The changes in endothelin-like immunoreactivity in plasma during various provocations in the pig were investigated and related to those of neuropeptide Y, noradrenaline and adrenaline. Release as revealed by overflow was determined in the spleen, kidney and femoral vascular bed (skeletal muscle) simultaneously by collecting local venous and arterial blood samples. Under basal conditions there was no net release of endothelin-like immunoreactivity from any region but a net removal (negative overflow) over the kidney. Endotoxin administration (20 micrograms kg-1 h-1 for 4 h) increased arterial endothelin-like immunoreactivity, neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity, noradrenaline and adrenaline seven-, 27-, 100- and 166-fold respectively, as well as splenic and renal vascular resistance. An increased overflow of endothelin-like immunoreactivity, neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity and noradrenaline, indicating local release, was observed in the spleen during endotoxin administration. The arterial plasma endothelin-like immunoreactivity during endotoxaemia correlated significantly with the splenic and renal vasoconstriction (r = 0.75 and 0.68 respectively). Chromatographic characterization revealed that the main portions of arterial plasma endothelin-like immunoreactivity collected during endotoxaemia corresponded to synthetic endothelin-1 and big endothelin. A similar uptake (50-90%) and plasma half-life (1-2 min) of exogenous endothelin-1-like immunoreactivity was observed both under control conditions and after endotoxin, suggesting that elevated plasma endothelin-like immunoreactivity after endotoxin was the result not of reduced clearance but rather of enhanced release. Asphyxia for 2 min did not increase arterial endothelin-like immunoreactivity but evoked an increased overflow of endothelin-like immunoreactivity, neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity and noradrenaline as well as vasoconstriction in the spleen. Capsaicin induced a release of neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity and noradrenaline from both the spleen and the kidney and of adrenaline from the adrenal, but no detectable overflow of endothelin-like immunoreactivity from any of the vascular regions. Renal nerve stimulation, renal artery occlusion for 30 min, haemorrhagic shock, hypotension induced by nitroprusside infusion or serotonin did not cause any detectable increase in arterial plasma levels or local overflow of endothelin-like immunoreactivity. It is concluded that plasma levels of endothelin-like immunoreactivity are increased, suggesting release in the pig in response to endotoxin administration and asphyxia. The possible involvement of endothelin as a mediator of the peripheral vasoconstrictor responses during these situations remains to be further established.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and abortions--the present situation for medical care of sexually transmitted diseases in Sweden.

In Sweden, the high numbers of infections with Chlamydia trachomatis and human papillomavirus and the threat of human immunodeficiency virus has been the origin of an ongoing change in the care for people with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This is based on the view that traditional STDs, HIV, and abortions are different consequences of the same thing--unprotected intercourse--so prevention of one means prevention of the others and they should always be considered together. There is a growing understanding that epidemiological aspects of STD have to be improved. To attain these goals, new measures are taken at different levels. Central organization committees are created in the counties for the management of STD care. Youth clinics are given better resources. A new kind of department for problems related to sexuality is developed with contributions primarily from gynecology and venereology. The well-established Swedish tradition for sex education is reinforced.

Abortion, Induced↗

PubMed1988

Rectal occurrence of Mobiluncus species.

The simultaneous occurrence of Mobiluncus spp in the vagina and rectum was studied in women attending a sexually transmitted diseases (STD) department. Of 43 women with bacterial vaginosis (BV), 32 had Mobiluncus spp in the vagina and 23 in the rectum. In 20 women the same Mobiluncus species was found concomitantly in the vagina and the rectum. Mobiluncus spp were found in the rectum only in two women with BV, one with candidal vaginitis, and one healthy woman. In a treatment study of 23 women, BV was cured in nine out of 10 treated with metronidazole and six out of 13 treated with tetracycline. After treatment Mobiluncus spp persisted in the vaginas of two out of 19 women and in the rectums of two out of 10.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed1987

Topical anaesthesia with local anaesthetic (lidocaine and prilocaine, EMLA) cream for cautery of genital warts.

Removal of genital warts by thermocautery was performed in 108 patients (57 men and 51 women) under topical anaesthesia with a local anaesthetic cream, lidocaine and prilocaine (EMLA). Most men had warts in the preputial cavity, most women had warts situated on the mucous membranes of the vulva, and warts at multiple sites were common. About 1 ml of cream per lesion was applied to the warts for 20 to 105 minutes before the operation. Plastic film (Glad, Union Carbide) was applied over the cream when natural occlusion, such as under the prepuce or on the introitus, was not present. Local pallor was seen in 30% of the patients, redness in 53%, and oedema in 15%, but did not cause any discomfort and were clinically insignificant. Analgesia was sufficient in 96% of the men and in 40% of the women. Additional local infiltration was given to 60% of the women, but was not as painful as injections generally are in the genital area. The analgesic efficacy on women may be further improved by optimising the application time on the genital mucosa.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

Bacterial vaginosis in women attending STD clinic: diagnostic criteria and prevalence of Mobiluncus spp.

The diagnostic criteria of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and the prevalence of Mobiluncus spp as detected by monoclonal antibodies were investigated in all new women patients attending the sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in Uppsala during a four month period. Of 455 patients, 164 fulfilled the generally accepted criteria for BV, but in 57 of them simultaneous infection with a recognised pathogen was diagnosed. BV was thus the only clinical diagnosis in 107 (24%) of the women. The sniff test and clue cells in the wet smear were the two criteria most relevant for the diagnosis of BV. The sniff test was positive in 95% (156) of the 164 patients with BV and negative in all other cases. The corresponding figure for the clue cells was 98% (160 of 164), but clue cells were also detected in 19 patients without BV. Though 99% (162) of women with BV had a vaginal pH of more than 4.5, so did 83 women without BV. Only 59% (96) of women fulfilling the criteria of BV had a characteristic discharge. Mobiluncus spp were present in 20% (90) of the 455 women and in 50% (53) of the 107 women with BV only. Of the 90 Mobiluncus spp isolates, M curtisii comprised 44% (40), M mulieris 34% (31), and both strains together 21% (19). Mobiluncus spp were detected with monoclonal antibodies in 35 women who had no motile curved rods on wet smear microscopy. Furthermore, Mobiluncus spp were often detected in women infected with recognised pathogens, as well as in a few women without signs of genital infection.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

Improved yield of Mobiluncus species from clinical specimens after alkaline treatment.

Reference strains and clinical isolates of Mobiluncus species and bacteria in samples of vaginal discharge from patients with bacterial vaginosis were examined for resistance to alkaline solutions. A prolonged survival time in buffers of high pH was shown for Mobiluncus, especially for isolates designated as M. curtisii. In a clinical study, alkaline treatment increased the number of culture-positive samples four times as compared to conventional culture. The improved culture-yield in combination with a shortened time for processing the samples makes the method suitable for isolation of Mobiluncus in clinical samples.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed1986

Curved rods related to Mobiluncus--phenotypes as defined by monoclonal antibodies.

51 strains, including clinical isolates, type and reference strains of Mobiluncus, were studied as to phenotype and reactivity with a set of monoclonal antibodies to defined Mobiluncus antigens. Numerical analysis of phenotypic data and the reactivity with monoclonal antibodies showed that the bacteria are clustered to form the two main species, M. mulieris and M. curtisii, although some atypical variants occur. In indirect immunofluorescence assay, the unique antigens were fully exposed on the cell surface and could therefore be used as markers for specific microscopic identification of Mobiluncus in mixed vaginal samples from women attending an STD clinic. The monoclonal antibodies identified M. mulieris and M. curtisii, showing a high correlation with the detection of motile curved rods in wet smears and curved rods in Gram-stained preparations. 70% of the samples harbouring Mobiluncus as seen by direct identification with monoclonal antibodies were culture-positive when an elaborate dilution technique for culture was used.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Dissecting aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta. Surgical or medical treatment?

A follow-up study was made of 49 patients with dissecting aneurysm of the thoracic aorta diagnosed in the period 1969-1981. Comparison was made of surgery v. antihypertensive drugs for treatment of dissecting aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta (DeBakey type III). Of 22 non-surgically treated patients with type III dissection, 14 survived for a year or more after the diagnosis, whereas only one of 13 patients survived surgery for any length of time. The prognosis in dissection of DeBakey type III thus seemed to be better with medical than with surgical treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1984

Primary isolation of curved rods from women with vaginal discharge.

The occurrence of motile anaerobic curved rods in vaginal discharge was studied in 94 samples from women attending an STD clinic. Almost all wet smear preparations of discharge contained motile rods. Anaerobic curved rods were isolated from 46% of the samples. Of 28 specimens studied by culture and immunofluorescence, 21 were confirmed to harbour motile anaerobic curved rods. Culture was performed with a dilution and sampling technique that is too time-consuming for diagnostic routines, but it enhanced the precision of information on motile anaerobic curved rods in vaginal secretion. More selective and rapid methods for identification of these bacteria are desirable.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed1984

Motile curved rods in women attending a STD clinic.

Motile anaerobic curved rods were cultured from vaginal discharge of 19 of 262 women attending an STD clinic. In 26 women, motile rods were observed by examination of wet smears. In all 5 specimens culture-positive for motile anaerobic curved rods of the long type, motile rods were observed in the wet smears, while in only 6 of the 14 specimens culture-positive for motile anaerobic curved rods of the short type, were motile rods seen in wet smears.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

PubMed1982

On the pathophysiology of left ventricular aneurysm. An analysis by cineangiography and videodensitometry.

In 16 patients with left ventricular aneurysm, ventriculography has been performed and recorded upon videotape. By means of videodensitometer the ejection fraction of the total ventricle and its parts have been analysed. The videodensitometric result explained the ejection fraction pattern which is caused by the moment of the contrast medium in different parts of the ventricle. The regurgitation phenomenon in the contractile and non-contractile parts of the ventricle is explained by a turbulent movement of contrast medium between the different parts of the ventricle. This turbulence should be included in the criteria of a left ventricular aneurysm.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed1980

[Revascularization for threatening myocardial infarction].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗

PubMed1980

Coronary by-pass operation--graft and left ventricular function.

Of 121 patients surviving a by-pass operation 114 have been folowed up hitherto. At first follow-up - usually one year after operation - the angina pectoris was relieved in 87% of the patients and in 85% at least one vein by-pass was patent. A high correlation was found between subjective result and graft patency. Advanced arterial changes at preoperative coronary angiography did not prevent good result after surgery. In about half of the patients whose pain was relieved, the left ventricular ejection fraction was increased postoperatively. However, in many patients, who were subjectively improved, the ejection fraction was unchanged or even decreased.

Adult↗