[Suggestion for consideration: Independent reporting and more physicians in psychiatric wards].
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Hospitals, Psychiatric↗
Biomedical subjects
B Andersson
Publications and source records attributed to B Andersson.
Defence of mucous membranes by antibodies, receptor analogues and non-specific host factors.
Most infections reach man via the mucosal membranes, and more than half of the lymphoid system is found in connection with mucosae. The major antibodies found on mucous membranes are secretory IgA, which function primarily by binding microorganisms and thereby preventing their contact with the host tissues. The optimal mode of immunization to obtain a secretory IgA response is not well defined. Repeated mucosal exposure with antigen may result in oral tolerance, with decreasing circulating antibodies but a remaining secretory IgA response. The secretory IgA response is usually short-lived and can be difficult to boost. IgM as well as IgG antibodies may add to host defence at the mucosal level, but when engaged, they usually induce inflammation in host tissues. Analogues to bacterial receptors on mucosal epithelium may be present in exocrine secretions such as human milk. During an attack on the host, it is possible that such receptor analogues may aid in the prevention of attachment of bacteria to mucous membranes used as an initial site. A number of non-specific host factors support mucosal defence. One of them is lactoferrin. Lactoferrin deficiency seems to result in recurrent bacterial infections, suggesting its importance in normal host defence.
Administration, Oral↗
Endotoxemia in febrile patients with hematological malignancies. Relationship of type of bacteremia, clinical findings and serum cytokine pattern.
The relation between gram-negative bacteremia, endotoxemia and cytokinemia in patients with hematological malignancies was studied. Serum endotoxin and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, interferon-gamma, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10) were determined in 24 patients with hematological malignancies. Patients were included at start of fever (n = 18) or during a temperature peak during continuous fever (n = 6; time = 0). Blood was drawn for cultures at time of inclusion. Additional samples were obtained and grouped in two time intervals (1-5 h and 6-12 h after inclusion). Endotoxin was detected in eight patients. Endotoxemia was more common among patients with bacteremia than among non-bacteremic patients (7/12 versus 1/12; p < 0.05). All studied cytokines showed a tendency to higher mean values at time 0 in patients with endotoxemia than in patients without endotoxemia. Significantly higher mean endotoxin values were seen at time 1-5 h in patients with gram-negative bacteremia (n = 6) than in patients without gram-negative bacteremia, and at time 0 in patients with chills (n = 6) compared to those without chills.
Adult↗
On central control of body fluid homeostasis.
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Animals↗
Heart-rate responses (HRR) to lateralized visual stimuli.
Direction of changes in heart-rate responses (HRR) were investigated in three separate experiments as a measure of differential cognitive and emotional specialization of the cerebral hemispheres. Visual stimuli were presented via the visual half-field technique in all three experiments. Slides with different contents were flashed for 200 msec on each trial either to the left or right of a center LED fixation point. The LED went on 5 seconds prior to slide onset. HR changes were scored as second-by-second deviations during 10 seconds after LED onset from pre-LED base line. In the first experiment it was hypothesized that emotionally relevant stimuli initially projected to only the right hemisphere would result in more anticipatory acceleration than when the same stimulus was initially projected to the left hemisphere. A picture of a snake and of a geometric figure were repeatedly briefly flashed to the right of the LED for half of the subjects, and to the left for the other half. There were 25 trials with an intertrial interval of 25-40 seconds. Results showed significant effects of deceleration as a function of the slide stimulus in all groups on seconds 5, 6, or 7 after onset of the center LED. Furthermore, an anticipatory acceleration was observed during the first trial-block on seconds 3 and 4 in the right hemisphere groups only with no differences between the neutral and emotional stimuli. In Experiments 2 and 3, a letter-string of six letters and a complex symmetric pattern were used as stimuli. These stimuli were chosen because previous research has clearly implicated the hemispheres to be differentially specialized in their ability to process verbal and visuo-spatial stimuli. The set-up was identical to Experiment 1, with the exception that differences in response to the two types of stimuli were evaluated on a within-subjects basis. The results from Experiments 2 and 3 showed stimulus-related deceleration, peaking on seconds 5-7 in all groups and an anticipatory acceleration peaking on seconds 3 and 4 in the right hemisphere groups, with decelerations during the corresponding seconds in the left hemisphere groups. The results are discussed in relation to recent findings by Walker and Sandman (1982) about the possibility of hemispheric specialization in psychologic influences on heart rate changes in response to environmental demands.
Adult↗
Serum levels of helper factors (IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6), T-cell products (sCD4 and sCD8), sIL-2R and beta 2-microglobulin in patients with B-CLL and benign B lymphocytosis.
Chronic B-lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) cells may be regulated by immune functions. In an attempt to analyze such functions, helper factors (IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6), T-cell products (sCD4 and sCD8) and sIL-2R and beta 2-microglobulin were measured in serum of patients at different stages of the disease. Patients were classified as having monoclonal lymphocytosis of undetermined significance (MLUS), stable or progressive B-CLL respectively. A significant, but modest, increase of IL-1 alpha was found in B-CLL as well as in MLUS patients whereas IL-6 levels were increased in MLUS only. sCD8 levels were increased both in MLUS and B-CLL but augmented sCD4 concentrations were found statistically significant only in progressive B-CLL. beta 2-microglobulin and sIL-2R were related to the extent of the monoclonal B-cell fraction. The data indicate an increased T-suppressor activity in both MLUS and B-CLL patients and a selective increase of helper T-cell activity in progressive B-CLL. A possible immunoregulatory influence of helper T cells on disease progression is discussed.
Adult↗
The use of polymerase chain reaction in generation of biotinylated human papillomavirus DNA probes for in situ hybridization.
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to produce biotin-labelled human papillomavirus (HPV) 16- and 18-specific DNA probes for in situ hybridization (ISH). PCR was performed by using Amplitaq DNA amplification reagent kit according to the manufacturer's instructions, except that dTTP was substituted by different concentrations of biotinylated dUTP (bio-11-UTP). As template DNA, DNA extracted either from CaSki or HeLa cells was used. The reaction mixture was taken through up to 40 cycles of amplification in a Perkin-Elmer Cetus Thermal Cycler. The highest yield was achieved when the concentrations of dTTP and biotinylated dUTP were 150 and 50 microM, respectively. ISH results compatible with those obtained with biotinylated whole genomic HPV DNA probes were demonstrated when primers from E7 and E6 ORF of the HPV-18 genome were used to produce the biotinylated probe by PCR. With HPV-16, several areas of the genome had to be amplified to generate a PCR probe with equal sensitivity as the whole genomic probe. The background staining was always stronger with the PCR probes than with the whole genomic probes. The sensitivity of the PCR probes does not seem to bear a clear-cut correlation with the size or nucleotide content of the probe, but it might rather depend on the three dimensional structure of the probe and the availability of biotin for the detection system by ISH.
Base Sequence↗
The secretory IgA system.
The secretory IgA system is common to all mucosal membranes and is presumably of great importance for their defense. In addition to the secretory IgA antibodies produced in a mucosa in response to a local antigenic stimulus there is a spread of this type of IgA response via committed lymphocytes. They originate from central lymphoid organs in the intestinal (Peyer's patches) and bronchial mucosa (bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue, BALT) which they leave after antigenic exposure. They migrate, or "home", to exocrine glands such as the lacrimal, salivary, mammary and prostatic glands and mucosal membranes of the respiratory, gastrointestinal and genito-urinary tract. Almost half of all lymphocytes may be involved in the production of IgA antibodies. The secretory IgA antibodies are the dominating immunoglobulins in exocrine secretions on mucous membranes. They function primarily by preventing contact between the microbe and the host tissue most commonly attacked in infections, the mucous membrane. The fact that breast-feeding protects the infant against intestinal infections is one good example of the clinical significance of secretory IgA antibodies. This mode of protection can be enhanced by vaccination.
Breast Feeding↗
A two-year follow-up of work capacity in early rheumatoid arthritis: a study of multidisciplinary team care with emphasis on vocational support.
OBJECTIVE: To explore changes in sick leave patterns and work ability in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The patients received active team support focusing on vocational rehabilitation, in addition to treatment with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). METHODS: This is an observational study of 110 patients with early RA aged 18-60 years and not permanently disabled. All patients were monitored regularly during a 2-year period by a team comprising a nurse, an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist, a rheumatologist, and a social worker. Intervention included work-site visits and rehabilitation meetings with the employer and the official from the local social insurance office in addition to DMARD treatment and different individual treatments, and support from the team members. RESULTS: The number of patients working full-time increased from 65 to 74 (14%), those with full-time work disability decreased from 37 to 13 (65%), and patients working part-time increased from 8 to 23 (65%). This change was already evident during the first year. CONCLUSION: Active vocational support in addition to DMARD treatment may prevent or delay work disability in patients with early RA.
Adolescent↗
Polymerase chain reaction for producing biotinylated human papillomavirus DNA probes for in situ hybridization.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to produce biotinylated DNA probes for human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18. The specificity and sensitivity of the probes were tested with in situ hybridization to detect HPV DNA in cervical biopsies or cell lines (CaSki, SiHa, and HeLa). The Gene Amp DNA Amplification kit (Perkin-Elmer Cetus, Norwalk, CT) was used to perform PCR according to the manufacturer's instructions, except that dTTP was substituted by different concentrations of biotinylated dUTP (bio-11-UTP). As the template DNA, the DNA extracted either from CaSki or HeLa cells was used. The reaction mixture was taken through up to 40 cycles of amplification in a Perkin-Elmer Cetus Thermal Cycler (Perkin-Elmer Cetus, Norwalk, CT). The highest yield was achieved when the concentrations of dTTP and biotinylated dUTP were 150 microM and 50 microM, respectively. In situ hybridization results compatible with those obtained with biotinylated or radioactively labelled whole genomic HPV DNA probes were demonstrated when primers from E6, E7, and L1 ORF of the HPV 18 were used to produce the biotinylated probe by PCR. With HPV 16, the positive signals were always weaker with the PCR probe than with the whole genomic probe. Overall, the PCR probes might have a lower sensitivity than the whole genomic probes. The background stain was always stronger with the PCR probes than with the whole genomic probes, especially with HPV 16 probes. There does not seem to be a clear correlation between the sensitivity of PCR probes and the size or nucleotide content of the probe.
Base Sequence↗
A study of thirst and other effects of an increased sodium concentration in the 3rd brain ventricle.
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Aldosterone↗
Studies of the importance of the thyroid and the sympathetic system in the defence to cold of the goat.
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Animals↗
Attachment of Streptococcus pneumoniae to human pharyngeal epithelial cells in vitro.
The aim of this study has been to develop a test system for attachment of pneumococci to pharyngeal cells. Cells scraped from a healthy person were washed and quantitated, bacteria added and after incubation the suspension was washed and the number of adhering bacteria counted. Among strains from different infectious foci the highest number of strains with adhesive capacity was found in the otitis media group. Capacity to attach to the pharyngeal mucosa might be a virulence factor of pneumococci causing otitis media. There was a lack of distinct relation between capsular serotype and adhesive capacity indicating that the polysaccharide is not primarily responsible for the binding to epithelial cells. If attachment to the pharyngeal mucosa is a first step necessary for colonization and subsequent invasion of the tissues, then antibiotics in the secretions preventing such colonization might be of protective value in otitis-prone children.
Adhesiveness↗
ADH in regulation of blood osmolality and extracellular fluid volume.
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Angiotensins↗
[Rethinking social protection in health in Latin America and the Caribbean].
Despite what is written in the constitutions and other basic document mandates of the countries of the Region, exclusion from social protection in health (SPH) affects an important proportion of the population (at least 20%, which represents, in absolute figures, between 80 and 200 million people). These estimates are obtained through a series of theoretical (social security coverage) and practical indicators that encompass structural indicators (poverty, ethnicity, and geographical barriers) as well as process indicators (non-institutional births, compliance with vaccination schedules, and access to basic sanitation). Exclusion levels in a society are affected by the degree of segmentation of the health system. Traditionally, most countries of the Region have had a public, a social security and a private subsystem in health. Lack of attention to the problem has resulted in the formation of a community-based subsystem. The coexistence of many subsystems, along with poor regulation on the part of health authorities, has resulted in high levels of exclusion and inefficient resource allocation within the sector. The organization of social dialogue processes focusing on SPH within the context of health sector reform initiatives in each country is recommended. The process, which should be participatory, should include a full diagnosis of the situation (how many are excluded, who are they, and why, and what mechanisms are the most appropriate for tackling the issue in each country). It should also provide a political and technical feasibility analysis of the most suitable options for each society, and a determination of whether or not conventional subsystems have exhausted their potential. The process should culminate in a program for implementing the specific proposals made in each society, in an effort to maximize SPH.
Caribbean Region↗
Vestibulo-oculomotor disturbances in humans exposed to styrene.
Several reports indicate that disturbances of the vestibulo-oculomotor ability are a manifestation of the toxic action on the central nervous system exerted by some industrial solvents. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the vestibulo-oculomotor system during exposure to styrene, which is extensively used in the production of plastics. Healthy volunteers were exposed to styrene for one hour. Rotatory and optokinetic nystagmus, visual suppression as well as speed, latency and accuracy of saccades were tested before, during, and one hour after the exposure. The pulmonary uptake and the blood level of the solvent were continuously analysed by gas chromatography. The styrene blood concentration was equivalent to that which may well be reached after serveral hours of hard work in an industrial environment with a concentration of styrene within permitted limits. No spontaneous nystagmus appeared. The rotatory and optokinetic nystagmus was not influenced by styrene. However, the speed of the saccade was significantly enhanced. The visual suppression was disturbed, shown by an increased gain after styrene exposure. The experiments thus indicate that styrene given to healthy test persons induced disturbances, thus consistent with the theory that some organic solvents block the cerebellar inhibition of the vestibulo-oculomotor system.
Adult↗
Ceramic implant abutments used for short-span fixed partial dentures: a prospective 2-year multicenter study.
PURPOSE: This is a 2-year report from an ongoing prospective 5-year multicenter study. The aim of the study was to evaluate the short- and long-term clinical function of CerAdapt ceramic abutments supporting short-span fixed partial dentures (FPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Initially, 105 Brånemark System implants were placed in a total of 32 patients at 3 different clinics. After initial healing 103 implants remained. For the support of 36 FPDs, 53 ceramic and 50 titanium abutments were connected, 19 on ceramic and 17 on titanium abutments. RESULTS: All patients remained in the study after 2 years. There was a cumulative survival rate of 97.1% for implants and a cumulative success rate of 97.2% for FPDs (94.7% for ceramic and 100% for titanium abutment-supported FPDs). One of 53 ceramic but none of 50 titanium abutments failed, giving a cumulative success rate of 98.1% and 100%, respectively, for the abutments. Soft tissue around abutments and adjacent teeth appeared healthy. More crown margins were placed submucosally at titanium (31%) than at ceramic (14%) abutments, and the level of the periimplant mucosa was relatively stable in relation to the abutment/crown. No differences were seen between ceramic and titanium abutments regarding bleeding of the periimplant mucosa. There was a minimal marginal bone loss recorded after 1 year, which was slightly more at titanium (0.4 mm) than at ceramic (0.2 mm) abutments. All patients and dentists were satisfied with the achieved esthetic result and no FPD was remade because of compromised esthetics. CONCLUSION: So far the ceramic abutments have worked very well and the 2-year results have been very encouraging for CerAdapt abutments supporting short-span FPDs. However, ceramic materials tend to undergo static fatigue, and it is therefore important to wait for the 5-year results before making any more definite statement about the long-term prognosis for CerAdapt abutments.
Alveolar Bone Loss↗
Esthetic outcome of implant-supported single-tooth replacements assessed by the patient and by prosthodontists.
PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess and compare patients' and clinicians' judgments of the esthetic outcome of implant-supported single-tooth replacements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 29 patients with 41 single implant-supported crowns in the maxillary anterior region participated in the study. The esthetic outcome of the implant-supported crowns was assessed by the patients and by 5 prosthodontists by means of a questionnaire in which various esthetics-related variables were addressed and responded to using visual analogue scales. Multiple regression analyses were used to evaluate the influence of the variables on the "overall satisfaction" with the implant-supported crown. RESULTS: Most variables in the patients' assessments revealed mean values above 90% and median values close to 100%. No single factor used in the multiple regression analysis was found to influence a patient's satisfaction with appearance of the crown at a statistically significant level. The clinicians' degree of satisfaction was for all variables lower than that of the patients. In 89% of the cases the clinicians could correctly locate the single implant-supported crown. Among the variables assessed, surrounding soft tissue appearance and form of the crown had the strongest influence on the clinician's overall satisfaction with the appearance of the crown. CONCLUSION: Appreciation of the esthetic outcome of the single implant-supported crowns was rated higher by the patients than by the prosthodontists. Furthermore, factors considered by professionals to be of significance for the esthetic result of the restorative treatment may not be of decisive importance for the patient's satisfaction.
Adolescent↗