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Biomedical subjects

L Salmenperä

Publications and source records attributed to L Salmenperä.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Physicians' attitudes towards the use of complementary therapies (CTs) by cancer patients in Finland.

This study describes physicians' attitudes towards the use of complementary therapies (CTs) by cancer patients in Finland. Responses to 33 Likert-type statements were received from 234 physicians; the response rate was 50.6%. The questionnaire items were analysed separately and using five sum variables. Data analysis was based on descriptive statistics, chi-square and t-tests and analysis of variance. Attitudes among physicians and oncologists in particular were quite critical. Over four-fifths of the physicians (86%) were doubtful whether CTs should be used at all, given the scarcity of solid research evidence on their benefits. Three quarters (75%) referred to unknown risk factors, half (51%) were of the opinion that CTs should not be used in cancer care at all. On the other hand 58% believed that CTs could help to relieve stress and anxiety among cancer patients, and 79% wanted to see scientific testing to establish the effects of CTs. The most positive attitude towards CTs was shown by general practitioners and non-specialized physicians. Positive attitudes were associated with personal CT use, with recommending CTs to patients and with a high level of interest to participate in CT training. The physicians did not believe the specific CTs singled out for investigation would help patients to recover from cancer. They thought that the use of CTs by cancer patients was motivated by future hope, a determination to do everything possible to cure the cancer and the perception of CTs as a last resort. The result that professional attitudes towards CTs are quite critical in Finland presents a very special challenge to the relationship between physicians and patients: it is crucial that physicians know enough about CTs so that they can discuss the issue with patients and provide relevant advice and guidance on their use.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Attitudes of patients with breast and prostate cancer toward complementary therapies in Finland.

This study aimed to describe the attitudes of patients with breast cancer and those with prostate cancer toward complementary therapies. The data were collected with a postal questionnaire administered to 216 patients with breast cancer (response rate, 55.4%) and 1 90 patients with prostate cancer (response rate, 54.9%) in southern and southwestern Finland. The questionnaire was composed of 44 Likert-type statements, which were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi2 tests, t tests, and two-way analyses of variance. More than half (54%) of the patients with breast cancer and 45% of the patients with prostate cancer believed that people with cancer may benefit from complementary therapies, although they did not think these therapies actually could cure cancer. More than half of the respondents were dubious about using complementary therapies as long as there was no solid scientific evidence. Most believed that complementary therapies were used because they gave people hope (women, 88%; men, 72%) or "something to cling to" (women, 83%; men, 76%). The respondents believed most in dietary therapies and least in healing. There was much confusion and uncertainty about the professional competencies and expertise of the people who provided complementary therapies. Approximately one fourth of the respondents had spoken to their physician about complementary therapies. Only a few had talked about the matter with nursing staff. About half of the respondents thought that physicians and nurses took a negative attitude toward complementary therapies. In both groups, patients who had talked with their physician about complementary therapies tended to show a more positive attitude.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The apolipoprotein E phenotype has a strong influence on tracking of serum cholesterol and lipoprotein levels in children: a follow-up study from birth to the age of 11 years.

The extent to which an individual maintains his position relative to the rest of the population is called tracking. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of the apolipoprotein E (apoE) phenotype on the tracking of serum cholesterol and lipoproteins from birth to the age of 11 y. In a longitudinal follow-up study of healthy children, concentrations of total serum cholesterol and triglyceride were determined at birth (n = 193), and at the ages of 2 (n = 192), 4 (n = 192), 6 (n = 190), 9 (n = 188), and 12 mo (n = 196), and 5 (n = 162) and 11 y (n = 153). Concentrations of total HDL, HDL2, and HDL3, VLDL, and LDL cholesterol were determined at 2, 6, 9, and 12 mo (n = 36), and 5 (n = 162) and 11 y (n = 153). The apoE phenotype was determined in 151 children. The children had the following apoE phenotypes: 4 had type 4/4 and 40 type 3/4 (group apoE4), 94 had type 3/3 (group apoE3), and 11 had type 2/3 and 2 type 2/4 (group apoE2). The correlation coefficients for total cholesterol levels during childhood compared with the level at 11 y of age were: 0.03 at birth, 0.26 (p < 0.001) at 2 mo, 0.24 (p < 0.001) at 4 mo, 0.24 (p < 0.001) at 6 mo, 0.28 (p < 0.001) at 9 mo, 0.41 (p < 0.001) at 12 mo, and 0.60 (p < 0.001) at 5 y. When the children were divided into three groups according to their apoE phenotypes, these three groups had the following correlation coefficients at 4 mo, 12 mo, or 5 y of age compared with the level at the age of 11 y; group apoE2: r = 0.65 (p < 0.01), r = 0.59 (p < 0.01), and r = 0.72 (p < 0.01); group apoE3: r = 0.27 (p < 0.01), 0.43 (p < 0.001), and r = 0.64 (p < 0.001); and group apoE4: r = 0.14 (p = NS), r = 0.33 (p < 0.05), and 0.42 (p < 0.01). The apoE phenotype also strongly influenced the tracking of the LDL cholesterol levels; the correlation coefficients between 5 and 11 y of age were for group apoE2 r = 0.84 (p < 0.001), for group apoE3 r = 0.70 (p < 0.001), and for group apoE4 r = 0.37 (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that the apoE phenotype strongly influences the tracking of lipids. The children having apoE 2/3, 2/4, and 3/3 phenotypes maintained their relative cholesterol and lipoprotein levels better than the others throughout the first 11 y of age. Because the apoE phenotype strongly affects the tracking of serum cholesterol, the usefulness of cholesterol screening in predicting future cholesterol values should be analyzed, keeping the apoE phenotype in mind.

Apolipoproteins E↗
PubMed1997

Detecting subclinical deficiency of essential trace elements in children with special reference to zinc and selenium.

OBJECTIVE: This article reviews situations in which we should be alert to the risk of trace element deficiencies, and the difficulties of assessing trace element status, as illustrated by states of potential subclinical deficiency of zinc and selenium in infants. CONCLUSION: Deficiency states of many trace elements have been documented in infants, and there is probably an underdiagnosed group of infants with subclinical deficiency, from which however the great majority are protected by effective regulatory systems. Specific, sensitive, and reliable methods are needed for the detection of trace element imbalances.

Child↗
PubMed1997

Apoprotein E phenotype determines serum cholesterol in infants during both high-cholesterol breast feeding and low-cholesterol formula feeding.

Our objective was to establish the role of the apoprotein (apo) E phenotype in determining serum cholesterol levels in infants fed exclusively on high-fat, high-cholesterol human milk and in those fed a low-cholesterol, high-unsaturated fat formula. The total and lipoprotein cholesterol, apoB, and triglyceride concentrations in serum were quantified and related to the apoE phenotype in 151 infants at birth and at 2, 6, 9, and 12 months of age. Forty-four had the E3/4 or 4/4 phenotype (E4 group), 94 had the E3/3 phenotype (E3 group), and 13 had the E2/3 or 2/4 phenotype (E2 group). In cord blood, cholesterol concentrations tended to be higher in the E4 than in the E2 group. With exclusive breast-feeding, the concentrations rose significantly faster and higher in the E4 group than in the E3 group or, especially, the E2 group. The values (mmol/L, mean +/- SEM) were 1.6 +/- 0.15, 1.5 +/- 0.05, 1.4 +/- 0.1 (P = n.s.) at birth; 4.2 +/- 0.1, 3.8 +/- 0.08, 3.4 +/- 0.2 (P < 0.001) at 2 months; 4.4 +/- 0.15, 3.9 +/- 0.1, 3.4 +/- 0.15 (P < 0.001) at 4 months; 4.3 +/- 0.17, 4.0 +/- 0.13, 3.7 +/- 0.26 (P < 0.001) at 6 months; 4.8 +/- 0.28, 4.4 +/- 0.11, 3.8 +/- 0.05 (P < 0.001) at 9 months; and 4.7 +/- 0.11, 4.4 +/- 0.08, 4.1 +/- 0.19 (P < 0.001) at 12 months, for the E4, E3, and E2 groups, respectively. Increases in LDL cholesterol and LDL apoB behaved similarly. The total triglyceride, and total HDL, HDL2, and HDL3 cholesterol concentrations did not depend on the apoE phenotype. Among infants fed high-fat, high-cholesterol human milk, the total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations and the LDL apoB concentration of those with the apoE phenotype 4/4 or 3/4 rose faster and to higher levels than in other infants. Among formula-fed infants, receiving a low-cholesterol, high-unsaturated fat diet, the differences between the apoE groups were smaller.

Aging↗
PubMed1996

Risk of low vitamin B6 status in infants breast-fed exclusively beyond six months.

Our aim was to ascertain the adequacy of human milk as the sole source of vitamin B6 and the associations between maternal and infant status during extended exclusive breast-feeding. Vitamin B6 status was followed in lactating mothers and their exclusively breast-fed infants by determinations of erythrocyte pyridoxal 5'-phosphate concentration and the erythrocyte aspartate transaminase stimulation test at 2 months (n = 118), 4 months (n = 118), 6 months (n = 112), 7.5 months (n = 70), 9 months (n = 36), 10 months (n = 14), 11 months (n = 11), and 12 months (n = 7) postpartum. Of the mothers, 54% had used vitamin B6 supplement during pregnancy, and all received a pyridoxine hydrochloride supplement of 1 mg/day throughout lactation. The infants had a higher vitamin B6 status than their mothers. During the first 4 months, infant vitamin B6 status was generally adequate independently of the actual vitamin status of the nursing mother. Most of the infants with low status at 2 months were those born to mothers who were not supplemented during pregnancy. By 6 months of exclusive breast-feeding, 30% of cases of low vitamin B6 status in nursing mothers were reflected in their infants. Thereafter, the risk of low vitamin B6 status in exclusively breast-fed infants increased even if the mother's status was adequate. Our findings suggest that gestationally accumulated stores are important for the maintenance of adequate vitamin B6 status of infants during the early months and that for some infants, human milk alone, without supplementary foods, may be insufficient to meet vitamin B6 needs after 6 months of age.

Aspartate Aminotransferases↗
PubMed1995

Vitamin B-6 status during childhood: tracking from 2 months to 11 years of age.

To examine the development and tracking of long-term vitamin B-6 status from infancy to early adolescence, measurements of erythrocyte pyridoxal 5'-phosphate concentration (EPLP), the erythrocyte aspartate transaminase (EAST) stimulation test including measurements of basal activity (EASTo) and activation coefficient (alpha EAST), were made in a follow-up study of healthy children aged 2 (n = 139), 4 (n = 147), 6 (n = 157), 9 (n = 159) and 12 mo (n = 188) and 5 y (n = 148). The EAST stimulation test was repeated at 11 y (n = 153). Vitamin B-6 status, high during infancy, reached the adult level by 5 y of age. The 10th to 90th percentile ranges for EPLP values were 61-201 nmol/L at 4 mo, 49-101 nmol/L at 12 mo and 27-59 nmol/L at 5 y. The respective ranges for Easto were 16-24 microkat/L at 4 mo, 13-19 microkat/L at 12 mo, 9-14 microkat/L at 5 y and 25-39 microkat/L at 11 y of age. For alpha EAST values were 1.29-1.54 at 4 mo, 1.48-1.77 at 12 mo, 1.70-2.07 at 5 y and 2.00-2.57 at 11 y. Values for EPLP and the EAST stimulation test in the first year of life correlated with the values at 5 and 11 y. The individuals with values at the extreme ends of the distributions remained there from infancy to childhood up to 3.3 times more often than expected from random variation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗
PubMed1995

Low vitamin B6 status associated with slow growth in healthy breast-fed infants.

To evaluate the effect of vitamin B6 status on infant growth, we studied longitudinally anthropometry and the erythrocyte parameters that reflect long-term vitamin B6 status [erythrocyte pyridoxal 5'-phosphate concentration (EPLP), erythrocyte aspartate transaminase basal activity (EAST0), and its activation co-efficient (alpha EAST)] in 44 infants. The infants were exclusively breast-fed for 6 mo, given additional solids according a uniform schedule from 6-9 mo, and formula after 9 mo, if needed. In seven of these infants, a low vitamin B6 status (EPLP < 10th, and EAST0 > 10th or alpha EAST > 90th percentile for these values in reference infants) was observed between 4 and 6 mo of age. These seven infants showed slower length velocity (0.30 +/- 0.05 versus 0.40 +/- 0.02 mm/d, p < or = 0.02) and deeper fall in length-for-age (-0.69 +/- 0.20 versus -0.25 +/- 0.07 SD score, p < or = 0.03) from 6 to 9 mo of age than the similarly fed infants with higher vitamin B6 status. Preceding vitamin B6 status remained a significant explanatory factor for length velocity and change in length-for-age in addition to preceding and concomitant weight velocity, when sex, birth size, preceding length gain, and mid-parent height were taken into account. Change in weight-for-age alone explained 16% and 18% and, together with vitamin B6 status, 23 and 27% of the variation in length velocity and in change in length-for-age, respectively. Thus, in healthy breast-fed infants, according to our results, low vitamin B6 status is associated with reversibly reduced gain in length.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1994

Effect of heredity on hemoglobin concentration.

We studied 5-year-old children and their patients in 80 families and observed an association between the hemoglobin concentrations of the children and their parents before and after iron medication. We speculate that inheritance may exert a significant influence; iron deficiency did not explain the finding.

Anemia↗
PubMed1994

Zinc supplementation of infant formula.

The effect of zinc supplementation of infant formula on zinc nutrition and growth of healthy infants was studied longitudinally from birth to age 12 mo. The zinc-supplemented group (n = 16) received the same formula as the unsupplemented group (n = 16) except for the addition of 61 mumol (4 mg) Zn/L as sulfate. After age 2 mo in the breast-fed and unsupplemented groups the mean serum zinc concentration remained stable at approximately 9.9 mumol/L. The zinc supplement increased the mean serum zinc concentration to 13.0 mumol/L by age 6 mo. With increasing intake of solid foods, the concentration fell by age 9 mo to the same concentration as in the other groups. The supplement did not increase the velocity of weight or length growth. In their growth the unsupplemented infants were not inferior to the breast-fed or zinc-supplemented infants.

Female↗
PubMed1994

Reference ranges for erythrocyte pyridoxal 5'-phosphate concentration and the erythrocyte aspartate transaminase stimulation test in lactating mothers and their infants.

We determined reference ranges for erythrocyte pyridoxal 5'-phosphate concentrations (EPLP) and erythrocyte aspartate transaminase basal activities (EASTo) and activation coefficients (alpha EAST) in lactating mothers and infants from data of mothers receiving a vitamin B-6 supplement and infants breast-fed by mothers with adequate vitamin B6 status. The mothers' vitamin B6 status was assessed on the third day postpartum (pp) (n = 91) and at 2 mo (n = 114), 4 mo (n = 117), 6 mo (n = 110), and 9 mo (n = 40) pp and that of the exclusively breast-fed infants at 2 mo (n = 90), 4 mo (n = 106), and 6 mo (n = 99). We also examined 9-mo-old infants (n = 39) who, besides breast milk, had received solids after 6 mo, and 12-mo-old infants (n = 100) who had received solids beginning at 4-6 mo and dairy products at 9 mo. Values indicating deficiency for at least two of the three indexes distinguished the 5-10% of mothers and infants with the lowest vitamin B6 status. The reference ranges for EPLP, EASTo, and alpha EAST for infants and for mothers during the first months of lactation differ from those reported earlier for adults.

Aspartate Aminotransferases↗
PubMed1994

Infant vitamin B-6 status changes with age and with formula feeding.

To study the effect of type of feeding on infant vitamin B-6 status, we determined erythrocyte pyridoxal 5'-phosphate concentration (EPLP) and erythrocyte aspartate aminotransferase basal activity (EASTo) and its activation coefficient (alpha EAST) in 109 infants at 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 mo of age. Thirty-six infants were exclusively breast-fed for 9 mo. Forty-six infants were exclusively breast-fed for 6 mo, and then given solid foods in addition. Twenty-seven infants were weaned by 2-3 mo to an adapted cow milk-based formula (15 g protein/L and 0.6 mg pyridoxine/L) and given solid foods from 3 to 4 mo. Infant vitamin B-6 status was age-dependent; it was highest at 4 mo and thereafter gradually approached adult values. The larger the intake of formula, the higher the vitamin B-6 status. In formula-fed infants at ages 2-6 mo, 71-96% of the EPLP values and 57-70% of the EASTo values were above the 95th percentile, and 35-53% of the alpha EAST values were below the 5th percentile for these values in breast-fed infants. These findings raise the question of whether the vitamin B-6 content of formulas, especially in relation to protein content, should be reduced.

Aging↗
PubMed1994

Low zinc intake during exclusive breast-feeding does not impair growth.

We studied zinc nutrition in exclusively breast-fed infants whose growth deviated from the norm. Their number fell from 200 at birth to 116 at the age of 6 months and 36 at the age of 9 months. The mothers received 0, 20, or 40 mg Zn++ as sulfate daily. Breast milk intake and concentrations of zinc in milk as well as in maternal and infant serum were measured. Individual zinc concentrations in milk showed channeling. The 20-mg supplement had no effect on the parameters measured. In contrast, 40 mg increased the maternal serum zinc concentration by 2 months and slowed the normal decline of milk zinc concentration by 6 months. Maternal supplementation had no effect on infant serum concentrations; they remained lower than adult levels throughout the 1st year of life. Zinc intake was low (about one-tenth of RDA), but it seemed to be adequate; the serum concentrations of the infants were stable after the age of 2 months. Low zinc concentrations in serum were not associated with impaired growth. On the contrary, the infants with the highest rates of growth had the lowest zinc concentrations. The infant serum zinc concentrations were channeled, but they were also influenced by the zinc intake. Reference values for breast-fed infants are given.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Erythropoiesis of very low-birth-weight infants dependent on prenatal growth rate and protein status.

This study investigated erythropoiesis in very low-birth-weight infants with special reference to the role of protein status in the regulation of erythropoiesis in 22 appropriate- and 11 small-for-gestational-age infants. Blood samples were drawn at three and six weeks of age. The serum concentrations of erythropoietin, estimated by a solid-phase enzyme immunoassay, were similar in the two groups at both study ages. The total circulating erythrocyte volume and the serum concentration of prealbumin were higher in the appropriate- than in the small-for-gestational-age infants at three and six weeks of age. The former group had a better protein status, although their protein intake was similar or lower. We conclude that erythropoiesis in very low-birth-weight infants is influenced more by protein status and prenatal growth than by serum concentration of erythropoietin.

Embryonic and Fetal Development↗
PubMed1993

Tracking of serum cholesterol and lipoprotein levels from the first year of life.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the development of tracking of serum cholesterol concentration from birth to childhood. DESIGN: In a longitudinal study of healthy children, concentrations of total serum cholesterol and triglyceride were determined at birth (n = 193); at 2 (n = 192), 4 (n = 192), 6 (n = 190), 7.5 (n = 118), 9 (n = 188), and 12 months (n = 196); and at 5 years of age (n = 162). Concentrations of cholesterol--very-low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein-2 (HDL2), and HDL3--were determined at 2, 6, 9, and 12 months (n = 36) and at 5 years (n = 162). RESULTS: The correlation coefficients of total cholesterol levels during the first year of life with the level at 5 years of age were as follows: at birth .04, at 2 months .36 (P < .001), at 4 months .26 (P < .001), at 6 months .28 (P < .001), at 7.5 months .25 (P < .001), at 9 months .35 (P < .001), and at 12 months .48 (P < .001). The correlation for exclusively breast-fed children between 6 months and 5 years of age was r = .37, P < .001, while that for children receiving partially breast milk, formula, or solid foods was r = .12, P = not significant (NS), and between 9 months and 5 years r = .38, P < .01, and r = .28, P < .05, respectively. The correlation coefficients of the lipoprotein levels between ages 12 months and 5 years were as follows: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol .58 (P < .001), total HDL cholesterol .30 (P < .05), HDL2 cholesterol .34 (P < .05), HDL3 cholesterol .17 (P = NS), very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol .24 (P = NS), total triglyceride .37 (P < .05), and triglyceride-very-low-density lipoprotein .37 (P < .05). Of the children whose total serum cholesterol level was above the 90th percentile at birth, or at 2, 4, 6, 7.5, 9, or 12 months, 6%, 35%, 29%, 30%, 31%, 33%, and 45%, respectively, were above the 90th percentile at 5 years of age. In retrospect, 45% of the children whose serum cholesterol level was above the 90th percentile at 5 years were above the 90th percentile at the age of 12 months and 80% were in the highest quartile. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that tracking of serum cholesterol concentration during the first year of life is stronger when examining children who are receiving a relatively homogenous diet, such as exclusive breast-feeding, and weaker as children are weaned to formula and solid foods. After the weaning process is completed, children's relative serum cholesterol levels have become established and the tracking of serum cholesterol is of the same magnitude as for older children and adolescents.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1992

Serum cholesterol and lipoprotein concentrations in mothers during and after prolonged exclusive lactation.

The effect of exclusive lactation on lipid levels was investigated by evaluating serum concentrations of total and lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and apoprotein (apo) B in mothers during and after exclusive, prolonged lactation. Serum total cholesterol concentrations were measured at delivery (n = 195), at 2 (n = 165), 6 (n = 119), 9 (n = 74), and 12 months (n = 32) of lactation, and 2 months (n = 27) after ending this exclusive lactation. In a subgroup of 34 mothers, serum levels of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein 2 (HDL2), HDL3, and LDL apo B were determined at 2, 6, 9, and 12 months of lactation. The mean value of serum total cholesterol concentrations decreased from 6.2 +/- 0.12 (SEM; n = 195) at delivery to 4.8 +/- 0.1 mmol/L (n = 116) at 6 months of exclusive lactation (P < .001). The average decrement in total cholesterol level was 0.80 mmol/L (P < .001) from delivery to 2 months of lactation and 0.55 mmol/L (P < .001) from 2 to 6 months of lactation, and levels were stable thereafter. In the 27 mothers who were exclusively breast-feeding their infants at 9 months of lactation and whose serum cholesterol levels were measured 2 months after the end of lactation, cholesterol levels increased rapidly to 5.7 +/- 0.21 mmol/L (P = .001). In the subgroup of 34 mothers who were examined more closely, the course just described was also true for serum TG, LDL and VLDL cholesterol, and LDL apo B levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Apolipoproteins B↗
PubMed1992

Exclusive breast-feeding and weaning: effect on serum cholesterol and lipoprotein concentrations in infants during the first year of life.

The total serum cholesterol concentration of infants was investigated at birth (n = 193) and at the ages of 2 (n = 192), 4 (n = 192), 6 (n = 190), 9 (n = 188), and 12 months (n = 196). Concentrations of cholesterol--very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein-2 (HDL2), HDL3--and apoprotein B were analyzed in 36 infants at 2, 6, 9, and 12 months of age. Serum cholesterol concentration rose significantly more slowly in the weaned infants compared with exclusively breast-fed infants. The mean difference in total serum cholesterol value between the exclusively breast-fed and weaned infants was largest at ages 2 (0.9 mmol/L, P less than .001), 4 (0.6 mmol/L, P less than .01), and 6 months (0.5 mmol/L, P less than .01). The LDL cholesterol concentration was lower in weaned infants compared with exclusively breast-fed infants at age 2 and 6 months; the mean difference in LDL cholesterol value was 0.9 mmol/L at age 2 months (P less than .001) and 0.7 mmol/L at age 6 months (P less than .025). Also, the apoprotein B concentration was lower in weaned infants; the mean difference was 24 mg/dL at age 2 months (P less than .01) and 30 mg/dL at age 6 months (P less than .05). The apoprotein B-LDL cholesterol ratio was stable and similar in both feeding groups through the year. The HDL2 cholesterol concentration was lower in the formula-fed than in breast-fed infants at 2 months of age while the VLDL and HDL3 cholesterol concentrations were independent of the diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Apolipoproteins B↗