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Biomedical subjects

K Vainio

Publications and source records attributed to K Vainio.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Molecular epidemiology of calicivirus infections in Norway.

The national reference laboratory for calicivirus diagnostics monitors the epidemiology of calicivirus infections in Norway. During winter 1998-1999, 406 fecal samples were received from patients with suspected calicivirus infection. Of these, 76 (19%) were calicivirus positive by a nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. A number of alternative PCR designs were employed to disclose false negatives, but none were found. One half of the PCR positive samples were sequenced in order to investigate whether various cases represented the same outbreak, and to what extent a single or multiple subtypes were responsible for the morbidity during this season. The sequence data revealed that the majority of cases represented a genotype related to the Lordsdale strain, whereas the remaining cases seemed more sporadic. Most often, samples from particular outbreaks were highly homogeneous. However, in a few cases, samples connected with the same outbreak proved to contain epidemiologically independent strains.

Caliciviridae↗
PubMed2001

No sequence variation in part of the hexon and the fibre genes of adenovirus 8 isolated from patients with conjunctivitis or epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) in Norway during 1989 to 1996.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several local epidemics of keratoconjunctivitis/conjunctivitis caused by adenovirus type 8 (Ad8) occurred in Norway from August 1995 to May 1996. A smaller epidemic occurred in 1992. The Ad8 hexon forms the surface of the virion and contains the hypervariable regions loop I(1) and loop I(2). The fibre mediates the primary contact with cells. Sequence variation in hexon and fibre genes might play an important role in the pathogenicity of adenoviruses. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic variability at the hexon and fibre genes in 26 strains of Ad8 isolated from 1989 to 1996. METHODS: The genetic variability of 26 strains of Ad8 isolated from 1989 to 1996 was studied by sequencing part of the hexon and fibre genes. The Ad8 sequences were compared with each other and with two Ad8 strains from the EMBL database. In addition, 14 of the 26 isolates were subjected to restriction endonuclease analysis. RESULTS: No significant sequence variation was seen during the six year period. CONCLUSION: The Ad8 strains causing epidemics of keratoconjunctivitis/conjunctivitis in Norway are genetically stable.

Adenovirus Infections, Human↗
PubMed1991

Adverse drug effects and the need for drug information.

The information needs of a group of patients taking antihypertensive medication were assessed with special emphasis on the influence of perceived symptoms of high blood pressure and adverse drug effects. All patients of a hypertension clinic currently on antihypertensive medication were included in the study. The response rate to the questionnaire was 85%. Of the 623 patients included, only 31% expressed satisfaction with the amount of information received on adverse effects of their antihypertensive drugs. Patients younger than 50 years explicitly expressed a need for information more often than those older than 64. There were no differences in the expressed information needs between men and women. The reported experience of symptoms related to high blood pressure and adverse drug effects was more common among younger patients than among the elderly. Of those who experienced both adverse drug effects and symptoms, 57% expressed a need for more information, whereas only 30% of those who had no such experiences expressed a need for more information on adverse drug effects. It was concluded that there is a substantial need for more information on adverse drug effects, especially among those who have experienced adverse drug effects or some symptoms of hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Atrophy of the thumb web space in rheumatoid arthritis: clinical and electrodiagnostic studies.

One hundred and twenty definite or classical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with an average duration of the disease of 12.1 years were studied. Sixty-two patients had distinct atrophy of the first dorsal interosseous of the hand without definite signs of carpal, cubital, or ulnar tunnel syndrome (group A); 43 patients showed neither distinct atrophy nor sensory disturbance of either hand (group B). Other patients had sensory and/or motor disturbances due to carpal, cubital, or ulnar tunnel syndrome and other neuropathies. Electrodiagnostic examinations revealed that there were differences in the distal latency to the first dorsal interosseous muscle from the wrist between 24 group-A patients and 14 normal controls (P less than 0.05), and between the group-A patients and 12 group-B patients (P less than 0.1). The results of this study indicate that some RA patients with atrophy of the thumb web space may have compression neuropathy of the most distal branches of the ulnar nerve.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1979

Arthrodesis of the shoulder in rheumatoid arthritis: a review of forty-one cases.

Forty-one arthrodeses of the shoulder in thirty-nine patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (thirty women, nine men) have been reviewed. Using internal fixation and external splints the position of the shoulder was maintained in 55 degrees of abduction, 25 degrees of horizontal flexion and enough internal rotation to allow the patient to reach the mouth. The mean period of immobilisation in a thoracobrachial splint was nine weeks, and 90 per cent of the shoulders had solid bony fusion at review. After arthrodesis the total range of scapulothoracic movement improved by about 60 per cent, giving results rated as excellent in fifteen cases (36 per cent), as good in thirteen (32 per cent) and as fair in thirteen (32 per cent). Arthrodesis can be recommended as an easy, cheap and reliable method of treating a shoulder which has been severely destroyed by rheumatoid arthritis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Arthroplasty of the elbow in rheumatoid arthritis.

The study consists of 208 elbow arthroplasties performed on rheumatoid arthritic patients. A straight resection of the joint was used in 53 cases and a modified Hass arthroplasty with skin interposition in 155 cases. The average postoperative range of motion in these groups was 100 degrees and 96 degrees respectively. Postoperatively the joint was painless in 81 and 67% of the elbows respectively. The Hass arthroplasty gave a better stability and extension power. The most common complications were paresthesias in the region of the ulnar nerve and bone resorption in the region of the ulnar nerve and bone resorption in the region of the olecranon fossa.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

The pattern of meniscus damage in the rheumatoid arthritis.

Forty-seven knees with rheumatoid arthritis were synovectomized. The changes at the cartilage surface were always more grave when seen at the operation as was expected from the conventional X-rays. On the other hand degenerative changes of the menisci were more advanced than those in the cartilages. An important destructive factor was the almost constant pannus-filled erosion found at the upper corner of the tibia under the menisci. Thus, it is indicated to remove the menisci if they show a slightest degree of destruction.

Adolescent↗