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Biomedical subjects

J Vaara

Publications and source records attributed to J Vaara.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Rovibrationally averaged nuclear shielding constants in OCS.

The nuclear shielding constants in OCS are studied using ab initio theoretical methods and gas-phase NMR measurements. The shielding surfaces are calculated and the rovibrational effects and the resulting temperature dependence are analyzed. The temperature dependence of 13C shielding in the gas phase is determined experimentally in the range 278-373 K. 13C is the single nucleus for which the experimental data for the temperature dependence can be converted to a reference-independent scale, and good agreement of the measured and calculated ab initio results is observed. For 33S, we discuss a new, more accurate absolute shielding scale.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Mycobacteria in prurigo nodularis: the cause or a consequence?

BACKGROUND: Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic skin disorder; its cause remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated mycobacteria as a possible cause of PN. METHODS: Forty-three patients with PN were examined. Skin biopsy specimens were obtained for microbiologic and histopathologic studies. The patients were tested for intracutaneous reactivity to 12 mycobacterial antigens with the Mantoux technique. RESULTS: Six specimens (14%) grew mycobacteria in culture: M. avium-intracellulare (3), M. malmoense (1), and Mycobacterium sp. (2). Histopathologically, 12 samples (28%) were positive for acid-fast bacilli, and granulomatous changes were present in one sample. Patients whose cultures were positive for mycobacteria had significantly larger skin reactions to mycobacterial antigens. Two patients underwent 2 years of antituberculous chemotherapy; one had an excellent response and the other a partial response. CONCLUSION: Detection of mycobacteria by culture or staining, combined with elevated skin reactivity to mycobacteria in a high proportion of patients with PN, suggests a mycobacterial cause.

Adult

Granulomatous gastritis as a diagnostic problem between sarcoidosis and other granulomatous disorders.

A 59-year-old man, who suffered from achlorhydria and epigastric pains but was otherwise asymptomatic, was found to have a granulomatous lesion on the gastric mucosa suggesting sarcoidosis or a localized form of Crohn's disease. No sign of involvement of terminal ileum or rectum was detected. A liver biopsy specimen showed slight changes suggestive of granulomatous inflammation, but other signs of generalized sarcoid manifestations were absent. The patient was successfully treated with corticosteroids.

Crohn Disease

Comparison of twice-daily and four-times daily administration of beclomethasone dipropionate in patients with severe chronic bronchial asthma.

Twice-daily and four-times daily treatment with beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol were compared in a double dummy crossover study in patients with severe chronic bronchial asthma. The trial consisted of two two-month treatment periods preceded by a two-week baseline period. No significant difference was found in the morning or evening PEF, in symptom scores for wheeze, cough, sputum, sleep disturbance, limitation of daily activity, rhinitis, daily usage of bronchodilator aerosol or requirement for additional oral corticosteroids. The study has confirmed that in management of severe bronchial asthma, a twice-daily regimen of beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol is as effective as four-times daily treatment, if the total daily dose of beclomethasone dipropionate is kept unchanged.

Adult

Broncholithic casts. A case report.

A case of multiple broncholithic casts is reported. The diagnosis was made on clinical and radiological findings without histological verification. Tuberculosis was regarded as the probable cause.

Bronchial Diseases

Inactive pulmonary lesions: a potent risk factor of tuberculosis.

Case histories and previous chest X-ray films of 142 patients with bacteriologically confirmed active pulmonary tuberculosis from eastern Finland were re-examined. In 18% of the series the disease was a reactivation of previously diagnosed and treated tuberculosis. In 70% of the patients with first clinical attack of tuberculosis, previous RP-films revealed fibrotic lesions in the lungs. Only 23% of the whole series had no previous abnormality on chest X-ray examination or previous clinical tuberculosis. Fibrotic pulmonary lesions are therefore a significant risk factor in the epidemiology of pulmonary tuberculosis, which has been given too little attention.

Adolescent