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Biomedical subjects

J Mäkinen

Publications and source records attributed to J Mäkinen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A placebo-controlled trial of primary biliary cirrhosis treatment with colchicine and ursodeoxycholic acid.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and colchicine have beneficial effects in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The efficacy of colchicine and UDCA in PBC was compared in a 2-year placebo-controlled study (n = 90). METHODS: Clinical events, laboratory test results, and liver histology were recorded at the beginning and end of the trial. RESULTS: There were significantly fewer dropouts for hepatic reasons with UDCA than with placebo. Pruritus was reduced by both active drugs. Colchicine improved liver function test results only modestly, whereas UDCA significantly decreased the serum activities of aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase compared with colchicine and placebo. Serum total bilirubin levels were decreased only by UDCA. Both colchicine and UDCA reduced serum cholesterol levels, and UDCA also reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Furthermore, UDCA reduced the serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG, and colchicine reduced IgG levels compared with placebo. The elevated serum level of aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen remained unchanged by colchicine or UDCA, whereas the serum level of carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen was significantly decreased by UDCA. UDCA significantly decreased ductular proliferation compared with colchicine or placebo. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that UDCA frequently is superior to colchicine and especially to placebo in the treatment of PBC.

Alanine Transaminase

Clinical significance of hepatitis C antibodies in blood donors.

The clinical significance of hepatitis C antibodies (anti-HCV) in a healthy population was studied by liver function tests and liver biopsies. The patient population consisted of 195 (96.1%) of the 203 blood donors found to be either anti-HCV positive or indeterminate by a recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) during the first year of anti-HCV screening of 307,606 donors in Finland using a first generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in 67 donors reacting positively and in 128 reacting indeterminately by a second generation RIBA (RIBA-4) were monitored to evaluate the prevalence of liver damage. Serum N-terminal type III procollagen (PIIINP) concentrations were measured in all donors who fulfilled our criterion for possible hepatitis C (ALT values over two times the normal upper limit on two occasions or over five times the normal upper limit on one occasion) and in 23 randomly selected RIBA-4 positive donors without ALT abnormalities (control group). Two (1.6%) of the RIBA-4 indeterminate donors had ALT values compatible with possible hepatitis C (negative by polymerase chain reaction) whereas there were 25 (37.3%) such individuals among the RIBA-4 positive donors (P < 0.0005). Twenty (80%) of the latter 25 RIBA-4 positive donors with possible hepatitis C consented to liver biopsy. Of these 20 donors, 11 (55.0%) were found to have chronic persistent hepatitis, four (20.0%) mild, three (15.0%) moderate, and two (10.0%) severe chronic active hepatitis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Association of alcohol consumption and Helicobacter pylori infection in young adulthood and early middle age among patients with gastric complaints. A case-control study on Finnish conscripts, officers and other military personnel.

There is growing evidence that Helicobacter pylori is responsible for a variety of gastric and duodenal changes which can eventually lead to stomach cancer. Little is known about risk factors for H. pylori infection. We re-analyzed the association of alcohol with H. pylori positivity in 451 conscripts, officers and other military personnel endoscoped due to gastric complaints in the Central Military Hospital of Finland in 1987 and 1988. Serology and culture were done in all patients. Alcohol consumption histories were obtained by use of a self-administered questionnaire. We observed a high odds ratio (OR) of H. pylori infection among young adults who were heavy alcohol consumers compared to non-drinkers (OR 5.32, 95% confidence interval: 1.09-25.95). There was evidence of a dose response when heavy and moderate drinkers were compared to non-drinkers (Mantel-Haenszel chi 2 for trend, p = 0.02) in young adulthood. A subgroup of young respondents who reported drinking all classes of alcohol (including hard liquor) showed an even stronger association and more significant dose-response. Multivariate techniques revealed a qualitative interaction of alcohol with H. pylori positivity in different age groups and among old people an inverse association of H. pylori and alcohol consumption was observed. These findings, if confirmed independently, might have implications for preventing a variety of gastric and duodenal lesions, since they allow identification of high risk groups.

Adolescent

Postpartum diagnosis of placenta accreta with colour Doppler sonography.

Placenta accreta, although uncommon, is becoming an increasingly important clinical problem associated with placenta praevia and previous Caesarean section. A case report is presented of a woman with post partum partial placenta accreta diagnosed with color Doppler ultrasound. The aetiology, risk factors, clinical conditions, treatment and sonographic diagnosis are shortly reviewed.

Adult

Steroid hormone receptors and flow cytometric DNA ploidy in ovarian carcinoma.

The biochemical and immunohistochemical estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) content and flow cytometric DNA ploidy was analyzed in five semimalignant and 35 malignant epithelial ovarian tumours. By biochemical assay, 67% of the tumours were ER-positive (> or = 5 fmol/mg protein) and 56% were PR-positive (> or = 10 fmol/mg protein). The corresponding values by immunohistochemical assay (with a HSCORE of 10 as the cutoff level) were 22% and 27%, respectively. DNA histogram measured from paraffin embedded specimens were diploid in 20% (7/35) and aneuploid in 80% (28/35) of the malignant tumours. All semimalignant tumours were diploid. The mean receptor values in the diploid and aneuploid tumours did not differ significantly and receptor-positive and receptor-negative tumours were evenly distributed in all stages and grades. In contrast, flow cytometric DNA ploidy was clearly associated with tumour stage (G2 = 10.52, Df = 3, P = 0.015) and histological differentiation (G2 = 20.57, Df = 3, P = 0.0001).

Adult

Comparison of two suture materials, Dexon Plus and Maxon, in abdominal hysterectomy.

The performance and handling capacities of two synthetic absorbable sutures, the monofilament suture Maxon and the multifilament suture Dexon Plus, were compared to study if these sutures are acceptable as all-purpose suture materials in abdominal hysterectomy. Four senior gynecological surgeons performed altogether 102 hysterectomies and made an assessment of handling qualities. Fifty one patients were sutured with Maxon and 51 age-matched controls with Dexon Plus. Maxon proved to be superior to Dexon Plus in terms of knot rundown, tissue drag and knot repositioning whereas, in terms of suppleness, tensile strength and knot security both suture materials were comparable. Vaginal granulation was seen in five patients operated on with Dexon Plus and only in one patient in the Maxon group. According to this study Maxon is as safe and efficacious as Dexon Plus for abdominal hysterectomy and its handling properties were even better than those of Dexon Plus.

Adult

First experiences from laparoscopically assisted hysterectomy in Finland in 1992.

The first laparoscopic hysterectomy in Finland was performed in September 1992. We report the experiences of the first eleven patients operated in the Turku and Helsinki University Central Hospitals in 1992. The hospital stay (mean 2.6 days) and the sick leave (mean 2 weeks) were markedly shorter than those of conventional open surgery for uterine removal but the operation time was longer (mean 3.4 hours). One patient needed postoperative blood transfusion due to hemorrhage and one needed secondary surgical intervention due to bladder perforation unresponsive to conservative treatment. We look forward to more extensive use of this new technic as a competitive alternative to simple hysterectomy.

Adenomyoma

Outcome of thirty patients who underwent repair of posthysterectomy prolapse of the vaginal vault with abdominal sacral colpopexy.

Thirty women experiencing posthysterectomy prolapse of the vaginal vault were treated with abdominal sacral colpopexy between 1984 and 1991. Lyodura (lyophilized cerebral dura mater allograft transplant) was used as the suspensory material in 81 percent and Gore-Tex (reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene) in 16 percent of the operations. There were no perioperative or postoperative complications. At the follow-up examination (mean, three years), good vaginal vault support was observed in 85 percent of the patients. Significant cystocele were seen in 18 percent, and vault prolapse, enterocele, rectocele and chronic perineal laceration each in 15 percent of the patients. At follow-up study, 22 percent of the patients experienced dyspareunia and 41 percent had decreased sexual interest and coital events. Development of stress urinary incontinence in 18 percent of patients was noted. Concomitant Burch colposuspension will cure and prevent stress incontinence and anterior vaginal relaxation. Abdominal sacral colpopexy appears to be a safe and effective method in the treatment of posthysterectomy prolapse of the vaginal vault. In our experience, it seems that coexistent cystocele and rectocele should be corrected in the connection with sacral colpopexy.

Abdomen

Vaginal progesterone after tubal pregnancy.

We studied the effect of vaginal progesterone (P) treatment during the luteal phase of patients who had had a tubal pregnancy (TP) and were planning another, in a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial. The outpatient clinics of two University hospitals and three central hospitals had 135 patients treated for tubal pregnancy: 100 with grossly normal fallopian tubes (supposing an accidentally abnormal luteal phase as a possible etiology of their first TP) and 35 with signs of earlier pelvic inflammatory disease (PID etiology). They were treated with vaginal P (25 mg b.i.d.) or placebo during cycle days 16-24, for 10 months. Serum P levels after a single vaginal or oral dose were compared. The rates of conception, delivery, spontaneous abortion and recurrent TP were recorded, and fetal and placental weight measured. Both vaginal and oral formulas of P provoked a physiological (24-43 nmol/l) rise in serum concentrations. P and placebo-treated cycles resulted in a nearly equal number of pregnancies (33/37 resp.). Of the 55 infants born 53 were to mothers without signs of earlier PID (53/100); only 2 (2/35) to mothers in whom signs had been present. Recurrent TP occurred in 9% of all pregnancies. Four out of six recurrent TPs were patients with signs of PID (4/35), but two were without such signs (2/100): one occurred during placebo and one during P-treated cycle. Prophylactic P treatment of patients at risk of recurrent TP does not improve fertility or prevent recurrent TP. This indicates, that the functional etiology of recurrent TP, as compared to infection, is not important.

Administration, Oral

Effects of abdominal hysterectomy on urinary and sexual symptoms.

A prospective study of 102 women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy for benign conditions was performed in order to evaluate pre- and post-operative urinary and sexual symptoms. The mean age of the patients was 44.9 years (range 30-65). Urinary disorders such as urgency, dysuria, frequency, nocturia, slow bladder emptying, sensation of residual urine as well as stress and urge incontinence were observed pre-operatively and 2, 6 and 12 months post-operatively. Dyspareunia, libido and the number of orgasms were evaluated as disorders affecting sexual life. At follow-up 12 months post-operatively a statistically significant decrease in stress incontinence, frequency and nocturia was observed. Dyspareunia was also significantly less frequent and increased libido was experienced. It was concluded that abdominal hysterectomy does not provoke adverse urinary or sexual symptoms and that it can have beneficial effects.

Adult

The effect of luteal support with human chorionic gonadotrophin or progesterone on the daily progesterone profile after different types of ovarian stimulation.

Attempts have been made to increase the low pregnancy rate in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles by luteal phase support with progesterone or human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). Previously, this practice has been inconsistent and the results unclear. The detailed effect of support on the progesterone profile in the luteal phase was assessed by daily salivary progesterone measurements in non-conception IVF cycles. The comparison of HCG and progesterone support in two different stimulation protocols showed that the profile of luteal progesterone concentrations was similar in control cycles and those supported with a vaginal progesterone suppository, showing an early decrease by the fourth luteal day. In cycles supported with multiple doses of HCG, the progesterone profile was normal but slightly increased up to the 9th luteal day subsequently falling to basal levels by the fourteenth luteal day.

Chorionic Gonadotropin

Localized amyloidosis of the urinary bladder.

Localized amyloidosis of the urinary bladder is a rare condition. Five patients, 1 with localized secondary amyloidosis, are described. The symptoms, macroscopic hematuria and tumor-like appearance in cystoscopy, may mimic bladder cancer. Diagnosis is based on histopathological examinations with Congo red staining. In most instances, the treatment of choice is transurethral resection and electrocoagulation. Because of the risk of recurrences, a close follow-up is recommended.

Aged

Disappointing effect of endoscopic Teflon injection for female stress incontinence.

Twenty-two women were treated with endoscopic, transurethral, submucosal Teflon injection for moderate or severe urinary stress incontinence. The short-term effect was rather good, but he long-term results were disappointing. After 5 years, only 4 patients were completely or sufficiently continent and had not required any additional treatment for incontinence. Three major complications, paraurethral abscess, urethral diverticulum and Teflon granuloma with urethral wall prolapse occurred. Subsequent suprapubic urethropexy for the patients with inadequate response did not produce the usual good results.

Aged

Intramural ureteric injury due to acute dilatation.

The effect of balloon dilatation of the ureteric orifice and the intramural ureter was evaluated histologically and radiologically in eight piglets. The distal part of the ureter was dilated from its normal calibre of 4F to 12F. Four weeks after the procedure obvious histological signs due to the preceding dilatation were seen in seven of the eight ureters. In simultaneous radiological studies two ureters showed massive and one slight dilatation and two ureters showed vesicoureteral reflux. The results suggest cautious use of dilatation. Small calibre ureterscopes without ureteric dilatation should be preferred.

Animals

Perivenous expression of ethanol-inducible cytochrome P450 IIE1 in livers from alcoholics and chronically ethanol-fed rats.

The acinar distribution of ethanol-inducible cytochrome P450 was studied by immunohistochemistry using anti-rat P450 IIE1 serum. In all 17 human liver specimens staining was confined to perivenous hepatocytes. Staining was stronger in livers of alcoholics than in non-alcoholics. A similar selective perivenous staining was observed in rat liver. This pattern was exacerbated by chronic ethanol treatment, with staining appearing especially intense in hepatocytes surrounding the terminal hepatic veins. Our results demonstrate that chronic ethanol intake causes induction of P450 IIE1 in the perivenous region. We propose that this regiospecific expression and induction contributes to the perivenous damage caused by alcohol and several other hepatotoxins known to be metabolized by this enzyme.

Adult