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Biomedical subjects

K Mattila

Publications and source records attributed to K Mattila.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

The frequency of apolipoprotein E4 allele is not increased in patients with probable vascular dementia.

We used the NINDS-AIREN criteria to diagnose vascular dementia (VD), and compared apolipoprotein E (apoE) allele frequencies and apoE concentrations in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between patients with possible (n = 19) and probable (n = 33) VD and controls (n = 105). There was no difference in apoE4 frequency between patients with probable VD and controls. Serum and CSF apoE concentrations did not differ between VD patients and controls. Our results suggest that apoE plays no role in the development of VD.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Effect of head positioning in panoramic radiography on vertical measurements: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether it is possible to make accurate vertical measurements of the jaws from panoramic radiographs. METHODS: Five dry skulls were shifted 5 mm forwards and backwards and tilted 5 degrees up and down in the sagittal plane. Panoramic radiographs of each skull were obtained in nine different positions. In the maxilla, three reference lines were used and vertical measurements were made at the distal surfaces of the first premolar and first molar and in the midline. In the mandible, measurements were made at the distal surfaces of the first premolar and first molar, and at the mental foramen on both sides, and in the midline. The points and lines were marked manually and the radiographs were digitized, magnified and measured. RESULTS: Sagittal shifting and tilting had only a slight effect on measurements in the mandible. Sagittal tilting of the head had the greatest effect on all the measurements made from the line between the articular eminences to the alveolar crest, as well as measurements in the maxillary midline. CONCLUSIONS: The line between the articular eminences is unsuitable as a reference line for measurements of the tooth-bearing areas. A slight misalignment of the head does not significantly affect the vertical measurements in the mandible or of the posterior maxilla if the reference lines are in the same vertical plane as the teeth.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1995

Immunoreactive interleukin-6 and acute phase proteins as prognostic factors in multiple myeloma. Finnish Leukemia Group.

High serum level of bioactive interleukin-6 (IL-6) is regarded as a predictor of poor prognosis in multiple myeloma (MM). On the other hand, the reported levels of immunoreactive IL-6 have been highly variable, and the prognostic value of immunoreactive IL-6 in MM is not clear. We have analyzed the prognostic significance of serum immunoreactive IL-6, as measured by a sensitive immunosorbent assay, in 210 patients with newly diagnosed MM subsequently treated with intermittent melphalan and prednisone. The serum levels of acute phase proteins C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT), and acid alpha 1-glycoprotein (orosomucoid; OM) were evaluated as surrogates for IL-6. Serum IL-6, CRP, alpha 1AT, and OM levels were raised in 42%, 40%, 41%, and 24% of the patients, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the clinical stage of the patients and serum IL-6 (P = .006), alpha 1AT (P = .001), and OM (P = .004) levels at diagnosis. At 3 years, 52% of the patients were alive. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that high levels of IL-6 (P = .002), CRP (P = .02), alpha 1AT (P < .001), OM (P = .007), beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2M; P < .001), and thymidine kinase (P < .05) were all associated with 3-year mortality. In multivariate regression analysis, beta 2M (P < .0001) and alpha 1AT (P = .01) had independent prognostic significance. The patients with high levels of both beta 2M and alpha 1AT or IL-6 were at very high risk of dying within 3 years from diagnosis (16% and 21% of the patients in these groups were alive, respectively). When the patients were stratified according to the clinical stage, the prognostic significance of serum IL-6 and alpha 1AT was especially evident in stage II patients. When the patients were divided into two groups according to normal or raised serum IL-6 levels, the patients with high IL-6 levels had more frequent osteolytic bone lesions (P = .03) and a more aggressive disease. We conclude that serum immunoreactive IL-6 is a significant prognostic marker in MM.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1995

Tortuosity of the lingual artery and coronary atherosclerosis.

In a series of 69 human cadavers (age range 18-95 years), the tortuosity of the lingual artery and its association to age, sex, death of cardiovascular disease and general atherosclerotic state as assessed at necropsy were studied. The tortuosity increased significantly with age, but there were no sex differences. Within the three age groups there were no significant associations between arterial tortuosity and death from cardiovascular disease or general atherosclerotic state.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Low field MRI and scaphoid fracture.

18 consecutive patients suspected of and treated for an acute scaphoid fracture were examined by lowfield MRI. This showed 11 fractures while seven scaphoids were considered normal. T1 weighted images showed a fracture as an area of decreased signal intensity. Two radiologically obvious fractures produced normal MR images. These fractures proved to be the result of old trauma. A wide spectrum of additional traumatic lesions in the wrists, not detected by routine X-ray analysis, were also demonstrated. These included seven fragmented triangular fibrocartilages (TFC), torn scapho-lunate ligaments in four cases and one torn triquetro-lunate ligament. Bone bruises of other carpal bones and seven other carpal fractures were also detected. Low field MRI can be used to show scaphoid fractures and allows diagnosis of additional or simulating lesions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Vertical asymmetry of the mandibular ramus and condylar heights measured with a new method from dental panoramic radiographs in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Vertical asymmetry of the mandibular ramus and condylar heights was measured with a new method from dental panoramic radiographs. The study groups consisted of 45 psoriatic arthritis (PA) and 45 control (CO) matched pairs. Vertical asymmetry was calculated with the formula (R - L)/(R + L) x 100. Females showed no statistical significant difference in vertical asymmetry between the PA and CO pairs. In males however, vertical asymmetry showed a statistically significant difference between the PA and CO groups among those aged 35-55 years (P = 0.008). This group included four men with arthritis mutilans, a severe form of psoriatic arthritis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The width of radiologically-defined attached gingiva over deciduous teeth.

The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to radiologically investigate the continuous eruption process in the deciduous dentition by assessing the difference in the width of radiologically-defined attached gingiva (RAG) in 6-year-old and 10-year-old children. The group of 6-year-olds had predominantly deciduous teeth and the 10-year-olds were in their mixed dentition period. The mucogingival junction was revealed with Schiller's iodine solution and marked mid-labially along the long axis of each tooth with a piece of metal wire prior to taking panoramic radiographs. The width of RAG over deciduous canines and molars was measured from the cementoenamel junction to the mucogingival junction. A significant increase in the width of RAG was found from 6 to 10 years of age.

Child↗
PubMed1994

Serum immunoreactive interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein levels in patients with multiple myeloma at diagnosis.

Serum bioactive but not immunoreactive interleukin-6 (IL-6), and serum C-reactive protein (CRP), have been reported to be of prognostic significance in multiple myeloma (MM). We measured serum immunoreactive IL-6 by a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 30 MM patients at diagnosis. In 30% of the patients serum immunoreactive IL-6 exceeded the upper reference limit. The concentrations of CRP and IL-6 showed a linear association. Logarithmically transformed IL-6, CRP and beta 2-microglobulin were significant variables by univariate survival analysis; by multivariate analysis CRP was a slightly stronger prognostic factor than IL-6 and the only one of independent prognostic significance.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The width of radiologically-defined attached gingiva over permanent teeth in children.

Several authors have determined clinically the width of attached gingiva (AG) over the deciduous and early permanent dentitions in children. They have noticed that when comparing the width of AG over deciduous teeth to the width of AG over the succeeding newly erupted permanent teeth, a clear diminishing in AG can be seen. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to assess the width of radiologically-defined AG (RAG) over the permanent teeth of 6-, 10- and 12-year-old children. Altogether 123 subjects were recruited. The mucogingival junction (MGJ) was revealed with Schiller's iodine solution and marked over each tooth with a piece of metal wire before taking a panoramic radiograph. The width of RAG over permanent teeth was measured from the radiographs as the midfacial distance from the cementoenamel junction to the mucogingival junction. When comparing the width of RAG over 1st molars and the 1st and 2nd incisors, statistically significant differences were found between 6- and 10-year-olds, between 6- and 12-year-olds and between 10- and 12-year-olds. For the 1st maxillary incisor, the difference in width was not statistically significant between ages 10 and 12 years. The findings seem to justify the conclusion that an inadequate width of AG will correct itself from 6 to 12 years of age without interference by means of periodontal surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

More women enter medicine: young doctors' family origin and career choice.

This study is part of the Finnish Junior Physicians 88 Study, the purpose of which was to shed light on the life situation, career choice and future plans of young doctors and their views on medical education. The survey population included all the medical doctors registered during the years 1977-1986 in Finland (n = 5208). A postal questionnaire was sent to a sample of 2632 doctors born on odd-numbered days. After a reminder letter, 1745 questionnaires (66%) were returned. Forty-nine per cent of the respondents were women. Typically both men and women doctors had a father who was an upper-level white-collar worker and a mother who was a housewife. More men than women had a father who was a doctor or other health professional. More women than men mentioned that a lifelong calling (42% vs 30%), success at school (58% vs 47%) and an interest in helping people (78% vs 71%) had considerable influence on their decision to become a doctor. Men more often than women emphasized the medical profession being regarded as a highly paid (56% vs 47%) and a high status profession (64% vs 56%) and also that a family member was a doctor (15% vs 11%).

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Chlamydia pneumoniae-specific circulating immune complexes in patients with chronic coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND: An association of chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection to coronary heart disease has been suggested recently. In a recent study, we demonstrated circulating immune complexes containing chlamydial genus-specific lipopolysaccharide in patients with coronary heart disease. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether C. pneumoniae species-specific immune complexes are present in chronic coronary heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: The presence of Chlamydia-specific circulating immune complexes was studied in 46 patients with chronic coronary heart disease and in control subjects. Chlamydial lipopolysaccharide-containing immune complexes were detected with the antigen-specific capture method, and they were present in 41% of patients and 15% of control subjects (p < 0.01). The presence of C. pneumoniae antibodies in circulating immune complexes was studied by testing the specificity of antibodies derived from isolated and dissociated immune complexes by microimmunofluorescence testing and immunoblotting. The C. pneumoniae indexes based on the relative amount of immune complex-derived antibodies and free antibodies were significantly higher among patients compared with control subjects (median, 1/8 versus 1/16; p < 0.001). Immune complex bound antibodies showed specificity for 98-kd and 42-kd proteins of C. pneumoniae. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the majority of the patients with chronic coronary heart disease have a chronic C. pneumoniae infection in which chlamydial components have an easy access to circulation to form immune complexes with preexisting antibodies. These findings give further evidence for the association of chronic C. pneumoniae infection with coronary heart disease.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMed1993

Infection and inflammation as risk factors for myocardial infarction.

Recent studies have illustrated that in addition to the well known risk factors, such as lipoproteins, smoking, hypertension, there are others that cause atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. Our knowledge of atherosclerotic lesions has increased. We now know that atherosclerotic changes are due to inflammatory cell infiltration as well as to increases in migration of vascular smooth muscle cells. Endothelial cells play a major role in the pathology of vascular changes. In recent years a new risk factor for coronary artery disease has been discovered: chlamydia pneumonial infections. Herpes class viruses have also been associated with pathology of atherosclerotic lesions. Studies show that dental status and bacterial infections are also related to the risk of myocardial infarction. This review discusses the possible mechanisms of infection and inflammation and whether they are major or modifying risk factors for atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Proton-induced X-ray emission analysis of atherosclerotic plaques of the carotid bifurcation.

The trace elements of both calcified atherosclerotic plaques and plaque-free vessel walls of the carotid bifurcation from 31 autopsies were investigated using the proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method. The trace elements studied were phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), chrome (Cr), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), bromine (Br), strontium (Sr), and rubidium (Rb). All samples contained Fe and Zn. Mercury (Hg) was not detected in any of the samples studied. All plaque-free samples contained Cu and almost all Br and Ca, none Sr. All calcified atherosclerotic plaques contained Ca and almost all Br and Sr. The relative levels of Ca were higher in the calcified plaques than in the plaque-free vessel walls. The relative value of Ca in calcified and uncalcified samples was greatest in the group who had died because of cardiovascular disorders and smallest in the group who had died from other causes. There was a strong positive correlation between the Ca and Sr of the plaque samples and between the P and Br of the plaque-free samples.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Blood glycated haemoglobin, serum fructosamine, serum glycated albumin and serum glycated total protein as measures of glycaemia in diabetes mellitus.

Blood glycated haemoglobin (HbAlc), serum fructosamine (FA), serum glycated albumin (GA), and serum glycated total protein (GTP) were determined in 61 subjects (19 pregnant women with gestational diabetes, 24 pregnant women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM] and 18 nonpregnant subjects with IDDM). FA, GA, and GTP correlated with HbAlc similarly (r = 0.791, 0.816, and 0.794, respectively, p < 0.001). In a subgroup of 22 subjects data on blood glucose home monitoring was recorded and used for calculating mean blood glucose as an index of average glycaemia preceding sampling of the glycation products. Mean blood glucose levels preceding sampling of HbAlc by 2 months and FA, GA, or GTP by three weeks correlated significantly with HbAlc (r = 0.668, p < 0.001) and GA (r = 0.441, p < 0.05) whereas no significant correlation was found between mean blood glucose and FA (r = 0.003) or GTP (r = 0.252). In conclusion, such methods which measure specifically the non-enzymatic glycation of a single species of protein (i.e. FPLC for HbAlc and affinity chromatography for GA) are to be preferred for assessing glycaemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Reference intervals for 24-h urinary normetanephrine, metanephrine, and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid in hypertensive patients.

The urinary excretion of normetanephrine, metanephrine, and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid was quantified by HPLC in hypertensive patients who were being routinely investigated for the exclusion of pheochromocytoma. The data were used to calculate reference intervals for these analytes. Age- and sex-specific 95% reference intervals for 24-h urinary excretion were as follows (mumol/24 h): normetanephrine in men ages 16-35 years (n = 17) 0.7-3.4, in men older than 35 years (n = 121) 0.8-5.1, in women ages 16-35 years (n = 41) 0.5-2.1, and in women older than 35 years (n = 144) 0.6-3.3 mumol/24 h; metanephrine in men (n = 138) 0.3-2.0, and in women (n = 185) 0.2-1.3; and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid in men (n = 142) 10-54, and in women (n = 184) 9-38. Normetanephrine or metanephrine excretion rates or both exceeded the proposed reference intervals in seven of the eight patients with pheochromocytoma. Determination of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid excretion did not yield any additional diagnostic information.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Three main arteries of the face and their tortuosity.

The anatomy of the facial, transverse facial and infraorbital arteries and their tortuosity was studied in 69 human cadavers (age range 18-95 years). The types of facial vascularisation were divided into four categories according to the gradually diminishing relative dominance of the facial artery. Type A, in which the facial artery was dominant, comprised 22% of the cases; type B 49%; type C 20%; and the variant of the hypoplastic facial artery, type D, 9% of the cases. The type of vascularisation was not dependent on age or sex. The tortuosity of all three arteries showed a statistically significant increase with age. A weak correlation was found between the relative dominance and the tortuosity of the facial artery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Medical education and the corresponding professional needs of young doctors: the Finnish Junior Physician 88 study.

The Universities of Kuopio and Tampere in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and Finnish Medical Association carried out the 'Junior Physician 88' study in 1988, the purpose of which was to shed further light on the life situation and future plans of young doctors and their views concerning undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. The study concerned all the doctors registered during the years 1977-1986 in Finland (n = 5208). After randomization, a postal questionnaire was sent to one half (n = 2631) of these doctors. After the first reminder letter, 1745 questionnaires (66.3%) were returned. According to the views of the respondents undergraduate hospital teaching was adequate but the teaching of practice in health centres, school health care, team-work, health care of the elderly, home health care, rehabilitation, environmental health care and administration did not meet the professional needs of doctors. All doctors were satisfied with the hospital teaching in their undergraduate curriculum. However, only the doctors who graduated from the two modern universities in Kuopio and Tampere were satisfied with their undergraduate health centre teaching.

Adult↗