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Cardio-metabolic diseases (CMDs) such as obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension are now highly prevalent throughout low- and middle-income countries, even though half of the T2D cases cannot be explained by obesity. Non-obese T2D individuals may have been exposed to foetal programming and/or be genetically susceptible to abdominal obesity. There is evidence for ethnic-specific risks for cardiometabolic disease. This calls for expanding research collaboration with so-called South partners in order to qualify decision making on diagnosis and prevention of CMDs at global level.

Fibroblast growth factors are structurally related proteins associated with cell growth, differentiation, migration, wound healing, angiogenesis, and oncogenesis. At the cellular level, their function is mediated by transmembrane tyrosinekinase receptors, fibroblast growth factor receptors. Four genes encoding fibroblast growth factor receptors have been identified, and mutations in three of these, FGFR1, FGFR2, and FGFR3, can cause different congenital, autosomal dominant disorders affecting the craniofacial and skeletal development: craniosynostosis and chondrodysplasias. The craniosynostosis syndromes: Apert syndrome, Beare-Stevenson syndrome, Crouzon syndrome, Jackson-Weiss syndrome, Muenke syndrome, Pfeiffer syndrome and Saethre-Chotzen syndrome can be caused by mutation in either FGFR1, FGFR2, or FGFR3. Saethre-Chotzen syndrome can also be caused by mutation in a functionally related gene, ACS. The same mutation can cause different syndromes, and the same syndrome can be caused by mutations in different genes. The chondrodysplasias: achondroplasia, hypochondroplasia, and thanatophoric dysplasia are all caused by mutations in FGFR3.

This study presents three cases of uncontrollable retroperitoneal arterial haemorrhage diagnosed by angiography and treated by transluminal embolization with coils. The haemorrhage originated in one patient from a branch of the internal iliac artery and in the other two patients from a renal artery. The circulation was stabilized in all three patients after transluminal coil embolization proximal to the arterial lesions. One patient died of multiorgan failure due to prolonged uncontrolled haemorrhage before embolization and one patient died as a consequence of low haemoglobin due to religiously based rejection of blood transfusion. Trauma patients with uncontrollable haemorrhage and retroperitoneal haematoma should be suspected of an arterial lesion and as early as possible be transferred to a center with experience in catheterisation and transluminal embolization.

Complications in two varicella zoster virus (VZV) vaccinated children with leukemia in remission are reported. Case I presented with varicella on day 30 after vaccination, with a relapse on day 49 and development of zoster on day 70. VZV was detected in vesicles by PCR on days 49 and 70. Case II presented with varicella on day 32 after vaccination, and VZV was detected in vesicles and nasal secretion. The manifestations were mild and responded to treatment. PCR methods were directed toward the R5 and PS regions. The virus from the two children was unambiguously identified as the Oka vaccine strain. The majority of Danish field strains had only one copy of the 112 basepair repeat element in the R5 region, but two, four and presumably higher copy numbers were also seen. All Danish field strains had the Pst1 cleavage site in the PS region.

A 23-year old woman with primary sclerosing cholangitis was being treated with ursodeoxycholic acid (URSO). When pregnancy was diagnosed, she was already through the first trimester. The treatment was discontinued, but her symptoms including severe pruritus recurred immediately, and the biochemical markers of bile duct obstruction worsened. It was necessary to start URSO-treatment again, which relieved her symptoms and improved the biochemistry. The remaining part of the pregnancy was uncomplicated, there were no malformations and so far, the baby is doing fine. URSO may be a possible treatment for severe intrahepatic cholestasis and pruritus during pregnancy.

A retrospective evaluation of contributing causes of malaria among Danish travellers, based on patient files and telephone interviews, is presented. Four centres participated, and 33% of all malaria cases reported to the Danish authorities in 1993 and 1994 were included (in total 82 patients). Ten out of 52 patients with falciparum malaria had not taken any chemoprophylaxis at all. Among the 42 patients who had, only 14 were both correctly advised and fully compliant. Within the remaining 28 patients, lack of compliance concerning the chemoprophylaxis was reported in 16, inadequate chemoprophylaxis was prescribed to 12 patients, and a further eight (19%) were underdosed. Only four out of 30 patients with vivax, ovale or malariae malaria had not used chemoprophylaxis. The distribution of contributing causes of chemoprophylaxis failure was similar to that of falciparum malaria, although noncompliance was more predominant in patients developing vivax, ovale or malariae malaria (58% compared to 38% in falciparum malaria).

The incidence of premature craniosynostosis is 1:2000-1:4000. Ninety percent of these are simple synostosis with premature closure of one or more of the cranial sutures causing reduced or arrested growth perpendicular to the closed suture(s). Ten percent are more complex craniofacial syndromes, where hypoplasia of the maxilla is also of importance to the development of the orbits. The reduced intracranial volume may result in an increased intracranial pressure and is a contributing factor to the rather high frequency of mental retardation seen in patients with premature craniosynostosis. Early correction is necessary in order to achieve a satisfactory cosmetic result as well as prevention of secondary damage to the brain. Craniofacial syndromes with facial hypoplasia require a staged multi-disciplinary treatment. Patients with simple craniosynostosis have to be treated within the first six months after birth.

Infection in ventriculo-atrial shunts implanted for relief of raised intracranial pressure may, in rare cases, result in glomerulonephritis (shunt-nephritis). Most frequently, infection with low-virulent bacteria is concerned. This results in mild or subclinical symptoms with the subsequent risk that the condition is overlooked. The glomerular damage is considered to be precipitated by deposition of immune complexes in the kidneys and subsequent activation of the complement system. The renal manifestations consist of varying degrees of proteinuria, haematuria and reduction of renal function. Treatment consists of removal of the shunt. If continued relief of pressure in the ventricular system is necessary, a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt should be implanted. Normally, the prognosis of the renal disease is good. If the diagnosis and treatment are delayed, irreversible renal damage may result. Regular control of urine (proteinuria, haematuria) and blood (Hb, serumcreatinine and serum complement) are recommended in the follow up control of patients with ventriculo-atrial shunts.

In addition to the well known paraplegia or tetraplegia, lesions of the spinal cord frequently cause a series of disturbances of sensation in the segments around or distal to the lesion. Disturbances of sensation in spinal cord lesions are painful or non-painful. The painful and also the non-painful sensations may represent irritative and withdrawal phenomena. A series of central neurogenic pains seem to be best explained by spontaneous neuronal activity in sensory spinal cord neurones which have lost the peripheral, segmental and descending neuronal control from the nervous system. Surgical treatment of pain in cases of spinal cord lesions is rarely considered apart from root-avulsion where surgical lesion in the superficial part of the posterior horn is effective. No specific treatment is as yet available for pain and disturbances of sensation in cases of spinal cord injury. However, on the basis of our limited knowledge of the pathogenesis of these symptoms, future therapeutic strategy will be directed towards not only the peripheral but also the central points of attack. Treatment of painful conditions in patients with spinal cord injuries, as in other states of chronic pain, should also include social and psychological support.

The conditions of generalized skeletal dysplasia, hypochondroplasia and achondroplasia, are reviewed. Both of these diseases may be complicated by spinal stenosis. The spinal complications are illustrated by a case history in which the basic disease was hypochondroplasia with secondary cervical spondylosis, narrow foramen magnum and clinical spastic paraplegia.

The frequency of depressive illness was investigated in 195 patients who had been referred consecutively after attempted suicide during the period 15. February 1989-15, October 1989. A total of 130 of these patients were admitted to hospital while the remainder were treated in the psychiatric emergency room or admission department. Registration of depressive symptoms on admission revealed that 85% had depressed mood and other depressive symptoms. According to the criteria established by Feighner et al. 51% suffered from definite depressive disease on admission. According to Zung's Depression Scale, 60% were depressed. On the basis of observations during hospitalization, 25% suffered from depressive disease according to the criteria established by Feighner et al. 19% of these patients suffered from endogenic depression according to the Newcastle I scale which corresponds to 5% of all the hospitalized patients with attempted suicide. Approximately 10% were treated with antidepressives. Only 8% were discharged with the diagnoses of endogenic or reactive psychoses (ICD-8). It is concluded that depressive symptoms occur in the majority of patients with attempted suicide but that slight non-endogenic depressive states are most commonly concerned and that many of these improve rapidly during hospitalization without medicinal treatment. Restraint should be observed in prescription of antidepressive medicine to patients with attempted suicide until the diagnosis of depressive disease is verified.

Because a keeper in Copenhagen ZOO had developed ornithosis, clinical and serological examination of the staff of the ZOO was instituted. The object was to demonstrate any possible threatening epidemic and also to demonstrate if the staff of the ZOO were particularly exposed to the risk of ornithosis. Neither of these could be confirmed.