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Biomedical subjects

S Salminen

Publications and source records attributed to S Salminen.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Oral bacteriotherapy for viral gastroenteritis.

The effect of orally administered lactobacilli on acute rotavirus diarrhea was tested in 42 well-nourished children ages 5-28 months. After oral rehydration, the patients were randomized to a study group, receiving human Lactobacillus casei strain GG 10(10) colony-forming units twice daily for five days, or a control group not given lactobacilli. Lactobacillus GG was found in the feces in 83% of the study group. The diarrheal phase was shortened in that group. Dietary supplementation with lactobacilli significantly influenced the bacterial enzyme profile: urease activity during diarrhea transiently increased in the control group but not in the study group; F = 8.6, P = 0.01. No intergroup differences were found in beta-glucuronidase, beta-glucosidase, and glycocholic acid hydrolase levels. We suggest that rotavirus infection gives rise to biphasic diarrhea, the first phase being an osmotic diarrhea and the second associated with overgrowth of specifically urease-producing bacteria. Oral bacteriotherapy appears a promising means to counteract the disturbed microbial balance.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1994

Risk of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis among children and mothers in Somalia.

The prevalence of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in prewar Somalia was surveyed by testing the tuberculin sensitivity of 2,792 infants and children and 446 mothers in two towns: Burao in the dry north and Kismayo in the humid south. Sensitivity increased with age, but considerable differences prevailed between the towns. In Burao a roughly linear increase in sensitivity was found, with no sensitivity in infancy, sensitivity in 19% of children at 7 years, and sensitivity in 54% of children at 15 years; in Kismayo the corresponding figures were 9%, 28%, and 47%, respectively. Together, the correlation of prior BCG vaccination with a positive tuberculin test in Burao and the lack of these findings in Kismayo suggested that vaccination had partly failed in Kismayo, where living conditions also favored the transmission of M. tuberculosis. The annual risk of M. tuberculosis infection was approximately 1% higher in the south than in the north and was much higher during the first 3 years of life than later. This study--the first defining the risk of M. tuberculosis infection among children of various ages in Somalia--indicates that this risk is greatest in the southern parts of the country and among infants and young children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Lactobacillus strain GG supplementation decreases colonic hydrolytic and reductive enzyme activities in healthy female adults.

The effects of yogurt containing viable Lactobacillus strain GG (L. GG) and/or fiber supplements on fecal enzyme activities (beta-glucuronidase, nitroreductase, beta-glucosidase, glycocholic acid hydrolase, urease) and on bacterial metabolites in urine (phenol, p-cresol) were studied in 64 females, 20-41 y old. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups: the first group received L. GG yogurt (2 x 150 mL/d, containing 10(11) colony-forming units (cfu)/L of L. GG), the second group received L. GG yogurt and a rye fiber product (30 g/d, equivalent to 9 g fiber/d), and the third group received placebo yogurt (pasteurized) and fiber. The supplementation period lasted 4 wk, with a preceding 2-wk baseline period and a 2-wk follow-up period. The mean fecal count of L. GG was approximately 10(6) cfu/g feces during the supplementation, and L. GG persisted in the fecal samples of 28% of the subjects for 2 wk after supplementation. L. GG yogurt alone or with fiber significantly decreased fecal beta-glucuronidase, nitroreductase and glycocholic acid hydrolase activities. These enzyme activities returned to baseline levels during the follow-up period. beta-Glucosidase and urease activities were not altered significantly during the study. The addition of fiber to L. GG and placebo yogurt had no effect on the enzymic activities. Urinary excretion of p-cresol decreased significantly in groups receiving L. GG. These data demonstrate that L. GG can modify the colonic environment with possible health effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Accident locus of control and risk taking among forestry and construction workers.

228 forestry and 45 construction workers completed the Accident Locus of Control scale which is a modified version of the Health Locus of Control inventory. The forestry workers scored as having a more external locus of control than the construction workers. In both professional groups the subjects with higher scores on external locus of control tended to take more risks than the subjects with higher scores on internal locus of control. The results support a dual-dimensional view of control rather than a unidimensional view.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1994

Effect of cheese on intestinal transit time and other indicators of bowel function in residents of a retirement home.

Effects of increased intake of cheese on intestinal transit time and other indicators of bowel function were studied in 21 retirement home residents (18 women and 3 men; age, 68-87 years). The study was divided into four succeeding periods: 1) 1-week basal period (usual diet); 2)3-week cheese period (extra cheese was offered as such on bread or used in cooking); 3) 3-week no-cheese period (all cheese on bread was replaced with cured meats and cold cuts, and no cheese was used in cooking); 4) 3-week follow-up period (usual diet). During the last week of each period a questionnaire was filled out on fecal frequencies, consistency of feces (soft, normal, hard), and occurrence of abdominal pain and flatulence. Use of laxative medications and therapeutic foods (prunes) was registered. Eleven of the 21 subjects collected fecal samples for the determination of fecal wet weight and intestinal transit time by means of radiopaque Sitzmark capsules. Intakes of cheese, fiber-containing foods, and fluids by these 11 subjects during meals offered in the cafeteria were recorded on a prefilled questionnaire. In spite of a 10-fold increase in the intake of cheese no change in intestinal transit time, fecal frequency, fecal wet weight, consistency of feces, and occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms was observed. The use of laxative medication was higher during the cheese period, but no change in the combined use of laxative medication and therapeutic foods (prunes) was observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Sex roles and values of school children using self-esteem as a moderating factor.

This article consists of two studies. Study 1 compares the values of Finnish high school students with those of American students. The results show that Finnish adolescents value popularity more than academic or athletic success. Differences in values also reflect differences in the Finnish national character, school system, and sports organization. Study 2 investigated self-esteem as a moderating factor between the adolescents' values and their sex roles. Subjects were 743 school children who completed the Bem's Sex-Role Inventory and the Coopersmith's Self-esteem Inventory. The results showed that a traditional sex role was more prominent in the group of students with low self-esteem than in the group with high self-esteem.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

The specific accident factor of older employees.

The aim of this study was to find out the specific accident factor of older workers by comparing them to younger workers. The data consist of 99 occupational accidents in which 102 persons were seriously injured. Eighteen of the victims were over 50 years old. The particular accident risk of older employees was getting run over by moving vehicles. In future, work processes will further speed up, and the number of older workers will increase. These two trends are contradictory, and imply an increased accident risk for older employees.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1993

Organizational factors influencing serious occupational accidents.

The aim of this article is to examine organizational factors influencing serious occupational accidents. The study was part of a larger project investigating 99 serious occupational accidents in southern Finland. A workplace analysis and an accident analysis were done at accident sites. In connection with this investigation, 73 victims, 91 foremen, and 83 co-workers were interviewed with a structured questionnaire. The results showed that the need to save time, tight schedules, and a lack of caution had a greater influence on accidents than did the foremen, co-workers, customers, professional pride, curiosity, or the wage system. Big companies had the lowest risk of serious occupational accidents. Accident risk was significantly greater for subcontractors than for main contractors.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1992

Survival of Lactobacillus species (strain GG) in human gastrointestinal tract.

A newly isolated strain of a species of Lactobacillus of human origin, designated GG (Lactobacillus GG), has been studied to determine its ability to survive in the human gastrointestinal tract. When fed to 76 volunteers as a frozen concentrate or as a fermented preparation in milk or whey, Lactobacillus GG was recovered in the feces of all subjects receiving the fermented milk or whey and in 86% receiving the frozen concentrate when a single fecal specimen was cultured. The organism was also present in the feces of subjects concurrently receiving ampicillin. After terminating feeding of the organism, Lactobacillus GG persisted in the feces of 87% of volunteers four days later and in 33% of subjects seven days later. Lactobacillus GG lowered fecal bacterial beta-glucuronidase activity by approximately 80% in volunteers given the organism for four weeks. These studies demonstrate that Lactobacillus GG can survive and temporarily colonize the human gastrointestinal tract and can affect the metabolic activity of the resident microflora.

Digestive System↗
PubMed1992

Lactic acid bacteria in the gut in normal and disordered states.

The human gut flora is a complex and finely balanced ecosystem which plays an important protective role in humans. Although relatively stable, its composition may be altered in various disease states and by the administration of antimicrobial agents. Preparations containing viable lactic acid bacteria of human origin appear to have value in restoring normal microbial function and alleviating symptoms in some patients with gastrointestinal infection and other conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Colonization and fecal enzyme activities after oral Lactobacillus GG administration in elderly nursing home residents.

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of 2-week oral administration of a Lactobacillus-GG-fermented whey drink on fecal enzymes in elderly nursing home residents complaining of difficulties in defecation. The study was divided into three 2-week periods: baseline (2 dl placebo drink/day); Lactobacillus GG treatment (2 dl of a Lactobacillus-GG-fermented whey drink containing 10(8) cfu lactobacilli/ml); follow-up (2 dl placebo drink). Administration of the fermented whey drink resulted in colonization of feces by Lactobacillus GG in all the subjects. Glycocholic acid hydrolase activity and tryptic activity were significantly decreased at the end of the treatment period. The effect of Lactobacillus GG treatment on bowel function was less evident. Although the consistency of the stools appeared to normalize, no significant changes in the fecal frequency, weight and pH were observed. The results indicated that a Lactobacillus-GG-fermented whey drink can change the bacterial metabolism, and has no significant effect on bowel function.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Defensive attribution hypothesis and serious occupational accidents.

Based on the defensive attribution hypothesis, we assume that the victims of serious occupational accidents tend to attribute their accidents to external factors, while their coworkers and foremen tend to attribute the accidents to the victims' own action. The data to test this hypothesis consisted of 99 serious occupational accidents in southern Finland. In connection with the accident, or after the investigation at the accident site, 73 victims, 65 coworkers, and 71 foremen were interviewed. The results support our assumption, as the victims tended to use external attributions, whereas the foremen and coworkers attributed the accidents to internal factors. The defensive attribution hypothesis seems to explain the differences in how each party interpreted the basis for each accident.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1991

Convergent and discriminant validity of FIRO-B questionnaire.

The Kramer-Froehle controversy about the construct validity of FIRO-B questionnaire was evaluated with a multitrait-multimethod design. 113 women and 26 men completed the FIRO-B questionnaire. After the examiner had given a lecture on the FIRO-dimensions, the subjects rated themselves on these dimensions. Only three out of six intercorrelations on the validity diagonal were statistically significant. Of the discriminant validity comparisons 80% met the required criterion. Our results confirmed Kramer's results about the construct validity of the FIRO-B questionnaire.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Prevention of travellers' diarrhoea by Lactobacillus GG.

A placebo-controlled double-blind study was conducted on the efficacy of Lactobacillus GG in preventing travellers' diarrhoea. Altogether 820 persons travelling on holiday to southern Turkey to two destinations were randomized into two groups receiving either Lactobacillus GG or placebo in identical sachets. On the return flight each participant completed a questionnaire indicating the incidence of diarrhoea and related symptoms during the trip. Of the original group 756 (92%) subjects completed the study acceptably. The overall incidence of diarrhoea was 43.8% (331 cases). The total incidence of diarrhoea in the placebo group was 46.5% and in the Lactobacillus GG 41.0% indicating an overall protection of 11.8%. Protection rates varied between two different destinations with the maximum protection rate reported as 39.5%. Among older age groups there was significantly less diarrhoea when compared to younger travellers. Lactobacillus GG appeared to be effective in reducing the occurrence of travellers' diarrhoea in one of the two destinations with no side effects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Effect of Lactobacillus GG yoghurt in prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhoea.

The efficacy of Lactobacillus GG yoghurt in preventing erythromycin associated diarrhoea was studied. Sixteen healthy volunteers were given erythromycin acistrate 400 mg t.i.d for a week. The volunteers were randomly assigned into two groups taking twice daily 125 ml of either Lactobacillus GG fermented yoghurt or pasteurized regular yoghurt as placebo during the drug treatment. Subjects receiving Lactobacillus GG yoghurt with erythromycin had less diarrhoea than those taking pasteurized yoghurt. Other side effects of erythromycin, such as abdominal distress, stomach pain and flatulence, were less common in the GG yoghurt group than in the placebo yoghurt group. The subjects receiving Lactobacillus GG yoghurt were colonized with these bacteria even during erythromycin treatment as measured by faecal counts of total Lactobacillus GG. No Lactobacillus GG was found in the faecal samples of volunteers in the group taking pasteurized yoghurt.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Estimates on the intake of food additives in Finland.

An estimation of the intakes of 30 food additives in Finland was conducted combining analytical data, food balance sheets, import and export statistics. The results indicated that most calculated average food additive intakes were well below the ADI values and internationally at an acceptable level. The intakes of nitrates, nitrites, saccharin and cyclamates were above or close to the respective ADI values. More studies are planned on these substances in order to establish possible special risk groups.

Diet↗