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Biomedical subjects

L Lund

Publications and source records attributed to L Lund.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

A follow-up study of semen quality and fertility in men with varicocele testis and in control subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate semen quality and fecundity in a group of men with initially untreated varicocele testis, in comparison with control subjects. PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In a prospective, longitudinal study, 77 men (39 with varicocele and 38 control subjects) were evaluated in 1989 and re-investigated after 8 years. Fifty-seven men (29 with varicocele, 28 controls) were available for evaluation and they all completed a questionnaire. Semen from a total of 46 men (24 with varicocele) was compared with findings in 22 men from the control group. RESULTS: There was a decline in sperm count in the control group from 80 x 10(6)/mL to 55 x 10(6)/mL over the 8-year period, but nearly no change in the sperm count in the men with varicocele. The withdrawal rate from each group was the same and included both men with and without reduced semen quality. There were no differences between the groups in sperm motility values (straight-line velocity, curvilinear velocity) evaluated using computer-assisted semen analysis. Paternity was achieved by 10 of 14 men in the varicocele group, compared with 14 of 16 in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence that varicocelectomy might benefit patients, because the sperm concentration did not decline among men with varicocele over time. Computer-assisted semen analysis provided a good assessment of various sperm motility characteristics and we recommend evaluation using such objective methods, to allow comparison among studies

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Biomechanical properties of normal and varicose internal spermatic veins.

To investigate possible differences in biomechanical properties between varicose spermatic veins and controls. During surgery on 12 patients for grade 3 left-sided varicocele testis, 2 cm of the vein was obtained for comparison with: (i) samples of the left internal spermatic vein taken from the same anatomical localization from 8 patients without scrotal disease, and (ii) samples from the right internal spermatic vein from 7 other patients also without scrotal disease. The biomechanical properties of ring-shaped venous specimens were investigated by loading the specimen at a constant deformation rate until rupture. The relative amounts of collagen in the specimens were determined as the contents of hydroxyproline. There was a significant difference between varicocele testis/right spermatic vein in UC (unit collagen), F-max (maximum strength), Strain (ultimate extensibility) and E-fail (relative failure energy), but not in LD (diameter) and Tan-a (stiffness of the specimen). There were no significant differences between left and right spermatic vein in LD, UC, F-max, Strain, Tan-a and E-fail. There was a significant difference in LD between varicocele testis/left spermatic vein, but no relationship in UC, F-max, Strain, Tan-a and E-fail. Biomechanical analyses of the spermatic veins from patients operated for varicocele seem to support the hypothesis that a difference in biomechanical properties plays a part in the development of varicocele because a significant increase in extensibility of varicocele samples was found compared with normal right spermatic vein samples.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Outcome of transurethral prostatectomy in men over 80 years.

Two-hundred-and-twenty-nine men aged between 80 and 97 years (mean 83 years) underwent transurethral prostatectomy (TUR-P) for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). All case records were reviewed. The follow-up period was 6-16 years. One-hundred-and-seven patients underwent operation because of acute urinary retention, and 122 because of chronic retention. The mean weight of tissue removed was 20 g (1-200 g). The perioperative mortality (< 1 month) was 2% (5 patients). Postoperative complications occurred in 21% (49 patients). Reoperation was performed in 11% (26 cases). The result was considered satisfactory in 196 patients (86%). The present data demonstrate that transurethral resection of the prostate in men over 80 years has a good outcome with an acceptable urological complication rate and mortality, and we therefore advocate surgery instead of watchful waiting in the fit patient.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Overexpression of a homeobox gene, LeT6, reveals indeterminate features in the tomato compound leaf

The cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) has a unipinnate compound leaf. In the developing leaf primordium, major leaflet initiation is basipetal, and lobe formation and early vascular differentiation are acropetal. We show that engineered alterations in the expression of a tomato homeobox gene, LeT6, can cause dramatic changes in leaf morphology. The morphological states are variable and unstable and the phenotypes produced indicate that the tomato leaf has an inherent level of indeterminacy. This is manifested by the production of multiple orders of compounding in the leaf, by numerous shoot, inflorescence, and floral meristems on leaves, and by the conversion of rachis-petiolule junctions into "axillary" positions where floral buds can arise. Overexpression of a heterologous homeobox transgene, kn1, does not produce such phenotypic variability. This indicates that LeT6 may differ from the heterologous kn1 gene in the effects manifested on overexpression, and that 35S-LeT6 plants may be subject to alterations in expression of both the introduced and endogenous LeT6 genes. The expression patterns of LeT6 argue in favor of a fundamental role for LeT6 in morphogenesis of leaves in tomato and also suggest that variability in homeobox gene expression may account for some of the diversity in leaf form seen in nature.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Biomechanical properties of the internal spermatic vein in the normal population and patients with left-sided varicocele testis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate a possible decreased strength of the wall of the left internal spermatic vein between patients with varicocele testis and controls. MATERIALS: From 14 patients with varicocele testis, 2 cm of the vein was obtained during operation per varicocele and compared to samples of the left internal spermatic vein taken from the same anatomical localization of 19 patients with no varicocele testis or other conditions with relation to the scrotum; additionally, samples from the right internal spermatic vein similar to those described above were taken from 12 patients. The biomechanical properties of ring-shaped venous specimens were investigated by loading the specimens at a constant deformation rate until rupture. MAIN RESULTS: The regression coefficient, standard error and p value revealed no significant differences in ID (diameter), UC (unit collagen/ID), E-max (ultimate extensibility), Max (maximum strength), Tan-a (maximum stiffness), E-fail (relative failure energy). The trend to significance was shown in ID between the varicocele and left-sided veins (p = 0.05) and between left- and right-sided veins (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These biomechanical tests of the spermatic veins from healthy subjects and patients operated for varicocele showed that biomechanical differences were associated with age and could play a part in the development of varicocele testis in an age-matched group.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Leukocyte filtration does not affect lymphocyte subpopulations and NK cell function in recipients of blood transfusions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The possible immunosuppressive action of blood transfusion has aroused great interest recently, particularly with respect to its effects on tumor growth and recurrence rate of malignant disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of blood transfusion on lymphocyte subpopulations and NK cell function preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively was studied in 129 patients treated with elective surgery for colorectal malignancy. Forty-two patients (33%) received blood transfusions, 21 of them randomly allocated to receive leukocyte-depleted blood products. Investigation was by means of conventional laboratory methods. RESULTS: In 21 patients receiving a median of 3 units of non-leukocyte-depleted blood products (NLD), a significant reduction in CD4+ lymphocytes (44% vs. 40%, p < 0.01) occurred. In contrast, no significant changes in CD4+ lymphocytes were observed in the 21 patients transfused with leukocyte-depleted blood products (LD). However, with respect to lymphocyte subpopulations and NK cell function, differences between the NLD and LD groups were not significant. There was a marginal decrease in HLA-DR+ lymphocytes in the NLD patients without a history of previous transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: There seems to be no major change in lymphocyte subpopulations and NK cell function 6 months after blood transfusion. Thus we cannot confirm our previous findings of a reduced number of CD20+ cells after blood transfusion.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Histochemical demonstration of zinc ions in human epididymis using autometallography.

A recently described autometallographic technique, allowing demonstration of chelatable zinc in human biopsy material, was applied to cryostat sections from biopsies of human epididymis. Sections from the rat epididymis were used as control materials to examine the quality of the method compared with a previously used autometallographic method. The human epididymis exhibits heavy staining in the head of the epididymis and only small amounts of zinc in the body and tail of the organ. The zinc staining was found in the apical part of the ciliated cells and in the lumen. The present technique can be used to localize zinc ions at ultrastructural levels. Zinc grains were localized in lysosome-like bodies and secretory granules of the ciliated cells. The luminal staining was present as free, evenly dispersed zinc grains or attached to sperm cells and stereocilia in the lumen. The large differences in staining patterns along the epididymal tract in humans and rats suggest that zinc ions are important for the maturation of sperm cells.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1997

Varicocele testis evaluated by CT-scanning.

To evaluate and depict CT-scanning of the spermatic cord in seven men with varicocele testis, during quiet breathing and during Valsalva's manoeuvre. With the patients supine, two transverse scans were made during quiet breathing and two with the intra-abdominal pressure increased by a Valsalva manoeuvre. The transsectional area of the spermatic cord varied between 80 and 100 mm2 on the normal sides and between 100 and 200 mm2 on the affected sides. Raised intra-abdominal pressure dilated the veins of the pampiniform plexus, increasing the trans-sectional area by 40-80% on the normal sides and by 100 to 200% on the affected sides. A spermatic cord area as measured at the root of the scrotum of more than 100 mm2 without raised intra-abdominal pressure, and more than 200 mm2 with, signals a varicocele. CT-scanning with raised intra-abdominal pressure can be used as a safe and non-invasive method to detect a varicocele testis and to show its proximal extension into the inguinal canal. We would also recommend this investigation in patients with unexplained groin pain.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Duration of postoperative pneumoperitoneum.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the duration of postoperative pneumoperitoneum and the factors that are responsible for its persistence. DESIGN: Prospective open (non-random) study. SETTING: County hospital, Denmark. SUBJECTS: 32 patients over 18 years of age undergoing abdominal operations during a 6 month period. INTERVENTIONS: Abdominal radiographs with the patient in the left lateral position were taken at fixed time intervals until no free air could be seen. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The amount of free air and the time postoperatively by which it had disappeared. RESULTS: In 20 [corrected] patients the air had disappeared within 48 hours and only one patient (3%) had free air for more than five days postoperatively. High body mass index and a small initial amount of free air were associated with the shortest period of postoperative pneumoperitoneum. CONCLUSION: Postoperative pneumoperitoneum disappeared within two days in most patients. Heavier patients and patients with small volumes of free air initially had the shortest duration of pneumoperitoneum. There were large variations among patients in the volumes of free air.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1996

Varicocele testis and testicular temperature.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether there is an association between scrotal skin temperature and impaired semen quality in patients with varicocele testis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two groups of men (all newly enlisted soldiers), 39 with an asymptomatic varicocele testis and 38 normal control subjects, were compared for semen quality and scrotal skin temperature. RESULTS: The semen quality in the men with varicocele was significantly lower than that in the control subjects; however, there was no significant difference in scrotal skin temperature between the groups. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed previous observations showing a possible relationship between varicocele testis and impaired sperm quality, but there was no apparent difference in scrotal skin temperature in men with or without a varicocele.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Cardiac troponin, CK-MB and myoglobin for the early detection of acute myocardial infarction and monitoring of reperfusion following thrombolytic therapy.

It is important to establish as soon as possible whether patients who present with chest pain are having an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Ideally, sensitive and specific serum myocardial markers could provide the basis for early detection as well as determine the status of reperfusion following thrombolytic therapy. The present study examined the utility of cardiac troponin I (cTnI), CK-MB, and myoglobin for the sensitive and specific detection of AMI in 98 consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain. In addition, cardiac troponin T (cTnT), CK-MB, and myoglobin samples were measured over a 90 min time period following thrombolytic therapy in nine separate AMI patients to assess reperfusion. In the ED study, CK-MB, myoglobin, and cTnI were equally sensitive (100%) for the detection of AMI in patients who presented 7.4-14 h after onset of chest pain. However, cTnI was the most specific serum marker (specificity 91.9% compared to CK-MB 85.6%, myoglobin 61.4%). Five of the six non-related AMI patients who had an elevated cTnI had clinically documented myocardial involvement. In the reperfusion study, cTnT, CK-MB and myoglobin, relative increases were greater in reperfused compared to non-reperfused patients. Within the reperfused group, the relative increase of cTnT was greater than CK-MB and myoglobin at 90 min following thrombolytic therapy. These findings show the clinical utility of cardiac-specific troponins as markers for the early detection of AMI and monitoring of reperfusion following thrombolytic therapy.

Creatine Kinase↗
PubMed1995

High educational level associated with reduced semen quality in men with asymptomatic varicocele testis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between education, intelligence, varicocele testis and semen quality. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Of 542 newly-enlisted soldiers (median age 20 years, range 20-24) 47 men were found who had varicocele testis. Semen quality was assessed in 39 of the men with a varicocele and compared with a similar group with no varicocele. The educational level and intelligence of both groups was also assessed and compared. RESULTS: There was a significantly reduced quality of semen in men with varicoceles and in men with > 10 years of school education. There was no significant relationship between intelligence level and semen quality. CONCLUSIONS: The assumption that there is a relationship between educational level and semen quality in men with asymptomatic varicocele seems well-founded, and educational level should therefore be considered as an explanatory variable in future investigations; studies are also required to provide a biological explanation of this phenomenon.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

How do we follow patients with Ta grade 1-111 bladder tumors in Denmark?

A questionnaire on the follow-up regimens for Ta grade I-III bladder tumors in Denmark was mailed to 54 urological and surgical departments. Reply rate was 87%. Most patients were followed in out-patient clinics. Transabdominal ultrasound of the bladder was used by 9% of the departments while 36% of the departments used urinary cytology. Seventy-seven percent of the departments routinely took selected site biopsies at the primary tumor resection while only 14 departments (30%) used selected site biopsies during the follow-up. Forty percent of the departments considered carcinoma in-situ and Ta grade III malignant and Ta grade I and II benign while 6% regarded all four categories as malignant. A guideline for characterization and surveillance of bladder tumor patients is needed.

Denmark↗
PubMed1994

[Spontaneous ventricular rupture in adults].

Since 1928, 60 cases of spontaneous gastric rupture have been described. One third of these cases were seen after vomiting, and two thirds were associated with gastric dilatation after a big meal, of which one third were combined with an intake of antacids. In five cases the patients were suffering from anorexia nervosa. Besides the above mentioned causes, gastric atrophy, "closed-loop" obstruction and postoperative atony are possible pathogenetic factors. Most often the ruptures are located to the lesser curvature. In the period before the rupture associated with dilatation takes place, the patient typically complains of abdominal pain and the abdomen is found asymmetrically distended. After rupture of the stomach the patient is found with very aggressive pain and in shock. The abdomen has become more symmetrically distended and most often free air within the abdominal cavity can be diagnosed on X-ray. The treatment consists of resection of the necrotic area of the stomach, and as the intensive care of the patients both before, during and after surgery has reached a very high priority and standard, the mortality has been reduced from 75% to 30%.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Evaluation of direct and indirect inguinal hernia by computed tomography.

The importance of venous distension of the pampiniform plexus in the prevention of inguinal hernia was evaluated. Functional closure of the inguinal canal was investigated by computed tomography during a Valsalva manoeuvre in a normal individual and 12 men with unilateral inguinal herniation, one of whom had previously undergone herniorrhaphy. Thus, 13 normal canals were evaluated along with five with direct and seven with indirect hernia. In all normal canals a rise in intra-abdominal pressure increased the cross-sectional area of the part of the pampiniform plexus located in the medial end of the canal, thereby filling the empty space and preventing herniation. In the lateral part the plexus was compressed against the external aponeurosis by the fascia transversalis in a valve-like fashion. In cases of direct inguinal herniation the distended pampiniform plexus was displaced by the hernia sac during the Valsalva manoeuvre, but in indirect hernia impaired swelling of the pampiniform plexus was seen. It is suggested that this observation could help to explain the normal mechanism of closure of the inguinal canal.

Adult↗