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Biomedical subjects

J Serup

Publications and source records attributed to J Serup.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Localized scleroderma (morphoea): thickness of sclerotic plaques as measured by 15 MHz pulsed ultrasound.

The thickness of morphoea plaques was measured by A-mode ultrasound and compared to regional control measurements in the same individuals. The thickness of morphoea plaques was increased by 18-310% in 17 patients with one or a few morphoea plaques (p less than 0.01), and by 13-145% in 6 patients with generalized morphoea (p less than 0.05). The increase in thickness of morphoea plaques was local confined to the plaques. Ipsilateral and contralateral control measurements were not different, and measurements in a standard region (forearm) were not different from those in a group of healthy controls matched for sex and age. Plaques of clinically 'advanced' scleroderma were more thickened (p less than 0.01) than plaques of 'slight' scleroderma. The relative increase in thickness was larger (p less than 0.01) in skin with a habitual thickness of 0.8-1.1 mm. The habitual skin thickness on the extremities (mean 1.0 mm) was less (p less than 0.01) than on the trunk (mean 1.5 mm), and, consistently, plaques with 'advanced' scleroderma were more frequent (p less than 0.05) on the extremities. Ultrasound measurement of skin thickness was accurate with SD form 0.05-0.09 mm and coefficients of variation from 3-7% in reproducibility studies of typical morphoea plaques as well as normal appearing skin.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1984

Patch test responses evaluated by cutaneous blood flow measurements.

We measured the cutaneous blood flow in positive standard patch test reactions by use of the laser-Doppler technique. The results were compared with conventional visual readings to develop a quantitative method. Compared with the basal blood flow in negative or nontested sites, the blood flow was significantly increased about fivefold in the doubtful reactions (?+), and about tenfold in both weak (1+) and strong (2+) positive reactions. The blood flows in the 1+ and 2+ reactions did not differ significantly from each other. No 3+ positive reactions were measured. We conclude that this method might be used to separate negative, doubtful, and positive reactions, whereas weak and strong positive reactions have to be differentiated by other means.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

The day-to-day variation in serum digoxin concentration. The Hørsholm digoxin study.

Serum digoxin concentration was measured in 70 medical patients 7 and 8 days after admission to hospital. The digoxin treatment taken at home was continued in hospital. There was no statistically significant difference between mean digoxin concentrations in samples taken at day 7 (1.52 nmol/l) and day 8 (1.48 nmol/l). The variation in serum digoxin concentration from day to day expressed as SD was 0.25 nmol/l; 95% confidence limits were +/- 0.51 nmol/l, and 99% confidence limits +/- 0.67 nmol/l. Variations in serum digoxin concentration were not correlated to age, sex, body weight, serum creatinine and the oral dose of digoxin.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

Punch biopsy of the skin: effect of temperature and local anesthesia with ethyl chloride freezing.

The effect of local anesthesia with ethyl chloride freezing on biopsy size and quality for microscopy was studied postmortem. Four-mm punch biopsies were taken from the abdominal skin by different techniques: manual punch and drill (250 RPM) at 8 degrees C and 33 to 36 degrees C, ethyl chloride, and injection of lidocaine for local anesthesia. Histologic sections were assessed, and defatted dried weight (DW) was determined as an expression of biopsy size. After ethyl chloride freezing, microscopy showed more trauma (p less than 0.001) and characteristic, marginal tissue-breaks (p less than 0.01). More biopsies (p less than 0.05) were not proper for microscopy. DW and the variances showed no differences. It is concluded that local anesthesia with ethyl chloride freezing results in tissue trauma and inferior quality of the tissue specimens for microscopy.

Anesthesia, Local↗
PubMed1983

Has the fertility of Danish men declined through the years in terms of semen quality? A comparison of semen qualities between 1952 and 1972.

The semen analysis of 1,077 men examined in 1952 was compared with the semen analysis of 1,000 men examined in 1972 in order to assess if fertility in Danish men has declined during the period. The men on both occasions were examined because of a fertility problem. In 1952 6.2% of the men had azoospermia compared with 3.9% in 1972 (P less than 0.05). Between 1952 and 1972 there was a fall in sperm count (P less than 0.01, median 73.4, and 54.5 mill/ml), a deterioration in spermatozoa motility (P less than 0.001), an increase in number of abnormal spermatozoa (P less than 0.01, median 26.0%, and 44.8%), and a deterioration in fertility class according to the Hammen system (P less than 0.001). Semen volume and number of immobile spermatozoa did not change. This study of Danish men, like studies from other industrialized countries, indicates a fall in semen quality and male fertility since the early fifties.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Age at menopause of females with systemic sclerosis.

Clinical symptoms of menopause were recorded in 27 females with systemic sclerosis, mean age 53.5 years (range 22-68). Five had regular menstruation, and 22 were in the postmenopause, 2 with climacterium praecox. Mean age at menopause was 47.8 years (range 30-59) among the 22 females, and 49.3 years (range 40-59) among the 20 females with a normal climacterium. Eleven had physiological subjective symptoms of menopause. The 22 females had 34 living children, and 13 abortions. It is concluded that the menopause is normal in females with systemic sclerosis. This indicates that the ovaries are normally not involved in the disease.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1983

Localized scleroderma 'en coup de sabre' and iridopalpebral atrophy at the same line.

A case is reported of scleroderma 'en coup de sabre' in a 13-year-old girl with atrophy of the nasal part of the iris and loss of cilia on the upper eyelid. The lesions of the front and eye were located on precisely the same line. The line did not follow the innervation fields of the cranial, peripheral or autonomous nerves. Nor did it follow the tension lines of the skin (Langer), or underlying anatomical structures. It is discussed that the predisposition to the 'coup de sabre' line seen in localized scleroderma was laid down in the mesenchyme in early foetal life before the differentiation of the anatomical structures.

Atrophy↗
PubMed1983

Bone mineral content in systemic sclerosis measured by photonabsorptiometry.

The bone mineral content of the radius in 37 patients with systemic sclerosis was measured with Americium241 photon absorptiometry. The content was found reduced (p less than 0.05) in patients with systemic sclerosis compared with a group of healthy controls matched for age and sex. Analyses of calcium 'total', calcium ion, phosphate and the parathyroid hormone level in the serum, and the excretion of calcium and phosphate in the urine all proved normal. It is discussed whether the reduced bone mineral content in systemic sclerosis may be an effect of the immobilization of the hands affected by the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Nerve changes in morphea.

Thirty-nine peripheral nerves in dermis of 12 morphea patients were analysed for ultrastructural changes. Changes found in the mesenchymal parts of the nerves, i.e. epi-, peri- and endoneurium, were myxedematous changes, collagen fibril degradation, cell infiltration and abnormal fibrosis. The infiltrating cells were lymphocytes and plasma cells as well as mast cells and myofibroblast. Perineural cells were assumed to be one of the origins of myofibroblasts. The axons and the Schwann cells showed slight signs of degeneration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Radiological changes of the hands in systemic sclerosis.

Radiological examination of the hands was performed in 41 patients with systemic sclerosis. Pathological changes were found in 39 patients. Eighteen patients had subcutaneous calcifications and 11 had atrophy of the finger pulps. Bone resorption of ungual tufts was found in 11 patients. Juxta-articular osteoporosis was seen in 9 patients and periarticular bone erosions in 8 patients indicating erosive arthropathy. Osteoarthritis and generalized osteoporosis were seen in 10 and 7 patients, respectively. Radiological examination of the hands is recommended during treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Does long-term treatment with D-penicillamine alter calcium and phosphorus metabolism in patients with systemic sclerosis?

Only animal experiments have been published regarding the possible effect of penicillamine treatment on mineral balance. We examined 35 patients with a diagnosis of systemic sclerosis treated with penicillamine, in comparison with 10 patients with systemic sclerosis treated with other collagen inhibitors (glutamine, hydralazine, phenytoin, chlorpromazine). The following laboratory tests were performed in all patients: the serum concentrations of calcium, ionized calcium, phosphorus and the parathyroid hormone. The 24-hour urinary excretions of calcium and phosphorus were determined. The bone mineral content of the distal radius was determined by photon-absorptiometry; radiological examination of the hands was performed to show aberrant calcifications. No differences were found between the two groups. A low urinary excretion of calcium and phosphor was found in the entire material. The bone mineral content was low in both groups. A high frequency of aberrant calcifications was not correlated to treatment with penicillamine.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Measurement of contractures of the digits in systemic sclerosis. Development of digit-goniometers and definitions of normal joint motility of the digits of elderly persons.

New goniometers were constructed for the measurement of joint motility in the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and metacarpophalangeal (MP) joints of the digits. 25 patients with systemic sclerosis (mean age 60 years, range 32-83) were studied, and compared with 25 healthy controls, matched for sex and age (mean age 58 years, range 29-87). The flexion, extension and entire joint motility of the PIP and MP joints were significantly decreased. From the measurements in the controls, standards for normal joint motility were defined (mean +/- 1 to 2 SD): PIP joint flexion 110 degrees, extension 5 degrees, entire motility 130 degrees; MP joint flexion 90 degrees, extension 20 degrees, entire motility 110 degrees. Joint motility was not correlated to sex and age in these elderly controls. The entire joint motility was reduced in the PIP joint in 19 (76%) patients, and in the MP joint in 17 (68%) patients with systemic sclerosis according to the standards. This corresponded well with the clinical assessment of contracture.

Adult↗