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Biomedical subjects

B Berglund

Publications and source records attributed to B Berglund.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Erythropoietin concentrations during 10 days of normobaric hypoxia under controlled environmental circumstances.

Serum erythropoietin levels (s-[epo]), haemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), haematocrit (hct), and ferritin concentration ([fer]) were measured in seven healthy male volunteers (20-23 years) exposed continuously to hypoxia (PO(2) 14 kPa) for 10 days. Serum erythropoietin concentration increased significantly from 9.5 +/- 3.51 to 33.6 +/- 11.64 U L(-1) (P < 0.05) after 2 days of hypoxia. Thereafter, s-[epo] decreased. However, after 10 days s-[epo] was 18.7 +/- 5.83 U L(-1) which was still increased above the pre-hypoxia level (P < 0.05). Serum haemoglobin concentration and hct increased over the 10 days of hypoxia, [Hb] from 152 +/- 8.9 to 168 +/- 9.2 gL(-1) (P < 0.001), and hct from 43 +/- 2.4 to 49 +/- 2.6% (P < 0.001). Ferritin concentration decreased significantly during the hypoxic exposure from 82 +/- 46.9 to 44 +/- 31.7 mmol L(-1) after 10 days (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the initial increase of s-[epo] under controlled normobaric hypoxia was marked, 353%, and levelled off after 5-10 days at 62-97% above normoxia level. There was also a significant increase in [Hb] and hct and a decrease in [fer] after 10 days of exposure to normobaric hypoxia.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2001

Chronic aircraft noise exposure, stress responses, mental health and cognitive performance in school children.

BACKGROUND: Previous research suggests that children are a high risk group vulnerable to the effects of chronic noise exposure. However, questions remain about the nature of the noise effects and the underlying causal mechanisms. This study addresses the effects of aircraft noise exposure on children around London Heathrow airport, in terms of stress responses, mental health and cognitive performance. The research also focuses on the underlying causal mechanisms contributing to the cognitive effects and potential confounding factors. METHODS: The cognitive performance and health of 340 children aged 8-11 years attending four schools in high aircraft noise areas (16 h outdoor Leq > 66 dBA) was compared with children attending four matched control schools exposed to lower levels of aircraft noise (16 h outdoor Leq < 57 dBA). Mental health and cognitive tests were group administered to the children in the schools. Salivary cortisol was measured in a subsample of children. RESULTS: Chronic aircraft noise exposure was associated with higher levels of noise annoyance and poorer reading comprehension measured by standardized scales with adjustments for age, deprivation and main language spoken. Chronic aircraft noise was not associated with mental health problems and raised cortisol secretion. The association between aircraft noise exposure and reading comprehension could not be accounted for by the mediating role of annoyance, confounding by social class, deprivation, main language or acute noise exposure. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that chronic aircraft noise exposure is associated with impaired reading comprehension and high levels of noise annoyance but not mental health problems in children.

Aircraft↗
PubMed2001

Sports medicine update.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed2001

The staff's satisfaction with the hospital bed.

AIM: To determine how nurses experience the functions of hospital beds and the bedside equipment when performing specified common nursing tasks. BACKGROUND: The hospital bed is an important working tool for the nursing staff but few studies have focused on hospital beds at acute wards. METHOD: Data was collected with questionnaires answered by 74 registered and enrolled nurses from three Departments. FINDINGS: The bed was frequently used when performing nursing tasks with patients in bed, but the manoeuvring features were difficult to adjust, resulting in unsatisfactory working postures. Transporting the patient in bed and cleaning of the bed were the most troublesome tasks. The bed clothes were often experienced as unsatisfactory for their patients. CONCLUSIONS: The beds have serious deficiencies. It is imperative to improve them, as a good physical milieu positively influences the working conditions of the staff.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Living with an ostomy and short bowel syndrome: practical aspects and impact on daily life.

PURPOSE: Practical aspects and impact on daily life of short bowel syndrome (SBS) and an ostomy were explored in people with SBS. Interest was focused on nutrition and excretion, ostomy problems, associated medical and surgical problems, socioeconomic situation, and social and leisure activities. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: Six subjects (range, 38-68 years) with Crohn's disease were included from the University Short Bowel Clinic at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. Average disease duration was 25 years, and mean small intestinal length was 107 cm; 4 subjects were receiving parenteral nutrition at home. METHODS: Subjects were interviewed in their homes using a semistructured interview divided into the areas of focus. Data were transcribed by shorthand and were rewritten into the computer the same day. A questionnaire on nutrition and excretion was answered by the subjects in writing and mailed to the interviewer. RESULTS: The most significant observation was the limited ability to act spontaneously, because all daily activities involved considerable planning. Three subjects said they had never accepted the ostomy; the others would not return to their pre-stoma lifestyle. The 2 subjects with a colostomy described special emptying patterns that caused limitations in social life that had not been reported previously. Fistulas were reported as having been the most trying part of the disease. Three subjects worked part time, which was of utmost importance for quality of life. Fatigue influenced social and leisure activities. CONCLUSION: People with SBS are bothered by a number of demanding problems in various aspects of life. Therefore, a team approach toward care is critical to allow for coordination of action toward the various needs. It also seems unlikely that standard instruments of quality of life can capture the complicated situations with which these subjects live. It appears that coping mechanisms also need to be considered.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2001

A follow-up study of effects of chronic aircraft noise exposure on child stress responses and cognition.

BACKGROUND: Children are a high-risk group vulnerable to the effects of chronic aircraft noise exposure. This study examines the effects of aircraft noise exposure on children's health and cognition around London Heathrow airport and tests sustained attention as an underlying mechanism of effects of noise on reading and examines the way children adapt to continued exposure to aircraft noise. METHODS: In this repeated measures epidemiological field study, the cognitive performance and health of 275 children aged 8-11 years attending four schools in high aircraft noise areas (16-h outdoor Leq > 66 dBA) was compared with children attending four matched control schools exposed to lower levels of aircraft noise (16-h outdoor Leq < 57 dBA). The children first examined at baseline were examined again after a period of one year at follow-up. Health questionnaires and cognitive tests were group administered to the children in the schools. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: At follow-up chronic aircraft noise exposure was associated with higher levels of annoyance and perceived stress, poorer reading comprehension and sustained attention, measured by standardized scales after adjustment for age, social deprivation and main language spoken. These results do not support the sustained attention hypothesis previously used to account for the effects of noise on cognition in children. The reading and annoyance effects do not habituate over a one-year period and do not provide strong evidence of adaptation.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2000

Living a restricted life with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS).

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is an inherited connective tissue disorder, primarily affecting the skin, ligaments, joints and blood vessels. The symptoms can vary from undiagnosed cases with mild symptoms to more severe forms. A qualitative study was conducted with the purpose of exploring how individuals with different symptoms of EDS describe their symptoms and perceive their daily life. Eleven interviewees were recruited via a support group in Sweden. The main strategies of the grounded theory method were used in collection and analysis of data. The identified main theme, "Living a restricted life", seemed to explain the way in which fears, pain, stigmatisation and experiences of non-affirmation in health-care limited the possibility of self-actualisation in daily living and social life. This study provides a conceptual framework for future research and an understanding of the type of professional support individuals with EDS require.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2000

Relationships between occupant personality and the sick building syndrome explored.

Increasing evidence shows that certain personality traits, such as negative affectivity (trait NA), are strongly associated with the reporting of symptoms. The role of personality in sick building syndrome (SBS) symptom reporting is therefore explored with the aid of a questionnaire completed by occupants living in apartments with indoor climate problems. A good fit to empirical data was obtained for a path model in which somatization intervenes between a general psychological factor (predominated by trait NA) and SBS. Occupants with "normal" and "aberrant" NA profiles were classified by cluster analysis and further divided according to frequency of symptoms. For occupants with 5 or more SBS symptoms, those with "aberrant" NA profiles have very similar SBS symptom profiles to those with "normal" NA profiles. This indicates that an occupant's trait NA score cannot be used for predicting his or her SBS symptom profile or frequency of SBS symptoms. An unexpected finding was that the occupants with "aberrant" NA profiles also perceived factors in the indoor (air) environment as less adverse than the 5 or more symptom reporting occupants with "normal" NA profile. Pennebaker and Brittingham's competition of external and internal cues model may explain the results for the occupants with "aberrant" NA profiles, however, our empirical data indicate that, unexpectedly, these occupants may not over-report SBS symptoms but rather under-report adverse environmental perceptions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Hormonal changes during parturition in heifers and goats are related to the phases and severity of labour.

Parturition is a natural event that involves stress and pain for the mother. We thus hypothesized that levels of stress hormones measured during parturition could reflect levels reached in response to severe discomfort and pain of other kinds as well. The aim of this study was therefore to determine whether plasma concentrations of cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline, beta-endorphin, met-enkephalin, vasopressin and oxytocin vary depending on the phase and severity of labour in dairy heifers (ten) and dairy goats (six), and how these hormones interact with each other. Blood samples were taken once a day for 3 days before labour and for 3 days afterwards and at predetermined phases during labour. All heifers delivered one calf and five of them needed obstetrical assistance. Two of the goats delivered one kid, and four had twins; all kidded without help. The cortisol concentration peaked when the calf and the first kid were born. In the heifers, plasma adrenaline increased after delivery, while the noradrenaline concentration did not change significantly in heifers that needed assistance, but increased during expulsion in heifers calving without help. In the goats, adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations increased in association with expulsion of the first kid. The beta-endorphin concentration increased during labour in goats. In heifers that needed assistance, beta-endorphin concentration increased 1 h after labour but there was no change in heifers that did not need assistance. The met-enkephalin concentration was elevated during expulsion in heifers and fluctuated in the goats. Both oxytocin and vasopressin increased during expulsion in both groups of heifers, but vasopressin increased four times more in heifers needing assistance. In the goats, oxytocin reached its highest levels just as the feet of the first kid became visible, and vasopressin peaked as the head emerged. Parturition took longer in heifers that needed assistance than in those that did not. It is concluded that, even though the pattern of change differed between hormones during labour, the changes were related to the phases of labour. A longer labour therefore meant that the hormone concentrations stayed elevated for longer. Vasopressin reached high levels in goats and was the only hormone for which plasma concentrations were higher in heifers that needed assistance than in those that did not, indicating that this hormone is released in order to deal with the pain-related stress associated with labour.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1998

Health-related quality of life after liver transplantation.

To gather information regarding how to best assist liver transplant recipients in improving their self-care capacity and well-being, we investigated their total health situation. A retrospective, cross-sectional survey with up to a 10-year follow-up concerning experienced health and quality of life after liver transplantation (LTX) was conducted. The aim of this study was to provide descriptive data on the experienced health and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after LTX and to evaluate whether the pretransplantation medical conditions affected these parameters. All patients who had undergone LTX, were alive at the time of the study, and had a follow-up of more than 6 months (n = 134) were asked to complete three self-administered questionnaires. The response rate was 95% (n = 120). There was no correlation between pretransplantation Child-Pugh score and HRQOL after LTX. Liver transplant recipients were more limited in their physical health than healthy subjects but were equal in social functioning and mental health. Twenty-six percent suffered from severe bodily pain. A significant difference was reported in all health areas, with the exception of vitality and social functioning, between employed and unemployed transplant recipients. Liver transplant recipients suffered from limited physical functioning many years after transplantation. Their social functioning and mental health were not negatively affected. This study emphasizes that bodily pain and difficulties in performing regular activities because of physical illness are problems frequently experienced by liver transplant recipients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Short-term intermittent normobaric hypoxia--haematological, physiological and mental effects.

Effects on erythropoiesis and blood pressure as well as physical performance and mental effects were studied in 15 healthy subjects during intermittent exposure to normobaric hypoxia corresponding to either 2000 m (6 persons) or 2700 m (9 persons) above sea level; another group (5 persons) also served as controls at normoxia. The concept "live high-train low" was used for 10 d consecutively and the exposure to hypoxia was 12 h/d. Blood pO2 and oxygen saturation were significantly decreased during the 10 d at hypoxia. [Hb] and Hct decreased significantly after 2 d in hypoxia and then returned to pre-study levels. Erythropoietin was significantly elevated in both hypoxia groups during the initial 3-5 d. Reticulocytes were significantly increased during 7 d of hypoxia. Submaximal and maximal oxygen uptake, blood pressure at rest and during exercise and the profile of mood states (POMS test) did not change during the study. In conclusion, intermittent normobaric hypoxia for 10 d resulted in a significant stimulation of erythropoiesis. Staying at normobaric hypoxia may serve as a complement to an ordinary altitude level sojourn.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Fertility in dairy cows managed for calving intervals of 12, 15 or 18 months.

Effects on reproduction in a total of 135 dairy cows managed for calving intervals of 12, 15 or 18 months (72, 38 and 25 cows respectively) were studied. The cows were of the Swedish Red and White Breed (SRB) and the Swedish Freisian Breed (SLB) and were housed in 2 different herds with 3 different management systems (tied, loose, and tied but milked in a milking parlour; mixed). The cows in one of the herds (48 cows) were assigned for milking either 2 times or 3 times a day. When comparing conception rate at 1st insemination (AI) and the percentage of cows finally pregnant, we found no significant differences between the 3 calving interval groups, however, a tendency for a higher conception rate with a 15 months' interval compared with a 12 months' interval was found in one of the herds (50% vs 41.5%). The percentage of finally pregnant animals varied between 81% and 100%, but this variation was mainly attributed to the herd rather than calving interval group. A significantly higher percentage of cows was treated for anoestrous in the 12-month group than in the 15-month group in one of the herds (28.6% vs. 5.3%). The frequency of ovulations with external heat signs increased with ovulation number up to the 4th ovulation and thereafter remained stable. No significant difference was found in number of AIs required per conception with respect to calving intervals, breeds, or milking frequency groups. However, cows milked 3 times a day had a significantly longer interval from the 1st AI to conception compared with cows milked 2 times a day (45.8 days vs 17.6 days, p < .01). Cows kept loose exhibited 1st ovulatory oestrous, approximately 2 weeks earlier (55.9 days vs 69.7 days, p < .05) than their herd mates kept tied. In conclusion, our study shows that lengthening the calving interval to 15 or 18 months may have a positive influence on reproduction in terms of less need for treatments of ovarian disorders and higher conception rates. Our results also indicate that milking 3 times a day may have negative effects, and keeping cows in a loose-housing management system may have positive effects on ovarian function.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Olfactory dysfunction for pyridine and dementia progression in Alzheimer disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether odor detection sensitivity for pyridine, suggested by previous research not to be affected, is impaired in Alzheimer disease (AD) and whether an association exists between odor threshold and both degree of dementia and rate of dementia progression in AD. METHOD: The method of constant stimuli was used to determine odor thresholds for pyridine in 18 patients with AD (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition, Revised and National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke-Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association criteria) and 16 healthy elderly control subjects. All participants were carefully examined with medical and neuropsychological tests. RESULTS: Six patients with AD but none of the controls were anosmic (total olfactory loss) to pyridine, and the 12 nonanosmic patients had significantly higher detection thresholds (50% probability for detection, 323 parts per billion [ppb]) than did the controls (50% probability for detection, 105 ppb). In addition, an association was found between odor threshold and both degree of dementia and rate of dementia progression in AD. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previous findings, our results provide evidence that odor sensitivity in AD is impaired for pyridine. Odor sensitivity, in addition to other suggested predictors of progression rate, may be of interest for defining subgroups of AD or for clinical prognostic judgments of single patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

High incidence of scintigraphic myocardial uptake defects at rest and during exercise in male elite runners.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MIBI-SPECT) as a diagnostic tool in well trained men. DESIGN: The study was prospective, involving 2 d stress-rest myocardial scintigraphy (MIBI-SPECT), polar map reconstruction with and without uniform attenuation correction, and comparison with a healthy male group (local Swedish) and with a commonly used reference group (American, Emory University Hospital). SETTING: University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. SUBJECTS: 16 healthy, male elite runners (mean (SD) age 26.1 (3.1) years). Peak oxygen uptake 73 (4) ml O2/kg/min. RESULTS: Uptake defects on polar maps were found in the majority of the runners compared with both reference groups (local Swedish 13/16, American 10/16). Most defects (91%) were fixed. Defects were located in the anterior, lateral, and posterior regions of the left ventricle. Application of a uniform attenuation correction algorithm enhanced rather than reduced perfusion defect size, probably because this correction method is imperfect in SPECT studies of the thoracic cavity. CONCLUSIONS: If myocardial perfusion scintigraphy is used for evaluating well trained men, existing normal reference files for semiquantitative evaluation appear to be inadequate.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Psychoneuroimmunology.

This paper develops hypotheses regarding the interactions among stress, immunity, and chemical sensitivities and gives an overview of the questions and hypotheses generated by a working group exploring the application of psychoneuroimmunology to chemical sensitivities. Consideration is given to prospective longitudinal studies designed to find cases among at-risk exposed populations. Relevant immune parameters to be measured longitudinally and in challenge studies for patients with MCS are discussed. Immune system changes in response to the chronic stress of having MCS and as primary responses to chemical exposure also are considered.

Environment, Controlled↗
PubMed1997

Worry associated with screening for colorectal carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: We wanted to assess the worry created by a screening program for colorectal cancer with fecal occult blood testing. METHODS: Six thousand three hundred and sixty-six individuals (47% men; 53% women) were asked to what extent they were worried when they received an invitation letter including a Hemoccult II test (HII). The questionnaire was supplemented by a structured telephone interview of a selected number of individuals with different outcome of the HII. RESULTS: Three thousand four hundred and eighty-six subjects performed the HII test, and 3548 (56%) answered the questionnaire. Eighty-four per cent (n = 2932) of the participants and 21% (n = 616) of the non-participants completed the questionnaire. Half of the participants (54%) were not worried at all, but 16%, more women than men, felt severe worry, which lasted less than 1 week in 59%. In 4.7% of the participants daily life was negatively influenced by the invitation letter. In the telephone interview 19% reported severe worry before they received the result of the first test, and in 5.8% daily life was negatively affected. The worry rate increased to 60% in the groups with an initial positive HII test, and in 15% daily life was negatively influenced. After the examination the worry decreased in most but was still pronounced in 10%. One year after the work-up 96% declared that they appreciated the study. Subjects with only elementary school education expressed more worry than those with a higher level of education (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Severe worry in connection with the invitation was reported by a minority of the invited participants, more women than men. The worry increased among those who had a positive test but decreased after the examination. One year after the work-up most appreciated the study.

Anxiety↗
PubMed1996

Food intake after gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma: the role of a gastric reservoir.

Patients with carcinoma of the stomach who underwent curative resection were randomized to total gastrectomy (n = 49), total gastrectomy and an S-shaped gastric substitute (n = 28) or subtotal gastrectomy (n = 12); all had a Roux-en-Y reconstruction. The gastric substitute and gastric remnant allowed a volume of 400-500 ml to be installed without increments in basal pressures. The corresponding volume in the Roux limb was 100 ml. Energy intake was approximately 120 kJ/kg preoperative weight per day 3 months after operation, and then remained constant. Patients who had subtotal gastrectomy ate less (91.7 kJ/kg preoperative weight) 3 months after operation, but thereafter increased their intake. Patients allocated to have a gastric pouch or subtotal gastrectomy complained more frequently of adverse postprandial symptoms (P < 0.03) as a major cause of reduced calorie intake. The construction of a gastric reservoir did not improve nutritional adaptation after surgery for gastric carcinoma.

Adult↗