Apolipoprotein E phenotypes, serum lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in angiographically assessed coronary heart disease.

To determine the influence of the apolipoprotein E polymorphism on the occurrence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and on serum lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins we studied 145 patients with angiographically defined CAD and compared them with 153 control subjects without history or complaints of vascular disease and with 35 subjects without significant stenosis on coronary arteriography. Subjects with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and endocrine or metabolic disorders were excluded. Covariance analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed with adjustment for age, sex, smoking habits and relative body weight.

The influence of NSAIDs on experimental intestinal anastomoses.

Limiting degradation of collagen during the initial phase of wound healing is expected to improve postoperative intestinal strength and thereby decrease chances for anastomotic dehiscence. We studied the influence of four nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs on the healing of intestinal anastomoses in rats, with special regard to changes of collagen levels around the anastomoses. Four experimental groups of 20 rats each received daily oral doses of piroxicam, ibuprofen, aspirin, or indomethacin and were compared with a control group.

Oral comfort in shortened dental arches.

In this study, the oral comfort was compared between subjects with shortened dental arches (SDA, n = 74), subjects with SDA and free-end removable partial dentures (SDA + RPD, n = 25) and subjects with complete dental arches (CDA, n = 72). Oral comfort was measured by (i) absence of pain or distress; (ii) chewing ability; (iii) appreciation of the appearance of the dentition. Additionally, the history of free-end RPD over a period of nearly 7 years was taken into consideration.

The effect of removable partial dentures on the oral function in shortened dental arches.

In this study the effect of free-end removable partial dentures (RPD) on oral function was investigated by comparing subjects with shortened dental arches (SDA, n = 55) and a group of subjects with SDA and RPD (n = 25). In addition, a group of subjects were selected who had worn an RPD in the past (n = 19). All subjects had a remaining natural dentition consisting of an intact front region and three to five occlusal units (OU) in the posterior area.

Piroxicam affects collagen changes around experimental intestinal anastomoses.

The effects of piroxicam on postoperative changes of collagen--measured as hydroxyproline--concentrations were measured around intestinal anastomoses in rats. Piroxicam, in a dose of 2 mg/kg/day, significantly reduced the decrease of hydroxyproline concentrations around colonic anastomoses during the first 3 days after the operation but also reduced the increase of hydroxyproline concentrations observed at day 7 around ileal anastomoses in the control group. 10 mg piroxicam/kg/day resulted in a 100% lethal peritonitis after the 5th postoperative day.

Signs and symptoms of mandibular dysfunction in shortened dental arches.

In this study subjects with shortened dental arches (SDA, n = 60), characterized by the absence of molar support, are compared with subjects with a complete dentition (n = 72) with respect to signs and symptoms of mandibular dysfunction. The subjective examination consisted of questions related to pain, noises within the joints and mobility of the lower jaw. The objective examination consisted of the registration of clicking of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) by bilateral palpation and measuring the maximal mouth opening.

Migration of teeth in shortened dental arches.

In shortened dental arches (SDA) the remaining premolars tend to migrate distally. This may lead to a decrease of the vertical dimension, resulting in an increased load on the anterior teeth. Consequently the number and intensity of the occlusal contacts between the front teeth increase.

Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of prazosin in Raynaud's phenomenon.

We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of the therapeutic efficacy of prazosin (1 mg t.i.d.

[Down's syndrome in the Netherlands].

In 348 patients with Down syndrome (DS) born in the Netherlands in 1981 and 1982 chromosome studies had been performed before December 1st 1984. Prenatal chromosome studies had revealed 22 cases who could have been born in 1981 and 1982 taking into account a pregnancy duration of 40 weeks. DS rates are determined for five-yearly maternal age classes.

Allocation of treatment to patients when not all balancing factors are known to the co-ordinating centre.

The allocation of treatment to patients in a clinical trial while balancing for prognostic factors is usually done by a co-ordinating centre when all the factors are known. In a trial comparing two treatments of acute rejection of renal allografts some prognostic factors become available to the physician only at the moment of the diagnosis of the rejection. This diagnosis is often made out of office hours, whereas immediate start of treatment is essential.

Effect of sulphasalazine in patients with active Crohn's disease: a controlled double-blind study.

The response of active Crohn's disease to sulphasalazine (4-6 g per day) has been studied in a placebo-controlled trial. The study was carried out at two hospitals. From August 1977 to August 1979 all patients with established Crohn's disease were examined for their eligibility for the trial.

An index of inflammatory activity in patients with Crohn's disease.

An objective and quantitative standard of inflammatory activity for patients with Crohn's disease was developed. This Activity Index (AI) was derived from data of 63 patients with Crohn's disease who had been submitted to a total of 85 clinical examinations. On the basis of 18 predictor variables three physicians gave an overall evaluation of the severity of inflammatory activity in each patient.

Terminal phalageal osteosclerosis.

Osteosclerosis of the terminal finger phalanges was assessed by means of a grading score in two age-matched groups of 96 females, each suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthrosis (OA), respectively, and in a sample of 894 males and females, above the age of 44 years, from Dutch small town populations. Cortical thickness of the therminal phalanges decreases markedly with age. Whereas in the age group 45-54 years, terminal phalangeal osteosclerosis is more pronounced in females, at higher ages the difference between the sexes disappears.

Evaluation of fetal heart rate in relation to the intrauterine 20 mm Hg level.

The purpose of the author's study was to investigate whether any changes in fetal heart rate (FHR) and in fetal acid-base status could be observed when the intrauterine pressure rises above 20 mm Hg. 16 primigravidae were studied. In 11 out of 16 patients labor was induced by amniotomy, in 9 cases oxytocin was given, and in 12 patients pethidine and promethazine (Phenergan) was administered.