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Biomedical subjects

P Magnus

Publications and source records attributed to P Magnus.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Prevalence of human papillomavirus in cervical scrapes, as analyzed by PCR, in a population-based sample of women with and without cervical dysplasia.

HPV is suspected of being a major cause of cancer of the uterine cervix. To understand the risk of disease in the general population of women, it is important to estimate the prevalence of HPV infection in a random population-based sample of women without disease. In this study, a total of 231 randomly selected women without dysplasia (controls) were examined, and compared with 103 women with histologically confirmed CIN II-III (patients). The prevalence of HPV DNA in cervical scrapes was determined by general nested PCR, which was expected to detect any relevant HPV type commonly found in cervical samples. The nested positive samples were typed with type-specific PCR. In the general nested PCR, 15% of the controls were positive, compared to 91% of the patients. In the population-based sample, 2.2% had HPV types 6 and 11 and 10% had types 16, 18, 31, and 33. In both groups, HPV DNA was observed less frequently in women above than below the age of 30. The results are among the few population-based figures on the prevalence of HPV in women, and provide a baseline for understanding the risk of developing cancer of the uterine cervix, and determining the proportion of women to be included in intervention studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Screening for toxoplasmosis in pregnancy: what is the evidence of reducing a health problem?

OBJECTIVES: Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite which may give rise to congenital infection. Screening pregnant women for antibodies against toxoplasmosis is being debated in many countries. The preventive impact of toxoplasmosis screening of pregnant women depends on the magnitude of disease caused by congenital toxoplasmosis (incidence x transmission rate to fetus x diseased proportion of infected children), on the one hand, and the preventable proportion of disease (sensitivity of the screening test x efficacy of the treatment x compliance), on the other. In this study the preventive impact of screening pregnant women for toxoplasmosis antibodies is assessed by letting the value for these variables change within reasonable limits. METHODS: To obtain information on these variables, relevant publications were reviewed in the Medline database from 1983 to February 1996 and the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Database. References in review articles on congenital toxoplasmosis were also studied. RESULTS: The literature review showed that no population based prospective studies of the natural history of toxoplasmosis infection during pregnancy, nor any randomised controlled trials of the efficacy of antiparasitic treatment, had been carried out. In the empirical studies which have been performed the values of most variables show considerable differences. According to these values, the estimates in this study of the impact of toxoplasmosis screening in pregnancy may range from 0 to 40 children in whom disease is preventable per 100,000 pregnant women susceptible to toxoplasmosis infection. CONCLUSION: Sufficient scientific evidence is not yet available to propose screening for toxoplasmosis in pregnant women, and efforts should be made to provide such knowledge. Also, the magnitude of the negative impact of screening, such as induced abortion of healthy fetuses, anxiety in women with false positive screening tests, and side effects of treatment, has not been sufficiently examined.

Antiprotozoal Agents↗
PubMed1996

Marital status as a risk factor for fetal and infant mortality.

In order to study pregnancy outcome for married versus unmarried mothers when controlling statistically for maternal age, educational level, socioeconomic status and income, a total of 93,800 firstborn singleton births in 1978-1982 were examined. The unmarried mothers were younger, less well educated and had a lower socioeconomic status than the married mothers. The stillbirth, neonatal, and postneonatal mortality rates were higher among offspring of unmarried mothers. After taking sociodemographic factors into account, marital status was found to be associated with postneonatal mortality. The adjusted odds ratio for postneonatal mortality was 1.5. Our results indicate the importance of marital status as a demographic risk factor even in a welfare society. There is a need to identify specific risk behaviours associated with the life styles of unmarried mothers. Hopefully our findings will provide information that can be used for future programmes of prevention, especially for the mother and her child during the first year of life.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Novel 2- and 5-azido-N-(diphenylcarbamoyl)proline methyl esters. Examples of a novel proline oxidation.

The crystal structures of two azido-substituted proline derivatives are reported. Racemic 2-azido-1-(diphenyl-carbamoyl)proline methyl ester, (I), C19H19N5O3, is resolved upon crystallization from methylene chloride-diethyl ether. The azido moieties are nonlinear with N--N--N angles of 173 (1) and 170.3 (2) degrees for (I) and (II) [cis-5-azido-N-(diphenylcarbamoyl)proline methyl ester, C19H19N5O3], respectively. Close intramolecular contacts between the carbonyl O atom of the amide and the central N atom of the azido group are found. The contact distances between N7 and O14 are 2.780 (14) and 2.815 (2) A for (I) and (II), respectively.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗
PubMed1995

[Steady homosexual relationship and HIV infection].

In order to study the relative impact of a steady homosexual relationship on the presence of HIV antibodies, a cross-sectional study was undertaken of 719 homosexual men in Oslo during the period of 1983-1987. 74/719 (10%) were HIV positive. 37/74 (50%) of the HIV positives and 185/645 (29%) of the HIV negatives were having a steady homosexual relationship that had lasted six months or more (chi-square test, p < 0.05). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis the adjusted odds ratio of being HIV positive was 2.3 (1.3-4.3, 95% confidence interval (CI)) for homosexual relationship lasting 1/2-4 years and 3.1 (1.5-6.6, 95% CI) for homosexual relationship lasting 5 years or more as compared with not being in a homosexual relationship. The number of male partners and frequent anal intercourse were also significantly associated with presence of HIV antibodies. The results suggest that situational variables associated with a steady partnership may be barriers to HIV-preventive measures.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Opposing placental gradients for thiocyanate and cotinine at birth.

In order to compare maternal and fetal exposure to compounds of tobacco smoke at the end of pregnancy, concentrations of cotinine and thiocyanate were measured in cord serum and maternal serum collected from 24 daily smoking and four non-smoking women at the time of child birth. The median level of thiocyanate (69 mumol/l) in maternal serum was about 50% higher than the median level (47 mumol/l) in cord serum (P < 0.0001) (Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test). On the other hand, the median level of cotinine (22 ng/ml) in maternal serum was less than half of the median level (51 ng/ml) in cord serum (P = 0.0009). The correlation between maternal and cord serum was 0.77 (P < 0.0001) (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient) for thiocyanate levels and 0.90 (P < 0.0001) for cotinine. The high correlation between measurements of cotinine in maternal serum and cord serum indicates that maternal cotinine levels can be used to describe interindividual differences in fetal exposure to tobacco smoke. The placental gradients for cotinine and thiocyanate may indicate differences in maternal and fetal exposure to products of tobacco smoke.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Human papillomavirus and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade II-III: a population-based case-control study.

The association between certain human papillomaviruses (HPV) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is well documented, but there is uncertainty about the strength of association and the role of co-factors is unclear. This population-based case-control study in Norwegian women 20-44 years of age included 103 cases with histologically confirmed CIN II-III and 234 age-matched and randomly selected controls. Cytological specimens from the cervix were analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In all, 91% of the cases and 15% of the controls were HPV DNA positive, giving a crude odds ratio (OR) of 67.2 (95% confidence interval: 28.6-157.5). The association between HPV 16 and CIN II-III was even stronger (crude OR = 123.9; 46.7 - 328.5). In logistic regression analysis, additional to HPV, only a high number of sexual partners and a low educational level contributed independently to the risk. The adjusted OR for the association between HPV and CIN II-III was 72.8 (95% CI: 27.6-191.9). The association between HPV and CIN remains very strong even after adjustment for proposed confounding factors. The results therefore support the role of HPV as a causative agent in the development of CIN.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

4,7-Dimethoxybenzo[c]furan.

The title compound, C10H10O3, is nearly planar with a maximum deviation from planarity of 0.140 (2) A for methoxy atom C11. The geometry of the benzo[c]furan moiety is indicative of a non-aromatic ring system. The bond lengths more closely resemble those of two non-interacting diene systems than those of an aromatic one. There are alternating long and short bond lengths around the ring skeleton with the long and short C-C bonds averaging 1.437 (2) and 1.354 (2) A, respectively. There are close C-H ... O intermolecular contacts which may help stabilize the molecule in the solid state.

Benzofurans↗
PubMed1995

Two [7.3.1]azabicyclo-z-3-ene-1,5-diyne analogues of dynemicin A.

The crystal structures of methyl 6-methoxy-17-oxo-2-azatricyclo[7.7.1.0(3,8)]heptadeca-3(8),4 ,6,13-tetraene- 11,15-diyne-2-carboxylate ethyl acetate solvate, (1), 2C19H15NO4.0.5C4H8O2, and tricyclo[3.3.1.1(3,7)]decyl 6-methoxy-17-oxo-2-azatricyclo[7.7.1.0(3,8)]heptadeca-3(8),4 ,6,13-tetraene- 11,15-diyne-2-carboxylate ethyl acetate solvate, (2), C28H27NO4.0.5C4H8O2, are reported. For compound (1), two crystallographically independent molecules are observed. Interestingly, for both compounds (1) and (2), a molecule of ethyl acetate is found in the crystal lattice disordered about an inversion center. The azabicyclo[7.3.1]enediyne core appears to be fairly rigid. Only minor differences are observed in the ring conformation between the two independent molecules in (1) and between compounds (1) and (2) themselves. The conformation is also similar to that found in deoxydynemicin A [Shiomi, Iinuma, Naganawa, Hamada, Hattori, Nakamura, Takeuchi & Iitaka (1990). J. Antibiot. 43, 1000-1005] and triacetyldynemicin A [Konishi, Ohkuma, Tsuno, Oki, Van Duyne & Clardy (1990). J. Am. Chem. Soc. 112, 3715-3716]. The transannular diyne distance (C3...C8) averages 3.428 (2) A for compound (1) and is 3.403 (3) A for compound (2).

Anthraquinones↗
PubMed1995

Sex-specific effects for body mass index in the new Norwegian twin panel.

Sex-specific effects for body mass index (BMI) were explored in a newly established, population-based Norwegian twin panel. The sample includes 5,864 individuals, aged 18-25 years, who responded to a questionnaire containing items for zygosity classification, height, weight, health, health-related behaviors, well-being, and demographic information. Among the 2,570 intact pairs who returned the questionnaire there were 416 identical (MZ) male pairs, 387 fraternal (DZ) male pairs, 528 MZ female pairs, 443 DZ female pairs, and 796 unlike-sexed pairs. Alternate sets of models testing for either sex-specific genetic or environmental parameters were evaluated using structural equation analysis. Results from the most parsimonious model indicated that the genes contributing to variation in BMI are not identical for men and women; rather, some genetic effects were shared by the sexes and some were unique to each sex. Total variation in BMI could be explained by sex-specific additive genetic effects, as well as genetic and non-shared environmental effects common to men and women. Estimates of heritability were .708 for men and .789 for women, and the male-female genetic correlation was 0.622. The series of models specifying sex-specific shared environment also fit the data and suggests that shared environmental factors may be important for males but not for females. The findings raise questions concerning the relationship between sex-specific effects for BMI and sex differences in health outcomes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Sex-specific causal factors and effects of common environment for symptoms of anxiety and depression in twins.

Two thousand five hundred seventy intact pairs and 724 single responders from Norwegian twins aged 18-25 years completed questionnaires with information about anxiety and depression and perceived cotwin closeness. The aim of the study was the univariate estimation of sex-specific genetic and environmental effects on an index tapping symptoms of anxiety and depression. An index of social closeness between cotwins was significantly related to the cotwin correlation for anxiety/depression scores. MZ pairs were reported to be closer than DZ pairs, and like-sexed DZ pairs were closer than unlike-sexed pairs. The symptom data were adjusted for this apparent violation of the "equal-environment" assumption in twin studies, but the adjustment did not dramatically affect the parameter estimates of genetic and environmental effects on anxiety/depression. A model specifying male (aM) and female (aF) genetic additive effects, shared environment for males (cM), and individual environmental effects (eM and eF) fitted the adjusted data very well. An alternative model, specifying aM = aF, cM = cF, and eM = eF, and no correlation between those environmental factors shared by brothers and those shared by sisters, fitted equally well. Estimated proportions of total variance from the first model were aM2 = .30, aF2 = .52, and cM2 = .21. The estimates from the second model were aM2 = aF2 = .43 and cM2 = cF2 = .11.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Impact on sexually transmitted disease spread of increased condom use by young females, 1987-1992.

BACKGROUND: Sexual behaviour data are crucial for understanding the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Over a period (1987-1992) in which the HIV epidemic increased public awareness of safe sexual practices, we describe predictors of condom use, changes in condom use over time, and the estimated effects of these changes on the spread of STD. METHODS: Condom use reported by females aged 18-35 years with non-cohabiting partners was analysed using data from two cross-sectional postal surveys performed 5 years apart (1987 and 1992) on two separate representative samples of 10,000 subjects aged 18-60 years living in Norway. A simple mathematical model was used to assess the effects of selection bias. A more complicated model was used to predict the effects of condom use on the prevalence of STD in a population which includes a core group of highly sexually active subjects. RESULTS: We found an increase in the prevalence of condom use in the latest intercourse from 14% to 20% with non-foreign partners and from 10% to 38% with foreign partners, from 1987 to 1992. In a logistic regression model, low frequency of intercourse, high education, one lifetime partner, and late sexual debut were predictors for condom use. Controlled for these variables, the odds ratio (OR) for condom use in 1992 versus 1987 was 1.4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9-2.0) if the partner was non-foreign, and 7.1 (95% CI: 2.5-20.5) if the partner was foreign. Not using other contraceptive methods was a strong predictor for condom use; OR = 17.4 (95% CI: 8.0-38.0). Condom use in the first intercourse with the last partner was a strong predictor for condom use in the last intercourse; OR = 19.2 (95% CI: 8.2-45.3). It appeared unlikely that the increase in condom use could be explained by response bias. The predicted reductions in STD prevalence due to the increase in condom use ranged from zero to 30% depending on consistency of use, and on the agent that is transmitted. CONCLUSIONS: Condom use among 18-35 year old women has increased over the period, particularly with foreign partners. Condoms are used primarily as contraception. The prevalences of STD with high transmission rates are not reduced by inconsistent condom use, while the prevalences of STD with low transmission rates are reduced by both consistent and inconsistent condom use. Condom use in a core group is more effective for reducing the STD prevalence than condom use in the non-core group for gonorrhoea and HIV. For chlamydial infection, condom use in the non-core group is more effective.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Impact of pollution and place of residence on atopic diseases among schoolchildren in Telemark County, Norway.

For estimation of the prevalence, degree of severity, and association with outdoor pollution, a questionnaire on asthma and other atopic diseases was distributed to the parents of 4666 7-13-year-olds, comprising all the children in 36 schools in Telemark County, Norway, including 37% of the schoolchildren in the county. The response rate was 94%. In a validity study employing clinical evaluations, the questionnaire-based diagnosis of asthma was found to have a sensitivity of 0.96 and a specificity of 0.88. The lifetime prevalence of asthma in Telemark was 9% (boys 11.3%, girls 6.6%; p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the lifetime prevalence of asthma by pollution zone; 8.3% in heavily, 9.3% in moderately, and 9.2% in minimally polluted zones. The asthma prevalence was significantly higher (14.2%; p < 0.05) among boys in the coastal area of the county than in the mountainous area (8.9%). Both of these areas were in the minimal pollution zone. Of asthma cases, 67% were categorized as mild, 29% as moderate, and 4% as severe. The lifetime prevalence was 17.8% (boys 21.3%, girls 14.2%; p < 0.001) for allergic rhinitis, 13.2% (boys 11.4%, girls 15.2%; p < 0.001) for atopic eczema, and 29.6% (boys 31.7%, girls 27.4%; p < 0.01) for overall atopic disease (asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema). These findings are not compatible with the hypothesis that outdoor pollution is associated with the lifetime prevalence of asthma in school-age children. The results also show that less than 0.5% of schoolchildren suffer from severe asthma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Is the higher postneonatal mortality in lower social status groups due to SIDS?

In order to study the influence of sociodemographic factors, postneonatal mortality of all live births surviving the neonatal period registered in the Norwegian Medical Birth Registry in 1978-1982 were examined (n = 209,030). Postneonatal deaths (n = 634) were divided into two categories; deaths due to the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (n = 359) and deaths due to other causes (non-SIDS) (n = 275). SIDS and non-SIDS deaths showed different relationships to sociodemographic factors, and the associations appeared to be different for first-born and later born children. SIDS mortality was highest for first-born offspring when the mother was young (adjusted relative risks (RR) 2.3) and had a low educational level (adjusted RR 4.9). For later-born offspring no association between maternal educational level and SIDS was found, while young maternal age (adjusted RR 4.4) and unmarried status (adjusted RR 2.3) were closely associated with SIDS. In the multivariate model, however, there were no statistically significant associations between non-SIDS and sociodemographic factors for first-born or later-born children. Thus it appears that the increased postneonatal mortality in lower social groups can be explained by an association with SIDS.

Cause of Death↗
PubMed1995

Children with low birth weight and low gestational age in Oslo, Norway: immigration is not the cause of increasing proportions.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of children born to immigrant mothers on the total proportions of low birth weight and preterm deliveries in Oslo and to explain the increases in the proportions of children with low birth weight and low gestational age since 1980-1982. DESIGN: This was a cross sectional study based on Norwegian Medical Birth Registry data and information on mothers' country of birth from the Central Bureau of Statistics. SETTING: Oslo, Norway 1968-91. POPULATION: All births in Oslo between 1968 and 1991 (n = 146 133). MAIN RESULTS: The observed increased proportion of children with low birth weight and low gestational age born after 1980-82 is not the result of an increased proportion of children born to immigrant women. Caesarean section rates have increased dramatically and the higher proportions of children with low birth weight and gestational age may be explained by this. CONCLUSION: Wide use of caesarean section probably results in more children of low birth weight and low gestational age as an iatrogenic effect. The trend in the proportion of children with low birth weight and low gestational age is not correlated to perinatal mortality after 1982. Using proportions of low birth weight and gestational age as indicators of a nation's child health status may therefore be misleading in countries with high rates of caesarean section.

Asia↗
PubMed1995

Serial mass-media campaigns to promote physical activity: reinforcing or redundant?

Changes associated with two serial, nationwide, mass-media-based campaigns to promote physical activity conducted by the National Heart Foundation of Australia in 1990 and 1991 were examined. Surveys conducted before and after each campaign found statistically significant differences in message awareness (46% vs 71% in 1990; 63% vs 74% in 1991). In 1990, there were significant increases in walking, particularly among older people, and in intentions to exercise. No such changes were apparent in 1991. In the case of these two campaigns, conducted 1 year apart, the second may have been redundant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Trends in cardiovascular risk factors in Australia. Results from the National Heart Foundation's Risk Factor Prevalence Study, 1980-1989.

OBJECTIVES: To examine recent changes in the cardiovascular risk factor profile of Australian adults and to compare these with trends in mortality. DESIGN: Questionnaire and examination data collected from multicentre cross-sectional surveys conducted in 1980, 1983 and 1989. SUBJECTS: 19,315 randomly selected respondents aged 25-64 years living in the six State capital cities. RESULTS: During the 1980s, average blood pressure levels declined in all age groups and for both men and women. The prevalence of hypertension decreased and it appeared to be more effectively managed. Total cholesterol levels decreased significantly in younger men and older women but lipid results showed no overall favourable trend. Weight for height increased in all ages, strongly suggesting increased body fatness. In women, the odds of being overweight or obese increased by 58%, and in men by 23%. The prevalence of smoking declined significantly in men and women. Cessation of smoking and decreased uptake both contributed to the decline in men, while smoking cessation was more important in women. Consumption of alcohol declined significantly in both sexes. Adding salt to food became less common, as did eating the fat on meat. Walking for recreation or exercise and other forms of less vigorous exercise became more popular, while the prevalence of aerobic exercise and vigorous exercise remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Reductions in cigarette smoking and blood pressure are likely to have contributed to the falls that have been noted in cardiovascular mortality rate. Changes in dietary behaviour were consistent with health education messages. The trend towards greater body fatness may retard the benefits of favourable trends in other cardiovascular risk factors, morbidity and mortality and requires greater attention.

Adult↗