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Biomedical subjects

J Rantanen

Publications and source records attributed to J Rantanen.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Immobilization in neutral versus equinus position after Achilles tendon repair. A review of 32 patients.

In this retrospective study, we compared Achilles tendon ruptures treated with augmented repair and equinus cast and ruptures treated with end-to-end suture and immobilization of the ankle in neutral position. No differences in the outcome or complication rate were found. We recommend that Achilles tendon rupture should be treated by the simplest method, i.e., end-to-end suture and immobilization of the ankle in neutral position.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

From research to practice. Role of a research institution in the development of the work environment.

To conclude, all the signals from the future working life and the society at large speak for the growing importance of research in the areas of environmental health and occupational health. This research, in order to have the best impact, should be guided by solid strategy based on the soundest health values presenting clear priorities, and directed to the preventive impact-oriented actions, and using the competence of highly motivated researchers. The researchers should be well supported by their research institutes with good operational capacity and facilities and be provided with close contacts with the consumers of the research. This would facilitate the application of research results in the practical work environment. If all these criteria are met we can also expect an impact. We are all called upon to take part in this exciting effort, and I am happy to state that the response of UOEH during its over 13 years of activity has been a most beautiful example for all of us. Let me transmit the warmest congratulations to UOEH for the past and wishes of success in the future.

International Cooperation↗
PubMed1992

Priority setting and evaluation as tools for planning research strategy.

The growing role of research as a factor for socioeconomic development has also stimulated efforts for setting priorities and for evaluating research strategies. Priorities can be set for problems which are known for their consequences or their existing characteristics. The only way to ensure research on new problems is to allow more space for basic research aimed at revealing new data and at describing new phenomena. Evaluation methods for applied research are available, and they have been successfully used for making research units more effective and for improving the quality of the research in question.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1989

Lumbar muscles: structure and function.

We review new data derived from careful dissection studies on the macroscopic anatomy, innervation and function of the lumbar muscles, as well as information on the fibres in these muscles. The new findings correct previous misconceptions of the functional anatomy of the lumbar muscles. The innervation and function of the erector spinae and multifidus muscles are so different that they cannot be classified as a single unit. The new interpretation of the innervation of multifidus muscle is of importance, for example, for the neurophysiological examination of the lumbar muscles. The relative number of the slow and fast type of muscle fibres in lumbar muscles varies considerably, and selective atrophy of the fast fibres seems to ensue from inactivity, not only in patients with back pain but also in sedentary controls. The atrophy may be corrected by adequate exercise. Both the fibre type composition and degree of atrophy may well influence a person's susceptibility to low back pain arising from the muscles.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Recent PCB accidents in Finland.

Twenty-eight polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) accidents were recorded during a 1-year period in Finland. They comprised leaks, fires or explosions of capacitors. Some of the explosions and fires gave rise to high concentrations of PCBs in air and of PCBs and tetrachlorodibenzofurans (TCDFs), including 2,3,7,8-TCDF, on surfaces. One large explosion is described in detail, and biomedical data and findings of this case are compared with those of smaller accidents in Finland.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1984

Chemical exposures at work and cardiovascular morbidity. Atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias.

Relatively little systematic research has been directed towards the potential effects, either etiologic or aggravating, of industrial chemicals on cardiovascular diseases. While some evidence indicates that exposure to certain pesticides might affect lipoprotein metabolism in man, there is no consistent documentation to support the view that atherosclerosis is caused in man by chemical exposures in industry. In this respect results from some animal studies are highly interesting, eg, exposure to some carcinogens, but the hypotheses presented have not yet been vigorously tested in man. Exposure to carbon monoxide is detrimental to the myocardium, especially in patients with ischemic heart disease, but there are no reliable data on elevated cardiac mortality due to carbon monoxide exposure in industrial populations. A few studies have reported arrhythmias or sudden deaths among workers exposed to solvents and organic nitrates. The effects of lead and cadmium upon human blood pressure have remained controversial, although the bulk of controlled epidemiologic studies suggests that they, if at all existent, are not strong.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Carbon monoxide-induced brain injury: neurochemical studies after single and repeated exposures.

Biochemical effects of a single and once-repeated exposure to carbon monoxide (0.2% CO, 30 min) were studied in mouse brain. The effect of the severity of the first exposure on the brain reaction to the second exposure (0.2% CO, 30 min) was also studied after exposure to four different CO doses (0.2% CO for 0, 2 or 5 h, and 0.3% CO for 2 h). 1. The DNA content of brain decreased after single and once-repeated CO exposures. The effect of the second exposure was greater than that of the first. 2. The changes in the glycosphingolipid synthesis of brain were measured as the specific rate of precursor incorporation into the two isolated galactolipid fractions, i.e., cerebrosides and gangliosides following a 2-h pulse-labelling with 3H-galactose in vivo. The synthesis of cerebrosides was substantially inhibited for a short period after the first and the second exposures. A late compensatory over-recovery of synthesis was found only after the second exposure. The rate of galactose incorporation into gangliosides was not immediately depressed after CO exposure, but otherwise the changes were similar to those of cerebrosides. 3. The protein, phospholipid and cerebroside contents of brain were also affected in parallel fashion with the changes of DNA content. The content of gangliosides was increased after the first, but not after the second exposure. The enhanced reaction of brain to the second CO poisoning suggests the existence of sublethal brain cell injury which is produced by the first CO exposure and manifested by altered reactions to the second exposure.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Community and occupational studies of lung cancer and polycyclic organic matter.

Finland is used as a model in attempts to study the possible association of the incidence of lung cancer and exposure of population to fossil fuel combustion products. Unfortunately because of great geographical variation of unknown origin in the incidence of lung cancer in Finland, detailed studies of the possible role of an individual exposure in the lung cancer risk are not possible. This background variation in the incidence is much greater than variation carried by any known etiological factor and does not clearly correlate with the degree of urbanization, industrialization, regional use of fossil fuels, number of motor vehicles or smoking habits. To get more precise information on the possible association of lung cancer incidence with exposure to fossil fuel combustion products, occupational studies serve as powerful tools. The definition of population is more reliable and the measurement of exposures can be done more precisely; moreover the management of confounding and modifying factors is more effective than in community studies. So far the studies carried out among the Finnish working population exposed to PAH compounds reveal an association between the lung cancer risk and exposure to PAHs.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Occupational health and safety in Finland.

The tradition of Finnish legislation on occupational health and safety began 180 years ago. The renewal cycle of the principal acts has been about 20 to 30 years. At present the Finnish occupational health and safety legislation meets the Scandinavian standard well, though the structure of the Finnish legislation meets the Scandinavian standard well, though the structure of the Finnish legislation is more fragmented. The organization and manpower resources of occupational health and safety comprise more than 100,000 persons (5% of the labor force), and the number of full-time experts is about 3,600. The finances amount to 0.3% of the gross national product. Although intensive reforms for strengthening legislation, research, and practice were carried out during the 1970s, one-third of the labor force still works under daily health and safety risks. Several occupational and nonoccupational risk consequences cummulate into one and the same high risk population. Accident risk still remains the most prevalent and severe type of risk in the Finnish work environment. Three major national programs (National Occupational Health and Safety Program, National Occupational Health Service Program and National Program for Science Policy) were established so that the needs of occupational health and safety can be met. The programs are designed to respond not only to current problems, but also to those which can be expected in the future (caused, eg, by the large-scale implementation of new technology).

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed1982

Exposure limits and medical surveillance in occupational health.

The standards for pollutants in workplace air constitute a social consensus or agreement about acceptable levels of occupational hygiene. This agreement to exposures up to these limits inevitably includes a finite risk to the health of the workers. The numeric values of standards are needed to assess the requirements for ventilation and other occupational hygiene conditions. Planning and everyday practice in industry also need hygienic standards so that practical hygienic and safety measures can be maintained. These standards are not, however, levels below which there is no risk to health. While the hygienic standard itself carries acceptance of a certain risk, doctors cannot ethically accept any health risk to workers whatever the source of exposure. Thus personnel working in occupational health have to think about the risks of ill health even when the hygienic standards are met. The physician in occupational health has to be especially concerned to discover and estimate the risks to anyone particularly susceptible to exposures within the hygienically acceptable conditions. To do this, the occupational health physician uses medical examinations and specific investigations. In the follow-up of workers, health occupational health personnel use medical examinations in order to detect possible risks or to assess the general health status of individual workers. Health examinations are also used to detect specific injuries caused by the agents to which workers are known to be exposed in their work.

Carcinogens↗
PubMed1981

Risk assessment and the setting of priorities in occupational health and safety.

Risk management is a concept central to present-day occupational health and safety. Decisions concerning the regulations of risks are based on the results of risk assessment. To date, no systematic approach to the assessment and management of risk has been developed. The issue is a difficult one because it involves combining scientific analyses with societal and political decision making. It is crucial that that risk assessor and risk manager identify the model according to which risk is regulated in his particular society. This review presents the consecutive steps used to assess risks. Also described is the linking of the assessed risks to the setting of priorities in decisions of risk management.

Decision Making↗