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Biomedical subjects

P Andersson

Publications and source records attributed to P Andersson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Impact of post-synaptic block of neuromuscular transmission, muscle unloading and mechanical ventilation on skeletal muscle protein and mRNA expression.

To analyse mechanisms of muscle wasting in intensive care unit patients, we developed an experimental model where rats were pharmacologically paralysed by post-synaptic block of neuromuscular transmission (NMB) and mechanically ventilated for 9+/-2 days. Specific interest was focused on the effects on protein and mRNA expression of sarcomeric proteins, i.e., myosin heavy chain (MyHC), actin, myosin-binding protein C (MyBP-C) and myosin-binding protein H (MyBP-H) in fast- and slow-twitch limb, respiratory and masticatory muscles. Muscle-specific differences were observed in response to NMB at both the protein and mRNA levels. At the protein level, a decreased MyHC-to-actin ratio was observed in all muscles excluding the diaphragm, whereas at the mRNA level a decreased expression of the dominating MyHC isoform(s) was observed in the hind limb and intercostal muscles, but not in the diaphragm and masseter muscles. MyBP-C mRNA expression was decreased in the limb muscles, but it otherwise remained unaffected. MyBP-H conversely increased in all muscles. Furthermore, we found myofibrillar protein and mRNA expression to be affected differently when comparing NMB animals with peripherally denervated (DEN) ambulatory rats. We report that NMB has both a larger and different impact on muscle, at the protein and mRNA levels, than DEN has.

Animals↗

High-level visual-spatial ability for novices correlates with performance in a visual-spatial complex surgical simulator task.

BACKGROUND: This study addresses how high-level visual-spatial ability of surgical novices is related to performance of two simulator tasks with (KSA) and without (MIST) anatomic graphics and haptic feedback, differing in visual-spatial complexity. METHODS: Visual-spatial test scores assessed by Mental Rotation Test (MRT) and BasIQ and performance scores for Instrument Navigation (IN) in Key Surgical Activities (Procedicus KSA) and Manipulate and Diathermy (MD) in Minimally Invasive Surgical Trainer (Procedicus MIST) were correlated for 54 Swedish surgical novices. RESULTS: Significant Pearson's r correlations were obtained between visual-spatial scores measured by MRT-C and total score from the last trial for IN (r = 0.278, p < 0.05). Visual-spatial scores (measured by BasIQ) also correlated with total score from the first trial (r = 0.443, p < 0.05) and from the last trial (r = 0.489, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: High-level visual-spatial ability is important for surgical novices to possess in the early training phase of a visual-spatial complex task in KSA.

Adult↗

Oral health status in individuals with dementia living in special facilities.

AIM: The aim of this review was to retrieve data describing the oral health status of individuals with dementia living in special facilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search on the MEDLINE database (Entrez PubMed) was performed. The literature search yielded 208 papers, of which seven publications were selected for evaluation. RESULTS: From the available studies poorer oral hygiene, decreased saliva flow rates and a higher caries incidence were reported in individuals with dementia living in special facilities when compared with healthy individuals. Oral health problems were more pronounced in the severe stage of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: There is limited scientific data describing the oral health status of individuals with dementia living in special facilities. However, available data indicate that individuals with dementia living in special facilities have more oral health problems than individuals without dementia.

Aged↗

Factors behind change in knowledge after a mass media campaign targeting periodontitis.

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in knowledge before and after a mass media campaign, in relation to social attributes, care system attributes and oral health aspects. The study was based on a questionnaire in a cohort design, sent out to 900 randomly sampled people aged 50-75 in Sweden. The response rate to the questionnaire before and after the campaign was 70% and 65% respectively. Sixty-four percent answered both questionnaires. Two questions addressed knowledge, while 10 questions aimed to measure social attributes, care system attributes and oral health aspects. Data were analysed for bivariate relations as to change in knowledge and social attributes, care system attributes and oral health aspects. Data were also analysed in multiple regression analysis with knowledge before, knowledge after and knowledge differences as dependent variables. The results showed that there were a number of independent variables with influence on the dependent variables. Of the social attributes, secondary education gave almost 10% (P < 0.001) better knowledge both before and after the campaign. Among care system attributes, high care utilization was related to knowledge both before and after the campaign. The most important factors for knowledge about periodontitis were education, care utilization and perceived importance of oral health. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that mass media might increase knowledge about periodontitis as a health promotion strategy.

Aged↗

Observations of the PCB distribution within and in-between ice, snow, ice-rafted debris, ice-interstitial water, and seawater in the Barents Sea marginal ice zone and the North Pole area.

To evaluate the two hypotheses of locally elevated exposure of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in ice-associated microenvironments and ice as a key carrier for long-range transport of POPs to the Arctic marginal ice zone (MIZ), dissolved and particulate polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were analyzed in ice, snow, ice-interstitial water (IIW), seawater in the melt layer underlying the ice, and in ice-rafted sediment (IRS) from the Barents Sea MIZ to the high Arctic in the summer of 2001. Ultra-clean sampling equipment and protocols were specially developed for this expedition, including construction of a permanent clean room facility and a stainless steel seawater intake system on the I/B ODEN as well as two mobile 370 l ice-melting systems. Similar concentrations were found in several ice-associated compartments. For instance, the concentration of one of the most abundant congeners, PCB 52, was typically on the order of 0.1-0.3 pg l(-1) in the dissolved (melted) phase of the ice, snow, IIW, and underlying seawater while its particulate organic-carbon (POC) normalized concentrations were around 1-3 ng gPOC(-1) in the ice, snow, IIW, and IRS. The solid-water distribution of PCBs in ice was well correlated with and predictable from K(ow) (ice log K(oc)-log K(ow) regressions: p<0.05, r2=0.78-0.98, n=9), indicating near-equilibrium partitioning of PCBs within each local ice system. These results do generally not evidence the existence of physical microenvironments with locally elevated POP exposures. However, there were some indications that the ice-associated system had harbored local environments with higher exposure levels earlier/before the melting/vegetative season, as a few samples had PCB concentrations elevated by factors of 5-10 relative to the typical values, and the elevated levels were predominantly found at the station where melting had putatively progressed the least. The very low PCB concentrations and absence of any significant concentration gradients, both in-between different matrices and over the Eurasian Arctic basin scale, suggest that ice is not an important long-range transport purveyor of POPs to the Arctic MIZ ecosystem.

Journal Article↗

Radiative lifetime of a bound excited state of Te-.

We report on the first experimental study of the lifetime of a bound excited state of a negative ion. A new experimental technique was developed and used to measure the radiative lifetime of the 5p(5) (2)P(1/2) level of Te-. The experiment was performed in a magnetic storage ring, where a laser beam was applied along one of the straight sections. In the experiment the population of the excited J=1/2 level was probed each time the Te- ions passed through the laser field. A decay curve was built up by sampling the population of the excited level of the Te- ions as a function of time after injection into the ring. A multiconfiguration Dirac-Hartree-Fock calculation was performed in conjunction with the experiment. The calculation yielded a radiative lifetime of 0.45 s, in excellent agreement with the measured value of 0.42(5) s.

Journal Article↗

Interactions between lipoxin A4, the stable analogue 16-phenoxy-lipoxin A4 and leukotriene B4 in cytokine generation by human monocytes.

Lipoxins display both stimulatory and inhibitory actions with leucocytes that are cell-type dependent. We tested whether lipoxin A4 (LXA4) and its stable synthetic analogue 16-phenoxy-17-18,19,20-tetranor-lipoxin-A4 (16-phe-LXA4) modulated the ability of human blood monocytes (MO) to express mRNA and proteins for interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6 and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in vitro and compared their actions with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4). 16-phe-LXA4, LPS and LTB4, but not LXA4, induced gene expression of IL-1beta in MO. IL-1beta protein synthesis increased by LPS (1500-fold), LTB4 (280-fold) and 16-phe-LXA4 (30-fold). Although the IL-1Ra gene was constitutively activated, mRNA concentration not affected by any of the stimulants, IL-Ra protein synthesis was increased by LPS (with 74%), 16-phe-LXA4 (35%) and LTB4 (20%), but not by LXA4. Each of these stimuli upregulated the IL-6 gene. Increases of IL-6 protein were 3000-fold for LPS, threefold for 16-phe-LXA4, eightfold for LXA(4 and) twofold for LTB4. Prior exposure of MO to 16-phe-LXA4, but not LXA4, reduced LTB4 induced synthesis of IL-1beta with 66%, IL-6 with 20% and IL-1Ra with 29%. Thus, a stable LXA analogue, that resists rapid inactivation by monocytes, displays novel actions in cytokine generation, intimately involved in the regulation of inflammation.

Cytokines↗

Oral health problems in elderly rehabilitation patients.

A combination of poor oral hygiene and dry mouth may be hazardous to the oral health status. However, systematic assessments in order to detect oral health problems are seldom performed in the nursing care of the elderly. The aims of this study were to investigate the occurrence of oral health problems measured using the Revised Oral Assessment Guide (ROAG) and to analyse associations between oral health problems and age, gender, living conditions, cohabitation, reason for admission, number of drugs, and functional and nutritional status. One registered nurse performed oral health assessments using ROAG in 161 newly admitted elderly patients in rehabilitation care. Oral health problems were found in 71% of the patients. Thirty per cent of these patients had between four and eight problems. Low saliva flow and problems related to lips were the most frequent oral health problems. Problems in oral health status were significantly associated with presence of respiratory diseases (problems with gums, lips, alterations on the tongue and mucous membranes), living in special accommodation (low saliva flow, problems with teeth/dentures and alterations on the tongue), being undernourished (alterations on the tongue and low saliva flow) and being a woman (low saliva flow). The highest Odds ratio (OR) was found in problems with gums in relation with prevalence of respiratory diseases (OR 8.9; confidence interval (CI) 2.8-27.8; P < 0.0005). This study indicates the importance of standardised oral health assessments in order to detect oral health problems which can otherwise be hidden when the patients are admitted to the hospital ward.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Expression of the neutrophil-activating CXC chemokine ENA-78/CXCL5 by human eosinophils.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophils are seen at sites of inflammation in diseases such as helminthic infestation, asthma, ulcerative colitis and some neoplastic diseases. They are also associated with connective tissue remodelling, for example in longstanding asthma. In the present study, we investigated whether eosinophils express the CXC chemokine epithelial cell-derived neutrophil activating peptide (ENA-78/CXCL5), a chemokine that can activate neutrophils and in addition possesses angiogenic properties. Immunocytochemistry detected CXCL5 in eosinophils and the peptide was localized in the specific granules by immunoelectron microscopy. METHODS AND RESULTS: In eosinophil lysates, 12 +/- 2 pg (mean +/- SEM) of CXCL5 was detected per 106 cells by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Weak constitutive expression of CXCL5, as well as the related CXC chemokine IL-8/CXCL8, could be detected in freshly isolated eosinophils by RT-PCR. However, during prolonged incubation of eosinophils, a strong increase in both CXCL5 and IL-8/CXCL8 expression was seen, as detected by RT-PCR, and increasing amounts of CXCL5 peptide with time were detected in the incubation medium by ELISA. Addition of TNF-alpha neutralizing antibodies during prolonged incubation significantly inhibited CXCL5 production, demonstrating involvement of auto- and paracrine effects from TNF-alpha produced by eosinophils themselves. Addition of IFN-gamma showed a strong inhibitory effect on CXCL5 synthesis. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that, through expression of CXCL5, eosinophils can recruit and activate CXC receptor 2 (CXCR2)-bearing cells such as neutrophils at sites of inflammation. Eosinophils may also promote connective tissue remodelling through release of this peptide.

Cells, Cultured↗

Health related quality of life in Crohn's proctocolitis does not differ from a general population when in remission.

OBJECTIVE: All treatment in Crohn's disease, although palliative, aims at restoring full health. The objective of this study was to compare health-related quality of life and psychosocial conditions in patients with Crohn's proctocolitis with a general population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-seven patients with Crohn's proctocolitis (median age 44 years, 44.1% men) were compared with 266 controls (median age 45 years, 50.7% men). A questionnaire consisting of the Short Form-36 (SF-36), the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) evaluating general health as well as questions regarding psychosocial conditions was used. Disease activity was evaluated by Best's modification of the classical Crohn's Disease Activity Index. RESULTS: Patients in remission had a health related quality of life similar to controls according to the SF-36 apart from general health where scores were lower (P < 0.01). Patients with active disease scored lower in all aspects of the SF-36 (P < 0.001 or P < 0.0001) as well as the PGWB (P < 0.0001). In a model for multiple regression including age, gender, concomitant small bowel disease, permanent stoma, previous colonic surgery, disease activity, duration, and aggressiveness, disease activity was the only variable negatively predicting all 8 domains of the SF-36 in the patient group (P < 0.001). The mean annual sick-leave for patients and controls were 33.9 and 9.5 days (P < 0.0001), respectively. Sixty-eight percent of the patients and 78.4% of the controls (P = 0.04) were married or cohabited, 67.7% and 78.0% (P = 0.04), respectively, had children. CONCLUSION: The health related quality of life for patients with Crohn's proctocolitis in remission does not differ from the general population. The disease has, however, a negative impact on parenthood, family life and professional performance.

Adolescent↗

Parental rearing and individual vulnerability to drug addiction: a controlled study in a Swedish sample.

In a convenience sample of 81 healthy subjects vs. a group of 81 heroin addicts from the Methadone program in Stockholm, Sweden, the hypothesis of a possible link between experiences of dysfunctional parental rearing and the subsequent development of dysfunctional assumptions concerning self and others was tested. The subjects (n=162) completed the EMBU to report perceptions of parental rearing behaviour, two measures of dysfunctional assumptions and dysfunctional working models, the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS) and the DWM-S, and the Screening Drug Career Questionnaire (SDCQ) for assessing different aspects of the drug career in the sample of addicts. Four predictions were made: 1) parental emotional warmth should be negatively correlated with DAS and DWM-S scores; 2) experiences of dysfunctional parental rearing activities should be correlated with high scores on the DAS and the DWM-S; 3) there should be significant differences between the group of addicts and the control group on the EMBU first-order factors Rejection, Emotional warmth, Overprotection, and on the EMBU midparent subscale and finally 4) the results should support the hypothesis of an overprotecting mother and a rejecting father. The four predictions were supported by the results. The inter-group differences in quality of rearing shown in this study support the assumption of the impact of parental rearing on the development of dysfunctional working models of self and others. Accordingly, the presented data confirm that a parental rearing behaviour perceived both as Rejecting and Overprotective represents a link between dysfunctional parenting and the development of maladaptive psychosocial behaviour like drug addiction.

Adult↗

Genetic markers for the efficacy of tumour necrosis factor blocking therapy in rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a genetically complex disease where the response to different treatments varies greatly between different patients. This is the case with the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) blocking agents, where 20-40% of patients have been described as non-responders. No predictive markers exist as yet for the prognosis of response. OBJECTIVE: To analyse whether polymorphisms of several cytokine genes are associated with the responsiveness to TNF blockade with etanercept. METHODS: 123 patients with active RA were treated with etanercept and response rates were determined after three months using American College of Rheumatology (ACR)20 and disease activity score (DAS)28 response criteria. Genotyping was done for TNF (-308 TNFA), interleukin (IL)10 (-1087 IL10), transforming growth factor (TGF)beta1 (codon 25 TGFB1), and IL1 receptor antagonist (intron 2 IL1RN). RESULTS: 24 patients (20%) were defined as non-responders owing to their failure to fulfil any of the ACR20 or DAS28 response criteria. None of the recorded alleles was alone significantly associated with responsiveness to treatment. However, a certain combination of alleles (-308 TNF1/TNF1 and -1087 G/G) was associated with good responsiveness to etanercept (p<0.05). In addition, a combination of alleles influencing interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL1Ra) and TGFbeta1 production (A2 allele for IL1RN and rare C allele in codon 25 of TGFB1 gene) was associated with non-responsiveness (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Genetic polymorphisms, which may influence the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines of relevance for the course of RA, are associated with clinical responsiveness to etanercept treatment.

Adult↗

Color vision with rapid-onset acceleration.

INTRODUCTION: Only sporadic information exists concerning perceived color shifts at increased G-loads. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not color vision is affected by rapid onset high G7-loads up to +9 Gz, and specifically whether perception of hue changes. METHODS: There were 10 male subjects, 9 with normal color vision and 1 with red-green protanomaly, all accustomed to Gz-loads in a human centrifuge. Each subject was tested on a total of 60 Gz-exposures with 10 s periods at +3, +5, +7, and +9 Gz in the centrifuge on three different days. G-onset rate was 6 G x s(-1). The subjects wore an anti-G suit and performed straining maneuvers if necessary to maintain vision. Five square color stimuli of medium saturation (yellow, red, blue, green, and gray) were projected one at a time on a screen in front of the subject, who gave his hue response orally. RESULTS: In 96.6% of exposures to various Gz-loads, the subjects responded by correctly naming colors. (The statistical analyses of the results were done for the subjects with normal color vision, with the protanomalous subject excluded.) Hue shifts occurred at the higher +Gz-levels, including 7.7% of the +9 Gz exposures. Yellow was the hue most frequently perceived as changed. Hue shifts were reported for yellow in 11% and 16% of the +7 and +9 Gz exposures, respectively. Hue shifts at +9 Gz occurred as frequently as blackout and G-LOC together. However, statistical analyses showed no significant effects for +Gz-load. CONCLUSIONS: Absolute identification of the color stimuli of medium saturation was stable and was not significantly affected by the rapid onset +Gz-loads up to and including +9 Gz.

Acceleration↗

Segmental resection or subtotal colectomy in Crohn's colitis?

PURPOSE: Segmental resection for Crohn's colitis is controversial. Compared with subtotal colectomy, segmental resection is reported to be associated with a higher rate of re-resection. Few studies address this issue, and postoperative functional outcome has not been reported previously. This study compared segmental resection to subtotal colectomy with anastomosis with regard to re-resection, postoperative symptoms, and anorectal function. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients operated on between 1970 and 1997 with segmental resection (n = 31) or subtotal colectomy (n = 26) were included. Reoperative procedures were analyzed by a life-table technique. Segmentally resected patients were also compared separately with a subgroup of subtotally colectomized patients (n = 12) with similarly limited colonic involvement. Symptoms were assessed according to Best's modified Crohn's Disease Activity Index and an anorectal function score. RESULTS: The re-resection rate did not differ between groups in either the entire study population (P = 0.46) or the subgroup of patients with comparable colonic involvement (P = 0.78). Segmentally resected patients had fewer symptoms (P = 0.039), fewer loose stools (P = 0.002), and better anorectal function (P = 0.027). Multivariate analysis revealed the number of colonic segments removed to be the strongest predictive factor for postoperative symptoms and anorectal function (P = 0.026 and P = 0.013, respectively). CONCLUSION: Segmental resection should be considered in limited Crohn's colitis.

Adolescent↗

Surgery for Crohn colitis over a twenty-eight-year period: fewer stomas and the replacement of total colectomy by segmental resection.

BACKGROUND: This study describes how surgery for Crohn colitis developed between 1970 and 1997, towards the end of which period limited resection and medical maintenance treatment was introduced. METHODS: A cohort of 211 patients with Crohn colitis (115 population-based), of which 84 had a primary colonic resection (42 population-based), was investigated regarding indication for surgery, the time from diagnosis to operation, type of primary colonic resection, risk for permanent stoma and medication over four 7-year periods. RESULTS: Comparison of the periods 1970-90 and 1991-97 revealed that active disease as an indication for surgery decreased from 64% to 25% (P<0.01) while stricture as an indication increased from 9% to 50% (P < 0.001). Median time from diagnosis to operation increased from 3.5 to 11.5 years (P < 0.01). Proctocolectomy or colectomy fell from 68.8% to 10% of the primary resections, whereas segmental resection increased from 31.2% to 90%. At the end of the first 7-year period, 26% had medical maintenance treatment, steroids or azathioprine taken by 7%. Corresponding figures for the last period were 70% and 49%. Patients diagnosed during the last two time-periods had less risk for surgery (P = 0.017), permanent stoma (P < 0.01) and total colectomy (P < 0.01). Findings were similar in the population-based cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Current management of Crohn colitis implies a longer period between diagnosis and surgery, a reduced risk for surgery and permanent stoma, and the replacement of total colectomy by segmental resection.

Adolescent↗

PLS modeling of chimeric MS04/MSH-peptide and MC1/MC3-receptor interactions reveals a novel method for the analysis of ligand-receptor interactions.

A novel method has been developed for the analysis of ligand-receptor interactions. The method utilizes binding data generated from the analysis of chimeric proteins with chimeric peptides. To each chimeric part of the peptide and receptor are assigned descriptors, thus creating a matrix of X descriptors. These descriptors are then correlated with the experimentally determined interaction binding affinities for each chimeric receptor/peptide pair by use of partial least-squares projection to latent structures (PLS). The method was applied to analyze the interactions of chimeric MSH-peptides with wild-type MC1 and MC3 receptors, and MC1/MC3 receptor chimeras (in total 40 peptide-receptor combinations). Two types of PLS models could be created, one that revealed the relationships between receptor and peptide structure and peptide binding pK(i) values (i.e., affinity) (R2 and Q2 being 0.71 and 0.62, respectively), and another that revealed the relationships between peptide and receptor structure and peptide-receptor selectivity (R2 and Q2 being 0.64 and 0.57, respectively). After addition of cross-terms these models improved significantly; the R2 and Q2 being 0.93 and 0.75 for affinity, and 0.92 and 0.72 for selectivity, respectively. The analysis shows that the high affinity of the MSH-peptides is primarily achieved by interactions of the peptides' C-terminal amino acids with TM2 and TM3 of the receptor, and, to a lesser extent, by the interaction of the N-terminus with TM1, TM2 and TM3 of the receptor. However, in contrast, the MC1 receptor selectivity is primarily determined by an interaction of the peptides' N-termini with TM2/3 of the receptor. Moreover, the cross-terms of the PLS model revealed the existence of a strong interaction between TM6/7 and TM2/3 of the receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Differential expression of vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT) 1 and 2 in gastrointestinal endocrine tumours.

Neuroendocrine tumours are characterized by their capacity to produce hormones, which are stored in vesicles and secretory granules. Demonstration of granule/vesicle proteins in tumours is taken as evidence of neuroendocrine differentiation. Vesicular monoamine transporters (VMAT1 and VMAT2) mediate the transport of amines into vesicles of neurons and endocrine cells. The expression of VMAT1 and VMAT2 and the usefulness of VMAT1 and VMAT2 in the histopathological diagnosis of gastrointestinal endocrine tumours have not been fully explored. This study therefore investigated the expression of VMAT1 and VMAT2 in 211 human gastrointestinal tumours by immunocytochemistry and western blotting. VMAT1 and/or VMAT2 were demonstrated in the majority of amine-producing endocrine tumours of gastric, ileal, and appendiceal origin. Serotonin-producing endocrine tumours (ileal and appendiceal carcinoids) expressed predominantly VMAT1, while histamine-producing endocrine tumours (gastric carcinoids) expressed VMAT2 almost exclusively. In peptide-producing endocrine tumours such as rectal carcinoids and endocrine pancreatic tumours, only a small number of immunopositive tumour cells were observed. No labelling was found in non-endocrine tumours, including gastric, colorectal and pancreatic adenocarcinomas and gastrointestinal stromal tumours. In conclusion, VMAT1 and VMAT2 are differentially expressed by gastrointestinal endocrine tumours, with a pattern specific for each tumour type, reflecting their neuroendocrine differentiation and origin. VMAT1 and VMAT2 may therefore become valuable markers in the classification of neuroendocrine tumours and may also indicate patients suitable for radioisotope treatment operating via these transporter systems.

Blotting, Western↗