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Biomedical subjects

A I Larsen

Publications and source records attributed to A I Larsen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Systemic thrombin generation and activity resistant to low molecular weight heparin administered prior to streptokinase in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

One hundred patients were included in a randomized open trial to assess the systemic factor Xa (FXa) and thrombin inhibitory effect as well as the safety profile of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) given subcutaneously in conjunction with streptokinase (SK) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). The treatment was initiated prior to SK, followed by repeated injections every 12 h for 7 days, using a dose of 150 anti-Xa units per kg body weight. The control group received unfractionated heparin (UFH) 12,500 i.u. subcutaneously every 12 h for 7 days, initiated 4 h after start of SK infusion. All patients received acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) initiated prior to SK. Serial blood samples were collected prior to and during the first 24 h after initiation of SK infusion for determination of prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2), thrombin-antithrombin III (TAT) complexes, fibrinopeptide A (FPA) and cardiac enzymes. Bleeding complications and adverse events were carefully accounted for. Infarct characteristics, as judged by creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT), were similar in both groups of patients. A comparable transient increase in F1 + 2, TAT and FPA was noted irrespective of heparin regimen. Increased anti-Xa activity in patients given LMWH prior to thrombolytic treatment had no impact on indices of systemic thrombin activation. The incidence of major bleedings was significantly higher in patients receiving LMWH as compared to patients receiving UFH. However, the occurrence of bleedings was modified after reduction of the initial LMWH dose to 100 anti-Xa units per kg body weight. In conclusion, systemic FXa- and thrombin activity following SK-infusion in patients with acute MI was uninfluenced by conjunctive LMWH treatment.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

[Physical exercise and heart failure. A review article].

This review discusses the therapeutic value of physical exercise in patients with congestive heart failure. The possible circulatory, peripheral and metabolic mechanisms involved are discussed. Relevant clinical research in this field is reviewed. Physical training appears to be a safe and efficacious intervention in this large population.

Exercise↗
PubMed1996

[Pro-atrial natriuretic factor is predictive for the clinical status of patients with heart failure].

This study was undertaken in order to evaluate the relationship between N-terminal proatrial natriuretic factor [1-98] and routinely available measures of clinical status. Odds ratio estimates demonstrated a much higher risk of presence of left ventricular dysfunction and dilatation, pulmonary hypertension, and New York Heart Association function class III or IV with increasing proANF values. Analysis is simple and can be of practical value as a supplement in the assessment of cardiac status in this heterogeneous population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Plasma proatrial natriuretic factor is predictive of clinical status in patients with congestive heart failure.

Atrial stretch results in myocyte release of the prohormone atrial natriuretic factor (1-126). The N-terminal (1-98) fragment, proatrial natriuretic factor (proANF) is released on an equimolar basis with the C-terminal (99-126) active hormone and may be assayed simply due to in vitro stability. This study was undertaken to evaluate the relation between proANF and routinely available measures of clinical status. ProANF was sampled from 202 patients (median age 68 years [range 15 to 85], 77% men) recruited from an active outpatient heart failure clinic. Patients were subgrouped according to New York Heart Association functional class, radionuclide ejection fraction (EF), echocardiographic left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic diameter, and Doppler-determined systolic pulmonary arterial pressure. The median proANF (pmol/L) values for patients in New York Heart Association classes I, II, III, IV were 725, 1,527, 1,750, and 5,172, respectively. The proANF value for the group with EF > 40% was 1,534 versus 1,993 for EF < or = 40% (p < 0.05). The value for the group with LV diameter < 60 mm ws 838 versus 1,751 for LV diameter > or = 60 mm (p < 0.01). The value for the group with systolic pulmonary artery pressure < 45 mm Hg was 1,241 versus 2,660 for systolic pulmonary artery pressure > or = 45 mm Hg (p < 0.01). ProANF correlated better than the other variables with New York Heart Association functional class and was more closely associated with noninvasive measurements than New York Heart Association functional class.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Hazardous health effects of microwaves and radio waves].

About 4000 Danish employees may be significantly exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF) or microwaves (MW) during work in the health sector or industrially. Exposure measurements and classifications are difficult, therefore, epidemiological as well as experimental research in the field is complicated. High exposure induces elevation of body temperature or local heating ("hot spots"). Some biological effects from RF/MW exposure seem to be mediated by heating, others are considered to be athermic. Epidemiological studies do not indicate that RF/MW should be carcinogenic, and experimental studies have not shown the radiation to be mutagenic or carcinogenic. Epidemiological studies among physiotherapists have indicated that RF may have reproductive effects. In one study, an association between ischaemic heart disease and exposure to RF is observed. The cataractogenic property of MW is supposed to be mediated by elevation in lens temperature following relatively high exposure. However, in the light of the problems in exposure classification, the epidemiological research may not be conclusive, and attempts should be made to improve the methods. In addition, Danish experience points out a number of methods of exposure reduction in the working environment.

Denmark↗
PubMed1994

Cancer morbidity among employees in a Danish pharmaceutical plant.

BACKGROUND: Workers in the pharmaceutical industry may be exposed to many potential carcinogens. We investigated cancer morbidity in a Danish plant where enzymes, insulin, antibiotics and sex hormones were produced in substantial quantities. METHODS: Altogether 10,889 people ever employed (1964-1988) at the pharmaceutical plant were retrieved from the files of a compulsory pension fund, and followed-up in the nationwide Danish Cancer Registry (1964-1989). Site-specific standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were estimated, based on cancer rates for the national population. Information on risk factors for breast cancer, e.g. number of children, age at menarche and first delivery, obesity, and non-occupational use of sex hormones was obtained from samples of the female employees, and compared to equivalent variables from the general population. RESULTS: The overall SIR for women was significantly elevated (n = 5554; SIR = 1.2). Excess risk was particularly seen for breast cancer (n = 97; SIR = 1.5), especially in a subgroup who had started work at the factory aged 30-39 and had continued to work for 1-9 years (SIR = 2.8). The SIR was near unity for men (n = 5335); however, three men with breast cancer versus 0.4 expected were found. Lifestyle components explained only about one-quarter of the excess female breast cancers. Proxy measures of intensity of occupational exposure to sex hormones or insulin showed no association with the risk for breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: It seems unlikely that either a single occupational factor or an unusual reproductive pattern can explain the elevated breast cancer risk. Therefore, the finding requires further study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Management of occupational risk to reproduction in a Danish county.

In Denmark pregnant women are entitled to receive maintenance allowances if the working conditions are suspected to be harmful to the fetus. The aim of the study was to evaluate these preventive measures taken to reduce occupational hazards to reproduction in Denmark. In 1985 1,247 pregnancies were identified in Ribe county during a 6-month period. Three hundred and forty-five women employed at the beginning of the pregnancy in manufacturing industries, construction work, health services, or agriculture were interviewed by telephone concerning their working conditions and the measures taken to reduce possible occupational risks. The response rate was 85%. On the basis of the interviews the risks and the preventive measures were assessed. Out of 200 women who had no changes in the working conditions during pregnancy, 46 (23%) had a working situation which was considered potentially harmful. For 57 the working situation was changed during the first months of pregnancy because of an assumed risk. The remaining 37 were out of work or received maintenance allowances because of occupational hazards. In this study a greater awareness than expected about possible occupational risks was found, but in some instances occupational risks were overlooked or neglected.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1991

[Digitalis therapy in patients with heart failure and sinus rhythm].

The role of digitalis therapy in patients with sinus rhythm and mild to moderate heart failure has been a subject of controversy. This review critically examines the relevant literature and specifically evaluates trials in this patient population. The pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of the most commonly prescribed agents are briefly discussed. The available evidence supports the use of this agent in patients with sinus rhythm and clinical signs of systolic dysfunction. Digitalis is not recommended as a routine when the primary cause of heart failure is diastolic dysfunction. The use of digitalis therapy in combination with diuretics and vasodilator therapy deserves further attention.

Arrhythmia, Sinus↗
PubMed1991

Can exposure to electromagnetic radiation in diathermy operators be estimated from interview data? A pilot study.

As preparation for a case-control study dealing with possible teratogenic property of short waves, a pilot study was conducted in order to compare exposure assessment from different sources. In 11 physiotherapy clinics, exposure assessments based on interviews within 1 week among the exposed physiotherapists were compared with exposure assessments based on observations including measurements. It was possible to discriminate between recent high and low peak exposure. Furthermore, an interview index reflecting the duration of the exposure correlated to some extent with the corresponding measurements.

Diathermy↗
PubMed1991

Gender-specific reproductive outcome and exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic radiation among physiotherapists.

The aim of this case-referent study was to investigate reproductive hazards other than congenital malformations after exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic radiation. Cases and referents were sampled from a cohort of pregnancies of members of the Union of Danish Physiotherapists through linkage of the union file with national medical registers. Case groups were spontaneous abortions and children with low birth-weight prematurity, and stillbirth/death within one year. Exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic radiation before and during pregnancy was assessed through telephone interviews. As referents to the 270 cases, 316 pregnancies were randomly sampled. A total of 8.4% did not participate. Only 23.5% of the children born by the highly exposed mothers were boys. This value is a statistically significantly altered gender ratio showing a dose-response pattern. High-frequency electromagnetic radiation was furthermore associated with low birthweight, but only for male newborns. The other outcomes were not statistically significantly associated with exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic radiation.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Congenital malformations and exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic radiation among Danish physiotherapists.

A cluster initiated the present case-referent study to assess the relation between exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic radiation and congenital malformations. Through the linkage of a cohort formed from a union file of Danish physiotherapists with complete national registers of pregnancy outcome, cases (pregnancies terminated by the birth of a malformed child) and referents were identified. From responses in a blinded telephone interview without knowledge of case status, exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic radiation in the first month of pregnancy was assessed. Indices reflecting duration of exposure ("time") and maximum level of exposure ("peak") were composed. After a 7% dropout 54 cases and 247 referents were interviewed. No statistically significant associations between pregnancy outcome and high-frequency electromagnetic radiation were found (odds ratio 1.7, 95% confidence interval 0.6-4.3).

Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced↗
PubMed1990

[Assessment of exposure to organic solvents. Reading the label or the legally compulsory instructions for use are not enough].

A case history is quoted to illustrate the description of exposure to organic solvents and to illustrate the following points: 1) It is not possible to assess the degree of exposure qualitatively by registering of legally correctly written labels and instructions for use. 2) Quantitatively correct prescriptions of the products do not reflect the quantitative conditions of exposure and 3) Thermodynamic calculations which also consider how the individual components influence the rates of vaporization of one another can describe the conditions of exposure more precisely.

Brain↗
PubMed1990

Contact allergy to the fungicide benomyl?

Benomyl is a widely used fungicide. Contact allergy to benomyl has been reported in a few cases. We describe a group of 62 workers, exposed to benomyl. None had contact dermatitis from benomyl. It appears that benomyl at most is a weak sensitizer. We suggest that earlier-reported allergy may represent cross-reactions and/or that the development of contact allergy to benomyl requires previous exposure to other chemically related pesticides.

Adult↗