Effects of topical application of capsaicin to human skin: a comparison of effects evaluated by visual assessment, sensation registration, skin blood flow and cutaneous impedance measurements.

A new non-invasive device, which enables local measurements of electrical impedance, has been used to evaluate the degree of irritation in human skin. The results have been compared with visual scoring, sensations and laser Doppler flowmetry. Capsaicin (50 microliters 1% solution) and control solutions (50 microliters 50% ethanol) were applied in a chamber for 30 min on the volar forearm of 7 volunteers.

Blunted adrenocorticotropin and increased adrenal steroid response to human corticotropin-releasing hormone in Alzheimer's disease.

Previous studies suggest disturbances in the central regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis (HPA) in advanced Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study the reactivity of the HPA axis was evaluated by stimulation with corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) of patients with mild to moderate AD. Twenty-three patients with AD (aged 61-88 yr) and 19 healthy elderly (aged 62-84 yr) received an intravenous bolus injection of human CRH (1 microgram/kg) at 3:00 PM.

The pre- and postsurgical nursing of women with stress incontinence.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate subjective and objective methods used for the investigation of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and to compare the outcome of two different surgical techniques regarding cure rate, postoperative nursing, bladder drainage and postoperative pain relief. The study included 45 women with SUI, randomized either to retropubic urethrocystopexy (n = 30) or pubococcygeal repair (n = 15). The assessment included medical history, gynaecological examination, urine analysis and culture, residual urine, pad test, frequency-continence charts, water urethrocystoscopy, continence test, and cystometry with micturition analysis.

Regional cerebral blood flow, white matter abnormalities, and cerebrospinal fluid hydrodynamics in patients with idiopathic adult hydrocephalus syndrome.

OBJECTIVES--(1) to evaluate regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) with single photon emission computed tomography and 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime in patients with the idiopathic adult hydrocephalus syndrome (IAHS); (2) to examine regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), gait, and psychometric functions before and after CSF removal (CSF tap test); (3) to assess abnormalities in subcortical white matter by MRI. METHODS--Thirty one patients fulfilling the criteria for IAHS (according to history and clinical and neuroradiological examination) were studied. Quantified gait measurements, psychometric testing, and rCBF before and after removal of CSF were obtained.

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric identification of metabolites from alpha-pinene in human urine after occupational exposure to sawing fumes.

Three metabolites from alpha-pinene (two diols and an alcohol with an aldehyde group) have been identified in human urine after occupational exposure to sawing fumes from pine. Urine was enzymatically hydrolyzed, cleaned up on a C18 micro-column and the metabolites were identified by GC-MS using electron impact (70 eV) and chemical ionization with ammonia or isobutane as the reagent gas. Analysis of underivatized metabolites was performed using a capillary column with a semi-polar phase and trimethylsilylated derivatives were analyzed using a non-polar phase.

A low dose ACTH test to assess the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Objective: The insulin tolerance test (ITT) has long been used to assess the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, but may be hazardous. The standard synthetic ACTH (Synacthen) test has been advocated as a substitute but is sometimes insensitive. In this study the ITT has been compared to a low dose ACTH stimulation test (1 microg) and the standard ACTH stimulation test (250 microg).

Effects of pressure on red blood cell geometry during micropipette aspiration.

Micropipette aspiration is a potentially useful and accurate technique to measure red blood cell (RBC) geometry. Individual RBCs are partially aspirated and from the resulting sphere diameter, total cell length, and pipette diameter, membrane area and cell volume can be calculated. In this study we have focused on possible shape artifacts associated with the aspirated portion of RBC.

Urinary, climacteric and sexual symptoms one year after treatment of endometrial and cervical cancer.

Data regarding urinary, climacteric and sexual symptoms among women before and one year after treatment of endometrial (n = 30) and cervical cancer (n = 26) were selected by a questionnaire, survey of medical records and semistructured interviews. The results were compared with similar data from hysterectomized women (n = 30). Urinary and climacteric symptoms were frequent in all three groups of women one year after treatment.

Growth patterns and cell kinetics of human osteosarcoma xenografts in serial passages in nude mice analyzed by in vivo labelling with iododeoxyuridine.

A human osteoblastic osteosarcoma was transplanted in nude mice and followed in seven serial passages. Tumor cell kinetics was analyzed by in vivo labelling with the thymidine analogue iododeoxyuridine (IdUrd). Immunohistochemistry was used to measure the IdUrd labelling index.

Cold induced vasospasm in replanted digits: a comparison between different methods of arterial reconstruction.

Nineteen patients each of whom had had a single digit replanted were examined after replantation. The arterial reconstruction had been done with long grafts (n = 10) or short grafts or no graft (n = 9). The effect of local or whole body cooling on the replanted and uninjured opposite digits was monitored (9-46 months after the replantation), and the patients were given a questionnaire (9-95 months after replantation) designed to explore the development of their cold related symptoms in relation to time.

Acute neuroradiology: methods, indications and timing.

The rapid development of radiological examination methods, technical innovations and creative and critical radiological research have dramatically changed the diagnostic approach with new indications and changed timing in the examination of patients with acute neurological lesions. The role of CT as the primary radiological examination method in these patients is well established, and is routinely used before the start of suitable treatment to detect or exclude intracranial haemorrhage, either traumatic or nontraumatic, or to detect other causes of acute onset of neurological disease, such as intracerebral tumours or subdural haematoma. The role of MRI still needs further confirmation.

Differences between persons with right or left cerebral vascular accident on the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills.

Objective: Persons with right and left cerebral vascular accident (RCVA and LCVA) differ in terms of discrete impairments, but there is limited information with regard to how such impairments translate into differences in disability. The following hypotheses were tested: (1) persons with stroke have lower instrumental or domestic activities of daily living (IADL) ability than do matched nondisabled controls, (2) persons with RCVA do not differ from persons with LCVA in IADL ability, and (3) persons with RCVA and LCVA differ in specific motor and process skills that affect IADL performance.

Design: Descriptive comparison.

Nitrogen dioxide exposure impairs the frequency of the mucociliary activity in healthy subjects.

In previous studies, we have reported bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) findings following single and repeated exposures to NO2. Here, we present the first data on measurements of the frequency of the mucociliary activity in healthy subjects following exposure to NO2. Twenty four healthy nonsmoking volunteers underwent fibreoptic bronchoscopy, during which mucociliary activity was measured using an in vivo method based on a two-way fibreoptic system, to obtain baseline data.

Dipyridamole thallium-201 single-photon emission tomography in aortic stenosis: gender differences.

Dipyridamole single-photon emission tomography (SPET) is used for the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) and the method has also been applied in patients with aortic stenosis. This study was undertaken to establish the gender-specific normal limits of thallium-201 distribution in patients with aortic stenosis and to apply these normal limits in a larger group of patients with aortic stenosis to obtain the sensitivity and specificity for coexisting CAD. A low-dose dipyridamole protocol was used (0.

The predictive value of cerebrospinal fluid dynamic tests in patients with th idiopathic adult hydrocephalus syndrome.

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tap test and CSF outflow conductance in the selection of patients with the idiopathic adult hydrocephalus syndrome, defined exclusively on a clinical basis, for shunt surgery.

Design: A prospective, consecutive case series. All patients were assessed before surgery and at 3 months after shunt placement.

Monitoring of renal pelvic pressure in patients with hydronephrosis.

A diagnostic method for the determination of obstructions in the pelvoureteral junction in patients with suspected idiopathic hydronephrosis is described and discussed. Two microtransducer catheters (MTCs) with infusion lumens are inserted under fluoroscopic control, one into the renal pelvis and the other in the perirenal space as a reference. The pressure values obtained are stored on a portable microcomputer system, carried by the ambulatory patients.

Decreased width of the spinal canal in patients with chronic symptoms after whiplash injury.

Study Design: The sagittal diameter of the cervical spinal canal was measured on standard lateral radiographs of 48 consecutive patients with acute whiplash injury. A follow-up was done 12 months after injury.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between spinal canal width and chronic symptoms after whiplash injury.

Prolonged reaction time in patients with chronic lateral instability of the ankle.

Impaired proprioception has been suggested as one cause of chronic lateral instability of the ankle. We subjected 15 ankles in 13 patients with symptoms of chronic lateral instability to sudden angular displacement. The reaction times in the peroneus longus and the tibialis anterior muscles were recorded and compared with those from 15 control ankles.

Comparison of some criteria for diagnosing a myocardial infarction after aorto-coronary bypass grafting (CABG).

The incidence of myocardial infarction during a 1-year follow-up period after coronary bypass surgery (CABG), i.e. a recent myocardial infarction (RMI), was studied in 86 patients.

Cerebrospinal fluid shunt dynamics in patients with idiopathic adult hydrocephalus syndrome.

The objective was to assess CSF dynamics of different shunt constructions in patients with adult hydrocephalus syndrome and correlate these findings to clinical outcome, neuroradiology, and the specifications of the shunts provided by the manufacturer. Thirty four patients with idiopathic adult hydrocephalus (normal pressure hydrocephalus) syndrome were included in a prospective, consecutive case series. A differential pressure valve (Cordis Hakim standard system) was used in 28 patients and a variable resistance valve (Cordis Orbis-Sigma) in six.

Respiratory effects of air pollutants: experimental studies in humans.

Epidemiological and environmental chamber studies in man, and toxicological studies in animals, have provided valuable insights into the biological effects, the mechanisms of action, and the dose-response characteristics of some major air pollutants. This review describes the information currently available on air pollutant effects in man, as the result of experimental studies. There are certain advantages, as well as some limitations, in human chamber exposure studies, but if carefully designed and based upon relevant background data they may give information that is valuable for understanding the effects of air pollutants in man.

Sleep apnoea and nocturnal angina.

Hypoxaemia occurs with sleep apnoea and might induce nocturnal angina. Sleep apnoea was found in 9 of 10 patients with nocturnal angina pectoris. Nocturnal angina diminished during treatment of sleep apnoea by continuous positive airway-pressure, and the number of nocturnal myocardial ischaemic events measured by computerised vector-cardiography was reduced.

Pulmonary venous systolic flow fraction in patients with mitral regurgitation: transoesophageal echocardiographic findings in relation to haemodynamic and angiographic evaluation.

In patients with mitral regurgitation (MR), pulmonary venous systolic flow fraction (PVSFfr) recorded using pulsed Doppler transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was compared with PVSFfr in normal subjects, to angiographic grading and to haemodynamic parameters. PVSfr was calculated as the systolic flow velocity integral divided by total inflow integral. PVSfr is negative when systolic flow is reversed.

The evaluation of a biexponential model for description of intercompartmental fluid shifts in compressed oedematous tissue.

A parametric model was fitted to force curve data gained by a non-invasive impression method that measures force and fluid translocation during mechanical compression of the skin. The ability of the model parameters to estimate high- and low-viscosity fluid flow in compressed areas were evaluated in a silicone rubber model and in six patients with chronic pitting oedema. Different softnesses of silicone rubber gave significantly different parameter values.