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Biomedical subjects

A Håkansson

Publications and source records attributed to A Håkansson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Rose hip and Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 9843 reduce ischemia/reperfusion injury in the mouse colon.

Ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) of the colon is an inflammatory condition that leads to tissue injury where reactive oxygen species play a central role. Rose hip is rich in biologically active polyphenols with antioxidative properties, which may be important in prevention of lipid peroxidation. L. plantarum DSM 9843 possesses enzymatic activity towards polyphenols. The objective of this study was to define the effect of oral administration of L. plantarum and rose hip in I/R injury. Administration of rose hip and L. plantarum significantly decreased MDA levels in caecum tissue and Enterobacteriaceae counts in caecum stool. A positive correlation between MDA levels and Enterobacteriaceae counts was found. The results support a synergistic/additive role of rose hip and L. plantarum in reducing lipid peroxidation. Therefore rose hip and L. plantarum may be used as a pretreatment to tissue injuries, e.g. colonic surgery, organ transplantation and vascular surgery.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Comment on "Theory of tailoring sonic devices: diffraction dominates over refraction".

Recently, Garcia et al. [Phys. Rev. E 67, 046606 (2003)] studied theoretically several acoustic devices with dimensions on the order of several wavelengths. Those authors also discussed experimental results previously reported by several of us [Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 023902 (2002)]] and concluded that it is diffraction rather than refraction that is the dominating mechanism explaining the focusing effects observed in those experiments. In this Comment we reexamined their calculations and discussed why some of their interpretations of our results are misleading.

Comment↗
PubMed2004

Association between the estrogen receptor beta gene and age of onset of Parkinson's disease.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential contribution of genetic variants in the estrogen receptor beta gene to the aetiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Several lines of evidence from human and animal studies suggest a protective role for estrogen in PD. Recently the estrogen receptor beta subtype was reported to be an important mediator of estrogen actions in the nigrostriatal dopamine system. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms at position 1730 and 1082 in the ER beta gene were genotyped, using pyrosequencing, in 260 patients with PD and 308 controls recruited from the Swedish population. Neither of the two estrogen receptor beta polymorphisms was associated with an increased risk for PD. However, the G allele of the A1730G polymorphism was more frequent in patients with an early age of onset than in patients with a late age of onset of PD (P = 0.006). Patients carrying the GG genotype had an odds ratio of 2.2 for having an early onset of PD compared to non-carriers. In conclusion, our results indicate that genetic variation in the estrogen receptor beta gene may influence the age of onset of PD.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

On the biological relevance of MHC class II and B7 expression by tumour cells in melanoma metastases.

A large number of studies have indicated that specific immune reactivity plays a crucial role in the control of malignant melanoma. In this context, expression of MHC I, MHC II and B7 molecules by melanoma cells is seen as relevant for the immune response against the tumour. For a better understanding of the biological relevance of MHC II and B7 expression by tumour cells in metastatic melanoma, we studied the expression of these molecules in melanoma metastases in relation to the inflammatory response, regression of the tumour and survival from 27 patients treated with biochemotherapy (30 mg m(-2) Cisplatin and 250 mg m(-2) decarbazine (dimethyl-triazene-imidazole-carboxamide, DTIC) on days 1-3 i.v., and 10(7) IU IFN-alpha 2b 3 days a week s.c., q. 28d). In 19 out of 27 lesions studied, we found expression of MHC II by the tumour cells, while only in one out of 11 tumour biopsies obtained from untreated metastatic melanoma patients, MHC II expression was detected. Expression of B7.1 and B7.2 by tumour cells was found in nine out of 24 and 19 out of 24 lesions, respectively. In all cases where B7.1 expression was found, expression of B7.2 by the tumour cells was also seen. In general, no or only few inflammatory cells positive for B7 were found. Expression of MHC II by tumour cells was positively correlated with the presence of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes, regression of the lesion, and with time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) of the patient. However, no significant correlation between B7.1 or B7.2 expression and regression of the tumour, TTP or OS was found. In light of other recent findings, these data altogether do support a role as biomarker for MHC II expression by tumour cells; however, its exact immunological pathomechanism(s) remain to be established.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Measuring the size of ulcers by planimetry: a useful method in the clinical setting.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare four measurement methods. Digital planimetry was compared with mechanical planimetry, placing the film over graph paper and counting the squares (grid tracing), and multiplying the two maximal perpendicular diameters of the ulcer (diameter product). METHOD: Twenty patients with 50 chronic leg ulcers of various aetiology and sizes (20 ulcers were < or = 3 cm2, 15 ulcers were > 3 cm2 and < or = 10 cm2, and 15 ulcers were > 10 cm2) were enrolled consecutively into this study. Ulcer area was calculated from film transparency tracings using a digital planimeter, a mechanical planimeter, grid tracing and diameter product. RESULTS: The mean difference of digital planimetry versus mechanical planimetry, grid tracing and diameter product was 0.51 cm2, 0.72 cm2 and -5.38 cm2, respectively. For all methods difference tended to increase with ulcer size. CONCLUSION: Digital and mechanical planimetry, together with grid tracing, appear to be appropriate means of obtaining accurate surface area measurements. Digital planimetry is a quick and practical method and could therefore be recommended in the clinical setting.

Body Weights and Measures↗
PubMed2001

Biochemotherapy of metastatic malignant melanoma. Predictive value of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes.

The therapeutic efficacy of biochemotherapy in metastatic malignant melanoma still carries a low remission rate, but with some durable responses. It would therefore be of considerable importance if patients with a high probability of responding could be identified using predictive tests. The response to interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) correlates with the occurrence of CD4(+) lymphocytes identified by fine-needle aspirates from melanoma metastases (Håkansson et al, 1996). The present investigation studies a possible correlation between tumour-infiltrating CD4(+) lymphocytes in malignant melanoma metastases and the therapeutic effect of biochemotherapy. A total of 25 patients with systemic and 16 with regional metastatic melanoma were analysed before initiation of biochemotherapy (cis-platinum 30 mg/m(2) d.1-3, DTIC 250 mg/m(2) d.1-3 i.v. and IFN-alpha 2 b 10 million IU s.c. 3 days a week, q. 28d.). A monoclonal antibody, anti-CD4, was used to identify tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes in fine-needle aspirates before start of treatment. The presence of these lymphocytes was correlated to response, time to progression and overall survival. A statistically significant correlation (P = 0.01) was found between the occurrence of CD4(+) lymphocytes and tumour regression during biochemotherapy in patients with systemic disease. Out of 14 patients with moderate to high numbers of infiltrating CD4(+) lymphocytes, 12 achieved tumour regression. In contrast, among patients with low numbers of these cells in metastatic lesions, 8 out of 11 had progressive disease. We also found a significantly longer time to progression (P < 0.003) and overall survival (P < 0.01) among patients with moderate to high numbers of these cells compared to patients with low numbers of these cells before initiation of biochemotherapy. Furthermore, in patients with regional disease, we found a significantly longer time to progression (P = 0.01) and a trend toward a longer overall survival time (P = 0.09). Based on these results and as previously shown with IFN-alpha therapy alone, there seems to be a need for CD4(+) lymphocytes infiltrating the tumours before the start of biochemotherapy to make the treatment successful. Determination of these cells in fine-needle aspirates seems to be a method to predict responders to biochemotherapy, thus increasing the cost-benefit of this treatment strategy considerably, both in terms of patient adverse reactions and health care costs.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Residential care after the geriatric care reform. District nurses experience extensive responsibility and limited rights].

We studied the care of patients in homes for the elderly and in special homes for the demented in the city of Malmö. Nine district nurses were interviewed using a tape recorder, and the content of the interviews was analyzed. Many patients needed extensive care, and resources were insufficient regarding both number of staff and their competence. The management of nursing in the various districts of the city was not well-defined. More consulting time was requested on the part of both district nurses and general practitioners in homes for the elderly and homes for the demented.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Prescribing, prescription costs and adherence to formulary committee recommendations: long-term differences between physicians in public and private care.

BACKGROUND: In southern Sweden, many general practitioners (GPs) participate in an extensive postgraduate drug education programme, and many health centres are also fed back crude local drug statistics from pharmacists in the area. Private physicians and hospital physicians have not participated in these programmes. OBJECTIVE: The drug prescribing habits and costs of GPs, hospital physicians and private physicians were compared. METHODS: Each March, from 1990 to 1997, all prescriptions dispensed at the eight pharmacies in Växjö, a city and municipality in southern Sweden, were registered, specifying drug(s) prescribed, price, patient's age, sex and area of residence, and prescriber's place of work and category. RESULTS: Overall, the costs of prescribed drugs increased with time, even in 1997 when the prescribing volume was reduced due to changes in the reimbursement system. The cost increase was caused by increased prescribing of newer, more expensive drug alternatives. However, within each of the eleven major drug groups, the drugs prescribed by GPs were less expensive than those prescribed by hospital physicians and, particularly, private physicians. Moreover, even though GPs prescribed more and a wider range of drugs, they also had a higher degree of adherence to the recommendations by the formulary committee. CONCLUSION: GPs prescribed less expensive drugs and had a higher degree of adherence to the recommendations by the formulary committee than other categories of physicians. One reason for these differences may be that the GPs participated in regional and local educational activities aimed at the rationalisation of drug prescribing.

Drug Prescriptions↗
PubMed2001

Combustion of gasolines in premixed laminar flames European certified and California phase 2 reformulated gasoline.

Two gasoline qualities, European unleaded certified gasoline (EUCG) and California phase 2 reformulated gasoline (P2 RFG), were analysed. EUCG contained about twice the amount of alkyl benzenes compared to P2 RFG and a large amount of cyclohexane. As a balance, P2 RFG contained higher amounts of isooctane and MTBE. The gasolines were burned in a premixed laminar flame burner at 1 atm and at about stoichiometric fuel/air ratio. The species profiles were measured using on-line GC/MS. About 40 compounds were be detected in the gasoline flames. The EUCG resulted in formation of more reactive and toxic compounds. The combustion profiles of the fuel components showed a similar slope, which suggests that the fuel components burn quite independently of each other. Ethene and propene were the dominating species produced from the two gasolines. Commonly, substantial amounts of higher alkenes were found. Combustion of P2 RFG produced higher amounts of isobutene, propene, propyne, propadiene and methanol compared to combustion of EUCG. The high amount of isobutene is reasonably a result of high concentration of isooctane and MTBE in the fuel. The high amount of methanol formed is probably due to the MTBE present in the gasoline. EUCG produced significantly higher amounts of 1,3-butadiene, which quite likely is formed from the cyclohexane in the fuel. The benzene profiles from both gasolines shows an almost constant level up to 800 microm from the burner surface; this is probably due to formation of benzene from alkyl benzenes.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2001

Parents: the best experts in child health care? Viewpoints from parents and staff concerning child health services.

The aim was to describe what parents and staff think about child health care, to identify agreements and disagreements. A qualitative study was made with semi-structured interviews based on a phenomenographic approach. Sixty parents, 14 nurses and six doctors from southern Sweden were interviewed. Parents and staff emphasized two tasks as being of particular importance: support and check-ups. There was a conflict between parents' need for security versus integrity. Individual nurses experienced a conflict between what they wanted to do and what they felt that they had to do. The parents viewed parental education as a chance to exchange experiences with other parents and receive support from other adults, while the staff mainly saw it as an opportunity to inform parents and strengthen them in their parental role. The study gives grounds for reflection about how the work of child health care can be changed in the future.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2001

Morphological and functional in vitro and in vivo characterization of the mouse corpus cavernosum.

1. In normal mice, the distribution of adrenergic, cholinergic, some peptidergic, and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-containing nerves were investigated. Functional in vitro correlates were obtained. An in vivo model was developed in which erectile haemodynamics in response to drugs or nerve-stimulation were studied. 2. Immunoreactivities for vesicular acetylcholine transporter protein (VAChT), nNOS-, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), co-existed in nerve fibres and terminal varicosities. Immunoreactivities for neuropeptide Y (NPY) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were found in the same nerve structures. 3. Chemical sympathectomy abolished TH- and NPY-IR nerve structures in cavernous smooth muscle bundles. The distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-, nNOS-, VAChT- and VIP-IR nerve structures was unchanged. 4. In endothelial cells of the central and helicine arteries, veins and venules, intense immunoreactivity for endothelial NOS (eNOS) was observed. No distinct eNOS-IR cells were found lining the cavernous sinusoids. 5. In vitro, nerve-induced relaxations were verified, and endothelial NO/cyclic GMP-mediated relaxant responses were established. VIP and CGRP had small relaxant effects. A functioning adenylate cyclase/cyclic AMP pathway was confirmed. 6. Neuronal excitatory responses were abolished by prazosin, or forskolin. VIP and CGRP counteracted contractions, whereas NPY and scopolamine enhanced excitatory responses. 7. In vivo, erectile responses were significantly attenuated by L-NAME (50 mg kg(-1)) and facilitated by sildenafil (200 microg kg(-1)). 8. It is concluded that the mouse is a suitable model for studies of erectile mechanisms in vitro and in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Early patient contact in primary care: a new challenge.

BACKGROUND: The Medical School of Lund University, Sweden, has introduced an early patient contact course, including training in communication and examination skills. The course runs parallel with theoretical subjects during the students' first two-and-a-half years. General practitioner (GP) participation is gradually increasing, and in the last half-year of the course GPs in all health centres in the area are involved. Little is known about the GPs' interest, competence and time for this new task. AIM: To describe the GPs' attitudes towards teaching and the rewards and problems they experience. SUBJECTS: 30 GPs teaching third-year medical students. METHOD: Semistructured interview study. Data analysis by a method described by Malterud. RESULTS: The attitude towards teaching was mostly positive and the teachers were confident about teaching examination procedure. Among rewards of teaching, improved quality of clinical practice was the main theme, but imparting knowledge to others, contact with enthusiastic students, and gains in self-esteem were also mentioned. Problems with teaching were mostly due to external factors such as lack of time and space, but concern about a negative effect on patient care was also recognized. Educational objectives of the course were not completely accepted. GPs were not fully aware about what to expect from the students, with subsequent problems concerning how to assess students' performance and how to give effective feedback. CONCLUSIONS: The teaching of junior medical students is maintained by the GPs' enthusiasm for teaching. However, teacher training is required and the crucial issues of time and space have to be considered.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2001

A folding variant of human alpha-lactalbumin induces mitochondrial permeability transition in isolated mitochondria.

A human milk fraction containing multimeric alpha-lactalbumin (MAL) is able to kill cells via apoptosis. MAL is a protein complex of a folding variant of alpha-lactalbumin and lipids. Previous results have shown that upon treatment of transformed cells, MAL localizes to the mitochondria and cytochrome c is released into the cytosol. This is followed by activation of the caspase cascade. In this study, we further investigated the involvement of mitochondria in apoptosis induced by the folding variant of alpha-lactalbumin. Addition of MAL to isolated rat liver mitochondria induced a loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi(m)), mitochondrial swelling and the release of cytochrome c. These changes were Ca(2+)-dependent and were prevented by cyclosporin A, an inhibitor of mitochondrial permeability transition. MAL also increased the rate of state 4 respiration in isolated mitochondria by exerting an uncoupling effect. This effect was due to the presence of fatty acids in the MAL complex because it was abolished completely by BSA. BSA delayed, but failed to prevent, mitochondrial swelling as well as dissipation of Delta Psi(m), indicating that the fatty acid content of MAL facilitated, rather than caused, these effects. Similar results were obtained with HAMLET (human alpha-lactalbumin made lethal to tumour cells), which is native alpha-lactalbumin converted in vitro to the apoptosis-inducing folding variant of the protein in complex with oleic acid. Our findings demonstrate that a folding variant of alpha-lactalbumin induces mitochondrial permeability transition with subsequent cytochrome c release, which in transformed cells may lead to activation of the caspase cascade and apoptotic death.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Common cancer-related symptoms among GP patients. Opportunistic screening in primary health care.

OBJECTIVE: To study the occurrence of symptoms related to the five most common forms of cancer among patients regularly visiting primary care. To estimate the proportion of symptoms needing GP examination, and the number of tumours thus diagnosed. DESIGN: Patients with some form of non-malignant chronic disease received a letter with information about cancer-related symptoms along with an invitation to regular check-up. The letter described the most common symptoms of breast, colorectal, lung, prostate and skin cancers. SETTING: 12 health centres in Kalmar County, Sweden. SUBJECTS: 5200 patients aged over 40 years. RESULTS: One patient in 13 reported cancer-related symptoms to the GP. Women reported more symptoms than men, and almost half of them had had symptoms at previous check-ups. The GP was able to explain 7 out of 10 patients' symptoms directly. When other symptoms were examined, 8 cancers were diagnosed as well as 6 pre-malignant tumours, corresponding to 3 tumour diagnoses per 1000 check-ups. CONCLUSION: While attending regular check-ups, patients may not report symptoms which cause anxiety and sometimes indicate serious diseases. It is possible to widen the perspective and link both primary and secondary prevention of certain cancers to the check-up.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Risk factors for respiratory tract infections in children aged 2-5 years.

OBJECTIVE: To study risk factors for respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children aged 2-5 years. DESIGN: A questionnaire was used to chart the number of visits to doctors and the number of antibiotics courses because of RTIs during a 1-year period. The risk factors studied were age, sex, birth weight, breastfeeding, atopy, siblings, smoking and childcare. SETTING: The catchment area of Oxie health centre in southern Sweden. SUBJECTS: 190 pre-school children. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of visits to doctors and number of antibiotics courses. RESULTS: The risk of having to consult a doctor, as well as the risk of receiving treatment with antibiotics, because of RTIs was greater among children at daycare centres than among children who were mostly at home (adjusted OR 2.78 (95% CI 1.34-5.78) and 2.73 (1.38-5.43), respectively). CONCLUSION: Attending a daycare centre is the most important risk factor for RTIs in children aged 2-5 years.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2001

A voice accumulator device: evaluation based on studio and field recordings.

A voice accumulator is a portable device for long-term measurements of voice use in natural conditions. A contact microphone attached to the front part of the neck registers vocal fold vibrations. The purposes of the present study were: 1) to evaluate the voice accumulator's two measuring programs optimized for registration of fundamental frequency (F0) and phonation time, respectively; and 2) to test the voice accumulator for field recordings. Four healthy subjects were recorded in a sound-proof booth simultaneously with one contact microphone into a voice accumulator and one contact microphone into a computer. In terms of F0 and phonation time, the results showed that correlations between the voice accumulator's two measuring programs and a signal-processing program were high (r > or = 0.85) for all subjects but one. The inter-subject variability was large. A prerequisite for reliable vocal fold vibration detection by the voice accumulator was a careful placement and a firm attachment of the contact microphone on the neck. Four subjects were recorded with the voice accumulator during a working day. It was concluded that the voice accumulator is an overall good instrument for measurements of F0 and phonation time, and thus is useful for both clinical work and research.

Equipment Design↗