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Biomedical subjects

M Hannuksela

Publications and source records attributed to M Hannuksela.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Evaluation of plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity as a marker of alcoholism.

Plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity was measured in 52 alcoholics and 38 controls and compared with conventional laboratory markers of alcoholism. Mean daily alcohol intake was 180 g/day among the alcoholics and 10 g/day among the controls. Plasma CETP activity was 26% lower in the alcoholics (P < 0.001) and was inversely correlated with daily alcohol intake (r = -0.288, P < 0.05). CETP activity detected 63% of the alcoholics, and its specificity was 82% if the cut-off point was set at the mean CETP activity of the controls -1 SD. The mean -2 SD gave a very low sensitivity for CETP (8%) and cannot be used as its cut-off point. The sensitivities and specificities of gamma glutamyltransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, mean corpuscular volume and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were similar to those of CETP activity when the cut-off point for CETP was mean -1 SD. The results thus indicate that plasma CETP activity is not sufficient as a single marker of alcoholism but could be used as an additional method to detect alcohol misuse, although its wide variation in normal population and the elaborate analysis limit its usefulness.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Reduction in the concentration and activity of plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein by alcohol.

Plasma cholesteryl esters, synthesized within high density lipoproteins (HDL), may be transferred from HDL particles to other lipoproteins by plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP). Alcohol consumption is associated with increased HDL cholesterol concentration and reduced plasma CETP activity. The alcohol-induced decrease in CETP activity may be due to a low concentration of CETP in plasma or the inhibition of CETP by specific inhibitor proteins or alterations in the composition of plasma lipoproteins. The first two possibilities are studied further in this paper using data on 47 alcohol abusers and 31 control subjects. The activity of CETP was measured as the rate of cholesteryl ester transfer between radio-labeled low density lipoproteins and unlabeled HDL using an in vitro method independent of endogenous plasma lipoproteins. Plasma CETP concentration was determined by a Triton-based radioimmunoassay. The alcohol abusers consuming alcohol (on average 154 g/day) had 28% higher HDL cholesterol (P less than 0.01), 27% lower plasma CETP concentration (P less than 0.001), and 22% lower plasma CETP activity (P less than 0.001) than the controls. Plasma CETP concentration showed a negative correlation with HDL cholesterol among all the subjects (r = -0.317, P less than 0.01) but not among the alcohol abusers alone (r = -0.102, N. S.). During 2 weeks of alcohol withdrawal, plasma CETP concentration and activity of 8 subjects increased, whereas HDL cholesterol decreased by 42% (P less than 0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Specific IgE to reindeer epithelium in Finnish reindeer herders.

Reindeer herding is a major source of living for more than 4200 inhabitants in northern Finland. To determine the prevalence of allergic symptoms among reindeer herders clinical examinations and skin prick tests (SPT) with nine inhalant allergens were performed in 211 randomly selected men from 21 to 69 (mean 45) years. Specific IgE antibodies to reindeer epithelium (RE) and total serum IgE were evaluated in 99 herders, five persons who handled reindeer leather indoors, 21 atopic patients with cow allergy and another 20 subjects with specific IgE to other inhalant allergens. Positive SPT to RE was detected in one and specific IgE by using enzyme allergosorbent test (EAST) (greater than or equal to 0.8 PRU/ml) in seven herders. Specific IgE to RE was also demonstrated in one control. Using RAST inhibition a patient with cow allergy did not show cross-reactivity between cow and RE while another patient did. Thus, RE should be included in the allergy test panel when hypersensitivity to RE is suspected.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Contact sensitization to 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (MCI/MI). A European multicentre study.

The frequency of positive reactions to 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (MCI/MI) were studied at 22 European contact dermatitis clinics over a period of 1 year. A total of 4713 patients participated. All the patients were patch tested with nickel sulphate, formaldehyde, paraben-mix, and MCI/MI. 19.4% of the patients had positive patch tests to nickel, making this the most common allergen. 3% of the patients reacted to 100 ppm MCI/MI, while 2.6% reacted to formaldehyde and 1.1% to parabens. There was great variation in the frequency of MCI/MI sensitivity among the 22 centres. MCI/MI contact allergy was most common among women and in patients with facial dermatitis, while it was rarely seen in patients with dermatitis on the lower legs. There were no fluctuations in the number of positive patch tests to MCI/MI on a monthly basis when the results from all centres were combined. 117 of the 141 MCI/MI sensitized patients included in the study were retested. 88% had positive patch tests when retested. 101 of the MCI/MI-sensitive patients participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled product use test. This test showed that 31% of the MCI/MI-sensitive patients had a positive reaction to a MCI/MI-preserved product. Only a few patients reacted to a control product. It is concluded that the preservative MCI/MI is an important new contact allergen.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Segmental neurofibromatosis: immunocytochemical analysis of cutaneous lesions.

Cutaneous lesions from three patients with segmental neurofibromatosis were evaluated. Routine histologic studies revealed the presence of redimentary neural structures within an abundant collagenous matrix. The majority of the cells in all three cases expressed S-100 protein, suggesting their identity as Schwann cells. The stromal component stained positively for fibronectin and type IV collagen; the latter indicated the presence of basement membrane material. Embedded in the tumor mass were glandular epithelial structures that stained with epithelial membrane antigen antibody. Staining for factor VIII-related antigen revealed vascular endothelium and multiple scattered mast cells. In one case strands of cells stained with antibodies to desmin, suggesting muscle cell differentiation. This case may represent a distinct subset of neurofibromas.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Effect of long-term PUVA treatment of psoriasis on the collagen and elastin gene expression and growth of skin fibroblasts in vitro.

The proliferation rate, collagen metabolism and collagen and elastin messenger-RNA levels were studied in fibroblasts derived from patients who had received many courses of either systemic 8-methoxypsoralen or topical trioxsalen PUVA treatment. The proliferation rate of fibroblasts as measured by the incorporation of 3H-thymidine or by cellular division was decreased in those obtained from patients who had PUVA treatment as compared with controls. Collagen synthesis was slightly increased in the cells from PUVA-treated patients, but the relative collagen synthesis and the ratio between types I and III collagen were unchanged. The levels of collagen and elastin mRNAs were increased in fibroblasts derived from the PUVA-treated patients. No significant differences in histology or immunochemistry could be found in the biopsies taken from topical and systemic PUVA-treated patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration in alcoholics is related to low cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity.

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) facilitates the transfer of cholesteryl esters from HDL to apoB-containing lipoproteins. Since alcoholics have high HDL cholesterol and low LDL cholesterol levels, a defect in cholesteryl ester transfer could be responsible for the alcohol-induced alteration in cholesterol distribution between lipoproteins. To test this hypothesis, we compared CETP activity in plasma from 30 alcoholics without severe liver damage and 16 control subjects. Plasma CETP activity was 28% lower in the alcoholics compared with the controls (P less than 0.001), while the teetotallers among the latter had slightly higher CETP activity than those who consumed alcohol in moderation. CETP activity increased slowly after ethanol withdrawal, but did not reach the control level within the 7-day observation period. A positive correlation was observed between plasma CETP activity and the LDL cholesterol HDL cholesterol ratio (r = 0.480, P less than 0.002), whereas CETP activity showed a negative correlation with HDL cholesterol level (r = -0.467, P less than 0.001). The results indicate that defective transfer of cholesteryl esters from HDL to LDL contributes to the high HDL cholesterol levels in alcoholics.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1990

European multicenter study of TRUE Test, Panel 2.

Panel 2 of the standardized, ready-to-apply patch test, the TRUE Test, has been evaluated on 808 patients with suspected contact dermatitis. The patients were tested with 11 different allergens and the negative control, and compared with corresponding allergens in pet. (or aq.) in Finn Chambers fixed with Scanpor. The TRUE Test, Panel 2 and the control were applied symmetrically on the upper back. Left/right application of the respective test varied at random. Most tests were removed after 48 h and evaluated after 72 or 96 h, according to generally accepted recommendations. There were positive test reactions to all 11 allergens tested in the patient group. The concordance of positive reactions (1+, 2+, 3+) was 63% between TRUE Test, Panel 2 and the control method; 17% of positive reactions occurred only with TRUE Test, Panel 2 and 20% only with the compared method. Approximately 75% of all positive test reactions were explained by the patients' present or past history. Irritant/questionable reactions occurred in the same frequency for the 2 methods. Such reactions were recorded in less than 1% of all patches applied. No late reactions were recorded.

Allergens↗
PubMed1990

Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function among Finnish reindeer herders.

Prevalence of respiratory symptoms in relation to occupation and smoking habits were evaluated in 211 randomly selected male reindeer herders in Northern Finland. Clinical examination with skin prick tests (SPT) and spirometry was conducted in 23 local health centers. No significant differences could be determined in respiratory symptoms, smoking habits or ventilatory function between full-time reindeer herders and their controls. Positive SPT reactions to common allergens in reindeer herders were to some extent lower than expected. Only one test subject had positive SPT to reindeer epithelium. 35% were non-smokers, 32% smokers and 33% ex-smokers. Prevalence of chronic bronchitis was 10% in non-smokers and 28% in regular smokers, while the prevalence of cough was 18% and 23%, and that of the phlegm 10% and 34%, respectively. 14% had dyspnoea caused by cold air inhalation. In the age groups of 21-39 FVC and FEV1 increased by age in ex- and non-smokers but decreased in smokers. The mean FEV1% was lowest in regular smokers. Further studies are needed to establish the possible disadvantage of cold air to reindeer herder's working capacity.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Spice allergy: results of skin prick tests and RAST with spice extracts.

Skin prick tests (SPT) with freeze-dried spices and 5% (w/v) spice extracts were performed on 50 patients with 2+ or stronger SPT reactions to spices per se, and RAST were performed on 10 of them. Freeze-dried extracts produced mostly equal or stronger SPT reactions than corresponding whole spices, but 5% (w/v) extracts produced weaker reactions and also remained totally negative in some patients. Positive RAST results were seen in all 10 patients tested. The correlation between the RAST and SPT results was good for mustard and paprika, but poor for cayenne, coriander, caraway and white pepper. Five patients with positive SPT and RAST for spices contracted rhinitis from powdered spices in their working environments, and one patient suffered from gastrointestinal pains caused by spiced food. The others had noticed no clinical symptoms caused by spices. The present results thus indicate that both SPT and RAST should include purified spice extracts.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Immediate contact reactions to benzoic acid and the sodium salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. Comparison of various skin sites.

Benzoic acid (BA) and the sodium salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid (NaPCA) were tested in 13 healthy persons to obtain information about, firstly, the irritant properties of NaPCA and, secondly, the reactivity of various skin sites. BA at 16, 8, and 4 mM pet., and NaPCA at 50, 25, 12.5, and 6.25% in water, were applied to the forehead, cheek, neck and upper back. Erythema reactions were observed visually, and the changes in the skin blood flow were monitored using a laser-Doppler flowmeter. BA at 16 mM increased blood flow on the cheek of 12 test subjects, and on the neck, forehead and upper back of 6 subjects, but 8 and 4 mM BA elicited reactions only on the cheek. NaPCA caused reactions on the upper back of 3 test subjects only, but not on other test sites.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Skin reactions to hexylene glycol.

Hexylene glycol (HG), which has been used for years in industrial chemicals and cosmetics, has recently been introduced in topical corticosteroids. We studied the irritant and sensitizing properties of HG in eczema patients. HG at 50% or 30% and propylene glycol (PG) at 30% in water were patch tested in 823 eczema patients subjected to routine patch testing. Oedema and erythema reactions from HG occurred in 2.8% of the patients. The corresponding result for PG was 3.8%. 50% HG equalled 30% PG in producing a visible reaction. In patch tests with dilution series, 2 patients reacted to 1% HG, but in both cases ROAT with HG remained negative. One other patient with a 3+ patch test reaction to both 30% PG and 50% HG had a positive ROAT result to 30% HG in water and to 5% PG in a cream base. PG, but not HG, increased transepidermal water loss both in atopic normal-looking skin and among healthy controls. The present results suggest that HG is less irritating that PG under occlusion, but that delayed contact allergic reactions may occur.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

UVB erythema inhibited by topically applied substances.

The photoprotective and antierythematous effects of topical corticosteroids, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), indomethacin (IM), butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) and diphenhydramine hydrochloride (DPH) and the influence of the application time on the formation of erythema were studied in healthy volunteers. The test substances, incorporated in o/w creams, were applied to the back in large Finn Chambers 24, 4 and 1 hours before and 1 and 4 hours after ultraviolet light B (UVB) irradiation (3 x MED). The reactions were assessed both visually and using a laser Doppler flowmetry device. When applied before irradiation, ASA and IM, significantly inhibited UVB erythema. When applied after irradiation, IM, DPH and potent corticosteroids reduced UVB erythema, but ASA, BHT and hydrocortisone did not. 5% ASA had the greatest photoprotective effect when the cream was applied 4 hours or 1 hour before irradiation. The photoprotective effect was only slight when the 5% ASA cream was applied 24 hours before irradiation.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1989

Effect of ultraviolet B on nonimmunologic contact reactions induced by dimethyl sulphoxide, phenol and sodium lauryl sulphate.

The effect of ultraviolet light B (UVB) on immediate and delayed irritant reactions induced by dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), phenol, and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) was studied in 12 volunteers. One half of the upper back was irradiated with 0.16 J/cm2 of UVB. Patch tests for immediate reactions were performed using dilution series of test substances on the 3rd, 9th and 15th days and for delayed reactions on the 2nd, 8th and 14th days after irradiation both on the UV-exposed and non-exposed areas of the back. The occlusion time was 20 min for immediate reactions and 20 h for delayed ones. Changes in the skin blood flow of the test sites were monitored using laser-Doppler flowmetry, and erythema and edema reactions were observed visually. Both immediate and delayed reactions were caused by DMSO and phenol; SLS elicited only delayed reactions. UVB diminished immediate reactions induced by phenol for at least 15 days after irradiation. Immediate reactions to DMSO were diminished 40 min after application on the UV-exposed area on the 3rd day. UVB diminished the delayed reactions from SLS and DMSO but not reactions induced by phenol.

Adult↗