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Biomedical subjects

S Rasmussen

Publications and source records attributed to S Rasmussen.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Clinical predictors of treatment response in obsessive compulsive disorder: exploratory analyses from multicenter trials of clomipramine.

Two multicenter, double-blind trials were conducted in adults with DSM-III (American Psychiatric Association 1980) defined Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), comparing clomipramine (Anafranil, CMI) up to 300 mg daily with placebo. Of 519 patients evaluated, 260 received CMI for up to 10 weeks. More than half of the CMI treated patients were significantly improved, approximately 30 percent were minimally improved, and 15 percent showed no improvement after CMI treatment. The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) was used to assess treatment effects and attempts were made to correlate change in Y-BOCS score from baseline with a number of baseline characteristics, including age, sex, duration of OCD, baseline Y-BOCS score, baseline Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) score, presence or absence of secondary depression, and predominance of obsessions or compulsions. Pearson and/or Spearman correlations failed to reveal any statistically significant correlations between outcome and any of the baseline characteristics studied. While the differences were not statistically significant, it did appear that male patients and patients with a longer duration of illness may be less likely to respond to CMI treatment; however, the overall conclusion from this analysis is that none of the variables studied is a reliable predictor of responses to treatment with CMI.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Results of a double-blind placebo controlled trial of a new serotonin uptake inhibitor, sertraline, in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Eighty-seven patients with a DSM-III diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) without depression were entered into a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy of sertraline, a new serotonin uptake inhibitor. After a 1-week washout period, patients were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or sertraline. After a 2-week titration period in which the once-daily sertraline dose was increased from 50 mg/day to a maximum of 200 mg/day, dosage was maintained until the end of the eighth week, then patients were titrated off medication over the next 2 weeks. Efficacy was measured by the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), NIMH General Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive (MOC) Inventory, and Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) Severity and Improvement scales. Results on the MOC Inventory showed trends in favor of active drug that were not statistically significant compared with placebo. Results of the Y-BOCS total score, the NIMH score, and the global severity and improvement scores demonstrated a statistically significant superiority of sertraline compared with placebo.

1-Naphthylamine↗
PubMed1989

[Can measurement of oral or axillary temperature replace rectal temperature measurements?].

The Craftemp thermometer is an electrical device for measurement of oral and axillary temperatures. The applicability of this thermometer in clinical practice was investigated by comparison with rectal temperatures measured with a mercury thermometer. Ninety-five patients hospitalized in a medical department participated in the study. The median differences between rectal/oral and rectal/axillary temperatures were 0.8 degrees C and 1.2 degrees C, respectively. The range of the extrarectal measurements was unacceptably wide. In previous studies of the Craftemp thermometer, few investigators performed the temperature measurements on hospitalized patients and found the electrical thermometer usable. In the present investigation the measurements were performed by the permanent staff during their daily routine. It was concluded, that the oral and axillary temperatures measured with an electrical thermometer were unsuitable for determination of body temperature in patients hospitalized in a medical department.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Nucleotide sequence of a cDNA coding for the NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (PCR) of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and its expression in Escherichia coli.

The primary structure of the NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase of barley has been deduced from the nucleotide sequence of a cloned full-length cDNA. This cDNA hybridizes to a 1.7 kb RNA whose steady-state level in dark-grown seedlings is drastically reduced upon illumination. The predicted amino acid sequence (388 residues in length) includes a transit peptide of 74 amino acids whose end point has been delimited by sequencing the N-terminus of the mature protein. Expression of the cDNA in Escherichia coli leads to the synthesis of an enzymatically active precursor of the NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase. Activity of this protein in bacterial lysates is completely dependent on the presence of NADPH and protochlorophyllide and requires light.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Topographic evoked potential mapping in obsessive-compulsive disorder: evidence of frontal lobe dysfunction.

Several lines of evidence suggest that frontal lobe dysfunction may underlie obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Eighteen patients with OCD were compared with 18 normals matched for age, gender, handedness, and education on a Go-NoGo task. Visual evoked potentials were measured during the task. Topographic evoked potential mapping revealed significantly smaller P300 magnitudes in orbital frontal areas in the OCD patients. Results are compared with those from studies using other methodologies, and etiological implications are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Changed cyclic guanosine monophosphate atrial natriuretic factor relationship in hypertensive man.

Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were measured in 10 patients with essential hypertension and 10 normotensive controls on the fifth day of a low (50 mmol/day), a medium (180 mmol/day) and a high (380 mmol/day) dietary sodium intake. Plasma ANF and cGMP concentrations were less on the low than on the high sodium intake. Values for ANF on the medium sodium intake were intermediate. In normotensive subjects cGMP concentrations did not differ significantly on the low and the medium sodium intake. As compared with the controls plasma concentrations of cGMP were significantly increased in hypertensive patients on all three levels of sodium intake, while ANF concentrations were identical in the two groups. Since cGMP is a second messenger to ANF the data suggest an increased cellular response to ANF in patients with essential hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Altered structure of the hybrid cell surface proteoglycan of mammary epithelial cells in response to transforming growth factor-beta.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) is a polypeptide growth factor that affects the accumulation of extracellular matrix by many cell types. We have examined the ability of mouse mammary epithelial (NMuMG) cells to respond to TGF-beta and assessed the effect of the growth factor on the expression of their cell surface heparan sulfate/chondroitin sulfate hybrid proteoglycan. NMuMG cells respond maximally to 3 ng/ml TGF-beta and the response is consistent with occupancy of the type III receptor. However, cells that are polarized, as shown by sequestration of the cell surface PG at their basolateral surfaces, must have the growth factor supplied to that site for maximal response. Immunological quantification of proteoglycan core protein on treated cells suggests that the cells have an unchanging number of this proteoglycan at their cell surface. Nonetheless, metabolic labeling with radiosulfate shows a approximately 2.5-fold increase in 35SO4-glycosaminoglycans in this proteoglycan fraction, defined either by its lipophilic, antigenic, or cell surface properties. Kinetic studies indicate that the enhanced radiolabeling is due to augmented synthesis, rather than slower degradation. Analysis of the glycosaminoglycan composition of the proteoglycan shows an increased amount of chondroitin sulfate, suggesting that the increased labeling per cell may be attributed to an augmented synthesis of chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan on the core protein that also bears heparan sulfate, thus altering the proportions of these two glycosaminoglycans on this hybrid proteoglycan. We conclude that TGF-beta may affect NMuMG cell behavior by altering the structure and thus the activity of this proteoglycan.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

The reliability of measuring left ventricular ejection fraction by radionuclide cardiography: evaluation by the method of variance components.

A statistical model based on the method of variance components was applied to obtain confidence statements for single and repeat determinations of left ventricular ejection fraction by radionuclide techniques. With this approach variance caused by individual factors in the measurement procedure is estimated to allow calculation of confidence intervals based on single measurements and the detection limits for changes. Six study groups made up of a total of 143 subjects were examined by both multigated equilibrium and first pass imaging. Under favourable conditions (with an updated gamma camera and experienced observer) the 95% confidence interval with a single measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction by equilibrium imaging was +/- 3 ejection fraction units, compared with +/- 6 units with the first pass technique (one ejection fraction unit = 1/100 of the possible values from 0.00 to 1.00). The minimal significant changes (at the 5% level) in measured equilibrium left ventricular ejection fraction at intervals of 15 min, 3 days, 1, 3, and 4 weeks were +/- 4, +/- 4, +/- 5, +/- 5, and +/- 6 units, respectively. The corresponding minimal detectable changes in a subject's "true" left ventricular ejection fraction for the same intervals were +/- 7, +/- 7, +/- 10, +/- 10, and +/- 12 units respectively. With first pass imaging, only average values for the variation at repeat determination could be calculated. The minimal significant change in measured first pass left ventricular ejection fraction was +/- 7 units, and the minimal detectable change in "true" left ventricular ejection fraction was +/- 14 units. Measurements of left ventricular ejection fraction by equilibrium technique were generally more reproducible than first pass determinations because the variability caused by study acquisition, observer analysis, and residual errors was smaller. The method of variance components appears to be well suited to the evaluation of quantitative biological measurements in clinical use. The popularity of established procedures may obscure the lack of basic information about method evaluation.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Cerebrospinal fluid creatine kinase isoenzyme BB levels do not predict the clinical outcome in patients unconscious following cardiac resuscitation.

It has recently been claimed that an increase in creatine kinase isoenzyme BB(CK-BB) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is well correlated with the cerebral outcome in patients resuscitated after cardiac arrest. Twenty-one such patients consecutively admitted from outside this hospital participated in the study. The patients were divided into two groups: 6 survivors and 15 nonsurvivors. The median CSF-CK-BB value was 5 U/L among nonsurvivors and below detection limit among survivors (NS). However, the predictive value of a positive test is limited, since only 6 of 15 nonsurvivors (40%) had an increase in CSF-CK-BB (predictive value of positive test = 67%). The predictive value of a negative test is limited, since 3 of 6 survivors (50%) showed no rise in CSF-CK-BB (predictive value of negative test = 25%). No relationship between cerebral dysfunction and CSF-CK-BB values was revealed. Thus, CSF-CK-BB does not predict the clinical outcome in patients resuscitated after cardiac arrest.

Creatine Kinase↗
PubMed1987

Reproducibility of determination of right ventricular ejection fraction by radionuclide imaging: assessment by the statistical method of variance components.

Confidence limits for single and repeat measurements of right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) were established by means of a model based on the statistical method of variance components. A total of 80 subjects (age 23 to 74 years) were examined by two radionuclide methods 1) gated first-pass (fp) technique performed in a standard 30 degrees right anterior oblique projection, and 2) multigated equilibrium imaging (muga) in an individual left anterior oblique view, applying with both methods separate end-diastolic and end-systolic ventricular regions of interest. Values obtained by fp technique were clearly higher than those measured by the muga approach, and the correlation between them was only fair: RVEFmuga = 0.48 RVEFfp + 0.13; r = 0.73; SEE = 0.08. The 95% confidence limits for a single measurement were with the fp technique: 'true' RVEF = measured RVEF +/- 6 EF-units compared to +/- 16 units with the muga method. At repeat determination within an interval of four weeks, the minimal changes in measured RVEF that were statistically significant at the 5% level were with the fp technique +/- 8 units with the same observer on both occasions and +/- 9 units with different observers. Corresponding figures with the muga method were +/- 16 and +/- 22 units, respectively. The minimal changes in a subject's 'true' RVEF necessary to produce a significant change in measured RVEF were with fp technique +/- 14 units for the same observer and +/- 17 units for different observers, compared to +/- 30 and +/- 41 units with the muga method. In conclusion, the variability with the muga approach was far greater than with the fp technique and the consequent reproducibility so poor as to preclude meaningful measurement of RVEF by the muga method.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

One year antihypertensive treatment with enalapril once daily: clinical and biochemical effects.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the antihypertensive effect of enalapril administered once daily (q.d.), and to assess the effectiveness of enalapril in achieving sustained blockade of the renin-angiotensin system. The study population comprised 15 patients with uncomplicated, moderate essential hypertension whose blood pressure (BP) was not adequately controlled on hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) monotherapy. Enalapril 10-40 mg q.d. produced a significant fall in supine and erect BP (24 h after enalapril) that persisted during 1 year of combination therapy with HCTZ and enalapril. Blood pressure 6 h after enalapril was significantly lower than BP measured 24 h after enalapril, and occasionally at hypotensive levels. Plasma angiotensin II concentration fell significantly after enalapril with reciprocal increases in the plasma concentrations of renin and angiotensin I. The blockade of the renin-angiotensin system was maintained throughout the study. Bradykinin could not be detected in venous blood at any time during the study. We conclude that combination therapy with HCTZ and enalapril once daily is a rational, simple, and effective treatment in patients with moderate essential hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Further evaluation of the kinetics of white spirit in human volunteers.

This paper gives supplementary informations on the kinetics of aliphatic white spirit in humans. Eight volunteers were exposed to 600 mg/m3 (100 p.p.m.) white spirit during 3 hrs. Calculated pulmonary uptake (dose) was 392 +/- 38 mg, residence time 47.5 hrs, volume of distribution 749 1, and total body clearance 263 ml/min. Then 7 volunteers were exposed to 600 mg/m3 white spirit 6 hrs daily in 5 consecutive days. Calculated pulmonary uptake was 3464 +/- 329 mg. A mathematic model is presented which uses the blood concentrations to calculate the tissue concentrations during repeated doses administered over an extended period. By means of this model and the measured concentrations in blood and fat, the partition coefficient fat: blood for white spirit was calculated to 47. Estimated redistribution phase of white spirit in adipose tissue was approximately 20 hrs for the first 5 exposures, and half-life in adipose tissue after redistribution 46-48 hrs. During exposure to 600 mg/m3 white spirit 6 hrs daily, 5 days a week, calculated maximum steady state concentrations were 55 mg/kg fat and 5 mg/kg brain, minimum steady state concentrations 35 mg/kg fat and 0.6 mg/kg brain. These values for half-life and steady-state concentrations are considered more correct than our previously reported values, which did not take into account the existence of a redistribution phase.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1987

Integration of DSM-III and ICD-8 to be used in a consultation-liaison psychiatric service. Preliminary experiences.

In 1983 a total of 405 patients received psychiatric supervision in somatic departments in the general hospital. At this supervision, these patients were registered by means of a five-axial diagnostic coding according to the DMS III principle, and this was combined with a quantitative global assessment of the severity of the condition. Reliability testing was undertaken by five supervising physicians with a total of 15 patients. The total number of supervisions constituted one supervision per somatic bed per annum. Women were overrepresented, and medical departments made the greatest use of psychiatric supervision. Reactive conditions dominated parallel with a high relative incidence of alcohol-related conditions. In patients with diagnoses of psychoses, only slight to moderate psychiatric symptoms were encountered. This held true also for personality deviations. 50% of the patients had experienced significant psychosocial stress, but 10% of these were diagnosed as having non-reactive psychoses, 52% of the patients had moderate to pronounced disturbances of social function. Half of the patients supervised in this manner could be investigated or treated in the referring departments. Approximately half of the patients in whom referral to private psychiatric specialists was made did not keep these appointments. Reliability testing in the material shows the employability of the diagnostic armamentarium. All in all, the investigation suggests that extension of the liaison psychiatric service in somatic departments would result in a relative increase in the number of patients who could be treated in the referring department and an increase in the number of psychiatric conditions diagnosed. Establishment of a psychiatric outpatient clinic in the somatic environment appears to be indicated.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1986

Effects of combined therapy with amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide on plasma and total body potassium, blood pressure, and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in hypertensive patients.

After a run-in period of 8 weeks on a regimen of hydrochlorothiazide (HCT, median dosage 75 mg/day), patients with essential hypertension were randomly allocated to continued hydrochlorothiazide therapy (Group I) or additional treatment with amiloride (Group II, median dosage 15 mg/day, or 5 mg per 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide) for the following 12 weeks. Thereafter all the patients were changed to treatment with a fixed combination tablet containing 5 mg amiloride and 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide (Moduretic), keeping the thiazide dosage unchanged for an additional 12 weeks. In Group I patients there was no change in plasma potassium, total body potassium content or the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system during the 12 weeks on HCT. When the treatment was changed to Moduretic, significant increases were found of 10% in plasma potassium and 3% in total body potassium content. No important stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system was found. In Group II patients addition of an average of 15 mg amiloride to the hydrochlorothiazide treatment led to significant increases in plasma potassium and total body potassium content of approximately 15% and 4%, respectively. There was also a significant increase in the plasma concentrations of renin, angiotensin II and aldosterone. Reducing the average dose of amiloride to 7.5 mg/day by use of Moduretic did not lead to decrease in plasma potassium or total body potassium content. Plasma concentrations of renin, angiotensin II, and aldosterone were decreased, but the individual changes varied markedly and no significant overall change was found.

Adult↗