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Biomedical subjects

G Persson

Publications and source records attributed to G Persson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Marital coital activity in men at the age of 75: relation to somatic, psychiatric, and social factors at the age of 70.

OBJECTIVE: To find somatic, psychiatric, and social variables that predicted cessation of coital activity in elderly married men. DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal, observational study SETTING: General survey of a representative sample of 70-year-old urban men (born in 1901-02) in Göteborg, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-one men who were married and had coital activity at age 70 and who, at the age of 75, were still married when the sample was reinterviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence (c) or absence (nc) of coital activity at age 75. RESULTS: Cessation of coital activity was associated with vasculogenic factors. At least one of the following disorders--systemic hypertension, ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, or hypertriglyceridemia--was found in three of the C men and 14 of the NC men, P less than 0.005. Systemic hypertension was the most common disorder and was found in one C man and 10 NC men, P less than 0.01. Cessation of coital activity was associated with specified types of stress between 65 and 70 years of age in the subgroup of men who had stopped due to inability; six out of eight reported stress against five out of 20 in the C group, P less than 0.05. There was no association with any of the psychiatric or social factors studied. CONCLUSIONS: Cessation of coital activity is predicted by somatic disorders which are associated with vascular damage and especially by hypertension. This observation does not allow the conclusion that antihypertensive treatment would be effective in postponing the cessation of coital activity.

Age Factors

Formoterol, a new long-acting beta 2 agonist, inhaled twice daily, in stable asthmatic subjects.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine whether formoterol, a new beta 2 agonist with experimentally documented long duration, is clinically more effective than salbutamol in the maintenance treatment of chronic asthma. DESIGN: Randomized double-blind between-patient comparison between treatment with formoterol and with salbutamol during four weeks. SETTING: Asthma/allergy department in a university hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-seven patients with chronic stable asthma, who during a two-week run-in period with inhaled salbutamol, 4 x 100 micrograms twice a day, used at least four additional doses (100 micrograms each) daily, were randomly assigned to use either formoterol or salbutamol. Thirty-five patients were evaluated for efficacy. One early withdrawal and one dropout were found in the salbutamol group. The groups were similar with respect to demographic data and baseline lung function. INTERVENTIONS: During the four-week study period, the patients used either formoterol (4 x 6 micrograms twice a day and as necessary, n = 19) or salbutamol (4 x 100 micrograms twice a day and as necessary, n = 16). Inhaled steroids and orally administered theophylline were allowed if doses were kept constant. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The median number of additional doses per 24 h (median of two weeks) of the test aerosols was 0 (range, 0 to 6) for formoterol and 4 (range, 0 to 14) for salbutamol (p less than 0.01). Morning and evening PEFRs were 422 (SEM = 31) and 443 (SEM = 30), respectively, for formoterol, and 335 (SEM = 30) and 360 (SEM = 26), respectively, for salbutamol (p = 0.05 for both). Formoterol was superior (p less than 0.05) to salbutamol with respect to control of asthma symptoms, estimated duration of action and patient preference. Side effects did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled formoterol administered twice a day and as necessary was clinically more effective than the same regimen of salbutamol.

Administration, Inhalation

Bambuterol: a new long acting bronchodilating prodrug.

Bambuterol, a carbamate prodrug of terbutaline as a 5, 10, or 20-mg tablet, was given once every evening to patients with asthma in a randomized double-blind crossover study. Twenty milligrams improved pulmonary functions over 24 hours; 5 and 10 mg did not. Few side effects were observed.

Administration, Oral

Immune response to collagen impregnated Dacron double velour grafts for aortic and aorto-femoral reconstructions.

This study presents 20 patients, randomised to receive either a collagen-treated or an ordinary Dacron graft for aortic reconstructions, and the results of a skin-prick test, blood parameters and ELISA for anti-collagen antibodies as well as NMR pictures during a 6 week follow-up period. Forty per cent (4/11) of those receiving a collagen impregnated graft had a significantly increased titre of antibodies and NMR revealed in two out of 11 patients either a slightly increased amount of fluid or fibrosis around the graft, both collagen impregnated. No differences were found between the graft groups concerning body temperature and leucocyte or platelet counts. The skin-prick test for collagen was negative in all cases.

Adult

Prevention of myocardial infarction and stroke in patients with intermittent claudication; effects of ticlopidine. Results from STIMS, the Swedish Ticlopidine Multicentre Study.

The Swedish Ticlopidine Multicentre Study (STIMS) was a double-blind placebo-controlled trial designed to determine whether ticlopidine, a platelet antiaggregatory agent, reduces the incidence of myocardial infarction, stroke and transitory ischaemic attacks in patients with intermittent claudication. A total of 687 patients was monitored for a minimum of 5 years or until an end-point was reached. The number of end points (99 vs. 89), analysed according to the intention-to-treat principle, was 11.4% lower in the ticlopidine group (P = 0.24). The mortality rate was 29.1% lower in the ticlopidine group (64 vs. 89, P = 0.015); this observation could be accounted for by a reduced mortality from ischaemic heart disease. On-treatment analysis showed there to be significantly fewer end points in the ticlopidine group (47 vs. 76, P = 0.017). Diarrhoea was the most common side-effect. Reversible leucopenia or thrombocytopenia was reported in seven patients on ticlopidine. It is concluded that the high morbidity and mortality from cardio- and cerebrovascular disease in patients with intermittent claudication can be reduced by long-term treatment with ticlopidine.

Aged

Use of inhaled corticosteroids in patients with mild asthma.

A double blind, parallel group study was carried out to investigate the effect of inhaled budesonide in a moderate (200 micrograms) and a low (100 micrograms) twice daily dosage compared with the effect of placebo in 103 adults with mild symptomatic asthma. Subjects recorded peak expiratory flow (PEF), asthma symptoms, and beta 2 agonist consumption at home for a period of seven weeks (a one week run in and six weeks' treatment). Morning baseline PEF (around 80% of predicted normal) increased non-significantly to 88% with 200 micrograms budesonide daily and to 90% (p less than 0.05) with 400 micrograms, compared with 81% with placebo. Evening PEF (around 94% of predicted normal) did not change significantly with active or placebo treatment. By comparison with placebo, there was a significant decrease in nocturnal asthma symptoms and beta 2 agonist consumption. The changes during the day were less pronounced and significant only for 400 micrograms budesonide daily. No significant differences between the two active treatments were detected. It is concluded that low doses of inhaled budesonide are effective in patients with mild symptomatic asthma, particularly for night time symptoms and early morning lung function. The early introduction of inhaled corticosteroids for patients with mild asthma and night time symptoms may improve their quality of life during the night and early morning.

Administration, Inhalation

The bronchodilator response from increasing doses of terbutaline inhaled from a multi-dose powder inhaler (Turbuhaler).

Twelve adult asthmatics inhaled single doses of 0.5, 2.0 or 4.0 mg of terbutaline, respectively, via Turbuhaler, on three separate days. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and pulse rate were measured 15, 30, 45 and 60 min after inhalation from the inhaler and then hourly up to 8 h. The results showed that a more rapid onset of action, a greater maximal response and a longer duration of action can be achieved by exceeding the standard dose of terbutaline of 0.5 mg. The incidence of adverse effects was very low even at the highest dose, 4 mg. This study emphasizes the need for individual dosing of inhaled bronchodilators.

Administration, Inhalation

Pulmonary disposition of the potent glucocorticoid budesonide, evaluated in an isolated perfused rat lung model.

Budesonide is a potent glucocorticoid developed for the local treatment of respiratory disorders such as bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. We now report the lung disposition of 3H-budesonide administered either via the air passages or via the pulmonary circulation using isolated perfused and ventilated rat lungs. A rapid initial absorption was found after intratracheal administration of a clinically relevant dose of the drug. However, about half of the given dose was slowly released into the lung perfusate. The lung uptake of budesonide from the pulmonary circulation was relatively high (lung extraction ratio about 0.12). These data points to a high lung affinity for budesonide. The drug was not biotransformed in the lung. The high lung affinity and absence of lung metabolism can be important factors to explain the good therapeutic effects seen with budesonide in the clinic.

Animals

Combined effect of dimethylnitrosamine and a lysine-restricted diet on O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase levels in mouse tissues.

O6-Methylguanine is a lesion produced in DNA after exposure of animals to the procarcinogen dimethylnitrosamine. The lesion may lead to mutagenesis or carcinogenesis if not repaired. Repair is accomplished by the protein O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MT). The methyl group is transferred to a cysteine residue of the protein, which is not regenerated. In mice, after exposure to alkylating agents, the synthesis of the protein is non-inducible. The inactivation of MT as a result of the transmethylation makes new synthesis of the protein molecules necessary for further dealkylation reactions. Protein synthesis activity correlates well with dietary protein quality. Nutritional conditions of amino acid restriction will limit the number of MT molecules synthesized. Continuous exposure of mice to dimethylnitrosamine will further diminish the pool of the protein. In this study, mice were fed a diet low in lysine and simultaneously given dimethylnitrosamine in the drinking water at concentrations resulting in dosages of zero, 0.4 mg or 1.2 mg/kg body weight/day. After 6 days MT was assayed in liver, kidney and lung. In liver and kidney, lysine restriction provoked a decrease in MT levels per mg of tissue DNA which was intensified by the presence of dimethylnitrosamine in the drinking water. Recovery from lysine restriction with respect to MT levels was achieved within 2 days. In lung, moderate effects on MT levels were observed when dietary lysine restriction was combined with the highest dosage of dimethylnitrosamine used (1.2 mg/kg body weight/day). The data strongly emphasize the importance of an adequate amino acid mixture in the diet, to support protein synthesis and to allow for high MT levels and repair of DNA lesions at the O-6 position of guanine during the exposure of the animals to alkylating agents.

Animals

Evaluation of anamnestic data in patients referred for oral cholecystography.

The knowledge about how patients are selected for elective gallbladder investigations is limited. In this study the anamnestic data of 817 patients referred for an elective cholecystography have been compared with those of 789 matched controls. Other diseases in the medical history were commonly seen, and different gastrointestinal symptoms occurred frequently in the patients. Only 207 (23%) patients presented with a gallstone disease, and no symptom was commoner in these patients than in the patients with normal cholecystograms. The low positive yield could be due to liberal and unclear indications for oral cholecystography. Many gallstones detected this way may in fact be asymptomatic, which should be borne in mind when a cholecystectomy is considered.

Adolescent

Immunotherapy with dog and cat allergen preparations in dog-sensitive and cat-sensitive asthmatics.

Standardized dog and cat allergen preparations with defined allergen composition were used for immunotherapy (IT) in dog-sensitive and/or cat-sensitive adult patients. Seventeen patients completed 1 year of IT. Eleven patients were treated with dog allergen, five with cat allergen, and one with both dog and cat allergen. The treatment was well tolerated, with increased subjective tolerance. After 3 months of IT there was a significant decrease in conjunctival (p less than .05) and skin sensitivity (p less than .05). Specific IgE decreased significantly within 1 year as assayed by RAST and IgE-crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis. Specific IgG increased in all patients. The results indicate that IT with potent and standardized dog and cat allergens influence the sensitivity to these allergens.

Allergens

The bronchodilator response from inhaled terbutaline is influenced by the mass of small particles: a study on a dry powder inhaler (Turbuhaler).

This study was carried out to investigate if particles approximately less than 5 microns are optimal when delivered from a dry powder inhaler. It was performed as a cumulative dose response study of twelve asthmatic adults. Three different versions of a dry powder inhaler, Bricanyl Turbuhaler, were studied. Each inhaler delivered 0.5 mg of pure terbutaline sulphate with each dose. Out of this 0.5 mg, they delivered 90 micrograms, 40 micrograms and 5 micrograms, respectively, of particles approximately less than 5 microns with each dose at an inspiratory flow rate of 28 l.min-1. Terbutaline 0.5 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg and 2.0 mg was inhaled with a 30 min interval between the doses. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were measured 5 and 20 min after each dose. The bronchodilator response was greater with the inhaler delivering 90 micrograms of small particles with each dose than with the inhaler delivering 5 micrograms, thus confirming the importance of small (approximately less than 5 microns) particles.

Adult

Bambuterol: clinical effects of different doses of a long-acting bronchodilator prodrug.

Sixty-eight asthmatics participated in a dose-finding study on bambuterol, a terbutaline prodrug, administered once every evening. Bambuterol administrations of 0.185, 0.270 and 0.400 mg/kg gave effective and long-lasting bronchodilation, for at least 24 h, with the two higher doses probably close to the maximal effect of the drug. Bambuterol 0.400 mg/kg was associated with more adverse effects than bambuterol 0.185 mg/kg. The side effects were those expected in oral beta 2-agonist treatment and mainly experienced by patients who had not been on oral beta 2-agonists before. The most favourable of the investigated doses was found to be 0.270 mg/kg. It can not be excluded, however, that a somewhat lower dose may still be as beneficial. This will be investigated in forthcoming studies.

Adult