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Biomedical subjects

J Rantanen

Publications and source records attributed to J Rantanen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

From research to practice. Role of a research institution in the development of the work environment.

To conclude, all the signals from the future working life and the society at large speak for the growing importance of research in the areas of environmental health and occupational health. This research, in order to have the best impact, should be guided by solid strategy based on the soundest health values presenting clear priorities, and directed to the preventive impact-oriented actions, and using the competence of highly motivated researchers. The researchers should be well supported by their research institutes with good operational capacity and facilities and be provided with close contacts with the consumers of the research. This would facilitate the application of research results in the practical work environment. If all these criteria are met we can also expect an impact. We are all called upon to take part in this exciting effort, and I am happy to state that the response of UOEH during its over 13 years of activity has been a most beautiful example for all of us. Let me transmit the warmest congratulations to UOEH for the past and wishes of success in the future.

International Cooperation↗
PubMed1992

Priority setting and evaluation as tools for planning research strategy.

The growing role of research as a factor for socioeconomic development has also stimulated efforts for setting priorities and for evaluating research strategies. Priorities can be set for problems which are known for their consequences or their existing characteristics. The only way to ensure research on new problems is to allow more space for basic research aimed at revealing new data and at describing new phenomena. Evaluation methods for applied research are available, and they have been successfully used for making research units more effective and for improving the quality of the research in question.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1989

Lumbar muscles: structure and function.

We review new data derived from careful dissection studies on the macroscopic anatomy, innervation and function of the lumbar muscles, as well as information on the fibres in these muscles. The new findings correct previous misconceptions of the functional anatomy of the lumbar muscles. The innervation and function of the erector spinae and multifidus muscles are so different that they cannot be classified as a single unit. The new interpretation of the innervation of multifidus muscle is of importance, for example, for the neurophysiological examination of the lumbar muscles. The relative number of the slow and fast type of muscle fibres in lumbar muscles varies considerably, and selective atrophy of the fast fibres seems to ensue from inactivity, not only in patients with back pain but also in sedentary controls. The atrophy may be corrected by adequate exercise. Both the fibre type composition and degree of atrophy may well influence a person's susceptibility to low back pain arising from the muscles.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Recent PCB accidents in Finland.

Twenty-eight polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) accidents were recorded during a 1-year period in Finland. They comprised leaks, fires or explosions of capacitors. Some of the explosions and fires gave rise to high concentrations of PCBs in air and of PCBs and tetrachlorodibenzofurans (TCDFs), including 2,3,7,8-TCDF, on surfaces. One large explosion is described in detail, and biomedical data and findings of this case are compared with those of smaller accidents in Finland.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1976

Urinary mandelic acid concentration after occupational exposure to styrene and its use as a biological exposure test.

Excretion of mandelic acid from workers in the reinforced polyester plastic industry was studied with the determination of urinary mandelic acid concentrations. The styrene exposure level at the workplaces was evaluated with measurements of the styrene concentration in the ambient air. Three different groups (I, II and III) were studied. In group I [n=9, median of the time-weighted average (TWA) of exposure = 23 ppmof styrene, postexposure observation period = 64 h] two excretion slopes were observed, the first with a median half-time of 9.4 h (postexposure period 0--18 h) and a second with a median half-time of 16.6 h (postexposure period 19--64 h). For group II (n=9, median TWA exposure = 248 ppm, postexposure observation period = 15 h) a half-time of 6.4 h was found. These results suggest that the excretion rate of mandelic acid is dependent on the styrene exposure level. In addition the mandelic acid concentrations of 29 workers (group III) before and after the work shift were analyzed. The urinary mandelic acid concentrations of groups I, II and III, sampled immediately after the 8-h work shift, correlated with the 8-h TWA of styrene exposure (n=47, r=0.93). Accordingly about 2,300 mg of mandelic acid per gram of creatinine corresponded to 100 ppm of styrene.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1975

Determination of toxic metals in blood by x-ray fluorescence spectrometry.

An application of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for the analysis of various toxic metals (lead, cadmium, manganese, chromium, nickel, vanadium) in whole blood was studied, and two techniques for sample preparation (vacuum drying and nitric acid combustion) were compared. The acid combustion method appeared to be superior on the basis of the accuracy and precision of the determinations. The tungsten-target X-ray tube was suitable for determining manganese, nickel, and vanadium, the lowest limits of detection being 0.021 mug/ml, 0.035 mug/ml and 0.017 mug/ml, respectively, and the precisions being between 4.25 and 6.92%. The sensitivity and reproducibility for lead, cadmium, and chromium were unsatisfactory. A comparison between the recoveries of X-ray fluorescence and atomic absorption analyses demonstrated that the X-ray method is suitable for determining manganese, vandium, nickel, cadmium, and lead. The poor sensitivity of the X-ray method, however, restricts its practical use. For vandium the results obtained by X-ray fluorescence were superior to those measured by a colorimetric method. No significant differences were observed between the results of single component and multicomponent analyses at the metal concentrations usual in physiological and toxicological cases.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Collagen metabolism in rat lungs during chronic intermittent exposure to oxygen.

Collagen metabolism was studied in rat lungs during prolonged intermittent exposure to oxygen. After an initial of 2-d exposure to oxygen, the rats alternately breathed air and oxygen in 24-h periods up to 30 d. Lung histology showed perivascular edema as an early sign of oxygen toxicity. Increased capillary permeability was followed by a marked perivascular leukocytosis that was prominent between the 5th and 11th d of the treatment. During the further course of the experiment, the inflammatory response gradually diminished, and finally a network of collagen fibres filled the perivascular areas. The inflammatory process elevated the amounts of DNA and RNA in lung tissue, and the ratio of RNA to DNA was maximal on the 5th day. Studies on metabolism of lung collagen with intraperitoneally injected 3H-proline as label showed that, after the initial inflammatory reaction, both synthesis and degration of collagen were increased in oxygen-treated lungs. The increase in synthesis exceeded the rise in degradation and, therefore, collagen was accumulated. The activation of lung collagen synthesis coincided in time with a rise in the activity of lung protocollagen proline hydroxylase.

Animals↗