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Biomedical subjects

T Mortensen

Publications and source records attributed to T Mortensen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Increased levels of specific leukocyte- and platelet-derived substances during normal anti-tetanus antibody synthesis in patients with inactive Crohn disease.

BACKGROUND: Crohn disease is considered a consequence of inappropriate upregulation of immune reactions evoked by the intestinal microflora or luminal antigens. Since the intestinal mucosa is continuously exposed to tetanus toxoid we studied the antibody response to tetanus toxoid booster immunization in patients with Crohn disease and the subsequent release of various inflammatory mediators and growth factors in blood. METHODS: Ten patients with inactive disease and no concurrent medication and 12 age-and gender-matched healthy volunteers with anti-tetanus antibody levels less than 0.1 IU/ml were inoculated with 1 ml (6 Lf units) of tetanus toxoid vaccine. The anti-tetanus antibody levels were determined in serum obtained before inoculation and after 7, 14 and 28 days, respectively. C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), histamine, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were determined in serum or plasma obtained on the same days. RESULTS: After inoculation anti-tetanus antibody levels were equally raised in patients and healthy volunteers. Pre-inoculation CRP levels were below the upper level of the normal range (<10 mg/l) in all inoculated patients/volunteers. No differences in IL-6, TNF-alpha, MPO or histamine levels between patients and healthy volunteers were observed. CRP levels were within the normal range and IL-6, TNF-alpha, MPO and histamine levels were unchanged in patients and volunteers during the study period. The levels of VEGF, TIMP-1 and PAI-1 were unchanged in the healthy volunteers during the study period, but were significantly (P < 0.05) increased at day 14 in patients with Crohn disease. At day 28 the levels had fallen to pre-inoculation levels, apart from PAI-1, which was still significantly (P<0.05) increased. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with inactive Crohn disease, booster immunization against tetanus toxoid seems to result in normal anti-tetanus antibody synthesis, but it may cause inappropriate release of certain bioactive substances, which are known to play a major role in modulation of the inflammatory response.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Optical Contrast Variation Study of Nonaqueous Suspensions of Polymer Particles.

We analyze the core-shell structure of sterically stabilized hard sphere polymer colloids by optical contrast variation. Modified polymer particles are used which have the same refractive index as the suspending solvent. At low contrast, inhomogeneities in the core-shell structure of the particles become apparent. The particle form factor is shown to be a sensitive function of the temperature due to the interplay of scattering from the core and the stabilizing layer. We explore the dependence of particle form factors on composition, radius, and temperature and rationalize our observations in terms of a simple core-shell model. By exploiting the sensitivity of the form factors we are able to independently study the two components of a binary mixture of polymer particles. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1993

Oesophageal and gastric potential difference and pH in healthy volunteers following intake of coca-cola, red wine, and alcohol.

Alcohol causes gastroesophageal reflux and mucosal damage in the oesophagus and the stomach. The transmucosal electrical potential difference gives information on gastric mucosal integrity and function, while the validity of oesophageal measurements have been discussed. Baseline oesophageal potential difference measurements were performed three times with an interval of at least one week. We found oesophageal potential difference measurements reliable with an acceptable reproducibility. Oesophageal and gastric potential difference and pH were measured by use of a new microelectrode principle in 10 healthy volunteers following intake of coca-cola, wine and alcohol. Oesophageal and gastric potential difference decreased after intake of 250 ml coca-cola, 250 ml 11 vol% red wine and 60 ml 43 vol% whisky. Gastric potential difference decreased after intake of 250 ml ethanol 11 vol% and 60 ml ethanol 43 vol%. Intake of red wine and whisky resulted in a significant greater gastric potential difference decrease compared to similar concentrations and volumes of ethanol. The time until the potential difference had regained baseline level was longer after intake of red wine compared to coca-cola, whisky and ethanol. Oesophageal pH decreased after intake of coca-cola and red wine, but was unchanged after whisky. Gastric pH was unchanged after intake of all the drinks. In conclusion, the gastric potential difference reduction was not correlated to alcohol concentration. Red wine seems to affect the gastric potential difference more than coca-cola, whisky and ethanol. The observed changes in oesophageal and gastric potential difference might be due to changes in Cl- secretion and/or due to a damaging effect of the additives of the beverages.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Mechanical versus visual evaluation of urinary flow curves and patterns.

Flow curves from 100 consecutive patients were obtained using the Urodyn 1000 mictiograph. Four observers evaluated the flow curves blindly, i.e. without access to the mechanically estimated values. Further, the flow curve pattern was decided upon in each case. The 4 observers agreed very meticulously in the evaluation while they disagreed with the mechanically obtained results. The visually read values were significantly lower than the mechanically determined ones. At the same time the difference in Qmax was most pronounced in abnormal curves. In conclusion the mechanical evaluation of uroflow curves may be misleading and should not replace the visual evaluation.

Female↗
PubMed1992

[Angiomyolipomas in the kidney. A review].

Renal angiomyolipomata are rare, benign hamartomata composed of various amounts of fat, smooth muscle and blood vessels. The tumours may have an extremely variable clinical presentation which may be difficult to distinguish from other renal disorders. By combining the use of ultrasound- and CT-scanning, it is possible to make a definite diagnosis thus obviating usually unnecessary nephrectomy. Only symptomatic tumours require treatment. The treatment is directed mainly towards preventing or stopping bleeding. In cases where intervention is considered to be indicated, embolization should be carried out if possible. Otherwise, the renal surgery should preserve as much of the kidney as possible. Nephrectomy is indicated only for uncontrollable life-threatening bleeding, tumours which involve the whole kidney or in the presence of simultaneous carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Prognosis of surgery performed in premature infants with birth weights below 1500 gram].

On account of improved management in neonatal intensive care units, the survival rate is presently nearly 50% in babies with birth weights below 1,000 grams and 80% in the group with birth weights from 1,000 to 1,500 grams. A number of these babies require surgery, either for correction of congenital anomalies or for acquired necrotizing enterocolitis, which is an increasing burden in neonatal units. The present analysis of 24 babies weighing under 1,500 grams, operated on in the period 1981 to 1988 confirms that even extremely small babies tolerate the performed anesthesia and surgery well. In the group with anomalies (7 of 24) three died (43%). The causes of death do not appear to be related to the anesthesia or surgery. In the group with necrotizing enterocolitis (15 of 24) six died (40%). The cause of death was directly related to the septic condition in all cases, and the surgical trauma does not appear to have any negative influence. Unfavourable prognostic factors in this group were low Apgar scores within the first minute and preoperative weight loss.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1990

[Reconstruction of the bladder neck in exstrophy of the bladder or epispadias using Young-Dee's method].

Young-Dees' method of bladder neck reconstruction is described. A material of 17 cases with complete or almost complete incontinence on account on a deficient sphincter who were submitted to this operative method is presented. It is concluded that the method can be recommended as the primary operation for incontinence, particularly in patients with exstrophy of the bladder or epispadias as satisfactory continence could be obtained in 60%. No deterioration of renal function was observed and the patients functioned well both socially and sexually.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Gamma-aminobutyric acid concentration in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid from patients with febrile convulsions and controls.

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentration of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was analysed in 41 children with febrile convulsions (FC), 41 febrile controls of similar age (control group 1), and 59 controls, who had no fever and/or were outside the age range for FC (control group 2). A significant correlation between CSF-GABA and age was demonstrated for controls (1 + 2) (r = 0.63, p less than 0.00001), as well as for patients with FC (r = 0.42, p = 0.003). Patients with FC did not differ significantly from control group 1 in respect to CSF-GABA. Duration of FC was related to both CSF-GABA and age (GABA: r = -0.29, p less than 0.05; age: r = -0.32, p less than 0.05). For 56 controls (1 + 2) greater than 1 year of age, a significant negative correlation between CFC-GABA and body temperature was found (r = -0.34, p = 0.01). The low CSF-GABA in the FC-labile age group, the negative correlation of CSF-GABA to body temperature, and the negative correlation of the duration of FC to both CSF-GABA and age, all indicate that GABA could be of importance in the pathophysiology of FC.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Gastroesophageal reflux in children. An overlooked disease].

In a material of 25 patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux (GER), 11 had cerebral damage, 15 had symptoms of oesophagitis and 18 had respiratory problems including here six cases of apnoea with cyanosis and bradycardia resembling near-miss sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Only two of the children recovered acceptably on conservative treatment and the remainder were submitted to operation. Operation had insufficient effect in 30%. Cerebral damage or atresia of the oesophagus were present in all of the patients in whom operation was without effect. All children with symptom-producing GER should first be submitted to conservative treatment for at least three months and operation should be offered in cases where this treatment fails. Children with chronic or recurrent respiratory symptoms without other explanation and all children with episodes of apnoea and near-miss SIDS should be examined for the presence of GER.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

The prognosis of surgically treated congenital hydronephrosis after diagnosis in utero.

Nine patients with a prenatal ultrasonic diagnosis of unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction underwent pyeloplasty in early neonatal life. Based on radiological and renographical assessment of the results, immediate postnatal intervention had no demonstrable advantage over those subjects in a control group who underwent an operation after presenting with symptoms. Half of the children in both groups had normal parenchymal function of the hydronephrotic kidney. Because of the operative complications we found it unacceptable to operate on neonates without symptoms and with normal function of the affected kidney. The advantage of prenatal diagnosis lies in the early recognition of the necessity of close surveillance. The primary indications for surgical intervention should be symptoms and impairment of the hydronephrotic kidney function.

Child↗
PubMed1983

Xanthogranuloma juvenile: a case report.

A case of juvenile xanthogranuloma in a female newborn infant is reported. Red-brown, flat, well-demarcated lesions were present at birth on her scalp, face and trunk. During the following year of observation the eruptions regressed slowly and spontaneously. Light and electron microscopy revealed histiocytes and Touton giant cells dominating the dermal cell infiltrate. The Touton cells contained bizarre invaginated nuclei, lysosomes, a granular endoplasmic reticulum, and cholesterol clefts in their cytoplasm. No fat droplets were seen.

Female↗
PubMed1981

Prostaglandin E1 in suction-separated human epidermal tissue in primary irritant dermatitis.

Experimental dermo-epidermal separation by suction was performed on primary irritant dermatitic and normal symmetrical skin areas. Primary irritant dermatitis was induced by 24-hour patch tests with an aqueous 10% benzalconium chloride solution in 12 healthy volunteers. PGE1 activity in the epidermis, dermis and blister exudate was measured by a radioimmuno assay technique. The mean values in the epidermis (blister roof) was 1.57 ng/mg dry weight, dermis (blister base) 0.08 ng/mg dry weight and suction exudate (blister base) 0.08 ng/mg dry weight and suction exudate (blister fluid) 1.61 ng/ml. The corresponding control values were: in epidermis 0.86 ng/mg dry weight, dermis 0.04 ng/ml dry weight and blister exudate 0.50 ng/ml. Thus significantly increased PGE1 activity (p less than 0.02) was measured in the suction-separated samples in primary irritant dermatitis and furthermore, the highest level of PGE1 activity was detected in epidermis.

Aged↗
PubMed1979

Allergy to lanolin.

The purpose of the present study was to compare the frequency of lanolin allergy during two periods and to assess the adequacy of testing with one standard allergen. Among 1230 consecutive patients with eczema who were standard patch tested, 33 (2.7%), 21 females and 12 males, gave a positive reaction to wool alcohols. Among 899 consecutive patients with eczema standard patch testd and also tested with the lanolin derivatives hydrogenated lanolin 30% in soft yellow paraffin, Amerchol L 101, and a mixture of lanolin derivatives, 60 patients (6.6%), 48 females and 12 males, gave a positive reaction to lanolin and/or its derivatives. The results show that testing with one standard lanolin allergen is inadequate for detecting lanolin allergy.

Allergens↗
PubMed1979

Fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products in exudates from bullous dematoses.

Inflammatory exudates from 10 patients with bullous skin diseases were analysed by immunochemical techniques including crossed immunoelectrophoresis. The results were compared with those obtained in fluid from suction bullae obtained in normal skin in 13 control subjects and synovial fluid from 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Abnormal fibrinogen degradation products identical with those found in synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis were detected in exudates from each of the patients with bullous dermatoses, whereas significantly smaller amounts of fibrinogen antigenic material were detected in fluid obtained by suction. The fibrinogen antigenic material demonstrated in exudates from pathological bullae, immunochemically similar to that found in rheumatoid synovial fluid, indicates that the presence of these products reflects the more general features of an inflammatory exudate.

Aged↗
PubMed1977

Hyaline pleural plaques and asbestos bodies in 198 randomized autopsies.

In 198 randomized autopsies of adults, hyaline pleural plagues were found in 49 men and 17 women; bilateral in 47 cases, unilateral in 19. No correlation between previous pr present pulmonary disease and hyaline plaques was found. Asbestos bodies were found in nine men and five women; nine out of these 14 cases with asbestos bodies also had hyaline pleural plaques.

Adult↗