Biomedical subjects

L Rylander

Publications and source records attributed to L Rylander.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Dietary intake of fish contaminated with persistent organochlorine compounds in relation to low birthweight.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the hypothesized association between persistent organochlorine compounds through the consumption of fatty fish from the Baltic Sea (at the Swedish east coast) and low birthweight. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the period 1973-1991, 72 cases of low birthweight (1500-2750 g) were selected from among infants born to fishermen's wives within a cohort from the Swedish east coast. For each case two referents were selected. The mothers were interviewed about their dietary and smoking habits and place of living during childhood and adolescence. RESULTS: A high total current intake of fish from the Baltic Sea (> or = 4 meals per month) tended to increase the risk of having an infant with low birthweight [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.9, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.9-3.9]. The effect was more conspicuous for the boys (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1-11). No such effects were observed when the estimated intake of fish was considered for the period in which the infant was born. However, mothers who had grown up in a fishing village had an increased risk of having an infant with low birthweight (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.0-4.3). CONCLUSIONS: The variable "grown up in a fishing village" can be interpreted as an indirect measure of a mother's accumulated consumption of fish from the Baltic Sea. This idea supports an association between a high consumption of contaminated fish from the Baltic Sea and an increased risk for low birthweight. The effect estimates based on the mothers' reported fish consumptions were dependent on the period under consideration and therefore were somewhat ambiguous.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Radiographic changes and lung function in relation to activity of the glutathione transferases theta and mu among asbestos cement workers.

Experimental data indicate that active oxygen species may be casually involved in the development of asbestos-related disease. Thus, it was hypothesized that individual differences in glutathione transferase activity, which may affect the ability to inactivate molecules formed in relation to oxidative stress, could influence the biological response to asbestos exposure. We could, however, not demonstrate an increased risk for radiographic changes or reduced lung function among asbestos cement workers deficient for glutathione transferase theta (GSTT1), glutathione transferase mu (GSTM1), or having a combined deficiency of enzyme activity.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Mortality and cancer incidence among secondary lead smelter workers.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the mortality pattern and the cancer incidence in a cohort of long term smelter workers exposed to lead. METHODS: The cohort consists of 664 male lead battery workers, employed for at least three months in 1942-87. From 1969 the values of all blood lead samples repeatedly obtained from these workers every two to three months, have been collected in a database. The expected mortality and morbidity 1969-89 was estimated from the county rates, specified for cause, sex, five-year age groups, and calendar year. Individual exposure matrices have been calculated and used for dose-response analyses. RESULTS: The total cohort showed an increased overall mortality (standardised mortality ratio (SMR) 1.44; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.16-1.79), an increased mortality from ischaemic heart diseases (SMR 1.72; 95% CI 1.20-2.42) and all malignant neoplasms (SMR 1.65; 95% CI 1.09-2.44). These risk estimates were unaffected or slightly decreased when applying a latency period of 15 years, and no dose-response pattern was shown. The non-significantly raised cancer incidence in the gastrointestinal tract (11 malignancies) in the total cohort, increased to a barely significant level in the quartile with the highest cumulative lead exposure (standardised incidence ratio (SIR) 2.34, 95% CI 1.07-4.45). No clear dose response pattern was evident when further subdividing the data into those first employed up to 1969 v those first employed after 1969 when the blood lead monitoring programme started. The risk estimate for malignancies in the gastrointestinal tract was not related to latency time. The cancer incidence was not increased at other sites. CONCLUSIONS: A slightly increased incidence of gastrointestinal cancers was found in workers exposed to lead and employed before 1970. The lead cohort also showed an increased mortality from ischaemic heart diseases. These risk estimates did not show a dose-response pattern and were not associated with latency time. The results must also be interpreted with caution because of limited numbers, and lack of dietary and smoking data.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Decreased birthweight among infants born to women with a high dietary intake of fish contaminated with persistent organochlorine compounds.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to assess reproductive outcomes, especially birthweight, and the consumption of fatty fish from the Baltic Sea, contaminated with persistent organochlorine compounds, among women from the Swedish east coast. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cohorts of fishermen's wives from the Swedish east and west coasts were established and linked to the Swedish Medical Birth Register for 1973-1991; 1501 children were born in the eastcoast cohort and 3553 in the westcoast cohort. Comparisons were made with regional populations and between the cohorts. Dietary interviews were made with 69 randomly selected women from the cohorts and 69 referents. RESULTS: The women interviewed from the east- and westcoast cohorts ate locally caught fish more than twice as often as their referents. Compared with the regional population, the women in the eastcoast cohort gave birth to an increased number of infants with low birthweights (< 3000 g), whereas the opposite was seen in the westcoast cohort. Infants in the eastcoast cohort had significantly lower birthweights than infants from the westcoast cohort (median 3530 versus 3610 g, P < 0.001). Even after adjustment for potential confounders, eastcoast affiliation showed an increased risk for low birthweight (odds ratio 1.44, 95% confidence interval 1.18-1.76). The effect was more conspicuous for boys (odds ratio 1.95) and heavy smokers (odds ratio 3.00). CONCLUSIONS: The present data support, but do not prove, an association between a high consumption of contaminated fish from the Baltic Sea and an increased risk for low birthweight.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Mortality and cancer incidence among women with a high consumption of fatty fish contaminated with persistent organochlorine compounds.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess cancer incidence and cardiovascular mortality among women with a high dietary intake of fatty fish from the Baltic Sea (on the Swedish east coast), contaminated with persistent organochlorine compounds. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cohorts of fishermen's wives from the Swedish east (1989 subjects) and west (6605 subjects) coasts were established. The mortality and cancer incidence were studied in these cohorts, and comparisons were made with respective regional populations and between the cohorts. Dietary interviews were made with 200 randomly selected cohort women and equally many women from the general population. The interviewed east- and westcoast cohort women ate locally caught fatty fish at least twice as often as their referents. RESULTS: Compared with that of the regional population, the breast cancer incidence was higher than expected in the eastcoast cohort [standardized incidence ratio (SIR) 1.29, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.96-1.71], whereas it was lower in the westcoast cohort (SIR 0.89; 95% CI 0.77-1.04). When a direct comparison was made between the two cohorts, the eastcoast women displayed an increased breast cancer incidence (incidence rate ratio 1.35, 95% CI 0.98-1.86). No obvious difference was seen between the two cohorts concerning cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The results support, but do not prove, the hypothesis of an association between exposure to a mixture of persistent organochlorine compounds through fish consumption and an increased risk for breast cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Effect of acid precipitation on retention and excretion of elements in man.

From a population of 8918 farmers, 237 were selected whose consumption of locally produced foods was high. The subjects' water sources, private wells, were of different degrees of acidity. Significant associations between pH (median 6.7, range 4.7-8.6) of the drinking water and element concentrations were found. The correlation was negative for aluminium (Al; median 0.07 mumol/l), cadmium (Cd; 0.44 nmol/l), copper (Cu; 0.24 mumol/l) and lead (Pb; 1.9 nmol/l), and positive for calcium (Ca; 0.62 mmol/l) and magnesium (Mg; 0.21 mmol/l). Associations could not be found between the pH of, or element concentrations in, the water and concentrations of A1 (0.17 mumol/l), Mg (0.86 mmol/l) and selenium (Se; 1.0 mumol/l) in plasma, Cd (2.0 nmol/l), Pb (0.19 mumol/l) and mercury (Hg; 13 nmol/l) in blood, or A1 (12 mumol/mol creatinine) and Cu (11 mumol/mol creatinine) in urine. The concentrations of Hg in blood and Se in plasma were related to fish consumption, Cd and Pb in blood to smoking, A1 in urine to antacid intake, Pb in blood to rifle activities and hunting, and Hg in blood to hunting. Acid precipitation has an effect on element concentrations in drinking water, but not on the retention of those elements in the subjects investigated.

Acid Rain↗

PubMed1994

Genetic polymorphism for glutathione-S-transferase mu in asbestos cement workers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether a lack of glutathione-S-transferase mu (GSTM1) activity was related to an increased risk for adverse outcome after asbestos exposure. METHODS: A study was made of 78 male former asbestos cement workers, with retrospective cohort data on exposure, radiographical findings, and lung function. Venous blood samples were obtained for the analysis of GSTM1 polymorphism by the polymerase chain reaction technique. Chest x ray films were classified according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) 1980 classification. Vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume during 1 s (FEV1) were determined. Individual estimates of asbestos exposure were calculated, and expressed as duration of exposure, average exposure intensity, and cumulative dose. Data on smoking were obtained from interviews. RESULTS: The lung function in the study group was reduced, compared with reference equations. 23% of the workers had small opacities > or = 1/0, 29% circumscribed pleural thickenings, 14% diffuse thickenings, and 12% obliterated costophrenic angles. 54% of the workers were GSTM1 deficient. They were comparable with the other workers in age, follow up time (median 30 years), and duration of exposure (median 18 years), but had a slightly higher cumulated dose (median 18 v 10 fibre-years) than the others. Neither in radiographical changes nor lung function variables were there any differences between the different GSTM1 groups. The findings were similar when smoking habits and estimated asbestos exposure were taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: We could not show that lack of GSTM1 activity was related to an increased risk for radiographical or lung function changes in a group of asbestos cement workers, followed up for a long period after the end of exposure.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Disorders of the neck and upper limbs in women in the fish processing industry.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to study the association between personal factors and physical and psychosocial work environment factors and disorders of the neck or upper limbs among women in the fish processing industry. METHODS: A cross sectional study was performed on 206 women in the fish processing industry and 208 control women. Several physical and psychosocial work environment factors were evaluated. Subjective complaints about the neck or upper limbs were assessed by questionnaire and by a clinical examination. RESULTS: The study showed a high prevalence (35%) of diagnoses in the neck or shoulders of the exposed women. All prevalence odds ratios (POR's) were substantially higher in young women. There was a pronounced dose-response relation between disorders of the neck or shoulders and duration of employment for women < 45 years old. When studying 322 former workers, the proportion who claimed musculoskeletal complaints as the reason for leaving was highest among the older women. Muscular tension, stress or worry, work strain, and the largest fraction of the work time spent with highly repetitive work tasks were clearly associated with disorders of the neck or shoulders. The measurements of the wrist movements also showed that the work was performed almost without any pauses and that the median flexion and extension velocity was high (41 degree/s). The results of observation showed good agreement with the measurements of wrist motion. CONCLUSION: Work in the fish processing industry is a risk factor for disorders of the neck and upper limbs. Due to the homogenity of the physical work load in the exposed group, we could not show any associations between the objective measurements and disorders. In cross sectional studies the risk may be underestimated due to a healthy worker effect.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Lowered birth weight among infants born to women with a high intake of fish contaminated with persistent organochlorine compounds.

In Sweden fatty fish from the Baltic Sea (at the Swedish east coast) constitute the main exposure route for persistent organochlorine compounds (POC). The present study assessed reproductive outcomes among fishermen's sisters from the Swedish east coast, who were shown to had had a relatively high consumption of contaminated fish in early life. For relevant comparison, we used a similar cohort from the Swedish west coast, where the contamination of fish is considerable less. The east coast cohort women had an increased risk of having an infant with low birth weight (LBW; <2500 g) as compared with the west coast cohort women (odds ratio (OR) 1.6. 95% confidence interval 1.1-2.3). The results strengthen the hypothesized association between exposure to POC during childhood and adolescence and an increased risk for LBW.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of lead on the endocrine system in lead smelter workers.

In this study of the effects of lead on the endocrine system, 77 secondary lead-smelter workers (i.e., 62 active and 15 retired) were compared with 26 referents. Lead concentrations were determined in plasma with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (i.e., index of recent exposure), in blood with atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and in fingerbone with K x-ray fluorescence technique (i.e., index of long-term exposure). In addition, pituitary hormones were determined in serum by fluoroimmunoassay, and thyroid hormones and testosterone in serum were determined with radioimmunoassay. Nine lead workers and 11 referents were challenged with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone and thyrotrophin-releasing hormone, followed by measurements of stimulated pituitary hormone levels in serum. Median levels of lead in plasma were 0.14 microg/dl (range = 0.04-3.7 microg/dl) in active lead workers, 0.08 microg/dl (range = 0.05-0.4 microg/dl) in retired lead workers, and 0.03 microg/dl (range = 0.02-0.04 microg/dl) in referents (1 microg/dl = 48.3 nmol/l). Corresponding blood lead concentrations were 33.2 microg/dl (range = 8.3-93.2 microg/dl), 18.6 microg/dl (range = 10.4-49.7 microg/dl), and 4.1 microg/dl (range 0.8-6.2 microg/dl), respectively. Respective bone lead levels were 21 microg/gm (range = -13 to 99 microg/gm), 55 microg/gm (range = 3-88 microg/gm), and 2 microg/gm (range = -21 to 14 microg/gm). Concentrations of basal serum hormone (i.e., free thyroid hormones, thyrotrophin, sex hormone binding globulin, and testosterone) were similar in the 3 groups. There were no significant associations between the hormones mentioned herein and blood plasma, blood lead, and bone lead levels. In the challenge test, stimulated follicle-stimulating hormone levels were significantly lower in lead workers (p = .014) than in referents, indicating an effect of lead at the pituitary level. Also, there was a tendency toward lower basal stimulated follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations in lead workers (p = .08). This effect, however, was not associated with blood plasma level, blood lead level, or bone lead level. In conclusion, a moderate exposure to lead was associated with only minor changes in the male endocrine function, particularly affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Given that sperm parameters were not studied, the authors could not draw conclusions about fertility consequences.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Altered aromatic amine metabolism in epileptic patients treated with phenobarbital.

The fate of carcinogens differs among individuals who have different activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes that are important in activating and detoxifying carcinogens. A drug that profoundly alters the metabolism of the drugs and carcinogens is the anticonvulsive agent phenobarbital. To investigate why epileptic patients appear to have a low risk of cancer of the urinary bladder, and on the basis of the observation that levels of aromatic amine-hemoglobin adducts are strongly associated with various risk factors for cancer at that site, we determined aromatic amine-hemoglobin adducts in 62 epileptic patients as a surrogate measure of the reaction of carcinogenic metabolites with DNA in target tissue. Although adducts were detected in all subjects, the levels were proportional to daily tobacco consumption. When the subjects were stratified into groups smoking 20 g tobacco/day or more, smoking <20 g/day, and not smoking, an effect of medication was detected. Epileptic patients treated chronically with phenobarbital or primidone, which is effectively metabolized to phenobarbital, were found to have lower levels of 4-aminobiphenyl adducts than patients on the other treatment (P = 0.02; ANOVA). In nonsmokers, no effect of medication could be demonstrated above background variation; however, an increasing effect was seen with tobacco consumption with only one-half the increase in adducts per g of tobacco smoked as epileptic patients on other treatment. The difference in the increases (slopes of regression lines) was highly significant statistically. This reduction in the level of hemoglobin-aromatic amine adducts is probably due to induction of detoxification enzymes in the patients treated with phenobarbital.

Analysis of Variance↗