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Biomedical subjects

K Kuokkanen

Publications and source records attributed to K Kuokkanen.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Birthmarks in 4346 Finnish newborns.

We examined all babies born live (4346) at two Finnish hospitals in the course of one year to determine the frequency of birthmarks, specially pigmented lesions, among Finnish newborns. All birthmarks excluding common salmon patches on the forehead and neck were recorded and photographed at birth. The babies were re-examined at the age of three months. Various birthmarks were recorded for 241 of 4346 babies, i.e. for 5.5% of all newborns. Ninety-one (2.1%) infants had congenital pigmented skin lesions, 167 (3.8%) had various vascular lesions and 21 (0.5%) had other birthmarks. The frequency of congenital melanocytic naevi was 1.5%. Most of the naevi were less than 20 mm in diameter. Only one child had a giant naevus. The frequency of congenital naevi in our study was the same or somewhat higher than previously described (1-8) but fewer other pigmented skin lesions were found than in previous studies perhaps due to racial differences.

Female

Antihypertensive effect of prazosin in combination with methyldopa, clonidine, or propranolol.

Seventeen hypertensive out-patients, more or less unresponsive to previous treatment with antihypertensive drugs, were treated in a cross-over fashion with placebo, prazosin (Pz), methyldopa (MD), Pz + MD, Pz + clonidine (C) and Pz + propranolol. The antihypertensive responses to Pz 2 mg t.i.d. and MD 250 mg t.i.d. were poor, and only modest when the drugs were combined. The combination of Pz with low doses of C was about as effective as Pz + MD, and some patients failed to respond to it. Nor was the combination of Pz + propranolol effective in those cases but the addition of a diuretic produced good responses in all patients. Side effects were few. It is concluded that a combination of central and peripheral sympathetic blockade does not necessarily produce normotension, and that a diuretic added to this combination greatly improves the response.

Adult

The effect of transfer factor on cystic acne.

A chromatographically purified component of human dialysable transfer factor, previously described as causing a non-specific stimulation of cell-mediated immunity, was used as a therapeutic agent in three cases of stage IV cystic acne. The treatment caused a marked strengthening of skin test responses and had a promising effect on skin eruption in each case.

Acne Vulgaris

Comparison of a new antihistamine HC 20-511 with cyproheptadine (Periactin) in chronic urticaria.

The effect and tolerance of a new antihistamine, HC 20-511, in daily doses of 2 and 4 mg was compared with cyproheptadine (Periactin) 8 mg daily in 50 cases of chronic urticaria. HC 20-511 4 mg daily proved to be the most effective, rapid and long-lasting. HC 20-511 had less sedative effect than cyproheptadine, but both possessed the same appetite-stimulating effect. However, this was not noted with the smaller dosage of HC 20-511.

Adult

Erythema nodosum and erythema multiforme associated with milker's nodules.

An epidemic of 44 cases of milker's nodules was recorded in the Tampere Central Hospital catchment area in Finland during the autumn of 1974. Exanthema or erythema multiforme-like secondary eruptions were seen in 10 cases. One female patient is reported in detail because of the simultaneous occurrence of erythema nodosum and erythema multiforme. The virological diagnosis was confirmed by electron microscopy.

Adult

A new antihistamine hc20-511 compared with dimetinden (fenistil retard) in the treatment of chronic urticaria and other pruritic dermatoses.

The new antihistamine, HC20-511 (Sandoz), was compared with Dimetinden (Fenistil retard) in a single-blind comparative study in 42 patients with dermatoses, 28 of whom suffered from chronic urticaria. HC20-511 had a better effect, especially in chronic urticaria, where pruritus, erythema and papules quickly disappeared. The effect appeared somewhat faster than and lasted as long as that of Dimetinden, although HC20-511 is not a retard-preparation unlike the Dimetinden preparation used for comparison. HC20-511 also caused less side effects.

Adolescent

Comparison of 0.25% desoxymethasone ointment with 0.05% fluocinonide ointment in psoriasis.

A double-blind comparative trial was carried out in 56 patients with psoriasis to assess the effectiveness of 0.25% desoxymethasone and 0.05% fluocinonide ointments. All patients showed marked improvement in their condition with twice daily application of the ointments during the 2-week period of the trial. Erythema, scaling and induration on the desoxymethasone-treated side showed a significantly better improvement than on the fluocinonide-treated side.

Adolescent