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Biomedical subjects

J Serup

Publications and source records attributed to J Serup.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Parathyroid hormone and calcium metabolism in generalized scleroderma. Increased PTH level and secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with aberrant calcifications. Prophylactic treatment of calcinosis.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) in serum and biochemical parameters of calcium metabolism were analysed in 45 patients with systemic sclerosis. Calcification of the skin and subcutaneous tissue was assessed by X-ray examination of the hands. Analyses disclosed secondary hyperparathyroidism (increased PTH in serum, low calcium 'ion' in serum, decreased urinary excretion of calcium and phosphate), in particular in patients with calcinosis (P less than 0.05) as compared to those with no calcinosis. The duration of systemic sclerosis was longer in patients with calcinosis (P less than 0.05). The calcinosis type of systemic sclerosis is characterized by secondary hyperparathyroidism developed during the progression of the disease. A hypothesis is made regarding calcium metabolism in the early no-calcinosis (with increased synthesis of Vitamin D) and late calcinosis types. PTH may stimulate aberrant calcification. The hypothesis implicates that prophylactic treatment with Vitamin D in low dose may prevent calcinosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Interrelations among the characteristics of human semen, and a new system for classification of male infertility.

The clinical fertility of 1077 men who underwent semen analysis during the years 1950 to 1952 was studied 20 years later using questionnaires returned by 785 men (72.9%). Decreasing fertility was correlated with decreasing sperm count (P less than 0.01), with increasing numbers of immobile sperm (P less than 0.01), with poorer motility (P less than 0.01), and with increasing numbers of morphologically abnormal sperm (P less than 0.01). The characteristics mentioned were all interrelated (P less than 0.01), with correlation coefficients from 0.36 to 0.67. A new system for classification of male fertility potential is elaborated, using a combination of the four characteristics. This system expresses the fertility of the man and the couple as a percentage of the chance of obtaining living children.

Humans↗
PubMed1984

Nicholson score for prescribing digoxin compared with Jellife nomogram.

A series of 84 medical inpatients were treated in random order with oral digoxin in doses calculated according to the newly introduced Nicholson score and the Jellife formula and nomogram. The daily dose of digoxin was lower (p less than 0.01) according to the Nicholson score (mean 2.1 digoxin tablets of 62.5 micrograms daily). The mean serum concentration of digoxin was also lower (p less than 0.01) according to the Nicholson score (1.27 nmol/l) than according to the Jellife nomogram (1.84 nmol/l). Estimated by the Nicholson score the serum concentration of digoxin was not optimal (p less than 0.01) and not within an acceptable therapeutic range (p less than 0.01) in more patients than when estimated by the Jellife nomogram. It is concluded that the Nicholson score is not suitable for medical inpatients.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Diameter, thickness, area, and volume of skin-prick histamine weals. Measurement of skin thickness by 15 MHz A-mode ultrasound.

Twelve healthy persons were prick-tested on the volar forearm with three concentrations of histamine chloride (0.1 mg/ml; 1.0 mg/ml; 10 mg/ml) and an isotonic sodium chloride control. Weal diameters were measured, and skin thickness representing weal thickness was measured by high frequency ultrasound. Relative increases in weal parameters as measured and calculated between weak and strong concentrations of histamine (0.1 and 10 mg/ml) were: mean diameter 139%, weal thickness 46%, tangential area 443%, cross-sectional area 218%, and weal volume 680%. All the parameters of weal size measured and calculated showed significant differences between the three concentrations of histamine. However, a better distinction might be obtained by calculating weal volume. Coefficients of variation ranged from 12-28% for the weal diameter, 11-14% for the weal thickness, 24-53% for the tangential area, 14-39% for the cross-sectional area, and 23-55% for the weal volume. The increase in thickness was correlated to weal diameter up to a diameter of 5 mm (r = 0.64; P less than 0.001), after which weals only expanded tangentially. Weal thickness as measured by ultrasound is a potentially important parameter in experimental studies of inflammatory skin reactions. With this new technique it is possible to compare with normal skin and skin treated with solvent for control. For routine prick-testing of patients with allergy, measurement of weal diameter is still a valid and easy method.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Quantification of cutaneous oedema in patch test reactions by measurement of skin thickness with high-frequency pulsed ultrasound.

69 doubtful and positive patch test readings (?+21, +23, ++18, 7) in 15 contact dermatitis patients were studied by measurement of skin thickness as an expression of allergic oedema. Exposed skin was compared with a regional control. Skin thickness was measured by 15 MHz pulsed ultrasound (A-scan) to 0.1 mm accuracy. The ?+, +, ++, and reactions could be separated by measurements of absolute difference in thickness (p less than 0.001, p less than 0.001, p less than 0.02) between exposed and non-exposed skin; the mean increases were 0.14, 0.49, 0.93, and 1.37 mm. The ?+, +, and ++ reactions, but not the reactions, could also be separated by measurements of relative increase in skin thickness (p less than 0.001, p less than 0.001, n.s.); the mean increases were 7%, 25%, 50% and 55%. The normal thickness of the skin of the back was shown to have increased (p less than 0.02) in patients with reactions only. It is concluded that the high-frequency ultrasound method is suitable for quantification of doubtful and positive patch test reactions. The reactions are probably explained by the normal thick skin of the back, and they need no separate recording in patch testing. Standards of increase in skin thickness in doubtful and positive patch tests are defined: absolute increase (mm) was ?+ less than or equal to 0.2; +0.3-0.7; ++0.8-1.3 ( greater than or equal to 1.4); relative increases were ?+ less than 15%; +15-45%, ++ ( included) greater than 45%.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Increased central cornea thickness in systemic sclerosis.

Central cornea thickness (CCT) was measured in 32 patients with systemic sclerosis by the Haag-Streit pachymeter with improved centrality. Results were compared with measurements in 29 healthy adults matched with respect to sex and age. CCT was increased (P less than 0.001) in patients with systemic sclerosis (mean 0.56 mm, average SD right and left side 0.0297 mm) as compared to the controls (mean 0.51 mm, SD 0.0109 mm). CCT of right and left eye was increased in 69% and 72% of patients with systemic sclerosis as compared to controls (mean 0.51 mm +/- 2 SD). CCT increased during the first 8 years of the disease (correlation coefficient 0.593) reaching a plateau after 8 years (correlation coefficient 0.005). CCT did not increase during medical treatment with collagen inhibitors. Measurement of CCT may be useful as a supplement to other quantitative methods for diagnosis and control of systemic sclerosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Clinical appearance of skin lesions and disturbances of pigmentation in localized scleroderma.

Skin manifestations of localized scleroderma were assessed clinically in 58 patients presenting 214 circumscribed scleroderma lesions (23 patients with localized morphoea plaques, 15 with generalized morphoea, 11 with linear scleroderma of trunk and extremities, 9 with scleroderma en coup de sabre). Characteristic differences between different types of localized scleroderma with respect to age at debut, regional distribution, symmetry and linearity, degree of sclerosis of the lesions, and the presence of inflammatory change of colour, pigmentation and visible atrophy of underlying subcutaneous tissue were found. Separate brown-pigmented spots resembling atrophoderma. Pasini-Pierini were observed in 49% of the patients. A regional distribution chart of linearity in localized scleroderma was elaborated. The frequent finding of disturbances of pigmentation, the character of the linear distribution-pattern, and affections of underlying anatomical structures is discussed to indicate a predisposing defect in the migration of crest cells during embryonal life.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Collagen metabolites in urine in localized scleroderma (morphoea).

Hydroxyproline (Hyp), hydroxylysine (Hyl), and proline (Pro) were assayed in the urine from 28 patients with localized scleroderma (13 with localized morphoea plaques, 13 with generalized morphoea, and two with scleroderma en coup de sabre), as well as 17 control persons. The levels of Hyp, Hyl and Pro were elevated in patients with localized morphoea plaques as compared to the controls indicating major changes of the collagen metabolism in this type of localized scleroderma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Tactile sensitivity in systemic sclerosis. Assessment of two-point and circle discriminations of the digit.

The two-point and circle discriminations of the third digit of the hand were studied in 25 patients with systemic sclerosis as compared to 25 healthy controls matched for sex and age. 1 patient (4%) had diminished two-point discrimination = 10 mm and other signs of neuropathy. Mean two-point discrimination in the controls was 3.44 mm, SD 1.00 mm, and mean + 2 SD 5.44 mm. The normal two-point discrimination of the pulp of the digit could be defined as less than or equal to 5 mm. The circle discrimination was not diminished in any case. 8 patients (32%) complained of numbness of the digits, but examinations revealed neuropathy in only 1 case. Determination of two-point discrimination of the digit is recommended to screen neuropathy in systemic sclerosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Quantification of acrosclerosis: measurement of skin thickness and skin-phalanx distance in females with 15 MHz pulsed ultrasound.

The skin thickness of the extensor and flexor aspects of the forearm (TEF, TFF), and the skin-phalanx distance over the middle and proximal phalanges (DMP, DPP) were measured with a 15 MHz ultrasound (A-scan) apparatus. Twenty-two females with systemic sclerosis (acrosclerotic type) and 22 healthy females matched for age were studied. DMP, DPP, TEF and TFF measurements were all increased in systemic sclerosis (p less than 0.001, p less than 0.001, p less than 0.01, p less than 0.02). Standards for normal skin-phalanx distance and skin thickness in females were defined (mean +/- SD). DMP and DPP were not correlated to age in the controls. TEF and FEF decreased slightly with age, 0.078 and 0.062 mm/10 years of life respectively. DMP was increased in 18 (82%), DPP in 13 (59%), TEF in 7 (32%) and TFF in 5 (23%) patients with systemic sclerosis, as compared with standards defined. Noninvasive measurement of skin-phalanx distance of the digits and skin thickness of the forearm with high-frequency ultrasound is concluded to be proper for the diagnosis of acrosclerosis and for quantification of sclerodermatous skin changes during medical treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Collagen specific amino acids in skin in localized scleroderma.

Hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine and proline were determined on skin from 18 patients with localized scleroderma (10 with localized morphoea plaque and 8 with generalized morphoea). Three skin biopsies (4mm punch) were obtained from each patient: One from the center of a sclerotic plaque, one from the perilesional area, and one (control) from unaffected skin of the same region. Clinically, the sclerosis was more pronounced (p less than 0.01) in localized morphoea plaque as compared to generalized morphoea. Patients with localized morphoea plaque had an increased concentration of hydroxylysine (p less than 0.01) and an increased ratio of hydroxylysine to hydroxyproline (p less than 0.01) in the plaques. Hydroxylysine concentration was not changed in patients with generalized morphoea. In the entire material, increased hydroxylysine concentration were related to shorter age of the plaques (p less than 0.05) and to advanced degree of sclerosis (p less than 0.05). The hydroxylysine and hydroxyproline content per mm2 skin surface, and the weight of the dried defatted biopsy cores were increased in sclerotic plaques (p less than 0.01) in localized as well as generalized morphoea. There were no changes in the hydroxyproline and proline concentrations in any of the groups. Specimens from perilesional area showed intermediate changes. The results were compared with selected cases of lichen sclerosis et atrophicus and atrophic skin diseases. The increase in hydroxylysine concentration and ratio to hydroxyproline indicate that patients with localized morphoea plaque contain an increased proportion of newly synthesized collagen in the fibrotic plaque.

Adolescent↗