Biomedical subjects

P Wollmer

Publications and source records attributed to P Wollmer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

A pharmacoscintigraphic evaluation of oral budesonide given as controlled-release (Entocort) capsules.

AIMS: To investigate the gastrointestinal pharmacokinetics of controlled-release (Entocort) and standard budesonide capsules. METHODS: Six Crohn's disease patients and eight healthy controls were given controlled-release capsules containing budesonide and an inert 111In label, following breakfast. In the patients, a standard capsule containing deuterium-labelled budesonide was given simultaneously. In the controls, on a separate occasion, the controlled-release capsules were given in the fasting state. Gastrointestinal transit was recorded by a gamma camera. Plasma budesonide and deuterium-labelled budesonide were used to estimate drug release, and urine cortisol was used to assess systemic effects. RESULTS: Budesonide delivery to the ileo-colonic region was significantly greater after the intake of the controlled-release capsules [69%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 54-84] than after the standard capsules (30%; 95% CI, 15-45) (P = 0.005). Fasting had little impact on uptake. The transit and pharmacokinetics of budesonide were similar in both subject groups, although systemic availability was higher in patients (21%; 95% CI, 13-33) than in controls (12%; 95% CI, 10-14) (P = 0.009). Urinary cortisol was, however, similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: A major fraction of budesonide is released in the ileum and throughout the colon, the intended target for the controlled-release formulation. The prandial state has little effect on budesonide uptake.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2003

Lung function, insulin resistance and incidence of cardiovascular disease: a longitudinal cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore whether a reduced lung function is a risk factor for developing diabetes and insulin resistance (IR), and whether such relationship contributes to the largely unexplained association between lung function and incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). DESIGN: Forced vital capacity (FVC) was assessed at baseline. Incidence of diabetes and IR [according to the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) model] was assessed in a follow-up examination after 13.9 +/- 2.6 and 9.4 +/- 3.6 years for men and women, respectively. After the follow-up examination, incidence of CVD (stroke, myocardial infarction or cardiovascular death) was monitored over 7 years. SETTING: Populations-based cohort study. SUBJECTS: Initially nondiabetic men (n = 1436, mean age 44.6 years) and women (n = 896, mean age 49.8 years). RESULTS: Prevalence of IR at the follow-up examination was 34, 26, 21 and 21%, respectively, for men in the first (lowest), second, third and fourth quartile of baseline FVC (P for trend <0.0001). The corresponding values for women were 30, 29, 25 and 17%, respectively (P for trend <0.001). Adjusted for potential confounders, the odds ratio (OR) for IR (per 10% increase in FVC) was 0.91 (CI: 0.84-0.99) for men and 0.89 (CI: 0.80-0.98) for women. FVC was similarly significantly associated with the incidence of diabetes (OR = 0.90, CI: 0.81-1.00), adjusted for sex and other confounders. The incidence of CVD after the follow-up examination was significantly increased only amongst subjects with low FVC who had developed IR (RR = 1.7, CI: 1.02-2.7). CONCLUSION: Subjects with a moderately reduced FVC have an increased risk of developing IR and diabetes. This relationship seems to contribute to the largely unexplained association between reduced lung function and incidence of CVD.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Hypertonic saline increases secretory and exudative responsiveness of human nasal airway in vivo.

Hypertonic saline (HS) is used in sputum induction studies. However, little is known about the physiological effects of HS on human airways in vivo. The present study takes advantage of the fact that the airway effects of topical challenges may be accurately examined in the readily accessible nasal airway. The present study specifically examines whether exposure to HS affects histamine challenge-induced exudation of plasma (alpha2-macroglobulin) and methacholine-induced secretion of mucin (fucose). Isotonic saline and HS (27 and 45 g x L(-1)), with and without concomitant histamine challenges, and with and without preceding methacholine challenges, were administered onto the nasal mucosa in 16 healthy subjects. Lavage fluid levels of alpha2-macroglobulin and fucose were analysed. Histamine produced a significant mucosal output of plasma (alpha2-macroglobulin). HS itself did not evoke exudation of alpha2-macroglobulin, but it significantly increased the plasma exudation effect of histamine. Methacholine produced a significant nasal mucosal output of fucose. HS also increased the mucin secretion (fucose), and it enhanced the secretory effect of methacholine. The authors concluded that hypertonic saline alone evokes mucinous secretion in human nasal airways in vivo and that it also enhances the exudative and secretory effects of histamine and methacholine, respectively. Through different mechanisms the HS exposure may also improve the recovery of soluble indices in human nasal airways. Whether or not the present findings are translatable to human bronchial airways remains to be examined.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed2002

Lung function and cardiovascular risk: relationship with inflammation-sensitive plasma proteins.

BACKGROUND: The inverse relationship between pulmonary function and incidence of cardiovascular disease remains largely unexplained. This prospective study explored the hypothesis of a relationship with inflammation-sensitive plasma proteins. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forced vital capacity (FVC) and plasma levels of fibrinogen, alpha(1)-antitrypsin, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, and orosomucoid were determined in 5064 healthy men aged 28 to 61 years. All-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and incidence of myocardial infarction were monitored over a mean follow-up period of 18.4 years. Low FVC (fourth quartile) was associated with higher protein levels and with increased incidences of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death. Adjustments for protein levels reduced the age-adjusted relative risks (RRs) for myocardial infarction (from 1.99, 95% CI 1.5 to 2.6, to 1.70, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.2) and cardiovascular death (from 2.71, 95% CI 1.9 to 3.9, to 2.28, 95% CI 1.6 to 3.3) among men with low FVC, corresponding to approximately 25% of the excess risk. The risk factor-adjusted RRs were reduced from 1.45 (95% CI 1.1 to 1.9) to 1.38 (95% CI 1.1 to 1.8) and from 1.96 (95% CI 1.4 to 2.8) to 1.85 (95% CI 1.3 to 2.7) for myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death, respectively, corresponding to approximately 10% to 15% of the excess risk. Among men with low FVC, the risk factor-adjusted RR for myocardial infarction was 2.5 (95% CI 1.7 to 3.6) for those with high protein levels (> or =2 proteins in top quartile) and 1.7 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.4) for those with low protein levels (< or =1 protein in top quartile; reference, top quartile of FVC and low protein levels). CONCLUSIONS: FVC is significantly and inversely associated with plasma levels of inflammation-sensitive plasma proteins. This relationship contributes to but cannot fully explain the increased cardiovascular risk among men with low FVC.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Kinetics of lung clearance of 99mTc-DTPA in smoking patients with sarcoidosis compared to healthy smokers.

Investigation of lung clearance of 99mTc-labelled diethylene triamine penta-acetic acid (DTPA) in smoking sarcoid patients has been impeded by difficulties to differ between pathology of clearance kinetics caused by sarcoidosis and by smoking. This study explores the kinetics of lung clearance of 99mTc-DTPA in 15 current smokers with intrathoracic sarcoidosis. The results are compared with findings from 16 healthy smokers. Measurements of lung clearance over 180 min, i.e. longer than usual, revealed in II of the sarcoid patients a bi-exponential lung clearance course, which is pathologic. All healthy smokers also showed a bi-exponential lung clearance. In the analysis of the bi-exponential curve an initial fast, and a slow clearance component could be separated. The smokers with sarcoidosis had a significantly higher elimination rate of the slow component than the healthy smokers. Thus, analysis of the late part of the lung clearance curve may be rewarding in smoking sarcoid patients. The study shows that lung clearance of 99mTc-DTPA may be a method useful also in smoking patients with sarcoidosis.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Occurrence and prognostic significance of ventricular arrhythmia is related to pulmonary function: a study from "men born in 1914," Malmö, Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Reduced lung function has been associated with increased rates of myocardial infarction. Whether the occurrence and prognostic significance of ventricular arrhythmia is related to lung function is largely unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a population-based study of 68-year-old men without a history of stroke or myocardial infarction; 402 men participated. Mortality and coronary events (fatal or nonfatal) were studied in relation to ventricular arrhythmia during 24 hours, percentage of the predicted forced expiratory volume (FEV1(%pred)), vital capacity (VC(%pred)), and the FEV/VC ratio. During 14 years of follow-up, 181 men died and 87 experienced a coronary event. Occurrence of frequent or complex ventricular arrhythmia (Lown class 2 to 5) was significantly and inversely associated with FEV1(%pred). Men with Lown class 2 to 5 and a low FEV1(%pred) (below median) had significantly higher mortality (71.5 versus 26.8 per 1000 person-years; P<0.0001) and coronary event rates (37.7 versus 18.0; P=0.02) than men with Lown class 2 to 5 and a high FEV1(%pred). These associations remained significant after adjustments for potential confounders (mortality: relative risk [RR], 2.91; 95% CI,1.68 to 5.04; coronary events: RR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.07 to 4.37). In men without frequent or complex arrhythmia (Lown 0 to 1), a low FEV1(%pred) was not significantly associated with mortality (RR, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.92 to 2.05) or coronary events (RR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.67 to 2.27) after adjustments for confounders. The FEV/VC ratio showed similar associations with arrhythmia, mortality, and coronary events. CONCLUSIONS: Lung function is inversely associated with the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia. The increased incidence of myocardial infarction and death associated with arrhythmia was mainly limited to men with a low FEV1(%pred) or FEV/VC. We suggest that lung function should be considered when assessing the prognostic significance of ventricular arrhythmia.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Timolol increased retrobulbar flow velocities in untreated glaucoma eyes but not in ocular hypertension.

PURPOSE: To investigate retrobulbar blood flow velocities and the effects of topical timolol treatment in eyes with newly detected, previously untreated open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. METHODS: Fifteen eyes with open angle glaucoma (OAG) and 12 eyes with ocular hypertension (OH), in the same number of patients, all untreated and newly detected, were examined with colour Doppler imaging of retrobulbar vessels before and after 1 month of topical timolol treatment (0.5% Timoptic BID). RESULTS: Baseline central retinal artery end diastolic velocity was lower (48%, p=0.0002) and resistive index higher (7.6%, p=0.018) in the OAG group than in the OH group. In the glaucoma group mean end diastolic velocity increased by 41%, (p=0.006) while resistive index decreased by 5.8%, (p=0.02) on treatment, while no significant changes were seen in the OH group. Blood flow velocities in the ophthalmic artery did not change with treatment. Baseline IOP and IOP reduction did not differ between OAG and OH group. CONCLUSION: Peripheral resistance to blood flow was found to be increased in untreated glaucoma eyes as compared to a similar group of eyes with ocular hypertension. Timolol treatment diminished resistance significantly in the glaucoma group, but not in the ocular hypertension group. Thus the two groups responded differently to timolol treatment. The reaction to IOP lowering treatment could indicate defective autoregulation in the glaucoma group.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed2001

Air pollutants and tear film stability--a method for experimental evaluation.

Instability of the pre-ocular tear film causes symptoms of dry eyes. Tear film instability may be caused by exposure to air pollutants, but identification of causative agents is often difficult. We describe an in vitro technique for assessment of putative agents on the surface activity of Meibomian lipids. The lipids were obtained from bovine eyelids and dissolved in chloroform. Surface activity of the solution was assessed on a Wilhelmy balance. After addition of benzalkonium chloride, minimum surface tension of the lipids increased and maximum surface tension fell. After addition of quartz particles, both maximum and minimum surface tension increased. The method can be used to screen substances suspected to cause dry eyes, providing a basis for selection of substances for in vivo studies.

Air Pollution↗

PubMed2001

Sympathetic skin vasoconstriction--further evaluation using laser Doppler techniques.

The aim of this study was to quantify the reflex sympathetic vasoconstriction in skin at different depths. Twenty healthy subjects were studied. Finger skin blood flow was measured using laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI) and laser Doppler perfusion monitoring (LDPM). In LDPM, a probe with fibres separated 0.25 mm (deep) and 0.14 mm (superficial) from the illuminating fibre was used. Local heating (40 degrees C) was achieved with a Peltier element, and reflex vasoconstriction induced by immersion of the contra-lateral hand and forearm for 3 min in water at 15 degrees C. The change in skin blood flow was measured and a vasoconstriction index (VAC: cooling/before cooling) calculated. VAC indices of LDPI, LDPM-0.25 and LDPM-0.14 were 0.60, 0.59 and 0.60, respectively. The two components of the LDPM perfusion value, blood cell velocity and concentration, were studied separately. Their contributions in LDPM-0.25 were roughly the same, whereas the velocity component dominated in LDPM-0.14, although their relative responses in the two channels were similar. We conclude that sympathetic skin vasoconstriction does not significantly differ in two compartments, as probed with fibres separated by 0.25 and 0.14 mm. Blood cell velocity is influenced in a proportional way, as is concentration.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Alveolar albumin leakage during large tidal volume ventilation and surfactant dysfunction.

Detergent given as an aerosol and large tidal volume ventilation (LTVV) have been observed, by us, to promote lung injury by an additive effect on alveolocapillary barrier function. The surfactant system may be further damaged if protein leakage occurs into the alveoli. The aim was to study the effect of detergent and LTVV on the alveolar leakage of albumin and also the effect of detergent on surface activity of lung washings and lung tissue extracts. Technetium-99m-labelled human serum albumin was given intravenously. The alveolar leakage of albumin was measured after perturbing the surfactant system with the detergent dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate either singly or in combination with LTVV. Four groups of rabbits were studied after 3 h of experimental ventilation. Surface tension measurements of tissue extracts, lung mechanics and gas exchange did not show any differences between groups. Wet lung weight and albumin leakage were significantly increased in the two groups subjected to LTVV compared with groups given normal tidal volume ventilation. Low doses of detergent did not affect surface activity of lung tissue extracts or alveolar leakage of albumin. LTVV increased alveolar leakage of albumin and produced oedema. No additive effect was seen when detergent and LTVV were combined.

Albumins↗

PubMed2001

Effect of local cold provocation on systolic blood pressure and skin blood flow in the finger.

Demonstration of increased vascular cold reactivity in patients with Raynaud's syndrome is difficult. For medico-legal reasons, it is important to get objective measures of vasospasm in these patients. Evaluation of the degree of vasospasm also provides prognostic information which is useful for patient management. In this study, we compare two methods of arterial circulation measurement. The laser Doppler scanning is a new method, which uses the recently developed laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI) instrument. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect on finger skin blood flow measured with LDPI with changes in finger systolic blood pressure during local cold provocation. The effect of such provocation, skin blood flow and systolic blood pressure, were studied in 15 healthy controls. Six patients with known traumatic vasospastic disease (TVD) were also tested with both methods. Finger skin blood flow was measured with LDPI on the distal phalanx of the index finger of the left hand, every minutes during 6 min of local heating at 40 degrees C followed by local cooling for 3 min at 15 degrees C and then for 3 min at 10 degrees C. Finger systolic blood pressure was measured with strain-gauge method before and after local cooling to 10 degrees C with a cuff perfused with water of desired temperature. The test was performed in the same finger within a week of the laser Doppler scanning. Local finger cooling to 15 degrees C and 10 degrees C caused a significant decrease in blood flow, most marked at 10 degrees C. There was, however, no correlation between the decrease in blood flow and blood pressure. In the TVD-patients decreases in skin blood flow were similar compared with the healthy controls. In contrast, the changes in systolic blood pressure, were outside normal range (systolic quotient <0.65) in five of the six patients (83%), and also in 11 of the 15 healthy controls (73%). In conclusion, there is no correlation between the decrease in finger skin blood flow and systolic blood pressure during local cold provocation. For diagnosis of traumatic vasospastic disease (TVD), local cold-induced changes in finger systolic blood pressure seems superior to changes in skin blood flow, but the ideal clinical method for demonstrating increased cold-induced vasospasm is, however, still lacking.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy and computed tomography (CT) in clinical practice. Primary and secondary evaluation for localization of phaeochromocytomas.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic value of metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy compared with computed tomography (CT) for the localization of phaeochromocytomas in clinical practice. DESIGN: Retrospective comparison between MIBG scintigrams and CT for localization of phaeochromocytomas in all patients successively examined with MIBG scintigraphy in Malmö from 1984 until January 1997. SETTING: Malmö University Hospital, Sweden. SUBJECTS: Sixty-four patients with clinically suspected phaeochromocytomas. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: MIBG scintigrams and CTs classified as positive or negative based on original interpretations (primary evaluation) and in a secondary evaluation by one blinded examiner are assessed through histological confirmation or clinical rule out of phaeochromocytomas. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients had surgically removed phaeochromocytomas. The remaining 39 patients had no proof of phaeochromocytomas. In the secondary evaluation, sensitivity for MIBG scintigraphy was 88% (22/25) and for CT was 100% (25/25). The specificity for MIBG scintigraphy was 89% (35/39) but only 50% for CT (18/36). Two out of a total of six extra-adrenal tumours were amongst the false-negative MIBG scintigrams. CONCLUSIONS: MIBG scintigraphy for the localization of phaeochromocytomas is superior to CT as far as specificity, whereas CT has a higher sensitivity. After biochemical diagnosis, CT will detect most phaeochromocytomas. MIBG scintigraphy can be of value in patients who show inconclusive results with biochemical testing and CT.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗

PubMed2001

Asymptomatic leg atherosclerosis is reduced by regular physical activity. Longitudinal results from the cohort "men born in 1914".

OBJECTIVE: To study whether physical activity is associated with reduced occurrence of asymptomatic leg atherosclerosis. DESIGN: Longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses of the population-based cohort "men born in 1914". METHODS: Comparison of the systolic ankle/arm pressure index (AAI) at age 68 in groups who were sedentary, performed some activity, and performed regular physical training at 55 and 68 years of age. RESULTS: At 55 years of age, 100 (27%) were sedentary, 209 (58%) reported some physical activity and 54 (15%) reported regular physical training. At 68 years, 194 men (53%) reported the same degree of physical activity, 127 (35%) reported a higher physical activity, and 42 (12%) reported lower physical activity. Physical activity at 55 years (p =0.03) and increased physical activity between 55 and 68 years (p =0.03) were both associated with higher AAI at 68 after adjusting for potential confounders. At 68 years, AAI was 0.89+/-0.21, 1.01+/-0.13 and 1.05+/-0.11, respectively, in men who were sedentary, reported some physical activity, and regular physical training (p =0.0002). This association remained significant after adjustments for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: regular physical activity is associated with reduced occurrence of asymptomatic leg atherosclerosis, even in men taking up exercise after age of 55.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Breathing patterns and aerosol delivery: impact of regular human patterns, and sine and square waveforms on rate of delivery.

In vitro tests are commonly employed to assess nebulizer performance. Whether the square or sine waveforms employed during in vitro tests could alter the nebulizer performance compared to that observed when a patient breathes through the nebulizer is debatable. Accordingly, the aim of this in vitro study was to compare the rates of delivery from nebulizers with simulated human breathing patterns to those obtained with matching sine and square waveforms. Regular human breathing patterns with tidal volumes (VT) of approximately 40, approximately 200, approximately 500, and approximately 800 mL were selected. Sine and square waveforms that matched the VT, peak inspiratory flow rate (PIF), breathing frequency (f), and inspiratory duty cycle (t(i)/t(tot)) of the human breathing patterns were created with a breathing simulator. The rate of delivery of nebulized technetium-99m-labeled diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (99mTC-DTPA) from two different jet nebulizer brands was determined. The rate of delivery was defined as the amount of the 99mTC-DTPA deposited during 30 sec of nebulization on a filter placed between the nebulizer and the breathing simulator. The rate of delivery of 99mTC-DTPA with the human breathing pattern was similar to that measured with the matching sine or square waveforms for either nebulizer. The configuration of the breath (PIF, VT, f, t(i)/t(tot)) did, however, influence the rate of delivery. In conclusion, the shape of the waveform, in other words, one resulting from a human breathing pattern, or a matching sine or square waveform, did not influence the rate of 99mTC-DTPA delivery from a nebulizer in vitro.

Aerosols↗

PubMed2001

Blood pressure increase between 55 and 68 years of age is inversely related to lung function: longitudinal results from the cohort study 'Men born in 1914'.

BACKGROUND: Although age is associated with increasing blood pressure, there is a substantial heterogeneity within a certain birth cohort. Whether increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure is related to pulmonary function is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: To study blood pressure elevation between 55 and 68 years of age in relation to vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV1.0) at 55. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 375 men without antihypertensive medication at baseline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) over 13 years. RESULTS: Blood pressure increase between 55 and 68 years was highest among men who at 55 years had low vital capacity. Average increase in systolic blood pressure for men with vital capacity in the first, second, third and fourth quartile was 20.4, 18.7, 16.5 and 11.1 mmHg, respectively (P for trend = 0.005). Average increase in diastolic blood pressure was 10.6, 9.9, 9.0 and 6.3 mmHg, respectively (P= 0.02). The trends remained statistically significant after adjustments for baseline blood pressure, tobacco consumption, smoking cessation between 55 and 68, weight change between 55 and 68, physical activity and diabetes. Further analysis showed that the relationships could be found among men with blood pressures < or = 140/ 90 mmHg at baseline, whereas no significant association was found for men whose baseline SBP or DBP exceeded 140/90 mmHg. FEV1.0 showed similar associations with change in blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Lung function is inversely associated with future blood pressure increase. It is suggested that this association could contribute to the relationships between lung function and incidence of cardiovascular disease.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Performance of simultaneous emission-transmission systems for attenuation-corrected SPEct: a method for validation applied to two camera systems.

Several commercially available systems for attenuation correction in single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) based on a transmission scan have been introduced that vary in performance. A test procedure for attenuation correction in SPECT is described and applied to two principally different gamma camera systems (the Siemens Multispect 3 triple-headed system [3HS] and the ADAC Genesys Vertex double-headed system [2HS]). The test procedure was based on geometrically well-defined phantoms. A torso phantom was used to illustrate the attenuation correction methods. The test procedure can be used without detailed knowledge of or access to the algorithms used for attenuation correction. The influence on the transmission measurement of radioactivity in a phantom was higher for the 2HS than for the 3HS. The 3HS produced satisfactory attenuation maps and corrected emission count rates to a constant value independent of phantom density and size. With the 2HS, there was a progressive decrease in the correction of emission count rates with increasing phantom density, and about 30% lower corrected count rates in the large compared with the small phantom. A decrease in measured attenuation coefficients in the vicinity of an emission source was demonstrated in large but not small phantoms. A likely explanation is erroneous correction of downscatter into the transmission energy window. This study demonstrates the need for independent evaluation of systems for attenuation correction in SPECT.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2001

Sympathetic dysfunction in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate autonomic nervous system function in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and relate the findings to clinical variables. METHODS: Autonomic nervous system function was determined in 30 patients with primary SS using the finger skin blood flow test [vasoconstrictory (VAC) index], deep-breathing test [expiration/inspiration (E/I) ratio], and the tilt table (orthostatic) test [acceleration index (AI), brake index (BI), and orthostatic blood pressure]. The results were compared with age matched control materials (finger skin blood flow test, n = 80, and deep-breathing and tilt table tests, n = 56). RESULTS: The VAC index was found to be significantly increased and the E/I ratio significantly decreased in patients compared to controls, indicating both a sympathetic and a parasympathetic dysfunction. Further, the patients, especially the anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibody seropositives, were found to have an abnormal blood pressure reaction to tilt compared to controls. No correlations were found between autonomic nerve function variables measured and the clinical ophthalmologic or the oral tests, performed at the time of diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Patients with primary SS show signs of both sympathetic and parasympathetic dysfunction. Further, immunological mechanisms seem to influence blood pressure in patients with primary SS.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

[Rapid increase of the use of PET in cancer investigation--but Sweden lags behind].

Glucose consumption in tissue can be measured using positron emission tomography (PET) and 18F-deoxyglucose (18FDG). Malignant tumors rely largely on anaerobic glycolysis and show very rapid glucose consumption, and can therefore be imaged using PET and 18FDG. PET has been shown to be useful in the evaluation of patients with e.g. lung cancer, colo-rectal cancer, malignant melanoma and malignant lymphoma, in terms of both diagnostic accuracy and cost-effectiveness. The clinical use of PET for workup of cancer patients is increasing rapidly in North America as well as in the European Union, but Sweden is lagging behind.

Fluorine Radioisotopes↗