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Biomedical subjects

S Wall

Publications and source records attributed to S Wall.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Changing smoking habits in Sweden: towards better health, but not for all.

A multivariate analysis indicated that in 1980-1981 economic conditions as measured by the ability to raise 5000 Swedish Crowns within one week was the most important predictor for smoking prevalence among a random sample of 14,900 Swedes. A follow-up in 1985 showed that despite the overall declining trends in smoking during this time period, some groups had increased their smoking rates substantially. Nordic citizens born outside Sweden, the divorced, widows or widowers living alone, those who had retired early and unemployed living under 'poor' economic conditions have increased their already high smoking rates by 13-70%. However well-educated people and professional groups show a marked decrease in smoking rates between 1980 and 1985. This projects increasing health inequities, endangering the WHO's Health for All objectives.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Prevalence of HIV-1 infection in the Kagera region of Tanzania: a population-based study.

A population-based survey was carried out in the Kagera region of the United Republic of Tanzania in 1987 to determine the magnitude of HIV-1 infection and to study associated risk factors. The region was divided into one urban and three rural zones. A multistage cluster sampling technique was adopted. Antibodies to HIV-1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed by Western blot analysis. A total of 2,475 adults (aged 15-54 years) and 1,961 children (aged 0-14 years) was studied. The overall prevalence of HIV-1 infection among adults was 9.6%, with a higher prevalence in the urban zone (24.2%) than in the three rural zones (10.0, 4.5 and 0.4%, respectively). The corresponding figures for children were 1.3% overall: 3.9% in the urban area and for the rural areas 1.2, 0.8 and 0.0%, respectively. The age-specific seroprevalence for adults was highest in the age group 25-34 years. The age-standardized sex-specific prevalence was higher among women than men in the urban zone, while it was the same in the rural zones. Change of sexual partners among adults was associated with an increased risk of HIV-1 seropositivity. Travelling outside the region but within the country was also found to be associated with increased risk of HIV-1 infection but only in the rural population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Cloning and characterization of the gene for the '19 kDa' antigen of Mycobacterium bovis.

Monoclonal antibody CMA134.1 reacted with a protein antigen of apparent molecular mass 22 kDa from Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and with an apparently 24 kDa antigen of Mycobacterium kansasii, but not with other mycobacteria or related species. This antibody was used to screen a gene library of M. bovis in lambda gt11 and identified a recombinant clone that expressed a protein with an apparent molecular mass of 19-20 kDa. Gene expression occurred from the lac promoter in lambda gt11, but used an unidentified vector promoter, possibly that of the replication primer RNA, in the final plasmid construct. The sequence of an 840 bp fragment was determined and shown to code for a product of 15 kDa. This sequence is identical to that, independently determined, of a gene from M. tuberculosis, usually referred to as the 19 kDa antigen. The reasons for the apparent size discrepancies are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

The growth chart--a road to health chart? Maternal comprehension of the growth chart in two Somali villages.

Growth monitoring is so far not implemented on a large scale in the Somali health services. Available reports indicate that growth faltering is common. However, the use of growth charts as a tool for health education has been questioned. This study examines the ability of 199, predominantly illiterate, rural Somali mothers to understand the growth chart message after an intensive period of growth chart use and education. During a home-based interview the mothers were asked to combine a set of four growth curves with a set of four pictures, showing the corresponding developments of four children. The mothers managed significantly better to interpret the charts than could be expected by chance alone. Maternal age, number of children and literacy did not differ much between those who correctly and incorrectly combined pictures and charts. Almost all mothers recognised the value of the growth chart as being good for the control and promotion of their children's health and/or growth. We conclude that the growth chart may be an applicable and appropriate tool even with illiterate mothers, provided that other prerequisites for successful growth monitoring, e.g. appropriate health services, are available.

Child Development↗
PubMed1990

Perinatal mortality in a Swedish county 1980-1984. Mortality pattern and its amenability.

A retrospective, community based study on perinatal mortality was performed in a sparsely populated county with decentralized antenatal and maternity care. Neither level of care nor domicile showed any relation to perinatal mortality. A substantial underreporting of perinatal deaths was revealed. Death causes were classified according to the modified Aberdeen classification. One child per 2,000 births is stillborn due to asphyxia during delivery. Maternal age outside the optimal age range for reproduction was a significant risk factor. A suboptimal standard of care was identified in 33% of the perinatal deaths.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Risk determinants of perinatal mortality in a Swedish county, 1980-1984.

A retrospective case-referent study was performed to analyse risk factors of perinatal mortality. Overweight defined by body mass index, smoking greater than 10 cigs/day, infertility, earlier birth weight, earlier perinatal death were significant risk determinants of the obstetric history. Overweight and smoking, measured by the etiologic fractions, had the greatest impact on perinatal mortality. Significant risk factors of the present pregnancy were low weight gain, pre-eclampsia, cervical incompetence, and late hemorrhage. Intra-uterine growth retardation had the highest etiologic fraction. High risk assessment at the first antenatal visit had a sensitivity of 45%, increasing to 72% when adding supervening pregnancy complications. Although the positive predictive value of high-risk classification was very low, 2/3 of the perinatal deaths occurred among high-risk cases.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1990

Epidemiology of HIV infections. Design options with special reference to developing countries.

Health research and planning need valid data for decision making. In a developing country cost-effectiveness in research design is of special significance. In such situations, population-based data are needed. This paper reviews the literature on HIV/AIDS studies published during 1982-88 with respect to epidemiological methods and study designs and with special relevance to developing countries. A methodological taxonomy is presented based on this review illustrating the special need for analytic epidemiology. The paper also presents experiences and results from an ongoing collaborative project on HIV infections between Tanzanian and Swedish researchers. The project, which was launched in 1987 in the Kagera region where the first AIDS cases were seen in 1983, applies both epidemiological and behavioural methods.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Cumulative arsenic exposure and lung cancer in smelter workers: a dose-response study.

The cause-specific mortality was followed through 1981 in a cohort of 3,916 male Swedish smelter workers employed for at least 3 months from 1928 through 1967. Arsenic levels in the air of all workplaces within the smelter were estimated for three different time periods. Using this exposure matrix and detailed information of the work history, cumulative arsenic exposure could be computed for each worker. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated for several dose categories using age-specific mortality rates from the county where the smelter was situated. A positive dose-response relationship was found between cumulative arsenic exposure and lung cancer mortality with an overall SMR of 372 (304-450, 95% confidence interval). The lung cancer mortality was related to the estimated average intensity of exposure to arsenic but not to the duration. No positive dose-response relationship was found between arsenic and ischemic heart disease or cerebrovascular disease. There was also no evident dose-response relationship between estimated exposure to sulfur dioxide and lung cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The Swedish childhood diabetes study--results from a nine year case register and a one year case-referent study indicating that type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus is associated with both type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus and autoimmune disorders.

From July 1, 1977 to July 1, 1986, 3,503 incident cases of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus were registered in the Swedish childhood diabetes study. Using data from this register and from a case-referent study, including all incident Type 1 diabetic children in Sweden during one year and, for each patient, two referent children matched according to age, sex and county, we have studied the associations between Type 1 diabetes and familial Type 1 and Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes, thyroid, adrenal, allergic, rheumatic, heart and bowel disease. The mean annual incidence per 100,000 during the nine year period was 25.1 for boys and 23.5 for girls. In 8.5% of the patients, one parent had Type 1 diabetes, 73% of whom were fathers. Fifty-six of the patients (1.7%) had a parent with Type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of parental Type 1 diabetes tended to be higher in patients with younger age at onset; whereas, the opposite was found for patients with parental Type 2 diabetes. In the case-referent study, the age-adjusted odds ratio for Type 1 diabetes when a first and/or second degree relative had Type 1 diabetes was 5.5 (95% confidence limits 4.0-7.7), and in accordance with the findings of the case register, the odds ratio tended to be highest in patients with the youngest age at onset. Season at onset of the patients was not associated with parental Type 1 diabetes. The odds ratio for Type 1 diabetes was significantly increased 3.3 (95% confidence limits: 2.3-4.6) when Type 2 diabetes was reported in relatives (three generations).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

The Swedish childhood diabetes study--social and perinatal determinants for diabetes in childhood.

Using the Swedish childhood diabetes register, a nationwide, case-referent study was performed from September 1, 1985 to August 31, 1986. Based on the information from a mailed questionnaire sent to all incident diabetic children and for each diabetic child - two referent children matched according to age, sex, and county, we have analysed perinatal events and aspects of the social environment as possible risk factors for Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes in childhood. A significantly larger proportion of the mothers of the diabetic children were older than 40 years compared to those of the referent children (33% and 24%, p = 0.01 respectively). A smaller percentage of mothers of the diabetic children had a high educational level compared to mothers of referent children (10% and 15%, p = 0.03 respectively) and 39% of the fathers of the diabetic children were manual workers compared to 31% of the fathers of referent children (p = 0.03). Perinatal events did not differ between diabetic and referent children. In children 0-6 years, the duration of breast-feeding was significantly shorter in diabetic children than among referent children (median duration for diabetic children 5 months compared to 6 months for referent children p = 0.03). When considering the presence of Type 1 diabetes among relatives, maternal age over 40 years, low educational level of the mother, and the father being a manual worker as risk factors, the presence of 1 to 4 of any of these risk factors increased the relative risk for Type 1 diabetes cumulatively from 1.2-7.5.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Child↗
PubMed1989

VIP receptors and content after bowel transplantation.

Advances in immunosuppressive therapy have renewed interest in small bowel transplantation. Little is known, however, about the functional capacity of transplanted intestine. To clarify the potential for normal function, we investigated whether elements of the enteric nervous system are preserved after denervation in our rat model of intestinal transplantation. We investigated whether VIP, a major peptide neurotransmitter of the enteric nervous system, and its receptors are preserved in the bowel after transplantation. In our model of transplantation, avascular fetal jejunum from term Fisher rats is transplanted to the subcutaneous tissues of host syngeneic rats. This "neogut" becomes vascularized and develops characteristics of native small bowel. VIP content was measured by RIA and the in situ distribution of VIP receptors was determined by the technique of receptor autoradiography. Neogut was studied 1 and 3 weeks after transplantation and compared with age-matched rat pup jejunum. Autoradiographs showed high silver grain density, representing VIP binding sites, in the mucosal layers of all tissues studied. VIP content in the transplanted bowel was comparable to that of native gut and showed a rise with developmental age similar to that of native gut. VIP levels (pmole/mg protein, x +/- SEM) were neogut 1 week, 0.26 +/- 0.14; jejunum 1 week, 0.25 +/- 0.07; neogut 3 weeks, 0.60 +/- 0.21; and jejunum 3 weeks, 0.69 +/- 0.16. These results show that VIP receptors and content are preserved in this model of transplantation. This suggests that the enteric nervous system and receptors for peptide neurotransmitters remain intact after transplantation and may retain the potential for regulatory function.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Diet and cancer mortality in the counties of Sweden.

The association between standardized cancer mortality rate ratios from 1969-1978 and dietary practices was examined in an ecologic study of the 24 counties of Sweden by means of several independent data sources. The study supports the hypothesis that a high intake of cereal fiber protects against colorectal cancer (r = -0.75 for males and r = -0.67 for females). This study found no association between fat intake and colorectal cancer. However, a negative correlation between milk consumption and this type of cancer was found. A suggested hypothesis is that calcium protects against colorectal cancer, since milk is the major source for calcium intake in Sweden. This could indicate that, for societies with a high fat intake, preventive measures which increase the intake of fiber and milk or calcium might have a greater impact on mortality from cancer of the colon and rectum than would a moderate decrease in the intake of fat. There are no indications in this study that fat intake promotes breast cancer.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

The epidemiology of lost residual beta-cell function in short term diabetic children.

Using the country-wide Swedish childhood diabetes register 526 children, who had had diabetes for 6-30 months were traced for measurements of 24-hour urinary C-peptide. Lost beta-cell function was defined as a 24-hour urinary C-peptide excretion per kg body weight less than 10% of the mean for healthy children (less than 0.025 nmol/kg). The estimated cumulative incidence of lost beta-cell function was 0.64 at 30 months. The incidence of lost beta-cell function did not differ by sex. Neither was there any significant variation in season at onset for cases with lost beta-cell function. A significant age dependency was shown for the cumulative incidence of lost beta-cell function with the highest incidence in the young age groups, i.e. a reversed age dependency compared to that of clinical onset. In contrast to the clinical onset of diabetes no significant geographical variation was found for lost beta-cell function when comparing standardized morbidity ratios. The urinary C-peptide excretion was significantly correlated to age at onset but not to degree or duration of ketonuria at onset. It is concluded that there are striking differences when comparing the epidemiology of lost beta-cell function to that of clinical onset in terms of age, sex, seasonal and geographical variations. The timing of clinical onset may thus partly be determined by factors different from those determining the rate of fall in beta-cell function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Local health planning and intervention--the case of a Swedish municipality.

This article attempts to illustrate the process from community diagnosis to community involvement by a case study from the north of Sweden. The case of Norsjö is one of few documented Swedish examples of a preventive program with a broad participation from the community. The results up to now are promising and further illustrate the importance of decentralized health planning and local data.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗