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Biomedical subjects

B Svensson

Publications and source records attributed to B Svensson.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Reduced opsonisation of protein A containing Staphylococcus aureus in sera with cryoglobulins from patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus.

Among a total of 41 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) 11 of 14 patients with active disease had reduced capacity (p less than 0.05) to opsonify Staphylococcus aureus in undiluted sera, as compared with nine of 27 patients with inactive disease (p less than 0.02). The opsonic reduction in the active patients increased with the number of active organ systems (p less than 0.002). No correlation was found between reduced opsonisation and corticosteroid treatment, or serum concentrations of complement components (C) of the classical pathway, or bacteria-associated activated C3. When the cryoglobulin fraction of immune complexes (IC) was removed, normal opsonic capacity was restored, and the opsonic reduction could be transferred with the cryoglobulins to pooled serum. Increased IC values, as measured by C1q binding assay, were found in conjunction with reduced opsonic capacity (p less than 0.04). Since opsonisation in SLE sera of a protein A deficient strain of S. aureus was normal, reduced S. aureus phagocytosis in SLE sera may be explained by IC binding to staphylococcal protein A.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Flexor tenosynovitis (FTS): a risk indicator of abnormal glucose tolerance.

Diabetes mellitus (DM), particularly of long duration and insulin dependent, can be accompanied by a variety of locomotor system disorders. However, musculo-skeletal syndromes can also appear in patients with mild glucose homeostasis disturbances. Sometimes these locomotor complaints may precede the diagnosis of the deranged glucose metabolism and hence give a clue to the underlying glucose homeostasis abnormality. In the present work, glucose metabolism was studied in 39 patients presenting with palmar flexor tenosynovitis (FTS) but without any other rheumatic manifestations. For comparison, glucose homeostasis was also studied in 44 patients with FTS accompanying rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the first group, 23% had an abnormal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), a significantly increased frequency vis-à-vis the 4.5% found in the RA group and vis-à-vis the 5.4% reported for the general population. It is concluded that in the absence of any other rheumatic disease, FTS is a risk indicator of disturbed glucose metabolism and that a simple screening procedure for the purpose of disclosing glucose homeostasis abnormalities is warranted in patients presenting with FTS.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Structural studies on the O-glycosidically linked carbohydrate chains of glucoamylase G1 from Aspergillus niger.

Glucoamylase G1 from Aspergillus niger contains an unusual type of carbohydrate-protein linkage, involving mannose O-glycosidically linked to serine and threonine. The majority of the neutral oligosaccharides of glucoamylase G1 are located in a region of about 70 amino acid residues which carries about 35 oligosaccharide units [(1983) Carlsberg Res. Commun. 48, 517-527]. Structural analysis was performed on the O-linked carbohydrates of a tryptic fragment from glucoamylase G1 comprising the segment characterized by a high degree of glycosylation. The carbohydrate structures released by trifluoroacetolysis were elucidated using sugar analysis, methylation analysis, mass spectrometry, chromium trioxide oxidation, digestion with alpha-mannosidase and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The following structures could be identified. (formula; see text)

Aspergillus niger↗
PubMed1984

Glucoamylases G1 and G2 from Aspergillus niger are synthesized from two different but closely related mRNAs.

By the use of glucoamylase-specific synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotides and molecular cloning of cDNA synthesized from Aspergillus niger total poly(A) + RNA, the primary structure of the glucoamylase G1 mRNA was determined. Glucoamylase G1 is synthesized as a precursor of 640 amino acid residues containing a putative signal peptide of 18 residues, a short propeptide of six residues and the 616 residues long mature enzyme. In vitro translations of mRNA and immunoprecipitations with glucoamylase-specific antisera showed that two glucoamylase polypeptides are synthesized. The larger form with an apparent mol. wt. of 71 000 corresponds to the precursor of glucoamylase G1, and the shorter form with an apparent mol. wt. of 61 000 corresponds to the precursor of glucoamylase G2. From the nucleotide sequencing data of several glucoamylase-specific cDNA recombinants it is shown that the G1 mRNA contains a 169 bp long intervening sequence that can be spliced out to generate a G2 mRNA. Only the 3' part of the G1 mRNA is modified by this splicing event. This kind of differential mRNA processing to give different protein products from one primary transcript has previously only been demonstrated in higher eukaryotes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1984

Glucose metabolism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Several studies made during the first half of this century suggested an association between chronic arthritis and disturbed glucose metabolism. Moreover, increased prevalence of IGT in patients with idiopathic FTS of the palms has recently been reported and RA is a disease commonly accompanied by FTS. Furthermore, patients with RA are often exposed to drugs that may precipitate or uncover mild undiagnosed DM. For these reasons, glucose tolerance was studied in 101 patients with classical or definite RA. Of these, 4 (4%) had an established type II DM and 6 (6%) a previously undiagnosed IGT. The observed frequencies of disturbed glucose metabolism in RA did not differ from the prevalence rates reported for the general population in Sweden. Hence, this study does not support the previous reports claiming an association between chronic arthritis and disturbed glucose metabolism.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Fat emulsion as a vehicle for diazepam. A study of 9492 patients.

Conventional preparations of diazepam for i.v. use contain solvents which cause pain on injection and thrombophlebitis in a high percentage of cases. However, diazepam can be dissolved with advantage in the oleaginous phase of an oil-in-water emulsion (Diazemuls). Diazemuls has been given to 9492 patients without serious side-effects. Following i.v. injection, 2435 patients were studied with respect to pain and clinical effect. Only 0.4% experienced pain. The intended clinical effect was recorded in 99% of the patients. I.m. injection of Diazemuls resulted in a significantly smaller frequency of pain in connection with the injection than did the injection of Valium (7% and 43% respectively). Pharmacokinetic studies have been made after i.v. and i.m. injection of Diazemuls and Valium. The distribution and elimination phases after i.v. injection were the same with both forms. Thus the drug probably quickly separates from the oil particles of the emulsion after injection. After i.m. administration, the plasma concentration shows a wide spread with both preparations. A brief survey of other substances tested in emulsion form is presented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Complement components, C1 activation and disease activity in SLE.

Laboratory parameters were studied in 8 systemic lupus erythematosus patients during periods of high and low disease activity, mainly as defined by clinical criteria. Renal manifestations were present in 6 patients 5 of which showed antibodies to native DNA. C-reactive protein was raised in 3 patients. Only 1 of these showed a superimposed bacterial infection. Markedly high concentrations of C1r-C1s-C1 inactivator cOmplexes (C1r-C1s-Cl IA) in the sera provided direct evidence of C1 activation independent of disease activity. During active disease. C1r-C1s-C1 IA were correlated with C1q binding immune complexes as measured by solid phase, but not by fluid phase assay. Immunochemical concentrations of C1q, C4 and C3 and functional C2 were decreased in active SLE, consistent with sequential activation of the classical pathway. Discrepancies were noted between functional and immunochemical assay for C2 but not for factor B. Although essentially within the normal range, the levels of C1s, C4 binding protein, C5 and properdin were lower during active than during inactive disease. The concentrations of the factors B, I and H did not suggest involvement of the alternative pathway. 1 exceptional patient showed low factor B, a relative decrease of factor I and the presence of Bb fragments in plasma during active SLE. Markedly high factor D values were found. This could partly be explained by reduced renal function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Locomotor system disorders in diabetes mellitus. Increased prevalence of palmar flexortenosynovitis.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) may be accompanied by a variety of locomotor system disorders including several hand syndromes. It has been suggested that palmar flexortenosynovitis (FTS) might be included among these hand syndromes, but no conclusive data have been available. Furthermore, recent studies have indicated that FTS may be a clue to previously undiagnosed impaired glucose tolerance. In the present study the prevalence of FTS among diabetics without inflammatory rheumatic disease was 11% compared with less than 1% (p less than 0.001) in a reference group. Thus, FTS could be included among the locomotor system disorders which are associated with DM.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Impaired monocyte motility in sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The influence of serum on the motility of normal monocytes in mononuclear cell preparations was investigated using a modified Boyden assay. Undiluted sera from 9 patients with active SLE and from 6 healthy controls were studied, using pooled normal serum as a reference. When the cells were suspended in SLE serum, both spontaneous motility, and motility in response to zymosan treated reference serum, were reduced. By contrast, the capacity of the SLE sera to generate chemotactic activity on zymosan treatment was hardly affected at all. In zymosan treated control sera, pronounced spreading and decreased motility of monocytes were observed, while zymosan treatment of SLE serum promoted spreading and increased the motility of cells. No consistent relationship was found between complement components and C1q binding immune complexes and the decreased monocyte motility in the SLE sera tested. Cell motility in the assay remained unaffected by the addition of prednisolone to the reference serum.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Structural studies on microvillus aminopeptidase from pig small intestine.

Two amphiphilic forms of intestinal microvillus aminopeptidase were obtained by purification of the enzyme in the absence and in the presence of aprotinin respectively. By subsequent treatment with trypsin in vitro a hydrophilic form was obtained. These three enzyme preparations all contained three subunits. A, B and C (molecular weight 168000, 11800 and 54000 respectively). The individual subunits were purified by gel filtration on Ultrogel AcA 22 in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate. Subunits A and B from aminopeptidase prepared in the presence of aprotinin contained both N-terminal lysine and alanine, whereas N-terminal alanine and glycine were found for both of these subunits from the other amphiphilic form. Conversion of amphiphilic aminopeptidase to the hydrophilic form in vitro led only to a change in the N terminus of the B subunit to a valine. N-terminal serine was found in subunit C from all three forms of the aminopeptidase. The amino acid composition and peptide maps of the isolated subunits from one of the amphiphilic forms are reported. It is suggested that subunit B and C arise by cleavage of subunit A, whereas it seemed unlikely that C originates from B. Brush border membrane vesicles were cross-linked by dimethyl-3,3-dithiobispropionimidate, and the aminopeptidase subsequently isolated. Analysis of molecular weights and subunit composition of its constituent polypeptide complexes by two-dimensional polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate showed that AB, BBC, BCC, BB, BC and CC complexes had been formed. The subunit structures ABC and BBCC were thus proposed in agreement with the maximum molecular weight of the membrane-bound enzyme previously determined as 330000.U

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1981

Varying distribution of acetylation phenotypes in RA patients with and without Sjögren's syndrome.

The acetylator phenotype status was studied in 61 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), of whom 27 had associated Sjögren's syndrome (SS). The acetylation tests were carried out by means of isoniazid and in 24 patients also with the use of dapsone; there was complete agreement between the outcome of the two tests. The results showed that the frequency of slow acetylators in the whole material was 59%. In RA patients with SS, however, the frequency of slow acetylators was as great as 78%, while it was only 44% among patients without SS (p less than 0.02). Thus, there appears to exist a (pharmaco) genetic difference between RA patients with and without SS. In addition, toxicodermias were found to be more frequent in RA patients with than without SS (P less than 0.01). However, this could not be systematically correlated to slow acetylation.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1981

Comparison of diflunisal and acetylsalicylic acid in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

A double-blind comparison of the clinical efficacy and tolerance of varying doses of diflunisal (DFS) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) was carried out in 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were given no other antirheumatic medication. An effort was made to select appropriate anamnestic, functional and sociofunctional tests and to optimize their validity by careful measurements performed by the same specialized physiotherapist and occupational therapist. In addition, the serum concentration of DFS and salicylic acid were monitored by high-pressure liquid chromatography. The therapeutic effects of DFS was at least as good as that of ASA. Moreover, DFS was better tolerated; all 7 patients on DFS could sustain the maximum dose (1g) of this drug, while that of ASA (4g) was tolerated by only one of 8 patients. All these experienced side effects, necessitating drug withdrawal in 3 cases, one being a serious hepatotoxic reaction. DFS treatment, on the other hand, was associated with only one minor side effect. The side effect difference was statistically significant (p less than 0.01). The analyses of drug concentrations in serum verified that all patients were exposed to DFS and ASA as planned, adding safety to the judgement of the therapeutic effects. The findings support the view that the novel salicylic acid derivative DFS may offer a therapeutic advantage in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; it seems to have at least the same therapeutic effect as ASA an may be better tolerated.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Follow-up study of 6 children presenting with a MCTD-like syndrome.

Since 1974 we have observed 6 children presenting with symptoms, signs and serology consistent with a MCTD-like syndrome. During this observation period (3-6 years) 3 children developed a severe disease, 2 of them contracted glomerulonephritis and one digital vasculitis. On the basis of the presenting symptoms the course of the disease was not predictable. The prognostic implications of the MCTD syndrome might therefore be questioned.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Penicillamine treatment in rheumatoid arthritis. A retrospective study.

Out of 64 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 42 were treated with D-penicillamine (D-Pa) for more than 6 months and 22 for less than 6 months. The latter patients were excluded from the evaluation of the effect. The former patients were treated with doses of 600-1 250 mg daily for 6-41 months (mean 16.8). The clinical effect was retrospectively assessed as favourable in 24 patients, 12 did not respond and the effect could not be assessed in 6. The clinical assessment was supported by significant reductions of ESR and orosomucoid. Adverse reactions, although rarely serious, led to withdrawal of the drug in 25 (39%) of the 64 patients. It is concluded that D-Pa is a valuable drug in the treatment of severe RA.

Adult↗