Turner syndrome and clinical treatment.

Background: Turner syndrome (TS) is a genetic disorder associated with abnormalities of the X chromosome, occurring in about 50 per 100,000 liveborn girls. TS is usually associated with reduced adult height, gonadal dysgenesis and thus insufficient circulating levels of female sex steroids leading to premature ovarian failure and infertility. The average intellectual performance is within the normal range.

National prevalence of respiratory allergic disorders.

Background: Many epidemiological studies have assessed the prevalence of respiratory allergic disorders in confined geographical locations. However, no study has yet established nationally prevalence data in a uniform manner representing whole countries and, thus, enabling cross-national comparisons.

Methods: In 10 European countries, screening of random, representative samples of telephone numbers identified the target population aged 16-60.

The effects of GH and hormone replacement therapy on serum concentrations of mannan-binding lectin, surfactant protein D and vitamin D binding protein in Turner syndrome.

Objective: Studies in animals and humans indicate that growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) modulate immune function. Recently, it was reported that GH therapy increased the level of mannan-binding lectin (MBL) in normal patients, and that treatment of acromegalics with pegvisomant decreased the levels of MBL. The effect on MBL was thought to be due to a specific action of GH, since IGF-I treatment did not affect MBL.

[Adrenal scintigraphy].

Adrenal scintigraphy is a functional imaging technique for evaluation of adrenal gland hyperfunction. In this review the methodology and multiple applications of the examination are described. The role of scintigraphy in the light of the relatively high radiation dose to the patient is defined and compared with other imaging modalities.

[Educational needs of physicians and nurses working in palliative care].

Introduction: The WHO definitions of palliative care have been adopted in Denmark and implemented in the national guidelines. The aim of this study was to assess the educational needs of doctors and nurses in palliative care in a Danish county hospital and the related primary care sector.

Materials And Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to an anonymous cross-section of hospital nurses and doctors, home care nurses and GPs in the related primary care sector.

[Surgical treatment of giant cell tumor of bone].

Introduction: This study analyses a 5-year follow-up after treatment of giant cell tumour of bone during a 31-year period.

Material And Methods: Sixty patients with giant cell tumours of bone had been treated at the Centre for Musculoskeletal Tumours at Aarhus University Hospital. All patients were followed at regular intervals for 5-35 years, median = 11 years.

Incidence of oesophageal necrosis in an autopsy material.

The incidence of oesophageal necrosis was studied in 310 consecutive autopsies of patients more than 2 years old. The oesophagus and upper part of the stomach were excised and formalin-fixed in all cases suspicious of necrosis. Suspicious areas were taken out for microscopy.

Effects of acute nicotine on hemodynamics and binding of [11C]raclopride to dopamine D2,3 receptors in pig brain.

Positive reinforcing properties of nicotine and the psychostimulants have been attributed to elevated dopamine release in the basal ganglia. It is well known that the specific binding of [(11)C]raclopride to dopamine D(2,3) receptors in living striatum is reduced by cocaine and amphetamines, revealing increased competition between endogenous dopamine and [(11)C]raclopride for dopamine D(2,3) receptors. However, the sensitivity of [(11)C]raclopride binding to nicotine-induced dopamine release is less well documented.

[Diagnostic value of the chromatic contents of fundus photography].

The optical properties of the human lens change with age and are affected by both ocular and systemic diseases. A usual change is a gradual diffuse browning or sclerosis of the lens nucleus. This nuclear sclerosis leads to selective absorption of short wave (blue) light when broad band (white) light is sent into the eye.

Effects of GH on urea, glucose and lipid metabolism, and insulin sensitivity during fasting in GH-deficient patients.

Fasting-related states of distress pose major health problems, and growth hormone (GH) plays a key role in this context. The present study was designed to assess the effects of GH on substrate metabolism and insulin sensitivity during short-term fasting. Six GH-deficient adults underwent 42.

[Diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency--time for reflection].

Since plasma methylmalonic acid (MMA) was introduced in Denmark in 1992 both MMA and P-cobalamins have been increasingly employed to diagnose vitamin B-12 deficiency, and the consumption of vitamin B-12 has been almost doubled during the same period. The controversy about diagnosing vitamin B-12 deficiency is reflected in a huge geographical variation both in requisition of MMA and P-cobalamins and in the vitamin B-12 consumption. On the basis of studies performed so far we conclude that MMA is a reliable method with a good nosographic sensitivity.

[Public GCP unit--experiences from the Aarhus University Hospital].

According to the EU GCP-directive, all clinical trials involving medical products must adhere to the GCP-standards by May 2004. This may entail difficulties for investigator-initiated trials not sponsored by the industry. A public GCP-unit was established at Aarhus University Hospital in 1995.

[Malignant insulinoma is a rare cause of hypoglycemia].

Insulinoma is a rare tumor of the islands of Langerhans, which causes endogenous hypoglycemia. Most tumors are benign, but some are malignant and have a potential for metastases. The disease should be considered in patients presenting symptoms of hypoglycemia with no provable external cause.