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Biomedical subjects

J Grönroos

Publications and source records attributed to J Grönroos.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Value of blood tests including serum group IIA phospholipase A2 and bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein in Crohn's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Determination of the activity of Crohn's disease at a defined time-point is a challenging task since only endoscopy guidelines are given and secondary clinical findings, subjective symptoms and non-specific laboratory tests have therefore to be relied on. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the ability of blood tests to differentiate patient groups with different clinical disease activity and different clinical outcomes during follow-up in Crohn's disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During a visit to hospital, 73 outpatients with Crohn's disease were examined, a clinical score was calculated and blood samples were collected for 22 laboratory tests. The patients were also grouped according to clinical outcome during a 6-year follow-up. RESULTS: Serum group IIA phospholipase A2 and alpha-1-antitrypsin values were outside the reference interval more frequently (62% and 42%, respectively) than the other tests in active Crohn's disease. Only weak correlations were found between the clinical score and the test values, and the best correlation was found with serum lysozyme (r = 0.40). In a logistic regression model, the best prediction of disease activity at entry to the study was reached with a model including serum orosomucoid and serum lysozyme and the best prediction of clinical outcome during follow-up was reached using a model including serum albumin. CONCLUSIONS: Serum group IIA phospholipase A2 appeared to be the most sensitive marker of inflammation in Crohn's disease among the 22 blood tests compared. No reliable predictions of disease activity at the time of blood sampling or clinical outcome later during follow-up could be made from the blood tests studied.

Adolescent↗

Needle-knife assisted ERCP.

BACKGROUND: During endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), incising through the wall of the major papilla with an electrocautery needle-knife is a method for achieving access into the bile duct. This procedure, often referred to as a "precut," may be used when cannulation attempts via the orifice of the papilla are unsuccessful. Potential complications include hemorrhage, duodenal perforation, and acute pancreatitis. METHODS: The 172 patients who underwent an attempt of a needle-knife assisted ERCP during the years 1997-2003 at our institution were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: A selective bile duct cannulation was achieved after needle-knife incision in 148 out of 172 patients (86%) at the primary session. In 10 additional patients (6%), a repeated procedure proved successful for cannulation. In the remaining 14 patients (8%), the biliary cannulation failed and was not attempted again. Complications after needle-knife assisted ERCP occurred as follows: three patients (2%) presented with late bleeding after the ERCP and three patients (2%) developed acute pancreatitis. None of the patients required operative treatment for complications. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION: The use of the needle-knife markedly improves the success rate of selective biliary cannulation in ERCP without increasing the rate of complications.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗

Surgically treated adenocarcinomas of the right side of the colon during a ten year period: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Colon cancer is one of the most common malignancies in Finland. The purpose of the current study was to analyse the results of surgical treatment of right-sided colon cancers operated in the 1980s at Turku University Central Hospital. In addition, we compared the results to those reported from earlier decades. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty-three patients with primary proximal colon cancer were operated in 1981-1990. The results were analysed retrospectively from patient records. RESULTS: The crude five-year survival rate of the patients was 48%. The most crucial factor affecting survival was the stage of spreading of the tumour. Obstructive tumours had a poorer prognosis than non-obstructive ones. CONCLUSIONS: The results of surgical treatment of proximal colon cancer were satisfactory at Turku University Central Hospital and slightly better compared to earlier reports.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Surgically treated adenocarcinomas of the right side of the colon during a ten year period: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Colon cancer is one of the most common malignancies in Finland. The purpose of the current study was to analyse the results of surgical treatment of right-sided colon cancers operated in the 1980s at Turku University Central Hospital. In addition, we compared the results to those reported from earlier decades. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty-three patients with primary proximal colon cancer were operated in 1981-1990. The results were analysed retrospectively from patient records. RESULTS: The crude five-year survival rate of the patients was 48%. The most crucial factor affecting survival was the stage of spreading of the tumour. Obstructive tumours had a poorer prognosis than non-obstructive ones. CONCLUSIONS: The results of surgical treatment of proximal colon cancer were satisfactory at Turku University Central Hospital and slightly better compared to earlier reports.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Immune response after laparoscopic and conventional Nissen fundoplication.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the changes in the immune responses of patients undergoing laparoscopic or conventional Nissen fundoplication. DESIGN: Prospective randomised clinical study. SETTING: University hospital, Finland. SUBJECTS: 20 patients undergoing Nissen fundoplication for symptomatic erosive oesophagitis. INTERVENTION: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (n = 10) or conventional open Nissen fundoplication (n = 10). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Leucocyte and differential counts; percentages of lymphocyte subpopulations (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16 and CD20 positive lymphocytes); and monocytes (CD 14); phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A and pokeweed mitogen-induced and unstimulated proliferation of separated lymphocytes; plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, and cortisol concentrations; and group II phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity. RESULTS: Laparoscopic fundoplication was associated with less tissue damage (IL-6, and CRP concentrations) than the conventional open operation. However, although there were pronounced changes in immune responses over time, there were no differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic fundoplication seemed to cause less tissue damage than the conventional open operation, but this difference was not reflected in patients' immune responses.

Esophagitis↗

Hyperamylasemia after cardiopulmonary bypass: pancreatic cellular injury or impaired renal excretion of amylase?

BACKGROUND: Postoperative hyperamylasemia and even acute pancreatitis are associated with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The mechanism of hyperamylasemia and pancreatic acinar cell damage was studied in 20 patients undergoing CABG. METHODS: Serial blood and urine samples at eight time points before, during, and 24 hours after the CABG were collected. Salivary and pancreatic isoamylases, the fractional clearance of isoamylases (i.e., relative to creatinine clearance), pancreatic phospholipase A2 (a specific serum marker of pancreatic acinar cell injury), and cystatin C (a sensitive marker of glomerular filtration rate) were measured. RESULTS: Mild serum hyperamylasemia (300 to 1000 units/L) was found in 11 of 20 (55%) and severe (> 1000 units/L) in 6 of 20 (30%) patients with no signs of clinical acute pancreatitis. Hyperamylasemia occurred from 6 to 24 hours after the CABG and was mainly caused by pancreatic isoamylase. Serum pancreatic phospholipase A2 concentration remained unchanged, which excludes acinar cell damage. Although renal glomerular filtration was normal during CABG as measured by serum cystatin C and creatinine clearance, the fractional clearance of isoamylases decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The decreased rate of excretion into urine, rather than pancreatic cellular damage, is the major source of hyperamylasemia after CABG.

Amylases↗

Diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.

There is no golden standard for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis (AP). The diagnosis is currently based on clinical presentation, measurement of released pancreatic enzymes and imaging studies. Serum/urinary amylase, lipase and trypsinogen-2 dipstick are the most applicable methods in the clinical practice largely because of their simple, rapid, inexpensive and readily available assay methods. In addition to the clinical picture, inflammatory markers (CRP) or contrast enhanced CT can be used to assess the severity of acute pancreatitis. Multifactorial scoring systems (Ranson's prognostic signs, APACHE II, MOF-score) may be too cumbersome for clinical practice. Patient history, determination of AST, bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels as well as imaging studies such as ultrasonography and ERCP can be used to distinguish between biliary and non-biliary origin of the disease.

Acute Disease↗

Group II phospholipase A2 in serum after knee surgery and intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fracture.

This prospective study investigates the effect of injury and surgery of cartilage and bone on serum group II phospholipase A2 (PLA2-II) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Serum concentrations of PLA2-II and CRP were measured before and after the operation in nine patients with closed tibial shaft fractures treated by nailing, 11 patients with fractures of lateral tibial plateau treated by bone grafting, and 19 patients with ruptured anterior cruciate ligament treated by reconstruction. The postoperative PLA2-II and CRP values were statistically significantly higher than the pre-operative values in the tibial plateau fracture and ligament rupture groups, whereas the increase in the PLA2-II values in the tibial fracture group was not statistically significant. The highest values of both parameters were found on the second postoperative day. The changes in the PLA2-II and CRP values were parallel in the lateral condyle fracture and in anterior cruciate ligament rupture groups. PLA2-II behaves as an acute phase reactant in the serum of patients undergoing acute and elective knee surgery.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Catalytic activity of phospholipase A2 in serum in experimental fat embolism in pigs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the catalytic activity of phospholipase A2 in serum during the early phase of experimental fat embolism. DESIGN: Randomised controlled experimental study. SETTING: Animal laboratory, Finland. SUBJECTS: 18 domestic pigs weighing 25-31 kg. INTERVENTIONS: Allogeneic bone marrow suspension at a dose of 100 mg/kg was infused intracavally in 9 anaesthetised, mechanically ventilated, and haemodynamically monitored pigs; 9 control pigs received saline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Central haemodynamics, blood gases, catalytic activity of phospholipase A2. RESULTS: In the fat embolism group, there were significant increases in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (p < 0.001), pulmonary vascular resistance (p < 0.001) and pulmonary shunting (p < 0.05) and simultaneously, systemic oxygenation was significantly impaired. The animals with fat embolism developed gradual fever and leucocytosis, whereas the catalytic activity of phospholipase A2 remained relatively unchanged. CONCLUSION: In this experimental model the measurement of serum phospholipase A2 activity does not provide a useful tool for the early detection of experimental fat embolism.

Animals↗

The influence of anaesthetic technique upon the immune response to hysterectomy. A comparison of propofol infusion and isoflurane.

Earlier studies on propofol have shown increased percentages of T helper cells after minor surgery. In this study, the effects of propofol infusion anaesthesia on the immune response were compared with those of combined isoflurane anaesthesia in 30 patients (median age 47 years, ASA 1-2) undergoing major surgery. The total dose of propofol in the propofol infusion group of 15 women was 860 mg (range 540-1520 mg) and the median end-expiratory isoflurane concentration in the combined isoflurane group of 15 women was 0.6% (range 0.5-0.8). The following were measured; leucocyte and differential counts; percentages of lymphocyte subpopulations (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD16 and HLA-DR+CD3); phytohaemagglutinin-, concanavalin A-, and pokeweed mitogen-induced and unstimulated lymphocyte proliferation; plasma interleukin-6; serum group II phospholipase A2, C-reactive protein and cortisol concentrations. Measurements were made pre-operatively, at the end of the operation and on the first and fifth postoperative days. No statistically significant overall differences were observed in the immune response between the groups. The serum cortisol response was weaker in the propofol group than in the isoflurane group (p < 0.05). Time-related changes were seen within the groups.

Adult↗

Proinflammatory mediator response in coronary bypass surgery using a centrifugal or a roller pump.

Major surgery, trauma, and infection induce a proinflammatory mediator response which, if excessive, may cause tissue injury. The response was measured during elective coronary bypass surgery when a centrifugal pump or a roller pump, differing in their basic working principles, was used for extracorporeal circulation (ECC). Eight patients were perfused with a centrifugal pump and eight patients with a roller pump during ECC. Plasma interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-2, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), group II phospholipase A2, (PLA2), endotoxin, fibronectin and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were measured. The operation increased plasma IL-6, group II PLA2, and serum CRP concentration and decreased plasma fibronectin concentrations. IL-1 beta and TNF alpha concentrations did not change. IL-2 occurred only occasionally, and endotoxin did not occur in any patient. No differences were seen between the group using a centrifugal pump and the group using the roller pump. Cardiac surgery with a perfusion time of less than two hours thus caused a proinflammatory mediator response which was similar whether a centrifugal or a roller pump was used for ECC.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass↗

Decrease in the number of rat brain dopamine and muscarinic receptors after chronic alcohol intake.

The effect of 32 weeks' alcohol treatment on the number and affinity of dopamine and muscarinic receptor sites in rat striatum were measured using 3H-spiperone and 3H-quinuclidinylbenzilate (3H-QNB) as radioligands. The number of dopamine receptor sites was 38 per cent and the number of muscarinic receptor sites 36 per cent lower in the alcohol group than in control rats. The differences in receptor affinities were less marked. In conclusion, a long-term alcohol intake with rather moderate doses seems to induce a pronounced down-regulation in dopamine and muscarinic receptor systems in rat striatum.

Alcoholism↗