Biomedical subjects

S Samuelsson

Publications and source records attributed to S Samuelsson.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Left ventricular filling as assessed by pulsed Doppler echocardiography after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Diastolic filling of the left ventricle, as assessed by transesophageal pulsed Doppler echocardiography during and in the early phase following coronary artery bypass grafting, was investigated in nine patients without valvular disease or left ventricular hypertrophy. The ratio between the maximal heights of the early diastolic flow-velocity peak and the late (atrial) diastolic flow-velocity peak, the E:A ratio, and also the deceleration time of the early peak were calculated as indices of left ventricular filling. The E:A ratio decreased from 1.01 +/- 0.06 after induction of anesthesia to 0.46 +/- 0.06 on arrival in the intensive care unit (ICU). The E:A ratio then increased and reached 0.87 +/- 0.08 after 6 hours in the ICU. This increase in E:A ratio in the ICU was due to an increasing peak velocity of the E wave. The deceleration time decreased after surgery and increased from 111 +/- 25 to 145 +/- 12 milliseconds in the ICU. Pulsed Doppler indices of diastolic filling are known to be altered by changes in hemodynamic parameters, to be load-dependent, and to vary with heart rate. In the ICU, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure remained unchanged, heart rate decreased by approximately 12%, and systemic vascular resistance decreased by approximately 40%. The changes in hemodynamic parameters could have affected the E:A ratio, but it is unlikely that they could explain the marked increase in the E:A ratio that occurred in the ICU. The results, therefore, imply the presence of impaired diastolic filling immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass with gradual, but not complete, recovery during the first 6 hours in the ICU.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Memory effects following carbamazepine monotherapy in patients with complex partial epilepsy.

To evaluate the memory effects of carbamazepine (CBZ) monotherapy, a relatively large computerized neuropsychological test battery, specially developed to assess the properties of different memory systems, was administered to a group of patients with epilepsy in a pre-test--post-test control group design. Consistent with previous findings, the results show that CBZ treatment does not induce any general important or consistent negative signs of memory dysfunction. However, the epilepsy group as such demonstrates a relative inability to carry out more complex working memory tasks and they are also slower in simple long-term memory access tasks. Finally, the detailed findings suggest that CBZ plasma concentration levels within the therapeutic range are highly and negatively associated with short-term recency, which is a novel finding.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Feto-maternal listeriosis in Denmark 1981-1988.

We collected clinical information about 30 cases of Listeria monocytogenes infections in pregnancy, which occurred in Denmark between 1981 and 1988. The incidence of feto-maternal listeriosis was approximately one case per 100,000 live births in the early 1980s but increased to 25.3 cases per 100,000 live births in 1986. Listeriosis in Denmark occurred in two different patterns: endemic, in which the feto-maternal cases were a small proportion of the total, and epidemic: cases due to strains which were indistinguishable by phage-typing, and having a higher proportion of feto-maternal cases, as was seen in the outbreak of 1985-1987. The study group comprised 11 cases of intra-uterine death, three of maternal septicaemia without infection of the fetus and 16 cases of neonatal infection. Most neonates were ill at birth or became so within the first 24 h. The overall mortality rate among liveborn infants was 10.5% (2/19).

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed1992

An outbreak of serogroup B:15:P1.16 meningococcal disease, Frederiksborg County, Denmark, 1987-9.

Epidemiological features of an outbreak of group B:15:P1.16 meningococcal disease (MD) in Frederiksborg county, Denmark, 1987-9, were investigated. The study comprised 149 cases notified during the outbreak and the two preceding years; 115 were confirmed by the isolation of Neisseria meningitidis. In 1989 the incidence had increased to 14.1 per 100,000 population. Among group B strains, B:15:P1.16 accounted for 80% (77/97). The overall mortality rate was 10% (15/149). Regarding cases due to group B:15:P1.16 strains a significant time-space clustering, which exclusively occurred within the 10-19 years age group, was demonstrated. The link between cases within clusters was indirect or unknown, except for ten patients with contact to one particular school. The prophylactic measures used included administration of rifampicin to household contacts. During the outbreak the proportion of secondary cases was high (6-15%). All secondary cases occurred outside the household indicating that the household had been protected.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Script activation in lipreading.

In three experiments the roles of script, basic and low-level contexts in lipreading (Abbott et al., 1985) were studied. Three scripts were used: a restaurant, a railway station, and a clothing store. Presence or absence of script headers constituted a between-subjects factor. Basic and low-level context, as well as test-sentences (referring to basic and low-level of abstraction), were within-subjects factors. Also, different kinds of working memory tests were employed to assess potentially important information-processing skills for lipreading. The results show that (a) lipreaders benefit from a compatibility between context level and sentence type, (b) the directions of inferences were asymmetric such that the basic context prevented inferences at the low-level of abstraction, but not vice versa, (c) low-level context in general was most useful for skilled lipreaders in the script group, (d) skilled lipreaders in the non-script group took most advantage of basic level sentences, and (e) working memory capacity did not prove to be important for lipreading skill. Guessing and pure lipreading control experiments established that each of these potentially confounding factors only accounted for about 5% of the lipreading performance, and thus, can not explain the obtained interactive effects between visual information conveyed by lip movements and context. Theorizing departing from prototypicality vs. script accounts of inference-making was critically evaluated, and a predictive script activation mechanism, relevant to lipreading skill, was suggested.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Epidemiology of meningococcal disease in Denmark 1980-1988.

Based on epidemiological data of notified cases of meningococcal disease (MD) in Denmark during the period 1980-88 the recommendations for prophylaxis are evaluated. In 1986 the incidence of MD increased about 60% to 5.5 per 100,000 population. The clinical diagnosis of MD was verified by culture of Neisseria meningitidis in 79% of notified cases. About 40% of all patients were less than 4 years of age. The mortality in 1988 was found to be 10%. Serogroup B disease accounted for about 80% of the cases. Two co-primary and 28 secondary cases were registered. Two major outbreaks of serogroup C disease occurred in 1984 and 1986, respectively. In small clusters of 2-3 cases within socially well-defined groups the recommendations for prophylaxis are sufficient. But for the new pattern of clusters spread over months to years in certain geographical areas or open social groups, especially among teenagers, the existing recommendations are insufficient. The occurrence of localized clusters of serogroup B disease emphasises the need for a vaccine against serogroup B disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Changes in women's sexual desire in middle life: the longitudinal study of women in Gothenburg.

In a general population survey, 677 urban middle-aged women were interviewed about their sexual desire at two occasions 6 years apart. Data from 497 subjects, who were married at both occasions or were cohabiting with a male partner, were analyzed. Twenty-seven percent reported a decrease in sexual desire between interviews, and 10% experienced an increased desire. There were no clear cohort differences. A decrease in sexual desire was predicted by age, high sexual desire at first interview, lack of a confiding relationship, insufficient support from spouse, alcoholism in spouse, and major depression. Predictors of an increase of sexual desire were weak desire at first interview, negative marital relations before first interview, and mental disorder at first interview. Although sexual desire showed considerable stability over time, a substantial proportion of married middle-aged women experienced major changes, mostly as a decrease. Age, psychosocial factors associated with quality of marital relationship, and mental health were major contributors towards change in sexual desire.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Human listeriosis in Denmark 1981-1987 including an outbreak November 1985-March 1987.

Clinical manifestations, predisposing factors and outcome of listeriosis in Denmark during the period 1981-1987 are described. An increased incidence of the disease during the period November 1985-March 1987 was due mainly to 35 patients infected with strains of Listeria monocytogenes indistinguishable by phage-typing. These patients were younger, previously healthier and had a better prognosis. Also, there were more cases in pregnant women and neonates than in other persons. A strong correlation was found between predisposing factors and mortality. We conclude that there was an outbreak caused by a single source of infection and which was distributed all over the country. It lasted for more than a year and affected most categories of people. The source was not identified.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Neurofibromatosis in Gothenburg, Sweden. I. Background, study design and epidemiology.

In this study, a clinical evaluation was carried out for all patients who were at or beyond 20 years of age and known to the health services as cases of neurofibromatosis (NF) and who were resident in Gothenburg, Sweden, as of January 1, 1978. The approach of the study was clinical, with emphasis on the general somatic, psychiatric and genetic aspects of NF. The patients included in the study were ascertained by scrutiny of all available archives of medical records in the area, and by requests to every doctor in the city of Gothenburg to report any possible case of NF known to him or her. This search identified 74 patients with NF living in Gothenburg on the census day. All but 3 of these patients had definite von Recklinghausen NF (NF-1). This represents a prevalence of 1 case of NF in 4,600 adults, which must be considered a minimum frequency estimate. The 74 patients included 35 women with a mean age of 46 (+/- 17) years and 39 men with a mean age of 43 (+/- 14) years. The prevalence of NF was highest in the age range of 40-50 years, while it was significantly reduced in the ages above this range, most probably owing to an excess mortality. Sixty-nine of the original seventy-four patients were personally interviewed and examined, including the 3 without definite NF-1. The patients were classified according to the degree of severity of NF into three categories: mild, moderate and severe. The number of patients in each groups was, respectively, 18, 43 and 13. A detailed description of each patient's pigmentary abnormalities and neurofibromas (number, appearance and localization) was recorded. Findings of osseous dysplastic changes (12-16%), endocrine changes (pheochromocytoma, 3%), malignant disease (sarcoma, 4%), epilepsy (3%) and other somatic diseases were also recorded. Mild mental retardation was present in 45% of the patients. The mental retardation did not appear progressive, and severe retardation was not found. Mental illness occurred in 23 (33%) patients, defined as mild in 8, moderate in 7 and severe in 8. No uniform psychiatric syndrome was found. Depressive syndrome, anxiety state with vegetative dysfunction and organic brain syndrome were most frequently observed. Hostile feelings and autonomic disturbances were the most common symptoms, each found in 50% of all patients. The frequency of abnormal neurological findings, presumably indicating manifestations of NF-1 in the central nervous system, was significantly increased among the patients with mental illness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1989

The treatment of Listeria monocytogenes infections in the central nervous system.

Fifty-four cases of Listeria monocytogenes meningitis and meningoencephalitis occurred in Denmark between 1981 and 1986. The aim of the present study was to consider the antibiotic treatment of these patients, 33 males and 21 females aged from 16 months to 91 years: average (AV) 54 years. One or more predisposing factors (PF) were found in 30 patients (55%): steroid treatment (15), cancer (12), alcoholism and/or cirrhosis (10), diabetes mellitus (5), and renal allograft (2). Follow-up varied from 3 months to 5 years. Ampicillin (AMP) was used as the only antibiotic in 14 patients, and with an aminoglycoside (AMI) in 38 but AMI was withdrawn within 24-48 h in 14. High doses of AMP were used (AV 16 g/day) generally for two weeks (AV 11 days), but AMI was usually withdrawn in the first week (AV 5 days). The mortality rate (MR) was 39% and varied greatly between previously healthy patients (PHP) and those with one or more PF: only 2 out of 24 PHP died, both admitted to hospital with respiratory insufficiency and shock. No significant differences between survivors and non-survivors were observed either in the doses, duration and administration of AMP, or use of AMI, although a higher number of PF was found in the non-survivors. Relapse occurred in at least 3 immuno-compromised patients. Sequelae were reported in 9 patients. Death occurred in 6 within 24-48 h of admission. Delayed diagnosis and treatment together with the underlying disease seemed responsible for the high MR. More effective treatments in immunocompromised patients should be tried.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

The treatment of Listeria monocytogenes septicaemia.

Thirty cases of Listeria monocytogenes septicaemia occurred in Denmark between 1981 and 1986. The aim of this study was to consider the treatment of these patients, 18 males and 12 females aged from 20 to 87 years: average (AV) 65 years. One or more predisposing factors (PF) were found in 90% of the patients, mainly cancer (16), steroid treatment (12), cirrhosis and/or alcoholism (8), and diabetes mellitus (3). Follow-up varied from 3 months to 5 years. Ampicillin (AMP) alone or with an aminoglycoside (AMI) was the treatment in 9 and 16 cases, respectively. One patient was successfully treated with penicillin G and another received oral co-trimoxazol after recovered with carbenicillin plus AMI. AMP doses were lower than used in listerial meningitis (AV 5 g/day vs. 16 g/day), and the duration was variable: from one to 21 days (AV 8 days). The mortality rate was 50%. No significant differences between survivors and non-survivors were observed either in the antibiotic treatment (doses, duration, administration, and use of AMI), or the number and kind of PF found. The cause of septicaemia could not be established in most cases but 3 endocarditis, 2 perianal abscesses and one pericarditis were found in the non-survivors. Pulmonary involvement was present in 13 patients and CNS infection suspected in 10. Early diagnosis, adequate doses and duration of antibiotic treatment, and the use of drugs capable to penetrate purulent collections (microabscess and abscess formations) should improve the prognosis of L. monocytogenes septicaemia.

Adult↗

PubMed1978

The population study of women in Göteborg 1974--1975--the second phase of a longitudinal study. General design, purpose and sampling results.

A study of a population sample of women in Göteborg aged 38--60 years was carried out in 1968--1969. This population sample has been re-studied during the years 1974--1975. Altogether 1302 women participated in this second study, which means 89.1% of those studied in 1968--1969 and 80.3% of those initially sampled. Twenty-six women had died during the interval between the two studies, more than half of them from neoplastic disease. Information is given about those who had moved or were inaccessible at the time of the second study or who refused to participate. The performance of the examination is described and research projects are outlined.

Adult↗