regression analysis, IED associated with alcohol intake and smoking but not with coffee consumption, life events, age, marital status, or social group. The odds ratio for IED at an alcohol intake of 50 g/day as against no intake, was 1.7 (95% confidence interval 1.03-2.7), and the odds ratio at a tobacco consumption rate of 20 cigarettes/day as against no use of tobacco, was 2.1 (1.2-3.7). We conclude that alcohol intake and smoking appear to be risk factors for infectious eczematoid dermatitis among males.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Comparison of intravenous diclofenac, indomethacin and oxycodone as post-operative analgesics in patients undergoing knee surgery.

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs diclofenac, indomethacin and oxycodone were compared in the treatment of pain after arthroscopy or arthrotomy of the knee in a double-blind, randomized trial. A single and, if needed, a repeated dose of one of the following six dose and drug alternatives was given intravenously for post-operative pain relief: diclofenac 37.5 mg or 75 mg, indomethacin 25 mg or 50 mg and oxycodone 5 mg or 10 mg. Oxycodone 5 mg i.v. was used as a rescue medication whenever the patient needed further pain relief after the two doses of the trial drugs. The observation period was 14 h. In the diclofenac group the patients needed significantly less trial and rescue analgesics than in the indomethacin (P less than 0.001) and oxycodone (P less than 0.05) groups, the latter groups being equal in this respect. Both the duration from the first trial drug infusion to the second trial medication and to the first rescue medication were significantly longer in the diclofenac group than in the indomethacin group (P less than 0.05 and less than 0.01, respectively).

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Alcohol intake: a risk factor for psoriasis in young and middle aged men?

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the nature of the association between alcohol intake and psoriasis. DESIGN: Case-control study of men aged 19-50 with onset of skin disease in 1976 or later. SETTING: Outpatient clinics of the departments of dermatology of the university central hospitals in Helsinki, Oulu, and Tampere from September 1987 to April 1989. SUBJECTS: 144 Patients with psoriasis and 285 unmatched controls with other skin diseases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Results of clinical examination and self administered questionnaire assessing lifestyle and alcohol intake during two specified periods--namely, 12 months before the onset of skin disease and 12 months before the date of examination. RESULTS: Recalled mean alcohol intake before the onset of skin diseases was 42.9 g/day among the patients with psoriasis and 21.0 g/day among the controls. In logistic regression analysis psoriasis was associated with alcohol intake but not with coffee consumption, smoking, age, marital state, or social group. The odds ratio for psoriasis at an alcohol intake of 100 g/day compared with no intake was 2.2 (95% confidence interval 1.3 to 3.9). The controls decreased their alcohol intake after the onset of the disease but the group with psoriasis did not. Analysis of serum enzyme values showed that gamma-glutamyltransferase activity was significantly correlated with alcohol intake (r = 0.35), the mean activity being 75.0 U/l among patients with psoriasis and 41.9 U/l among controls. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol is a risk factor for psoriasis in young and middle aged men, and psoriasis may sustain drinking.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Segmental neurofibromatosis: immunocytochemical analysis of cutaneous lesions.

Cutaneous lesions from three patients with segmental neurofibromatosis were evaluated. Routine histologic studies revealed the presence of redimentary neural structures within an abundant collagenous matrix. The majority of the cells in all three cases expressed S-100 protein, suggesting their identity as Schwann cells. The stromal component stained positively for fibronectin and type IV collagen; the latter indicated the presence of basement membrane material. Embedded in the tumor mass were glandular epithelial structures that stained with epithelial membrane antigen antibody. Staining for factor VIII-related antigen revealed vascular endothelium and multiple scattered mast cells. In one case strands of cells stained with antibodies to desmin, suggesting muscle cell differentiation. This case may represent a distinct subset of neurofibromas.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Effect of long-term PUVA treatment of psoriasis on the collagen and elastin gene expression and growth of skin fibroblasts in vitro.

The proliferation rate, collagen metabolism and collagen and elastin messenger-RNA levels were studied in fibroblasts derived from patients who had received many courses of either systemic 8-methoxypsoralen or topical trioxsalen PUVA treatment. The proliferation rate of fibroblasts as measured by the incorporation of 3H-thymidine or by cellular division was decreased in those obtained from patients who had PUVA treatment as compared with controls. Collagen synthesis was slightly increased in the cells from PUVA-treated patients, but the relative collagen synthesis and the ratio between types I and III collagen were unchanged. The levels of collagen and elastin mRNAs were increased in fibroblasts derived from the PUVA-treated patients. No significant differences in histology or immunochemistry could be found in the biopsies taken from topical and systemic PUVA-treated patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Changes in running speed, blood lactic acid concentration and hormone balance during sprint training performed at an altitude of 1860 metres.

The development of results of five national level sprinters (Group A) was followed up during a training period of two weeks at an altitude of 1860 m aiming at increase of strength and speed and after it. Changes in anaerobic capacity were monitored by making blood lactic acid determinations, and occurrence of any overstrain by serum testosterone, cortisol, growth hormone and SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) determinations. A control group (Group B) trained simultaneously according to a similar programme at sea level. Maximal 150 m running speeds increased in Group A significantly during the two weeks at the altitude of 1860 m (p less than 0.001). No such increase was observable in Group B. Maximal 300 m running speeds and maximal lactic acid concentrations after running did not increase significantly in either group. Serum hormone levels did not change significantly either, in either group. Training at an altitude of 1860 m to increase strength and speed significantly improved results at the shorter distance of 150 m but had not significant effects on anaerobic capacity or on serum testosterone, cortisol, growth hormone or SHBG levels.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

No evidence for true HTLV-I or HIV-1 antibodies in Finnish Lapps.

Previous seroepidemiologic studies have suggested that in addition to certain subtropical and tropical parts of the world, human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) may be endemic in the arctic regions, too. We studied 111 sera collected from original inhabitants of Finnish Lapland with ELISA and Western blot analysis for antibodies to HTLV-I and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). No true positive sera for either virus were found in the confirmatory Western blot assays, albeit 6 and 2%, respectively, were positive in the screening ELISA assays. Despite the small sample size this survey does not support the hypothesis that HTLV-I would be endemic in the Arctic.

Arctic Regions↗
PubMed1989

311 nm UVB lamps in the treatment of psoriasis with the Ingram regimen.

A new experimental fluorescent lamp emitting UVB mainly in a narrow peak around 311 nm was compared with a conventional broad band UVB lamp in the treatment of psoriasis with the Ingram regimen. In 20 patients one arm was treated with the new lamps and the other arm with conventional lamps. In 12 patients the results were same, but the new lamp was more effective in 8 patients. In another trial, 53% of 17 patients treated with the new lamp showed good results compared with 30% of 23 patients treated with conventional lamps. In conclusion, the 311 nm UVB lamp is at least as effective as the conventional broad band UVB lamps in the treatment of psoriasis with the Ingram regimen.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Effects of skating and diagonal skiing techniques on results and some physiological variables.

In this study, the effects of skating and diagonal techniques on skiing load at various speeds were compared. When skiing at the same speed, subjects' heart rates were significantly lower when using the skating technique than when using the diagonal technique (p less than 0.05). At maximal speed, skating technique gave a significantly higher speed at the same heart rate (p less than 0.001) than diagonal technique. Above the anaerobic threshold (4 mmol.L-1) blood lactic acid levels remained significantly lower (p less than 0.005) when using the skating technique than when using the diagonal technique. The results suggest that at the same speed, skating technique loads aerobic and anaerobic energy production less than diagonal technique, and that the same maximal energy production gives a significantly higher skiing speed when using the skating technique than when the diagonal technique (p less than 0.001).

Anaerobic Threshold↗
PubMed1988

Familial occurrence of malignant lymphoepithelial lesion of the parotid gland in a Finnish family with dominantly inherited trichoepithelioma.

A rare malignant lymphoepithelial lesion (MLEL) of the parotid gland is described in a mother and daughter within one Finnish family. Several cases of dominantly inherited trichoepithelioma were observed in the same family. This is the third published case of familial MLEL, and the first in whites. The simultaneous occurrence of MLEL with hereditary trichoepithelioma is a new finding and may suggest a common genetic background and/or etiology.

Female↗
PubMed1988

Aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen in methotrexate-induced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Twenty-four psoriatic patients on methotrexate were studied with liver biopsies and serum measurements of aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIII NP). All but one of nine patients with serum levels of PIII NP above the normal range had liver fibrosis or cirrhosis and no normal liver biopsies were obtained in this group. In contrast, nine normal liver biopsies and two biopsies with minimal fibrosis were found among the 15 patients with normal serum levels of PIII NP. The study indicates that aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen can be utilized as a valuable non-invasive marker of fibrogenesis in the liver. This analysis is not specific for the liver, but it seems that the number of liver biopsies probably can be reduced in psoriatics on methotrexate who have normal levels of PIII NP.

Adult↗