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Biomedical subjects

L Christensen

Publications and source records attributed to L Christensen.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Afternoon plasma cortisol in depressed patients: a measure of diagnosis or severity?

Plasma cortisol concentration was measured at 20 min intervals from 3 p.m. (1500 hrs) to 6 p.m. (1800 hrs) in 26 hospitalized patients classified according to the Newcastle Index as endogenously depressed (n = 16) or non-endogenously depressed (n = 10). When examined in depressed state, before treatment, maximum, mean and range of plasma cortisol concentration in this time interval was significantly higher in the endogenously depressed patients than in the non-endogenously depressed patients (p less than 0.01-0.02). The diagnostic identification of endogenous depression on the basis of these cortisol concentration measurements was at least as good as that reported by others using post-dexamethasone cortisol levels. The plasma cortisol levels (maximum, mean) and fluctuations (range) correlated significantly with the degree of depression (Hamilton Depression Scale), and differences in severity of depression could explain most of the differences in cortisol levels between the two diagnostic groups. Nine patients were reexamined after 3-12 months in a non-depressed state, and all unipolar endogenously depressed patients (n = 6) then had clearly reduced cortisol levels and fluctuations.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

The basement membrane component laminin in breast carcinomas and axillary lymph node metastases.

The occurrence of the basement membrane (BM) glycoprotein laminin was investigated in 91 malignant breast tumors and in 359 axillary lymph nodes of which 70 contained metastases. The indirect double-layer immunoperoxidase technique was applied using rabbit anti-rat laminin. Positive cytoplasmic staining for laminin was found in all breast carcinomas. BM could be demonstrated around in situ carcinomas and in the higher differentiated carcinomas around islands of infiltrating tumor cells. Lymph node metastases resembled the primary tumors in the cytoplasmic staining reaction for laminin, but no BM staining was found. Tissue from 50 benign breast lesions showed cytoplasmic staining for laminin in both the secretory and the myoepithelial cells, but consistently weaker than in the carcinomas. BM was always present.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

The clinical outcome of patients with severe head injuries, treated with highdose dexamethasone, hyperventilation and barbiturates.

The outcome in 45 consecutive patients following severe head injuries is presented. All patients were evaluated according to the Glasgow Coma Scale and the Glasgow Outcome Scale. All patients received a combined treatment consisting of dexamethasone, barbiturate and hyperventilation. A primary operative intervention was performed in 14 patients with intracranial haematomas. There was a good recovery in 53%, 20% were moderately disabled, 11% were severely disabled. 16% died or remained in a vegetative state. The patients were aged between 5 and 83 years, 49% were under 20 years, and the relationship between age and outcome was demonstrated. 86% of the patients under 20 years and 60% over 20 years made a good recovery. These results indicate that a more favourable prognosis is possible after severe head injury, especially in children and thus the combined treatment described above appears justified.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

The relationship between arousal and positive self-presentation.

Investigated the validity of the hypothesis that subjects would experience arousal if they received information suggesting that they were presenting themselves to others in a negative manner. Twenty-seven subjects were randomly assigned to a control, evaluation apprehension, or negative feedback group. Subjects' heart-rate was continuously monitored as subjects' rated a series of photographs. Subjects in the evaluation apprehension group were given a cue as to how to present themselves positively whereas subjects in the negative feedback group were told, following their response to the 15th photograph, that their responses suggested maladjustment. Heart-rate change above a baseline measure revealed that an increase in heart-rate occurred only when subjects were informed that they were transmitting negative information. Such a finding supports a positive self-presentation explanation of subject motives in the psychological experiment.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1976

Perceptual accuracy as a variable in marital adjustment.

This study investigated the ability of maritally-adjusted couples, couples attaining a divorce, and couples in counseling to predict the rewarding effects of their behavior on their spouse. Twenty-six couples, five obtaining a divorce, nine in counseling, and twelve adjusted couples completed a Marital Interaction Questionnaire in which they rated how rewarding each of the behaviors depicted was to them. Then each member predicted how rewarding it was to their spouse. Behaviors depicting six areas of marital interaction were included in the questionnaire. The computed perceptual accuracy scores were analyzed by a three-way classification-Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)-for unequal n's. This analysis yielded a significant main effect of marital status and a significant interaction between marital status by sex of spouse and between marital status by area of interaction. The maritally-adjusted group was always more accurate than the other two groups in their predictions, however, they were significantly more accurate only for selected areas of interaction.

Counseling↗
PubMed1976

Comprehensive care of the ileostomy patient.

Comprehensive care of the person with an ileostomy is an integral part of professional nursing. It is the responsibility of professional nurses to be knowledgeable and skilled in ileostomy patient care. This article has presented basic issues to be considered in facilitating the rehabilitation of the person with an ileostomy. Perhaps the most important factor to be considered is that the process of rehabilitation must begin at the first encounter with the person undergoing ileostomy surgery, must extend beyond the period of hospitalization, and must reach into the person's home and community.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1976

Effect of a pepsin-inhibitory pentapeptide upon the peptic activity and acidity of gastric secretion.

The effect of a pepsin-inhibiting pentapeptide, pepstatin, upon the peptic activity and gastric acidity was investigated in 9 men with ulcer dyspepsia and a high acid output. Subtotal inhibition of peptic activity was obtained, basally as well as after broth stimulation, as early as 15 minutes after the method of administration, and the inhibition remained almost unchanged during the 60 minutes of the experimental period. The acidity was not affected by pepstatin. No side-effects occurred. The results confirm preliminary reports on the pepsin-inhibitory activity of the drug. It is concluded that pepstatin ought to be investigated with regard to its clinical effect upon peptic ulcer.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Institutional tour effects on attitudes related to mental retardation.

The effects of an institutional tour on college students' attitudes toward the mentally retarded child, mentally retarded adult, state school for mentally retarded persons, and ward attendant at a state school for mentally retarded persons were investigated. Four separate Semantic Differential Scales were administered to 179 subjects prior to being given the alternative of touring a state school for mentally retarded persons (72 subjects took the tour). Pretest responses were used to divide subjects into initially positive or negative attitude groups. Posttest scores for each concept were then analyzed by a two-way classification mixed-models analysis of variance for unequal Ns. Results indicated significant positive effects on attitudes toward mental retardation as a function of the institutional tour.

Age Factors↗