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Biomedical subjects

B Mørland

Publications and source records attributed to B Mørland.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

[Ambulatory and home blood pressure monitoring].

BACKGROUND: Ambulatory blood pressure measurements may be performed with manual or automatic devices. Such methods seem to be increasingly used for diagnosing conditions like "white coat hypertension" or abnormal variations in the 24-hour blood pressure profile. However, it is not yet known whether these patients are exposed to an increased risk of cardiovascular events. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This paper is a summary of systematic reviews (health technology assessment reports) of the performance and effectiveness of ambulatory blood pressure measurements for the diagnosis of hypertension. RESULTS: Ambulatory blood pressure measurements may be used during medical treatment for hypertension to control blood pressure, and patients using these measurements have been shown to reach the target blood pressure at lower medication levels than patients depending on blood pressure measurements in the surgery. INTERPRETATION: Widespread use of ambulatory blood pressure measurements in order to predict cardiovascular risk requires knowledge about diagnostic and prognostic performance. There are studies that address these concerns, but major weaknesses in study design limit their value. The lack of a consensus on reference values is also an impediment to the use of ambulatory blood pressure measurements.

Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory↗
PubMed2000

[Is thrombolytic therapy effective in stroke?].

BACKGROUND: The Norwegian Centre for Health Technology Assessment was asked to assess the treatment of stroke by trombolytic medication. We were also asked to include an evaluation of potential consequences for the organisation of the health care system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Relevant literature was identified on Medline, the Cochrane Library (Systematic Reviews), and INAHTA (Systematic Reviews). Of particular importance are one study from the USA and two studies originating in Europe. RESULTS: The conclusion of the working group is that the benefit of thrombolytic treatment in the studies assessed is uncertain; furthermore, intracranial haemorrhage can occur as a complication of the treatment. INTERPRETATION: Future thrombolytic treatment of stroke patients should be carried out according to a research protocol with thorough documentation of effects as well as side effects.

Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1990

[Alcohol and infections].

For many years, chronic alcoholism has been associated with increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. This report reviews some of the current knowledge on this topic. Lung infections in particular occur frequently among alcoholics. Alcohol has been shown experimentally to inhibit many aspects of our defense mechanisms against infections. These mechanisms include unspecific external defense mechanisms such as mucociliary clearance and glottic reflexes. Reduced phagocytic functions have also been demonstrated, reflected in reduced reticuloendothelial clearance, and, in addition, proliferative responses of immunocompetent T-cells. Most studies have been carried out on individuals with a serious drinking problem, in most cases alcoholics. We still know little about the effect of a single large intake of alcohol, or of moderate alcohol consumption, on infections among normal individuals.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1989

The interaction of ethanol with human monocyte IgG-Fc receptors, characterized by monoclonal antibodies raised against two distinct receptor subpopulations.

Human blood monocytes (Mo) in medium containing 10% autologous serum were exposed to ethanol (160 mM) at 37 degrees C for 15 min. After being washed, the cells were incubated with murine monoclonal antibodies (MoAb), one binding to the 40 kDa Fc receptor (FcR) (MoAb IV3) and the other to the 72 kDa FcR (MoAb 32). The incubation was performed with and without excess of human or rabbit IgG. The amount of receptor-bound MoAb was evaluated by fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled anti-mouse IgG. Most control Mo bound MoAb IV3 (90 +/- 8% stained cells) while only 52 +/- 2% Mo were positively stained by MoAb 32. The staining increased in the presence of human IgG in the assay mixtures. Pre-incubation with 160 mM ethanol reduced the MoAb IV3 binding (61 +/- 2% stained cells), but had no significant effect on the binding of MoAb 32. Wash-out experiments indicated normalization of receptor function (MoAb IV3 binding) after 4 h. Treatment of medium or serum with ethanol before incubation of the Mo had no effect. It was concluded that a brief exposure of human Mo to ethanol leads to changes in a subpopulation of IgG FcR. Since these changes appeared when MoAb were used against the receptors, they probably represent a decrease in functional receptors and not changes in affinity.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1989

Different effects of ethanol on particle phagocytosis via different receptors in human monocytes.

Endocytosis of test particles by human blood monocytes (Mo) was tested in the presence of ethanol (80 mM). Phagocytosis via the Fc (IgG)- or C3b receptors (R) was assessed by an assay in which IgG- or C3b coated sheep erythrocytes (E) were used as test particles. Latex particles were tested in parallel with opsonized E. Phagocytosis of IgG-E was reduced to 67 +/- 5% of control (= without ethanol), while the corresponding value for C3b-E was 164 +/- 26% controls. Phagocytosis of latex particles was not affected by ethanol exposure (91 +/- 8% of control). The receptor functions were also tested without ethanol present during the assays. In this part of the study, Mo were incubated with or without ethanol in autologous serum for 15 min at 37 degrees C. After washing the cells free of ethanol, binding properties of the Fc-R or C3b-R were assessed by a rosette assay. Preincubation with ethanol reduced Fc-R binding, while attachment to C3b-R seemed to be more effective. The experiments thus indicate different effects of ethanol treatment in vitro on phagocytic receptors in human Mo. Control experiments revealed no direct effect of ethanol on the test particles.

Antigens, Differentiation↗
PubMed1988

Reduced IgG Fc-receptor-mediated phagocytosis in human monocytes isolated from alcoholics.

Blood monocytes (MC) were isolated from alcoholics and from age-matched controls. Phagocytosis mediated by the IgG Fc-receptor (Fc-R) was assessed in the MC immediately after isolation by using IgG-opsonized sheep erythrocytes as test particles. Experiments were also performed after preincubating the MC in medium containing 10% autologous serum with or without ethanol (80 mM) in vitro at 37 degrees C for 15 min, and with or without ethanol (80 mM) present during the internalization assay in vitro (37 degrees C for 60 min). MC from alcoholics exhibited lower phagocytic capacity via the Fc-R than MC from healthy controls, approximately 50% versus 70% phagocytosing cells. Preincubation of the MC in medium containing 10% autologous serum with 80 mM ethanol, reduced the percentage of phagocytosing MC from controls to 55%, whereas no further reduction occurred in cells from alcoholics. When present during the assays of Fc-R function, ethanol decreased MC phagocytosis of IgG-coated particles significantly in both test groups, to about 30% phagocytosing cells. Blood samples disclosed increased serum levels of markers of liver dysfunction, immunoglobulins, increased sedimentation rate, and white blood cell counts among the alcoholics, while their serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 were reduced.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The effect of recombinant interferons on cathepsin B activity in human monocytes.

Blood monocytes isolated from healthy human donors were cultivated for 3 days in the presence of recombinant human interferons (rHuIFN) alpha, beta, gamma. Intracellular activity of cathepsin B was recorded. All rHuIFNs suppressed the cathepsin B activity in the monocytes, rHuIFNs alpha and beta suppressed in a dose-dependent manner, whereas rHuIFN-gamma was suppressive only at low concentrations (1-10 U/ml). In parallel experiments, monocytes were stimulated with carrageenan, which caused increased cathepsin B activity in the cells. This increase was reduced to the level of activity in nonstimulated cells by all rHuIFNs. We have previously reported that cathepsin B may be involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, and the present results may have a bearing on the effects of HuIFNs on the immune system.

Carrageenan↗
PubMed1987

Effects of ethanol on human monocyte IgG Fc receptors.

The IgG Fc receptor function of human monocytes (Mo) exposed to ethanol in vitro was assessed by a rosette assay in which IgG-coated sheep red blood cells were used as test particles. Pre-incubation of Mo in autologous serum with ethanol (55 mM and above) for 15 min at 37 degrees C, caused a significantly lower percentage of Mo-forming rosettes. This reduction by ethanol was not observed when Mo were preincubated with ethanol in fetal calf serum or in serum-free conditions, but was present when Mo were pre-incubated with ethanol in serum-free media to which IgG (10-150 micrograms/ml) had been added. Donor-dependent differences were observed in the reduction of Mo-forming rosettes in the presence of autologous serum and ethanol. Mo allowed to form rosettes without ethanol were exposed to ethanol during a subsequent phagocytosis process. A dose-dependent inhibition of the internalization of test particles was found in Mo from all donors.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1987

Effects of endotoxins from Bacteroides intermedius and Escherichia coli on cytotoxic and lysosomal activity in peritoneal macrophages from endotoxin responder and low responder mouse strains.

Peritoneal macrophages from normal mice strains (C3H/Tif and C57BL/6J) and from the endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) low responder strain (C3H/Hej were exposed to two structurally different endotoxins from Bacteroides intermedius and Escherichia coli in vitro. Intracellular activity of a lysosomal enzyme (acid phosphatase) and macrophage mediated cytotoxic activity against a tumor cell line (L929) were tested. Both endotoxins caused increased levels of acid phosphatase activity in normal mice macrophages. No change was obtained in the C3H/Hej macrophages exposed to E. coli LPS; however, the B. intermedius LPS was able to strongly elevate intracellular enzyme level in the C3H/Hej low responder macrophages. Cytotoxic activities were investigated in macrophage supernatants and in co-cultures of stimulated macrophages and target cells. Cytotoxic activity evaluated by measuring release of radioactivity from 14C-thymidine labelled tumor cells was increased with both endotoxins in normal mouse macrophages, but not in non-responder macrophages. When macrophage-mediated effects on tumor cells were tested by counting target cells left per culture, a reduction in target cell number was observed in endotoxin-treated low responder macrophage as well as in normal strain macrophage cultures more pronounced, however, in the normal strain. Cell contact between cytotoxic macrophages and target cells was verified by scanning electron microscopy. The results suggest that LPS effects on macrophages are dependent upon the functional parameters studied, and that the chemical composition of a particular LPS is important for its selective effects on macrophage functions.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Non-phagocytic adherent cells as contaminants in peritoneal macrophage cultures from conventionally housed mice.

Non-phagocytic adherent cells (NPAC) were found as contaminants in peritoneal macrophage cultures from mice kept in conventional animal houses. The cells were morphologically intermediates between macrophages and small lymphocytes. They showed a vigorous ameboid movement in vitro, and most of the cells detached during the first 24 h in culture. The cells were identified as B-lymphocytes by demonstrating surface immunoglobulin with fluorescence labelled goat-F(ab)2-anti-mouse IgG + IgM antibody, as non-phagocytes by latex beads phagocytosis test, and as non-T cells with an anti-Thy 1 monoclonal antibody. Macrophages were identified with M1/70 monoclonal antibody against the Mac-1 antigen. An increased number of NPAC was found in cultures harvested from the peritoneum of mice kept in conventional houses for one week or more, together with a rise in total peritoneal cell count. The keeping also resulted in increased functional activity of the macrophages, tested by morphology, lososomal enzyme activity and phagocytic functions. The rise in NPAC parallelled the activation of macrophages and may therefore serve as an indication of the functional state of the macrophage cultures.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1987

Effects of endotoxins from Bacteroides intermedius and Escherichia coli on human monocytes in vitro.

Endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides, LPSs) from the strictly anaerobic bacterium Bacteroides intermedius and from Escherichia coli were compared with respect to effects on human monocytes. Exposure of monocyte monolayer cultures to the structurally different endotoxins caused morphological changes, demonstrated by large rounded cells containing cytoplasmic granules with the B. intermedius LPS, and smaller cells with several cytoplasmic protrusions with the E. coli LPS after 10 days of culture. The B. intermedius LPS was, at some doses, able to induce an increased level of the lysosomal enzyme acid phosphatase and increased C3b-receptor-mediated phagocytosis, while other doses gave no effect or weak suppression compared to control cultures. The stimulatory effects were donor-dependent. The E. coli LPS had predominantly suppressive effects on acid phosphatase level and C3b phagocytosis. Both endotoxins resulted in enhanced expression of the activation related cell surface antigen, characterized by the mononuclear phagocyte specific monoclonal antibody 1D5. Biphasic dose-response relationships were observed, particularly pronounced with B. intermedius LPS, giving stimulation of enzyme activity with low (1 ng/ml) and high (0.5 microgram/ml) doses, and suppressed enzyme activity with intermediate doses (0.01-0.10 microgram/ml). The results imply that the effects of endotoxins on different aspects of human monocytes vary considerably; they also suggest that the balance between stimulatory and suppressive properties of a particular endotoxin may influence its net effect on mononuclear phagocyte functions.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1987

The effect of intracellular Chlamydia psittaci on lysosomal enzyme activities in mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Live or heat killed (30 min at 56 degrees C) Chlamydia psittaci elementary bodies (EB) were phagocytosed by mouse peritoneal macrophages. Inoculation with killed Chlamydia caused rises in three lysosomal enzyme activities tested, especially in acid phosphatase activity. In contrast, after infection with live Chlamydia, only a negligible increase was seen in acid phosphatase activity, and no change in the activities of beta-glucuronidase and cathepsin D was observed. It was concluded that regulation of lysosomal enzyme synthesis in macrophages may be linked to signals mediated by phago-lysosome fusions.

Acid Phosphatase↗