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Biomedical subjects

L Larsen

Publications and source records attributed to L Larsen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Tamoxifen and bone metabolism in postmenopausal low-risk breast cancer patients: a randomized study.

PURPOSE: This trial was undertaken to evaluate the effect of adjuvant tamoxifen on bone metabolism in postmenopausal women undergoing surgery for low-risk breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In an open trial, 25 women were randomized to receive tamoxifen 30 mg/d for 2 years, and 25 women constituted the control group. Twenty women treated with tamoxifen and 23 women in the control group provided data for the analysis. Inclusion criteria were operation for low-risk breast cancer and cessation of menstruations for more than 1 year. Exclusion criteria were presence of metastases, disorders of bone metabolism, contraindications against tamoxifen, use of drugs with influence on bone metabolism, ailments that made bone mineral measurements impossible, and age greater than 65 years. Repeated measurements of bone mineral density and content at the lumbar spine and forearms, serum alkaline phosphatase, phosphate, and ionized calcium were performed in all patients. RESULTS: Lumbar spine bone mineral density increased during the first year in women treated with tamoxifen and then stabilized, compared with decreased bone mineral density in the control group (P = .00074). Bone mineral content at the forearms remained almost stable in tamoxifen-treated women compared with a decrease in the control group (P = .024). Serum alkaline phosphatase, phosphate, and ionized calcium decreased in the tamoxifen group (P < .00001, P = .002, and P = .002, respectively). CONCLUSION: Tamoxifen has estrogen-like effects on bone metabolism that result in an increase and stabilization of bone mineral density in the axial skeleton and a stabilization of bone mineral content in the appendicular skeleton.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1993

Functional status of stroke patients in long-term care--a basis for development of rehabilitation and care.

Thirty persons who had remained in long-term care for one year or more post-stroke were assessed with respect to motor function, cognitive, perceptual, and communication ability and ADL capacity. Before the stroke they had lived an independent life, although 40% suffered from cardiovascular disease. At the follow-up, all patients had severe impairments due to the brain damage. None could walk or stand independently, ten could not call for help or attract attention in any way, and 13 could not take part in a conversation. Eleven patients had severe pain in spite of treatment with analgesics. Pain treatment and training methods that can reduce dependence and improve the quality of life for patients like these need to be developed. More appropriate assessment instruments for this patient group have to be constructed to make evaluation of training and care possible.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1993

Sudden death in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: role of ventricular arrhythmias.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is associated with idiopathic congestive cardiomyopathy (IDCM) and most commonly is due to ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The recurrence rate of SCD in the absence of specific therapy is thought to be around 20%-30% per year. Asymptomatic and symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias are common in patients with IDCM and the direct causal link of such arrhythmias with SCD in IDCM patients remains to be established. Furthermore, therapy directed at suppressing these ventricular arrhythmias has not been shown to decrease the incidence of SCD. Various approaches such as ambulatory monitoring, electrophysiological testing, signal-averaged electrocardiogram, and hemodynamics have met with variable success in identifying patients prone to SCD. Additionally, therapeutic approaches to prevent SCD in IDCM patients have produced equivocal results. This article reviews the published studies addressing the causal link of ventricular arrhythmias to sudden death in patients with IDCM and the attempts to decrease the incidence of sudden.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed1991

Direct derivation of conditionally immortal cell lines from an H-2Kb-tsA58 transgenic mouse.

Studies on cell lines have greatly improved our understanding of many important biological questions. Generation of cell lines is facilitated by the introduction of immortalizing oncogenes into cell types of interest. One gene known to immortalize many different cell types in vitro encodes the simian virus 40 (SV40) large tumor (T) antigen (TAg). To circumvent the need for gene insertion in vitro to generate cell lines, we created transgenic mice harboring the SV40 TAg gene. Since previous studies have shown that TAg expression in transgenic mice is associated with tumorigenesis and aberrant development, we utilized a thermolabile TAg [from a SV40 strain, tsA58, temperature sensitive (ts) for transformation] to reduce the levels of functional TAg present in vivo. To direct expression to a broad range of tissues, we used the mouse major histocompatibility complex H-2Kb promoter, which is both widely active and can be further induced by interferons. tsA58 TAg mRNA was expressed in tissues of all animals harboring the hybrid construct. Development of all tissues was macroscopically normal except for thymus, which consistently showed hyperplasia. Fibroblast and cytokeratin+ thymic epithelial cultures from these mice were readily established without undergoing crisis and were conditionally immortal in their growth; the degree of conditionality was correlated with the levels of tsA58 TAg detected. One strain of H-2Kb-tsA58 mice has been bred through several generations to homozygosity and transmits a functional copy of the transgene.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Salmonella and Shigella carriers among refugees from the middle east and Sri Lanka in Denmark.

One per cent of ten thousand refugees were asymptomatic carriers of Salmonella and Shigella species found by a differentiated health check programme at a Danish Red Cross arrival centre in Denmark 1985 and 1986. Six patients with typhoid fever and one with S. parathyphi-A septicaemia all fell ill within the first few weeks after arrival. A child of a chronic S. typhi carrier developed typhoid fever four months after arrival. Cases of sporadic and mild diarrhoea occurred due to Salmonella and Shigella species. The carriers were instructed in prophylactic, hygienic measures and no outbreaks developed. The health check system in this period seemed to be sufficient in relation to preventing outbreaks of infections caused by non-typhoid Salmonella and Shigella species. The relative cost-effectiveness of a more intensive S. typhi screening on arrival is questionable. The organization of health check systems should be reviewed regularly, as each refugee situation is different and will change in different periods.

Carrier State↗
PubMed1989

[Local reactions following intravenous injection of Valium mixed micelles and Diazemuls].

The frequency of local venous reactions after intravenous injection of Diazemuls and Valium Mixed Micelles was studied. A material of 224 patients undergoing surgery for prolapsed lumbar disc was allocated into two groups, receiving either 10 mg of Diazemuls or Valium Mixed Micelles. The incidences of thrombophlebitis in the two groups were 1 and 2%, respectively.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Indoor allergens.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1986

Demonstration of microorganisms and dust in schools and offices. An observational study of non-industrial buildings.

"The sick-building syndrome" (WHO) is reported with increasing intensity in non-industrial places of work, such as schools, kindergartens, and offices, all of which have a heavy load of traffic (people). The construction of these buildings (e.g. flat roofs) often leads to water damage with subsequent microbial growth. Further, reduced cleaning budgets in connection with the wide use of needle-felt carpets, as well as ventilation systems not regularly maintained, will lead to pollution by dust and microorganisms. A systematic registration of dust and microbial parameters has been carried out since 1980 in buildings with indoor climate complaints, in order to elucidate the possible influence of these factors.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1986

Irritable bowel syndrome and symptomatic diverticular disease--different diseases?

The influence of colonic diverticula on symptomatology and prognosis was investigated in 69 patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Roentgenograms at the time of diagnosis were blindly correlated to patient complaints and to result of follow-up 5 to 7 yr after the irritable bowel syndrome had been diagnosed. Patient complaints were not related to the presence or extent of diverticulosis. Half the patients had unchanged or aggravated symptoms at follow-up irrespective of diverticulosis. Accordingly, the presence of colonic diverticula did not change the natural history of the irritable bowel syndrome.

Adult↗