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Biomedical subjects

A Olsson

Publications and source records attributed to A Olsson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Semantic processing without conscious identification: evidence from event-related potentials.

Three event-related potential (ERP) experiments examined whether semantic content can be accessed from visually presented words that cannot be consciously identified. Category labels were shown to participants, followed by masked, briefly exposed words that were either exemplars of the category or not exemplars. The task was to verify the category, by guessing if necessary, and to identify the word, naming it if possible. Exposure durations were selected to allow identification in approximately half the trials. For identified words, there was a marked difference in the ERP response between in-category and out-of-category words because of an N400 component. For unidentified words, there was a similar although smaller difference. Conscious identification was defined using a variety of approaches: verbal report, 6-alternative forced choice, and binary categorization (in the context of the regression method; A. G. Greenwald, M. R. Klinger, & E. S. Schuh, 1995). By any definition, ERPs for unidentified words showed evidence of semantic processing. In addition, there were differences in the neuronal populations recruited to process above-threshold versus below-threshold words, suggesting qualitative differences.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Is it necessary to suture all lacerations after a vaginal delivery?

BACKGROUND: Midwives tend to leave minor perineal lacerations to heal spontaneously, and clinical experience and studies show that women can suffer from their stitched lacerations. The study purpose was to determine any differences in the healing process and experience of minor perineal lacerations when they were sutured or not sutured. METHODS: Eighty term pregnant primiparas with minor perineal lacerations of grades I-II were randomized after childbirth. The experimental group was nonsutured and the control group was sutured. A follow-up examination was performed at 2 to 3 days, 8 weeks, and 6 months after the delivery. Participants were asked about the type of discomfort, and the effect of the laceration on breastfeeding and sexual intercourse. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in the healing process. The type of pain differed between the groups, but the amount of discomfort was the same. The sutured group had to visit the midwife more often because of discomfort from the stitches. Sixteen percent of the women in the sutured group, but none in the nonsutured group (p = 0.0385), considered that the laceration had had a negative influence on breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: Minor perineal lacerations can be left to heal spontaneously. The benefits for the woman include the possibility of having a choice, avoiding the discomfort of anesthesia and suturing, providing positive affects on breastfeeding.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed2000

Cerivastatin gender effect: sub-analyses of results from a multinational, randomised, double-blind study. Cerivastatin Study Group.

We previously reported the results of a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group study comparing the efficacy and safety of cerivastatin 0.4 mg/day and cerivastatin 0.2 mg/day in patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia. Exploratory analysis in this study suggested a gender difference in the 0.4 mg group: mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased by 44.4 +/- 8.9% in women, compared with a mean decrease of 37.0 +/- 0.9% in men (p < 0.046). This paper reports the results of further sub-analyses from this study. Overall in the per-protocol (PP) population, 71.5% (n = 73) of women taking cerivastatin 0.4 mg had an LDL-C decrease of > 40%, compared with 38.0% (n = 76) of men taking the same dose. In the cerivastatin 0.2 mg PP population, 34% (n = 17) of women had an LDL-C decrease of > 40%, compared with 19% (n = 18) of men. Mean LDL-C/HDL-C ratio decreased by 43% from baseline to the end of the study in the cerivastatin 0.4 mg PP group: -41.3% in males vs. -48.3% in females. In the cerivastatin 0.2 mg group, the decrease in LDL-C/HDL-C ratio from baseline to endpoint did not markedly differ between genders: -37.0% for males vs. -37.3% for females. Categorial analysis of the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio found that 90% of PP patients taking cerivastatin 0.4 mg, and 84% of PP patients taking cerivastatin 0.2 mg, had a low CHD risk (defined as a LDL-C/HDL-C ratio < or = 3) after 8 weeks of treatment. The 6th and 95th percentiles of the distribution of LDL-C reduction from baseline revealed that 90% of PP patients taking cerivastatin 0.4 mg had an LDL-C reduction of between 22% and 56%. The mean LDL-C reduction for this 90% subset of patients was 40.1%. The same analysis for PP patients taking cerivastatin 0.2 mg found that 90% had an LDL-C reduction of between 13% and 49%. The mean LDL-C reduction in this 90% subset of patients was 31.5%. Of the patients taking cerivastatin 0.4 mg and valid for treatment according to National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) criteria, 71% (149/211) achieved NCEP targets for LDL-C at Week 16.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Halogenated environmental contaminants in perch (Perca fluviatilis) from Latvian coastal areas.

The environmental contamination situation in coastal areas of the former Soviet Union has up to now been more or less unknown. This study on perch (Perca fluviatilis), collected at three locations along the coast of Latvia during 1994 and 1995, provides concentrations of several ubiquitous environmental contaminants (PCBs, HCB, HCHs, 4,4'-DDT, 4,4'-DDE, 4,4'-DDD, trans-Nonachlor, 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether). The concentrations of total PCB were similar at all study locations [0.7-1.4 ppm on a lipid weight (l.w.) basis], although a site close to the City of Riga indicated the presence of a local PCB contamination source. The contamination source was identified mainly by a higher relative content of lower chlorinated PCB congeners in the samples. Local pollution sources were also indicated for HCH and DDT. A large variation in the HCH isomer composition between 1994 and 1995 at one location demonstrates short half-lives of HCHs in the environment. The brominated flame retardant compound 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromdiphenyl ether was present in the range of 6.4-10 ng/g l.w. in the perch. The clean-up method applied in this study allowed for quantification of two semi-polar contaminants frequently overlooked in Baltic biota, namely Dieldrin and bis(4-chlorophenyl) sulfone (BCPS). Concentrations of BCPS were remarkably high, i.e. in the same magnitude as the most abundant PCB congeners. The results presented shows that the contamination of, e.g. PCB in an area of the former Soviet Union, the Gulf of Riga, is similar to that observed in other parts of the Baltic area.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Forward leaning reaching task in sitting (FLRS): a new measure for clinical evaluation of hamstring length in children.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In this study, the rotation of the pelvis was taken into account when assessing the length of hamstrings. A new measure for clinical evaluation was developed to establish reference values of hamstring length in children without movement disabilities for different age groups. Subjects (N = 60) were 3-, 6-, 10- and 14-year-old children (N = 15 for each age group). These values could be helpful in deciding treatment interventions in children with movement disabilities, for example cerebral palsy, when hamstring length is in question. METHOD: The study was performed with subjects sitting and reaching for a touch control on a wall whilst voluntarily rotating the pelvis forwards. By use of digitized video frames, the spatial angles of the lumbar spine and pelvis, as well as the joint angles of hip and knee, were computed at the initial and end positions of a forward leaning reaching task in sitting (FLRS). The active forward leaning induced a forward rotation of the pelvis, causing stretch on the hamstring muscle with extended knee. RESULTS: The results of spatial and joint angle measurements suggest that the difference of the hip joint angle between initial erect and final forward leaned sitting may be used as reference values for hamstring length. Reference values are based on the mean (+/- SE) of means (mean of 15 children, that is, group and individual means of ten trials). CONCLUSIONS: The age group reference values obtained may indirectly give information as to whether the hamstring length of a child with cerebral palsy is within the normative value of age-related control subjects. The new test developed in this study provides a convenient means for measuring hamstring length and could enhance clinical evaluation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Polychlorinated biphenyls and some pesticides in perch (Perca fluviatilis) from inland waters of Latvia.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT-related substances, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were analysed in perch (Perca fluviatilis) from Latvian lakes and rivers. DDE is present in the highest concentrations in all samples; 62-170 ng/g lipid weight in perch from rural areas and 460 ng/g in perch from the Riga area. Individual dominating PCB congeners were in the range 16-45 ng/g and 200-210 ng/g, respectively. The degree of contamination of rural areas in Latvia of these organohalogen substances is in the same range as in background areas in Sweden. Riga, the major urban area in Latvia, is shown to be more polluted with PCBs than other areas in Latvia.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Efficacy and safety of fixed-dose oral sildenafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction of various etiologies.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy and safety of fixed-dose oral sildenafil in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) of various etiologies. METHODS: In a 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose study, 514 men (mean age 56 years) with ED were randomized to receive 25, 50, or 100 mg of sildenafil or placebo. The primary etiology of ED was determined to be organic in 32% of men, psychogenic in 25%, or mixed in 43%. Sildenafil or placebo was taken in the home setting approximately 1 hour before sexual activity, not more than once daily. Efficacy was determined by responses to question 3 (ability to achieve an erection) and question 4 (ability to maintain an erection) of the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Other measures of efficacy included the five sexual function domains of the IIEF, a global efficacy question, event log data, and a partner questionnaire. RESULTS: Sildenafil significantly increased patients' ability to achieve and maintain erections (P <0.0001), with efficacy increasing with increasing dose. Significant improvements were also observed in the IIEF domains for erectile function, orgasmic function, intercourse satisfaction, and overall sexual satisfaction (P <0.0001). The proportion of subjects who felt that treatment with sildenafil improved their erections was significantly greater (67% to 86%) than that with placebo treatment (24%, P <0.0001). The proportion of successful attempts at sexual intercourse also increased significantly with sildenafil treatment (P <0.001). Partner responses corroborated patient reports. Sildenafil was well tolerated at the three doses studied. CONCLUSIONS: Oral sildenafil is an effective, well-tolerated treatment for ED of various etiologies.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Phosphorylation of Thr-948 at the C terminus of the plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase creates a binding site for the regulatory 14-3-3 protein.

The plant plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase is activated by the binding of 14-3-3 protein to the C-terminal region of the enzyme, thus forming an H(+)-ATPase-14-3-3 complex that can be stabilized by the fungal toxin fusicoccin. A novel 14-3-3 binding motif, QQXYpT(948)V, at the C terminus of the H(+)-ATPase is identified and characterized, and the protein kinase activity in the plasma membrane fraction that phosphorylates this threonine residue in the H(+)-ATPase is identified. A synthetic peptide that corresponds to the C-terminal 16 amino acids of the H(+)-ATPase and that is phosphorylated on Thr-948 prevents the in vitro activation of the H(+)-ATPase that is obtained in the presence of recombinant 14-3-3 and fusicoccin. Furthermore, binding of 14-3-3 to the H(+)-ATPase in the absence of fusicoccin is absolutely dependent on the phosphorylation of Thr-948, whereas binding of 14-3-3 in the presence of fusicoccin occurs independently of phosphorylation but still involves the C-terminal motif YTV. Finally, by complementing yeast that lacks its endogenous H(+)-ATPase with wild-type and mutant forms of the Nicotiana plumbaginifolia H(+)-ATPase isoform PMA2, we provide physiological evidence for the importance of the phosphothreonine motif in 14-3-3 binding and, hence, in the activation of the H(+)-ATPase in vivo. Indeed, replacing Thr-948 in the plant H(+)-ATPase with alanine is lethal because this mutant fails to functionally replace the yeast H(+)-ATPase. Considering the importance of the motif QQXYpTV for 14-3-3 binding and yeast growth, this motif should be of vital importance for regulating H(+)-ATPase activity in the plant and thus for plant growth.

14-3-3 Proteins↗
PubMed1999

Frequency and long term follow up of valvar insufficiency caused by retrograde aortic radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of valvar complications caused by left sided radiofrequency catheter ablation using the retrograde aortic technique. METHODS: 179 patients (118 male) with a mean (SD) age of 43 (17) years underwent 216 procedures at one centre. The target of the ablation was an accessory atrioventricular pathway in 144 patients, the atrioventricular junction in 29 patients, and a ventricular tachycardia in six patients. In 25 patients structural heart disease was identified before the procedure (ischaemic heart disease 10, cardiomyopathy nine, valvar three, other three). Echo/Doppler examinations were performed the day before the procedure and within 24 hours postablation; the investigations were all reviewed by the same investigator. Patients with identified valvar injury caused by the procedure were followed for 42 (7) months. RESULTS: Valvar injury caused by the ablation procedure was identified in four young (age 30 (8) years), otherwise healthy patients with left lateral atrioventricular accessory pathways. Mild mitral insufficiency with a central regurgitation jet was detected in two patients and remained unchanged at follow up. Mild aortic insufficiency was detected in another two patients. In one of these the regurgitation jet was central and remained unchanged at follow up. In one patient the regurgitation jet was located between the non-coronary and left cusps in relation to a loosely attached structure. Both the structure and the valvar regurgitation disappeared during follow up. No clinical complications occurred in any of the patients during follow up. CONCLUSION: In this study, the frequency of valvar complications after left sided radiofrequency catheter ablation using the retrograde aortic technique was 1.9%.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Efficacy and safety of cerivastatin, 0.2 mg and 0.4 mg, in patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia: a multinational, randomised, double-blind study. Cerivastatin Study Group.

Elevated serum cholesterol level is a key risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Cerivastatin is a highly effective lipid-lowering agent currently licensed at doses of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 mg. This was a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group study comparing the efficacy and safety of cerivastatin 0.4 mg/day with that of cerivastatin 0.2 mg/day in patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia. There was a six-week placebo run-in phase followed by a 24-week active treatment phase. A total of 494 patients were randomised to receive cerivastatin 0.4 mg (n = 332) or 0.2 mg (n = 162). Per-protocol (PP) analysis revealed that mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level decreased by 38.4 +/- 0.7% from baseline in the 0.4 mg group, compared with a decrease of 31.5 +/- 0.9% in the 0.2 mg group (p < 0.0001). There was a significant gender difference in the 0.4 mg group: LDL-C decreased by 44.4 +/- 8.9% in women, compared with a decrease of 37.0 +/- 0.9% in men (p < 0.046). In the PP group as a whole, total cholesterol decreased by 26.0 +/- 0.5% from baseline in the 0.4 mg group, compared with a decrease of 21.6 +/- 0.7% in the 0.2 mg group (p < 0.0001). Both doses were well tolerated; only eight (2.4%) patients in the 0.4 mg group and five (3.1%) patients in the 0.2 mg group withdrew owing to adverse events. Cerivastatin 0.2 mg/day and 0.4 mg/day was found to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol levels in a dose-dependent manner, with both doses exhibiting a good safety profile.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Caring for demented people in their homes or in sheltered accommodation as reflected on by home-care staff during clinical supervision sessions.

This study aimed to illuminate both the content of and the care given to demented people and the reflections of home care staff about it as revealed in two clinical group supervision sessions (n = 36). Verbatim transcriptions were analysed using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach and the following were found to be reflected on: the pensioners' personal situation--disease-related behaviour, ADL-functions, social network and self-esteem; the pensioners' environment--their relationships to significant others, adequate level of housing/care, access to activities, and satisfactory personal space; pensioner/staff interaction--their relations to each other, the staffs' relation to the pensioners' family, and the balance between reality-orientation vs. validation; the staff's situation--co-operation with other professionals, in primary health care, hospital, and within the social services; job satisfaction, lack of knowledge and sharing of knowledge, and lack of resources, especially time. The reasoning of the participants under supervision was found to be based on medical, historical, psychological, and environmental explanations, or personal beliefs. Feelings explored during supervision were directed towards the pensioners or the pensioners' families, towards themselves or towards the management. The findings were interpreted within a nursing model based on the four central concepts of nursing; person, environment, nursing intervention and health. The reasoning about nursing care revealed in the supervision sessions reflected a holistic approach and the relationship between the staff and the demented person stood out as central for care quality. Thus focusing on what promotes or, respectively, obstructs this relationship is likely to be one important focus in clinical supervision not only to achieve improvement and high quality in home care but also to develop and enhance the quality of the working life of the staff. Since the results could be understood within a theoretical nursing care model, it may well be that if the supervisor functions within some theoretical model the participants may reach a more conscious approach and the risk of losing important aspects of caring will decrease.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1998

Systematic clinical supervision of home carers working in the care of demented people who are at home: structure, content and effect as experienced by participants.

AIM: The aim of this paper is to investigate structure, content and effects of systematic clinical supervision (SCS). BACKGROUND: Home care staff caring for people with dementia were offered SCS because the increasing number of elderly people with dementia increases the demands made on nurses. METHOD: Supervisors (n = 5) and SCS participants (n = 6) were interviewed and an additional 52 SCS participants responded to a questionnaire. FINDINGS: The sessions focused on approaching and interpreting the demented person and significant others, training, practical problem-solving and reflecting and sharing of feelings; attitudes and tasks which can lead to improved knowledge and understanding, increasing interest, and commitment and affirmation. Reorganizations, staff turnover, new supervisors, the varying number of supervisory sessions and whether the staff was involved in the care of demented people also had an impact. CONCLUSION: The main effects of SCS were positive, however, most positive effects were decreased by unstable conditions.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Multiple mechanisms of action of the benzamides and nicotinamides as sensitizers of radiotherapy: opportunities for drug design.

The benzamides and nicotinamides are a well-known class of drugs that contain many analogs having radio- and chemosensitizing properties. This study reports on a structural analysis in order to explain the chemical features important to their mechanisms of action. In general, N-substituted analogs are distinguished from the non-N-substituted analogs because they (i) are susceptible to radiolysis, (ii) induce cytotoxicity by apoptosis but not necrosis, (iii) inhibit cell proliferation, (iv) activate poly adenosine diphosphate ribosyl transferase (poly ADPRT), and (v) have a much-reduced effect on microregional tumor blood perfusion. It was concluded that the mechanism of action of N-substituted analogs is shifted from primary effects on tumor vascularization as is seen with the non-N-substituted analogs to one where radiosensitization can be explained by selective induction of apoptosis via radiolysis and accumulation of DNA damage. This knowledge may be useful in the design of drugs possessing multiple mechanisms of radiosensitizing action.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Mitotic disturbance by carbaryl and the metabolite 1-naphthol may involve kinase-mediated phosphorylation of 1-naphthol to the protein phosphatase inhibitor 1-naphthylphosphate.

Carbaryl causes depolymerization of spindle microtubules and apparent uncoupling of karyokinesis and cytokinesis in mitotic V79 cells. The metabolite 1-naphthol has virtually identical effects at equimolar concentrations. The closely related 2-naphthol causes similar configurations, but at a much lower frequency than 1-naphthol, showing that there are some structural requirements for these effects in mitosis. The results of the present study demonstrate that the effects of treatment are reversible; briefly (30 min) treated and thoroughly rinsed cells resume the normal appearance of cells in metaphase within 5 min, followed by anaphase approximately 15 min later. It could be demonstrated that added 1-naphthol can be converted to 1-naphthylphosphate by the cells, a recognized protein phosphatase inhibitor. With the applied method no 1-naphthylphosphate could be detected in carbaryl-treated cells, although a fraction of carbaryl was found to be converted to 1-naphthol. Carbaryl, 1-naphthol and 2-naphthol caused a decrease in protein phosphorylation of about the same magnitude. We hypothesize that 1-naphthol is a substrate for a protein kinase in mitosis and the carbaryl interferes with the same kinase. Carbaryl alone or the 1-naphthylphosphate formed may also interfere with protein phosphatase activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

A phosphothreonine residue at the C-terminal end of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase is protected by fusicoccin-induced 14-3-3 binding.

We have isolated the plasma membrane H+-ATPase in a phosphorylated form from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaf tissue incubated with fusicoccin, a fungal toxin that induces irreversible binding of 14-3-3 protein to the C terminus of the H+-ATPase, thus activating H+ pumping. We have identified threonine-948, the second residue from the C-terminal end of the H+-ATPase, as the phosphorylated amino acid. Turnover of the phosphate group of phosphothreonine-948 was inhibited by 14-3-3 binding, suggesting that this residue may form part of a binding motif for 14-3-3. This is the first identification to our knowledge of an in vivo phosphorylation site in the plant plasma membrane H+-ATPase.

14-3-3 Proteins↗
PubMed1998

Quality control program for storage of biologically banked blood specimens in the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study.

A biological bank has been developed to extend the biochemical and molecular research base for a prospective study on diet and cancer in the city of Malmo, Sweden. The study entered individuals 45-69 years of age, of which 30,382 individuals (45%) participated. Each individual entering the bank has stored samples of viable mononuclear leukocytes (MNLs; -140 degrees C) and granulocytes (GRANs; -80 degrees C) or buffy coats (-140 degrees C), erythrocytes (-80 degrees C), and plasma/serum (-80 degrees C). The bioassays developed to monitor the quality of storage conditions were: (a) viability and growth response to phytohemagglutinin for MNLs; (b) DNA strand breakage for GRANs; (c) NAD content for erythrocytes; and (d) thiol status for plasma/serum. The yield, purity, and storage conditions were all quality controlled, and the samples were determined to be of high standard after 137-190 weeks of storage. No differences in yield and purity were found in samples banked by different laboratory technicians. Growth responses of MNLs were severely reduced (90%) after 40 weeks of storage, which justified switching from the storage of purified MNLs and GRANs to the more cost-effective banking of buffy coats. We conclude that the quality of the banked material, based on the biochemical analysis done, indicate that the storage conditions are optimal at least up to 3.5 years, except for the growth response of MNLs.

Blood Banks↗
PubMed1998

Feasibility and quality of biological banking of human normal and tumor tissue specimens as sources of DNA for the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study.

Human tumor and normal tissue specimens, which were collected from autopsy material 1-6 days postmortem, were compared with similar tissue specimens collected within 2 h after surgical resection and transport to the pathology department. The end point criteria used to evaluate the quality of the specimens for biological banking purposes were the extractability and yield of high molecular weight DNA and UV absorption ratios at 260:280 after collection and immediate storage of the specimens at -80 degrees C. The data demonstrated that autopsy material was a quality source of DNA, although of not such high quality as surgical biopsy specimens <2 h after resection. The advantages of using autopsy material to supplement surgical specimen collection sent to pathology, as opposed to using specimen collection at surgery wards or formalin-fixed material, as sources of DNA are: (a) large amounts of tumor and normal tissues from a variety of organ sites can be obtained without regard to the patient's health status; (b) a higher percentage of retrieval of incident cases of cancer in prospective designed trials is more likely to be achieved; and (c) the extractable DNA is of sufficiently high enough quality to permit direct analyses by molecular hybridization and sequence methodologies.

Autopsy↗