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Biomedical subjects

B Fröseth

Publications and source records attributed to B Fröseth.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Alveolar lavage fluid (ALF) of normal volunteer subjects: cytologic, immunocytochemical, and biochemical reference values.

OBJECTIVE: Pooled bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the return of lavage, contains both bronchial and alveolar material which differ from each other. Artifacts may be created by filtering, centrifuging and washing cells before cytopreparation. This study presents reference values of healthy volunteers for the alveolar sample, ALF, cytopreparation being performed without filtration or centrifugation. METHODS: Eighteen healthy, non-smoking volunteers underwent a standard bronchoalveolar lavage using 10 aliquots of 20 ml of saline. Excluding the return of the first and second aliquots, the rest were pooled and examined cytologically, immunocytochemically and biochemically. The mean, standard deviation, and 95% confidence limits were calculated for the following variables: amount of return, estimated content of epithelial lining fluid (ELF), total and differential cell counts on filter and cytocentrifuge (CCF) preparations, computed cell counts per unit volume of ALF, distribution of lymphocyte subgroups CD3+CD2, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD25 and CD57, and the ratio of CD4 to CD8, the amounts of lymphocytes in the same subgroups per volume of ALF, and the concentrations of total protein, albumin, immunoglobulins A, G and M, hyaluronic acid, eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), procollagen III aminoterminal propeptide (PCP) and beta 2-microglobulin in ALF and in ELF, as well as the ratios of the concentrations of the solutes in ALF to the same in serum. RESULTS: The 95% confidence limits of means for the most important variables were as follows: estimated ELF content 0.42-0.74%; total cells in ALF 76.6-143.0 x 10(6) l-1; distribution of inflammatory cells on filter and CCF slides: macrophages 74.9-83.6 and 81.4-90.1%, lymphocytes 13.1-22.5 and 8.1-16.4%, and neutrophils 1.0-4.1 and 0.7-2.7%, respectively; distribution of lymphocyte subsets: CD3+CD2 85.6-90.6%, CD4 44.3-53.1%, CD8 26.9-35.8%; concentration of solutes in ALF: total protein 44.8-61.3 mg l-1, albumin 15.4-22.2 mg l-1, IgA 1.8-3.4 mg l-1, IgG 3.1-6.1 mg l-1, IgM 0.05-0.26 mg l-1, hyaluronic acid 8.8-11.1 micrograms l-1, ECP 0.19-0.77 micrograms l-1, PCP 0.005-0.58 micrograms l-1, beta 2-microglobulin 62.2-81.5 micrograms l-1. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that excluding the bronchial sample from ALF of volunteer subjects and omitting filtering and washing before cytopreparation produces cytologic, immunocytochemical and biochemical reference values with reasonable 95% confidence limits to be used in clinical settings.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Clinical value of measuring soluble interleukin-2 receptor in polymyalgia rheumatica.

Serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) were measured in 15 patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and followed prospectively for 11.5 months (range 2-22) and also in 22 patients with PMR treated with corticosteroids for a mean period of 47 months. The controls consisted of 21 patients in the same age range as the PMR patients, admitted to the hospital for various diseases, and of 40 healthy younger subjects. The initial sIL-2R values in the patients with newly diagnosed, untreated PMR were significantly higher than the values seen in the same patients after corticosteroid treatment for a median of 6 months and in PMR patients on corticosteroid treatment for more than a year (p < 0.005 and p < 0.05, respectively). However, while being significantly higher than the values in the normal controls, the sIL-2R values in PMR did not differ from the values seen in the hospital controls. Thus, this assay seems to be of little clinical value in the management of patients with PMR.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1991

Serum hyaluronic acid and procollagen III amino terminal propeptide in chronic renal failure.

Elevated serum concentrations of hyaluronic acid (HA) and procollagen III amino terminal propeptide (PIIINP) have been found in various diseases characterized by altered metabolism of collagen. In the present study, their serum levels were measured in 105 renal patients and 22 normal controls. Median HA concentrations were 23 micrograms/l in controls, 47 micrograms/l in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF, not on dialysis; p less than 0.001), 75 micrograms/l on CAPD (p less than 0.001) vs. controls, p = 0.045 vs. CRF), and 167 micrograms/l on hemodialysis (p less than 0.001 vs. controls, CRF, and CAPD), respectively. The values correlated positively with age but not with renal function or the type of renal disease. In hemodialysis patients, HA correlated with the duration of renal replacement therapy and serum beta 2-microglobulin but not with serum alkaline phosphatase or C-terminal parathormone. Serum HA did not change significantly during hemodialysis treatment and was independent of the type of dialyzer membrane material. Median PIIINP values were 2.7 micrograms/l in controls, 4.4 micrograms/l in patients with CRF (p less than 0.001), 6.9 micrograms/l on CAPD (p less than 0.001 vs. controls, p = 0.022 vs. CRF), and 8.6 micrograms/l on hemodialysis (p = 0.001 vs. controls, NS vs. CRF or CAPD). Values correlated with HA only in patients on CAPD but they did not correlate with age, renal function or duration of renal replacement therapy. It is concluded that renal failure, especially long-term dialysis treatment, is associated with elevated serum concentrations of HA and--to a minor degree--PIINP. Thus, they may be a sign of altered connective tissue metabolism in patients on long-term dialysis.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

Concentration of tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) in pleural effusions.

We measured the concentration of tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) in plasma and pleural fluid of 84 patients with pleural effusions of various causes. We observed elevated (greater than 30 micrograms/L) TATI levels in pleural fluid in 45 percent of patients with pleural effusion associated with malignant disease and in 15 percent of patients with benign disease. Similar results were obtained for TATI in plasma. The concentration of TATI in pleural fluid closely parallelled that in plasma. In patients with renal insufficiency and in patients with biliary obstruction, the TATI levels were elevated both in plasma and pleural fluid. A positive correlation was seen between the concentration of TATI and the activity of alkaline phosphatase in plasma. The results show that simultaneous determination of TATI in plasma and pleural fluid improves the diagnosis of cancer only marginally. Our results also support the hypothesis that elevated TATI levels may reflect an acute phase reaction caused by inflammatory disease or tissue destruction associated with cancer not only in inflammatory conditions, but also in malignant disease where the tumor itself is not producing TATI.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1988

Concentration of hyaluronic acid in pleural fluid as a diagnostic aid for malignant mesothelioma.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) was determined with a radiometric assay in the serum and pleural fluid of 85 patients with pleural effusions, including 15 with malignant mesothelioma, 32 with other cancer, 31 with nonmalignant inflammatory diseases, and seven with congestive heart failure. With a cutoff level at 100 mg/L, the pleural fluid concentration of HA was raised in 73 percent of patients (11 of 15) with malignant mesothelioma and in 23 percent with nonmalignant inflammatory diseases, but in none with other cancer and in none with congestive heart failure. The median concentration of pleural fluid HA was significantly higher in patients with mesothelioma than in those with other cancer (p less than 0.005). Determination of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in pleural fluid further helped to differentiate between mesothelioma and other types of cancer; concentrations of CEA above 10 micrograms/L were found in four of 15 (27 percent) patients with mesothelioma, but in 38 percent of the patients with other cancer. We concluded that in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusions associated with malignant tumors a high concentration of HA in pleural fluid combined with a low concentration of CEA suggests malignant mesothelioma as opposed to other types of cancer.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗
PubMed1988

Thyroid function as assessed by routine laboratory tests of workers with long-term lead exposure.

Thyroid function was studied in 176 male workers occupationally exposed to lead. The mean blood lead concentration of the workers was 2.70 (SD 1.15, range 0.70-6.45) mumol/l. The mean duration of lead exposure was 7.6 (range 0.1-20) years. The total thyroxine (T4), free thyroxine (FT4), total triiodothyronine (T3), and thyrotropin concentrations in serum were similar in the workers in the low and high blood lead categories. In regression equations the duration of lead exposure had a weak but significant negative association with T4 and FT4, and this association was particularly pronounced when the analyses were restricted to workers with the most intense lead exposure over time. Thus, the results suggest that thyroid function might be depressed as a result of intense long-term lead exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Inhaled budesonide influences cellular and biochemical abnormalities in pulmonary sarcoidosis.

In a randomized, double-blind study 19 patients with newly-detected pulmonary sarcoidosis were treated with either inhaled budesonide, 800 micrograms twice daily (n = 9), or placebo (n = 10) for 8-10 weeks. Before and after treatment, chest roentgenograms, lung function tests, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and biochemical tests were performed. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity and beta2-microglobulin (beta 2M) concentrations were measured in serum. The same tests, as well as albumin and hyaluronan were measured in the BAL-fluid. The total cell number in BAL-fluid, differential counts and lymphocyte subpopulations were determined (total T- and B-lymphocytes, T-helper/inducer (OKT-4) and T-suppressor/cytotoxic (OKT-8) lymphocytes). No significant changes in chest roentgenograms or lung function tests were observed during the short study time. However, a decrease in serum ACE (p less than 0.1) and beta 2 M (p less than 0.05) as well as in BAL-hyaluronan (p less than 0.01) was found in the budesonide-treated patients as well as a decrease in the percentage of BAL T-lymphocytes (p less than 0.05) and the T4/T8 ratio (p less than 0.1). No significant changes were seen in the placebo group. The findings suggest that treatment with inhaled budesonide influences biochemical and cellular findings in patients with early sarcoidosis in the same way as treatment with systemic corticosteroids. The results may also explain clinical effects seen in sarcoidosis patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids. However, further studies are required to determine the long-term clinical benefits of inhaled steroids in pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1988

Neuron-specific enolase in the diagnosis of small-cell lung cancer with pleural effusion: a negative report.

We measured the concentration of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the serum and pleural fluid of 53 patients with pleural effusions, including seven patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). High levels (above 12.5 micrograms.l-1) of NSE in pleural fluid were observed in five patients with SCLC (sensitivity 71%). However, pleural fluid NSE levels were also increased in five patients with other types of cancer and in four patients with non-malignant inflammatory diseases (specificity 80%). We conclude that although SCLC with pleural effusion can be associated with elevated pleural fluid NSE activity, this increase in enzyme levels is not specific for malignancy.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Increased activity of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme in progressive silicosis.

The serum activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, EC 3.4.15.1) in 135 male silicosis patients was analyzed. Twenty-eight of the patients had referents matched for silica dust exposure and age but without roentgenographic signs of silicosis. A reference group not exposed to silica dust comprised 34 lumberjacks. The serum mean activity of ACE was higher in silicosis patients (46.6 +/- 12.1 units/L) than in the referents exposed to silica (38.5 +/- 8.1 units/L) or in the lumberjacks (36.6 +/- 9.7 units/L). There was an association between the serum ACE level and the roentgenographic severity of fibrosis. A retrospective side-by-side assessment of roentgenographic progression was made in 49 silicosis patients. The ACE was higher in the 18 patients with progression (50.5 +/- 16.4 units/L) than in those with no progression (41.5 +/- 9.5 units/L). According to the multivariate regression analysis, progression of fibrosis explained the elevation of ACE better than profusion. The results confirm that the serum ACE activity is elevated in silicosis and suggest that the elevation is associated with progression of the disease.

Bronchitis↗
PubMed1984

Serum lysozyme concentration in silicosis patients and workers exposed to silica dust.

Lysozyme in serum (LZM, EC 3.2.1.17) was assayed in 135 male patients with silicosis. Twenty-eight of the patients had controls matched for exposure to silica dust, age and sex but with no radiographical signs of silicosis. A reference group without exposure to silica dust was composed of 34 lumberjacks. The mean concentration of serum LZM was higher in silicosis patients (7.8 +/- 2.8 mg/l, n = 28) than in the controls exposed to silica (6.0 +/- 1.7 mg/l, p less than 0.05), or in the lumberjacks (5.7 +/- 2.1 mg/l, p less than 0.01). There was an association between serum LZM concentration and radiographic severity of silicosis, and on a group basis an association of serum LZM concentration with the progression of silicosis. In the multivariate regression analysis the highest regression coefficients were found for progression of small opacities as well as patient age. The results suggest that the elevation of LZM concentration is associated with the progression of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

alpha 1-Antitrypsin and reactive systemic amyloidosis.

1. Serum contains amyloid A-degrading activity. This activity is markedly reduced in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complicated by amyloidosis. alpha 1-Antitrypsin inhibits the degradative activity. To test the hypothesis that the activity of this enzyme is regulated by alpha 1-antitrypsin, we determined the concentrations, elastase-inhibitory activity and phenotypes of alpha 1-antitrypsin in 24 RA patients with and in 26 RA patients without amyloidosis. 2. alpha 1-Antitrypsin concentrations and biological activity were significantly increased in both patient groups compared with control subjects, but there was no difference between the two patient groups. 3. All patients who had developed amyloidosis were of the normal protease inhibitor (Pi) MM-phenotype. 4. We conclude that the difference in the amyloid A-degrading activity between RA patients with or without amyloidosis cannot be accounted for by differences in concentration, activity or Pi type of alpha 1-antitrypsin.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Alpha1-antitrypsin: PI type and lung tuberculosis. A negative report.

The protease inhibitor type (PI type) of alpha 1-antitrypsin in serum from 955 patients with lung tuberculosis was determined by isoelectric focusing. No overrepresentation of any PI type was found among the patients with tuberculosis. Furthermore, the tuberculosis did not seem to be worse among the unusual PI type patients as compared with the patients with MM phenotypes.

Female↗
PubMed1982

Beta 2 microglobulin in pleural effusions.

Beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2m) concentrations in serum and pleural fluid from 64 patients with pleural effusion were studied. The level of beta 2m in pleural fluid was generally twice that in serum. The ratio of pleural fluid beta 2m to serum beta 2m in patients groups defined according to the final diagnosis showed an interestingly high value in tuberculous pleuritis and in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with pleural effusion. There was a positive correlation between the beta 2m and lysozyme contents in pleural fluid, suggesting local and simultaneous activation of different cell lines when the pleura is involved. We suggest that pleural fluid and concomitant serum beta 2m measurements should be taken into consideration when pleural effusion of tuberculous origin is suspected. Furthermore, beta 2m determination might help to differentiate between rheumatoid pleural fluid and pleural involvement due to the other systemic diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Assessment of the tuberculosis agglutination test.

A total of 139 random samples of serum taken at intervals during chemotherapy from 16 patients were analysed using agglutination methods for the serological diagnosis of tuberculosis. The series comprised six cases of far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis, four cases with advanced lesions, two cases with minimal spread and four controls. The samples were analysed simultaneously and independently using two different batches of antigen in two test systems. The test results were comparable in the two series and the diagnostic outcome of the test was not encouraging, the percentages of false negatives being 52 and 60 or 9 and 32, depending on the criteria selected, and those of false positives being 3 and 0 or 59 and 44 respectively. The magnitude of the titres obtained did not reflect the severity of the disease. In addition the test did not prove useful as a method for following up the results of treatment of individual patients in this series.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1978

Predisposing factors in hepatitis induced by isoniazid-rifampin treatment of tuberculosis.

Seventy-five patients who developed mild hepatic reactions (serum transaminase concentrations of 45 to 149 units per liter) and 50 patients who showed more serious liver damage (serum transaminase values greater than 150 units per liter) were compared with 261 consecutive patients who had no liver reactions during treatment with rifampin and isoniazid. Generally, liver toxicity occurred in 18 per cent of patients receiving combined anti-tuberculous drug therapy. Small increases in transaminase occurred in 14 per cent of the patients; large increases occurred in 4 per cent. Elderly women comprised a risk group. Among patients exhibiting a more serious hepatic lesion (transaminase values greater than 150 units per liter), alcoholics, mostly men, formed another risk group, together with other patients with a history of previous liver or biliary disease. Of 261 patients who did not develop a liver reaction, 57 per cent were slow INH acetylators. In this study, the groups with small and large increases in transaminase were clearly separated; in the former group there was no preponderance of phenotype, whereas in the latter group, slow acetylators clearly dominated among early (first 4 weeks of treatment) hepatic reactions (P less than 0.01). Studies of single-drug regimens of isoniazid have shown that neither slow nor rapid acetylation has any causal influence on isoniazid-induced hepatitis. Because the metabolism of rifampin is independent of the acetylation process, rifampin and isoniazid in combination seem to cause a toxic hepatitis that differs from the hepatitis induced by either drug separately.

Acetylation↗