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Biomedical subjects

B Lindell

Publications and source records attributed to B Lindell.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

The evasive plausibility.

A frequent practical problem is to assess the probability of a potential single event (X). The event probability P(X) is usually conditional to some assumption (A) and is then written P(X / A). Whether the assumption is valid or not is an unknown fact, but its validity may be assigned a weight psi(A) indicating the observer's belief in its validity. The weighted quantity would be the unconditional probability of X if the weighting factor were a true probability. However, it is not a stochastic quantity even though in Bayesian statistics it would be treated as a probability. It follows that the weighted quantity, i.e. psi (A) x P(X / A), is not an unconditional probability in the usual sense. It is suggested that it be given a special name, for example 'plausibility'.

Models, Statistical↗
PubMed2001

Logic and ethics in radiation protection.

The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) continues to accept the assumption of a linear non-threshold dose-response relationship (LNT) as the most likely one. In that case, basic logic as well as widely accepted ethics require that the full collective dose be used for detriment assessments and in procedures for optimisation of radiation protection. This means that even the smallest doses must be taken into account in the assessment of the global collective dose if they contribute significantly together. However, in calculating collective doses over time, some reasonable restriction of the integration period has to be employed, mainly because of the uncertainties involved in the assessment of future detriment. There are also uncertainties in the LNT assumption, but the precautionary principle would not permit that this is taken as an excuse for neglecting small doses.

Cadaver↗
PubMed2001

In radiological protection, the protection quantities should be expressed in terms of measurable physical quantities.

It is somewhat of a truism that is expressed in the often quoted statement that you can't go home again. In the days when life was simpler, we could assume that a measurement performed with a portable survey instrument yielding a value for exposure rate in terms of roentgens/hour was a sufficient approximation to the value for the dose equivalent rate or absorbed dose rate at a point in a radiation field. As our understanding of radiological protection grew more sophisticated, we found it necessary to introduce additional rigor into the definitions of the radiation protection quantities. As mentioned earlier, we demand a lot from the definitions of these quantities. They need to satisfy many conditions, perhaps too many. When they are examined from the point of view of a metrologist, they may be considered to be deficient in many respects. When they are viewed by a radiobiologist, they may appear to be naïve or overly simplistic. A radiation protection technologist at a nuclear power plant may have difficulty understanding their sometimes-subtle implications. The ICRU and ICRP have worked for quite some time to incorporate all the necessary requirements into the definitions of the operational and protection quantities. From the arguments of our debaters, one might conclude that after careful consideration of past developments, additional refinements will be devised in the future.

Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation↗
PubMed2000

Compressive orthotics in the treatment of asymmetric pectus carinatum: a preliminary report with an objective radiographic marker.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Pectus carinatum (PC) traditionally has been managed with surgical reconstruction. Compressive orthosis also has resulted in subjective improvement in this defect. The goal of the authors was to develop an alternative brace and an objective radiographic marker to monitor the effects of chest wall compression on sternal protrusion. METHODS: Baseline chest computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained for 5 teenage boys with chondrogladiolar type of PC. The angle at the point of greatest sternal rotation was measured as the baseline deformity. Compressive orthosis was initiated using a custom-fitted brace. Follow-up chest CT scans were obtained to document change in sternal rotation. RESULTS: One patient was lost to follow-up after 6 months with subjective improvement. Another opted for surgical correction after 3 months, having shown a 16% decrease in sternal rotation preoperatively. Two patients showed subjective improvement corroborated by 33% and 44% decreases in sternal rotation. The fifth patient, who discontinued bracing after 1 month, showed a 25% increase 6 months later. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results indicate a potential role for compressive orthosis in the management of pectus carinatum. The objective radiographic marker described may be used to monitor the effects of growth or treatment with compressive orthosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Phantom limb pain and etiology of amputation in unilateral lower extremity amputees.

The relationships between phantom limb pain and both the etiology of amputation (blood clots, nonclot diabetes, and miscellaneous) and the occurrence of gangrene and/or infection were investigated in 92 unilateral lower extremity (LE) amputees who were seen sequentially. There were 55 above-knee (AK) and 37 below-knee (BK) amputations in 61 men and 31 women. The mean age was 51.4 years. The blood-clot etiology had the highest levels of phantom pain both pre- and postrehabilitation, the longest time interval between amputation and prosthetic fitting, and the greatest number of medical conditions. The nonclot diabetes and miscellaneous etiologies followed in order. A history of gangrene and/or infection was associated with higher levels of pain and longer time interval between amputation and prosthetic fitting.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Skeletal distraction of the hypoplastic mandible.

Six patients underwent percutaneous pin placement, 17 intraoral corticotomies, and application of an Orthofix lengthening device to facilitate complex multiplanar distraction as mandated by the patient's specific deformity. The patients underwent gradual bony and soft-tissue distraction at the rate of .25 mm four times a day. Average distraction was 18.3 +/- 5.5 mm (mean +/- SD). After distraction, a 2-day period of stabilization for each 1 mm of lengthening was used (36.4 +/- 10.7 days) (M +/- SD). All the patients had marked improvement in their occlusion postoperatively and significant amelioration of their preoperative respiratory and feeding difficulties. The patients all exhibited dramatic aesthetic improvement. Intraoral corticotomies performed in conjunction with gradual skeletal distraction appears to offer significant advantages over classical treatment for micrognathia in a very specific group of patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Activity-induced pain in rheumatoid arthritis functional class II and its relations with demographic, medical, functional, psychosocial, and work variables. Result of a survey in Bollnäs Medical District, Sweden, II.

One aim of this study was to describe inflammatory activity, joint destruction, work status, and demographic factors in a group of 69 American Rheumatism Association functional class-II rheumatoid arthritis patients: 56 women and 13 men, mean age 54 years (SD 11), mean symptom duration 14 years (SD 11). Another aim was to determine correlations between activity-induced pain and other variables. Patients were assessed with Ritchie's articular index, Larsen's radiologic index, and laboratory tests. Deformity in hands and knee joints, and grip strength, were determined. Results from earlier investigations of functional impairment and psychosocial capacity were also used. Of the patients, 4% had high inflammatory activity. Joint erosions were found in between 4% (knee joints) and 55% (wrists) of the joints examined. Of the patients aged less than 65, 43% were working. Activity-induced pain was related with work status (p = 0.0002). It also correlated significantly (p less than or equal to 0.01) with inflammatory activity (r(s) = 0.34), but not with joint destruction (r(s) = 0.21).

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1991

Intensive dynamic training in water for rheumatoid arthritis functional class II--a long-term study of effects.

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of once-weekly, intensive dynamic training in water of patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Thirty patients with RA, functional class II, in a training group (TG) and 30 in a comparison group (CG) were assessed with respect to clinical, radiological and functional disease manifestations and psychosocial consequences before and after a four-year training period. After the training period the TG patients had significantly better grip strength and higher activity level, the latter maintained at two-year follow-up. There were significantly more CG patient admittances for acute hospital care during the training period. No other differences between the groups were found. Dynamic training at an intensive tempo does not seem, even in a long perspective, to lead to any undesirable consequences.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

Functional and psychosocial consequences of disease and experience of pain and exertion in a group of rheumatic patients considered for active training. Result of a survey in Bollnäs Medical District. I.

The purpose of this study was to select and describe a group of RA patients within a defined area who had, on clinical grounds, been considered for active training. The material consisted of 69 patients with classical or definite RA. It comprised half of the RA patients known to the clinic. The patients were assessed by means of a questionnaire, functional tests with rating of activity-induced pain, a cycling-test with rating of perceived exertion, and an interview by a psychologist. Subjective disease consequences were pain and stiffness. 38% of the patients never or seldom exercised. 72% wished to increase their activity but were prevented by pain. The functional tests indicated slow performance and considerable pain in activities of daily life. The interview disclosed above all, a low degree of self-confidence. Generalized pain and functional impairment correlated slightly with psychosocial factors. The results of the study indicate the need for active training as one strategy to alleviate pain and to maintain functional capacity in RA patients.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1988

Radiation protection--a look to the future: ICRP perceptions.

The author was invited to talk about ICRP perceptions of a look to the future. Many questions will be addressed when the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) initiates a revision of its basic recommendations from 1977, which were published in ICRP Publication 26. This process will take several years, and in the meantime the author does not expect any major changes in the present policy of the commission. It is still too early to predict the commission's future policy but, to some extent, present trends might be extrapolated, as indicated in this discussion.

Humans↗
PubMed1987

[Radiation and health].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Abnormalities, Radiation-Induced↗
PubMed1987

Radiation and health.

Radiation has been a source of fascination and concern ever since Wilhelm Konrad Röntgen discovered X-rays on 8 November 1895. Over the years, health workers as well as the public have been concerned about medical uses of X-rays, the presence of radon in buildings, radioactive waste from nuclear power stations, fallout from nuclear test explosions, radioactive consumer products, microwave ovens, and many other sources of radiation. Most recently, the tragic accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in the USSR, and the subsequent contamination over most of Europe, has again wakened interest and concern and also reminded us about a number of misconceptions about radiation. This article describes the essentials about radiation (especially ionizing radiation) and its health effects.

Humans↗
PubMed1986

The influence of degradable starch microspheres on liver uptake of 5-fluorouracil after hepatic artery injection in the rat.

The effect of degradable starch microspheres (DSM) on the distribution of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) after hepatic artery injection was studied in normal rats. Carbon-14-labelled 5-FU was injected separately or together with DSM into the hepatic artery. Radioactivity was measured in liver tissue, bile, peripheral blood, and urine. When microspheres were added, the liver uptake of 5-FU was increased; its peak concentration in peripheral blood decreased, as did the early urinary excretion of radioactivity. The addition of degradable starch microspheres to hepatic artery injections of cytostatic drugs might be of value in increasing the drug concentration in tumour tissue and reducing systemic toxicity.

Animals↗