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Biomedical subjects

A Andersen

Publications and source records attributed to A Andersen.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[New cancer disease after treatment of Hodgkin's disease].

The risk of a second cancer was assessed in 1,152 patients with Hodgkins disease who were treated at the Norwegian Radium Hospital from 1968-85. 68 patients developed a second cancer more than one year after the diagnosis of Hodgkins disease. These included nine acute non-lymphocytic leukemias, eight non-Hodgkins lymphomas and 51 solid tumours, including 11 lung cancers. The overall relative risk (observed/expected ratios) of developing a second cancer was 1.86. After 18 years the cumulative risk of developing a second cancer was 14.4% +/- 2.9%, of which 11.2% +/- 2.6% referred to solid tumours. The cumulative risk of leukemia appeared to reach a plateau level of 1.5% after 12 years while the risk of non-Hodgkins lymphomas and lung cancer continued to rise with time to 2.1% and 3.3% respectively after 18 years. The risk of developing leukemia increased after treatment with alkylating agents and Procarbazine. The risk of non-Hodgkins lymphoma was not related to any specific type of therapy. Excess lung cancer risk was noted in patients treated with radiotherapy, and the cancers appeared within the treated areas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Perinatal outcome among children of men exposed to lead and organic solvents in the printing industry.

The authors investigated the hypothesis that paternal occupational exposures at the time of conception may affect the risk of postconception events by linking records from Oslo, Norway, printers' unions and the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. The linkage yielded 6,251 infants born during the period 1967-1986. On the basis of job classification, fathers were categorized as to their exposure to lead and solvents. Odds ratios were estimated by simple and stratified analysis of tabular data and logistic regression analysis, with children whose fathers were not in lead- or solvent-exposed categories being used as the reference group. In addition, all Oslo births taking place during the same period served as an external reference for computation of standardized morbidity ratios. The adjusted odds ratio for early preterm birth (16-27 weeks) was 5.4 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7-17.4) for infants with paternal exposure to solvents and 8.6 (95% CI 2.7-27.3) for children whose fathers were in the lead plus solvents category. The adjusted odds ratio for all perinatal deaths was 2.4 (95% CI 1.2-4.9) for children with fathers in the lead-exposed group and 1.9 (95% CI 0.96-3.7) for children with fathers in the lead plus solvents group. An increased risk of cleft lip was demonstrated, with interaction between sex and paternal exposure to lead: The standardized morbidity ratio for boys in the two subgroups with lead exposure was 4.1 (95% CI 1.8-8.1). Paternal exposure had little impact on birth weight, intrauterine growth, or total number of birth defects. The main problems of the study were the potential for nondifferential misclassification of exposure and the fact that it was not possible to control for potentially confounding life-style factors.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1993

Incidence of cancer among male waiters and cooks: two Norwegian cohorts.

Previous occupational survey studies have identified 'waiter' and 'cook' as possible high risk occupations for cancer. However, few cohort studies have been performed among persons in the restaurant business, and we therefore have analyzed cancer incidence in two cohorts of Norwegian waiters and cooks. The cohorts consisted of skilled male workers, 1,463 waiters and 2,582 cooks, who received their craft certificate between 1958 and 1983. The cohorts were followed from 1959 through 1991. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for all causes of cancer was 1.4 (95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 1.2-1.7] for waiters, and 1.1 (CI = 0.9-1.4) for cooks. Cancers of the tongue, mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, and liver were grouped together as alcohol-associated cancers. SIR for these cancers combined was 5.1 (CI = 3.4-7.4) for waiters and 4.2 (CI = 2.2-7.2) for cooks. For lung cancer, SIR was 2.0 (CI = 1.3-2.9) for waiters and 0.7 (CI = 0.2-1.7) for cooks. For alcohol-associated cancers, the analysis carried out according to number of years since first employment showed a larger number of cases than expected for both occupations in all time-periods. The excess of lung cancer cases among waiters appeared after 30 years or more of employment. The study shows that waiters and cooks are at high risk of cancers associated with alcohol consumption, and that waiters, in addition, show high rates for lung cancer. The hypothesis of an occupational lung-cancer risk in cooks was not supported by this study.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Polyunsaturated fatty acids in serum phospholipids and risk of breast cancer: a case-control study from the Janus serum bank in Norway.

We have tested the hypothesis that specific polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the n-3 and n-6 families, as measured in serum phospholipids, are negatively associated with the risk of breast cancer. The study is based on serum samples from women who have donated blood to the Janus serum bank at the University Hospital in Oslo, Norway. It consists of sera from 87 women who developed breast cancer (cases) subsequent to blood donation and 235 women who were free of any diagnosed cancer (controls), but were of similar age and had similar blood storage time as the cases. We measured fatty acids (monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated) in serum phospholipids, and made comparisons between cases and controls. The results showed that there was an inverse relation between the n-6 PUFA linoleic acid (18:2n-6) and risk of breast cancer, but this association was restricted to women who were 55 years and younger. In this age group, the relative risk (odds ratio) of women in the highest quartile of linoleic acid was 0.4 (95% confidence limits, 0.2 and 1.0) compared with women in the lowest quartile, and there was a negative trend over quartiles of linoleic acid (Mantel's chi for trend = -2.49, P < 0.02). No association was noted between the n-3 PUFA of marine oil origin and breast cancer risk. If the measured concentration of linoleic acid in serum phospholipids reliably reflects dietary intake, these data suggest that linoleic acid in the diet may decrease breast cancer risk among women at premenopausal and perimenopausal age. No similar association with n-3 unsaturated fatty acids was observed. It is noteworthy that none of the measured fatty acids (saturated or unsaturated) showed a positive association with breast cancer risk.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1993

A sensitive and simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of mitoxantrone in plasma.

A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for measuring the anthracene derivative, mitoxantrone, in plasma is described. After protein precipitation with 5-sulfosalicylic acid, samples are resolved by isocratic elution from a C18 reverse phase support and quantified by ultraviolet (UV) detection. Recovery of mitoxantrone after deproteinization was > 70%. Within-run and between-day coefficients of variation (CVs) were 5.1 and 13.7%, respectively, at mitoxantrone concentrations of 20 nM (n = 6). The limit of detection was 2.5 nM and the standard curve linear up to 1 microM. Stability studies have shown that mitoxantrone is stable in spiked whole blood for 3-6 h, provided the samples are kept on ice. The drug is stable in plasma and deproteinized plasma samples for at least 24 h. The method requires few manipulations and is readily adaptable to automation.

Blood Specimen Collection↗
PubMed1993

A sensitive and simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of doxorubicin and its metabolites in plasma.

A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the measurement of doxorubicin and its metabolites in plasma is described. After precipitation with zinc sulphate and methanol, samples are resolved by isocratic elution from a C18 reverse phase support within 20 min and quantified by endogenous fluorescence. Recoveries over a concentration range from 5 to 1,000 nM of doxorubicin, doxorubicinol, doxorubicinone, doxorubicinolone, and 7-deoxydoxorubicinolone were 80-110%, while recovery for 7-deoxydoxorubicinone was approximately 60%. At concentrations of 5 nM, within-run and between-day coefficients of variation for each compound were < 8 and < 16%, respectively. Limits of detection for the compounds were 1-2 nM and standard curves were linear up to at least 1,000 nM. The drug and its metabolites are stable in deproteinized plasma samples at room temperature and in the dark for at least 24 h. The method requires few manipulations and is readily adaptable to automated analysis of large series of samples.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1993

Effects of growth factors on cytokine production in serum-free cultures of human thymic epithelial cells.

Human thymic epithelial cells (TEC) of medullary phenotype were cultured for 14 days in a growth factor-defined serum-free medium. The effects of added growth factors on cell numbers and the production of cytokines were investigated by separate exclusion of the various growth factors from the medium. We found that hydrocortisone stimulated cell proliferation but inhibited the differentiation of TEC and significantly reduced the production of interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-6 and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor. Insulin was found to enhance the differentiation of TEC and the production of the three cytokines. Transferrin and choleratoxin were found to inhibit cell proliferation, but they did not affect production of the cytokines. Exclusion of epidermal growth factor, however, leads to cell death. We conclude that it is essential to exclude hydrocortisone from the medium to optimize production of cytokines, and that transferrin and choleratoxin seem to be unnecessary constituents in serum-free cultures of human TEC.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1993

A neurological and neurophysiological study of chloralkali workers previously exposed to mercury vapour.

Neurological and neurophysiological examinations were conducted in 77 former chloralkali workers previously exposed to mercury vapour and 53 referents. The exposure had ceased on average 12.3 years prior to the study. There was a higher prevalence of reduced distal sensation (13.0% vs 1.9%), postural tremor (18.2% vs 7.5%) and impaired coordination (10.4% vs 1.9%) among the exposed subjects as compared to the referents. Abnormal Romberg's test (6.5% vs 0%) and line walking (7.8% vs 0%) were also more prevalent. The first negative peak in visual evoked response (N75) was bilaterally prolonged, and the median motor (55.9 m/s vs 58.0 m/s) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (55.6 m/s vs 59.0 m/s) were slightly reduced among the highly exposed subjects. The results indicate that slight neurological abnormalities, which in most cases could not be classified as disease, may persist many years after exposure cessation.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Incidence of cancer and mortality among workers exposed to mercury vapour in the Norwegian chloralkali industry.

Incidence of cancer and mortality were studied among 674 men exposed to mercury vapour for more than one year at two chloralkali plants. Mercury excretion in urine had been monitored among the workers at the two plants since 1948 and 1949. An individual cumulative urinary mercury dose was calculated, based on about 20,000 urinary mercury measurements. The incidence of cancer and the mortality were followed up from 1953 to 1989 and 1953 to 1988 respectively. The general Norwegian male population served as a reference population. There was a lung cancer excess of borderline significance (standardised incidence ratio = 1.66, 95% confidence interval = 1.00-2.59). The introduction of a 10 year latent period before developing lung cancer did not increase the incidence ratio. The excess may be partly explained by the smoking habits in the cohort or possibly by exposure to asbestos. No excess of cancer was found in the target organs for mercury toxicity--namely, the kidney and the nervous system. No significant excess mortality was found for nephritis and nephrosis or nonmalignant diseases of the nervous system.

Chemical Industry↗
PubMed1993

Incidence of cancer among welders of mild steel and other shipyard workers.

The incidence of cancer among 4571 shipyard workers with first employment between 1940 and 1979, including 623 welders of mild steel, was investigated in a historical cohort study. The loss to follow up was 1.1%. The total number of deaths was 1078 (974.5 expected) and there were 408 cases of cancer v 361.3 expected. Sixty five cases of lung cancer were found v 46.3 expected based on the national rates for males. Four pleural mesotheliomas had occurred (1.2 expected), none among the welders. An excess of lung cancers was found among the welders (nine cases v 3.6 expected). There were six cases of lung cancer v 1.6 expected in a high exposure group of 255 welders. A survey of the smoking habits as of 1984 indicated 10%-20% more daily smokers among the shipyard production workers than among Norwegian males. Exposure to smoking and asbestos were confounding variables in this study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Incidence of cancer among workers in a Norwegian nitrate fertiliser plant.

The incidence of cancer among 2023 male fertiliser workers has been investigated in a historical cohort study. Workers who had been employed for more than one year in work with possible exposure to dust containing nitrate between 1945 and 1979 were included. An individual cumulated exposure to dust expressed in level-years was calculated for each participant. The cohort was followed up from 1953 to the end of 1988, and the incidence of cancer was compared with the national rates. There were 467 deaths v 504.8 expected (standardised mortality ratio (SMR) = 0.93), and 185 cases of cancer v 195.5 expected (standardised incidence ratio (SIR) = 0.95). Thirty cases of lung cancer were found v 27.5 expected (SIR = 1.09). No overall excess of gastric cancer was found (15 cases v 17.0 expected; SIR = 0.89). No association was found between cumulated exposure to nitrate and gastric cancer, and there was no association between duration of employment or time since first employment and incidence of gastric cancer.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed1993

Relation between exposure related indices and neurological and neurophysiological effects in workers previously exposed to mercury vapour.

A cross sectional study of aspects of their neurology was carried out on 77 chloralkali workers previously exposed to mercury (Hg) vapour and compared with 53 age matched referents. The chloralkali workers had been exposed for an average of 7.9 years at a concentration of 59 micrograms Hg/m3 in the working atmosphere. The individual mean urinary concentration of Hg for each year of exposure was 531 nmol Hg/1. On average the exposure had ceased 12.3 years before the examinations. Both the median sensory nerve conduction velocity and the amplitude of the sural nerve were associated with measures of cumulative exposure to Hg. An association was also found between years since first exposure to Hg and aspects of the visual evoked response. Previously exposed subjects with postural tremor or impaired coordination also had alterations in visual evoked response. These results may indicate an effect of previous exposure to mercury vapour on the nervous system, possibly in the visual pathway, cerebellum, and the peripheral sensory nerves.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Second malignancies after treatment of Hodgkin's disease: the influence of treatment, follow-up time, and age.

PURPOSE: In the period 1968 through 1988, The Norwegian Radium Hospital (NRH) treated an unselected population of 1,152 patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) that comprised more older patients (mean age, 43 years) than most other institutions. We considered it important to evaluate these patients for development of second cancers (SCs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Norwegian Cancer Registry identified previously untreated patients with HD treated at NRH who had developed a SC more than 1 year after diagnosis of HD. The relative risk ratio (RR) (observed/expected cases) and the cumulative risk were calculated. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients had developed a SC, including nine acute nonlymphocytic leukemias (ANLLs), eight non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs), and 51 solid tumors, including 11 lung cancers. The RR of SC and leukemia was 1.86 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4 to 2.4) and 24.3 (95% CI, 11.1 to 46.2), respectively. The RR of SC was highest in younger patients (< 41 years, RR = 3.8). No significant association between splenectomy and development of ANLL was found. The influence of treatment and follow-up time on the development of SC agrees with data from other large cancer institutions. CONCLUSION: (1) The low RR of developing a SC in this study is probably due to the number of older patients included, who have a lower RR of developing a SC due to less aggressive treatment, shorter follow-up time, and higher incidence of cancer in the expected background population. (2) The low RR and cumulative risk of developing ANLL may be due to the limited use of extensive chemotherapy (CT) in our hospital in the earlier years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Cancer mortality in an international cohort of workers exposed to styrene.

Increased risks for leukaemia and lymphoma have been suggested in studies of workers exposed to styrene in the rubber and plastics industry. A historical cohort study was conducted in Denmark, Finland, Italy, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom involving 40,683 workers employed in the reinforced plastics industry, where high exposure to styrene occurs. Exposure to styrene was reconstructed through job histories, environmental and biological monitoring data and production records of the plants in the study. Cause-specific national death rates were used as the reference. Among exposed workers, no excess was observed for mortality from all causes (2195 deaths, standardized mortality ratio [SMR], 95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 91-99), from all neoplasms, from lung cancer or from other major epithelial cancers. Mortality from neoplasms of the lymphatic and haematopoietic tissues was not elevated (50 deaths; SMR, 96; CI, 71-126) and was not consistently associated with length of exposure. The rate of mortality from leukaemias and lymphomas increased with time since first exposure. Among subjects who had been exposed for more than one year, a two-fold risk was observed 20 years after first exposure (eight deaths; SMR, 197; CI, 85-387). These results are inadequate to exclude the possibility that styrene causes leukaemia and lymphoma.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed1992

Is there an association between an increase in c-myc RNA steady state levels and c-myc methylation in HL-60 cells treated with 3-deaza-(+/-)-aristeromycin, an indirect inhibitor of methylation?

Alteration in gene expression of the proto-oncogene c-myc in HL-60 cells is associated with differentiation of these cells. We have studied the steady state levels of c-myc transcripts, the levels of transmethylation metabolites S-adenosylmethionine and S-adenosyl-homocysteine and the methylation pattern of the c-myc gene after treatment of HL-60 cells with the transmethylation inhibitor and granulocytic inducer, 3-deaza-(+/-)-aristeromycin. A transient increase in c-myc RNA levels after 45 min of drug exposure was observed which was accompanied by changes in the ratio of transmethylation metabolites in both whole cells and nuclei. The changes in transmethylation metabolites in whole cells, although compatible with levels frequently associated with hypomethylation of cellular components, caused no changes in methylation of c-myc DNA sequences of the HL-60 cells as detected by HpaII or MspI digestion and Southern blotting.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1992

Incidence of cancer in Norwegian workers potentially exposed to electromagnetic fields.

The risk of cancer was investigated in a cohort of 37,945 male Norwegian electrical workers for whom information on job description was collected from 1960 census data and linked to the 1970 census data. The standardized incidence ratio was calculated for all cancer sites in the overall cohort by comparison with national incidence rates for economically active men at the 1960 census. The standardized incidence ratios for cancers of the breast, pleura (mesothelioma), larynx, and bladder and for soft tissue sarcoma were elevated, while those for non-Hodgkins and Hodgkins lymphoma were lower. The standardized incidence ratio for leukemia for electrical workers with 10 or more economically active years was 1.41. The standardized incidence ratio for brain tumors in this subgroup of electrical workers was 1.14. These results from a large, national, population-based study at the Cancer Registry of Norway give support to previous findings of a possible association between electrical work and the risk of leukemia.

Adult↗