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S Laitinen

Publications and source records attributed to S Laitinen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy with mitomycin C in hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Mitomycin C has been found clinically useful in the treatment of colorectal cancer when administered via the hepatic artery. In a prospective therapeutic trial, we studied the effect of superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy with mitomycin C in patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer. METHODS: Forty-six patients with hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer received intra-arterial chemotherapy with mitomycin C (SIAC) between 1981 and 1991. The results of a 5-year follow-up were compared with 46 control patients standardized by sex, age, and tumor distribution. RESULTS: The overall response rate to intra-arterial chemotherapy was 20%. The median survival time for responders was 26 months and that for nonresponders 12 months (P < 0.003). The median survival period after intra-arterial chemotherapy was 15 months, compared with 9 months in controls (P < 0.004). The cumulative 5-year survival rate was 6% for patients treated by SIAC and 5% for controls. Cessation of chemotherapy was necessary in 39 of the 46 patients: in 28 because of tumor progression, in 9 because of toxicity, in 1 because of catheterization difficulties, and in 1 because of patient refusal. CONCLUSIONS: Superselective intra-arterial mitomycin C therapy had a poor effect on hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer because of the low response and long-term survival rates.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Sequence of a human cDNA encoding Cab45, a Ca2+-binding protein with six EF-hand motifs.

We report the sequence of a human cDNA encoding a deduced 362 amino acid protein with six EF-hand calcium-binding motifs. The protein is a likely human counterpart of the Cab45 protein recently identified in the 3T3-L1 mouse adipocyte cell line [Scherer et al. (1996), J. Cell Biol. 133, 257-268], displaying 87% aa and 83% nt identity with this sequence. The mRNA for human Cab45 is detected ubiquitously in tissue Northern blots.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Corrosive oesophageal injury. A study of four cases.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The ingestion of a corrosive agent including strong alkaline material causes serious caustic damage to the upper gastrointestinal tract. We describe four cases in patients who had ingested alkaline substances. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the years 1992-1996, four patients who had ingested strong alkali were treated in the Oulu University Hospital. The patients were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: In one case a third-degree, in two cases a second-degree and in one case a first-degree injury developed in the oesophagus. The patient with first-degree injury was treated with repeated endoscopic dilatations and he refused any more aggressive surgical therapy. The patients with more severe injuries were operated, on all with good end results. CONCLUSION: Aggressive surgical treatment of severe corrosive injuries involving the upper gastrointestinal tract is recommended.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Influence of parental occupation on coronary heart disease risk factors in children. The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.

BACKGROUND: The influence of parental occupation on selected coronary heart disease risk factors was studied in a cohort of Finnish children aged 9, 12 and 15 years (n = 1211) as part of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study in 1986. METHODS: The relationships of parental occupation to serum lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations, blood pressure, obesity, smoking, physical activity, diet and birthweight were examined. The occupation of the parents was obtained by a questionnaire and classified as I: upper non-manual (22%), II: lower non-manual (26%), III: upper manual (32%), IV: lower manual (5%) and F: farmers (15%). RESULTS: Highest serum total and how density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were found in classes IV and F. Boys from class IV had 7.1% higher total cholesterol concentrations compared to class I (4.98 mmol/l versus 4.65 mmol/l, P = 0.0033), whereas farmers' girls had 10.4% higher concentrations than girls from class III (5.31 mmol/l versus 4.81 mmol/l, P = 0.0057). Blood pressure was related to parental occupation only in boys, and the values were highest in class F. Boys from class IV smoked most often, and they also had lowest values for physical activity index and highest obesity indices. Farmers' children consumed significantly more saturated fat and cholesterol than children from other classes. In boys, the percentage of subjects with a low birthweight (< or = 10th percentile) was smallest in class I and greatest in class IV (7.1% versus 20.7%, P = 0.0330). CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic status based on parental occupation is associated with several coronary heart disease risk factors already present in children. These differences should be taken into account in prevention programmes aimed at children at an increased risk for developing coronary heart disease as adults.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Quality of speech correlated to craniofacial characteristics of cleft palate patients with the Pierre Robin sequence.

The present study aims at examining the relationship between cephalometric craniofacial dimensions and speech performance in 30 young adult cleft palate patients with a Pierre Robin (PR) sequence. Speech was analyzed from tape-recorded speech samples and by using nasalance measurements. Veloparyngeal closure was assessed by using videonasendoscopy. Various cephalometric dimensions reflecting facial vertical height and sagittal nasopharyngeal length were measured and compared to speech data. The results indicated that the sagittal bony nasopharyngeal depth (AD1-PNS, AD2-PNS) is significantly related to speech impairment in terms of the need for velopharyngoplasty. After comparing the present results to those obtained from patients with isolated cleft palate without a PR sequence we concluded that the cleft patients with a PR sequence require more often velopharyngeal flaps to eliminate persisting signs of velopharyngeal insufficiency.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Frequency of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. A prospective multicenter study in Finland.

PURPOSE: Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is an autosomal dominant cancer syndrome characterized by early onset of colorectal carcinomas (CRC). Recently, two HNPCC genes have been mapped and cloned, one in the short arm of chromosome 2 and another in the short arm of chromosome 3. There has been a major controversy about the frequency of HNPCC. The few estimates available have been based on series selected by age or series representing local area. The purpose of the present study was to design a nonselected, prospective, multicenter study, taking into account the family background and other risk factors of CRC. METHODS: The proportion of HNPCC of all (N = 406) CRC cases was evaluated in a prospective multicenter study. Family history and other risk factors were investigated over a 12-month period for all new CRC patients in ten hospitals. These cases constituted 23 percent of all CRCs diagnosed in Finland during the study period. RESULTS: Three (0.7 percent) cases of verified and seven (1.7 percent) cases of suspected HNPCC were identified, following the evaluation of all families with features indicative of susceptibility to cancer. The proportion of identifiable risk factors of CRC was 5.8-7.5 percent (HNPCC, 0.7-2.4 percent; previous CRC, 3.4 percent; ulcerative colitis, 1.0 percent; familial adenomatous polyposis coli, 0.7 percent). CONCLUSION. This prospective multicenter study revealed that the frequency of hereditary colorectal cancer is lower than in some previous studies, when diagnosis is based on extensive pedigree analysis. This result with recent findings of common ancestral founding mutation in Finnish HNPCC families indicates that there may be geographic differences in the occurrence of HNPCC. However, this does not change the fact that identification of HNPCC--perhaps one of the most common inherited diseases identified in humans--has become a question of vital importance now when diagnosis of the syndrome and large-scale screening of gene carriers using specific tests are on the horizon.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Factors influencing wound dehiscence after midline laparotomy.

PURPOSE: To identify patients who have high risk of wound dehiscence and who might benefit from the use of internal retention sutures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients with midline abdominal wound dehiscence were compared with 48 control patients standardized by sex, age, and operative indication. RESULTS: The mean hospital stay was significantly prolonged in the dehiscence group, resulting in a higher total cost of hospital treatment. The variables that were significantly associated with wound dehiscence included hypoalbuminemia, anemia, malnutrition, chronic lung disease, and emergency procedure. The additional postoperative factors that were found to be significant were vomiting, prolonged intestinal paralysis, repeated urinary retention, and increased coughing. Obesity, chronic heart disease, diabetes, alcoholism, preoperative intestinal obstruction, jaundice, systemic and local infection, use of steroids, type of incision, operating time, and type of wound closure were nonsignificant variables. The number of wound dehiscences increased significantly (P = 0.0001) when the number of risk factors increased from zero to five. CONCLUSION: We recommend using internal retention sutures for patients who have three or more risk factors.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia.

One hundred and ninety-five patients operated on for adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia during the years 1961-90 were analysed and the present data indicate that the more enthusiastic attitude adopted towards resective surgery led to a significant increase in operative explorations performed and in resectability rate, from 50% (44/88) and 35% (28/88) during the years 1961-75 to 84% (90/107) and 56% (60/107) during the years 1976-90, respectively. The difference between radical resections, 54% (15/28) and 67% (34/60), remained non-significant. The overall postoperative mortality and morbidity after resective surgery were 14% and 35% and these rates did not rise with time. The anastomotic leakage rate was 15%. Anastomotic leakage was, in fact, not only the most common postoperative complication but also the most common cause of death. Overall cumulative survivals at 1, 3 and 5 years were 47%, 11% and 5%. Comparison of the cumulative survival rates between the 15-year periods indicated that there were no differences in overall survival or in survival after resective surgery. We regard these results disappointing, because over half of the patients died in 1 year and because the long-term survival remained dismal.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

Diet of Finnish children in relation to the family's socio-economic status.

The differences between higher and lower socio-economic groups in food consumption, energy intake and nutrient density of the diet of Finnish 9- to 15-year-old children were examined in a study performed within the project entitled Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns. Data on food consumption were collected using the 48-hour recall method. Family's socio-economic status was defined according to the father's educational level, his occupation, and family income. Children of families with higher socio-economic status used more fruit, low-fat milk, soft vegetable margarine and less high-fat milk, butter, rye products and coffee than did the children of families with lower socioeconomic status. Consequently, the main differences appeared in the fat, vitamin D, vitamin C and fatty acid content of the diet. Differences in energy intake and in mineral density of the diet were minor. If these childhood dietary differences remain in adulthood, it is possible that the present disparity between socio-economic groups in mortality from coronary heart disease will not disappear.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Tailgut cyst].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Airborne endotoxin concentrations in different work conditions.

Workers from various occupations have described symptoms of upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract as well as eye and skin irritation. Exposure to endotoxins may cause these symptoms. Structural differences of endotoxins from different working environments are present on the sources of Gram-negative bacteria.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1994

Workers' exposure to airborne bacteria and endotoxins at industrial wastewater treatment plants.

A study of sewage workers' exposure to airborne culturable bacteria and inhaled endotoxins was performed at nine waste-water treatment plants that treat mainly industrial effluents. Airborne endotoxins were collected on glass fiber filters and analyzed using a chromogenic limulus assay. Endotoxin concentrations measured in the immediate vicinity of the waste-water treatment process varied from 0.1 to 350 ng/m3. The eight-hour time weighted average concentrations of endotoxin to which workers were exposed exceeded the suggested exposure limit (30 ng/m3 endotoxin) at four of the plants. Air samples of culturable bacteria concentrations varied between 10 and 10(5) colony-forming units/m3. Of the particles carrying culturable bacteria, 88% had an aerodynamic diameter of less than 4.7 microns. The most common genera of airborne gram-negative bacteria were acinetobacter, citrobacter, enterobacter, klebsiella, and pseudomonas. High levels of exposure to bacteria and bacterial endotoxin usually were related to certain phases of the treatment process. The microbiological contamination of air was highest near the inlets where incoming wastewater entered the basins, in the sludge treatment area, and inside the biofilter tower. In these spaces it is necessary to control and reduce exposure to airborne bacteria and endotoxin at wastewater plants.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1994

Growth in children with Pierre Robin sequence and isolated cleft palate.

Postnatal height and weight growth were assessed in 50 children (20 boys) with Pierre Robin sequence and in 58 children (27 boys) with isolated cleft palate, born in 1967-86. The height and weight measurements from birth to 12 years were collected retrospectively from child health centers and schools. The current Finnish relative weight and SD scores for height were used for growth assessment. The birth size of children with Pierre Robin sequence did not differ from those with isolated cleft palate or from healthy children, on the basis of Finnish norms. During the first year after birth, children with Pierre Robin sequence were shorter and lighter than those with isolated cleft palate but later caught up with them and the Finnish norms. Children with Pierre Robin sequence born prematurely or with associated anomalies showed more deficient growth.

Body Height↗
PubMed1994

Sulindac therapy for familial adenomatous polyposis after colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis.

Preventive colectomy for familial adenomatous polyposis is indicated for inevitable malignant change after the age of 30 years. We describe two patients of the same family with familial adenomatous polyposis, who underwent colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis and were treated with sulindac after operation. Sulindac causes regression of size and number of adenomas but discontinuation of treatment seems to lead to recurrence of adenomas.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed1993

Exposure of sprayers and plant handlers to mevinphos in Finnish greenhouses.

The exposure of sprayers and plant handlers to mevinphos, a toxic organophosphate insecticide, was evaluated in eight flower-growing greenhouses. The purpose was to assess an appropriate re-entry interval for mevinphos after its application in greenhouses. Inhalational and dermal exposure was measured during two days after application by measuring mevinphos in the greenhouse air and on the foliage. Workers' dermal exposure was measured with patch and handwash samples. The method of application considerably affected the levels of mevinphos in greenhouse air and on the foliage. The occupational exposure was measured with patch and handwash samples. The method of application considerably affected the levels of mevinphos in greenhouse air and on the foliage. The occupational exposure limit for mevinphos in Finland (100 micrograms/m3) was exceeded during the use of nonthermal foggers. Usually, however, the concentration of mevinphos in the breathing zone of the workers was below 10 micrograms/m3 9-12 hr after application. Mevinphos disappeared rapidly from greenhouse air and from the foliage after application, with a half-life of 9.2 hr. These data provide evidence that the main route of exposure to mevinphos is dermal, a conclusion supported by the excellent correlation between dermal exposure and the amount of mevinphos on the foliage. The calculated re-entry interval for mevinphos was approximately 4.5 hr. However, that interval is likely to be too short in practice because the risk of dermal exposure is considerable for more than 10 hr after the application of mevinphos.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Diagnosis and treatment of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Diagnostic sigmoidoscopy and barium enema examinations (n = 214) or colonoscopy (n = 52) were performed for acute lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The cause of bleeding was detected in 76% (203 of 266) of the primary examinations, and the cause remained unclear after subsequent examinations in 17% of the cases. Hemorrhoids were the cause of bleeding in 28% (56 of 203) of the cases, colonic diverticular disease in 19% (39 of 203), adenomatous polyps in 11% (23 of 203), and colorectal cancer in 10% (20 of 203). The sources of bleeding did not differ significantly by sex. An anorectal site of bleeding was most often detected in patients less than 50 years of age (p < 0.0001) and a left colonic site in those more than 70 years (p < 0.0001). Hemorrhoids significantly more often caused rectal bleeding among the youngest patients (p < 0.0001) and colonic diverticular disease among the oldest patients (p < 0.0001) and colonic diverticular disease among the oldest patients (p < 0.0001) than among the others. Of the 266 patients, 19% have been operated on for the bleeding lesion. The mortality related to lower GI bleeding was 4% (11 of 266). The mean age of the patients who died was higher than that of those who survived (p < 0.05).

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

Piperacillin/tazobactam versus imipenem/cilastatin in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections.

The current multicenter study was conducted at five sites using 86 patients to evaluate the safety and efficacy of piperacillin/tazobactam (4 grams per 500 milligrams every eight hours) compared with imipenem/cilastatin (1 gram every eight hours) in the treatment of patients who were hospitalized with a clinically or bacteriologically confirmed diagnosis of intra-abdominal infection. Forty-seven patients received piperacillin/tazobactam and 39 received imipenem/cilastatin. The favorable response among patients who were clinically evaluable with a valid response in the group treated with piperacillin/tazobactam was 87 percent. In the group treated with imipenem/cilastatin it was 77 percent. Bacteriologic eradication rate among bacteriologically evaluable patients with a valid response in the group treated with piperacillin/tazobactam was 100 percent. In the group treated with imipenem/cilastatin it was 89 percent. The eradication rate of pathogens isolated from patients who were evaluable by biologic factors in the group treated with piperacillin/tazobactam was 100 percent and in the group treated with imipenem/cilastatin treatment, 96 percent. In the group treated with piperacillin/tazobactam the incidence and type of adverse reactions were similar to those seen with piperacillin alone. It is concluded that piperacillin/tazobactam is safe and efficacious in the treatment of patients hospitalized with intraabdominal infections and that tazobactam extends the spectrum of piperacillin.

Adolescent↗