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Biomedical subjects

J Olsen

Publications and source records attributed to J Olsen.

At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Health selection among members of a Danish Trade Union.

The effect of selection on the mortality of members of the Danish carpenters and cabinet makers trade union is reported. Some 40 000 persons entering or leaving the Union between January 1971 to June 1976 were followed until September 1977, and deaths identified by record linkage with the central person-register. The male leaving cohort had a statistically significant higher age adjusted mortality rate than the male entry cohort with a relative death risk of 1.65. For females the difference was not significant but the relative death risk was estimated to be 1.42. Males leaving to or coming from well paid and socially esteemed jobs had significant lower mortality rates than the remainder. The influence of these results on the choice of study design is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

A follow-up study of non-retired and retired members of the Danish Carpenter/Cabinet Makers' Trade Union.

A 6 years follow-up study of mortality among Danish carpenters and cabinet makers (40 000 persons) shows an SMR of 82 in the group of non-retired and an SMR of 70 in the group of retired union members. No major causes of death except nasal cancer were significantly above the national average. Problems of methodology in using retired workers in the occupational mortality studies are discussed.

Accidents↗
PubMed1979

Comparison of the temperature-dependence of rapid axonal transport and microtubules in nerves of the rabbit and bullfrog.

1. The average velocity of transport of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, an enzyme confined to unmyelinated adrenergic nerves, was measured in rabbit and bullfrog sciatic nerves or branches incubated in vitro at various temperatures. In parallel experiments, the number and density of microtubules were measured in cross-sections of randomly selected unmyelinated axons from another set of nerves incubated under the same conditions. 2. Average transport velocity was exponentially related to temperature over a wide range, but it fell abruptly towards zero at temperatures below 13 degrees C in the case of rabbit nerves and 10 degrees C in the case of frog nerves. 3. The number of microtubules per unmyelinated axon had declined considerably before the transport of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase was impaired. At 13 degrees C, axons in rabbit nerves lost 30% of their microtubules. Axons in bullfrog nerves were, if anything, more sensitive to cold, losing 35% of their microtubules at 15 degrees C and 65% of them at 10 degrees C. 4. Since the temperature-dependence of the axonal transport of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase is probably typical of rapid axonal transport in general, it was concluded that transport in unmyelinated axons can continue unaffected when a substantial fraction of the microtubular population has been lost. 5. Although these results could imply that microtubules are not essential for transport, they are equally compatible with the view that these organelles determine the capacity of the transport system and are normally present in excess.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Researching occupational mortality. The problem of comparison.

In a number of countries, studies on occupational mortality have proved to be a useful epidemiological tool for the surveillance of on-the-job health risks. In Scandinavia, studies of this type are facilitated by record linkages made possible by the personal identity number. Health selection of occupational groups makes the problem of comparison one of critical interest in analytical epidemiology of occupational mortality and morbidity. Three generally applied principles in choosing control groups are discussed. Uses of random samples of the whole population will most likely yield under- or overestimates of the true risk of the occupation. It is recommended that comparison groups be introduced from other occupations or from the same occupation if possible making the groups similar with respect to socio-economic factors and especially health selection.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Mortality among bricklayers and carpenters/cabinet makers.

Mortality among members of two medium-sized trade unions, the union of carpenters/cabinet makers and the union of bricklayers, has been studied during the period 1.1.71-31.12.75, primarily to investigate if the greater exposure to dust and organic solvents of the carpenters/cabinet makers caused any increase in the mortality from lung diseases. The study did not reveal any significant differences in mortality regarding any category of diagnoses except suicide, when the analysis was based on the main diagnosis recorded on the death certificate. However, when including underlying causes of death too, statistically significant increased death rates from larynx cancer, asthma, bronchitis and emphysema were found among the bricklayers, as compared with the carpenters/cabinet makers. No explanation can be given for these observations. They may be a result of an unequal distribution of confounding variables in the two groups, or they may reflect various grades and forms of "Healthy Worker" selection. This study is a cross-section study and such studies and longitudinal studies over a period of a few years of occupational mortality are very sensitive to the selection of the occupational groupings. The analysis is based on deaths among life-insured members under the age of 67 years, in the two trade unions. Copies of the death certificates were obtained from the National Health Service and then coded by us along the lines indicated by the NHS.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Health complaints and work conditions among lacquerers in the Danish furniture industry.

In the present work, morbidity rates were based upon 418 replies to postal inquiries sent to 478 members of the carpenters/cabinet makers trade union in the Arhus area of Denmark. Lacquerers, when compared with former lacquerers and non-lacquerers, have an excess of neurophysiological symptoms and symptoms from the respiratory tract. The statistical association between exposure to lacquers and lung symptoms persists after checking for differences in age, smoking habits, and exposure to dust. Organic solvents are an important component of lacquers. Far too little is yet known of solvents' long-term effects on the human body. Most of our present knowledge concerns the short-term toxic effects on the nervous system. This study further points out a relation between lung symptoms and exposure to organic solvents, and it is suggested that further research into this association must be carried out.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1979

Perinatal mortality and antepartum risk scoring.

A simplified, numerical form for antepartum risk scoring was introduced as a component of the prenatal record for use in all pregancies in a large geographic area under a variety of collection practices. In a population of approximately 1,000,000 with 16,733 deliveries, 19% of the pregnant population scored greater than or equal to 3 and were designated as high risk on the basis of previous pilot studies. This group with high-risk scores had a perinatal mortality rate of 69/1000 compared to the low-risk group with a perinatal mortality of 7/1000 (P = less than 0.0001). The high-risk group accounted for almost 70% of the total perinatal deaths. The implications of being able to predict the statistical likelihood of perinatal deaths are discussed. It is suggested that the risk scoring system has its greatest potential as a screening process and as a method of recording regional statistical trends rather than in dictating the final management of the pregnancy.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1978

Diagnostic significance of persistent colonic gallium activity: scintigraphic patterns.

One hundred and forty-eight gallium scans were reviewed to determine the diagnostic significance of colonic gallium activity and its relationship to colonic disease. Location or intensity of the activity was unchanged during the course of the radionuclide study in 25 patients imaged more than once. Of those patients who had colonic gallium activity that did not change in location or intensity during the study, 9 had proved colonic disease. The patterns of colonic activity were either focal or diffuse. These distinct patterns, however, cannot distinguish benign from malignant disease.

Adult↗