Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Berg

Publications and source records attributed to B Berg.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Subcutaneous and intranasal administration of 1-deamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin in the assessment of renal concentration capacity.

Maximum urine concentration capacity was studied in healthy adults using different routes and doses of administration of 1-deamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP)-desmopressin. Plasma levels of DDAVP showed a dose-dependent increase after the subcutaneous but not after the intranasal administration. The effect on urine osmolality was similar but more prolonged after the subcutaneous as compared to the intranasal route. We conclude that subcutaneous injection is a simple and reliable way of administering DDAVP. A dose of 4 micrograms in adults is optimum diagnostically and it corresponds to 20-40 micrograms administered intranasally.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1987

Catecholamine release after physical exercise. A new provocative test for early diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2.

A simple and practical provocative test is needed for early asymptomatic pheochromocytoma, which is a major risk for patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN-2). We measured plasma catecholamines before and after submaximal exercise in 26 MEN-2 gene carriers, eight of whom with asymptomatic pheochromocytoma, nine with medullary thyroid carcinoma and 10 after uni- or bilateral adrenalectomy. Seventeen clinically healthy individuals and 11 patients with neurovegetative lability and symptoms mimicking pheochromocytoma served as controls. Plasma adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine increased after exercise except for adrenaline after bilateral adrenalectomy. The post-exercise levels of adrenaline and the adrenaline/dopamine ratio were significantly higher in the pheochromocytoma patients compared to the healthy controls and the patients with neurovegetative lability, while the patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma represented an intermediate group with a high probability of developing adrenal tumors. The present method is a physiological test with a high sensitivity and specificity. It is practical and well suited for repeated examinations and seems to be of value for the detection of early pheochromocytoma in MEN-2 patients. Furthermore, the test could be used in the differential diagnosis between pheochromocytoma and neurovegetative lability.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1986

Ascorbate interference in the estimation of urinary glucose by test strips.

Currently used test strip methods for the detection of glucose in urine are influenced by ascorbate and may thus give false negative results, e.g. in screening for diabetes. Six different test strips for urine glucose were evaluated for interference by ascorbate in vitro. Interference by ascorbate varied markedly, being highest at low glucose concentrations. Interference coefficients for the individual tests were calculated to serve as an approximate index of interference by ascorbate. A new test (BM 33.071, Boehringer Mannheim GmbH, currently used in Combur-9-Test/Chemstrip-9 and other multiple test strips of Boehringer Mannheim) was clearly much less influenced as no urine containing 5.5 mmol/l glucose was read as negative even at very high ascorbate concentration. Readability of test strips differed due to patchy colour reactions. Precision was good within-test strip and within-urine but markedly less between urines.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed1986

Cholestasis of pregnancy. Clinical and laboratory studies.

A prospective study was made of clinical symptoms, liver function and pregnancy prognosis in women with cholestasis of pregnancy (CP). We used several positive and negative criteria to allow a clinical definition of CP as itching limited to time of pregnancy with or without laboratory evidence of liver dysfunction. The incidence during 1971-74 was 1.5% (100/6798 women) and lower during 1980-82 (52/5441 = 1.0%). One hundred consecutive pregnant women without itching were used as clinical controls. The incidence of CP showed a distinct seasonal variation, culminating in November. Women with CP had often had itching during previous pregnancies and during use of contraceptive pills and described anamnestically itching in mother and sisters. Laboratory data in CP were compared with reference intervals for healthy pregnant women. Serum enzyme levels were significantly increased for serum alkaline phosphatase, 5-nucleotidase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in the second and especially in the third trimester. The enzyme distribution was often markedly skewed to the right, i.e. some patients reacted more than others. Most patients with cholestasis only had itching without pronounced abnormalities in laboratory data. This mild form of CP was associated with a good prognosis for both mother and child.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The effects of hydraulic resistance strength training in pre-pubertal males.

In order to examine the effectiveness and safety of hydraulic resistance strength training in young males, 26 pre-pubertal males (mean age = 8.2 +/- 1.3 yr) completed a 14-wk strength training study. Subjects were evaluated before and after the 14-wk experimental period for pubertal state (Tanner's sexual maturity rating, serum testosterone, and serum dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate). Effectiveness of the strength training program was determined by measuring pre-post differences in: isokinetic strength for flexion and extension at the knee and elbow joints at two speeds (30 degrees and 90 degrees X s-1) (KIN COM, Chattecx, Inc., Chattanooga, TN), flexibility, standing long jump, vertical jump, body composition parameters, maximal oxygen consumption, and creatinine phosphokinase. Safety of strength training was assessed by biphasic musculoskeletal scintigraphy before and after the program and by physician evaluation of complaints by subjects. Strength training subjects (N = 16) participated in a 45 min/session, 3 session/wk, 14-wk supervised strength training program with an attendance rate of 91.5%. Participants performed concentric work using hydraulic resistance equipment (Hydra-Fitness Industries, Belton, TX). Eccentric work was not performed. Control subjects (N = 10) did not strength train but did participate in sport activities and activities of daily living. Results indicated that strength training subjects increased isokinetic strength as a result of strength training (average concentric work/repetition increases by 18.5 to 36.6% for the eight motions tested; torque scores over the first 90% of the range of motion increases by 13.1 to 45.1% for the eight motions tested). These changes were significantly greater than changes seen in the control group (P less than 0.05). Strength training subjects also demonstrated significant improvements (as compared to control subjects) in vertical jump (+10.4%), flexibility (+8.4%), and maximal oxygen consumption [+19.4% (l X min-1), +13.8% (ml X kg X min-1)] after the experimental period. Musculoskeletal scintigraphy revealed no evidence of damage to epiphyses, bone, or muscle as a result of strength training. Only one strength training-related injury was reported (left shoulder pain, 3 strength training sessions missed). In contrast, six strength training subjects sustained injuries during activities of daily living, resulting in 47 missed strength training sessions. It was concluded that, in the short term, supervised concentric strength training using hydraulic resistance equipment is safe and effective in pre-pubertal boys.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1984

Storage of human breast milk.

The bacteriologic content of expressed breast milk was studied in 30 mothers at the time of expression and after 24 and 48 hours of refrigeration. There were no significant differences in colony counts between the three time intervals. All samples contained Staphylococcus epidermidis. In addition, eight other species were found, including four which were gram-negative. All samples contained less than 10(6) colonies/ml, and there were no significant differences in mean colony counts between samples expressed at home and at the hospital. We conclude that it is bacteriologically safe to refrigerate expressed breast milk for up to 48 hours.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Social locations and interpretations: how Jews define alcoholism.

A study of 88 Jews in central New York State, in which respondents were encouraged to discuss their opinions on alcoholism in depth through open-ended verbal questions, revealed differences between the various Jewish denominational affiliations. Orthodox Jews tend to offer disease definitions of alcoholism and their major response to suspected alcoholics is fear, whereas Reform and nonpracticing Jews define alcoholism in terms of psychological dependency and view suspected alcoholics with condemnation and blame. The groups' experiences with drinking and alcoholism also differ. The Orthodox Jews drink on special and sacramental occasions and report not having known any heavy drinkers; Reform and nonpracticing Jews integrate drinking into their daily social interactions and have known persons considered to be alcoholics. Conservative Jews discuss definitions and experiences of drinking and alcoholism with a lack of clarity and their views are midway between those of the Orthodox and those of the Reform and nonpracticing Jews. It is suggested that the places of groups within society and in networks of related groups parallel the interpretations that members hold concerning social phenomena.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Reference values for serum components in pregnant women.

Reference values have been collected for 11 chemical blood serum components during the three trimesters of pregnancy in 100 healthy pregnant women. The results used for reference intervals are presented as 2.5, 50 and 97.5 percentiles. Especially regarding S-Albumin, S-Alkaline phosphatase and S-5'-Nucleotidase the changes were most pronounced during the third trimester. S-Gammaglutamyl-transferase did not change significantly during pregnancy. For S-Aspartate aminotransferase and S-Alanine amino-transferase there were no significant changes in the mean values during the three different trimester periods. In the third trimester the frequency distribution of the enzymes became skewed to the right, i.e. in some women the enzyme activities increased noticeably more than in others. S-Na showed a significant decrease even during the first trimester and this lowering was slightly more pronounced during the second and third trimesters. S-Ca decreased in parallel with S-Albumin concentration. The changes in S-CaAlbumin-corrected were distinctly smaller than those in S-CaTotal. Throughout pregnancy, S-K, S-Bilirubin and S-Thymol turbitidy test values did not deviate from non-pregnant levels.

Adolescent↗