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Biomedical subjects

B Nilsson

Publications and source records attributed to B Nilsson.

At least 487 records · Page 27Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Characterization and localization of specific oestrogen binding in the human thymus.

Clinical and experimental observations suggest that oestrogens may influence immune reactivity. The oestrogen-binding properties of the human thymus were studied by the use of an aqueous two-phase separation technique. A specific, high-affinity and low-capacity binding was found in 9 out of 10 thymic tissue samples obtained from children and adults of both sexes, their ages ranging from 1 to 42 years. The association constant (+/- SD) for the oestradiol binding in human thymus was 3.7 +/- 1.4 X 10(9) M-1 and was in the same range as the receptor binding in the human uterus. The steroid specificity was found to differ from the classical oestrogen receptor. The concentration of oestrogen-binding sites (+/- SD) was 182 +/- 181 fmol/mg protein and was higher than the receptor concentration of the uterus. According to histochemical analyses the binding is located in the reticulo-epithelial stroma rather than the thymocytes. Data suggest that the human thymus is a target organ for oestrogens which may influence lymphocyte function during therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Serum levels of neopterin as related to the prognosis of human prostatic carcinoma.

In 93 patients suffering from prostatic cancer, serum levels of neopterin, a pteridine reflecting activation of the immune defence system, were measured at the time of diagnosis and 6 and 12 months after treatment with orchidectomy or estrogens. Neopterin levels were initially greater than 10 nM/l in 27% of the patients and in this group tumor recurrences occurred in 28% as compared to 7% in the group with neopterin less than 10 nM/l. No apparent correlation between tumor stage and grade and neopterin levels could be demonstrated. Neopterin levels decreased significantly after onset of treatment (p less than 0.001), which implicates a hormone dependence. But still patients with initially elevated serum neopterin levels, and thus an assumed activated immune defence system at the time of diagnosis, had lower survival rates than those without elevated neopterin levels (p less than 0.001). It is concluded that elevated levels of neopterin in serum is a sign of poor prognosis in human prostatic cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Differences in the carbohydrate moieties of the common alpha-subunits of human chorionic gonadotropin, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and thyrotropin: preliminary structural inferences from direct methylation analysis.

The carbohydrate components of combined alpha-subunits of urinary hCG and human pituitary LH (hLH), FSH (hFSH), and TSH (hTSH), each derived from the intact hormone, were studied by direct sugar analysis and methylation analysis. The methods provide a complete survey of the structural elements contained in the complex sugars associated with these glycoproteins, but do not establish the sugar sequences or anomeric configurations of glycosidic bonds. By analogy to N-linked oligosaccharides that occur in many glycoproteins, the data suggest distinct structural features for carbohydrates of alpha-subunits combined with beta-subunits. hCG alpha contains biantennary asparagine-linked chains terminated by either NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1- or GlcNAc beta 1-2 Man alpha 1- and lacks fucose. hTSH alpha contains biantennary chains with the same termini as hCG alpha plus terminal R-O-4GalNAc and a fucosyl residue linked alpha 1-6 to the inner GlcNAc residue of the N-linked chitobiosyl core. hLH alpha may contain some high mannose chains, but primarily contains biantennary chains terminated by NeuAc alpha 2-3(6)Gal beta 1-, GlcNAc beta 1-, GalNac-1-, R'-O-6GlcNAc-1-, and R"-0-2Man-1-plus a fucosyl residue linked alpha 1-6 to the inner GlcNAc residue of the N-linked chitobiosyl core. hFSH alpha contains more complicated structures that probably include a bisecting GlcNAc residue linked beta 1-4 to a 3,6-di-O-substituted core mannosyl residue, and terminal NeuAc alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-4(+/- Fuc alpha 1-3)GlcNAc-1, Gal beta 1-4(+/- Fuc alpha 1-3)GlcNAc-1-, R"'-O-GalNAc-1-, and GalNAc-1. In addition, the presence of 2,4-di-O-substituted mannose in hFSH alpha indicates that it contains triantennary chains. The identities of the R; R', R", and R"' groups were not determined, but recent studies of glycoprotein hormones suggest that they may be sulfate groups. Our results demonstrate differential glycosylation of virtually identical polypeptide hormone alpha-subunits produced in the same organ or perhaps even in the same cell.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗
PubMed1986

Serum immunocomplexes in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Immunocomplexes (IC) in serum were analyzed in 54 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from ruptured arterial aneurysms. A previous study had shown that patients with SAH and vasospasm had a significantly higher incidence of ICs in the blood than patients without vasospasm. The aim of the present study was to study how the IC content varied with time and compare this pattern with the clinical picture. Forty-two patients presented clinical or radiological signs of cerebral vasospasm during their hospital stays, whereas 12 patients showed no such signs. The patients with vasospasm had a significantly higher amount of ICs in serum than those without vasospasm. In 37 patients with vasospasm, the changes of IC content during the 1st weeks after SAH correlated well with the clinical course. Data indicated that a high IC content preceded the onset of vasospasm and a low content preceded clinical improvement. This observation supports the idea that the presence of ICs might be the cause and not the result of vasospasm.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The importance of pre bone marrow transplantation serology in determining subsequent cytomegalovirus infection. An analysis of risk factors.

The yearly incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection among 73 consecutive bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients was 68%. Recipients with negative CMV serology prior to transplantation had a yearly incidence of CMV infection of 35% compared to 87% in CMV seropositive patients (p = 0.0001). When the ages of donors and recipients were analysed as continuous variables, both recipients with a younger donor and young recipients had a lower incidence of CMV infection (p = 0.04; p = 0.05). White cell transfusions were significantly associated with an increased incidence of CMV infection (p = 0.03). If white cell transfusions were controlled for, lower marrow cell doses were significantly associated with an increased risk of CMV infection, compared to higher cell doses (p = 0.035). In multivariate analyses, the impact of negative recipient serology was so strong that the other analysed factors did not affect the prognosis for CMV infection, when taken together or separately. 14 patients had symptomatic CMV infection and 13 of those were seropositive prior to BMT. The one-year incidence of symptomatic CMV infection was 33%. None of 12 clinical factors analysed were significantly associated with symptomatic CMV infection. The CMV antibody titer level prior to BMT was not correlated to the risk for symptomatic CMV infection and/or death. The ability to respond with a significant titer rise after BMT was lowered for patients with interstitial pneumonitis compared to patients with other clinical symptoms of CMV infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Hip fracture frequent in hospital.

In the year 1982, 112 hip fractures - cervical and trochanteric - were recorded in residents of Malmö after having been admitted to hospitals. During that same year, a total of 463 hip fractures occurred in the city. The risk of sustanining a hip fracture was 11 times greater in hospital patients aged 50 years or more than in persons of the same age who had not been admitted to hospitals.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1986

Decreased blood lead levels in residents of Stockholm for the period 1980-1984.

A number of measures have been taken to decrease the spread of lead to ambient air and food. In a study of the effect of these and other preventive measures, blood samples from approximately 100 persons living in the inner city area of Stockholm were collected and analyzed for lead content on three different occasions, in 1980, 1983, and 1984. The same subjects were examined on at least two occasions and the analytical method, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, was carefully controlled by means of reference samples on each occasion. The blood lead levels decreased during the observation period. The average blood lead concentrations for all the examined persons were 0.37, 0.26, and 0.25 mumol/l for 1980, 1983, and 1984, respectively. The mean of the differences in individual blood lead levels for 1980 and 1984 was 0.12 mumol/l. This figure corresponds to an average decrease in blood lead of 34% for all the subjects examined in 1980. The decrease occurred mainly during the period 1980-1983 (mean 0.11 mumol/l) and, thereafter, was only slight for the period 1983-1984 (mean 0.01 mumol/l). Factors such as age, sex, and change of residence during the observation period did not influence the final results.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Young stroke patients. An angiographic study.

In 59 young stroke patients without predisposing conditions (thromboembolic mechanisms, diabetes, cardiac disease, coagulation disturbances), the angiographic findings and the clinical observations in combination make arterial dissection the most probable diagnosis in 45 patients. In an additional 7, this diagnosis remains as a possible diagnosis. It is suggest that in patients under 40 years of age with no predisposing disease and with sudden onset of neurologic deficits, preceded or accompanied by headache and/or neck pain and often associated with physical strain, arterial dissection should be regarded as the most likely diagnosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Mercury in dental practice. I. The working environment of dental personnel and their exposure to mercury vapor.

Eighty-two dental clinics in the county of Västerbotten, Sweden, were examined. The dentists answered questionnaires concerning working routines, consumption of mercury and the amount of amalgam therapy. Measurings of mercury vapor were performed in 109 operatories and in 35 sterilizing rooms in Public Dental Care (Ftv) and in 59 operatories and 48 sterilizing rooms in Private Dental Care (Ptv). In order to trace the sources of mercury exposure measurings were made at predetermined places. Peak values exceeding 150 micrograms/m3 were found in the operatories in Ftv in 2 places of measuring and in Ptv at 5 places and also at 2 places in the sterilizing rooms. The average amount of mercury vapor in the breathing zone (Hg-index) never exceeded 25 micrograms/m3. The exposure was higher in the operatories than in the sterilizing rooms and was higher in Ptv than in Ftv. Hg-index could be effected, though not in a statistically significant way, by the design of the clinic, the equipment and the routines. Peak readings of mercury vapor at floor level had the greatest influence on Hg-index, which indicates that spillage of mercury is the most important contributor to the dental personnel's exposure to mercury vapor.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1986

Mercury in dental practice. II. Urinary mercury excretion in dental personnel.

Urinary mercury levels (HgU) have been measured in the first morning urine samples from 505 dental personnel in the county of Västerbotten in northern Sweden, and from 41 controls, randomly selected wives and husbands to the examined dentists. Information concerning personal factors and working routines were gathered from questionnaires. The HgU values were higher for dental personnel than for the control group but were consistently very low and were for all examined subjects below the proposed occupational exposure limit for HgU for subjects exposed to mercury vapor (approximately equal to 28 nmol/mmol creatinine). Dental nurses had the highest HgU values, higher in Private Dental Care than in Public Dental Care. The levels of mercury vapor in the workroom air influenced the HgU in a statistically significant way only for male dentists in Public Dental Care. Symptoms which might be caused by exposure to mercury were more common among dental personnel than in the control group, but no statistically significant correlations could be found with HgU values. There was a statistically significant correlation between the number of amalgam surfaces and the HgU values in the control group.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Effects of infusion of the beta-adrenoceptor agonist terbutaline on serum magnesium in pregnant women.

Seventeen third trimester pregnant women received a 30-min intravenous infusion of terbutaline 20 micrograms/min. The drug caused a prompt (30 min) drop in serum potassium (p less than 0.001) and a decrease after 120 min in serum magnesium concentrations (p less than 0.002). No significant changes in calcium or sodium levels were observed. The altered serum magnesium concentrations were significantly (p less than 0.05) correlated to increases in plasma free fatty acid levels but not to elevated plasma glucose concentrations. Whatever the mechanism for the lowering of serum magnesium may be, the potential danger of administering a beta-adrenoceptor agonist to pregnant women with low serum potassium and magnesium levels is underlined.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The acute thrombogenicity of a compliant polyurethane arterial graft compared with autologous vein. An experimental study in sheep.

The acute thrombogenicity of a new type of polyurethane urea graft was compared with that of autologous femoral vein graft in a sheep carotid artery interposition model. There was significantly more thrombus formation (as measured from thrombus weight and thrombus-free surface) and greater platelet accumulation in the polyurethane graft. Despite flow restriction to 25 ml/min, the patency rates after 4 hours were similar; all veins were patent and only one of the eight polyurethane grafts was occluded.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Analysis of signals for secretion in the staphylococcal protein A gene.

Different constructs of the gene encoding staphylococcal protein A were introduced in Staphylococcus aureus and S. xylosus as well as Escherichia coli. The product of the gene without the cell wall anchoring domain was efficiently secreted in all three hosts. N-terminal sequencing of the affinity-purified mature protein revealed a common processing site after the alanine residue at position 36. In contrast, when an internal IgG-binding fragment of protein A (region B) was inserted after the protein A signal sequence, the product was poorly secreted and N-terminal sequencing revealed no processing at the normal site. This demonstrates that the structure of the polypeptide chain beyond the signal peptide cleavage site can affect cleavage. Another construct, containing the N-terminal IgG-binding part of the mature protein A (region E) followed by region B, gave correct processing and efficient secretion. Unexpectedly, the gene product, EB, was not only secreted and correctly processed, but was also excreted to the culture medium of E. coli. Secretion vectors containing the protein A signal sequence were constructed to facilitate secretion of foreign gene products. Insertion of the E. coli gene phoA, lacking its own promoter and signal sequence, led to efficient secretion of alkaline phosphatase both in E. coli and S. aureus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1985

Blood lymphocyte counts with subset analysis in operable breast cancer. Relation to the extent of tumor disease and prognosis.

Blood lymphocyte counts and various lymphocyte subsets, as defined by rosette tests, were examined in breast cancer patients and correlated to the extent of tumor disease and prognosis. One hundred sixty-six patients tested before or shortly after surgery were included. It was observed that the frequency of E-rosette-forming lymphocytes correlated to the development of distant metastases (P = 0.007) and survival (P = 0.022). A high frequency of E-rosette-forming cells was associated with a poor prognosis. The well-known prognostic value of clinical tumor stage and axillary lymph node involvement was also confirmed. A possible relation between the tumor disease and other immune variables was indicated by the finding that the frequency of EAC-rosette-forming lymphocytes (mainly B-cells) was reduced in patients with relatively large primary tumors. This relation was most pronounced in patients without axillary node involvement (P less than 0.01). In addition, it was observed that the blood lymphocyte counts were significantly higher in patients with three or more tumor-involved axillary nodes than in those with zero to two (P less than 0.005). Our results seem to stand in contrast to the generally held view that low lymphocyte counts and a low proportion of E-rosette-forming cells in the blood are associated with a large tumor burden and a poor prognosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

The effect of heparin fragments of different molecular weights on experimental thrombosis and haemostasis.

The effect of heparin fragments of different molecular weights has been compared with that of conventional sodium heparin on experimental thrombosis in vivo and ex vivo and experimental haemostasis in vivo. In the first part of the study fragments of different molecular weights were given (4,900, 6,500, 9,500 and 22,200 dalton). All preparations including the control gave a significant prolongation of the haemostatic plug formation time in the rabbit mesenteric microcirculation, and all except the fragment with the lowest molecular weight reduced the frequency of jugular vein thrombosis (induced by a combination of endothelial denudation and stasis). There was a correlation between the XaI activity of the different heparin fragments and frequency of thrombosis. Using an ex vivo method (modification of Chandler's model) a dose dependent lag phase until start of thrombus formation was found. In the second part of the study a dose response investigation was made comparing different doses of a fragment (6,500 dalton) with conventional heparin in the same XaI doses (10, 30 and 60 units/kg). Sodium heparin in the highest dose prolonged the haemostatic plug formation time whereas none of the fragment doses did. The lowest dose both of the fragment and conventional heparin did not reduce the frequency of thrombosis, whereas the two higher doses did. Thus it may be possible to obtain preventive effect on thrombus formation with a heparin fragment.

Animals↗