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Biomedical subjects

P Sainio

Publications and source records attributed to P Sainio.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genomes and c-myc oncogene in oral Burkitt's lymphomas.

In addition to Burkitt's lymphomas, tentative evidence suggests the involvement of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in malignant lymphomas of T-cell origin. The c-myc proto-oncogene is strongly associated with the development of lymphoid neoplasias. In the present study, a series of 38 biopsies of oral lymphomas (29 Burkitt's lymphomas, 9 malignant lymphomas of other type) obtained from patients in Tanzania were studied using in situ hybridization (ISH) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of EBV DNA and c-myc oncogene. In ISH applied on formalin-fixed, paraffin wax-embedded biopsies, the Bam HI W fragment of EBV DNA was used as the probe. Amplification of c-myc oncogene was studied by PCR with a primer set from Exon II area. As an internal standard beta-globin gene was simultaneously amplified. EBV DNA was disclosed by ISH in five Burkitt's lymphomas only. Using the PCR, 20 of the 29 cases (70%) of Burkitt's lymphomas showed amplification for EBV DNA. Of the other EBV-positive lymphomas, two were of the lymphocytic type (large non-cleaved cell), one histiocytic and one Burkitt's-like lymphoma. All EBV-positive cases found on the agarose gel were positive also with the dot blot, when hybridized with the 32P-labeled EBV Bam HI W-fragment probe. All lymphomas showed similar bands on the gel for c-myc and beta-globin indicating that no amplification of c-myc was present.

Burkitt Lymphoma

A quantitative method for measuring labeled compounds with whole-body autoradiography in tissue sections.

Whole-body autoradiography is an effective method for localizing labeled compounds in various organs. However, the technique is limited in its ability to quantify such material. Using tissue sections, this study investigated certain parameters involved in the quantitative estimation of labeled compounds by whole-body autoradiography. These included correlation between thickness of the section and radioactivity counted, the precision of such measurements, and the reproducibility of the autoradiographic films as tested by image analysis transmission. The precision of radioactivity measurements using tapes with a tissue section or a "punch biopsy" (punching off a piece of tissue from the section) was compared. The results revealed excellent linearity between the thickness of the section and the radioactivity counted (r = 0.97) when section thickness was 10-30 microns. The measurement precision using tapes was better than with the "punch specimen" method. The reproducibility of photographic films was good when transmission was measured by image analysis. It was concluded that a thickness of 30 micron is ideal for use in whole-body autoradiographic studies. It appeared that radioactivity measurement of tissue sections on tapes was superior to direct measurement from organs. Image analysis was employed and statistically evaluated for the first time in this study, and the promising findings suggest that it is likely to become the method of choice for future studies of this type.

Animals

Dento-facial morphology and caries experience: an epidemiological study.

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between occurrence of enamel focal demineralization (EFD) lesions and caries on the smooth surfaces of permanent teeth and some parameters concerning dentofacial morphology in different age groups of Finnish children. Altogether 587 children aged 7, 9 and 12 years living in Helsinki and Kuopio, Finland were examined clinically and some parameters of dento-facial morphology were measured. Of the dento-facial morphological parameters, the size of the gonial angle seemed to be associated with caries indicators. The possible predictive value of dento-facial morphology for caries should be confirmed by longitudinal study.

Age Factors

Comparison of effects of nicotinic acid or tryptophan on tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase in acute and chronic studies.

Tryptophan is one of the strongest activators of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the pathway which degrades tryptophan. One of the metabolites thus formed is nicotinic acid, widely administered as a drug--often at high doses--and a vitamin. This study determined whether nicotinic acid also has a potency to activate tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase and, if so, by what mechanism, whether changes in plasma tryptophan result, and if such activation is permanent. The results showed that nicotinic acid activated the enzyme almost as strongly as tryptophan. The results confirmed the activation to be of the "substrate" type, i.e., at least partly due to increased tryptophan concentrations in the liver. In repeated nicotinic acid administration plasma tryptophan levels did not diminish, despite the high activation of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (high flux of tryptophan through the kynurenine pathway). However, the activation disappeared after 11 days of treatment. The powerful and sustained activation of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase by nicotinic acid may at least partly explain some of its side effects, such as glucose intolerance. However, mental disturbance as a side effect of diminished brain levels of tryptophan is not supported by these findings.

Animals

Forensic dentistry--recent development towards an independent discipline in modern dentistry.

Since the late 1890s, forensic odontology has gradually established itself as important, often indispensable, in medicolegal cases, in particular for identification of the dead. The specialty of forensic dentistry generally covers three basic areas, namely, (1) identifications human remains, (2) litigation relating to malpractice, and (3) criminal proceedings, primarily in the areas of bite-mark evaluation and child abuse. Much of its expertise is based on clinical experience, fundamental research and advances in knowledge in relation to dentistry in general. Particularly over the past two decades, there has also been increasing research on specific forensic dental matters. In this paper, the methods of identification used in forensic dentistry are reviewed, and their application in two areas, mass disasters and bite-mark analysis is discussed. Progress in this field in Finland has been relatively slow. It has depended as in other countries on development of training and research facilities in the dental schools, and oral pathology departments.

Forensic Dentistry

Positive identification of victims by comparison of ante-mortem and post-mortem dental radiographs.

Radiography of jaws and teeth can provide one of the most reliable sources of information for comparison between ante-mortem and post-mortem conditions leading to definitive evidence in cases of identification. Teeth and dental restorations are resistant to destruction by fire and are therefore very important in identification. The forensic odontologist utilizes dental radiographs taken of the victim before death and compares them to dental data from the remains to assist the identification. Three cases described in this paper illustrate the procedures and techniques of identification using ante-mortem and post-mortem radiographs.

Forensic Dentistry

Postmortem pink teeth phenomenon: an experimental study and a survey of the literature.

The appearance of pink teeth after death is a phenomenon long familiar to forensic dentists. Although the application of modern techniques has shed some light on its aetiology, elucidation of the ultimate mechanism underlying the phenomenon is still awaited. In this paper, previous literature on the subject is surveyed, and an experimental approach under standardized conditions to allow analysis of possible causes and biological mechanisms of the pink-teeth phenomenon in rats is described. The experimental results were consistent with most previous observations. It seems probable that colouration of the teeth would be found in those regions of the jaws where the blood is seeking on the basis of gravitation hypostasis. The primary red colouration is most likely due to haemoglobin derivatives within the necrotic pulp tissue in cases in which blood has accumulated in the head and the dependent lividity (hypostasis) is obstructed. The authors discuss the likely causes for the development of the pink teeth phenomenon. It seems that this phenomenon is more dependent on physical than chemical factors after death.

Animals

Abdominal rectopexy and sigmoid resection (Frykman-Goldberg operation) for rectal prolapse.

Transabdominal posterior rectopexy with resection of the redundant left colon (Frykman-Goldberg operation) was performed on 48 selected patients with complete rectal prolapse. Uterine suspension was also performed on most of the women. The 30-day mortality rate was 2.1%. Prolapse recurred in 4 (9%) of the 45 patients followed up for 1-10 (mean 4.3) years. There were no complications attributable to bowel resection or anastomosis. Adequate data on both preoperative and postoperative anal function and bowel habit were available in 41 cases. All but two of the 32 patients with associated incontinence experienced improved anal control after the operation (9 regained normal continence). Bowel habit improved in 23 patients (56%), especially in those with chronic constipation. No patient reported increased problems of bowel management. The operation does not involve the risks associated with implantation of foreign material and can be especially beneficial for constipated patients with rectal prolapse who are fit for major abdominal surgery.

Adult

Fistula-in-ano. Clinical features and long-term results of surgery in 199 adults.

The clinical features and the long-term results of surgery for anal fistula were studied. Fistula distribution was subcutaneous (13%), intermuscular (14%), low anal (55%) or high anal (18%). There were no pelvirectal fistulas. The location was mostly posteriorly in the anus, except for the low anal fistulas, which were most frequent anteriorly. Follow-up examination was carried out on 199 patients, on average 9 years after fistula operation. The recurrence rate was 11% after laying open of fistula, with the highest rate (26%) in high anal fistula. The most common causes of recurrence were undetected internal opening and incomplete laying open of the fistulous tract proper. Most (91%) of the recurrences appeared within 18 months after surgery. Minor defects in anal control were found in 34% of the patients, and in 9% of controls matched for age and sex but with no anal surgery. Multiple operations for anal fistula, and also a gutter-shaped and a firm or hard scar in the anal canal adversely affected anal control. The amount of divided sphincter musculature did not influence the incidence of postoperative anal incontinence.

Adult

A prospective manometric study of the effect of anal fistula surgery on anorectal function.

In 31 adults consecutively undergoing surgery for anal fistula (opening of fistulous tract), anorectal manometry was performed before and 7 months after the operation. The resting pressure was significantly reduced in the distal 3 cm of the anal canal postoperatively. Voluntary sphincter contraction was less markedly affected. Maximal squeeze pressure and maximal contractile power were significantly reduced, however, especially in women and after division of the external sphincter muscle. The pressures were significantly lower in women than in men, particularly after operation, and defective anal control was associated with reduced squeeze pressure. It is therefore suggested that in selected cases, primarily women, anal pressure should be measured preoperatively and division of the external sphincter muscle avoided if the pressure is low. Constant rectoanal inhibitory reflex was elicited by a significantly smaller distending volume and lower rectal pressure postoperatively than preoperatively which, like the reduced resting pressure, indicated impaired function of the internal sphincter muscle.

Adult

A manometric study of anorectal function after surgery for anal fistula, with special reference to incontinence.

Anorectal function was manometrically studied in 199 adults on average 9 years after laying open of anal fistula, in order to determine the factors adversely affecting anal continence. Resting anal pressure, and especially squeeze and voluntary contraction pressures, were significantly reduced in the 67 patients with defective anal control. Maximal squeeze and contractile pressures were significantly lower in women than in men but, like maximal resting pressure, were uninfluenced by age. Fistula type significantly influenced maximal resting and squeeze pressures, with tendency to low pressures and high incidence of defective anal control after operation for high intermuscular fistula. Maximal contractile power was unrelated to extent of external sphincter division. Rectal sensation and activity of the rectoanal reflexes did not appreciably differ between the continent patients and the others. Digital assessment of sphincter tone at rest and at maximal contraction correlated well with the respective anal pressures, but was an unreliable indicator of anal continence. The manometric findings warrant maximal preservation of the anal sphincter musculature, but fistula healing must not be thereby endangered.

Adult