PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Asnaes

Publications and source records attributed to S Asnaes.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Phlegmonous gastritis in pregnancy--a case with fatal course].

A case of maternal death and still birth in the 35th week of pregnancy is described where the cause of death was the very rarely diagnosed phlegmonous gastritis. The phlegmonous gastritis is characterised by dangerous, fulminating pyogenic bacterial infection of the gastric wall with alpha-haemolytical streptococci. The entity seems to have been well-known earlier, but has only been reported sparsely in contemporary medical literature. It cannot be ruled out that the disease may have been misdiagnosed on several occasions in recent decades because of symptomatic treatment. In presenting the case, the authors seek to attract attention to this disease--that according to the contemporary medical literature seems mostly to be induced by modern treatment with antacids and after gastroscopy--because it can be effectively treated with modern antibiotics, possibly in combination with gastrectomy.

Abscess↗

[Insect allergy and sudden unexpected death].

A case of sudden unexpected death after an insect sting in a middle aged man known to be allergic to insect stings is presented. In connection with an allergic shock, many years before death occurred, he had been offered allergological investigation. If the directives in the consensus report on insect sting allergy, recently published by the Danish Association for Allergology had been followed, similar deaths and expensive visits to casualty departments could probably be reduced.

Animals↗

Northern and Southern blot analysis of human RNA and DNA in autopsy material.

Fresh biopsy material for molecular biological investigations is not obtainable from all relevant normal human tissues. We studied the feasibility of using RNA and DNA from autopsies for Northern and Southern blot analysis. Tissue samples from seven organs were obtained from 10 autopsies performed 21-118 h postmortem. Extracted RNA and DNA were examined by Northern and Southern blot analysis using oligo-labelled human DNA probes recognizing gene transcripts of 2-5 kb. The results indicated that, in general, Northern blot analysis was feasible with the applied probes when the tissue was obtained less than two days postmortem. Histological examination showing slight or no autolysis and the presence of ribosomal bands after gel electrophoresis were both indicative parameters of RNA preservation. DNA was appropriate for Southern blotting when the tissue was obtained less than three to five days postmortem, depending on the organ from which the DNA was extracted.

Adrenal Glands↗

Elements in normal and cirrhotic human liver tissue. II. Potassium, sulphur, chlorine and bromine measured by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry.

Elements (K, S, Cl, Br) were measured by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry in normal liver tissue obtained at autopsy from 74 subjects (44 male, 30 female), median age 62 years (range 20-87), and in cirrhotic liver tissue from 27 subjects (14 alcoholic, 13 non-alcoholic cirrhosis). The element content (median and 5-95 percentile interval) in normal livers in mmol/kg dry tissue was: K, 198.75 (150.95-256.42); S, 147.60 (73.86-233.97); Cl, 98.73 (69.51-163.55); Br, 0.1101 (0.0701-0.4205). None of the elements displayed any sex difference. There were correlations between the content of Br and Cl (r = 0.26, P less than 0.05) and Br and K (r = 0.24, p less than 0.05). In both groups of cirrhotic livers, K, S and Cl content was within the normal range. Median Br content was above normal both in alcoholic (0.2265 mmol/kg, P less than 0.01) and non-alcoholic cirrhotic livers (0.2228 mmol/kg, P less than 0.01).

Adult↗

Trace elements in normal and cirrhotic human liver tissue. I. Iron, copper, zinc, selenium, manganese, titanium and lead measured by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry.

Trace elements (Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Mn, Ti, Pb) were measured by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry in normal liver tissue obtained at autopsy from 74 subjects (44 male, 30 female), median age 62 years (range 20-87), and in tissue from 27 cirrhotic livers (14 alcoholic, 13 non-alcoholic cirrhosis). The element content (median and 5-95 percentile interval) in normal livers in mmol/kg dry tissue was: Fe, 16.51 (7.82-39.03); Cu, 0.378 (0.189-0.629); Zn, 4.01 (2.59-9.33); Se, 0.018 (less than 0.004-0.035); Mn, less than 0.055 (less than 0.055-0.237); Ti, less than 0.146 (less than 0.146-0.919); Pb, less than 0.0005 (less than 0.0005-0.0154). Only copper content showed a sex difference, being higher in males than in females (P less than 0.04). In both groups of cirrhotic liver, Fe content was within normal, Cu content above normal (P less than 0.05, P less than 0.02), and Se content below normal (P less than 0.0001, P less than 0.04). Alcoholic cirrhotic livers had lower Zn levels (P less than 0.02), higher Mn levels (P less than 0.06), and higher Pb levels (P less than 0.03) than normal livers.

Adult↗

Formaldehyde and the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the sinonasal cavities.

A study of 759 histologically verified cancers of the nasal cavity (287 cases), paranasal sinuses (179 cases), and nasopharynx (293 cases) and 2465 cancer controls diagnosed in Denmark between 1970 and 1982 was conducted to investigate the importance of occupational exposure to formaldehyde. Information on job history for cases and controls was derived from a national data linkage system and exposure to formaldehyde and wood dust was assessed by industrial hygienists unaware of the case-control status of the patients. The exposure rates for formaldehyde among male and female controls were 4.2% and 0.1%, respectively. After proper adjustment for contemporary wood dust exposure, relative risks of 2.3 (95% CI = 0.9-5.8) for squamous cell carcinoma and 2.2 (95% CI = 0.7-7.2) for adenocarcinoma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses were detected among men who have ever been exposed to formaldehyde in their job compared with those never exposed. The introduction of a 10 year latency period did not change the risk estimates substantially. It was considered unlikely that the results were due to bias or misclassification of exposure although the effect of chance could not be excluded.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Mortality statistics and autopsy: reliability of estimation of the mode of death in Copenhagen and a rural district of Sealand, Denmark.

During a one-year-period 1243 medicolegal deaths in the City of Copenhagen were autopsied after the mode of death was provisionally determined by an external medicolegal examination. In 35% of the cases an atuopsy was requested by the police. Without autopsy the mode of death would have been defined erroneously in 10.4% of all cases. This was particularly because of the difficulties in distinguishing between natural and non-natural death. In a rural district of Sealand in the autopsy rate in the same period was 14%. The rate among presumed natural deaths and accidents was particularly low (7% and 26%, respectively) against 23% and 77% in Copenhagen. This means a greater risk for errors in the estimated mode of death compared to Copenhage. This can also mean unequal rights by law. It is stressed that the police, in some rural areas, should be more liberal in requesting autopsies and at least increase them to the Copenhagen level of about 30%. The external medicolegal examination alone offers too little reliability, and it is stressed that such differences from one part of the country to another should not exist in a small well-organised country such as Denmark.

Accidents↗

The effect of chlorpromazine pretreatment on renal function and pathology in kidneys damaged by warm ischaemia.

The influence of chlorpromazine pretreatment on kidney function and survival after temporary occlusion of the renal artery was investigated. Three hours of clamping of the renal artery and contralateral nephrectomy was performed in a group of ten rabbits pretreated with 3.5 mg/kg chlorpromazine and compared with a previously published control group of untreated animals. Chlorpromazine pretreatment improved survival. The kidney function, estimated by serum-creatinine, showed an earlier onset of function and the surviving animals regained nearly normal function. Histological examination revealed mild to moderate ischaemic changes, whereas the control group showed more profound damages.

Animals↗

The influence of warm ischaemia on renal function and pathology.

Temporary occlusion of the left renal artery for 0-180 min after contralateral nephrectomy was undertaken in 51 rabbits. The correlation between the injury of warm ischaemia and kidney function, survival and histology was evaluated. After 0, 60, 90 and 120 min occlusion, all animals survived and normal renal function was restored. After occlusion for 150 min only 4 of 10 animals survived, and normal renal function was not re-established. 180 min occlusion was detrimental to the animals. Only one out of ten survived with severely damaged kidney function. Histological findings were consistent with the experimental observations of renal function.

Animals↗

The effect of chlorpromazine and heparin pretreatment on kidney viability and function after warm ischaemic damage.

The influence of chlorpromazine and heparin pretreament on kidney function and histology has been investigated in rabbit kidneys damaged by warm ischaemia. Three experimental groups were investigated. One in which animals were pretreated with heparin, one group pretreated with heparin and chlorpromazine, and one group without pretreatment. The left renal artery was temporarily clamped for 3 hours and the kidneys recirculated. After 2-3 weeks a delayed contralateral nephrectomy was made, and after another 2-3 weeks all kidneys were studied histologically. Kidney function was measured by determination of serum-creatinine. The experiments showed, that all animals survived with impaired renal function. Pretreatment with chlorpromazine and heparin did not affect the final results. Secerity of the ischaemic damage, histologically evaluated was the same in all groups.

Animals↗

Significance of suspected "chronic aggressive hepatitis" in acute hepatitis.

Transition from acute to chronic hepatitis has important prognostic and therapeutic implications. In 17 patients with acute viral hepatitis, observed during a period of 7 years, a liver biopsy showed changes compatible with chronic aggressive hepatitis and superimposed acute hepatitis. Follow-up biopsies showed normal liver in 14 cases, chronic persistent hepatitis in 1, and cirrhosis in 2. In 12 cases the initial biopsy which showed changes suggestive of chronicity was taken 1 month after onset of symptoms of acute hepatitis, or later. Cases developing chronic liver disease showed no characteristic clinical, laboratory, or histological features at the time of the first biopsy. If the diagnosis of chronic active hepatitis is based on histological findings alone in patients with prolonged acute hepatitis, the incidence of this condition will be grossly overestimated. The transition from acute to chronic hepatitis cannot be recognized with any degree of certainty by presently available methods.

Acute Disease↗

Susceptibility of the liver and biliary tract to anaerobic infection in extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction. II. Liver function and morphology of the liver and biliary tract--an experimental study in rabbits.

Biliary tract infection with anaerobic bacteria (B. fragilis or Fusobacterium mortiferum) was produced in rabbits by common duct ligation (c.d.l.) 3 days prior to intravenous bacterial inoculation. Animals were investigated 1, 4 or 7 days after inoculation. Histopathological investigations included the liver, the common duct, and the gallbladder, while liver function was evaluated by bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (AP), and L-alanine aminotransferase (GPT) in serum. Rabbits with c.d.l. and biliary tract infection were compared to rabbits with c.d.l. in which bacterial inoculation failed to produce infection, to inoculated rabbits without c.d.l., and to uninoculated rabbits with c.d.l. Anaerobic biliary tract infection in rabbits with c.d.l. caused a significant increase in liver abscesses, a significant increased infiltration with granulocytes in the gallbladder, and a significant increase in serum levels of bilirubin, AP, and GPT, but failed to produce signs of cholangitis in the liver and intramural abscesses in the gallbladder. A material is presented of normal values for bilirubin, AP, and GPT in serum in rabbits.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Susceptibility of the liver and biliary tract to anaerobic infection in extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction. III. Possible synergistic effect between anaerobic and aerobic bacteria. An experimental study in rabbits.

The pathogenicity of single anaerobic, single aerobic, and mixed anaerobic and aerobic bacterial inocula was studied in 3 groups of 12 rabbits with biliary tract obstruction. B. fragilis, ss. fragilis and E. coli serotype 01: K1: H7 were used. The investigation was made 7 days after bacterial inoculation and included bacteriological studies of the liver and bile as well as studies of liver function and morphology of the liver and biliary tract. Inoculation of 10(5)-10(6) E. coli did not cause biliary tract infection, liver abscesses or death. Inoculation of 10(9) B. fragilis caused biliary tract infection in 83% and liver abscesses in 17% of the animals inoculated, without any mortality. Combined inoculation with B. fragilis and E. coli in reduced doses significantly increased mortality (42%) and frequency of liver abscesses in surviving animals (86%). All abscesses, however, yielded pure culture of B. fragilis only. 84% of the animals inoculated with B. fragilis alone or with B. fragilis in combination with E. coli developed biliary tract infection with B. fragilis, the bile yielding from 10(7)-10(9) B. fragilis per ml, gallbladder bile yielding significantly higher bacterial counts than common duct bile. E coli was never recovered from bile in surviving animals but from both bile and blood in animals not surviving the experimental period.

Alanine Transaminase↗