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Biomedical subjects

B Alsbjørn

Publications and source records attributed to B Alsbjørn.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

["Burns" caused by local application of garlic].

A forty-two-year-old woman was admitted to the department of burns in Copenhagen, two days after application of 15 freshly sliced cloves of garlic fixed to the left knee with film for three hours. This was done to relieve chronic intra-articular pain. Examination showed a 2% blistering erythematous rash mimicking second degree burns. At 14 days 0.33% had not healed spontaneously. On the 24th day necrectomy and split skin transplantation had to be performed.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1999

Prestorage leukocyte filtration may reduce leukocyte-derived bioactive substance accumulation in patients operated for burn trauma.

Adverse effects of perioperative blood transfusion appear to be storage-time-dependent and may be related to extracellular accumulation of bioactive substances in blood products. In this study the clinical effects of leukofiltered and non-filtered blood products in patients undergoing surgery for burn trauma are investigated. 24 consecutive patients were randomly selected to receive transfusion with non-filtered blood components (group A, n = 12) or similar products, which were prestorage leukofiltered (group B, n = 12). The burn injury was scored using the Bull and Fischer index of age and burn surface area. Histamine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were analysed in plasma or serum collected from all patients 30 min before skin incision, at skin incision and 5, 10 and 30 min and thereafter every 30 min after skin incision until the grafts were secured by wrapping. Samples were also taken 8 h after skin incision and in the morning of postoperative days 1-5. The amount of blood products transfused from admission until day 5 postoperatively was recorded. All patients were followed until discharge or death. The Bull and Fischer index was comparable in the two groups. Prestorage leukofiltration reduced the amount of blood products required for transfusion significantly (p < 0.05) compared with non-filtered products. The levels of the various bioactive substances changed during and after the operation. In particular, ECP and MPO levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) in group A patients compared with unchanged (ECP) or decreased (MPO) levels in group B patients. IL-6 analyses showed, that the trauma had more severe impact on group B patients than on group A patients. Nevertheless, 4 patients died in group A and 2 in group B; all with a Bull and Fischer index between 1.0 and 2.0. Prestorage leukocyte filtration may reduce transfusion related accumulation of various bioactive substances and the requirement for blood in burn trauma patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

A new amorphous hydrocolloid for the treatment of pressure sores: a randomised controlled study.

A randomised controlled study was carried out to compare the effect of a new amorphous hydrocolloid (hydrogel, Coloplast) with that of conventional treatment on the healing time of pressure sores. After initial debridement in the outpatient clinic of pressure sores located in the sacral (n = 21) or trochanteric (n = 11) area the patients were randomised to be treated with either hydrogel (n = 17) or wet saline compresses (n = 15). Once a week the healing was estimated by the same investigator. The relative volumes (from the initial 100%) of hydrogel-treated wounds were significantly less (26 +/- 20%, p < 0.02) than those of saline treated wounds (64 +/- 16%) in the last week of the study. The saline treated wounds needed more frequent weekly debridement than the hydrogel-treated wounds (21% compared with 7% of all weekly dressings, p < 0.03). We conclude that amorphous hydrocolloid increases current healing of pressure sores compared with conventional treatment. It is therefore a better choice for treating patients with pressure sores in their homes.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Bioactive substance accumulation and septic complications in a burn trauma patient: effect of perioperative blood transfusion?

Evidence has emerged that suggests adverse effects to perioperative homologous blood transfusion are related to the age of the blood products. Recently, time-dependent accumulation of bioactive substances in red cell suspensions, standard platelet concentrates and fresh frozen plasma during storage have been shown. The potential adverse effects of these bioactive substances were analysed in a burn trauma patient. A patient with 40 per cent second and third degree burn trauma without other injuries underwent a two-step transplantation operation. Samples for analyses of histamine, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), eosinophil protein X (EPX), neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were drawn frequently from the patient before, during and after the operations, and from all transfused red cell, platelet and fresh frozen plasma units. Urine was sampled every hour during the first operation for analyses of ECP and EPX excretion. All analyses were performed by ELISA and RIA methods, and results compared to patient outcome. The patient received a total of 48 and 8 SAGM blood, 6 and 0 platelet and 12 and 4 fresh frozen plasma units at the two operations, respectively. Transfused products contained a total of 64.54 nmol and 17.50 nmol histamine, 115518 ng and 25764 ng ECP, 174457 ng and 38770 ng EPX, 6950915 ng and 1505125 ng MPO, and 14740 pg and 5600 pg IL-6 at the two operations, respectively. The accumulation of the substances in patient plasma correlated to postoperative septic reactions, without any disclosure of bacteraemia after the first operation, while the accumulation at the second operation correlated to the septic reaction and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Time-dependent accumulation of bioactive substances in blood products during storage may be related to the development of post-transfusion adverse effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Leucocyte-derived bioactive substances in fresh frozen plasma.

Bioactive substances in fresh frozen plasma (FFP) are considered to be related to adverse reactions after transfusion, particularly in septic or traumatized patients. Therefore, we analysed the concentration of various bioactive substances (histamine, eosinophil cationic protein, eosinophil protein X, myeloperoxidase and interleukin-6) in 25 u. of thawed FFP from healthy donors. These were compared with donor plasma concentrations of 24 healthy controls. In addition, we analysed the concentration of the bioactive substances, except interleukin-6, in 25 u. of thawed FFP, which were subjected to leucocyte filtration before freezing and storage. Finally, we analysed the substances in 10 leucocyte non-filtered plasma units before freezing and storage, and after thawing, respectively. Before analyses, which were performed by ELISA and RIA methods, these latter samples were sterile filtered through a 0.20-micron filter. Histamine, eosinophil cationic protein, eosinophil protein X and myeloperoxidase concentrations were significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the 25 u. of FFP compared with normal donor plasma. Pre-storage leucocyte filtration reduced concentrations of the bioactive substances in FFP to concentrations comparable with normal donor plasma concentrations. Interleukin-6 was undetectable in all FFP units and in 21 of the 24 control donors. Histamine, eosinophil cationic protein and myeloperoxidase concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in samples collected from the 10 u. of FFP after freezing and thawing compared with samples collected before freezing. We conclude that fresh frozen plasma prepared by a conventional separation method contains various leucocyte-derived bioactive substances, which may be reduced by pre-storage leucocyte filtration.

Blood Preservation↗
PubMed1997

Effect of heating on extracellular bioactive substances in stored human blood: in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown extracellular accumulation of various leukocyte and platelet-derived bioactive substances in human blood during storage. Release of bioactive substances may be temperature-dependent, and we studied the effect of heating during in vitro transfusion on bioactive substance accumulation in stored human blood. METHODS: Eight units of whole blood and eight units of prestorage leukofiltered whole blood were stored at 4 degrees C for 7 days. Subsequently, the blood from all 16 units was transfused via a blood-heating device, which increased the blood temperature to 37 degrees C at outlet. Samples for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or radioimmunoassay analyses of histamine, myeloperoxidase (MPO), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were drawn from the units at donation, after 7 days of storage just before transfusion, and during the in vitro transfusion. RESULTS: Extracellular concentrations of histamine, MPO, ECP, and PAI-1 were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in nonfiltered whole blood stored for 7 days compared with concentrations in fresh donated blood and in prestorage leukofiltered whole blood stored for 7 days. Heating reduced histamine, MPO, and ECP concentrations significantly (p < 0.05) in nonfiltered whole blood, whereas PAI-1 concentrations increased significantly (p < 0.05). Finally, there was no difference in concentrations of histamine, MPO, ECP, and PAI-1 in samples collected before and after heating of leukofiltered whole blood. CONCLUSIONS: Heating reduces accumulation of extracellular leukocyte-derived bioactive substances in whole blood, whereas it increases platelet-derived substances. Prestorage leukofiltration, however, reduces the obligatory extracellular accumulation of leukocyte and platelet-derived bioactive substances, which in addition is unchanged by heating.

Blood Preservation↗
PubMed1992

Multiple symmetric lipomatosis: combined surgical treatment and liposuction. Case report.

A 47 year old man with a history of alcoholism presented with symmetrical lipomas on the shoulders, neck, and chest. He also had lipomatous areas on the trunk and thighs. He was treated with a combination of surgery and liposuction, and made an uneventful recovery. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of multiple symmetric lipomatosis, a rare disorder only about 200 cases of which have been reported. The aetiology is unknown, but is often seen in patients with a history of alcoholism.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1991

Multiple symmetric lipomatosis.

Multiple symmetric lipomatosis (MSL) is a rare disorder only mentioned in about 200 cases in the medical literature. It manifests as massive lipomatous deposits in specific areas of the body. The cause is unknown, although there frequently is a history of alcoholism. Surgical lipectomy has so far been the choice of treatment. We present a review of the disease and report one case successfully treated with liposuction.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Estimation of amputation level with a laser Doppler flowmeter.

Leg amputation levels were decided in 24 patients suffering from atherosclerosis, using the conventional techniques of segmental blood pressure and radioisotope skin clearance. The skin microcirculation was measured and recorded before operation with a laser doppler flowmeter. A high correlation was found between the successful amputation levels and the maximal blood perfusion of the skin measured in this way.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Temporal responses of cutaneous blood flow and plasma catecholamine concentrations to histamine H1- or H2-receptor stimulation in man.

We have studied the effect of histamine and H1- or H2-receptor antagonists on cutaneous blood flow and catecholamine release in man. Histamine was infused alone or in combination with mepyramine, an H1-antagonist or cimetidine, an H2-antagonist for 2 h. Cutaneous blood flow was measured continuously with a laser Doppler flowmeter, and noradrenaline and adrenaline concentrations were determined in blood samples drawn every 15 min. The infusion of histamine caused an immediate and sustained vasodilatation. The Concomitant infusion of mepyramine prevented the immediate vasodilatation, but had no effect on the sustained response. The Concomitant infusion of cimetidine was without effect on the immediate vasodilatation, but abolished the sustained response. Infusion of the antagonists alone had no effect on cutaneous blood flow. Histamine caused a rapid and sustained increase in plasma noradrenaline, while the increase during concomitant H1-receptor blockade was delayed but achieved the level observed during the histamine infusion. The response to histamine during H2-receptor blockade was small and transient. The rise in plasma adrenaline was not significant. These findings suggest that histamine causes an immediate cutaneous vasodilatation through H1-receptors and a more sustained response through H2-receptors. The vasodilatation is accompanied by an increase in plasma catecholamine concentrations. Despite the continuous infusion of histamine, blood flow decreased during the last hour of histamine infusion, while the plasma noradrenaline concentration was still elevated.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Systemic lupus erythematosus: follow-up study of 148 patients. I: Classification, clinical and laboratory findings, course and outcome.

The present paper is a description of 148 patients with circulating antinuclear antibodies and multisystemic disease filed during 18 years by one of the authors and followed up to date in 1981-83. Seventy-eight per cent of the patients satisfied the 1971 ARA criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus and 92 per cent fulfilled the 1982 ARA criteria. Eighty-five per cent were women, the mean age at onset of SLE was 32 years. Malar rash and arthritis were early manifestations in 80 per cent of the patients whereas the onset of nephropathy, CNS manifestations, serositis, and peripheral cytopenia was delayed in about half of the patients. Nephropathy and thrombocytopenia were observed particularly in the youngest patients. The mean duration of the observation period was 8 years. The 10-year-survival was 80 per cent. Half of the deaths were presumably unrelated to SLE. The mean ages at entry of patients who died of SLE and of unrelated causes were 30 and 52 years respectively. Eighteen per cent of the deaths were caused by uremia and 18 per cent by infections. The total and the SLE related mortalities were evenly distributed throughout the observation period. The morbidity (incidence of new ARA criteria and other findings indicating active disease) decreased during the first year of observation but rarely subsided completely during the following years. All patients observed for more than 10 years showed evidence of active disease during the rest of the observation period and most showed evidence of renal disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Systemic lupus erythematosus. Follow-up study of 148 patients. II: Predictive factors of importance for course and outcome.

The predictive value of a number of clinical and laboratory variables for the mortality of 148 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with a mean observation period of 8 years and a 10-year-survival of 80 per cent was calculated by means of differentiated survival rate analyses and stepwise regression analyses. The predictive power of several variables increased if the calculations were based on deaths caused by SLE rather than on the total mortality rate. The survival rate decreased after 1973 because a diagnosis of SLE was made in some patients with terminal disease who would have remained without a diagnosis before that time. The causes of death and the treatment were identical before and after 1973. The presence of a high number of diagnostic ARA criteria within the first year of observation was a predictor of decreased survival. Severe but non-fatal infections (meningitis, septicemia, pneumonia) significantly reduced the survival rate. Patients with proteinuria and azotemia, within the first 2 years of observation, had a 10-year-survival of 70 per cent. The survival of patients with CNS manifestations was not significantly reduced. The butterfly rash and the presence of lymphopenia were predictors of decreased survival, whereas the presence of DNA antibodies had no predictive value for survival.

Adolescent↗