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Biomedical subjects

D Hansen

Publications and source records attributed to D Hansen.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Thyroid function, morphology and autoimmunity in young patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: An association between insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and autoimmune thyroid disease is well recognized. We have studied the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction, autoimmunity and morphological abnormalities by ultrasonography in young diabetics. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Among young IDDM patients less than 18 years old and living in the county of Funen, Denmark, 105 of 116 eligible patients participated. They were compared with 105 healthy children matched for sex and age. Routine thyroid function parameters (thyroxine (T4), tri-iodothyronine (T3), T3 resin uptake and TSH) and thyroid autoantibodies (anti-thyroid peroxidase, TPOab, and thyroglobulin antibodies, Tgab) were measured. Thyroid size and morphology were determined by ultrasonography. RESULTS: Two of the diabetics had previously diagnosed hypothyroidism and three new cases of subclinical hypothyroidism were found. There were no significant differences in thyroid function variables or thyroid volume between diabetics and controls. Thyroid volume correlated significantly with age and weight in both groups. Among diabetics, 17 had thyroid autoantibodies (13 with TPOab, 14 with Tgab and 10 with both) compared with 2 children in the control group (P<0.001). Forty-four with IDDM as opposed to 11 of the controls (P<0.001) had morphological abnormalities at ultrasonography. Most of them had various degrees of hypoechogenicity thought to be a marker of thyroid autoimmunity. Among the 17 diabetics with autoantibodies, 10 had morphological abnormalities at ultrasonography. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of young IDDM patients without any clinical signs of thyroid disease have markers of thyroid autoimmunity. Many have thyroid autoantibodies, but even more have abnormalities by thyroid ultrasonography.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Molecular evolution of a sex determination protein. FEM-2 (pp2c) in Caenorhabditis.

Somatic sex determination in Caenorhabditis elegans involves a signal transduction pathway linking a membrane receptor to a transcription factor. The fem-2 gene is central to this pathway, producing a protein phosphatase (FEM-2) of the type 2C (PP2C). FEM-2 contains a long amino terminus that is absent in canonical PP2C enzymes. The function of this domain is difficult to predict, since it shows no sequence similarity to any other known proteins or motifs. Here we report the cloning of the fem-2 homologue from Caenorhabditis briggsae (Cb-fem-2). The sequence identity is much higher than that observed for other C. briggsae homologues of C. elegans sex determination proteins. However, this level is not uniform across the entire lengths of the proteins; it is much lower in the amino termini. Thus, the two domains of the same protein are evolving at different rates, suggesting that they have different functional constraints. Consistent with this, Cb-FEM-2 is able to replace some, but not all, of the Ce-FEM-2 in vivo function. We show that removal of the amino terminus from Ce-FEM-2 has no effect on its in vitro phosphatase activity, or its ability to replace the in vivo function of a yeast PP2C enzyme, but that it is necessary for proper FEM-2 function in worms. This demonstrates that the amino terminus is not an extended catalytic domain or a direct negative regulator of phosphatase activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Capital budgeting techniques.

The cost of new medical imaging equipment for a radiology practice is a major capital purchase. Due to rapid advances in technology and imaging techniques, the management decision to purchase new capital equipment can present itself every few years. The present report explains various financial management techniques that are generally used by corporations worldwide to determine their cost of capital. The cost of capital is the return on a capital investment project required by the providers of the capital. The published financial accounts of Sonic Healthcare Limited, Australia's largest pathology company, are reproduced as a numerical example of how the financial accounts of a business may be used to determine its cost of capital. The cost of capital forms an integral part of management's financial decision-making process.

Accounting↗
PubMed1998

Are causes of death predictable?

A random sample of death records of adult males from 1967 to 1970 was chosen from the South Australian Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. The natural parents of these individuals were identified by cross-reference to birth certificates, and an extensive search was made of the death records for these parents. In this manner random families were selected for which, where possible, the cause of death and length of life of each family member were determined. From the information pertaining to the stated cause of death, each individual was assigned to one of five death categories.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Suxamethonium-induced cardiac arrest and death following 5 days of immobilization.

The present report describes a case of cardiac arrest and subsequent death as a result of hyperkalaemia following the use of suxamethonium in a 23-year-old Malawian woman. Five days after the onset of the symptoms of meningitis, the patient aspirated stomach contents and needed endotracheal intubation. Forty seconds after injection of suxamethonium, bradycardia and cardiac arrest occurred. Attempts to resuscitate the patient were not successful. The serum level of potassium was observed to be 8.4 mequiv L-1. Apart from the reduction in the patient's level of consciousness, there were no signs of motor neurone damage or of any of the other known predisposing conditions for hyperkalaemia following the administration of suxamethonium. It is postulated that her death was caused by hypersensitivity to suxamethonium, associated with her 5-day immobilization.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Making HMOs credible.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Health Maintenance Organizations↗
PubMed1997

[Intrauterine growth retardation and premature delivery. The effect of smoking and psychosocial factors].

The purpose of the study is to investigate the influence of psychosocial stress, maternal schooling, social support, psychological well-being, alcohol and smoking on intrauterine growth retardation and premature delivery. At a Copenhagen university hospital 2432 consecutive Danish-speaking women in 20th week of pregnancy completed a questionnaire including the General Health Questionnaire and Severity of Psychosocial Stressor Scale and questions about social network, education, smoking and drinking habits. In 212 cases (8.7%) the women delivered before day 259 of gestation. In a multiple logistic regression model, pre-term delivery proved to be associated with psychosocial stress and poor school education. In 152 cases (6.3%) infants had a birth weight below the defined 10th percentile. In a multiple logistic regression model, IUGR was associated with smoking. In preventive programmes, such as anti-smoking campaigns, it should be kept in mind that women who smoke are also the least educated and have the poorest support from a social network.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Deep halothane anaesthesia compared with halothane-suxamethonium anaesthesia for tracheal intubation in young children.

A double-blind and randomized study design was used to investigate 100 healthy children, aged 1-5 years. Intubating conditions and cardiovascular changes during deep halothane anaesthesia, defined as an end-tidal concentration of 2%, were compared with those changes during 1% halothane and suxamethonium relaxation. Intubating conditions were graded according to the ease of laryngoscopy, vocal cord position, coughing and jaw relaxation. In each group 96% of the children demonstrated acceptable intubating conditions. Jaw relaxation was worse in the 1% halothane/-suxamethonium group (P < 0.01). When anaesthesia with 2% or 1% halothane was compared there was a more pronounced decrease in systolic blood pressure (18 vs. 8%, P < 0.001). Junctional rhythm occurred more frequently during deep halothane anaesthesia (46 vs. 18%, P < 0.01). Intravenously (i.v.) administered atropine attenuated blood pressure depression significantly and reinstituted sinus rhythm in most cases.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗
PubMed1997

Halothane-propofol anaesthesia for tracheal intubation in young children.

In this double-blind, randomized study, we have investigated 100 healthy children, aged 3-6 yr. We compared intubating conditions and cardiovascular changes during light halothane anaesthesia and propofol 3 mg kg-1 with those during deep halothane anaesthesia. Light halothane anaesthesia was defined as an end-tidal concentration of 1%, deep halothane anaesthesia as 2%. Intubating conditions were graded according to ease of laryngoscopy, vocal cord position and coughing. There were no statistically significant differences in the assessment of intubating conditions between the two groups; 94% of the children in the 1% halothane-propofol group and 100% of the children in the 2% halothane group had acceptable intubating conditions. Systolic arterial pressure decreased by 13% in the 1% halothane-propofol group compared with 20% in the 2% halothane group (P < 0.01).

Anesthetics, Combined↗
PubMed1997

Pyospermia and preterm, prelabor, rupture of membranes.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the possible association between presence of clinically unrecognized, specific genito-urinary tract microorganisms in men and preterm, prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) in their spouses. STUDY DESIGN: Case control study. Eleven couples with PPROM were enrolled in the case group and 18 couples with normal pregnancies in the control group. For each man, samples of urine and semen were collected and a urethra swab was obtained. Microbiological assessment included, for each woman, cultures from vagina/cervix, urine and placenta. A smear from the vagina was obtained. RESULTS: In the case group, pyospermia was found in three men. Two of these men, as well as their spouses, were Chlamydia trachomatis positive, and in the third man no microorganisms could be detected. None of the controls had pyospermia (p = 0.045). Among the eight cases without pyospermia one man and one women with Chlamydia trachomatis was found, but their spouses were negative. In the control group, no Chlamydia trachomatis was detected (p = 0.014). Among the women two cases and one control had positive culture of Group B streptococci (NS). CONCLUSION: We suggest that the genital microflora of the man is associated with PPROM.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[PCDD/F-content in house dust].

The levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) were determined in house dust samples collected from 22 residential houses located in different areas of Germany. Nine houses were located in an urban and industrial area, one house in a rural and 10 houses in a contaminated residential area near to a former metal reclamation plant. Two house dust samples were collected from two old farm houses, in which large amounts of pentachlorophenol (PCP) containing wood preservatives had been used several years ago. All dust samples were collected from the dust bags of vacuum cleaners and passed through a sieve (mesh: 2.0 mm). Particles < 2.0 mm were used for analysis. The average level of PCDD/F in "normal" house dust was 101 ng I-TEq/kg (range: 7.83-332 ng I-TEq/kg). The predominant congeners and chlorohomologues were OctaCDD followed by HeptaCDD, HeptaCDF and OctaCDF. The average level of PCDD/F in house dust samples collected from a contaminated residential area was 265 ng I-TEq/kg (range: 29.9-1050 ng I-TEq/kg). When compared with "normal" residential houses significantly increased levels of lower chlorinated PCDD/F were noted in the house dust samples from this area. The house dust samples collected from a PCP-treated old farm house were found to contain 1.39 and 11.8 micrograms I-TEq/kg. The chlorohomologues patterns were typical for PCP contaminated with PCDD/F. The present study shows that the levels of PCDD/F in house dust may be used as indicators of indoor contamination by PCDD/F and as reference values for further investigations.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1996

[Human spongiform encephalopathies. Diseases caused by prions].

Spongiform encephalopathies or prion diseases are common denominators for a group of diseases, all fatal, which show characteristic neuropathological changes. In man the group includes four diseases: kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob's disease (CJD), Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker's disease (GSS) and fatal familial insomnia (FFI). In animals it comprises the following six: scrapie (sheep and goats), transmissible mink encephalopathy (mink), chronic wasting disease (mule/elk), exotic ungulate encephalopathy (antelopes) and feline and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (cats and cattle). The diseases can be transmitted to other animal species, including mice, hamsters, rats, monkeys and chimpanzees. The diseases show common histopathological changes in both animals and man, which are restricted to the CNS, in none of them are there signs of an inflammatory process or fever, and the cellcount in the CSF is normal. Disease symptoms are characterized by loss of higher levels of brain functions resulting in dementia and ataxia as the most pronounced symptoms. All prion diseases are associated with accumulation of an abnormal, partially proteinase-resistant isoform of a host-coded protein, the prion-protein (PrP), which is a cell surface sialoglycoprotein of unknown significance. PrP is highly conserved among mammals and is expressed in most tissues. Diseases caused by prions are exceptional as they can occur sporadically and are transmissible both genetically and infectiously. This review attempts to elucidate the present knowledge of the natural history of these diseases in man.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Drug induced fatal anaphylactic shock in Denmark 1968-1990].

Based on notifications to the Danish Committee on Adverse Drug Reactions and to the Central Death Register, 30 cases of fatal drug-induced anaphylactic shock were identified during the period 1968-1990. The most frequent causes were contrast media for X-ray examinations, antibiotics, and extracts of allergens. Nine cases occurred outside hospital; they were mainly caused by the use of allergen extracts of moulds for desensitization in general practice. Fatal drug-induced anaphylactic shock is rare, estimated in the present study at 0.3 cases per million inhabitants per year.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Nutritional and fluid supplementation for neonates. Types and use of supplementation in maternity wards].

The objective of the study was to evaluate the practice of giving supplementary feeding to newborns on maternity wards according to type of supplement, use and choice of supplement in different clinical settings, recommended frequency of breast-feeding, recommended types of infant formula and finally the influence of paediatric department and geographic site on the use of different types and use of supplements at the wards. Sixty maternity wards (95%) in Denmark filled in and returned the questionnaire. The maternity wards offered six different kinds of supplements and 36% of the maternity wards offered human milk. The study gave the impression of a large consumption of supplements on the maternity wards. Most of the maternity wards (83%) would recommend hydrolysed infant formula for infants with a family history of allergy, and almost the same number (88%) would recommend traditional infant formula for infants without a family history of allergy. Mothers' request for hydrolysed infant formula for infants without a family history of allergy was refused in 20% of the maternity wards. There were no differences between the recommended frequencies of breast-feeding. Maternity wards in hospitals with paediatric departments would significantly more frequently offer the infants supplements than maternity wards in hospitals without paediatric departments. The same maternity wards would significantly more often use water and human milk and more rarely water with glucose than maternity wards in hospitals without paediatric departments. In the western part of Denmark the maternity wards significantly more often used traditional infant formula and water with glucose than in the eastern part of Denmark. In conclusion, the investigation showed a considerable variation in the different types of supplements used in the maternity wards. The variation was influenced by the presence of a paediatric department in the hospital as well as by the geographic site. To ensure a higher and more uniform quality in this area it would be desirable if The National Board of Health in collaboration with the Allergy committee in the Danish Society of Paediatricians would publish recommendations to all who work professionally with mothers and infants.

Denmark↗
PubMed1996

[The significance of psychosocial stress for pregnancy course and fetal development].

In a population-based study, 3021 women in a central Copenhagen district received a questionnaire on environmental and psychological factors during mid-gestation. Of these, 70 women were selected consecutively on the basis of moderate to severe stressful life-events (DSM-III-R categories 3 to 5), in combination with an inadequate social network. They were compared with 50 non-stressed women with an intact social network. Stress and smoking significantly affected birthweight and head circumference. When birthweight was corrected, stress remained a significant determinant of small head circumference, indicating a specific effect on brain development. Stress also led to a suboptimal Prechtl neonatal neurological score. These findings suggest the existence of a fetal stress syndrome with adverse effects on fetal development, including deficient brain development.

Birth Weight↗