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Biomedical subjects

B Bergman

Publications and source records attributed to B Bergman.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Personality traits and psychiatric and somatic morbidity among kleptomaniacs.

Although the behaviour of kleptomania has been identified for decades, very little is known about the reasons, prevalence, course and treatment of this disorder. Current knowledge about kleptomania is generally derived from case reports or from material collected from highly selected groups. There are no published systematic studies of personality traits among kleptomaniacs, and knowledge of somatic and psychiatric co-morbidity is limited. The purpose of the present study was to describe personality characteristics, psychiatric disorders and somatic illness among kleptomaniacs. A total of 37 patients (two-thirds of whom were female) who fulfilled the DSM-IV criteria for kleptomania were recruited by advertising in a daily newspaper. Monotony avoidance was a prominent personality trait, as was a low degree of socialization. Depression and anxiety were also very common, as was a history of attempted suicide. Somatic illness was commonly reported, and a high proportion of the kleptomaniacs were regularly receiving pharmacological treatment for either psychiatric or somatic illness. The representativeness of this group of kleptomaniacs is as yet unknown. However, the present study is based on the largest sample of patients fulfilling DSM-III-R/DSM-IV criteria for kleptomania to date who were not primarily recruited through the medical or legislative systems.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Cohabiting relationships and sexual interest of male alcoholics.

This study comprises data from a consecutive series of 52 heterosexual male alcoholics. The purpose of the study was to describe sexual interest and cohabiting relationships and to analyse the influence of personality and biological factors on these phenomena. An increased sexual interest or activity and frequent changes of cohabiting partners are two common characteristics of male alcoholics but these two phenomena are not interrelated. A decreased sexual interest is reported by only a minority of male alcoholics. The alcoholics with several previous cohabiting relationships stand out as being aggressive and hard drinking. The alcoholic with an increased sexual interest makes an opposite impression. He is non-aggressive, socially adjustable and unafraid of close interpersonal relations. When decreased sexual interest or activity occurs in male alcoholics, it is mainly a result of hormonal changes. Low levels of male and high levels of female sex hormones are common in these men.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Lung cancer in West Sweden 1976-1985. A study of trends and survival with special reference to surgical treatment.

We reviewed 3 285 consecutive cases of lung cancer diagnosed in West Sweden during the period 1976-1985. Data were collected from the regional cancer registry, the Swedish National Population Registry, and medical records. During the study period, the annual female/male ratio increased from 0.29 to 0.42. In females, there was an increase primarily in the incidence of tobacco-related morphologic tumour types (i.e. squamous and small cell lung cancers). In males, a moderate increase of adenocarcinomas was seen, although squamous cell cancer remained the most common tumour type. The overall 5-year survival rate was 8.3%. In 641 patients (20%) a surgical tumour resection was carried out. The 5-year survival rate following resection was 38%, and the probability of 10-year survival was estimated at 25%. In a multifactorial model including gender, age, histology, pTNM stage and extent of resection, pTNM stage and, to a lesser degree, age were statistically significant independent predictors of postoperative survival. The five-year survival was 57% in stage 1, 21-27% in stage II and IIIa, and 10% in stage IIIb. Of all resected patients, 4.2% died within two months after resection. In males, early postoperative mortality was predicted by preoperative bicycle ergometry. The prognosis in non-resected patients was poor, with only 2% surviving 5 years or longer. In conclusion, the results indicate that some progress has been made with regard to surgical management of lung cancer, but they also point to the fact that the vast majority of patients are not amenable to curative treatments, and that the overall survival in lung cancer has improved only marginally during the last decades.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1995

Cloning, sequencing, and regulation of the glutathione reductase gene from the cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120.

Glutathione reductase (GR) was purified from the cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7120. A 3-kilobase genomic DNA fragment containing the coding sequence for the GR gene (gor) was identified and cloned by polymerase chain reaction based on sequences of selected peptides isolated from proteolyzed GR. The coding sequence encompassing 458 amino acid residues, as well as 360 base pairs of the 5'-flanking region and 430 base pairs of the 3'-flanking region, were determined. Genomic Southern analysis indicates that gor is a single-copy gene. A gor antisense RNA probe hybridized with a 1.4-kilobase transcript, suggesting that the gene is not part of an operon including additional genes. The deduced GR amino acid sequence shows 41 to 48% identity with those of human, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, pea, and Arabidopsis thaliana GR. The coding sequence of GR was overexpressed in a GR-deficient E. coli strain, SG5, and the recombinant protein was purified. Anabaena GR is NADPH-linked, but a Lys residue replaces an Arg residue involved in NADPH binding in GR from other species. In addition, Anabaena GR carries the GXGXXG "fingerprint" motif which otherwise characterizes NAD(H)-dependent enzymes. These differences may contribute to the lack of affinity for 2',5'-ADP-Sepharose 4B of Anabaena GR. Three E. coli-type promoter sequences and a BifA/NtcA binding motif were found upstream of the open reading frame. The middle and the proximal promoters were shown to be active. However, the use of the middle promoter was dependent on the nitrogen source in the culture medium. Both GR activity and GR protein concentration increased in ammonium grown cultures in which both the middle and proximal promoters were used for transcriptional initiation. The BifA/NtcA-binding site overlaps the middle promoter sequence and may thus be involved in regulation of differential transcription.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Corrosion of titanium and amalgam couples: effect of fluoride, area size, surface preparation and fabrication procedures.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this investigation was to study the effect of surface treatments and electrode area size on the corrosion of cast and machined titanium in contact with conventional and high-copper amalgams in saline solutions with and without added fluoride ions. METHODS: The potentials and the charges transferred between amalgam and titanium couples were registered using standard electrochemical methods. RESULTS: Conventional amalgam corroded more than high-copper amalgams in contact with titanium in saline solutions. Adding fluoride to the solution made the titanium potential more active and enhanced the corrosion of titanium in combination with high-copper amalgams. The amalgam corrosion increased with a five-fold enlargement of the titanium area. The increase was significant for one titanium-amalgam combination. Surface preparations affected the electrochemical behavior, and surface alterations were occasionally observed on wet-ground titanium specimens. No significant differences were found in comparisons of cast and lathe-cut titanium. SIGNIFICANCE: Surface preparations and fluoride affect the electrochemical activity of titanium.

Copper↗
PubMed1995

The accuracy of a high-precision digitizer for CAD/CAM of crowns.

An alternative method for manufacturing fixed prostheses that uses machine digitalization and a combination of milling and spark erosion has been developed. The digitizer used has a contact probe with a ball-shaped tip. This study evaluated the accuracy of the device and the transfer of data from the individual die to the computer. The dimensions of a square gauge as read by the machine were compared with the known dimensions of the object with a computer, which allowed determination of the accuracy of the digitalization. Procera machining and the implications for reliable prosthodontic treatment are discussed.

Analog-Digital Conversion↗
PubMed1995

Quality-of-life and cost-effectiveness assessment in lung cancer.

This paper reviews recent advances in the methods for assessing the quality of life of patients with lung cancer and recent applications of quality-of-life measures in lung cancer clinical trials. In terms of methodology, there exist today a number of self-report quality-of-life questionnaires that are valid, reliable, and sufficiently brief to be of practical use in clinical research settings. Application of these measures in lung cancer clinical trials has contributed to the evaluation of: 1) long-versus short-duration chemotherapy, four- versus two-drug combinations, intensive versus standard chemotherapy, and continuous versus bolus injection chemotherapy in the treatment of small cell lung cancer; 2) high versus low radiation doses in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer; 3) megestrol acetate and hydrazine sulfate as supportive treatment for small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy; 4) granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in small cell lung cancer patients receiving dose-intensified chemotherapy; and 5) the rehabilitation needs of lung cancer survivors. Future efforts should be directed toward achieving higher levels of compliance with clinical trial-based quality-of-life studies, and the development of techniques for integrating quality of life and clinical outcomes for purposes of cost-effectiveness evaluations.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1995

Effect of the carbon dioxide laser on viability of ear cartilage in a rabbit model.

The carbon dioxide (CO2) laser can be used for rapid, detailed sculpting of cartilage for creation of an ear framework for reconstruction of microtia. Clinical and animal studies of the effect of the CO2 laser have noted good healing with little evidence of a zone of tissue injury adjacent to the laser incisions. The current study has investigated the longer term effect of CO2 on chondrocyte viability in a rabbit ear model in which the laser has been used to incise autogenous cartilage segments for implantation into subcutaneous pockets. Over a 3-month period, the conformational integrity of the segments, when compared to segments incised with a scalpel, was no different. However, radioactive sulfur uptake studies to assess the viability of chondrocytes indicated a decrease in chondrocyte density in those specimens that have been subjected to laser incisions. Although other studies of acute cellular injury indicate that the CO2 laser may be beneficial for cartilage incision and sculpting, the current study indicates that resorption over longer periods of time might be encountered as a consequence of decreased chondrocyte viability in the vicinity of the laser incisions.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1995

Sociodemographic characteristics and criminality in victims of firearm injuries.

This study is based on all victims of firearm injuries (n = 820) treated in public hospitals in Stockholm, Sweden, between 1972 and 1992. The aim of the study was to determine the sociodemographic characteristics, criminality, and mortality in victims of firearm injuries. The diagnosis was accident in 56.0%, suicide/attempted suicide in 11.7%, murder/attempted murder in 20.6%, and undetermined in 11.7%. Information was procured from the Swedish National Population Register, the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare's register on causes of death, and the Swedish National Police Board's register on sentences passed. The average victim of a firearm injury was a young man, single, and often divorced. The proportion of immigrants was larger than expected, involvement in criminality was massive, and the mortality rate was high. The risk of being killed by the gunshot if brought to the hospital alive was relatively low, except in the cases of attempted suicide. The recurrent rate in violent trauma was high. It is suggested that secondary prevention could make an important contribution to the reduction of firearm injuries and fatalities. If the necessary surgical care is supplemented with a psychosocial intervention program to help the patient change his or her current situation, the number of "chronic" victims of violence could be reduced.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

A 25 year longitudinal study of patients treated with removable partial dentures.

A 25 year longitudinal study was carried out on a number of patients fitted with removable partial dentures (RPDs) in 1969. Before the prosthetic treatment all patients were given oral hygiene motivation and instructions in order to create a high level of co-operation. The RPDs, most of which were lower bilateral distal extension dentures, were carefully planned and designed. During the first 10 years the patients were examined in our clinic at yearly intervals at which time encouragement and reinstruction regarding oral hygiene were given and various treatment procedures were performed as required. After the initial 10 years the patients were advised, for practical reasons, to continue to have yearly controls on their own initiative. Of the initial 30 patients from 1969, 23 were still alive in 1994, all of whom were examined. In five of those 23 the original RPD situation had changed more or less due mainly to general illness contracted and/or change to other therapies. In the remaining 18 patients wearing in total 20 RPDs, 13 (65%) of the original RPDs were still functioning. Seven RPDs were new with principally the same design as the original ones. Among these 18 patients the number of lost teeth, the number of new DF surfaces and the increased number of endodontically treated teeth were few. No apparent changes took place regarding the periodontal condition during the follow-up period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Long-term survival in small-cell lung cancer: posttreatment characteristics in patients surviving 5 to 18+ years--an analysis of 1,714 consecutive patients.

PURPOSE: To describe in patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) the characteristics of those who survive for > or = 5 years, to identify long-term prognostic factors, to analyze survival data of 5-year survivors, and to study 10-year survival in patients entered before 1981. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 1,714 unselected patients with SCLC were treated with combination chemotherapy in nine consecutive clinical trials from 1973 to 1991. All medical records were reviewed and follow-up data obtained to analyze and compare pretreatment and posttreatment characteristics. RESULTS: Sixty patients survived longer than 5 years. Late relapses occurred in 15.0% of 5-year survivors and secondary malignancies in 20.0%. Twenty-six patients are still alive and disease-free 5 to 18 years (median, 9.5 years) from initiation of treatment. Extensive-stage disease, performance status (PS) more than 2, liver and bone marrow metastases, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase levels were all negative prognostic factors. The 5-year survival rate was 3.5% (limited-stage disease, 4.8%; extensive-stage disease, 2.3%), and the 10-year survival rate was 1.8% (limited-stage disease, 2.5%; extensive-stage disease, 1.2%). CONCLUSION: Long-term survival can be achieved for both stages of SCLC, but without any change in survival rates over the last decade. Long-term survivors continuously seem to have considerable mortality due to late relapses and secondary malignancies, especially tobacco-related cancers and other tobacco-related diseases.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1995

[Antibiotic prophylaxis in diagnostic and therapeutic urological interventions].

An enquiry into the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in conjunction with diagnostic or therapeutic urological procedures at hospitals in four Scandinavian countries showed manifest national differences to exist for most procedures. In transurethral resection, for instance, antibiotic cover was used at 79 percent of Finnish hospitals, but at only nine percent of Danish hospitals. Not only were dosage regimens characterized by wide national variation, but also the spectrum of antibiotics used, quinolones being most frequently used in Sweden, but ampicillin and pivampicillin in Denmark. For some procedures policy was more uniform in all countries, antibiotic cover rarely being used in connection with ureterocystoscopy (5 percent of hospitals), but often in conjunction with percutaneous stone surgery (72 per cent). In certain procedures where there is strong evidence suggesting the necessity of antibiotic prophylaxis, it was not always used-e.g., in transrectal prostate biopsy where it was used at only 62 per cent of hospitals. The interpretation of published findings and clinical experience would appear to differ markedly, and local traditions would seem to be strong determinants of clinical routines. The wide variation suggests that all patients do not receive optimal treatment. To improve routines, our knowledge of antibiotic preparations needs to be expanded by well executed studies, followed by general implementation of the results at the various centres. A series of consensus conferences should be arranged and the recommendations published as a first step toward a more uniform and probably better use of antibiotic prophylaxis in conjunction with diagnostic and therapeutic urological procedures.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1995

A comparison of oral health in 70-year-old city cohorts in Umeå northern Sweden in 1981 and 1990: oral problems, dental and periodontal status.

A comparison of oral health in two different samples of 70-year-old men and women living in the city of Umeå in 1981 and 1990 showed that a higher frequency of dental visits among men could be expected in the city population in 1990 (95% CI). The frequency and pattern of reported oral problems was similar in 1981 and 1990. Total edentulousness among men and women in 1981/1990 was 31.3/21.4 and 53.5/35.7% respectively. The lower frequency in 1990 was not statistically significant on the population level. The mean number of teeth was lower in dentated men (12.8 +/- 6.0 V.S. 17.4 +/- 5.4) (p < 0.05) and women (16.9 +/- 6.3 V.S. 13.9 +/- 8.4) (n.s.) in 1990 compared with in 1981 and the functional index according to Eichner showed no difference. Thus, the lower frequency of edentulousness in 1990 mainly seemed to be the result of another distribution of about the same total amount of teeth, on more people. The bleeding index showed values around 30% in both cohorts. Both men and women showed less recurrent caries in 1990 (p < or = 0.05). Men showed a higher number of missing teeth (p < or = 0.01) and of decayed root surfaces (p < or = 0.05) in 1990. The latter might be explained by a larger exposed root surface area which was indicated by a higher frequency (n.s.) of surfaces with an attachment level > 3 mm in the cohort examined in 1990. Although, the compared 70-year-old city cohorts in Umeå examined in 1981 and 199 showed a higher frequency of dental visits and of dentated subjects, no improvement in reported oral health or dental status could be found in the 70-year-old in Umeå in 1990.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Characteristics of imprisoned wife-beaters.

The aim of this study is to present the authors' recent findings concerning the wife-beater and to discuss the existing state of knowledge as well as practical implications concerning the treatment of these men. The study presents interview and register data as well as some endocrinological findings in 18 wife-beaters sentenced to prison. These men generally lived under unfavourable socio-economic conditions, half of them were immigrants and most of them had been maltreated as children. Drug and alcohol abuse was common. The men showed an overconsumption of both somatic in-patient and out-patient care but had virtually no previous psychiatric history. Depressive symptoms were common, however, as were anti-social personality traits, reflected in a marked involvement in both violent and non-violent offences. The levels of testosterone were generally high. It is argued that the most efficient therapeutic approach would be to treat alcohol and drug addiction, an aspect of rehabilitation that has often been underestimated or overlooked in previous treatment programmes. The period of imprisonment could be utilized for these purposes, as an alcoholic who becomes sober is probably less prone to abuse his wife.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The EORTC QLQ-LC13: a modular supplement to the EORTC Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) for use in lung cancer clinical trials. EORTC Study Group on Quality of Life.

The EORTC Study Group on Quality of Life has developed a modular system for assessing the quality of life of cancer patients in clinical trials composed of two basic elements: (1) a core quality of life questionnaire, the EORTC QLQ-C30, covering general aspects of health-related quality of life, and (2) additional disease- or treatment-specific questionnaire modules. Two international field studies were carried out to evaluate the practicality, reliability and validity of the core questionnaire, supplemented by a 13-item lung cancer-specific questionnaire module, the EORTC QLQ-LC13. In this paper, the results of an evaluation of the QLQ-LC13 are reported. The lung cancer questionnaire module comprises both multi-item and single-item measures of lung cancer-associated symptoms (i.e. coughing, haemoptysis, dyspnoea and pain) and side-effects from conventional chemo- and radiotherapy (i.e. hair loss, neuropathy, sore mouth and dysphagia). It was administered to patients with non-resectable lung cancer recruited from 17 countries. In total, 883 and 735 patients, respectively, completed the questionnaire prior to and once during treatment. The symptom measures discriminated clearly between patients differing in performance status. All item scores changed significantly in the expected direction (i.e. lung cancer symptoms decreased and treatment toxicities increased) during treatment. With one exception (problems with a sore mouth), the change of toxicity measures over time was related specifically to either chemo- or radiotherapy. However, the single item on neuropathy did not measure adequately the full range of symptoms. The hypothesised scale structure of the questionnaire was partially supported by the data. The multi-item dyspnoea scale met the minimal standards for reliability (Cronbach alpha coefficient > 0.70), while the pain items did not form a scale with reliability estimates acceptable for group comparisons. In conclusion, the results form international field testing lend support to the EORTC QLQ-LC13 as a clinically valid and useful tool for assessing disease- and treatment-specific symptoms in lung cancer patients participating in clinical trials, when combined with the EORTC core quality of life questionnaire. In a few areas, however, the questionnaire module could benefit from further refinements. In addition, its performance over a longer period of time still needs to be investigated.

Adult↗