Biomedical subjects

S Larsen

Publications and source records attributed to S Larsen.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

Northern and Southern blot analysis of human RNA and DNA in autopsy material.

Fresh biopsy material for molecular biological investigations is not obtainable from all relevant normal human tissues. We studied the feasibility of using RNA and DNA from autopsies for Northern and Southern blot analysis. Tissue samples from seven organs were obtained from 10 autopsies performed 21-118 h postmortem. Extracted RNA and DNA were examined by Northern and Southern blot analysis using oligo-labelled human DNA probes recognizing gene transcripts of 2-5 kb. The results indicated that, in general, Northern blot analysis was feasible with the applied probes when the tissue was obtained less than two days postmortem. Histological examination showing slight or no autolysis and the presence of ribosomal bands after gel electrophoresis were both indicative parameters of RNA preservation. DNA was appropriate for Southern blotting when the tissue was obtained less than three to five days postmortem, depending on the organ from which the DNA was extracted.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMed1992

Survival, function, morphology and serological aspects of rat renal allografts. Effect of short-term treatment with cyclosporine A, anti-CD4 and anti-interleukin-2 receptor monoclonal antibodies.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of short-term treatment with cyclosporine A (CyA) combined with anti-CD4 (OX-38) and anti-interleukin-2 receptor (OX-39) monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) on graft survival, graft function, morphology, and anti-donor antibody levels in a BN-to-LEW rat kidney transplantation model. Spontaneous rejection occurred at 9.3 days (range 9-10 d). Administration of CyA (12.5 mg/kg/d) for 14 days prolonged graft survival to 33 days (range 23-40 d, P less than 0.02). Supplementing with OX-38 and OX-39 100 micrograms/kg/d, given i.p. from days 0 to 7, further prolonged graft survival to 70 days (range 38- greater than 100 d, P less than 0.02 vs controls and CyA group). One of seven recipients had good graft function for more than 100 days. A three-fold increase of the MAb dosage did not improve mean graft survival (53.5 d), but three of eight recipients had well functioning grafts for greater than 100 days. Kidney function was characterized by reduced creatinine clearance, also in the recipients with long-term graft survival, and a defect in concentrating urine creatinine with subsequent pronounced increase in urinary output. Graft histology showed a complex pattern of interstitial alterations including mononuclear cell infiltration, fibrosis, tubular atrophy and vascular damage with intimal/endothelial cell hyperplasia and perivascular inflammation. In nine of 10 MAb-treated recipients with graft survival greater than 60 days, granular deposits of immunoglobulins and C3 were found by immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM). The deposits were localized in the glomerular capillaries and mesangium. IFM in MAb-treated control animals could not demonstrate any deposits. Flow cytometric evaluation of posttransplant serum samples against donor target cells showed increasing amounts of anti-donor antibodies until the time of rejection, while recipients with long-term graft function had moderately positive cross-matches up to two months after transplantation. Hereafter antibody titres decreased and cross-matches at the time of sacrifice were again negative. The morphological findings and the flow cytometric cross-match results seem to indicate a postponed antibody-mediated type of rejection. The reason why some kidney recipients showed decreasing antibody titres and stable long-term graft function is unclear.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Influence of a supplemental carbon source on anaerobic dechlorination of pentachlorophenol in granular sludge.

Anaerobic dechlorination of pentachlorophenol (PCP) was studied in two upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors. One reactor received glucose (0.9 g liter-1) as an additional carbon source; the other one served as a control. The concentration of PCP in the medium was 4.5 and 3.0 mg liter-1 in the experimental and control reactors, respectively. The reactors were inoculated with granular sludge previously grown on sugar-containing wastewater. After 10 months of continuous operation, the removal of PCP was 99% in the glucose-amended reactor, whereas the removal in the control reactor varied between 32 and 77%. Furthermore, 94% of the PCP was completely dechlorinated in the glucose reactor compared with a maximum of 20% in the control reactor. In the same period, the amount of biomass in the glucose reactor had increased by approximately 150% compared with that in the control reactor, where no growth of the sludge bed occurred. Batch culture activity tests showed that the addition of glucose had a stimulatory effect on the dechlorination rate of PCP per gram of volatile solids. This indicated that the better performance of the glucose-amended reactor was due to a higher concentration of biomass and a direct stimulatory effect of glucose on the dechlorination rate. The pattern of dechlorination of PCP showed that an initial para cleavage was followed by two ortho cleavages.

Anaerobiosis↗

PubMed1992

Reliability of in situ measurements of colorectal polyps.

A reliable and sensitive in situ method for measuring polyp size is fundamental for growth studies of colonic polyps. A measuring probe inserted through a colonoscope can give a visual assessment of polyp diameter, and from a picture of the polyp the area of the polyp on the picture can be calculated by computerized analysis. To test the reliability and sensitivity of these two in situ measurements, 43 colonic polyps (mean diameter, 8.5 mm; range, 4-20 mm) removed by snare diathermy resection were examined. The maximal diameter was measured, and two Polaroid pictures taken of each polyp. After polypectomy each polyp was subjected to extracorporeal reassessment of diameter and measurement of weight and volume. By computerized analysis of the pictures the following variables were estimated: 1) area of the polyp on the picture; 2) largest diameter; 3) maximum width 90 degrees on the largest diameter; 4) maximum distance from centre of gravity; and 5) minimum distance from centre of gravity. Results showed good correlation between diameter measured in situ and after removal (r = 0.93), diameter raised to the 3rd power and weight (r = 0.93), and also to volume (r = 0.77). Area analysis compared with weight was less good (r = 0.72). A very high correlation was demonstrated between weight and volume (r = 0.99). We conclude that the measurement of diameter in situ with a measuring probe is sensitive and somewhat more reliable than computerized analysis of size. The present 3-year follow-up and intervention study will show which of the two methods is preferable for evaluation of polyp growth.

Colonic Polyps↗

PubMed1992

Nutrient intake and nutritional status in children with juvenile chronic arthritis.

Nutrient intake and nutritional status were assessed in 15 children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) and in 17 healthy controls. Anthropometric measurements were similar in children with pauciarticular JCA and in controls, whereas weight (p = 0.05) and upper arm muscle area (UAMA) (p less than 0.01) were reduced in children with polyarticular JCA. Compared with healthy controls the concentrations of hemoglobin, serum iron and serum zinc were reduced in the children with polyarticular JCA (p less than 0.01) and serum copper was increased (p less than 0.01). In the patients the concentrations of hemoglobin, serum iron and serum zinc correlated negatively with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), whereas serum copper correlated positively. Impaired nutritional status was found in the children with polyarticular JCA in spite of increased energy and protein intake. In this group of patients the dietary intake of calcium was also found to be reduced.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Histopathological changes in exocrine glands of murine transplantation chimeras. I: The development of Sjögren's syndrome-like changes secondary to GVH induced lupus syndrome.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a connective tissue disease characterized by general affection of exocrine glands. The three main components of SS are: dry eyes, dry mouth, and other connective tissue disease. When only two of these, dry eyes and dry mouth, are present, the disease is designated primary SS. In the presence of the third component, most commonly SLE or RA, with one or both of the two first components the disease is designated secondary SS. In murine transplantation chimeras, we have demonstrated the development of both primary and secondary SS depending upon the mouse strains used. We transferred large numbers of viable leucocytes from homozygotic donors to heterozygotic recipients. When DBA/2 mice were used as donors, a full-developed SLE-syndrome, with autoantibodies against native DNA, nuclear antigens, and red blood cells was observed. We found immune deposits in skin ("lupus band") and kidneys, immune complex glomerulonephritis (ICGN), proteinuria, ascites, and hepatosplenomegaly. In later stages, we found a generalized dacryoadenitis. In the kidneys we found interstitial nephritis, and occasionally "half-moon" nephritis. In skin, immune deposits were demonstrated in intercellular spaces. These findings are similar to those found in patients with Sjögren's syndrome secondary to SLE. The murine transplantation chimera is therefore an experimental model for spontaneous autoimmune diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Histopathological changes in exocrine glands of murine transplantation chimeras. II: Sjögren's syndrome-like exocrinopathy in mice without lupus nephritis. A model of primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Autoimmune reactions are evoked in hybrid mice after induction of a chronic graft-versus-host reaction by transfer of viable leucocytes from one of the parental strains to non-irradiated F1 recipients. We have previously demonstrated an SLE-like syndrome early in the reaction, with an additional Sjögren's syndrome-like glandular affection occurring later. In this study, we used Balb/c mice as donors and Balb/cxCBA/H-T6 F1 hybrids as recipients. We found serum autoantibodies characteristic of SLE after 9 weeks but not after 20 weeks. No clinical signs of disease were seen at any time. After prolonged studies (5 months), we found heavy inflammation in Harderian, salivary, and tear glands. All animals survived the entire length of the experiment without signs of renal failure. The pathological manifestations: lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands, and enlargement of lymph nodes, are similar to those seen in patients with Sjögren's syndrome. This murine transplantation chimera may be a useful experimental model for primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Subcutaneous avulsion of the breast caused by a seat belt injury. Report on a case requiring emergency mastectomy.

A 60-year-old female car driver wearing a combined three-point lap-shoulder seat belt was involved in a head-on-collision. The entire right breast was separated from the chest wall, whereas the overlying skin remained intact. The injury resulted in a rapid development of a monstrous haematoma in the retromammary space, and required emergency mastectomy. Seat belt lesions of the female breast are seldom referred in the literature.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed1992

Growth of colorectal polyps: design of a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention study in patients with colorectal polyps.

One hundred and sixteen patients were included, during 18 months, in a double-blind placebo-controlled intervention study, with calcium, vitamins A, C, E and selenium (in a cocktail) or placebo against growth of colonic polyps. Patients were randomized within three arms, according to diameter of the largest polyp, < 5 mm, 5-9 mm or > 9 mm. Polyps > 9 mm were resected, the others were left to be measured annually before resection after 3 years. The protocol (performed in all of the patients) included registration of demographic data, family and personal history, measurement of polyps, collection of blood specimens, stools and biopsy samples. Registration of nutritional status, diet history and 5-day prospective food consumption, was performed in 108 patients. The patient compliance was registered every third month by the hospital pharmacist, with concomitant delivery of new boxes of capsules. Additionally, stool collections were performed from all of the patients for the measurement of faecal calcium, bile salts and fat. Inclusion rate of 37, 41 and 38 patients in each of the three 6-month periods was uniform. The group with the largest polyps measuring 5-9 mm comprised 44% of the material. The sex ratio corresponded to that in overall referrals for colonoscopy. The age relationship of size and multiplicity of polyps and the distribution of polyps in the large bowel corresponded to previous experience in polyp-bearing individuals of the same age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗

PubMed1992

Glycaemic and insulinaemic responses to orange and apple compared with white bread in non-insulin-dependent diabetic subjects.

To study the postprandial blood glucose and insulin responses to exchangeable amounts of simple and complex carbohydrates, eight non-insulin-dependent diabetic subjects consumed 227 g apple, 280 g orange or 50 g white bread on three separate days. The mean postprandial blood glucose response area to white bread (404 +/- 95 mM x 240 min) was significantly higher compared with orange (131 +/- 34 mM x 240 min; P less than 0.05) and apple (157 +/- 57 mM x 240 min; P less than 0.05). Thr glycaemic indices of the fruits were identical: 44 +/- 13 (orange) and 40 +/- 11 (apple). The low glycaemic response to orange and apple may be ascribed to the high content of fructose which is rapidly cleared and metabolized by the liver, without elevating the blood glucose.

Blood Glucose↗

PubMed1992

Low level laser versus placebo in the treatment of tennis elbow.

The effect of low level laser (GaAs) on lateral epicondylitis was investigated in a double-blind, randomized, controlled study. Thirty patients were assigned equally to a laser (n = 15) or a placebo laser (n = 15) group. All patients received eight treatments and were evaluated subjectively and objectively before, at the end of, and four weeks after treatment. Patients also completed a follow-up questionnaire on an average of five to six months after treatment. A significant improvement in the laser compared to the placebo group was found on visual analog scale (p = 0.02) and grip strength (p = 0.03) tests four weeks after treatment. In this study low level laser therapy was shown to have an effect over placebo; however, as a sole treatment for lateral epicondylitis it is of limited value. Further studies are needed to evaluate the reliability of our findings and to compare laser to other established treatment methods.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Saami and Norwegian clients' use of a treatment facility for drug and alcohol problems in northern Norway.

Saami people ("Lapps") and Norwegians make different use of primary health care services, and Larsen and Nergård (1) reported an under-representation of Saami clients at a treatment facility for drug and alcohol problems in Northern Norway in the years 1986-1988. However, Saami and Norwegian groups did not differ in number of days in treatment, number of treatment incidents, mean age or self-reported years of problem drinking. Since it is believed that Saami clients are under-represented in Norwegian treatment facilities because of cultural differences, the location of treatment facilities within a Saami municipality was expected to increase the incidence of Saami clients. The present study investigated the incidence of Saami clients at Karasjok treatment facility during 1988 and 1989, 8 and 9 years after the opening of this treatment centre. All clients registered at Finnmark County's treatment facility for drug and alcohol problems during 1988-89 were categorized as either Saami or Norwegian by their language preference. Unfortunately, the Saami group was still under-represented among clients at this treatment facility. In addition, a significant difference in the sex-ratio between the two groups was found, indicating that Saami women do not use the institution at all. Results are discussed in terms of availability of health services for minority groups.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Treatment of hypertension with the ACE inhibitor lisinopril. A multicenter study of patients with mild to moderate hypertension in general practice].

367 patients with mild-moderate hypertension were included in a multicentre study for the purpose of examining the antihypertensive effect of six weeks of treatment with the ACE-inhibitor lisinopril 10 and 20 mg once daily. Both low-dose and high-dose lisinopril significantly reduced sitting and standing blood pressure values. The fall in blood pressure in the sitting position was slightly but significantly greater among the high-dose group compared with the low-dose group (a 3 mm Hg fall difference in systolic values and a 1 mm Hg fall in diastolic values). No such differences were found in the standing position. Heart rate remained unchanged during lisinopril treatment. Episodes of possible first dose hypotension were reported in six patients. Approximately 90% of the patients in both groups were classified as responders according to defined criteria. The frequency of side-effects was low, and was equal in both treatment groups. An evaluation of reduction in blood pressure, and of response rate and side-effects suggests that an initial dose of 10 mg lisinopril once daily is sufficient, and that this dosage will control blood pressure in the majority of patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Duration of sick-leave and the moment of recovery in the hotel industry].

The paper addresses the problem of sick leave in the hotel industry. It was hypothesized that there would be a tendency for granted sick leaves to include weekends, thus imposing an additional financial burden on the hotel in question. A total of 401 medical certificates from a large city hotel were reviewed. According to these certificates one third of the patients regained their health between Sunday and Monday. Of the patients with "short" sick leaves (less than a fortnight), 40% recovered between Sunday and Monday. The average duration of the sick leave for this group was 1.3 days longer than that of the patients whose sick leaves ended on other days of the week. The results are discussed in terms of the ambiguous position of the medical practitioner.

Humans↗

PubMed1991

Kidney biopsy findings in cyclosporine-treated patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Renal biopsy specimens of 40 patients with recent-onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus treated with cyclosporine (CSA) for 6-29 months were examined. Cyclosporine-associated chronic vascular interstitial toxicity of moderate intensity was found in 10 patients (25%). The most prominent lesions were interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. Arteriolopathy was less pronounced and glomerular damage unremarkable. A significant correlation exists between the extent of tubular atrophy and CSA trough whole blood levels. These data indicate that the development of CSA-associated chronic nephropathy is dose-dependent.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Diverse backmutations at an ochre defect in the tyrA gene sequence of E. coli B/r.

A DNA fragment including most of the tyrA gene from E. coli B/r strain WU (Tyr-, Leu-) was amplified in vitro by polymerase chain reaction. The sequence was determined, first, for essentially all of the fragment to locate an ochre nonsense defect, and second, repeatedly for a region of the fragment from several independent isolates containing backmutations at the ochre codon (spontaneous and UV-induced). There were 20 single base differences in the tyrA gene region from the analogous wild-type E. coli K12 sequence: an ochre codon at amino acid position 161, 18 silent changes (1 at the first codon base and 17 at the third) and one replacement of valine by alanine. Different backmutations at the ochre codon encoded lysine, glutamine, glutamic acid, leucine, cysteine, phenylalanine, serine or tyrosine. The diversities of base substitutions at the ochre codon after UV mutagenesis or after mutagenesis where targeting by dimers was reduced or eliminated (after photoreversal of irradiated cells treated with nalidixic acid to induce SOS functions or after UV mutagenesis of cells containing amplified DNA photolyase) were similar (with two notable exceptions). The overall differences between the gene sequences for E. coli K12 or B/r seemed consistent with the neutral theory of molecular evolution.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1991

The SADE system: an endoscopic database manager.

The development of the SADE database manager was commenced in 1985 since no commercially available systems were suited for the needs of a large endoscopy unit. Over a period of five years, this database was programmed, revised and enhanced through the joint efforts of gastroenterologists and programmers, the SADE system being implemented for daily use on 1 January 1989. The patient administration and medical record modules are fully implemented and functional, while the statistical module has only recently been finished. The present features of the system are described, and the limitations discussed. Instant report generation and direct access to previous medical data are the most immediate benefits of the system. The initial intention to have structured anamnestic data had to be modified to suit the need for flexibility and ease of free text input by the users.

Computer Systems↗

PubMed1991

SADE database for endoscopic procedures: aspects of clinical use.

The time aspects of daily use of a clinical database system in an endoscopy department were studied. The SADE database system for endoscopic procedures was introduced for daily use at Ullevål Hospital on 1 January 1989. The average weekly programme of the endoscopy unit includes 57 gastroduodenoscopies, 23 colonoscopies and 12 ERCP/EPTs. During three consecutive weeks of the study the mean physician input time was 4 min 17 sec per patient (range 57 sec to 15 min), individual variation depending mainly on the extent of the report. Assistants spent a mean time of 4 min 23 sec for each patient. Thus, a total of 8 min 40 sec was spent for every patient seen. Endoscopic units should analyze their routines and needs before introducing an electronic data base manager.

Database Management Systems↗