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Biomedical subjects

H Salo

Publications and source records attributed to H Salo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Development of permanent national register of blood component use utilizing electronic hospital information systems.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We wanted to establish a permanent national database system, which can be utilized to study transfusion recipients and blood use in Finland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A regularly updated register for permanent use was developed. To study the usability of the database, years 2002 and 2003 were further analysed. Database included all transfused patients in major blood-transfusing hospitals from four university and five central hospital districts managing altogether 63% of Finnish inpatient hospital episodes. RESULTS: Audit of gathered data reveal 96.8% match in adult blood components with Finnish Red Cross, Blood Service sales figures. Model data set includes 59,535 transfused patients (44.3% men and 55.7% women) having received 529,104 blood components. Half of all blood units were transfused in connection with surgical operations. Most of the blood recipients were elderly (51.6% are over 64 years of age). Blood-component use and transfusion-related costs varied widely between hospitals. CONCLUSION: Hospital data managing systems can be useful for creating a population-based database system to monitor and compare transfusion practices. This record provides information about transfusion epidemiology for transfusion professionals, hospital management, and hospital administration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

The cost of measles in industrialised countries.

The aim of this study is to estimate the costs of measles and measles control in 11 industrialised countries with varying levels of measles vaccine coverage. Country-specific annual incidence of measles, measles immunization policy, coverage and costs data were collected. The average societal costs of measles cases and immunisation programme per capita were calculated. These 11 countries spend together over US$ 151 million every year to treat and control measles. Per capita costs of measles control tend to be higher in countries with poorer measles control programmes (for instance, Italy has the highest incidence and highest overall costs), though many other factors, such as the number of antigens given per clinic visit and the local price of MMR also affect the efficiency of the programme. The costs estimates presented here can be used to estimate potential savings that might accrue from changes to measles control programmes.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed1998

Simultaneous detection of several oligonucleotides by time-resolved fluorometry: the use of a mixture of categorized microparticles in a sandwich type mixed-phase hybridization assay.

Porous, uniformly sized (50 micrometer) glycidyl methacrylate/ethylene dimethacrylate particles (SINTEF) were used as a solid phase to construct a sandwich type hybridization assay that allowed simultaneous detection of up to six oligonucleotides from a single sample. The assay was based on categorization of the particles by two organic prompt fluorophores, viz. fluorescein and dansyl, and quantification of the oligonucleotide hybridization by time-resolved fluorometry. Accordingly, allele-specific oligodeoxyribonucleotide probes were assembled on the particles by conventional phosphoramidite strategy using a non-cleavable linker, and the category defining fluorescein and/or dansyl tagged building blocks were inserted in the 3'-terminal sequence. An oligonucleotide bearing a photoluminescent europium(III) chelate was hybridized to the complementary 3'-terminal sequence of the target oligonucleotide, and the resulting duplex was further hybridized to the particle-bound allele-specific probes via the 5'-terminal sequence of the target. After hybridization each individual particle was subjected to three different fluorescence intensity measurements. The intensity of the prompt fluorescence signals of fluorescein and dansyl defined the particle category, while the europium(III) chelate emission quantified the hybridization. The length of the complementary region between the target oligonucleotide and the particle-bound probe was optimized to achieve maximal selectivity. Furthermore, the kinetics of hybridization and the effect of the concentration of the target oligomer on the efficiency of hybridization were evaluated. By this approach the possible presence of a three base deletion (DeltaF508), point mutation (G542X) and point deletion (1078delT) related to cystic fibrosis could unequivocally be detected from a single sample.

Fluorometry↗
PubMed1998

Neptune's partial rings: action of galatea on self-gravitating arc particles

Numerical simulations of Neptune's arcs show that self-gravity between macroscopic arc particles can prevent interparticle impacts and thereby stabilize their resonant confinement by Galatea, a satellite of Neptune. Stable subkilometer arc particles provide a source for replenishing the observed dust and explain the clumpy substructure seen in arcs. A few confining kilometer-sized particles between the major arc components can account for the observed arc widths spanning several resonance sites. The modeled distribution of dust is consistent with observations and helps to explain how embedded satellites may affect the structure and evolution of planetary ring systems.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

The centrally acting beta1,6N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (GlcNAc to gal). Functional expression, purification, and acceptor specificity of a human enzyme involved in midchain branching of linear poly-N-acetyllactosamines.

In the present experiments the cDNA coding for a truncated form of the beta1,6N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase responsible for the conversion of linear to branched polylactosamines in human PA1 cells was expressed in Sf9 insect cells. The catalytic ectodomain of the enzyme was fused to glutathione S-transferase, allowing effective one-step purification of the glycosylated 67-74-kDa fusion protein. Typically a yield of 750 microg of the purified protein/liter of suspension culture was obtained. The purified recombinant protein catalyzed the transfer of GlcNAc from UDP-GlcNAc to the linear tetrasaccharide Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc, converting the acceptor to the branched pentasaccharide Galbeta1-4GlcNAcbeta1-3(GlcNAcbeta1-6)Galbeta1-4 GlcNAc as shown by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, degradative experiments, and 1H NMR spectroscopy of the product. By contrast, the recombinant enzyme did not catalyze any reaction when incubated with UDP-GlcNAc and the trisaccharide GlcNAcbeta1-3Galbeta1-4GlcNAc. Accordingly, we call the recombinant beta1,6-GlcNAc transferase cIGnT6 to emphasize its action at central rather than peridistal galactose residues of linear polylactosamines in the biosynthesis of blood group I antigens. Taken together this in vitro expression of I-branching enzyme, in combination with the previously cloned enzymes, beta1,4galactosyltransferase and beta1, 3N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase, should allow the general synthesis of polylactosamines based totally on the use of recombinant enzymes.

Amino Sugars↗
PubMed1990

Strain gauge plethysmography in the assessment of venous reflux after subfascial closure of perforating veins: a prospective study of twenty patients.

Doppler ultrasonography and strain gauge plethysmography were used prospectively to study the hemodynamic changes in 20 patients' (5 men and 15 women) legs operated on by means of subfascial closure for insufficiency of perforating veins. In 10 patients (50%) the valves of the deep veins were incompetent as verified by Doppler ultrasonography, and deep vein thrombosis had previously been diagnosed in seven patients. After subfascial ligature, strain gauge plethysmography showed no changes in arterial flow, venous capacity, or in venous emptying rate. However, both venous reflux flow and reflux volume were significantly lowered (p less than 0.01) after surgery as compared to values before operation. The clinical objective results were good in all cases. In two of four patients with fair subjective results the arterial flow was pathologically high, which probably implies the presence of microscopic arteriovenous fistulas. It is concluded that strain gauge plethysmography can quantitate the change in deep venous reflux after ligation of perforating veins.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Cytogenetic effects of tobacco smoke exposure among involuntary smokers.

Tobacco smoke is highly genotoxic and produces chromosomal damage in several experimental systems. Active smokers have been shown to have an increased prevalence of somatic chromosome damage in their peripheral blood lymphocytes: this is seen in most cases as an increased sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency and often also as increased structural chromosome aberrations (CAs). Among passive smokers, in association with exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, no such induction of chromosomal damage has been documented. In the present paper we report negative results on induction of chromosomal damage in 2 separate groups of intensive involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke, non-smoking restaurant personnel and newborn children of smoking mothers. While significant exposure in these groups is clearly seen in biochemical intake markers, e.g. cotinine and thiocyanate values in plasma, the conventional cytogenetic parameters, structural chromosome aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges, are unable to detect the low exposures of involuntary smokers.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1989

Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in Finland. Site distribution and patient survival.

Long-term survival of patients with basal cell (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin and site distribution of the lesions were studied using ample nationwide cancer registry data. The material consisted of 23,975 patients with BCC and 2,927 patients with SCC diagnosed in Finland from 1967 to 1981. The proportion of patients with lesions in the head and neck region was 77.5% in men and 81.4% in women for BCC and, 75.7% in men and 75.8% in women for SCC. The 5- and 10-year relative survival rates (RSRs) of patients with BCC were very close to 100%. The 5-year RSR of patients with SCC diagnosed from 1974 to 1981 was 87.7% in men and 84.0% in women. In patients with SCC the worst prognosis was for lesions of the scalp and neck in men (80.2%) and for those of the ears in women (73.2%).

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Sulpiride and perphenazine in schizophrenia. A double-blind clinical trial.

Seventeen patients with acute schizophrenia and 30 with chronic schizophrenia were included in a randomized, double-blind parallel-group trial comparing sulpiride and perphenazine. Patients were evaluated using the 16-item Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) prior to the onset of treatment and 1 and 2 weeks, and 1, 2, 3, and 4 months thereafter. In patients with acute schizophrenia, total BPRS scores declined significantly at the end of the trial compared with pretreatment values in sulpiride-treated patients but not in schizophrenics treated with perphenazine. Differences in response between the groups did not reach statistical significance, however. For patients suffering from chronic schizophrenia, a statistically significant decline was observed in total BPRS scores at 4 months compared with pretreatment scores in both sulpiride and perphenazine groups. There was no significant difference in the treatment response between the groups. Sulpiride appeared to be somewhat more effective than perphenazine for treatment of acute schizophrenia. Efficacy of both compounds was less marked in chronic forms of schizophrenia.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1988

Primary hereditary systemic amyloidosis (Meretoja's syndrome): clinical features and treatment by plastic surgery.

The characteristic, bloodhound-like appearance, which degenerates gradually, of patients with primary hereditary systemic amyloidosis, also called Meretoja's syndrome (MS), is attributable to amyloid degeneration of the craniofacial skin and peripheral facial nerves, but apparently also to amyloid deposits in the muscles; a finding not previously described. A material of five patients treated with plastic surgery is presented, and the peculiarities and differences of this rare disease in comparison with other peripheral neuropathies is discussed from a reconstructive viewpoint.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Comparisons of verapamil administration twice and three times daily in hypertension.

The antihypertensive effect of verapamil administered either two or three times daily was compared in a double blind, cross over study in 15 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. During the dose titration period with t.i.d. administration, normotension was obtained with daily doses of 240 mg in 7 patients, 360 mg in 7 patients and with 480 mg in one patient. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BP) in the supine (13/14 mmHg) and standing (14/14 mmHg) positions were significantly (p less than 0.001) reduced during the dose titration period. There was no statistically significant difference in the BP values between the twice and three times a day regimens. Five to 7-fold individual variations in the serum verapamil concentrations between individuals were observed. No significant correlations were found between serum drug concentrations and the change in mean arterial BP. There was no significant difference in the incidence of side effects between the two treatment regimens. Our results suggest that verapamil administered twice daily is effective in mild to moderate hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Comparison of sustained release verapamil and hydrochlorothiazide in hypertension--effect on blood pressure and metabolic variables.

The effect of once daily sustained release verapamil (200-400 mg/day) and low dose hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg/day) on blood pressure and metabolic parameters was compared in a cross-over study. The treatment periods lasted 6 months. The antihypertensive efficacy of verapamil was comparable to that of low dose hydrochlorothiazide. Plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol or triglycerides did not change significantly from the values at the end of the drug free run-in period either on verapamil or on hydrochlorothiazide. Statistically, serum insulin decreased significantly with verapamil (13.4 +/- 4.3 U/ml, m +/- SD) when compared with both the wash-out (16.2 +/- 5.7 U/ml) and hydrochlorothiazide (17.1 +/- 6.5 ml) periods. There were no significant differences in fasting blood glucose between the treatment periods. Serum uric acid concentration increased significantly (from 266 +/- 64 mumol/l) after the wash-out period (to 307 +/- 92 mumol/l) after hydrochlorothiazide, but did not change on verapamil (270 +/- 75 mumol/l). Serum potassium decreased significantly from 3.96 +/- 0.39 mmol/l after the wash-out period to 3.67 +/- 0.37 mmol/l on hydrochlorothiazide, but did not change on verapamil (3.94 +/- 0.28 mmol/l).

Adult↗
PubMed1986

An alternative method for calculating changes in arterial calf blood flow at rest. An initial study.

In 20 patients we studied the changes in calf arterial blood flow (AF) following spinal and epidural blocks, using venous occlusion strain gauge plethysmography (SGP). AF was calculated both in the conventional way by drawing a tangent to the initial upslope of the curve, and by a new method which measures the time to the point when 50% of venous capacity is reached (tVC50). The statistical differences within and between the spinal and epidural groups for AF and tVC50 were determined. In measuring the post-block changes in AF as compared with the control values, a statistically significant correlation (rs = -0.85, p less than 0.01) was observed between the two methods. We conclude that the new variable, tVC50, seems to be potentially useful in calculating changes in arterial blood flow at rest, and could be used, for example, in connection with surgical and pharmacological interventions, especially when the initial upslope of the SGP curve is equivocal.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Antihypertensive and biochemical effects of different doses of hydrochlorothiazide alone or in combination with triamterene.

The antihypertensive and biochemical effects of 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide alone or 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide alone or in combination with triamterene (either 37.5 or 75 mg) once daily were studied in 26 patients with essential hypertension. After a 5-week run-in period the patients were randomized to receive active therapy in a cross-over manner. Each treatment period lasted 3 months. All drugs significantly (p less than 0.01) lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. There were no differences in blood pressure between the medication periods. Serum potassium concentration was slightly lower during all medication periods than during the run-in period. This change was statistically significant (p less than 0.01) only on 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide daily. There were no significant changes in serum magnesium during any of the periods compared to the run-in period. The lowest values were recorded on 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide alone and the highest on 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide plus 75 mg triamterene daily. A slight increase in serum urate was recorded in all medication periods compared to the run-in period. No significant changes were observed in serum total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol or triglycerides between any of the periods. It can be concluded that 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide is as effective in lowering blood pressure as higher doses of the diuretic. Higher doses of thiazides will in some patients cause adverse metabolic reactions of which the fall in serum potassium and magnesium is effectively hindered by triamterene.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The repeated open application test (ROAT).

Repeated open application tests (ROATs) were performed with common ingredients of vehicles in 86 patients with contact dermatitis. The substances were applied twice daily for 7 days to the flexor aspect of the forearm near the cubital fossa, unless dermatitis appeared earlier. Of the patients with a questionable (?+) patch test result, 44% were positive in ROATs. The corresponding figure was 80% in the patients with a positive (+ or ++) response in the patch test, when the results of ROAT with propylene glycol were excluded. Only 5 of 14 patients reacting to 30% or to 10% propylene glycol but not to 1% in water in patch testing, showed a positive result to a cream containing 5% propylene glycol in ROAT. All 5 patients with a positive patch test reaction to 1% propylene glycol reacted to 5% propylene glycol in ROAT. The results suggest that ROATs should be performed more often, especially in patients in whom little known or new allergens are suspected as being the cause of allergic contact dermatitis.

Alcohols↗