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Biomedical subjects

A Dahlqvist

Publications and source records attributed to A Dahlqvist.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The enzymatic synthesis of membrane glucolipids in Acholeplasma laidlawii.

In membranes of the prokaryote Acholeplasma laidlawii, the physiological regulation of the two major membrane lipids, monoglucosyldiacylglycerol (MGlcDAG) and diglucosyldiacylglycerol (DGlcDAG), is governed by factors affecting the equilibria between lamellar and non-lamellar phases of the membrane lipids. The synthesis of the glucolipids is considered to be a two-step glucosylation: (i) DAG+UDP-Glc----MGlcDAG+UDP; and (ii) MGlcDAG+UDP-Glc----DGlcDAG+UPD. This was corroborated by in vivo pulse labelling experiments showing turnover of MGlcDAG but not DGlcDAG. The enzymatic synthesis of MGlcDAG was localized to fresh or freeze-dried membranes in vitro. Synthesis of DGlcDAG was minor in such membranes but of substantial magnitude in intact cells. Synthesis of MGlcDAG was stimulated by small amounts of SDS but completely inhibited upon solubilization of the membranes by a variety of detergents. The inhibitory effect of several UDP-Glc analogs on glucolipid synthesis demonstrated the importance of UDP-Glc as the sugar donor. Synthesis of both glucolipids was lost in freeze-dried plus lipid-extracted cells but restored when lipids were transferred back to the extracted cell membrane. By selectively adding specific lipids, a strong dependence on the acceptor lipid DAG, as well as the need for general matrix lipids for enzyme activity, was established. In addition, the anionic phosphatidylglycerol (PG), but not the other phospholipids, had a strong stimulatory effect. The presence of different phosphorylating agents stimulated the synthesis of DGlcDAG and partially inhibited that of MGlcDAG. This, together with the lipid dependency, may constitute mechanisms for the regulation of the enzyme activities in vivo.

Acholeplasma laidlawii

Expression of catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes in paraganglionic and ganglionic cells in the laryngeal nerves of the rat.

The rat recurrent and superior laryngeal nerves with adjacent connective tissue were examined by immunohistochemical techniques for localization of the catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase and phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase. Most of the cells in the paraganglia of the recurrent and superior laryngeal nerves showed an intense tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity. A few paraganglionic cells exhibited dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity while none of the cells displayed phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase-like immunoreactivity. Some of the ganglionic cells in the recurrent and superior laryngeal nerves showed dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity whilst these cells never showed tyrosine hydroxylase- or phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase-like immunoreactivity. The arterioles were supplied with plexuses of nerve fibres showing tyrosine hydroxylase- and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity. The results indicate that dopamine is the major catecholamine located in the laryngeal nerve paraganglia and show that ganglionic cells in the recurrent and superior laryngeal nerves show immunolabelling for one of the enzymes in the catecholamine synthetic pathway, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase.

Animals

Long-term hypoxia induces changes in the substance P immunoreactivity pattern in laryngeal nerve paraganglia.

We previously showed that long-term hypoxia increases the dopamine content in rat laryngeal nerve paraganglia. In the present study paraganglia of rats exposed to hypoxia (10 +/- 0.5% O2) for 14 days were examined immunohistochemically to detect changes in the expression of neuropeptides and catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes. Hypoxia induced an intense cellular substance P (SP)-like immunoreactivity (LI) in some paraganglia and an increase in the number of stromal nerve fibers showing SP-LI in others. The patterns of tyrosine hydroxylase-, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-, phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-, neuropeptide-Y and calcitonin gene-related peptide-LI were not changed in response to hypoxia. The results show that hypoxia induces changes in the pattern of SP immunoreactivity in laryngeal nerve paraganglia and may indicate that SP plays a role in the regulation of catecholamine metabolism in this tissue.

Animals

[Nasal CPAP--treatment of choice in obstructive sleep apnea].

There is no doubt about the effectiveness of nasal-CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) in treatment on obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), however there has been doubts about the tolerance and compliance rate. Seventy-two (88 percent) out of 82 patients evaluated for CPAP tolerated and accepted treatment for home use. Five patients did not tolerate CPAP at all, of them four were former operated with Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Five patients refused home CPAP therapy. According to a questionnaire 42 (91 percent) out of 46 patients with home CPAP therapy used their CPAP five to seven nights/week. We suggest CPAP as the treatment of choice at AHI greater than 20, since the treatment is highly effective and well tolerated by the patients.

Adult

Laryngeal nerve paraganglia of the rat are morphologically and biochemically unchanged by long-term hypercapnia.

Exposure to hypercapnia (8.2 +/- 0.7% CO2) for 3 weeks failed to change the morphometric characteristics (mean cell area, nuclear, mitochondria and vesicle volume density) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve paraganglia of the rat. Moreover, this treatment had no effect on the dopamine and noradrenaline content of the superior and recurrent laryngeal nerves. The results are in contrast to what is found after exposure to hypoxia which increases the dopamine content and the cell area of the paraganglia and indicate that the mechanisms of the paraganglia in long-term hypoxia and hypercapnia differ.

Animals

Enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in ganglionic cells in the larynx and superior cervical ganglion of the rat.

The distribution of enkephalin-like immunoreactivity (ENK-LI) in the larynx, the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) and the nodose ganglion of adult rats was examined in the present study. A substantial number of the local acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-positive, presumably parasympathetic, ganglionic cells in the larynx displayed ENK-LI. These cells also exhibited neuropeptide Y (NPY)- and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-LI. Varicose nerve fibers showing ENK-LI were observed close to the acini and ducts of the glands, in the perichondrium and in the lamina propria. The varicosities exhibiting ENK-LI frequently displayed NPY- and VIP-LI. The ENK-LI was detected in a subpopulation of AChE-positive nerve fibers in the laryngeal tissue. In the SCG, only a small number of the ganglionic cells displayed ENK-LI. These cells, in contrast to other ganglionic cells of the SCG, did not show NPY-LI. None of the ganglionic cells of the nodose ganglion exhibited ENK-LI. Sympathectomy and vagotomy affected neither the number nor the distribution of fibers showing ENK-LI in the larynx. In conclusion, ENK appears to be present together with NPY and VIP in the parasympathetic innervation of the larynx and in a very limited number of the ganglionic cells of a sympathetic ganglion, the SCG, of the adult rat.

Acetylcholinesterase

Regional differences in the distribution of nerve fibers showing substance P- and calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity in the rat larynx.

The distribution of substance P (SP) - and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) - containing nerve fibers in the rat larynx was studied using immunohistochemistry. Double-labeling studies revealed a high degree of co-existence of SP- and CGRP-like immunoreactivity (LI) in the nerve fibers in the larynx. There was a considerable regional difference in the number of immunoreactive nerve fibers in the epithelium and lamina propria. Richly supplied sites were the laryngeal side of the epiglottis and the ventral recess, whilst there was no evidence of nerve fibers in the squamous epithelium of the vocal cords. However, where the squamous epithelium of the vocal cords changed into a cuboidal epithelium, a moderate number of nerve fibers was present, and a large number of fibers was seen where the squamous epithelium of the cords was in close contact with cartilage. Nerve fibers showing SP- and CGRP-LI were also observed close to the acini and ducts of the glands, in the blood vessel walls, close to the perichondrium of all the cartilages, and outside the cricothyroid and cricoarytenoid joints. CGRP-LI was detected in epithelial cells facing the lumen of the airway and in cells in the acini and ducts of glands in the subglottic region and trachea. Unilateral sympathectomy did not affect the pattern of SP- and CGRP-innervation in the larynx, whereas after vagotomy, the SP- and CGRP-innervation almost disappeared ipsilaterally in the upper parts of the epiglottis and aryepiglottic folds.

Animals

Studies on colocalization of neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes and acetylcholinesterase in the larynx of the rat.

In the present immunohistochemical study, the distribution of nerve fibers containing neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in the larynx was examined and compared with that of fibers containing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), and with that of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-positive nerve fibers, in intact and vagotomized rats and in rats subjected to removal of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG). Fibers showing TH/DBH-like immunoreactivity (LI) were only found in the walls of arteries and arterioles, whereas AChE-positive nerve fibers were located close to the acini and ducts of the glands, in blood vessel walls, in the perichondrium and in the lamina propria. NPY-LI and VIP-LI coexisted in local AChE-positive ganglionic cells and in a subpopulation of the AChE-positive fibers, NPY-LI also being present in some periarterial fibers showing TH/DBH-LI. Unilateral removal of the SCG eliminated the TH/DBH-innervation in the upper but not the lower parts of the larynx ipsilaterally, whereas the NPY-innervation of the arteries in the upper parts only partly disappeared and the NPY-innervation of the other structures remained unchanged. The distribution of VIP-innervation was unchanged after vagotomy and removal of the SCG. The results suggest that VIP is present in the postganglionic parasympathetic innervation, whereas NPY is present in both the postganglionic parasympathetic and sympathetic innervation of the rat larynx.

Acetylcholinesterase

GC serum groups and otosclerosis.

Five genetic serum protein marker systems (HP, TF, GC, BF and PI) were studied in patients with otosclerosis and in controls. The distributions of GC phenotypes and alleles showed significant differences between patients and controls with an excess of the IF-allele and the IF-variant among the patients.

Alleles

Occurrence of mast cells in relation to the distribution of nerve fibers in the rat larynx.

The distribution of mast cells in the rat larynx was studied at a light microscopic level in relation to nerve fibers showing substance P (SP)- and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-like immunoreactivity (-LI) and ultrastructurally in relation to unmyelinated nerve fibers. Connective tissue mast cells (CTMC), demonstrated by staining for avidin-peroxidase and immunohistochemical staining for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), were localized in the lamina propria. Alcian blue and toluidine blue revealed mast cells in the epithelium and the lamina propria. The mast cells showed similar regional differences in their distribution as fibers showing SP- and CGRP-LI. A large or moderate number of cells was found on the laryngeal side of the epiglottis, in the ventral recess and in the aryepiglottic folds. No mast cells were found in the vocal cords. In addition, a large number of cells showing 5-HT-LI were observed in the subglottic epithelium but not in the supraglottic and the glottic epithelia. Ultrastructurally and by use of SP- and CGRP-immunohistochemistry, nerve fibers were sometimes observed close to the mast cells. These findings may be of importance in the understanding of laryngeal pathophysiological events.

Animals

Catecholamines in the carotid body are unaffected by hypercapnia.

In contrast to the increased content of dopamine and norepinephrine in rat carotid body during hypoxia (10% O2 in nitrogen) for 3 and 21 days, hypercapnia (8% CO2 in air) for 21 days failed to alter the catecholamine concentrations. DOPAC content was elevated in hypoxia whereas there were no significant changes in hypercapnia. This finding supports the view that the mechanisms of peripheral chemoreception differ, at least partly, in hypoxia and hypercapnia.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid

Sympathectomy provides evidence of dopamine storage in rat laryngeal nerve paraganglia.

Catecholamine content in the recurrent and superior laryngeal nerves (RLN and SLN) of the rat was analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography after surgical and chemical sympathectomy. Sympathectomy induced by repeated injections of guanethidine did not lead to any change in the dopamine (DA) level, whereas the noradrenaline (NA) content decreased by 68% and 64% respectively in the RLN and SLN. Surgical excision of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) did not alter the level of DA in the SLN, but caused a 60% decrease of DA in the RLN. Removal of SCG did not affect the NA levels either in the RLN or in the SLN, unless it was combined with extirpation of the middle cervical ganglion, which induced a decrease in NA in both nerves. The results indicate that much of the DA in the laryngeal nerves is stored outside the sympathetic nerve fibres, probably in the small organs earlier characterized as endoneurial paraganglia.

Animals

Paraganglia of the rat recurrent laryngeal nerve after long-term hypoxia: a morphometric and biochemical study.

Paraganglia of the recurrent laryngeal nerve of rats exposed to hypoxia (10 +/- 0.5% O2) for 3 weeks became enlarged in volume by 2.6-fold. The volume densities of blood vessel lumen and endothelial cells were unchanged. The enlargement of the paraganglia was mainly attributed to hypertrophy of the dense-cored vesicle-containing cell. Concerning the profile diameter of the vesicle, a unimodal distribution of dense-cored vesicle cells was found in both control and hypoxic paraganglia. The vesicle diameter increased by about 19%, whereas the numerical density of dense-cored vesicles and the vesicle volume density were unaltered after hypoxia. Recurrent laryngeal nerves assayed by a sensitive high performance liquid chromatography technique contained an average of 1.9 pmol dopamine and 1.3 pmol norepinephrine. Exposure to 2 weeks of hypoxia increased the dopamine level to 4.9 pmol, whereas the norepinephrine content was unchanged. It is suggested from this study that the catecholamines determined are housed in the paraganglia of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Animals

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma in a minor salivary gland in childhood.

Salivary gland neoplasms in childhood and adolescence are rare, especially in the minor salivary glands. Vasoformative tumours and pleomorphic adenomas appear to be the most common benign neoplastic salivary gland lesions in the pediatric age group. The distribution of various malignant histological types is not always consistent with that in the adult population, and they appear more often in girls than in boys. Only 17 cases have previously been documented. The clinical and histological picture of a case of palatal mucoepidermoid carcinoma in a 13-year-old girl is presented as well as a review of the literature on malignant salivary gland tumours in childhood.

Adolescent

Paraganglia of the superior laryngeal nerve of the rat.

Paraganglia were consistently found at the bifurcation of the superior laryngeal nerve of the rat. Ultrastructurally the paraganglionic cells resembled the type I and type II cells of the carotid body. The dense-cored vesiculated type I cell was found most frequently, whereas the type II cell represented 10-25% of the cell population. The volume density of the dense-cored vesicles was found to be 3.5 +/- 0.5, which is about half as much as that found in the recurrent laryngeal nerve and about twice of that found in the carotid body. A total of 24,634 dense-cored vesicles were measured, and the mean diameter was calculated to be 113.8 +/- 4.9 nm. Based on the median vesicle profile diameter, only one type of dense-cored vesicle cell was found.

Animals

Prevention of thromboembolism in total hip replacement. Aspirin versus dihydroergotamine-heparin.

In a prospective and controlled study, we compared the prophylactic effect of high-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and dihydroergotamine-heparin (DHEH) in 82 patients over 50 years of age undergoing total hip replacement. The patients were screened by pulmonary scan and 125I fibrinogen uptake. Phlebography was done if the 125 I fibrinogen test was positive. According to our criteria, thromboembolism developed in 9 of 40 receiving ASA and in 5 of 42 patients receiving DHEH. The effect of ASA was limited to men; in 16 men on this therapy, none had thromboembolism versus 9 of 24 women. Twenty-two patients showed wound hematomas, but none needed surgical intervention.

Aspirin

Catecholamines of endoneurial laryngeal paraganglia in the rat.

The catecholamines in the recurrent and superior laryngeal nerves of the rat were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography. The nerves were shown to contain high levels of dopamine (1.9 +/- 0.6 and 2.3 +/- 0.4 pmol, respectively) and noradrenaline (1.3 +/- 0.3 and 0.9 +/- 0.2 pmol, respectively). No adrenaline could be detected in any of the nerves. Reserpine markedly depleted the stores of these amines in both nerves. A significant increase in dopamine level was seen in the superior laryngeal nerve after treatment with a monoaminoxidase inhibitor, but not in the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The high levels of dopamine detected are presumably derived from endoneurial paraganglia which were demonstrated by glyoxylic acid-induced fluorescence. The source of noradrenaline is less evident, but noradrenaline is probably stored in both endoneurial paraganglia and in sympathetic nerve endings.

Animals