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Biomedical subjects

K Andersen

Publications and source records attributed to K Andersen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

[Induction of labor. Prostaglandin E2 vaginal tablets compared with intravenous oxytocin for induction of labor in premature rupture of the membranes and immature cervix].

In a material of 88 patients with premature rupture of the membranes and unripe cervix, a comparative investigation was undertaken to compare the effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) vaginal tablets and intravenous oxytocin on induction of labour. The patients were subdivided at random into two groups: 42 patients treatment with PGE2 and 46 treatment with intravenous oxytocin. The results did not reveal any significant differences in the numbers of successful inductions regardless of the Bishop score at the commencement of stimulation but the duration of induction was found to be briefer in the oxytocin group. No significant differences were observed in the numbers of instrumental interventions in the two groups nor in the frequencies of side effects and in the employment of analgesics. Treatment with PGE2 vaginal tablets is considered to be more acceptable by the patients and easier for the staff to use. The tablets were just as safe and reliable in use as intravenous oxytocin for induction of labour in cases of premature rupture of the membranes and Bishop scores less than 6, but the duration of induction was significantly longer.

Administration, Intravaginal↗
PubMed1990

[Treatment of esophageal achalasia using Heller's method].

The long-term results after Heller's myotomy for oesophageal achalasia were illustrated by questionnaire sent to 38 out of the original 47 patients submitted to operation during the ten-year period 1.7.1973-30.6.1983. Nine patients had died from other causes during the follow-op period. The minimum period of observation for the remaining patients was five years and the mean period of observation was 10.3 years. Thirty-six questionnaires were returned (95%). 75% of the patients were satisfied with the results of operation but only 25% were symptom-free. The commonest symptom was dysphagia (56%) followed by reflux problems (50%). Every third patient had discomfort from the scar. All of the 25% of the patients who were not satisfied with the result of operation had dysphagia. On the basis of these observations, the authors consider that Heller's myotomy should be reserved for patients on whom dilatation treatment has proved unsatisfactory.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Malignant melanoma. Changing trends in factors influencing metastasis-free survival from 1964 to 1982.

Seven hundred fourteen patients with cutaneous melanoma in clinical Stage I treated between 1964 and 1982 were included in this study. In an analysis of metastasis-free survival, thickness of the tumor, ulceration, gender, epithelioid cells as predominant cells in the tumor, and localization of the tumor were found to be independent prognostic factors. In a time trends analysis, the distributions of three of the prognostic factors (thickness of the tumor, ulceration, and inflammatory cell infiltrate) were found to shift during the last decade in the direction of improved prognosis, indicating that tumors are detected earlier than before. The distributions of two other factors (cell type and location of the tumors) shifted in the direction of deteriorated prognosis, suggesting partly that the biologic nature of the disease may have changed and partly that other behavioral factors may have played a role.

Female↗
PubMed1990

[Sore throat. Rapid detection of beta hemolytic group A streptococci by a coagglutination method].

In Norway anually half a million consultations are for acute sore throat. The clinical differentiation between streptococcal and non-streptococcal infection remains poor. A reliable diagnosis of beta-hemolytic streptococcal infections requires a screening test. In a multicenter study from general practice the rapid test Phadirect Strep A was compared with cultivation at two microbiological laboratories. 257 patients were included and the prevalence of beta-hemolytic streptococci was 41.6%. The results of valid calculations were: Sensitivity 70-77%; Specificity 86-89%; Positive predictive value 74-82%; Negative predictive value 81-88%. The results were considered in relation to body temperature and signs of local infection in the throat. There was no correlation between clinical signs and occurrence of beta-hemolytic streptococci. The Phadirect Strep A test was acceptably sensitive and specific for use in general practice. The test is easy to perform, and the results are available after five minutes. The test seems to be useful, and is an improvement in the daily management of patients with acute throat infections, especially in relation to the question of whether or not to prescribe antibiotics.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1990

Bennett's fracture.

The relationship between the quality of reduction and the occurrence of arthritic changes, symptoms and disability was studied in 41 Bennett's fractures. Excellent position was obtained in five of nine fractures treated by closed reduction and plaster immobilisation, in four of six fractures treated by percutaneous K wire fixation and in 18 of 26 fractures treated by open reduction. After a median interval of 7.3 years, 15 of 18 reviewed patients with fractures healed in excellent position were free of symptoms, but this was so in only six of 13 fractures with residual displacement. The remainder had intermittent slight pain. Radiographic signs of arthritis was found in ten of 24 patients: three of 14 patients with excellent reduction and seven of ten patients with residual displacement.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Electronic determination of centres of rotation produced by orthodontic force systems.

A strain gauge measurement device with low force clip gauges, for measurement of initial tooth displacement in two dimensions has been developed. An experimental model simulating a maxillary central incisor is loaded with different known and controlled force systems. The resulting tooth displacements are described by the position of the centre of rotation and the generated angle of rotation for the total tooth movement. The effect of a single force, a moment, and force-moment combinations producing different moment to force ratios were studied. From these results the required force system needed to produce tooth movements with different centres of rotation for a central incisor of average root length are calculated. Furthermore, the model allows us to measure the accuracy of the measuring device by comparing results to analytical and laser holographic data, obtained on similar models. Some preliminary measurements and results, using human autopsy material are presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

A direct method for fast three-dimensional serial reconstruction.

A method for accurate three-dimensional reconstruction of openly connected porous structures is described. The method is based on embedding of a specimen in a contrast coloured epoxy resin and serial sectioning in a standard hard tissue microtome. A PC-based image processing system is used for direct digitization of the cut surface, and by thresholding two-phase images are obtained. The process is fully automated, and about 170 sections can be produced, digitized, dichotomized, and stored per hour. As an example of its applications, the method is used on trabecular bone, which is an anisotropic porous structure.

Bone and Bones↗
PubMed1989

[Utilization of medical services for children in an area of Copenhagen].

As part of the development of models for community services for children, the utilization of the medical services for children in a local area in Copenhagen viz the catchment region of the Osterbro Social Centre was reviewed. By means of contact investigations in the above mentioned region with the general practitioners and duty roster doctors in two selected weeks and by information from the Casualty Department Register in the University Hospital and from the National Danish Patient Register, the pattern of illness for children aged 0-14 years and utilization of medical services in the year 1986 was described. Utilization of casualty departments was uniform throughout childhood. In the course of one year, every third child, on an average, had had contact with a casualty department. This is in contrast with other sections of medical services where utilization decreases with increasing age of the child. The frequency of admission to hospital was high, particularly for the youngest children. The majority of all contacts were on account of infectious diseases. A community, multidisciplinary effort to reduce ill health is suggested to combat the many illnesses due to infection, the numerous contacts with doctors and hospital admission. Choice of doctor in cases of acute illness in children is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Nervous system damage and nutritional factors in chronic alcoholics.

Dietary habits in 45 chronic alcoholics were assessed by the dietary history method, and plasma albumin and serum transferrin. These variables as well as clinical findings did not indicate general malnutrition, but a moderate deficiency in folate intake was found. There was no correlation between the nutritional variables and central and peripheral nervous system function investigated by neuroradiological, neuropsychological, and neurophysiological methods. Transketolase and thiamine-pyrophosphate effects were measured in a subgroup of alcoholics and compared to a control group. No differences were found and there was no correlation to central nervous system impairment. These findings do not support the hypothesis that nervous system damage found in chronic alcoholics is of nutritional etiology.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Vitamin B-12 and folate function in chronic alcoholic men with peripheral neuropathy and encephalopathy.

Forty-six male alcoholics hospitalized with polyneuropathy or intellectual impairment were studied after at least 2 wk of alcohol abstention. Neurological evaluation included neurophysiological examination of the sural nerve and tibial nerve, neurophysiological examinations, and CT-scanning of the brain. Alcohol and vitamin intakes were quantified by the interview method. Vitamin B-12 and folate status included examinations of peripheral blood and bone marrow aspirate, plasma vitamin B-12, plasma and erythrocyte folate, formiminoglutamic acid excretion test (FiGlu), methylmalonic acid excretion, and deoxyuridine suppression test (dU) on phytohemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral lymphocytes. The liver function was assessed by galactose elimination capacity and plasma clearance of antipyrine. There was no hematological sign of folate or vitamin B-12 deficiency. About 8% had low plasma folate, while neither erythrocyte folate nor plasma vitamin B-12 were decreased. However, half of the patients had functional folate deficiency as determined by abnormal FiGlu or dU. Compared to the remaining patients, those with abnormal FiGlu or dU had significantly more abnormal neurophysiological tests, and lower folate intake. There was no correlation between FiGlu or dU and the quantitative liver function tests. It is concluded that 1) folate deficiency may contribute to the development of alcoholic polyneuropathy, 2) the classical parameters for folate deficiency (blood concentrations, peripheral blood, and bone marrow examinations) are not reliable in diagnosing folate deficiency and 3) functional tests like FiGlu and dU are necessary to diagnose folate deficiency in alcoholics.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

A double-blind evaluation of electroconvulsive therapy in Parkinson's disease with "on-off" phenomena.

Eleven patients with severe Parkinson's disease and on-off-phenomena were included in a controlled double-blind study on the effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Pharmacological treatment was optimally adjusted before the trial. The severity of extrapyramidal symptoms was measured before, during and after the treatment. The patients were randomly allocated into one group, receiving active ECT and another, receiving sham treatment. The patients given active ECT showed significantly (P less than 0.05) prolonged duration of "on"-phases after ECT, in comparison to the sham-treated group. When collecting data from the controlled part of the study and the subsequent with open administration of ECT, the treatment was in addition found to significantly decrease the time and number of steps required to walk 10 meters. Moreover it reduced the severity of parkinsonian symptoms according to the Webster scale. The improvement induced by ECT was generally short-lasting. Lumbar punctures were performed before and after ECT. The concentrations of monoamine metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid were not affected by the treatment. The results indicate that ECT has an antiparkinsonian effect which probably is mediated via changed responsiveness of dopamine receptors and that further improvement is possible in patients, therapy resistant to the presently available medication.

Aged↗