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Biomedical subjects

S Larsen

Publications and source records attributed to S Larsen.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

The origin of alcohol-related social norms in the Saami minority.

The present paper addressed the problem of the origin of alcohol-related social norms in the Saami minority in northern Norway. Based on data from studies of comparable ethnic minorities in Greenland, North America and Australia it could be expected that alcohol use- and abuse would be more prevalent in the Saami than in the Norwegian populations of northern Norway. No data to support this hypothesis exist. On the contrary, available data suggest that drinking problems in this group are similar to those of the majority in the area. The present paper developed the hypothesis that Saami alcohol-related social norms originated in the Laestadian religious revival. The paper investigated the impact of the Laestadian culture in the formation of alcohol-related social norms. It was concluded that the Laestadian sobriety norm, and the norm of abstinence from the use of adiafora, have influenced alcohol-related behaviour in the Saami group in such a way that this group does not conform to the drinking behaviour found in comparable minorities.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1993

Loratadine and terfenadine in perennial allergic rhinitis. Treatment of nonresponders to the one drug with the other drug.

The efficacy of loratadine and terfenadine in perennial allergic rhinitis was evaluated in a double-blind, selected cross-over study consisting of two phases. During the first phase, 76 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis, 8-67 years old, were included in the study. Of these, 41 patients received loratadine 10 mg daily, and 35 patients received terfenadine 60 mg twice daily, for 2 weeks. According to symptoms and side-effects, 32 patients were classified as responders to loratadine, and 28 patients as responders to terfenadine. All observed symptoms were significantly reduced in both treatment groups, but with no significant differences between the two groups. Side-effects were few and mild. In patients with normal IgE, loratadine was significantly superior to terfenadine in relieving nasal secretion, whereas terfenadine was significantly superior to loratadine in relieving nasal congestion. In patients with increased IgE, patients treated with loratadine showed significantly greater reduction in sneezing than patients treated with terfenadine. A positive correlation between total IgE and reduction in overall symptoms was found for patients treated with loratadine, whereas a negative correlation was found for patients treated with terfenadine. During the second study phase, the nonresponders received the other drug for 2 weeks. All seven nonresponders to terfenadine responded to loratadine after crossing over, whereas four of nine nonresponders to loratadine responded to terfenadine. Nonresponders to one drug may respond to the other drug. Thus, more than one antihistamine drug should be tried in perennial allergic rhinitis if the first fails.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Sulphatide antigen in islets of Langerhans and in diabetic glomeruli, and anti-sulphatide antibodies in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Clinical coincidence between diabetes and neurological disorders, and sharing of antigen determinants between islets of Langerhans and neural tissue, has been suggested. Sulphatide is a neural epitope which can be visualized with a monoclonal antibody Sulph I. Different tissues were examined by immunohistological methods. Sulphatide and anti-sulphatide antibodies were determined by thin-layer chromatographic techniques. IgG was isolated using protein A columns. A specific staining by Sulph I was found of rat islets, assigned to the secretory granules of both alpha and beta cells. No labelling of the exocrine tissue or other body tissues was seen, except for nerve and kidney structures. The latter showed staining of the distal tubules and, in addition, but only in the diabetic kidney, of glomeruli located in the subendothelial area in the capillary loops and the mesangial space. Sera from 38% of 40 spontaneously diabetic BB rats displayed anti-sulphatide antibodies, mainly IgG, whereas all 30 control Lewis rats were negative. Most recently we have demonstrated anti-sulphatide antibodies in 88% of 57 patients with newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes (titres of > 1:400); all 135 healthy control persons were negative. The sulphatide antibody reactivity was present in the IgG fractions of the patients' sera. Thus, sulphatide is demonstrated in islets of Langerhans and in kidney related to the diabetic lesion, and, furthermore, anti-sulphatide antibodies exist in Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Safety of enoxaparin and dextran-70 in the prevention of venous thromboembolism in digestive surgery. A play-the-winner-designed study.

A total of 327 patients were included in a play-the-winner (PTW)-designed study comparing the safety of prophylaxis with enoxaparin and dextran-70 in patients undergoing digestive surgery. In a PTW-designed study the treatment of any next patient will depend on the outcome of the previous one. If successful, the next patient will receive the same treatment. Excessive bleeding, on the basis of specified criteria, severe adverse effects, or occurrence of clinically detected venous thromboembolism was classified as failure. The PTW design allocates most patients to the superior treatment. In this study 200 patients were given enoxaparin and 127 dextran-70. The success rate was 83% in the enoxaparin group and 74.8% in the dextran-70 group (p = 0.05). The survival analysis of 'Number of patients before change in treatment' shows a significant difference in favour of enoxaparin (p = 0.05). Enoxaparin seems to be superior to dextran-70 as a prophylaxis in digestive surgery. The PTW model is a suitable design in such studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Medial fibroplasia: involvement of renal artery and small renal arteries in renal vascular hypertension.

Dysplasia of the renal artery may cause renal vascular hypertension. The most common type of dysplasia is the medial fibroplasia. Medial fibroplasia, as well as the other types of dysplasia, has only been described in the main and primary branches of the renal artery. A case of medial fibroplasia, where arterial changes were seen far out in the small renal vessels is reported.

Fibromuscular Dysplasia↗
PubMed1993

High-frequency air conduction audiometry. Testing of a new low impedance circumaural transducer system in normal young persons.

A new circumaural transducer was tested in the frequency range 125 Hz to 20 kHz. The new transducer has a low acoustic impedance and loads the ear closely to free-field conditions, thus ensuring that sensitivity to different positions of the transducer around the ear is reduced compared to conventional audiometric headphones. The transducer was tested on 57 individuals (114 ears) in the age range 10 to 20 (median age 17.0 years). The results, showing a fairly good accordance with the ISO standard free-field thresholds values, seem to confirm that the new transducer system loads the ears similarly to free-field conditions. The results were also compared with the threshold values from other high-frequency investigations using different transducer systems. In order to verify the reliability of the system, a test-retest was carried out on 12 inexperienced normal individuals (24 ears) (median age 26.5 years; range values from 22 to 44 years). The standard deviations of the test-retest ranged from 2.8dB to 6.6dB. A comparison of these values with the results from other high-frequency test-retests is of dubious value, as such retests have often been performed and estimated in different ways. International standards for high-frequency audiometry threshold and international standards for test-retest procedure are needed. The increasing administration of cytotoxic drugs in the treatment of malignant diseases will increase the need for reliable high-frequency audiometry equipment.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Ketoprofen controlled release (CR) in the treatment of osteoarthrosis; a double blind, randomized multicentre study of single morning versus evening dose. Norwegian Study Group of General Practitioners.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the morning and evening dose of 200 mg ketoprofen controlled release formulation with regard to both efficacy and GI tolerability. DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized multicentre prospective trial with cross-over design combined with a parallel design. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and eight female and 55 male patients with osteoarthrosis in hip(s) or knee(s) necessitating treatment with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The degrees of pain and stiffness and joint movement ability in joints with osteoarthrosis. RESULTS: Both the morning and the evening dose demonstrated a significant effect (p < 0.01) on all efficacy variables. The reduction in degree of pain in the afternoon and in the evening was significantly higher (p < 0.01) for the morning dose. The total frequency and degree of gastrointestinal discomfort increased significantly (p < 0.01) during both treatment periods. The increases were mainly caused by increased gastric pain and constipation. No significant differences were found between the two regimes regarding tolerability. CONCLUSION: Ketoprofen controlled release given once daily in the morning compared to the evening to patients with osteoarthrosis may increase the efficacy without reducing the tolerability of the drug.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Syphilis-associated perinatal and infant mortality in rural Malawi.

In Mangochi District, a rural area of Malawi, the prevalence of active syphilis was 3.6% among 3591 women who had singleton births and who were negative for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Compared with non-syphilitic women, those with active syphilis (positive Venereal Disease Research Laboratory/rapid plasmin reagin tests (titre > or = 1:8) and a reactive microhaemagglutination assay) were more likely to experience stillbirths as well as the early and late neonatal deaths and even postneonatal deaths of their children. Characteristics associated with active syphilis were not very useful in targeting women at high risk of having the condition, which makes universal screening in antenatal programmes the most efficacious way to prevent syphilis-associated morbidity and mortality. The potential for a programme to prevent congenital syphilis in the perinatal, neonatal, and post-neonatal periods is evident. In considering resource allocation to child survival programmes in areas where the prevalence of syphilis is high, officials need to include antenatal syphilis screening, using rapid tests and treatment at the first contact of the mother with the health care system.

Child Welfare↗
PubMed1993

Diabetes mellitus secondary to chronic pancreatitis.

From the present review it appears that insulin-dependent diabetes is a common finding in chronic pancreatitis, and impaired secretion of insulin from beta-cells of the pancreatic islets is essential for the development of this form of secondary diabetes. Judged from a positive correlation between insulin secretory capacity and stimulated pancreatic enzyme output, beta-cell function may decrease in parallel with exocrine pancreatic function. However, in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes secondary to chronic pancreatitis beta-cell function was preserved to a greater extent and glucoregulation was better than in comparable Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients. Immunological phenomena and associations with certain HLA-alleles characterizing Type 1 diabetes mellitus were not found in insulin-dependent diabetes secondary to chronic pancreatitis. This may contribute to the slower destruction of the beta-cells in chronic pancreatitis than encountered in Type 1 diabetes. The small number of chronic pancreatitis patients who developed totally absence of endogenous insulin production still have some alpha-cell function during i.v. arginine and meal stimulation. However, insulin-induced hypoglycemia and insulin withdrawal did not stimulate glucagon secretion in the secondary diabetic patients in contrast to comparable Type 1 diabetics. Nevertheless, blood glucose counterregulation is intact in the secondary diabetics due to preserved catecholamine secretion. Furthermore, ketonemia develops during dissipation of insulin, in spite of absence of increased glucagon secretion, emphasizing the role of insulin dissipation for the development of ketoacidosis in this form of diabetes. The suggested increased susceptibility to severe hypoglycemia and less tendency to development of ketonemia may further be influenced by altered insulin sensitivity, nutritional factors and concomitant hepatic failure in diabetes secondary to chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic polypeptide secretion was absent in chronic pancreatitis without endogenous insulin production. Pancreatic polypeptide secreting cells thus seem to be at least as vulnerable as the beta-cells to the destructive processes characterizing chronic pancreatitis, whereas glucagon secreting alpha-cells preserve secretory capacity to a greater extent than PP-cells and beta-cells. No data, however, favour the view that absent pancreatic polypeptide secretion has any major effect on the glucoregulation in diabetes secondary to chronic pancreatitis. Increased plasma concentration of somatostatin was found in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes secondary to chronic pancreatitis. The source of somatostatin in the patients is unknown, but somatostatin may contribute to a reduction in overall blood glucose level in patients without endogenous insulin secretion due to inhibition of glucagon secretion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1992

[The calendar as criterion--duration of sick leave and physicians' work conditions].

This paper addresses physicians' tendency to allot standardized, "rounded off" sick leave. Of the 401 sick leaves reviewed, 64.3% lasted for one or two weeks, one or two months, or to the end of the week or month. The patients' presumed wish for an extended leave, and the practitioners' strained work situation were examined as possible influential factors. A scrutiny of general practitioners' and company practitioners' working conditions, and employees' current inclination to work, does not support these ideas. Dialogue between physician and patient should be improved and we also suggest a change to "vaguer" durations of sick leave.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

[Development and use of a database for gastroenterologic endoscopy].

With no commercially available endoscopy database manager available, a standalone system for gastroenterological endoscopy departments has been developed since 1985 through joint efforts of gastroenterologists and dedicated programmers. The present system was implemented for daily use January 1989 and, to date, approximately 19,000 examinations have been recorded. Nurses and office assistants carry out administrative work, but the physician enters the endoscopic data, partly as free text, partly as structured data via automated menus and a mouse. In addition to the immediate printout of the result, valuable data are stored in the computer for administrative and research purposes. Mean data entering time for the physician was four minutes 17 seconds, and altogether eight minutes 40 seconds was spent on the computer system for each patient served.

Database Management Systems↗
PubMed1992

[Tendency to edema as the initial symptom of hyperthyroidism].

Peripheral oedema which is not of cardiac origin may be an early clinical sign of hyperthyroidism. Measurement of the thyroid parameters is recommended in patients with sudden onset of oedema of the lower limbs and tachycardia without any immediate cause.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Prevalence and causes of albuminuria in non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients.

A prospective study of the prevalence and causes of persistent albuminuria (greater than 300 mg/24 hr) was conducted in non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) patients, age less than 66 years, attending a diabetic clinic during 1987. All eligible patients (N = 370) were asked to collect at least one 24-hour urine sample for albumin analysis. Urine collection was obtained in 224 males and 139 females (98%). Fifty patients (7 women) suffered from persistent albuminuria (13.8%). The prevalence of albuminuria was significantly higher in males (19%) than in females (5%). A kidney biopsy was performed in 35 patients (70%). The kidney biopsies revealed diffuse and/or nodular diabetic glomerulosclerosis in 27 patients (77%), while the remaining eight patients (23%) had a variety of non-diabetic glomerulopathies, such as minimal lesion and mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis. Diabetic retinopathy was present in 15 of 27 patients (56%) with diabetic glomerulosclerosis, while none of the eight patients with a non-diabetic glomerulopathy had retinopathy. Our cross sectional study has revealed a high prevalence of albuminuria and of non-diabetic glomerulopathy as a cause of this complication in NIDDM patients. Presence of diabetic retinopathy strongly suggests that a diabetic glomerulopathy is the cause of albuminuria. Albuminuric non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients without retinopathy require further evaluation, that is, kidney biopsy.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Expression of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in human renal allografts and cultured human tubular cells.

The in vivo distribution of the intercellular adhesion molecule ICAM-1 was investigated in renal tissue specimens obtained from 17 renal allotransplanted patients, nine normal kidneys (controls), seven native kidneys, nine patients with mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis, and nine patients with active extracapillary glomerulonephritis. Biopsies from patients with signs of acute rejection showed a significant increase in ICAM-1 expression in the tubular epithelium (P less than 0.05). In normal kidneys (controls) ICAM-1 expression was found in endothelial cells; additional expression in the tubular epithelial cells was induced in patients with extracapillary glomerulonephritis. The in vitro expression of ICAM-1 was examined in cultured human tubular cells after stimulation with gamma-interferon and interleukin-1, treatment with cyclosporin and/or verapamil and coculture with allogenic mononuclear cells. An increased ICAM-1 expression was demonstrated by coculture with allogenic mononuclear cells and after stimulation with gamma-interferon and/or interleukin-1. Cyclosporin or verapamil induced no changes. Our results give support to the hypothesis that ICAM-1 upregulation is important in immune interactions such as allograft rejection. Furthermore, the in vitro model indicates that ICAM-1 expression is regulated by gamma-interferon and interleukin-1 produced by activated T lymphocytes and macrophages.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Single and combined effects of the vitamin D analogue KH1060 and cyclosporin A on mercuric-chloride-induced autoimmune disease in the BN rat.

Mercuric chloride induces in BN rats a self-limiting systemic autoimmune disease characterized by proliferation of autoreactive CD4+ T lymphocytes, polyclonal activation of B lymphocytes, and the development of an anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) nephritis with concomitant nephrotic range proteinuria. We have used this model of autoimmune disease to test the immunosuppressive ability of a novel vitamin D3 analogue KH1060. This compound prevents autoimmune manifestations including proteinuria, serum IgE, and serum anti-laminin antibodies in a dose-dependent manner, as does cyclosporin A (CyA). When dosages of KH1060 capable of partial reduction of proteinuria without causing significant hypercalcaemia are combined with small dosages of CyA also capable of partial prevention of proteinuria, an additive effect is seen, leading to complete prevention of proteinuria and substantial reductions in serum IgE and anti-laminin levels. Possible mechanisms of action are discussed and it is suggested that KH1060 could prove useful as an immunosuppressive agent in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Malignant Warthin's tumour: a case study.

Malignant transformation of a benign Warthin's tumour (adenolymphoma) is extremely rare. The light microscopic and ultrastructural features of an adenocarcinoma arising in a Warthin's tumour in the parotid gland are described. Light microscopy demonstrated a transition zone from the benign to the malignant component, and the malignant cells revealed oncocytic features by both light- and electronmicroscopy.

Adenolymphoma↗
PubMed1992

Influence of ripeness of banana on the blood glucose and insulin response in type 2 diabetic subjects.

Banana is a popular and tasty fruit which often is restricted in the diet prescribed for diabetic patients owing to the high content of free sugars. However, in under-ripe bananas starch constitutes 80-90% of the carbohydrate content, which as the banana ripens changes into free sugars. To study the effect of ripening on the postprandial blood glucose and insulin responses to banana, 10 type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic subjects consumed three meals, consisting of 120 g under-ripe banana, 120 g over-ripe banana or 40 g white bread on separate days. The mean postprandial blood glucose response area to white bread (181 +/- 45 mmol l-1 x 240 min) was significantly higher compared with under-ripe banana (62 +/- 17 mmol l-1 x 240 min: p < 0.01) and over-ripe banana (106 +/- 17 mmol l-1 x 240 min: p < 0.01). Glycaemic indices of the under-ripe and over-ripe bananas differed (43 +/- 10 and 74 +/- 9: p < 0.01). The mean insulin response areas to the three meals were similar: 6618 +/- 1398 pmol l-1 x 240 min (white bread), 7464 +/- 1800 pmol l-1 x 240 min (under-ripe banana) and 8292 +/- 2406 pmol l-1 x 240 min (over-ripe banana). The low glycaemic response of under-ripe compared with over-ripe bananas may be ascribed to the high starch content, which has previously been found to be only hydrolysed slowly by alfa-amylase in humans.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood Glucose↗