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Biomedical subjects

A L Lange

Publications and source records attributed to A L Lange.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Life situation, self reported health and coping ability of 35-year old twins and controls--a follow-up of a longitudinal Swedish twin study at adolescence.

During the years 1964 to 1971 a nationally representative sample of MZ and DZ twins and controls was followed through the Swedish compulsory school. The main purpose was to study physical and mental growth during puberty as well as heredity-environment influences on these growth processes. After 20 years a follow-up has been made of this sample with the purpose of investigating heredity-environment influences on life situation and self reported health at mid-life in relation to background factors collected during adolescence. 43 pairs of MZ twins, 90 pairs of DZ same sex and opposite sex twins as well 322 controls agreed to participate. A questionnaire was sent out to this group dealing with their present life situation such as family structure, economy, education and occupation. Other areas of interest were self reported health and ability to cope with their present life situation. The disadvantages found for MZ female twins at adolescence seem to persist at mid-life and ratings of school adjustment were related to coping ability as grown ups. This first report presents comparisons between twins and controls as well as males and females. To estimate heredity influences intraclass correlations for the twin pairs are calculated and for coping ability such influences seem to be quite conspicuous. Sex specific factors seem to operate regarding coping ability and satisfaction in educational choice and level. Generally, the results-indicate some advantages for the males regarding self reported life situation and health. Possible reasons for such sex differences are discussed. This study has been supported by grants from the Swedish Council for Social Research.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

From puberty to mid-life: a follow-up study of twins and controls.

During the years 1964 to 1971 a group of twins and a control group of singletons in the same classes, were followed from grade 3 at 10 years of age to grade 9 at 16 years of age in the Swedish compulsory school. The study was called the SLU-project (Skolöverstyrelsens och Lärarhögskolans Utvecklingsprojekt) and the main purpose was to study physical and mental growth during puberty as well as heredity and environment influences on these growth processes. Originally 323 twin pairs, MZ and DZ, and 1193 controls were included in the sample. Among the DZ twin pairs there were both same-sex and opposite-sex pairs. They were a nationally representative sample. Several kinds of information were collected, such as, a) Physical measurements (height and weight measurements, menarche, ratings of secondary sex characteristics); b) Ability and achievement measures (intelligence tests, standardized achievement tests); c) Self ratings; d) Ratings by teachers and classmates; e) Socioeconomic background data (fathers occupation and income). For the boys, supplementary data on physical growth and mental ability was collected on enrollment to military service at the age of 18. In this pilot-study, we have made a follow-up of the original SLU-sample after 20 years. They are now in their mid-thirties. The main purpose has been to investigate if they are willing to participate in a new study on health and well-being at mid-life.

Adolescent↗

Necropsies of eight horses infected with Strongylus equinus and Strongylus edentatus.

Ponies (n = 8) approximately 18 months old, were infected with 20,000 to 30,000 infective larvae of Strongylus equinus with less than 10% contamination with Strongylus edentatus larvae and necropsied 7 months post-infection. Lesions were present in the omentum, liver, pancreas, ventral colon, caecum and occasionally in the lungs. There were numerous intraabdominal adhesions and severe multiple granulomatous omentitis. Pancreatic damage, which characterises S. equinus, was exceptionally mild and was manifested mainly by slight periductular infiltration of eosinophils. Granulomas associated with larvae were found in the connective tissue associated with the pancreas. Larvae were recovered from the flanks, the peritoneum, the caecum and the kidney. Larval recovery was low, with a high percentage of the total number of larvae recovered in some of the carcasses being S. edentatus.

Animals↗

Changes in the bovine teat canal during the nonlactating period and early lactation, as measured by teat canal impressions.

Changes in dimensions of impressions of the lumen of the teat canals of 13 cows were examined at 17 intervals during the nonlactating period and early lactation. Impressions were made of teats of 2 diagonally opposed quarters of each cow, using dental impression material. Impression length was measured and cross sections of the impressions at the proximal (distal to Furstenburg rosette), distal (proximal to the teat orifice), and middle (midway between the 2), portions of the teat canal were prepared. Cross sections were photographed and enlarged, and circumference and area were determined by use of planimetry. Effects of making repeated impressions during the nonlactating period and early lactation on new infection rates and somatic cell counts were also assessed. Mean length of teat canal impressions decreased between days 0 and 3 of involution and during the prepartum periods. Depending on the level from which they were taken, cross-sectional areas of impressions tended to increase or increased significantly during the period of involution and again in the prepartum period. Significant changes in cross-sectional area were not observed during early lactation. Changes in circumference of proximal, middle, and distal cross sections followed trends similar to area measurements, but were more variable and differences were less statistically significant. On the basis of our findings, we suggest that heightened susceptibility to new infection during mammary involution and the prepartum period may be attributable, in part, to changes in the patency of the teat canal. Making impressions repeatedly throughout the nonlactating period and early lactation did not affect the number of new intramammary infections.

Animals↗

Qualitative and quantitative aspects on mathematics achievement in MZ and DZ twins.

Mathematics achievement test results have been collected for 22 MZ and 24 DZ same-sex twin pairs in the Swedish compulsory school. The twins were approximately 11-13 years of age and attended grades 4, 5, or 6. The twin pairs were part of a larger collaborative study between Israel and Sweden (the KAM-project). Teachers were asked how they planned and evaluated their work in the subjects Swedish and Mathematics. In addition to this, results for the twins on Maths tests given by the teachers in their regular work were collected. These tests were thus used by the teachers as an instrument to evaluate the educational process. Intrapair similarity for MZ and DZ twins has been compared for qualitative and quantitative aspects of the Maths tests. Different tests were used by the teachers but the same criteria have been used in the comparison. MZ twins are somewhat more similar than DZ twins for both the qualitative and quantitative aspects. Only one quantitative aspects, however, percentage of correct answers, shows a significant difference between the twin categories. A comparison was also made of intrapair similarity in classes, where the teachers differed according to planning and evaluation of their education. Irrespective of that, the MZ twins seemed to be more similar than the DZ twins in number of correct answers on the Maths tests. Educational implications are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Pathological findings in a natural outbreak of aflatoxicosis in dogs.

The gross and histopathological lesions of 10 cases in a natural outbreak of aflatoxicosis amongst dogs in the Republic of South Africa are reported. The 10 cases were classified as acute (1 case), subacute (7 cases) and chronic (2 cases) on the basis of the nature, degree and extent of the following histopathological fractures: hepatocellular fatty degeneration, necrosis or regeneration; proliferation of bile ductules; accumulation of bile within the canaliculi; fibroplasia; and, mucoid degeneration, necrosis or segmental atrophy of the larger intrahepatic bile ducts. Fatty degeneration was noted grossly in the livers of all 10 cases and bile stasis in 4. Varying degrees of fibrosis were present depending on the stage of the disease. In the 2 chronic cases in which nodular regeneration was also observed fibrosis was pronounced. Other macroscopic findings included icterus, anaemia, ascites, hydrothorax, hydropericardium, anasarca, pulmonary oedema, gastro-enterorrhagia and nephrosis.

Animals↗

[The detrimental effect of iodine as an intra-uterine instillation in mares].

Fifty ml of a 0.2% iodine solution were instilled into the uteri of six mares selected for culling. Biopsy specimens were taken for microscopic examination before the commencement of the experiment and at various times over the course of a year after the single instillation. Severe oedema and haemorrhage was present in the lamina propria of all the post-instillation biopsy specimens. The epithelium showed vacuolisation and necrosis, as well as focal areas of epithelial loss. In some cases hyperplasia or metaplasia was seen. Cell infiltration was characterized by the presence of neutrophils, eosinophils and mild lymphocyte infiltration around the blood vessels. Leukostasis was present around the blood vessels in some specimens. Blood vessel changes were characterized in the early stages by oedema of the tunica media of the medium-sized arteries and later by arteriosclerosis with the complete obliteration of the lumen of the particular vessels in some cases. The endometrial glands showed hyperplasia and mitotic figures were more often seen in these glands than normal. The most pronounced lesion in the later stage of the experiment was fibrosis of the lamina propria with the resultant collapse of the stratum compactum and contraction of the stratum spongiosum. The severe fibrosis of the endometrium is the most probable reason for infertility in mares treated with iodine.

Animals↗

Utilization of locus of control in the prediction of patients' oral hygiene performance.

This study investigated the relationship between internal and external locus of control classified patients and improvement in oral hygiene skills and plaque scores. Locus of control scores, and initial and final skill and plaque scores were recorded for 22 dental patients with moderate periodontitis. Oral hygiene instruction was given over a 3-month period to each patient. Although patient oral hygiene skill level increased significantly and plaque scores declined significantly, no relationship was detected between the locus of control personality dimension and skill or plaque scores. It was concluded that personal oral hygiene instruction reinforced by self-instructional manual was effective in improving oral hygiene skill and reducing plaque scores; additional strategies for future studies investigating the locus of control dimension were presented.

Adult↗

Intramammary infusions of cytochalasin B and dimethyl sulfoxide do not suppress milk secretion in the goat.

Cytochalasin B, an intracellular microfilament antagonist, was evaluated for its capacity to inhibit milk secretion in the goat. Intramammary infusions of the drug via teat canal in amounts to 6 mg had no effects on yields or fat and protein contents and minor, if any, effects on somatic cell counts of consecutive 12-h milkings. Our results suggest that the apical plasma membrane of lactating cells is impermeable to cytochalasin B and that the reduced secretion of lactose and casein caused by the drug in vitro may arise from its interference with glucose uptake at the base of cells. Dimethylsulfoxide, which we used (2 ml) in infusates to solubilize cytochalasin B, also was without effect on the foregoing lactation characteristics.

Animals↗

The effect of a televised periodontal campaign on public periodontal awareness.

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the impact of the Minnesota Dental Association's 1979 to 1980 periodontal awareness television campaign in terms of (1) reaching the target population, (2) improving public knowledge regarding the major reason for tooth loss in adults and (3) increasing intended future preventive dental visits. Based on the Health Belief Model, a 30-second television message was developed presenting periodontal disease as an often overlooked but compelling reason to seek preventive dental care. The message was aimed at adults 18 years of age and older who did not visit the dentist regularly. It was broadcast 1280 times over two separate 6-week periods on 17 statewide television stations. A postcampaign personal interview of a representative cross section of 1,000 Minnesota adults indicated that the campaign reached 79% of the population surveyed, or 786 individuals. Eighty-two percent (534) of the 654 individuals who made regular dental visits and 73% (252) of the 346 individuals who did not, indicated exposure to the message. Of the 786 persons who viewed the message, 90% (707) correctly recalled the message content. Seventy-five percent (488) of the 654 individuals who made regular dental visits and 63% (219) of the 346 individuals who did not, correctly recalled the message content. As a result of exposure to the television campaign, 10% (76) of the 786 viewers indicated their intention to make more preventive dental visits in the future. Among individuals stating such an intention were 10% (71) of the 707 viewers who correctly recalled the message and six percent (5) of the 79 viewers who were not able to correctly recall the message content.

Adolescent↗

Distribution and readability of periodontal health education literature.

THIS INVESTIGATION was undertaken to determine the distribution pattern and readability level of 20 widely distributed printed items containing periodontal health education literature. Average annual distribution was obtained from distributors of the material. The Minnesota Interactive Readability Approximation Program (MNIRAP) was used to determine the reading skill (educational grade level) necessary to understand each of the pieces of literature. Results indicated that over two million pieces of printed materials were distributed annually. The MNIRAP analysis revealed that three of the 20 materials studied (15%) would be understood by persons reading at sixth-grade level. Those reading at the 10th-grade level would understand seven of the 20 materials (35%), while the 12th-grade level would allow individuals to understand 17 of them (85%). Only those reading as well as a typical third-year college student could be expected to understand all of the materials analyzed.

Educational Status↗

Biochemical studies on a lysosomal storage disease in Abyssinian cats.

Blood lipid analysis was performed on the serum of 2 normal kittens and 1 adult cat and on serum from 3 affected kittens. Thin layer chromatography was done on tissue extracts of various organs from clinically affected kittens and unaffected unrelated kittens of a similar age, and on serum from carrier cats, affected kittens, related unaffected kittens and unrelated kittens. Spleen and lymph node cell cultures were prepared from 1 affected kitten and the growth medium and cell cultures were analysed for lipids. A lecithin-like phospholipid was identified in the serum of an affected kitten, a carrier cat and a related unaffected kitten. This substance was produced by the liver of affected kittens and also by macrophage-like cells in spleen cell cultures prepared from the spleen of a kitten with signs of the disease.

Animals↗

Professional satisfaction in dentistry.

The profile of the most satisfied dentist seems to be one of a contented, nonthreatened, positive person, who is active in the profession and community, has confidence in his management skills, and is positive about the direction of dentistry. He knows what he wants and has values that are likely to help him attain his goals. Certainly, many of the behaviors shown by highly satisfied dentists read like a prescription for avoiding professional burnout. By counseling the dissatisfied dentist to become more active professionally, to improve his or her practice management skills, to develop a positive attitude toward change in the dental profession, it should be possible to help these dentists gain more positive feelings about themselves and their profession. Although it is not certain that any change can be effected in the value structure of a currently dissatisfied dentist, it is possible to encourage the benevolent leader type to enter the profession whenever he or she can be identified.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Relationship of learning styles to preferences for instructional activities.

One hundred and sixty-three dental hygiene students and 26 dental hygiene faculty participated in a study to examine the relationship between learning styles and preference for 13 instructional activities. The results indicated that most students and faculty were located in Kolb's "accommodator" and "diverger" learning style categories. These two learning style groups differed in their preferences for group-oriented activities. Faculty were able to predict their students' predominant learning styles.

Attitude↗

Anatrichosoma sp. infestation in the footpads of a cat.

A nematode of the genus Anatrichosoma caused extensive necrosis and sloughing of the footpads of a domestic cat. No male worms were found but a description of the female is given. This is the first report of Anatrichosoma sp. in the Republic of S.A. as well as the first report of it in a cat.

Animals↗