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Biomedical subjects

T Møller

Publications and source records attributed to T Møller.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Patient education--a strategy for prevention of infections caused by permanent central venous catheters in patients with haematological malignancies: a randomized clinical trial.

A functioning tunnelled central venous catheter (CVC) is a crucial device for patients with haematological malignancies receiving high-dose intravenous chemotherapy. Despite the advantages, CVC infections are a major cause of sepsis and prolonged hospital stay. This study investigated the impact of patient education regarding provision of their own catheter care on the frequency of CVC-related infections (CRIs) and was conducted at a specialized haematological unit at the University Hospital of Copenhagen Rigshospitalet. From May to September 2002, 82 patients fitted with tunnelled double-lumen Hickman catheters were randomized consecutively. The intervention group (42 participants) received individualized training and supervision by a clinical nurse specialist, with the aim of becoming independently responsible for their own catheter care. The control group (40 participants) followed the standard CVC procedures carried out by nurses inside and outside the central hospital. A significant reduction in CRIs was found in the intervention group, with a >50% reduction in the incidence rate of CRIs. We conclude that systematic individualized, supervised patient education is able to reduce catheter-related infections.

Adolescent↗

[Group therapy of anxiety--benefits and profits].

BACKGROUND: Since 1988, the psychiatric outpatient clinic at Kongsberg Hospital has carried out group treatment for patients with anxiety disorders. This study assesses the effect of this treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nineteen of a total of 27 patients were included in the study. Diagnostic criteria were agoraphobia with or without panic disorder. The length of treatment was three months. Methods used were cognitive behavioural therapy, physiotherapy and group therapy. Ratings of the patients' symptoms were made before treatment, at termination of treatment and one to three years after. The Symptom Score Check List (SCL 90) rates the level of symptoms on nine different dimensions. RESULTS: Analysis of variance for repeated measures (ANOVA) indicates reduction on six of the symptom dimensions at termination of treatment. Significant values of reduction was achieved for anxiety and phobic anxiety. This was even further reduced one to three years later. INTERPRETATION: We could not establish whether the treatment has been effective concerning the symptoms being treated.

Adult↗

Risk of cancer among offspring of childhood-cancer survivors. Association of the Nordic Cancer Registries and the Nordic Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology.

BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of children with cancer survive and reach reproductive age. However, the risk of cancer (other than retinoblastoma) in the offspring of survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer is uncertain. METHODS: Using data from national cancer and birth registries, we assessed the risk of cancer among 5847 offspring of 14,652 survivors of cancer in childhood or adolescence diagnosed since the 1940s and 1950s in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The offspring were followed up for a diagnosis of cancer for 86,780 person-years, and standardized incidence ratios were calculated. RESULTS: Among the 5847 offspring, 44 malignant neoplasms were diagnosed (standardized incidence ratio, 2.6; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.9 to 3.5). There were 17 retinoblastomas, yielding a standardized incidence ratio of 37. There were 27 neoplasms other than retinoblastoma (standardized incidence ratio, 1.6; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.1 to 2.4). The second most common primary site of cancer among the offspring was the brain and nervous system, in which eight tumors were observed (standardized incidence ratio, 2.0; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.9 to 3.9.) There were between zero and four apparently sporadic cases of cancer in other primary sites among the offspring. Excluding 4 likely cases of hereditary cancer and 2 subsequent cancers among the offspring with hereditary retinoblastoma, there were 22 sporadic cancers, for a standardized incidence ratio of 1.3 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.8 to 2.0). CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence of a significantly increased risk of nonhereditary cancer among the offspring of survivors of cancer in childhood.

Adolescent↗

[Second cancer. Risk of a second malignant neoplasm in persons with cancer in childhood and adolescence].

Cancer treatments in early life have in previous studies been associated in with high risks of developing a second malignant neoplasm. This study reports on the relative and attributable risks of second malignant neoplasms among 30,880 people under the age of 20, who had been identified in the files of any of the five Nordic cancer registers, 1943-1987. Overall, 247 cases of second malignant neoplasms were observed in 238 patients, yielding a relative risk for cancer of 3.6 (95% confidence interval 3.1-4.1). The risk changed significantly from 2.6 in people first diagnosed during the 1940s and 1950s to 6.9 among cohort members included in the late 1970s and 1980s. Highest levels of the relative risk were seen during the ten years immediately after first malignant diagnosis. The incidence of second malignant neoplasms attributable to the first cancer and associated treatments, however, showed a consistent rise throughout the 45 years of follow up. It was concluded that the estimated risks for second malignant neoplasms were significantly lower than those found in most large hospital based studies but compatible with the results from a similar population based study in the United Kingdom. Extent of risk and cancer pattern were similar among the Nordic countries and are believed to be representative for a large part of the European population.

Adolescent↗

Second malignant neoplasms after cancer in childhood or adolescence. Nordic Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology Association of the Nordic Cancer Registries.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relative risk of developing a second malignant neoplasm in people with a diagnosis of cancer in childhood and adolescence. DESIGN: Register based follow up study. SETTING: Populations of Nordic countries. SUBJECTS: 30,880 people under the age of 20 with a first malignant neoplasm diagnosed during the period 1943-87. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relative and attributable risks of second malignant neoplasms by type of first cancer, age at first diagnosis, calendar period, sex, and country. Expected figures were based on the appropriate national incidence rates for cancer. RESULTS: 247 cases of second malignant neoplasms were observed in 238 patients, yielding a relative risk for cancer of 3.6 (95% confidence interval 3.1 to 4.1). The risk changed significantly from 2.6 in people first diagnosed during the 1940s and 1950s to 6.9 among cohort members included in the late 1970s and 1980s. Increases were observed for most types of cancer. Highest levels of the relative risk were seen during the 10 years immediately after first malignant diagnosis. The incidence of second malignant neoplasms attributable to the first cancer and associated treatments, however, showed a consistent rise throughout the 45 years of follow up. CONCLUSION: The estimated risks for a second malignant neoplasm were significantly lower than those found in most large hospital based studies but compatible with the results from a similar population based study in the United Kingdom. Extent of risk and cancer pattern were similar among the Nordic countries and are believed to be representative for a large part of the European population.

Adolescent↗

[Hematological changes associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection].

Infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) primarily involves a subgroup of T-lymphocytic cells, but other cell types are also invaded by the virus, including cell lines within the haematopoietic system. Together with infectious, inflammatory and neoplasic processes, invasion of haematopoietic tissue explains the haematological alterations which are seen during the course of infection with HIV-1. Anaemia develops in the large proportion of patients. Thrombocytopenia frequently occurs during the course of the disease, but may be seen in some patients already at the time of diagnosis, where the condition may be misdiagnosed as "idiopathic" thrombocytopenic purpura. Neutropenia is seen in all disease stages, but is most severe in patients with advanced disease. Bone marrow changes include varying degrees of dysplasia in one or more cell lines, which in some patients may mimic a myelodysplastic syndrome. The number of plasma cells is always increased. In many patients the bone marrow stroma exhibits an increased amount of reticular fibres. HIV-1 infection is associated with an increased risk of non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma. Acute myelogenous leukaemia and myelomatosis have been described in patients with advanced disease. Treatment of the above mentioned haematological abnormalities aims primarily at reducing replication of HIV-1, thereby diminishing suppression of haematopoiesis by the virus infection, and at controlling the opportunistic infections during the course of the disease. Specific antiviral therapy (AZT) is most successful in correcting thrombocytopenia. The possibility of bone marrow suppression mediated by a toxic drug effect should always be considered in this patient group.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Lack of effect of nasal salmon calcitonin on cell-mediated immunity.

The calcium lowering hormone, calcitonin, also affects the immune system. The effect of nasal salmon calcitonin on lymphocyte transformation tests and on serum-ionised calcium was investigated in a randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled study including 24 healthy adult volunteers. The participants received a single dose of either 200 IU of nasal salmon calcitonin or nasal placebo in the morning and measurements were done before and 3 h after administration of the spray. Nasal salmon calcitonin exerted a significant hypocalcemic effect, but did not interfere with antigen- or mitogen-induced expansion of T-lymphocytes. It is unlikely that nasal salmon calcitonin affects cell-mediated immunity in healthy subjects.

Administration, Intranasal↗

[An increasing number of readmissions to medical departments].

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the frequency of readmissions to medical departments during the period 1981.04.01-1982.03.31 compared to the period 1985.04.01-1986.03.31. Data were taken from the National Registry of Patients (Landspatientregistret) regarding admissions/readmissions of citizens of the Municipality of Copenhagen to medical departments in Greater Copenhagen. Only readmissions within 90 days of the most recent discharge were included. The total number of admissions rose by 12%, with a much greater increase in the number of sequential admissions (i.e. admissions as part of a sequence of admissions) than in the number of single admissions. The total number of bed days fell by 4%; this covers a decrease of 10% for single admissions and an increase of 6% for sequential admissions. The average length of stay for all types of admissions taken together fell by 13%. The number of patients with at least one admission increased by 19%, and their average number of sequential admissions rose by 4% per person. However, the average total number of bed days for sequential admissions of these patients fell by 10% per person. It is not clear which has the better influence on the quality of life of the patients: several readmissions or fewer admissions, each of longer duration. Additional investigations are necessary in order to analyse causes of readmission and to identify groups of patients with increased risks of being readmitted.

Adolescent↗

Transmembrane signalling via HLA-DR molecules on T cells from a Sezary T-cell leukaemia line.

The human Sezary T-cell leukaemia line, HUT.78, represents a population of activated T cells, i.e. they are HLA-DR+ and IL-2R+. We have analysed the capacity of HUT.78 cells (1) to stimulate HLA-DR-specific T-cell lines or clones and (2) to be induced to synthesize IL-2 by anti-HLA-DR monoclonal antibodies. The results of our experiments show that HLA-DR molecules on HUT.78 cells can stimulate at least one HLA-DR-specific T-cell clone and can act as transmembrane signal transmitters.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Human osteoblast-like cells expressing MHC class II determinants stimulate allogeneic and autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells and function as antigen-presenting cells.

We have previously shown that a subset of human osteoblast-like bone surface cells (HBC) derived from explants of trabecular bone constitutively express class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) determinants in long-term culture. We now examine the capacity of HBC to stimulate allogeneic and autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and to function as antigen-presenting cells (APC). HBC consistently stimulated a strong proliferative response in allogeneic PBMC after 6 days co-culture. Stimulation of autologous PBMC was weaker and less consistent. HBC and adherent PBMC were equally active in stimulating a PPD response in autologous non-adherent PBMC. These observations suggest that immune cells initiated by HBC may play a role in normal and disordered bone remodelling processes.

Adult↗

[Ultrastructural study of experimental cerebrocortical necrosis in calves (author's transl)].

Cerebrocortical necrosis (CCN) was experimentally induced in three calves with the thiamine antagonist Amprolium. The calves were followed clinically. At the time of development of typical clinical signs of CCN the calves were killed and necropsied and a complete histopathologic examination was performed. The light microscopic lesions of the cerebral cortex were those of middle laminar necrosis and deep laminar edema. The necrotic zone consisted of fine vesicles and differed only slightly from the edema zone. In the former some neurons were morphologically normal, others showed signs of injury, while in the latter all neurons were injured. The lesions are consistent with those found in natural cases of CCN. Biopsies from the cerebral cortex were taken at the time of early clinical signs. Ultrastructural studies of these biopsies showed no clear difference between the zones of necrosis and edema observed light microscopically. The ultrastructural changes were characterized by dilatations in the neuropil. The cytoplasm and foot plates of the astrocytes had a "watery" appearance and contained dilated mitochondria and large vesicles. The vesicles were continuous with the granular endoplasmic reticulum. It was concluded that the initial morphologic changes in CCN in calves were indicative of a cytotoxic edema of the astrocytes. This may be due to a cytotoxic edema with subsequent loss of cell volume control. The primary astrocytic changes could then lead to neuronal injury.

Amprolium↗