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Biomedical subjects

J Viikari

Publications and source records attributed to J Viikari.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Oral health of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Oral health, the amount of salivary Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli, and the flow rate, pH and buffer capacity of paraffin-stimulated whole saliva were analyzed in 35 adult diabetic patients and their age- and sex-matched non-diabetic, clinically healthy controls. All patients had insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) with a mean (+/- SD) duration of 14.0 +/- 9.1 yr. The prevalence of dental caries was as high in the diabetic group as in the controls but the past caries experience was remarkably lower in those individuals whose diabetes had started at a very early age (less than or equal to 7 yr). In agreement with the clinical data, the salivary levels of cariogenic microorganisms were of the same order of magnitude in both study groups. However, the relative proportion of S. mutans from the total cultivable aerobic microflora was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) in diabetics compared to the controls. The other studied salivary parameters did not differ between the groups. Remarkable individual differences were observed in the correlation between glucose levels of blood and whole saliva among diabetics. In spite of the noncariogenic dietary habits, the adult diabetic patients seem to be at least as susceptible to dental caries as non-diabetics, probably due to the leakage of glucose from blood into the oral cavity.

Adolescent↗

Geographic origin of the family as a determinant of serum levels of lipids in Finnish children.

Children in the eastern part of Finland have higher serum total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels than children in the western part of the country. This is consonant with the high mortality rate for coronary heart disease in eastern Finland. Eastern and western Finns are assumed to have different geographic origins; because of this we divided into groups 630 newborns and 3554 children and adolescents according to their grandparents' birthplace, which, in Finland, reflect the origins of the children. No differences in serum lipid levels were found in the newborns but in the 3- to 18-year-old children the differences in mean serum total and LDL cholesterol levels were accentuated by this division. Boys with grandparents from the extreme eastern part and those with grandparents from the western part of the country showed the greatest differences. Prepubescent boys 3 to 12 years old living in the west but with grandparents from the east had total and LDL cholesterol levels similar to those of boys living in and descended of grandparents from the east, despite their diet being of the western type. Thus, although diet is known to be a major determinant of serum cholesterol level, genetic factors also seem to play a role.

Adolescent↗

Unusual association of hyperkalemia and hypertension.

We report an unusual association of hyperkalemia, mild hyperchloremic acidosis, and hypertension in a young woman. Pseudohyperkalemia, Addison's disease, renal insufficiency, classical hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism, isolated hypoaldosteronism, and iatrogenic causes were excluded. The patient's findings were compatible with a rare syndrome designated as type II pseudohypoaldosteronism, Gordon's syndrome.

Adult↗

Immunoglobulins and innate antimicrobial factors in whole saliva of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

We analyzed the flow rate and composition of paraffin-stimulated whole saliva samples from 35 adult diabetic patients and their age- and sex-matched, non-diabetic, clinically healthy controls. All patients had insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) with a mean (+/- S.D.) duration of 14.0 +/- 9.1 years. The saliva analysis included the quantitation of total protein, amylase, immunoglobulins (isotypes A, G, and M), and the non-antibody, innate antimicrobial factors (lysozyme, lactoferrin, salivary peroxidase, myeloperoxidase, thiocyanate, and hypothiocyanite). The whole saliva samples from diabetic patients had significantly higher amounts of IgA (p less than 0.001) and IgG (p less than 0.05) than did the controls. No differences between the study groups were observed in flow rate, protein content, amylase activity, or IgM. The levels of innate defense factors were similar in both study groups except for salivary peroxidase, which was higher (p less than 0.02) among diabetics than among controls. Our results indicate that the antimicrobial defense capacity of whole saliva is not impaired in diabetic patients.

Adolescent↗

Plasma and urinary C-peptide in the classification of adult diabetics.

Plasma and urinary C-peptide determinations in the discrimination between insulin-requiring and non-insulin-requiring diabetes were elevated in 61 adult diabetics. Specimens for C-peptide determinations were taken on two consecutive days: on the first day plasma C-peptide concentrations were determined before and 6 min after intravenous glucagon administration. On the second day 2- and 4-h urinary C-peptide excretion was measured after an individual breakfast. Results of urinary C-peptide analyses were expressed as molar concentration and also as molar quantity excreted (without any corrections and related to creatinine excretion). Glucagon-stimulated plasma C-peptide turned out to be a reliable criterion for the detection of insulin requirement. Sixty-nine per cent of diabetics included in this study were classifiable by basal plasma C-peptide concentrations. Two-hour postprandial urinary C-peptide/creatinine quotient turned out to be slightly less sensitive (89%) than the glucagon test (94%) and of equal specificity (96%). Glucagon-stimulated plasma C-peptide and postprandial urinary C-peptide excretion correlated significantly among insulin-requiring diabetics (r = 0.73), but not among non-insulin-requiring diabetics (r = 0.23). We regard determination of stimulated plasma C-peptide as a primary investigation for the direct assessment of endogenous insulin secretory reserves for clinical management decisions. Determination of postprandial urinary C-peptide is applicable in selected situations for non-invasive assessment of insulin secretion.

Adolescent↗

Effect of primrose oil on serum lipids and blood pressure in hyperlipidemic subjects.

Primrose oil (about 72% of fatty acids 18:2 omega 6 and 9% of 18:3 omega 6) was supplemented in addition to the used diet of 20 hyperlipidemic patients for 3 months in an open study. The dose of primrose oil was 2.4 ml, 4.8 ml and 7.2 ml during the first, second and third month, respectively. Primrose oil increased the proportion of gamma-linolenic acid in serum cholesteryl esters (1.81 vs. 2.13%, p less than 0.05), phospholipids (0.65 vs. 0.82%, p less than 0.01), triglycerides (0.70 vs. 0.99%, p less than 0.01) and free fatty acids (0.80 vs. 0.91%, NS). It did not, however, change serum cholesterol, HDL cholesterol or triglyceride mean values. Blood pressure mean values remained unchanged during the follow-up as well.

Adult↗

One-year follow-up of lipoprotein metabolism after pregnancy.

Serum lipid and lipoprotein fractions one day after delivery, 3 months later in lactating and nonlactating mothers and 12 months later after initiation of menstruation were investigated in a group of 62 women, 29 of which formed a truly longitudinal group. Total serum cholesterol decreased significantly within 3 months after delivery and a further significant decrease occurred during the following 9 months. LDL- and HDL-cholesterols showed also a significant decrease within the postpartal year. Serum triglycerides decreased within 3 months after delivery but no more significantly later. Apolipoprotein AI and B also decreased within 3 months after delivery. In lactating mothers, HDL-cholesterol: cholesterol ratio, apolipoprotein AI and apolipoprotein AI:B ratio were higher than in nonlactating women. During the luteal phase, serum cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were lower and the HDL-cholesterol: cholesterol ratio was higher than earlier during the menstrual cycle. Data prove that pregnancy related changes in lipid metabolism did not wane within 3 months after delivery. They also show that lactation affects lipid metabolism.

Adolescent↗

Effect of sera from male type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetics on human aortic smooth muscle cells in culture.

The effect of sera from male type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetics in variable metabolic control on the proliferation of, and on the synthesis of hyaluronic acid and collagen in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HSMCs) in culture was studied. Pooled sera from diabetics in poor metabolic control either with or without antidiabetic drugs stimulated the proliferation and hyaluronic acid synthesis of the cells more than did pooled serum from healthy controls. On the other hand, pooled serum from diabetics in good metabolic control did not have a higher stimulatory effect on the growth of HSMCs than pooled control serum. Indeed, it increased the synthesis of hyaluronic acid similarly as did the pooled serum from poorly controlled diabetics. The synthesis of collagen was not affected by pooled diabetic sera. When the effects of 14 male diabetic sera were individually measured using the same functions of HSMCs, metabolic control of diabetes did not correlate with various activities of diabetic sera on HSMCs. The results show that sera of type 2 diabetics contain factors affecting the functions of HSMCs. The activity of the factors on cell proliferation is related to some extent to the degree of glycemic control, as shown in experiments with serum pools, but experiments with individual sera show that other serum properties unrelated to the metabolic control of diabetes are also of importance.

Blood Glucose↗

Fatty acid composition of serum cholesteryl esters in 3- to 18-year-old Finnish children and its relation to diet.

The composition of fatty acids in serum cholesteryl esters (CE) was analyzed gas chromatographically in 1348 boys and girls aged from 3 to 18 yr. A dietary survey was carried out simultaneously using the 48-h recall method. The dietary P/S ratio had highly significant correlations with CE fatty acids: positive with linoleate (0.567) and total omega 6 fatty acids and negative with saturated, monounsaturated, and omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The highest mean percentage of CE-linoleate was found in 15-yr-old girls (52.7, SD 4.68%) and lowest in 3-yr-old girls (48.1, SD 5.00%). Age, sex, and the degree of puberty had no independent effect on CE-linoleate after it had been adjusted for the effect of dietary P/S ratio by analysis of covariance. These results indicate that the fatty acid composition of serum CE depends on the quality of dietary fat and that CE-linoleate is a useful reflector of the dietary P/S ratio. The negative correlation between CE omega 3 fatty acids and dietary P/S ratio may be due to displacement of the omega 3 acids in serum CE by the much higher proportion of dietary linoleate.

Adolescent↗

Atherosclerosis precursors in Finnish children and adolescents. I. General description of the cross-sectional study of 1980, and an account of the children's and families' state of health.

The paper describes the general outline of a multicentre study on the risk factors of coronary heart disease (CHD) and their determinants in children of various ages in different parts of Finland. The study was a cross-sectional one, and was carried out in 1980 in five university cities of Finland with medical schools and in 12 rural communities in their vicinity. The randomized sample included an equal number of boys and girls, aged 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 years, and an equal number of urban and rural population in each area. The total sample size was 4,320 subjects, and of these 3,596 participated (83.1%). The families received before the medical examination of the child, questionnaires on the socioeconomic background the child's general health and development, the parents' and grandparents' health status, and the child's food and exercise habits. At the physical examination also a fasting blood sample (lipids, insulin, trace elements) was taken, a bundle of hair was cut for trace element analysis, and a 48-hour recall on food intake was obtained from every second subject. 19.5% of the children had in their history some long-term disease, allergic diseases being the most common. CHD and other cardiovascular diseases were significantly more frequent among the grandparents and parents in eastern than in western Finland. The study is meant to be a basis for a longitudinal study.

Adolescent↗

Atherosclerosis precursors in Finnish children and adolescents. II. Height, weight, body mass index, and skinfolds, and their correlation to metabolic variables.

In a Finnish Multicentre Study, height, weight and skinfold thicknesses were measured in 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-, 15-, and 18-year-old children (N = 3,596). Height and weight percentiles superimposed on the current Finnish growth charts were above the standards in 6-15-year-old boys and 3-12-year-old girls. Triceps skinfold thickness percentiles (10% and 90%) appeared to be closest to British values and below American values. Weight, body mass index (BMI) and skinfold thicknesses showed good intercorrelations (up to .90) except in young boys. Height had a low positive correlation with BMI (.28 to .36) and with skinfold thickness (.23 to .36) in the age groups 6-12 years. BMI and subscapular skinfold seem to be useful obesity indicators. No consistent correlations were seen between physical variables and serum LDL- or total cholesterol and apoprotein B concentrations. There was a slight negative correlation between the physical variables and serum HDL-cholesterol. Apoprotein A1 correlated negatively to all obesity indicators in 12-year-old girls. Serum triglycerides showed slight positive correlation to physical variables. BMI and skinfolds had a low to moderate correlation with insulin (.21-.51) mainly in the three oldest age groups. On the ground of BMI and skinfold measurements we have reason to believe that the prevalence of obesity at 3-18 years of age is similar in Finland as in other countries in Europe.

Adolescent↗

Atherosclerosis precursors in Finnish children and adolescents. III. Blood pressure.

In connection with the Finnish Multicentre Study on the precursors of atherosclerosis in 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-, 15- and 18-year-old children and adolescents, blood pressure was measured in 3,596 subjects in the five university hospital areas. Blood pressure was measured with an ultrasound device (Arteriosonde 1020, Roche) in the 3-year-old children, and an ordinary mercury sphygmomanometer was used in the rest of the subjects. The systolic and diastolic values increased with age as has been shown earlier. There were no significant differences in the values between boys and girls except that the 15- and 18-year-old boys had values a little higher than girls of the same age. Weight and height correlated well to both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Physical maturation also correlated to blood pressure.

Adolescent↗

Atherosclerosis precursors in Finnish children and adolescents. IV. Serum lipids in newborns, children and adolescents.

A multicentre study on atherosclerosis precursors in Finnish children and adolescents was carried out in five urban and 12 rural areas in the autumn of 1980 and spring of 1981. Serum lipids, i.e. cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) concentrations were determined and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated in 630 newborns and 3,596 children aged 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 years. In the newborns the mean serum TC concentration was 1.50 mmol/l, and the ratio of HDL-C to TC was 0.44. Newborn boys had lower mean TC, HDL-C and LDL-C values than the girls. In 3 to 18-year-old children the mean TC, LDL-C and HDL-C concentrations were 4.83 mmol/l, 3.09 mmol/l and 1.38 mmol/l, respectively. During puberty, TC mean values decreased, more so in boys. The serum levels of HDL-C also decreased, especially in boys, and after passing puberty boys had lower mean HDL-C levels than girls (1.26 vs. 1.39 mmol/l, p less than 0.001). The HDL-C/TC ratio was similar in all age groups (0.29). The mean TG value increased with age, being 0.88 mmol/l at the age of 18 yr. During sexual maturation, TG levels increased, more clearly in boys. There were no regional differences in serum lipid concentrations in the newborns, but in 3- to 18-year-old children the mean TC, LDL-C and TG values were lower in western than in eastern Finland. Mean TC and LDL-C values were lower in urban than in rural areas, but there was no difference in TG concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Atherosclerosis precursors in Finnish children and adolescents. V. Fatty acid composition of serum cholesteryl esters: regional differences in Finland.

Fatty acid compositions of serum cholesteryl esters (CE) were analysed with gas chromatography from a total of 1,348 Finnish children. The study was a part of a comprehensive survey of atherosclerosis precursors among children, and included 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-, 15-, and 18-year-old children and adolescents from five urban and twelve rural communities in Finland. In all age groups and both sexes, the mean percentages of linoleate (CE-18:2) were lower and those of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids higher in eastern rural areas than elsewhere. Eastern rural children also had significantly higher proportions of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in their serum CE's. The percentage of serum CE-18:2 parallels the P/S values obtained by a dietary survey from the same populations. The reason for higher percentages of the omega 3 fatty acids in rural communities cannot be explained by diet, and remains unclear.

Adolescent↗

Atherosclerosis precursors in Finnish children and adolescents. VI. Serum apolipoproteins A-I and B.

The concentrations of apolipoproteins A-I and B were determined in 1,341 3- to 18-year-old children and adolescents from five urban and 12 rural communities. The analyses were made with radial immunodiffusion. The mean concentrations (+/- S.D.) of apo A-I and apo B were 152 +/- 25 and 94 +/- 22 mg/100 ml, respectively. 3-year-old children had the highest apo B levels which then decreased with advancing age in both sexes. Boys tended to have lower levels of apo B than girls. Apo A-I concentration was significantly higher in the 9- and 12-year-old boys than in the other age groups but showed no age-bound trend in girls. The apo A-I to apo B ratio increased with age in both sexes. The concentration of apo A-I was significantly lower, and that of apo B higher, in children living in eastern Finland in comparison with those from the western part of the country. This difference and a higher HDL-cholesterol to apo A-I ratio in both sexes in eastern Finland may be associated with the regional differences in the prevalence of coronary heart disease in this country.

Adolescent↗

Atherosclerosis precursors in Finnish children and adolescents. VII. Serum immunoreactive insulin.

In the Finnish Multicentre Study of the risk factors of coronary heart disease serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI) was measured in 3,486 children and adolescents aged 3-18 years. Serum IRI increased with age till the age of 15 years in both sexes. The increase in serum IRI levelled off with the progression of pubertal development. Serum IRI levels were higher in girls than in boys from the age of 6 years onwards. Comparison of serum IRI gave identical results from eastern and western parts of the country. Serum IRI correlated positively with skinfold thickness, weight, relative weight and body mass index in all age groups except the 3-year-old children.

Adolescent↗