Preparation,characterization and storage of human ferritin for use as a standard for the assay of serum ferritin

Summary. This paper describes studies on the source, preparation, characterization and storage of human ferritin for use as a standard for the immunoassay of serum ferritin. Ferritin was prepared from the liver or spleen by methods including either ultracentrifugation or cadmium sulphate crystallization. Preparations were characterized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in dissociating and non-dissociating buffers, iso-electric focusing, analysis of amino acid composition and measurement of protein content. The protein content of solutions of liver or spleen ferritin may be determined by the method of Lowry with bovine serum albumin as standard. Lyophilization under carefully controlled conditions in buffer containing high concentrations of albumin provides a stable preparation of ferritin. Accelerated degradation and collaborative immunological studies of two lyophilized preparations of ferritin, one from liver and one from spleen, indicate that either is an acceptable reference material.     

Comparison of Goldmann applanation and applanation resonance tonometry in a biomicroscope-based in vitro porcine eye model

We have developed an in vitro porcine eye model based on a biomicroscope, to simulate a clinical situation for IOP measurement on enucleated eyes. The aims of this study were to evaluate the model and to apply and compare Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and applanation resonance tonometry (ART) measurements in porcine eyes. The GAT measurement (IOP_GAT) showed a lower pressure, mean – 14.0 mm Hg (SD = 1.7 mm Hg) as compared with the reference pressure. For in vitro measurement with GAT on porcine eyes the linear calibration was IOP = 1.14 IOP_GAT + 12.5 mm Hg (R² = 0.99, p < 0.001, n = 280, four eyes). ART measurements correlated significantly to reference IOP, R = 0.86 (p < 0.001, n = 252, six eyes), with a mean difference of 5.4 mm Hg (SD = 6.7 mm Hg). GAT could only be used on porcine eyes if the IOP exceeded 13 mm Hg. Evaluation of the ART in this in vitro model showed position dependence for the sensor. To facilitate centre positioning a guiding tool is suggested. Porcine eyes are a possible substitute for human eyes in in vitro models for pre-clinical evaluation of new tonometry methods.     

Hospital admissions among people 65+ related to multimorbidity, municipal and outpatient care

This study aimed at examine the number of planned and acute hospital admissions during 1 year among people 65+ and its relation to municipal care, outpatient care, multimorbidity, age and sex. Four thousand nine hundred and seven individuals having one or more admissions during 2001 were studied. Data were collected from two registers and comparisons were made between those having one, two and three or more hospital stays and between those with and without municipal care and services. Linear regression was used to examine factors predicting number of acute and planned admissions. Fifteen percent of the sample had three or more hospital stays (range 3-15) accounting for 35% of all admissions. This group had significantly more contacts in outpatient care with physician (median number of contacts (md)=15), compared to those with one (md: 8), or two admissions (md: 11). Main predictors for number of admissions were number of diagnosis groups and number of contacts with physician in outpatient care. Those who are frequently admitted to hospital constitute a small group that consume a great deal of inpatient care and also tend to have frequent contacts in outpatient care. Thus interventions focusing on frequent admissions are needed, and this requires collaboration between outpatient and hospital care.     

Dental auscultation for nursing personnel as a model of oral health care education: development,baseline, and 6-month follow-up assessments

Oral health care has been shown to have low priority in nursing and has been only partly successful. To create more positive effects than those achieved through traditional oral health care education, this project tested an educational model for nursing staff personnel. In addition to traditional oral health care education, some of the nursing staff members passed an additional dental auscultation period and served as oral care aides. The aides were responsible for the oral health care of the residents at their nursing facilities (intervention group). The intervention nursing facilities were compared with facilities where nursing personnel only received a traditional oral health care education program. Assessments were made at baseline and at a 6-month follow-up. At follow-up it was shown that the nursing staff in the intervention group gave higher priority to the oral health care work than the nursing staff in the control group.     

Bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the auditory canal

Only rare cases of osteonecrosis of the auditory canal associated with bisphosphonates, have been published. Our results confirm that similar reports can also be encountered in databases of adverse drug reactions.     

The significance of facet joint cross-sectional area on magnetic resonance imaging in relationship to cervical degenerative spondylolisthesis

Background contextCharacteristic changes of the facet joints, including synovial cysts, facet joint hypertrophy, and facet joint effusions, on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography have been associated with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis. The cervical facets have not been examined for associations with cervical degenerative spondylolisthesis similar to those seen in the lumbar spine.PurposeTo define abnormalities of the facet joints seen on supine MRI that correlate with cervical spondylolisthesis seen on upright radiographs.Study designRetrospective radiographic review of consecutive patients with a universally applied standard.Patient sampleA total of 204 consecutive patients from a single institution, with both an MRI and upright radiographs, were reviewed.Outcome measuresSagittal plane displacement on upright lateral radiographs was compared with MRI. The total area of the facet joint and the amount of facet joint asymmetry were measured on an axial MRI.MethodsThe data were analyzed to determine a significant association between the cervical degenerative spondylolisthesis and the following: facet joint asymmetry, increased total area of the facet joint, and age.ResultsDegenerative spondylolisthesis was seen in 26 patients at C3–C4 and in 27 patients at C4–C5. Upright radiographs identified significantly more degenerative spondylolisthesis than MRIs at levels C3–C4 and C4–C5, 26 versus 6 (p<.001) at C3–C4 and 27 versus 11 (p<.001) at C4–C5. Patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis were more likely to be older, have a larger total facet area, and more facet asymmetry at C3–C4 and C4–C5 (p<.05).ConclusionsSupine MRIs underestimate sagittal displacement compared with upright lateral radiographs. Asymmetric facet hypertrophy at C3–C4 and C4–C5 is associated with degenerative spondylolisthesis on upright lateral films even in the absence of anterolisthesis on supine MRIs.     

Applanation resonance tonometry for intraocular pressure in humans

Glaucoma is a group of diseases associated with optic nerve damage and loss of visual field. The aetiology is not completely understood, but one of the major risk factors is elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Reliable methods for measuring the IOP are therefore important. The aim of the study was to investigate the ability of the applanation resonance tonometry (ART) system, based on continuous force and area recording, to measure IOP in humans. Both the phase of initial indentation (IOPIndentation) and the phase when the sensor was removed (IOPRemoval) from the cornea were analysed. The Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) was used as reference method. The study included 24 healthy volunteers with normal IOP and 24 patients with elevated IOP. The correlation and standard deviation (SD) between IOPIndentation and IOPGAT was R = 0.92 (p < 0.001), SD = 3.6 mmHg, n = 104, and between IOPRemoval and IOPGAT R = 0.94 (p < 0.001), SD = 3.1 mmHg, n = 104. In conclusion, resonance sensor technology has made it possible to introduce a new multi-point method for measuring IOP, and the method is relevant for measuring IOP in humans. The study indicates that with further development towards elimination of position dependence, the ART has the potential to become a useful clinical instrument for IOP measurement.