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Biomedical subjects

B Bergström

Publications and source records attributed to B Bergström.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Platelet sodium and potassium ATPase [corrected] activity and noradrenaline efflux rate in relation to autonomic and peripheral nerve function in insulin-dependent diabetic patients.

Low sodium and potassium adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity has been proposed as a mechanism behind diabetic neuropathy. In this study the platelet ATPase activity and platelet noradrenaline efflux rate were determined in 47 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients and 20 controls. Ulnar motor conduction velocities, tested in a subgroup, were lower in patients than in controls (52.7 +/- 1.3 m s-1 vs. 61.3 +/- 1.4 m s-1; P less than 0.001). Platelet ATPase activity tended to be increased in the patients compared with the controls (29.9 +/- 1.0 x 10(-3) min-1 vs. 26.9 +/- 1.1 x 10(-3) min-1; NS). In ulnar nerve function tested subjects, ATPase activity was higher in patients than in controls (31.2 +/- 1.7 x 10(-3) min-3 vs. 25.9 +/- 1.3 x 10(-3) min-1; P less than 0.01). The platelet noradrenaline efflux rate tended to be higher in patients with lower brake indices, a sign of autonomic neuropathy, than in controls (29.0 +/- 3.0 x 10(-3) min-1 vs. 21.2 +/- 0.9 x 10(-3) min-1; P less than 0.05). The platelet ATPase activity was not decreased in IDDM patients, however, a connection between diabetic autonomic neuropathy and platelet transmittor leakage was indicated.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Impaired responses of plasma catecholamines to exercise in diabetic patients with abnormal heart rate reactions to tilt.

The plasma catecholamine response to a standardized bicycle exercise test was evaluated in 24 insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) patients in whom the heart rate reactions to deep breathing (E/I ratio) and to tilt, the immediate acceleration and the transient deceleration (acceleration and brake indices), had been assessed as tests of autonomic neuropathy. Patients with an abnormal acceleration index (n = 8) showed, compared with non-diabetic (n = 18) controls who had participated in previous studies, an impaired increment in noradrenaline during exercise (80% of maximal working capacity) (MWC) (12.38 +/- 1.46 nmol l-1 vs. 18.74 +/- 1.45 nmol l-1; P less than 0.01) and adrenaline (50% of MWC: 0.25 +/- 0.04 nmol l-1 vs. 0.54 +/- 0.08 nmol l-1; P less than 0.05). Similarly, patients with an isolated abnormal brake index (n = 6), i.e. with a normal acceleration index and a normal E/I ratio, showed compared with controls an impaired increment in noradrenaline (9.53 +/- 1.66 nmol l-1 vs. 18.74 +/- 1.45 nmol l-1; P less than 0.01) and adrenaline (1.41 +/- 0.22 nmol l-1 vs. 2.92 +/- 0.51 nmol l-1; P less than 0.05) during 80% of MWC. IDDM patients with abnormal heart rate reactions to tilt, an abnormal acceleration index or an abnormal brake index show impaired catecholamine responses to exercise, which can be demonstrated also in patients without signs of parasympathetic neuropathy.

Acceleration↗
PubMed1988

Diazo-positive metabolites in urine from workers exposed to aromatic nitro-amino compounds.

The amount of diazo-positive compounds in urine from workers at a chemical plant producing pharmaceuticals and explosives was determined in samples collected after work and after a holiday. Forty-five persons working with aromatic nitro-amino compounds (ANA) showed a statistically significant (p less than 0.01) increase in the exposed samples (1.21 +/- 1.40 mmol/mol creatinine) compared to the unexposed samples (0.56 +/- 0.31 mmol/mol creatinine). No increase in the level of diazo-positive metabolites was found in the 25 workers not exposed to ANA compounds. In a follow-up study, 32 trinitrotoluene (TNT) workers were divided into three exposure categories and seemed to show a dose-dependent increase in the level of urinary diazo-positive metabolites. However, there was a considerable interindividual variation. The method seems suitable for the biological assessment of exposure to ANA compounds--at least on a group level. This may be valuable, especially in situations where significant dermal uptake is expected.

Amines↗
PubMed1987

A flowthrough fecundity test with Nitocra spinipes (Harpacticoidea Crustacea) for aquatic toxicity.

A sublethal flowthrough fecundity test with the euryhaline harpacticoid copepod Nitocra spinipes has been developed as a complement to the acute toxicity test (for 48 or 96 hr LC50) with the same species (B-E. Bengtsson, 1981, Mar. Pollut. Biol. 9,238-241). Bacterial suspension as feed and test water are continuously fed by a peristaltic pump to the system. Newly fertilized females with ovigerous bands are harvested from laboratory cultures and put into the test vessels at the start of the experiment. They are then exposed to a series of concentrations of chemicals or industrial effluents for 13 days. The amount of live offspring (metanauplia and copepodids) are recorded and an EC50 for fecundity is calculated. The report gives a detailed technical description of the test system and presents the results from 11 tests with pure chemicals (Zn, Cd, As, and pentachlorophenate) and six industrial effluents (pulp industry, textile industry, and refinery) in salinities ranging from 3 to 25%.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Autonomic neuropathy in type I diabetes: influence of duration and other diabetic complications.

To evaluate the influence of duration on the development of autonomic neuropathy (AN) a group of type I diabetic patients (n = 58) who had been diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 25 years was investigated. The duration of diabetes varied from 2 months to 30 years (mean 13 years). AN tests included a deep breathing test (E/I ratio) and an orthostatic test on tilt table (acceleration and brake indices) and the results were corrected for age. A clear correlation between AN test and duration of diabetes was shown only for the E/I ratio (r = -0.44, p less than 0.001). On the other hand, deteriorations in the brake index were unrelated to the duration of diabetes and occurred early; 35% of the patients with a duration of 10 years or less showed an abnormal brake index. Autonomic test deviations were related to other diabetic complications. The E/I ratio and the acceleration index were especially low in patients with retinopathy as well as in patients with symptoms of AN if combined with peripheral neuropathy (PN). The brake index was low in patients with symptoms of AN independent of PN.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Evaluation of 294 psychiatric consultations involving in-patients above 70 years of age in somatic departments in a university hospital.

The integrated geropsychiatric service of the Psychiatric Department of the University Hospital in Linköping consists of an observation ward, a day unit and an out-patient unit. One of the main tasks of the last-mentioned unit is to provide geropsychiatric consultations for in-patients in the non-psychiatric departments of the hospital. During the first 2 years from October 1982 to October 1984 300 consultations were performed. The consultations included registration of social, medical and psychiatric data, a psychiatric examination, discussions with the staff and a psychiatric report. Out of the total number of 300 consultations 294 could be evaluated completely. They comprised 247 individuals. The evaluation was performed after the first 2 years by screening the patients' psychiatric records and reports and by computer-analysis of 89 variables covering medical as well as social data. The patients' mean age was 78 years and 52% were treated in the Department of Internal Medicine. Fifty-three percent had had previous psychiatric contacts. Many were suffering from serious somatic diseases and 22% from depressive states. Only 9% showed no signs of psychiatric disorders. Twenty-three percent of the patients were transferred to the geropsychiatric observation ward or day unit and only 3% were recommended to be certified and transferred to a mental hospital. Pertinent findings are discussed in the light of international data on geropsychiatric consultations and liaison psychiatry. The study shows the importance of providing special geropsychiatric consultations for in-patients in somatic departments as a part of an integrated geropsychiatric service.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Autonomic nerve function tests. Reference values in healthy subjects.

Autonomic nerve function was evaluated by deep breathing (E/I heart rate ratio) and tilt table tests (acceleration index, brake index, and blood pressures) in 56 healthy subjects in order to find reference values. The results showed that the E/I ratio, the acceleration index and the brake index fell with increasing age. There was no influence of age on the systolic and the diastolic blood pressure reactions to tilt. Age-related reference values are needed in the evaluation of autonomic neuropathy indices.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Development of hearing loss during long-term exposure to occupational noise. A 20-year follow-up study.

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss is still responsible for the majority of occupational ailments and injuries, with very large sums being paid in compensation. Repeated hearing tests over a 20-year period have been performed on 319 employees of a timber processing firm, working in sawmills and paper pulp production, exposed to mean noise levels of around 95-100 dB (A) and in a chemicals division with mean noise exposure levels of 80-90 dB (A). During the observation period, mean hearing levels deteriorated slowly, especially at 4 kHz, but no dramatic changes from one year to another were seen. We therefore propose 3-year intervals between regular hearing tests in this type of industry where noise exposure is predominantly of the continuous type, thus releasing resources for more active measures against noise-induced hearing loss. Cases of manifest hearing loss or otherwise at risk must of course be followed up at shorter intervals. A remarkably large proportion of the employees in the chemicals division suffered a hearing loss corresponding to 10% disablement according to Swedish criteria, which raises the question of a possible relation between exposure to industrial solvents and hearing loss.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Urinary screening for potentially genotoxic exposures in a chemical industry.

Mutagenic activity, measured by the bacterial fluctuation assay and thioether concentration in urine from workers at a chemical plant producing pharmaceuticals and explosives, was determined before and after exposure. Of 12 groups only those exposed to trinitrotoluene (n = 14) showed a significant increase in mutagenic activity using Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 without any exogenous metabolic system. The same strain responded only weakly when the S-9 mix was used; with Escherichia coli WP2 uvrA no effect of exposure was observed. Urinary thioether concentration was higher among smokers than among non-smokers, but occupational exposure had no effect. Urinary mutagenicity testing may be a useful tool for screening potentially genotoxic exposures in complex chemical environments.

Chemical Industry↗
PubMed1985

Malleolar fractures: nonoperative versus operative treatment. A controlled study.

Ninety-two intra-articular ankle fractures were randomly selected for either open reduction and internal fixation or closed reduction and plaster cast. The patients were followed for an average of seven years. The initial course was more favorable in surgically reduced fractures. However, follow-up examinations showed little difference in results between the two forms of treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Glomerular filtration rate, autonomic nerve function, and orthostatic blood pressure in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measured by the 51Cr-EDTA clearance method, autonomic nerve function evaluated by the heart rate reaction to deep breathing (E/I ratio) and to tilting (acceleration and brake indices), and orthostatic blood pressures were followed up after 5-7 yr in 43 patients with Type 1 diabetes. At follow up, 20 patients showed a decrease in GFR greater than expected. In the first study, these patients showed low E/I ratios and brake indices indicating vagal neuropathy, while the acceleration index fell, indicating sympathetic denervation, between the studies. Accordingly, vagal neuropathy preceded decreases in GFR and sympathetic denervation favoured deteriorations in GFR. The present report provides evidence that sympathetic denervation might be behind the development of diabetic kidney complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Chlorpropamide-alcohol flushing, aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, and diabetic complications.

Many diabetics who take chlorpropamide (a sulphonylurea compound) experience facial flushing after drinking even small amounts of alcohol. These flushers have a noticeably lower prevalence of late complications of diabetes (microangiopathy, macroangiopathy, and neuropathy) than non-flushers. This flush reaction is accompanied by increased blood acetaldehyde concentrations, suggesting an inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase activity. In the present study the activity of this enzyme in erythrocytes was assessed in the absence of chlorpropamide. Erythrocyte homogenates obtained from flushers and non-flushers were incubated with acetaldehyde and the rate of metabolism studies. Flushers eliminated acetaldehyde more slowly at a low range of concentrations (0--30 mumol/l), suggesting a difference in aldehyde dehydrogenase activity. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of this enzyme in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications.

Acetaldehyde↗
PubMed1982

A case of adult rhabdomyoma in the tonsillar region. A light and electron microscope study.

A case of rhabdomyoma in a 71-year-old woman is reported. The lobulated, soft tumour was situated in the left tonsillar region. It was encapsulated, easily removable and of a uniformly greyish-red colour on the cut surface. Both light and electron microscopy showed the classical features of a benign rhabdomyoma of adult type, with large "spider" cells and typical myofilaments, as well as Z-band fragments. To achieve the correct diagnosis in such cases the most important thing is probably to bear the possibility of this rare, but benign tumour in mind.

Aged↗
PubMed1981

Increase of plasma acetaldehyde. An objective indicator of the chlorpropamide alcohol flush.

Chlorpropamide alcohol flushing (CPAF) in non-insulin-dependent diabetics (NIDDs) has been reported to be associated with a lower tendency to develop late complications. The flush was thought to be mediated by enkephalins and prostaglandins. Early studies could not correlate CPAF to increased levels of acetaldehyde in blood and the flush was not regarded as an antabuse-like reaction. In this study, the increase of plasma acetaldehyde during the flush in 13 CPAF positive diabetics was significantly (P less than 0.005) higher than in the 13 CPAF negative diabetics during a CPAF challenge test. The increase of plasma acetaldehyde was reduced to the level of CPAF negative diabetics in three CPAF positive diabetics when they were exposed to alcohol without premedication with chlorpropamide and they did not flush. The normal breakdown of ethanol to acetic acid via acetaldehyde appears to be inhibited by chlorpropamide in the flushers. Acetaldehyde measurement is an objective method to study the chlorpropamide alcohol flush and it appears superior to the measurement of skin temperature.

Acetaldehyde↗
PubMed1979

Benign paroxysmal torticollis in infancy.

Benign paroxysmal torticollis is a condition characterized by attacks of head-tilting often accompanied by lateral curvature of the trunc. The first onset of these attacks usually occurs during the first months of life and they recur with a remarkable periodicity for 6--12 months after which time they gradually subside in intensity and frequency. As a rule the attacks have ceased completely before the age of 2 years but in some cases they continue in a modified form as attacks of ataxia. The aetiology is unknown and there is no evidence of bilateral peripheral vestibular disturbances as has been suggested in earlier reports. The ataxia seen in some cases rather suggests a dysfunction of the cerebellum or of the vestibulo-cerebellar connections. Four own patients with this syndrome are presented and discussed.

Child, Preschool↗