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Biomedical subjects

S Larsen

Publications and source records attributed to S Larsen.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

Treatment of the restless legs syndrome with carbamazepine: a double blind study.

One hundred and seventy four patients suffering from the restless legs syndrome were examined in a double blind, between patient, placebo controlled study in general practice for five weeks to investigate the effects of carbamazepine and placebo on the syndrome. The syndrome was more common among middle aged women with relatively low systolic blood pressure. The median haemoglobin concentration was about average for the population, but the severity of the symptoms seemed to increase with decreasing concentrations of haemoglobin. Both placebo and carbamazepine showed a significant therapeutic effect (p less than 0.01). Carbamazepine was significantly more effective than placebo (p less than or equal to 0.03). The significant therapeutic effect of placebo in restless legs showed that only double blind controlled trials can confirm the efficacy of suggested treatments.

Blood Pressure↗

Developmental changes in the pattern of ear asymmetry as revealed by a dichotic listening task.

Dichotic listening performance in 63 right-handed and 91 left-handed school-age children at various age levels were examined. Contrary to most previous research, a developmental change in the pattern of ear asymmetry was found most pronounced in right-handers. An increasing proportion of children with right-ear advantage was found across age at the same time as the magnitude of this ear asymmetry decreased with increasing age. These results, however, were found only when the number of correct responses from the left and right ear were treated as relational data, and the pattern of ear asymmetry was calculated for each subject individually. When calculated as group means for each ear separately, the common finding of no developmental change in the pattern of ear asymmetry was revealed. The results are discussed in relation to research on myelogenetic correlates in linguistic development and on research concerned with different subgroups of dyslexia, as well as previous studies of developmental aspects of dichotic listening. Against this background it is suggested that a two-dimensional theory must be used in interpreting developmental data in dichotic listening.

Adolescent↗

Right and left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular volume changes at rest and during exercise in normal subjects.

The effect of exercise upon right and left ventricular ejection fractions (RVEF and LVEF) as well as the changes upon left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volume indices (LVEDVI and LVESVI) were investigated. Twenty-two normal subjects were studied at rest and during upright submaximal exercise. RVEF was determined using a first-pass method. LVEF was measured using multiple gated blood pool imaging. During the exercise test ECGs remained normal. HR and BP increased significantly (P less than 0.01). RVEF increased from 44% +/- 4 (mean +/- SD) to 60% +/- 6 (P less than 0.001). LVEF increased from 62% +/- 6 to 76 +/- 5 (P less than 0.001). A wider scatter was observed in delta RVEF than in delta LVEF. There was a 14% increase in LVEDV-index and a 14% decrease in LVESV-index (P less than 0.001). A multiple regression analysis with delta RVEF as the dependent variable and delta HR, delta systolic BP, delta LVEF, delta LVEDV-index and LVESV-index as independent variables showed a significant correlation between delta RVEF and delta LVEF and delta systolic BP (P less than 0.05). Our data provide insight into the mechanisms by which the pump performance is increased in normal subjects. The central mechanisms observed are the Starling effect and an increase in contractility of the myocardium. This is connected in the general circulation to an increase in afterload, indicating a redistribution of blood from the vascular beds to the muscles and to the heart.

Adult↗

Kidney function and quantitative histological changes in patients on long-term lithium therapy.

Renal function and structure were studied in 57 patients on long-term lithium treatment. Nine per cent had a moderate decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), 75% had decreased concentrating ability. No correlation between GFR and the duration of the lithium treatment was found. Twenty-four renal biopsy specimens were studied by light microscopy and compared with kidney biopsies from an age-matched control group of patients without arterial hypertension and who had never been treated with lithium or neuroleptics, but who suffered from acute oliguria or slight proteinuria. The number of sclerotic glomeruli and the focal distribution of intestitial fibrosis was significantly increased in the group of patients treated with lithium. No difference in the total amount of fibrous tissue or the number of atrophic tubules was demonstrated. There was no correlation between the duration of lithium treatment and the structural changes. The biopsy material originated from patients treated with a single and reduced dose regimen only. This regimen might explain the few and slight structural changes found, in contrast to other investigations in which patients were treated with lithium in divided doses.

Adult↗

Examination of Aleutian disease virus in charge-shift crossed immunoelectrophoresis.

The surface properties of Aleutian disease virus were studied by charge-shift crossed immunoelectrophoresis. When different strains of Aleutian disease virus were treated with non-charged detergent followed by charged detergents, they showed bi-directional migration velocity shifts in electrophoresis, indicating amphiphilic surface properties of the virus.

Aleutian Mink Disease Virus↗

Acute interstitial pneumonitis caused by Aleutian disease virus in mink kits.

In four Danish mink ranches acute interstitial pneumonitis caused excessive mortality among kits within the first 2 1/2 months after parturition. The disease was found to be due to an Aleutian disease virus (ADV) and could be reproduced experimentally in neonatal kits by inoculation with material from spontaneous cases, as well as with other strains of ADV. Experimental reproduction was only possible in kits from dams free of Aleutian disease (AD) whereas kits from dams experimentally or naturally infected with ADV developed no lung changes. Presently available evidence indicates that the initial lung lesions result from primary viral injury to type II alveolar cells, and that immune mechanisms, essential for the development of traditional AD, are not involved in the pathogenesis.

Aleutian Mink Disease↗

The effect of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion on cardiac performance during exercise in insulin-dependent diabetics.

To assess the effects of improved glycaemic control on the right and left ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF and LVEF), we performed radionuclide angiocardiography at rest and during exercise in nine insulin-dependent diabetics with a diabetes duration between 2 and 35 years (mean 12 years) and in 10 control subjects. The diabetics were investigated before and after 7 days' treatment with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). The diabetics had a significantly smaller rise in exercise-induced LVEF during normoglycaemia than in the hyperglycaemic state. In contrast to the control subjects, the diabetics, independent of glycaemic control, did not increase the end-diastolic volume and did not decrease the end-systolic volume during exercise. Our data indicate a preclinical abnormal left ventricular function in young diabetics without long-term diabetic complications. The dysfunction seems unrelated to changes in the loading of the heart and appears to be caused by decreased contractile reserve of the myocardium.

Adult↗

Asynchronous metastasizing renal cell carcinoma associated with progressive immune complex glomerulonephritis and proteinuria.

A case of asynchronous renal carcinoma with a 15-year course is described. Right nephrectomy and left heminephrectomy were performed. Solitary metastases to pancreas and striated muscle were treated with total pancreatectomy and local excision, respectively. The patient died of renal failure due to progressive immune complex glomerulonephritis, which was documented histologically as well as by clinical observations of intensifying excretion of urinary protein with decreasing selectivity. The glomerular lesion is suggested to have been caused by deposition of tumour-related immune complexes arising from an immune response by the host to his tumour.

Adult↗

A double-blind study of the effect of trimipramine in patients with the irritable bowel syndrome.

The study was performed in 428 patients, of whom 216 were women. The median age was 36.5 (16-75) years and the median weight 67 (42-118) kg. The complaints were registered on a 10-cm-long linear analogue scale by the patients and the physicians. The patients were given coded identical-appearing tablets of placebo and different doses of trimipramine (Surmontil, Rhône-Poulenc) and randomized into groups A-E. During the 6 weeks of treatment the grades of complaints were reduced to about the half of pretreatment levels. The groups treated with trimipramine (groups A-D) felt significantly more improved than the group receiving placebo (group E). The side effect of tiredness was somewhat more pronounced 1-2 weeks after start with 50 mg trimipramine in the evening than in the groups receiving placebo and lower dose schedules of trimipramine.

Adolescent↗

Gastric motility following peroral administration of ranitidine. A double-blind comparison with placebo.

Gastric pressure recordings were performed in 17 healthy persons, 21-25 years of age with a fiberoptic device. After an overnight fast two calibrated transducers fixed 8 cm between censors were localized to the antrum of the stomach by fluoroscopy. Ranitidine (150 mg) and placebo tablets were given perorally in the morning for two days before and on the day of the test 11/2 hours before recording in randomized order. As previously observed in the duodenum similar maximal pressure periods (MPP), of average 7 min duration and 0.6 min displacement from the proximal to the distal sensors were found without significant differences between treatments. The MPP following the ranitidine treatment occurred, however, significantly more frequently than after placebo, indicating a promotion of motility.

Adult↗

Thiazide prophylaxis of urolithiasis. A double-blind study in general practice.

Fifty recurrent stone formers were included in a double-blind randomized study (median 3 years) performed in a Norwegian general practice to compare twice daily administration of 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide versus placebo. The number of patients with new stones was significantly higher in the placebo group than in the thiazide group (p = 0.05, one-tailed test). If a new stone was formed, thiazide, but not placebo, had the effect of prolonging the stone-free interval (p less than or equal to 0.01). The probability of not forming a new stone during the treatment period was 45% for the placebo group and 75% for the thiazide group. The thiazide effect seemed to be independent of urinary calcium, but was less beneficial in patients with hyperuricosuria. The placebo group also showed a substantial decrease in the expected number of new stones (p less than or equal to 0.01), emphasizing the importance of an adequate control group.

Adolescent↗

Autotraction versus manual traction in patients with prolapsed lumbar intervertebral discs.

Forty-nine patients with lumbago-sciatica and prolapsed lumbar intervertebral discs, comparable concerning anamnestical and clinical data were randomized for autotraction and manual traction given by the same therapist for a period of one week while strict bed rest was prescribed. A blind overall assessment performed immediately after the traction period, after two weeks follow-up training and three months after hospitalization showed that the two traction modalities are equally efficient. As treatment for hospitalized patients with lumbar intervertebral disc prolapses the relatively simple manual traction variety should be preferred, if any. Traction is suggested to be used as a prognostical aid. Pain intensity was significantly reduced in all body parts. About one fourth of patients avoided operation. After two years there was no recurrence of symptoms.

Adolescent↗

Occult faecal blood loss determined by a 51Cr method and chemical tests in patients referred for colonoscopy.

In 67 patients referred for colonoscopy the faecal blood loss was determined by a 51Cr method and 7 chemical tests. For patients with negative colonoscopy (no. = 10), colorectal polyps (no. = 24), rectal cancer (no. = 8), or colonic cancer (no. = 12), the median 51Cr-determined faecal blood loss was 0.67, 0.74, 1.26, and 2.18 ml/24 h, respectively. For all chemical tests the results were highly influenced by the upper time limit for a positive reaction. Mixing of faecal specimens before testing proved unimportant. Fecatwin sensitive showed more positive tests in delayed compared with immediate analyses (p less than 0.01). Of cases of colorectal polyps, tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) tests including Hemo-Fec Test could detect half, the benzidine test 2 of 5. Fecatwin sensitive and Hemoccult II 1 of 4, and Fecatwin 1 of 24. Of cases of colorectal cancer, TMB tests, the benzidine test, Fecatwin sensitive, Hemoccult, and Fecatwin could detect about 85%, 85%, 85%, 80%, and 45%, respectively. All chemical tests detected faecal blood loss from colorectal lesions more easily than from gastric lesions.

Adult↗

The survival of pig to rabbit renal xenografts during inhibition of thromboxane synthesis.

Five rabbits treated with the thromboxane synthetase inhibitor Dazoxiben and five control rabbits received pig renal xenografts. Plasma albumin, complement factor C3, TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, and serum TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were determined before and 1/2 hour after transplantation. The xenograft survival was significantly decreased in the Dazoxiben treated animals compared to the placebo treated animals determined as time to total cyanosis of the graft, total urine production, and time to stop of urine production. Lack of TXB2 production during blood coagulation confirmed inhibition of platelet thromboxane synthesis. The other determined variables showed no significant differences between the treated and the placebo animals.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗