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Biomedical subjects

J Nielsen

Publications and source records attributed to J Nielsen.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

Single and multiple breath nitrogen wash-out--closing volume and volume of trapped gas for detection of early airway obstruction.

Thirty-eight patients with varying degrees of peripheral airway involvement were studied by flow-volume curves and two nitrogen wash-out techniques in an on-site study. Closing capacity (CC), closing volume in percentage of vital capacity (CV%), slope of the alveolar plateau (phase III), volume of trapped gas (VTG), and maximum expiratory flow at 50 and 75% of vital capacity (MEF50, MEF25) were determined and correlation analyses were performed. A biphasic or exponential correlation was noted between the degree of airway closure and VTG with rapidly increasing VTG at high CC. Although there were correlations between spirometry and the two nitrogen wash-out techniques, a large scatter precluded the use of the flow-volume variables to predict CC, CV% and VTG. The coefficient of variation was lower for the measurements of CV% than for the recording of VTG. Since the single breath nitrogen wash-out technique is also technically simpler it is recommended prior to the multiple breath technique.

Adult↗

What more can be done for girls and women with Turner's syndrome and their parents?

More should be done for Turner's girls/women and their parents. There is a need for early diagnosis, provision of information to Turner's parents, girls and women, provision of a support system in the form of Turner's contact groups, relevant treatment of all Turner's related disorders and problems at the appropriate age. More information is needed, including information given by physicians and Turner's women in journals, radio and television. This has been happening in Denmark during recent years. Turner's contact groups should be available in all countries, and all Turner's girls and women and their parents should be encouraged to join such groups. More research should be undertaken concerning growth, growth stimulating treatment, oestrogen treatment and in vitro fertilization in Turner's syndrome; more social-psychological studies are also needed.

Adult↗

Spinal mechanisms in man contributing to reciprocal inhibition during voluntary dorsiflexion of the foot.

1. The inhibition of the soleus Hoffmann reflex (H reflex) during voluntary dorsiflexion of the foot--henceforth referred to as 'natural' reciprocal inhibition--was found to be initiated 50 ms before the onset of the EMG activity in the tibialis anterior muscle and to increase gradually during a ramp-and-hold dorsiflexion. There was a positive correlation between strength of tonic dorsiflexion and amount of 'natural' reciprocal inhibition. 2. The change of activity in the disynaptic and a long-latency group Ia inhibitory pathway and the change in presynaptic inhibition of the Ia fibres mediating the soleus H reflex were tested separately during ramp-and-hold dorsiflexion as well as during tonic dorsiflexion of the foot, and the results were compared with the development of the 'natural' reciprocal inhibition of the unconditioned soleus H reflex. 3. The disynaptic group I inhibition of soleus motoneurones was increased, as compared to rest, during the dynamic phase of a ramp-and-hold dorsiflexion movement, but the inhibition generally did not increase during tonic dorsiflexion of the foot. 4. The long-latency group I inhibition was seen only during dorsiflexion of the foot. It appeared around 50 ms before tibial anterior EMG activity and there was a positive correlation between strength of tonic dorsiflexion and amount of this long-latency inhibition. 5. Presynaptic inhibition of Ia afferents terminating on soleus motoneurones was estimated by an indirect method. The increase of presynaptic inhibition started soon after the onset of the ramp-and-hold dorsiflexion, and gradually became more pronounced during the ramp phase. The amount of presynaptic inhibition was positively correlated with strength of tonic dorsiflexion. 6. It is concluded that all investigated mechanisms may contribute to the 'natural' reciprocal inhibition and it seems that the different pathways are used differentially during different types of movement.

Adult↗

Reversal of female sterilization using macro technique.

The pregnancy rate of 63 women who underwent macrosurgical reversal of sterilization is reported. The pregnancy rate is based on life table estimates. The present material is the largest reported with this method. No statistically significant correlation was found between pregnancy outcome and tube length, anastomotic site, technique of sterilization, day of refertilization in menstrual cycle, or time interval between sterilization and refertilization. Using life tables, the cumulative probability of intra-uterine pregnancy 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 66 months after surgery was 14%, 26%, 39%, 39%, 43%, and 51% respectively. Our results of macroscopic sterilization reversal are comparable to the reported results of microsurgical methods. They support the contention that atraumatic technique rather than the microscope is important for good results.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Allergic airway disease caused by methyl tetrahydrophthalic anhydride in epoxy resin.

Work-associated rhinitis and asthma occurred in a subject exposed to methyl tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA) used as a curing agent in an epoxy resin system. He displayed bronchial hyperreactivity in provocation with methacholine, as well as skin prick test positivity and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) serum antibodies, against a conjugate of MTHPA and human serum albumin. Thus, it seems likely that the disease was caused by an IgE-mediated allergy.

Adult↗

Turner's syndrome: a qualitative and quantitative analysis of EEG background activity.

A qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed on the EEG background activity in 62 Danish girls and women with Turner's syndrome (30 with karyotype 45,X and 32 with other karyotypes) whose ages ranged from 6 to 47 years (87% were aged 15 years or more) and age-matched controls. The pooled data and a case-control study showed characteristic features in Turner subjects, including: (1) more rapid frequency, larger amplitude and lower amount of alpha waves, (2) higher amount of theta waves, (3) larger amplitude and higher amount of delta waves and (4) larger amplitude and higher amount of beta waves than in controls. These findings in Turner subjects were more pronounced in the left hemisphere, and more typical, except for the amplitude in alpha waves, in Turner subjects with 45,X than in those with other karyotypes. The effects of advancing age on the EEG background activity observed in controls--including more rapid frequency, decreased amplitude and amount of alpha waves, increased amount of theta and delta waves, and increased amount of beta waves, particularly after 35 years of age--were found in some Turner subjects. Hemispheric differences with higher activity (i.e. more rapid frequency, larger amplitude and higher amount of alpha waves, particularly at Fp1 and F3, and, inversely, lower amount of theta or delta waves) at P3, T3, T5 and O2 than at the opposite side were found in many Turner subjects. However, these findings were not specific for Turner subjects, since the same hemispheric differences were also observed much more markedly in controls. These topographic distributions with hemispheric differences did not provide evidence for hypofunction in the temporo-parieto-occipital tertiary area of the right hemisphere in Turner subjects, though this had been expected on the basis of neuropsychological examinations. Our findings, including transiently appearing brain hypofunction at the parietal, temporal and occipital areas, most often in the right hemisphere, indicate a relationship between the chromosomal constitution 45,X and EEG background activity. They suggest the presence of functional brain disturbance in the thalamus and in the ascending reticular activating system, which tends to disturb the thalamo-cortical circuit. Further studies, including topographic and sequential power spectrum analysis of EEG background activity, 24-h continuous EEG recording, blood flow studies (positron computerized tomography) and neuropathological examination, may be needed.

Adolescent↗

A genotoxic study of metal workers exposed to trichloroethylene. Sperm parameters and chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes.

Metal workers exposed to trichloroethylene for the degreasing of metals were studied to evaluate the genotoxicity of this exposure. For 15 workers presently exposed to high doses of trichloroethylene there was no difference from unexposed persons with respect to sperm count and morphology, and a small increase of two fluorescent bodies (YFF%) in spermatozoa. In contrast, there was a highly significant increase in frequency of structural aberrations (breaks, gaps, translocation, deletions, inversions) and hyperdiploid cells in cultured lymphocytes from trichloroethylene degreasers. As control groups, physicians from chemically non-exposed surroundings and a concurrently sampled reference from cytogenetic investigations were used. This study indicates positive correlations between exposure to trichloroethylene and somatic chromosome aberrations, whereas no effect on male germ cells could be demonstrated.

Adult↗

Specific serum antibodies against phthalic anhydride in occupationally exposed subjects.

In two plants producing alkyde and unsaturated polyester resins, the time-weighted average air level during loading of phthalic anhydride (PA) was 6.6 (1.5 to 17.4) mg/m3. In a full workday the level was 0.4 mg/m3. In 60 workers, symptoms of rhinitis and/or conjunctivitis were frequently reported, mostly by heavily exposed workers (69%). Five workers (14%) with PA-associated asthma were found. All were heavily exposed during some period. There was no difference between the exposure groups with regard to total serum level of IgE, IgG, and IgM, nor specific IgE and IgM against PA. There was a significant difference of specific IgG against PA between heavy and low exposure groups (p = 0.01). One worker with asthma had an increased specific IgE level. Subjects with symptoms did not differ from subjects without symptoms in total serum IgE, IgM, IgA, or specific IgE and IgM. However, subjects with rhinoconjunctivitis had lower total IgG than the other workers (p = 0.01). The subjects with asthma had significantly higher values for specific IgG than the asymptomatic subjects (p = 0.005). Four subjects had specific IgG antibodies of subclass 4 (IgG4). Three of these four subjects had asthma, and one had rhinitis. These findings demonstrate that specific IgG is an index of PA exposure and support the hypothesis that specific IgG4 under some circumstances, may be a pathogenetic factor in asthma.

Antibodies↗