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N Johansson

Publications and source records attributed to N Johansson.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Expression of collagenase-3 (matrix metalloproteinase-13) in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the head and neck are malignant tumors with high capacity to invade and metastasize. We have examined expression of the new collagenase, collagenase-3 (MMP-13), in SCCs of the head and neck. MMP-13 mRNAs were detected in 22 of 29 SCC cell lines: in 14 of 15 primary SCC cell lines and in 8 of 14 SCC cell lines from recurrent tumors or metastases. MMP-13 mRNAs were expressed by all 6 cell lines from highly invasive primary tumors and in all 4 cell lines from small aggressive tumors. Using in situ hybridization, MMP-13 mRNAs were detected in 15 of 17 SCC tumor samples. In most tumors, MMP-13 was expressed by tumor cells at the invading front of the tumors, but in a subset of SCCs, MMP-13 mRNA was also expressed by stromal fibroblasts. No MMP-13 expression was detected in intact skin or oral mucosa. MMP-13 mRNA levels in SCC cells were enhanced by transforming growth factor-beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-alpha, and keratinocyte growth factor. Specific expression of MMP-13 by SCC cells in vitro and in vivo strongly suggests a role for MMP-13 in the high invasion capacity of SCC cells.

Adult↗

Skin strain patterns provide kinaesthetic information to the human central nervous system.

1. We investigated the contribution of skin strain-related sensory inputs to movement perception and execution in five normal volunteers. The dorsal and palmar skin of the middle phalanx and the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint were manipulated to generate specific strain patterns in the proximal part of the index finger. To mask sensations directly related to this manipulation, skin and deeper tissues were blocked distal to the mid-portion of the proximal phalanx of the index finger by local anaesthesia. 2. Subjects were asked to move their normal right index finger either to mimic any perceived movements of the anaesthetized finger or to touch the tip of the insentient finger. 3. All subjects readily reproduced actual movements induced by the experimenter at the anaesthetized PIP joint. However, all subjects also generated flexion movements when the experimenter did not induce actual movement but produced deformations in the sentient proximal skin that were similar to those observed during actual PIP joint flexion. Likewise, the subjects indicated extension movement at the PIP joint when strain patterns corresponding to extension movements were induced. 4. In contrast, when the skin strain in the proximal part of the index finger was damped by a ring applied just proximal to the PIP joint within the anaesthetized skin area, both tested subjects failed to perceive PIP movements that actually took place.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Long-term effects of hepatitis C virus infection in allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients.

A total of 161 patients transplanted between 1978 and 1991 and who had survived at least 2 years after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were studied. Of 161 surviving patients, 28 (17.4%) were positive for hepatitis C virus (HCV) either by serology or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Twenty-five patients were positive for HCV RNA by PCR, and 26 of the 28 patients had HCV antibodies detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The median follow-up time of HCV-positive patients was 6.1 years (range, 2.8 to 14.0 years). There was no difference in the frequency or degree of liver dysfunction between patients who were PCR-positive or -negative before BMT. Six patients developed severe liver dysfunction after BMT, and five of these patients did so after discontinuation or tapering of immunosuppression. No patient has developed liver failure. Serum transaminases were abnormal at the time of last follow up in 19 of 28 (68%) patients. Fifteen patients have had liver biopsies. No biopsy showed development of cirrhosis. We conclude that HCV is not a major contributing factor to morbidity and mortality during the first 5 to 10 years after allogeneic BMT.

Adolescent↗

Long-term immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

A total of 124 patients who had survived at least 2 years after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were studied. Serum was collected at least once yearly. IgG antibodies were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measles and mumps. Rubella antibodies were analyzed by radial hemolysis. Antibody levels were interpreted as representing immunity, seronegativity, or seropositivity, but with uncertain immunity. The median follow-up of the patients was 6.5 years (range, 2 to 13.5 years). The calculated probabilities of being immune to measles at 3, 5, and 7 years from BMT were 47%, 27%, and 20%, respectively. The corresponding probabilities for mumps were 37%, 12%, and 6%, respectively; and for rubella, 47%, 33%, and 28%, respectively. The probabilities for being seronegative for measles, mumps, and rubella at 5 years after BMT were 60%, 73%, and 52%, respectively. When compared with those patients who had experienced previous natural measles disease (P < .05), the only factor that was important for immunity to measles after BMT was whether the patient had been immunized before BMT. There was no influence of donor seropositivity on the probability of becoming seronegative to mumps during follow-up. We conclude that most allogeneic patients will become seronegative to measles, mumps, and rubella during follow-up. Therefore, long-term B-cell memory function is not maintained, regardless of the immune status of the donor.

Adolescent↗

Effectiveness of a stress management program in reducing anxiety and depression in nursing students.

This study sought to develop a stress management program based on the arousal-attribution stress model and to evaluate the effectiveness of the program in reducing anxiety and depression experienced by nursing students. Forty-two sophomore and 34 senior nursing students in a private, sectarian, liberal arts college were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. All subjects were given pre- and posttests consisting of the State form of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Institute for Personality and Ability Testing Depression Scale. Posttest analysis indicated that the experimental group had significantly lower anxiety and depression than the control group (p less than .05). These results support the use of the arousal-attribution stress model as a theoretical framework for stress management training.

Adult↗