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P Løkken

Publications and source records attributed to P Løkken.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Bacteria-killing viruses, Stalinists and "superbugs"].

In June 2000, the WHO warned that the level of resistance to drugs used to treat common infectious diseases is now reaching a crisis point. If world governments do not control infections better in order to slow down the development of drug resistance, entire populations could be wiped out by superbugs against which there is no efficient treatment. Development of resistance is due to both underuse and overuse of drugs, and strategies have been worked out, to slow down the development of resistance for instance by the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. The present article deals with an old principle, mainly developed behind the Iron Curtain, which is now attracting renewed attention in the west: the application of bacterial viruses (bacteriophages) in the fight against bacteria. According to clinical trials in Eastern Europe, mostly uncontrolled, phages have been used successfully in treatments against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, for instance in suppurative wound infections, gastroenteritis, sepsis, osteomyelitis and pneumonia. These encouraging data are supported by recent findings in well-controlled animal models demonstrating that phages can rescue animals from a variety of fatal infections. The present review discusses possible advantages and limitations of phage treatment in humans.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

[Acetylsalicylic acid].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed1993

[Anti-inflammatory agents in acute tissue trauma. Choice and effects].

The choice of drugs to reduce pain and excessive inflammatory reactions after surgery or accidental trauma is reviewed and discussed, with particular reference to a series of Norwegian studies based on bilateral oral surgery. In this model, paracetamol has proved capable of reducing post-operative swelling by about 30%, while acetylsalicylic acid (in common analgesic doses) failed to reduce or even tended to increase swelling. Paracetamol is a recommendable alternative for reducing acute post-traumatic pain and swelling, while acetylsalicylic acid should be avoided. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which efficiently reduce rheumatoid swelling may provide good pain relief, but the effect on an acute post-operative swelling is less impressive. In the oral surgical model, glucocorticoids reduced post-traumatic swelling by about 50% and provided better or at least as good pain relief as any tested non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, including paracetamol. Single dose or short-term administration of a glucocorticoid is recommended as an efficient and valuable means of reducing both pain and excessive inflammation in surgery and traumatology. Of practical implication in traumatology is the finding that, for both paracetamol and glucocorticoids, almost the same reductions were recorded in swelling and pain whether the drug was administered prior to surgery or 2-3 hours afterwards.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1992

[Gingival hyperplasia induced by calcium channel blockers. Rare or frequent in Norway?].

Sales statistics indicate that the number of Norwegians treated with calcium channel blockers increased from about 50,000 in 1986 to about 83,000 in 1991 (last year: nifedipine 39%, verapamil 27%, amlodipine 21%, diltiazem 10% and felodipine 3%). In spite of widespread use, only one report on gingival hyperplasia induced by calcium channel blockers has been received by the Norwegian Adverse drug reaction committee. The incidence of this adverse reaction is uncertain, but the few controlled studies that have been performed indicate that it may be as high as 15% in patients on long-term treatment, at least with nifedipine. This corresponds to nearly 5,000 cases among the about 32,000 users of nifedipine. Norwegian physicians and dentists are asked to report cases of gingival hyperplasia induced by calcium channel blockers. Although the voluntary report system is fraught with uncertainty, it is hoped that, in a relatively small and surveyable drug market as the Norwegian, the reporting may provide some relevant information, e.g. to allow comparison of the potential of the various calcium channel blockers to induce this adverse effect. A Norwegian controlled study on gingival conditions among long-term users of calcium channel blockers is in its initial stage. It may be of interest to compare the results of this study with the indications obtained from the spontaneous reporting on the incidence of this adverse effect, which is relatively easy to diagnose.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Fluorosis due to fluoride in drinking water. A health risk even in Norway?].

About 99% of the Norwegian population are supplied with surface water with very low fluoride levels. Accordingly, they need to use fluoride preparations to prevent dental caries. Groundwater with excess fluoride is a problem mainly in a few areas of South-Eastern Norway, where in some samples of borehole water the fluoride concentration has even exceeded 10 ppm. A warning is given against the use of high-fluoride water when preparing drinks and foods for children. Infants given dried milk formulas diluted with water are at particular risk of developing fluorosis. The recommended daily meals for a three month-old child contain 900 ml water. At a level of 2 ppm, the fluoride content of this volume will exceed the upper limit of the safe and adequate intake for a child this age by 3-4 times. Water used for this purpose should preferably not contain more than 0.5 ppm fluoride. While only few Norwegians are at risk of being exposed to high-fluoride water this problem affects many persons in other parts of the world. With reference to a joint Kenyan-Norwegian research project, the paper is illustrated by cases of dental fluorosis from a Kenyan village supplied with 9 ppm fluoride water. Dental fluorosis of such severity has never been encountered in Norway.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Fluorosis of deciduous teeth and first permanent molars in a rural Kenyan community.

The severity and distribution of fluorosis in the deciduous dentition of 76 children in a low-income community near Nairobi were studied. Seventeen children comprised a low-F (fluoride) group (water less than 0.7 ppm F) and 59 a high-F group (water approximately 9 ppm F). The high-F group had scores greater than or equal to 5 in the Thylstrup & Fejerskov classification system for 29% of the deciduous tooth surfaces, compared with 7% in the low-F group. Comparison between the scores of the second deciduous and the first permanent molars showed no significant difference in the high-F group (p greater than 0.001), whereas the deciduous molar was significantly less severely affected in the low-F group (p less than 0.001). The deciduous molars of the two groups differed significantly (p less than 0.002), but not the permanent molars (p greater than 0.10). Early introduction of tea might have been a major contributor to the distributions of fluorosis, particularly in the low-F group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Effects of phenylbutazone and indomethacin on the post-operative course following experimental orthopaedic surgery in dogs.

Randomized placebo-controlled crossover studies were carried out in dogs to evaluate how two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) might modulate an acute post-traumatic inflammatory reaction. Two "identical" surgical interventions were performed on the forelimbs of each animal with an interval of 28 days, to enable a paired comparison of the inflammatory signs and the wound/bone healing processes. At one operation 8 dogs received 300 mg phenylbutazone twice daily for 8 days starting on the day before surgery, and at the other operation matching placebo tablets were given. In a similar placebo-controlled trial another group of 8 dogs received 5 mg indomethacin twice daily. With phenylbutazone the post-operative swelling was not significantly reduced compared to placebo, but there was less pain and limping. With indomethacin the swelling was somewhat reduced, but there was no consistent difference to placebo in the pain and limping assessments. None of the drugs appeared to distinctly effect the wound or fracture healing, as evaluated by clinical inspection, comparison of radiographs and comparison of bone sections from the sites of surgery. It proved difficult to select an appropriate dosage of indomethacin due to its high potential to induce GI ulceration and bleeding in dogs. In this experimental surgical model with an acute inflammation, neither phenylbutazone nor indomethacin showed impressive anti-inflammatory or analgesic properties. In the same model paracetamol has proved to significantly and more efficiently, reduce both swelling and pain without any noticeable adverse effects, and appears to be a better alternative than the two presently tested NSAID.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Organochlorine pesticides in human milk from different areas of Kenya 1983-1985.

Residue levels of the chlorinated hydrocarbons p,p'-DDT (2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1-trichloroethane), p,p'-DDE (2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethane), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), alpha-, beta-, and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), aldrin, dieldrin, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in human milk of Kenyan mothers living in different areas of Kenya. The main organochlorine contaminants found in all the milk samples analyzed were p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE. Great regional differences were found, and mean levels of sum DDT and DDT/DDE ratio ranged from 1.1 to 18.7 mg/kg milk fat and from 0.7 to 5.7, respectively. In general, relatively low residue levels of HCB, alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, aldrin, and dieldrin were detected in 59, 37, 27, 37, and 19%, respectively, of all the milk samples analyzed. Quantifiable residue levels of PCBs and alpha-HCH were not found. The results were examined in relation to differences in living conditions with regard to agricultural activities, dietary habits, and reported use of pesticides in the various sampling areas.

DDT↗
PubMed1983

The rise and fall of a new anti-inflammatory analgesic.

The efficacy of a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), GP 53.633 (GP), was tested versus placebo in a double-blind cross-over study. 24 healthy young individuals with impacted asymptomatic lower third molars, of similar shape and position in the jaw on both sides, underwent surgery on 2 separate occasions. The patients randomly received the active drug at one and placebo at the other operation. A number of subjective and objective assessments were made for paired comparison, including: pain, local temperature, swelling, post-operative bleeding, trismus, adverse effects, preference scores, wound healing, bone regeneration and laboratory examinations. The drug caused a significant reduction of post-operative pain, swelling and trismus. Global therapeutic effect and preference scores were highly in favour of the active drug. In the GP period, there was a statistically significant reduction in Hgb, RBC, lymphocytes and ESR, and an increase in neutrophils 3 days after the operation, compared to placebo. Individual values indicate a potentially clinically relevant effect of GP on Hgb and RBC. The clinical relevance of the changes in neutrophil and lymphocyte count, however, is questionable. The drug seemed to have no influence on the other laboratory parameters studied. Adverse effects occurred in 2 patients on GP and in 7 patients on placebo. The drug compares favourably with other NSAID tested in the same model.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Effects of naloxone on post-operative pain and steroid-induced analgesia.

1 In a controlled crossover study identical oral surgical procedures were performed on two separate occasions in six patients. 2 Two h after surgery, either 40 mg methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) or placebo (saline) was administered intravenously in a double-blind randomized fashion. 3 Five h after surgery, three patients received 4 mg naloxone (Nalonee) while 3. Five h after surgery, three patients received 4 mg naloxone (Nalonee) while three patients received placebo (saline) intravenously, followed by a crossover to alternative injections 1 h thereafter. 4 Several measurements/assessments were recorded for a paired comparison of the post-operative courses. 5 The mean pain assessment (VAS) was reduced by about 50% 45 min after the steroid injection (P = 0.03). 6 Neither increasement of the post-operative pain nor reversal of the steroid-induced analgesia could be demonstrated by injection of 4 mg naloxone. 7 Swelling was reduced by 46% on day 3 after the operation when the steroid was injected as compared to placebo (P = 0.06); on day 6 the reduction averaged 60% (P = 0.04). 8 According to overall assessments after the second operation all patients expressed clear preference for the post-operative course when the steroid was injected. 9 Present and previous results in this model with bilateral oral surgery suggest that short term corticosteroid administration deserves attention as an efficient means which may be of value in reducing pain and excessive inflammation in surgery and traumatology.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1982

Post-operative pain and inflammatory reaction reduced by injection of a corticosteroid. A controlled trial in bilateral oral surgery.

In a controlled crossover study, "identical" surgical procedures, the prophylactic removal of bilateral non-erupted 3rd molar teeth, were performed on two separate occasions in 24 healthy patients. Prior to each procedure, either betamethasone 9 mg (Celeston Chronodose) or placebo was administered intramuscularly, in a randomized fashion. Objective and subjective assessments were recorded for paired comparison of the post-operative course, including swelling, pain, trismus, local temperature, bleeding, wound-healing and preference for treatment. In 23 patients, less swelling occurred when betamethasone was given pre-operatively. The mean reduction on the 3rd and 6th post-operative days was 55% (p less than 0.001) and 69% (p less than 0.001), respectively. Pain assessments (visual analogue scale) were significantly lower after the corticosteroid injection; mean response: 1st evening 17 vs 56 mm, 2nd evening 5 vs 37 mm, and 3rd evening 2 vs 13 mm. No significant correlation between the steroid-induced reduction in swelling and pain could be made. This may indicate that dissociation may exist between pain and other inflammatory events like swelling. No clinically apparent infection or other disturbance of wound-healing was noted after corticosteroid administration. This treatment course was preferred by 23 of the 24 patients.

Adult↗