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Biomedical subjects

B Johansson

Publications and source records attributed to B Johansson.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Cognitions in generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder patients. A prospective approach.

Self-observations of cognitions during episodes of anxiety were examined in 38 patients with generalized anxiety disorder and 36 patients with panic disorder. Two independent observers who where blind to the diagnoses categorised the cognitions. The inter-rater reliability was high (mean kappa 0.82). The GAD-patients had significantly more cognitions in the following categories: interpersonal confrontation, competence, acceptance, concern about others and worry over minor matters, while the PD-patients had significantly more cognitions in the physical catastrophe category. Furthermore, GAD-patients with a comorbidity of social phobia reported more cognitions regarding social embarrassment than did GAD-patients with other or no (axis-I) comorbidity. The results of this study support the cognitive theory regarding the cognitive specificity of anxiety disorders. The implications of these results are discussed, along with the issues of reliability and validity of the instrument used.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Occurrence of fragmentation during compression of pellets prepared from a 4 to 1 mixture of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate and microcrystalline cellulose.

The occurrence of pellet fragmentation during the compression of pellets prepared mainly from a hard pharmaceutical filler material was investigated. The pellets consisted of 4 parts dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (generally considered as a hard material) to 1 part microcrystalline cellulose (used as a pellet forming material). Pellets of two porosities, 36% and 55%, were prepared. Compacts formed at 100 MPa applied pressure were fractured and the fracture surfaces were then visually examined. Lubricated pellets were also compacted in order to obtain tablets which could be easily deaggregated. Pellets retrieved from deaggregated tablets were compared with uncompacted pellets with respect to size and fracture resistance. The results showed that many pellets exposed in the tablet fracture surface were fractured, especially those with higher porosity. However, the lubricated pellets retrieved from deaggregated tablets were similar in size to the uncompacted pellets, i.e. fragmentation of these pellets was minimal. Furthermore, these retrieved pellets were more resistant to fracture than the original uncompacted pellets, indicating that the formation of cracks or flaws in the pellets during compaction was also minimal. It was thus concluded that deformation and probably densification, and not fragmentation, was the dominant compression mechanisms of this pellet formulation.

Calcium Phosphates↗
PubMed1999

Tabletting behaviour of pellets of a series of porosities--a comparisonbetween pellets of two different compositions.

The tabletting behaviour of pellets prepared from a 4:1 mixture of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCP) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was studied and compared with the tabletting behaviour of pellets made solely from microcrystalline cellulose (results from an earlier study by Johansson et al.). A series of pellets with porosities in the range 26-55% were prepared and tabletted at applied pressures of 25-200 MPa. Tablets were also formed from lubricated pellets. The degree of compression during compaction was calculated, and the porosity and tensile strength of the tablets and their permeability to air flow were determined. The porosity of the pellets was found to significantly affect the tabletting behaviour of the DCP/MCC pellets. However, the relationship between pellet porosity and tablet data for the DCP/MCC pellets was different from that for the MCC pellets. The DCP/MCC pellets were generally less prone to a reduction in volume during tabletting, and the pore structure of the DCP/MCC tablets was more closed. It was concluded that the DCP/MCC pellets were more rigid and underwent a different mode of deformation during tabletting than the MCC pellets. This mode of deformation was characterised by a more limited bulk deformation and a more extensive surface deformation at the pellet surfaces. The DCP/MCC pellets tended to give tablets of a lower mechanical strength. They were also less sensitive to lubrication in terms of their compactability, which may be explained either by less surface coverage by the lubricant before compression or rupture of the lubricant film during compression caused by the more extensive surface deformation of DCP/MCC pellets.

Calcium Phosphates↗
PubMed1999

Effect of feeding before, during and after milking on milk production and the hormones oxytocin, prolactin, gastrin and somatostatin.

Feeding during milking has been shown to influence milk production, milk flow and milking time as well as the secretion of the pituitary hormones oxytocin and prolactin, and the gastrointestinal hormone somatostatin. However, it is not known whether feeding before or after milking has any effect. The aim of the present study was to investigate how the timing of feeding relative to milking influences milk production and flow, milking time and hormone secretion. The trial was carried out over 9 weeks with 24 cows at varying stages of lactation. Each treatment period lasted for 3 weeks, including one registration week. The cows were fed ad lib. and were exposed to three treatments: feeding 1.5 h before milking (FBM), feeding at exactly the same time as milking (FDM) and feeding 1.5 h after milking (FAM). The most marked treatment effect was observed during morning milking. FDM resulted in higher milk production and higher yields of protein and lactose. FAM produced a lower fat yield and a lower fat content compared with FDM, and a lower lactose content than either FBM and FDM. Milking time was longer when cows were fed during milking, but no significant effects on milk flow were found. The amount of milk collected during the first 2 min of milking was lower when cows were fed after milking. Milking-related oxytocin and somatostatin secretion was lower in FAM than in FDM. The level of prolactin was lower when cows were fed before or after than during milking. More studies are needed to elucidate whether there is a long-term effect on milk production related to the discussed milking routines.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Smoothelin and intermediate filament proteins in human aortocoronary saphenous vein by-pass grafts.

The aim of this immunohistochemical investigation was to study the distribution of the novel cytoskeletal protein smoothelin and the intermediate filament proteins vimentin and desmin in normal human great saphenous vein and in human aortocoronary by-pass vein grafts. Smoothelin was present in most smooth muscle cells in the media of the native vein. In the neointima of the vein grafts that had been in situ for three months or more, smoothelin was, in general, present only in few smooth muscle cells. Desmin was distributed in the same pattern as smoothelin in the native great saphenous vein. When desmin and smoothelin were present in the neointima, smoothelin was detected in more cells than desmin. Vimentin was present in most cells in all wall layers of both the native saphenous vein and the vein grafts. Vascular smooth muscle cells containing vimentin but not desmin or smoothelin are the principal cells in the neointima of human aortocoronary vein grafts. In some grafts, however, all three cytoskeletal proteins were detected in the neointima. The distribution of smoothelin and desmin in aortocoronary vein grafts support the postulate that these proteins are expressed mainly in the contractile smooth muscle cell phenotype.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Cytogenetic analyses of secondary liver tumors reveal significant differences in genomic imbalances between primary and metastatic colon carcinomas.

To investigate if karyotypic features of secondary liver tumors may provide diagnostic information and if the cytogenetic patterns of primary and metastatic colorectal carcinomas (CRC) are different, 33 liver metastases were analyzed: 25 CRC, 4 small intestine carcinoids, 1 ovarian carcinoid, 1 lobular breast cancer, 1 head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma, and 1 uveal malignant melanoma. Chromosomal aberrations were detected in 24 cases, whereas 5 had normal karyotypes and 4 were uninformative due to lack of mitoses. Trisomy 12 was detected in 2 small intestine carcinoids, suggesting that +12 may be of pathogenetic importance in this tumor type. The breast and head-and-neck carcinomas and the uveal melanoma displayed aberrations previously reported as characteristic in primary tumors, e.g., der(1;16) and deletion of 3p in the breast cancer, losses of 3p and 8p and partial gain of 8q in the head-and-neck carcinoma, and monosomy 3 and i(8)(q10) in the uveal melanoma, indicating that cytogenetic investigations provide important diagnostic information in secondary liver tumors. In the 18 CRC metastases with chromosomal abnormalities, the cytogenetic findings agreed well with previously reported primary CRC. Common numerical abnormalities included gains of chromosomes 7, 11, 13, and 20, and losses of Y, 4, 18, 21, and 22. Structural rearrangements most often affected chromosome bands 1p13, 1q10, 3p21, 5q10, 5q11, 7q10, 8q10, 8q11, 12q13, 16p13, 17p11, 20p13, 20p11, and 20q10, and frequently resulted in losses of 1p, 8p, and 17p, and gains of 5p, 6p, 7p, 8q, and 20q. Comparing the present cases with primary CRC previously analyzed in our department revealed that additional gains of 6p, 6q, 7p, and 20q, and losses of 1p, 4p, 4q, 8p, 18p, 18q, and 22 were more common (P < 0.05) in the metastases, suggesting that these genomic sites harbor genes of importance in the metastatic process of CRC.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Prospective randomized multicentre study of laparoscopic versus open appendicectomy.

BACKGROUND: A prospective randomized multicentre study was performed to compare the outcome of laparoscopic and open appendicectomy in patients with suspected acute appendicitis. METHODS: A total of 523 patients was randomized, but because of 23 withdrawals the outcome in 500 patients is reported, 244 in the laparoscopic group and 256 in the open group. RESULTS: Patients having laparoscopic appendicectomy recovered more quickly than those having open surgery (13 versus 21 days, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in duration of sick leave after operation (laparoscopic group 11 days versus open group 14 days). Postoperative pain (at 24 h, 7 days and 14 days) was less after laparoscopic operations and a functional index 1 week after operation was more favourable in these patients (P < 0.001). Operating time was significantly longer in the laparoscopic group (60 versus 35 min, P < 0.01). Hospital stay and complications did not differ between the groups. Thirty laparoscopic procedures (12 per cent) were converted to open appendicectomy. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic appendicectomy is as safe as open appendicectomy and has the advantage of allowing a quicker recovery.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

Intensified primary cancer care: a randomized study of home care nurse contacts.

Newly diagnosed cancer patients (n=527) were randomised to intensified primary care or a control group. Intensified primary care comprised routines to improve general practitioners' and home care nurses' possibilities to support and monitor patients, i.e. increased information from specialist care, education and supervision in cancer care. The aims of this paper are to evaluate the effects of intensified primary care on cancer patients' home care nurse contacts, and to study if patients' use of home care services 6 months after diagnosis can be predicted. The intervention resulted in a marked increase of follow-up contacts. About 90% of intensified primary care patients reported such contacts, compared to 26% of control patients. The results indicate that standard care does not routinely include follow-up contacts, not even for the oldest (80+ years) or those with advanced disease. Only 27% and 36% of these groups of control patients reported follow-ups. Logistic regression analysis identified intensified primary care as the strongest predictor for reporting a continuing contact 6 months after diagnosis. Intensified primary care patients were 14 times more likely than controls to report a such contact. The strongest predictor of a continuing contact in the intensified primary care group was high age. Patients with advanced disease were more likely than patients with non-advanced disease to report a continuing contact, and living in a rural district was positively associated with reporting a contact. A majority of the patients (70%) assessed the time for the first contact as the 'right time' and estimated that the nurse gave expected support to a very large or large extent (67%). The results suggest that routines like those implemented through intensified primary care may be an effective strategy to increase the accessibility and continuity of care, especially for elderly people and for patients with a need for long-term contacts.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Expression of c-fos, NGFI-A and secretogranin II mRNA in brain regions during initiation of cocaine self-administration in mice.

Intravenous cocaine self-administration in mice was studied to find correlates of the acquisition of cocaine-oriented operant behaviour in the expression of nerve growth factor-induced clone A (NGFI-A), c-fos and secretogranin II mRNAs. Yoked control animals, receiving cocaine passively, served as controls for the neurochemical effect of non-contingent cocaine infusion. Animals controlling their cocaine infusions did more nose-pokes during a 30-min trial than yoked controls and animals receiving only saline, indicating a reinforcing effect of cocaine. Compared with saline, an increase in c-fos mRNA in lateral and basolateral amygdala was found in active cocaine-receiving animals, and a decrease in yoked controls receiving cocaine. There is previous evidence for an involvement of the amygdala, particularly its basolateral part, in cocaine's effects on motivation. In caudate putamen, both contingent and non-contingent cocaine increased c-fos mRNA. Non-contingent cocaine infusions increased NGFI-A mRNA expression in the core of nucleus accumbens, medial caudate putamen and frontal cortex, whereas self-administration eliminated these effects. In the core of the nucleus accumbens and piriform cortex there was increased, and in medial amygdala decreased secretogranin II mRNA in yoked controls compared with saline controls. In contrast, in basomedial and central nuclei of amygdala, increased secretogranin II mRNA was found in self-administering mice. Previous studies measuring gene expression after cocaine administration obviously did not give the complete picture of changes in gene expression in the drug-taking organism. As differences in c-fos and secretogranin II mRNA between active mice and yoked controls were robust, measuring these mRNAs may identify neurons selectively involved in acquisition of cocaine-taking behaviour.

Amygdala↗
PubMed1999

Origins of individual differences in episodic memory in the oldest-old: a population-based study of identical and same-sex fraternal twins aged 80 and older.

The relative importance of genetic and environmental influences on episodic memory in very late life was studied using a quantitative genetic approach. Identical (n = 125) and same-sex fraternal (n = 157) twin pairs, aged 80 and older (mean age = 83.3; SD = 3.1) and without a diagnosis of dementia were tested with seven memory measures: (1-2) Digit Span Forward and Backwards, (3) Prose Recall, (4) Thurstone's picture memory test, and the Memory in Reality (MIR) test, including the subtasks of (5) free recall, (6) recognition, and (7) relocation. Heritabilities, estimated by structural equation modeling, ranged from .04 to .49. The digit span backward test showed the highest heritability (h2 = .49), while heritabilities were typically lower for the long-term memory measures. The results demonstrate genetic influences on memory in the oldest-old, but suggest that the magnitude of these effects differs across memory measures.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Laparoscopic mesh versus open preperitoneal mesh versus conventional technique for inguinal hernia repair: a randomized multicenter trial (SCUR Hernia Repair Study).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of the laparoscopic technique in hernia repair regarding time to full recovery and return to work, complications, recurrence rate, and economic aspects. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Several studies have shown advantages in terms of less pain and faster recovery after laparoscopic hernia repair, whereas others have not, and the cost-effectiveness has been questioned. The laparoscopic technique must be thoroughly compared with the open procedures before its true place in hernia surgery can be defined. METHODS: Six hundred thirteen male patients aged 40 to 75 years were randomized to the conventional procedure, preperitoneal mesh placed by the open technique, or laparoscopic preperitoneal mesh (TAPP). Follow-up was after 7 days, 8 weeks, and 1 year. RESULTS: Of 613 patients undergoing surgery, 604 (98.5%) were followed for 1 year. Patients who underwent TAPP gained full recovery after 18.4 days, compared with 24.2 days for open mesh (p < 0.001) and 26.4 days for the conventional procedure (p < 0.001). Patients who underwent TAPP returned to work after 14.7 days, compared with 17.7 days for open mesh (p = 0.05) and 17.9 days for the conventional procedure (p = 0.04). They also had significantly less restriction in physical activities after 7 days. The TAPP procedure was more expensive, mainly as a result of longer surgical time and equipment costs, even after compensation for earlier return to work. Complications were more common in the TAPP group, with a varying pattern between the groups. Four recurrences in the conventional, 11 in the open mesh, and 4 in the TAPP group were recorded after 1 year (p = n.s.). CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic technique results in both shorter time to full recovery and shorter time to return to work, at the price of substantially increased costs.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed1999

History of depression and other psychiatric illness as risk factors for Alzheimer disease in a twin sample.

Although case-control studies have found elevated risk for Alzheimer disease (AD) associated with a prior psychiatric history, most of the previous research had inadequate controls for familial risk factors. Putative psychiatric risk factors were evaluated for a registry-based sample of 65 twin pairs discordant for AD. Risk ratios were calculated for psychiatric illness at any time and for episodes more than 10 years before dementia onset. Prior psychiatric illness was significantly associated with elevated risk. Most of these cases represented depressive episodes. When analyses were restricted to individuals whose mental illness commenced more than 10 years before dementia onset, the magnitude of the odds ratio decreased markedly. These findings suggest that a history of psychiatric illness, especially depression, may be associated with an elevated risk for AD. In particular, these results are consistent with an interpretation that symptoms of depression and similar complaints represent prodromal phases of dementia.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

A single-center population-based consecutive series of 1500 cytogenetically investigated adult hematological malignancies: karyotypic features in relation to morphology, age and gender.

During the 18-yr period 1976-93, a population-based series of 1586 adults with suspected or confirmed hematological malignancies were successfully cytogenetically investigated at a single center. Eighty-six cases were excluded due to unretrievable medical records or if analyzed only in remission or at relapse. The remaining 1500 medical records were reviewed regarding morphology and clinical parameters in order to investigate possible associations between karyotypic pattern (normal, 1, 2 or complex anomalies; specific abnormalities) and gender, age and morphological subgroups. The impact of time-period, i.e. 1976-87 vs. 1988-93, and referring center on cytogenetic findings was also studied. A total of 372 acute myeloid leukemias (AML), 389 myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), 64 acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALL) and 262 chronic myeloid leukemias (CML) were identified, altogether 1087 cases. Patients with other (n=261) or no hematological malignancies (n = 152) were excluded from the present analysis. Cytogenetic abnormalities were detected in 52% AML, 51 % MDS, 68% ALL and 97% CML, frequencies that did not differ significantly between the 2 time periods or referring centers. No significant age- or gender-related differences in karyotypic patterns were discerned in AML, MDS, ALL or CML, whereas the karyotypic patterns varied among the FAB groups in both AML (p= 0.001) and MDS (p < 0.001). The specific abnormalities t(8;21), t(15;17) and inv(16) were more common (p < 0.001) in younger AML patients and 5q- was more frequent in females with MDS (p<0.001). These findings indicate, in contrast to previous series, that neoplasia-associated karyotypic aberrations are not more common among older patients or in males.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Prognostic implications of cytogenetic aberrations in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas.

A single institution series of 81 consecutive, cytogenetically analyzed, diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBL), the majority of which treated with anthracycline-containing combination chemotherapy, were reviewed retrospectively to investigate whether the karyotypic pattern or certain abnormalities correlate with survival. Clonal chromosome changes were found in 79 of the 81 cases. The prognostic impact of the following aberrations, all suggested in previous studies to be associated with either shorter or longer survival, were tested: 1q21-23 breakpoints, +2/dup(2p), +3/dup(3p), +5, +6, 6q21-25 breakpoints, monosomy 7/der(7p)/i(7q), trisomy 7, 14q11-12 breakpoints, monosomy 17/der(17p)/i(17q), trisomy 18, > 4 marker chromosomes, > 4 breakpoints, and > or = 10 abnormalities. Univariate analysis showed that a breakpoint at 1q21-23 or trisomy 6 was associated with a shorter survival. However, when adjusted for age, stage, performance status and lactate dehydrogenase level, none of the cytogenetic aberrations had an independent prognostic value. Thus, the present investigation provides no support for any of the above-mentioned abnormalities being of prognostic importance in DLBL.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Clonal chromosomal abnormalities in congenital bile duct dilatation (Caroli's disease).

BACKGROUND: Caroli's disease is a rare congenital disorder characterised by cystic dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts and an increased risk of cholangiocellular carcinoma. The cause is unknown, but occasional familial clustering suggests that some cases are inherited, in particular when occurring in association with polycystic kidney disease and germline PKD1 gene mutations. To date, no gene responsible for familial isolated Caroli's disease has been identified, and no genetic investigations of liver tissue from patients with Caroli's disease have been reported. PATIENT/METHOD: A liver biopsy specimen from a patient with isolated Caroli's disease, without any signs of cholangiocellular carcinoma, was short term cultured and cytogenetically investigated after G banding with Wright's stain. RESULT: Cytogenetic analysis disclosed the karyotype 45-47,XX,der(3)t(3;8)(p23;q13), +2mar[cp6]/46,XX[18]. CONCLUSIONS: The finding of an unbalanced translocation between chromosomes 3 and 8 suggests that loss of distal 3p and/or gain of 8q is of pathogenetic importance in Caroli's disease. Alternatively, structural rearrangements of genes located in 3p23 and 8q13 may be of the essence. These chromosomal breakpoints may also pinpoint the location of genes involved in inherited forms of Caroli's disease not associated with polycystic kidney disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Reliable high risk HPV DNA testing by polymerase chain reaction: an intermethod and intramethod comparison.

BACKGROUND: The development of a reproducible, sensitive, and standardised human papillomavirus (HPV) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is required to implement HPV testing in cervical cancer screening programmes and for triaging women with mild to moderate dysplasia. AIMS: To determine the intermethod agreement between different GP5+/6+ and MY09/11 PCR based protocols for the detection and typing of high risk (HR) HPV DNA in cervical smears and to assess the intramethod reproducibility of the GP5+/6+ PCR enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for HR-HPV detection. METHODS: For the intermethod comparison, crude aliquots of 20 well characterised cervical smears comprising five HPV negative samples, and six and nine samples containing single and multiple HPV infections, respectively, were coded and sent from reference laboratory (A) to three other laboratories. One of these (laboratory B) used the GP5+/6+ PCR-EIA and was provided with standard protocols. Another laboratory (C) used GP5+/6+ PCR combined with sequence analysis and type specific PCR, whereas two laboratories (D and E) used MY09/11 PCR followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis for the detection and typing of HR-HPV. The intramethod agreement of GP5+/6+ PCR-EIA was analysed in a subsequent study with four other laboratories (F to I) on crude aliquots of 50 well characterised cervical smears, consisting of 32 HR-HPV positive and 18 HPV negative samples. Standardised protocols, primers, and probes were also provided by the reference laboratory for HR-HPV detection. RESULTS: In the intermethod comparison, pairwise agreement of the different laboratories with reference laboratory A for the detection of HR-HPV varied between 75% and 100% (kappa values: 0.5 to 1). Typing data revealed a broader range in pairwise agreement rates between 32% and 100%. The highest agreement was found between laboratories A and B using standardised protocols and validated reagents. In the intramethod evaluation, pairwise comparison of the laboratories F to I with reference laboratory A revealed excellent agreement rates from 92% to 100% (kappa values: 0.88 to 1.0) with an overall sensitivity of 97.5% (195/200) and specificity of 99.5% (199/200). CONCLUSIONS: The detection of HR-HPV as a group is highly reproducible with GP5+/6+ PCR-EIA provided that standardised protocols and validated reagents are used.

Cervix Uteri↗