Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Larsson

Publications and source records attributed to B Larsson.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Swedish obese subjects (SOS). Recruitment for an intervention study and a selected description of the obese state.

SOS (Swedish obese subjects) is an on-going intervention trial designed to determine whether the mortality and morbidity rates among obese individuals who lose weight by surgical means (gastric banding, vertical banded gastroplasty and gastric by-pass) differ from the rates associated with conventional treatment. For this purpose, the study is recruiting a sample of obese men and women who constitute a registry of potential subjects from which the participants are drawn. Eligibility criteria for participation in the registry were: age at application 37-57 years and BMI greater than or equal to 34 kg/m2 for men and greater than or equal to 38 kg/m2 for women. Before receiving a health examination, all patients complete extensive questionnaires on current and past health status, utilization of medical care and medications, socio-economic status, psychological profiles, dietary habits, physical activity, weight history, and familial disposition to obesity. Each surgical case is matched to its optimal control in the registry, to ensure that the two groups do not differ systematically with respect to any of 18 matching variables that may affect prognosis. The first 1006 subjects included in the registry have been studied with respect to morbidity and compared with on-going population studies of men and women in Göteborg, Sweden. The relative risks of prevalent disease and symptoms associated with obesity in 50-year-old males and females respectively were 4.3 and 4.7 (dyspnoea), 14.7 and 11.8 (angina), 6.3 (myocardial infarction, males only), 2.1 and 4.5 (hypertension), 5.2 and 6.6 (diabetes), 4.6 and 26.1 (claudication) and 1.7 and 1.8 (gall bladder disease). Correspondingly, obese males and females display elevations of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and uric acid levels. However, total cholesterol was not increased in obese males and was in fact significantly lower in obese compared with reference women. HDL-cholesterol was lower in obese than reference men (data were not available in reference women). The rate of taking sick pensions was over twice as high in SOS obese patients than in population controls. Finally, comparison of measurements with self-reported prevalence estimates revealed a considerable amount of previously undiagnosed hypertension and diabetes in the obese subjects. These data suggest that the excess health risks associated with obesity may not be fully appreciated.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1992

Functional effects, binding sites and immunolocalization of endothelin-1 in isolated penile tissues from man and rabbit.

Functional effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) were investigated in isolated preparations of human and rabbit corpus cavernosum (CC) and human penile circumflex veins (CV). In all preparations, ET-1 induced slowly developing, concentration-dependent contractions. The threshold concentration of ET-1 in CV was approximately 10 and 112 times lower than the threshold concentrations in human and rabbit CC, respectively. Furthermore, the contractions in CV reached a defined maximum at 10(-7) M ET-1 (-log EC50 = 9.12 +/- 0.17), whereas no maximum was obtained in CC preparations within the concentration range used (less than or equal to 3 x 10(-7) M). Pretreatment with the Ca++ channel blocker nimodipine partly reduced the ET-1-induced contractions in human and rabbit CC, but had no significant effect on CV preparations. In a Ca(++)-free medium containing the chelator ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-aminoethylether)-N,N'-tetra-acetic acid, the contractions induced by ET-1 were reduced, but not abolished, in all preparations. The contractions induced by ET-1 are thus mediated mainly by influx of Ca++, although there seem to exist differences in the relative contribution of L-type Ca++ channels in CC and CV. Furthermore, additional mechanisms beside Ca++ influx are likely to be involved in both tissues. A high density of [125I]ET-1 binding sites was observed throughout the stroma and in the muscle layer of the deep penile artery in both human and rabbit CC. In the human CV, numerous binding sites were observed, but no clear difference between the various structures of the vessel wall could be detected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Congenital curly haircoat as a symptom of persistent infection with bovine virus diarrhoea virus in calves.

Ten calves were born small and with a curly haircoat in a dairy herd which comprised approximately 185 milking animals. These calves commonly developed diarrhoea and/or signs of respiratory disease at the age of 2 to 4 weeks. Two of the calves died and 5 were chronically ill and poor doers and were therefore euthanized. This susceptibility to disease of the curly haired calves was quite different from what was observed among other calves in the herd. Sera from seven of the curly haired calves were examined and were all found to be free from detectable antibodies to bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) and to harbour a non-cytopathic strain of BVDV. One of the calves was retested after 7 weeks and was still seronegative and viraemic. Of 49 non-curly haired calves examined in the herd 44 were BVDV seropositive. The other 5 were seronegative to BVDV but attempts to isolate BVDV from their sera failed.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Determination of level of antibodies to bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV) in bulk tank milk as a tool in the diagnosis and prophylaxis of BVDV infections in dairy herds.

An indirect ELISA has been evaluated for determination of the level of antibodies to BVDV in individual milk samples and recently in bulk tank milk from dairy herds. As part of an epidemiological study, bulk milk and individual milk samples from all cows in 15 dairy herds were analysed for antibodies to BVDV two times one year apart. There was an excellent correlation between the level of antibodies in the bulk tank milk and the prevalence of BVDV antibody positive cows. The mean prevalence of BVDV antibody positive cows in the 15 dairy herds was 45.5% (188/413) at the first sampling and 46.2% (191/413) one year later. Seven of the herds had no, or only a low number of antibody positive cows. In contrast, between 52 to 100% of the cows in seven other herds were antibody positive to BVDV. In the 15th herd all cows without antibodies at the first sampling were antibody positive to BVDV one year later, indicating a recently introduced BVDV infection in this herd. Analysis of bulk milk samples for BVDV antibodies is now routinely used in Sweden as a tool in diagnosis and prophylaxis of BVDV infections in dairy herds. The importance and advantages of this diagnostic technique, that has made it possible to establish BVDV-free dairy herds, is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Evaluation of a specific test in cross-country skiing.

Six Danish male cross-country skiers were studied during the end-of-summer and winter seasons. Their maximal oxygen uptake was measured while running on a treadmill and using a ski ergometer incorporating the double-poling technique. Maximal oxygen uptake during treadmill running and double-poling was correlated with performance, expressed as a ranking score during 10 ski races. The tests were undertaken in September, December and April. Upper body maximal oxygen uptake increased 5.8% from September to December, decreasing to 2.3% above the September level in April. Upper body work output (2 min at maximal intensity) increased 11.8% from September to December (P less than 0.05). The relationship between upper body and leg maximal oxygen uptake--the upper body/leg ratio--was 89.4% in September. In four skiers, both treadmill and upper body tests were undertaken on each test occasion. The upper body/leg ratio changed from 87.7% in September to 95.7% in December. In April, the ratio was 91.0%. The maximal oxygen uptake measured using the ski ergometer during double-poling was significantly correlated with performance (P less than 0.05). It is concluded that the upper body ski ergometer can be used in the evaluation of elite cross-country skiers.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The effect of unilateral ovariectomy on intraluminal pressure in the porcine oviductal isthmus.

Intraluminal pressure variations in the isthmus of the porcine oviduct were studied under anaesthesia in 4 previously unilaterally ovariectomized gilts during either prooestrus, day 1, day 2, or day 3 of the oestrous cycle. The objective was to see if the removal of one ovary would have any effect on the activity of the ipsilateral oviduct. Blood collected from the jugular vein and both utero-ovarian veins were analysed for concentrations of oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone. Although a clear difference was seen between ovarian steroid concentrations in the blood plasma collected from the utero-ovarian veins of the same animal, the isthmic activity was similar in both oviducts.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Primary bovine viral diarrhoea virus infection in calves following direct contact with a persistently viraemic calf.

Six calves, aged 24 to 58 days and not previously exposed to bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), were infected with this agent by nose-to-nose contact with a persistently BVDV viraemic calf. The study was conducted in two trials, using 3 calves in each. All 6 calves showed a peak interferon level in serum at 4 days post infection (dpi), and they seroconverted to BVDV at 16-21 dpi. The calves in trial 1 had diarrhoea for 2 or 3 days between 2 and 6 dpi and one calf again from 9 to 11 dpi. During the periods of fever, the calves were slightly depressed. Those in trial 2 were more depressed and their oral and nasal mucous membranes were reddened but they never had diarrhoea. In both trials, fever (up to 41.3 degrees C) was a prominent symptom at 8 to 9 dpi and 2 calves showed a diphasic fever course. Respiratory affection was mild and no medical treatment was required. Haematological assessment demonstrated a transient but significant leukopenia and lymphopenia at 4 dpi (P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.05 respectively) and 11 dpi (P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.01 respectively). A significant decrease in thrombocyte count was seen at 4 dpi (P less than 0.05, n = 3). This study has demonstrated that nose-to-nose contact is an effective way of transmitting BVDV from persistently infected to susceptible cattle.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Short-term stability of depressive symptoms and suicide attempts in Swedish adolescents.

The prevalence of depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation and their relationship to perceived health problems and social relations were examined in a sample of 605 Swedish adolescents aged 13-18 years. Short-term stability of depressive symptoms and the turnover rate from a nondepressed to a depressed state were examined for subsamples of 36 depressed and 71 nondepressed subjects, respectively, who were retested after 4 to 6 weeks. Using Beck's criteria for clinical depression, 9% of the adolescents experienced moderate to severe depressive symptom levels. However, a more conservative estimate, 4%, was obtained when DSM-III criteria for major depressive disorder were applied. Approximately 3% of the adolescents had pronounced suicidal ideation and had made at least one previous suicide attempt. There was a tendency for boys to show more stable depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation than girls. Furthermore, a set of 5 psychosocial variables concerning the students' satisfaction with their school and leisure time, conflictual level at home and number of close friends predicted 31% of the variance of the subjects' total depressive symptom scores. Although a 32% decrease of depressive symptoms was noted for the depressed subsample of adolescents, 44% of these subjects continued to experience moderate to severe depression at follow-up.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

The topographic distribution of lymphocytic gastritis in gastrectomy specimens.

Forty-eight entire gastrectomy specimens received consecutively at this Department were cut into blocks for histologic examination. Focal or more extended areas of chronic gastritis (i.e. superficial or atrophic with or without intestinal metaplasia) were present in all 48 specimens. In addition, two of the 48 specimens had a large number of lymphocytes in the surface and foveolar epithelium of the mucosa. In the literature the latter is regarded as "lymphocytic gastritis". Lymphocytic gastritis was found in all 156 sections obtained from the two specimens. This lympho-epithelial phenomenon was present even in areas lacking chronic inflammation in the subjacent lamina propria mucosae. From our results it would appear that while chronic gastritis has a focal or a regional topographic distribution, lymphocytic gastritis includes the entire surface-foveolar epithelium of the gastric mucosa.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

Effects of parasympathetic decentralization on some nerve-mediated functions in the feline urinary bladder.

Isolated detrusor muscle from control cats and cats parasympathetically decentralized for 3 and 10 weeks responded to electrical field stimulation by tetrodotoxin-sensitive, frequency-dependent contractions. There were no significant differences in the frequencies producing 50% response. However, the amplitude of the scopolamine-resistant contraction was distinctly lower in decentralized bladder preparations than in controls. Decentralized detrusor muscle (10 weeks) showed no increased response to alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation (phenylephrine, clonidine, noradrenaline), but the sensitivity to carbachol (at 3 and 10 weeks) was significantly decreased compared with controls. The release of [3H]noradrenaline was decreased by carbachol 10(-7) to 10(-5) M both in controls and in decentralized (10 weeks) detrusor muscle, the decrease being significantly more pronounced in the decentralized group at carbachol concentrations of 10(-7) and 10(-6) M. There were no differences between controls and decentralized bladders of muscarinic receptor concentration, but decentralization significantly reduced the affinity for the radioligand used to label the receptors. Thus, the main changes caused by parasympathetic decentralization of the feline bladder seem to be a reduced post-junctional, but an increased prejunctional response to muscarinic receptor stimulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Studies on binding sites, contents, and effects of AVP in isolated bladder and urethra from rabbits and humans.

The binding sites, contents, and effects of arginine vasopressin (AVP) were studied in isolated bladder and urethral preparations from rabbits and humans. In all tissues, higher levels of AVP-like immunoreactivity (AVP-LI) were detected than those normally found in plasma. Radioligand membrane binding studies using [3H]AVP as the ligand revealed the existence of a single population of binding sites in the rabbit bladder, and displacement experiments indicated that the receptor was of the V1 subtype. By autoradiography, [3H]AVP binding sites in the rabbit bladder were shown to be located on both circularly and longitudinally oriented smooth muscle cells, as well as in the submucosa at the part adjacent to the urothelium. In the rabbit urethra, the binding sites were confined mainly to the circular smooth muscle layer. Neither radioligand membrane binding studies nor autoradiography revealed any specific [3H]AVP binding sites in the human bladder. AVP contracted rabbit bladder and urethral preparations concentration dependently. The contractions were inhibited by the V1-receptor selective antagonist A16 in a noncompetitive manner. However, A16 had no effects on contractions elicited by electrical-field stimulation. In preparations of the human bladder and urethra, AVP in concentrations up to 10(-5) M did not have any contractile effects. These results suggest that in the rabbit and human lower urinary tract, AVP-LI is synthesized locally and/or extracted from the circulation. It is unlikely that AVP is directly involved in the neurotransmission in these tissues, although in the rabbit bladder and urethra a modulatory role cannot be excluded.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Oxytocin, somatostatin, insulin and gastrin concentrations vis-à-vis late pregnancy, breastfeeding and oral contraceptives.

Oxytocin concentrations increased during pregnancy and during medication with low-dose oral contraceptives (o.c.). Postprandial somatostatin concentrations were lower during medication with o.c. Insulin concentrations were elevated during pregnancy with the same tendency during medication with o.c. Gastrin levels were unaffected during the peripartal period and during medication with o.c. Women who were breastfeeders at 3 months after delivery had higher concentrations of oxytocin and lower somatostatin concentrations post-prandially during pregnancy and fasting at 3 months after delivery compared with non-breastfeeders at 3 months after delivery. Metabolic and behavioral implications are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Bovine coronavirus as the causative agent of winter dysentery: serological evidence.

Sera from 9 dairy herds with epizootic enteritis (winter dysentery) were examined for antibodies to bovine coronavirus (BCV) and bovine virus diarrhoea virus (BVDV). Cows in 8 of the 9 herds seroconverted to BCV alone, while the animals in the ninth herd, which showed severe symptoms of the disease, seroconverted both to BCV and BVDV. The BCV antibodies, which were present in high titres 1 year postinfection, were transferred to the offspring via the colostrum and were then detectable in sera of calves until these were approximately 5 months old. A serological survey of 549 Swedish heifers showed that 61% of the animals were reactors to BCV. The prevalence of seroreactors to BCV was equally distributed over Sweden but was commonly either high or low in herds. In conclusion, BCV is commonly detected in animals suffering from winter dysentery. A co-infection with BVDV appears to aggravate the disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Triglycerides, a major coronary risk factor in elderly men. A study of men born in 1913.

We examined two 'cohorts' of elderly men, 60 and 67 years old. The two 'cohorts' overlapped to a large extent in terms of numbers but not in the follow-up periods. The mean have been followed-up for 7 and 8 years respectively. Among the 748 60-year-old men without prior myocardial infarction the 7-year incidence of coronary heart disease was 8%. The incidence was related to blood pressure, smoking habits and serum triglycerides (but not serum cholesterol) both in univariate and multivariate analyses. The incidence of coronary heart disease increased 5-fold from the lowest to the highest quintile of triglycerides. Among the 595 67-year-old men without prior myocardial infarction the 8-year incidence of coronary heart disease was 11%. Both serum cholesterol and triglycerides were significant risk factors in univariate analyses but only triglycerides in multivariate analyses. The incidence of coronary heart disease increased almost three-fold from the lowest to the highest quintile of triglycerides. Increased serum triglycerides is a major coronary risk factor in elderly men.

Aged↗