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Biomedical subjects

E Johansson

Publications and source records attributed to E Johansson.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Androgen levels in women using Norplant implants.

Plasma concentrations of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), testosterone, free testosterone, androstenedione (A4) and levonorgestrel were studied in 17 women before and during use of two levonorgestrel covered rods resulting in identical plasma concentrations of levonorgestrel as Norplant implants. There was a highly significant decrease in SHBG during treatment. Total testosterone and A4 also decreased significantly. Free testosterone remained unchanged. Diurnal variations were found to occur for A4, total and free testosterone, but not for SHBG or levonorgestrel. Moreover, plasma concentrations of testosterone, free testosterone, levonorgestrel and SHBG were measured in a second group of 88 women participating in a clinical study on Norplant implants, who at the one year follow-up visit either denied or claimed to have developed increased facial acne during treatment. There was no difference regarding SHBG, total testosterone, free testosterone or levonorgestrel between the groups of women with and without facial acne. However, the women in the group noticing increased acne during treatment, reported significantly more often to have had acne before treatment compared to the women who did not notice increased acne during treatment. It is concluded that treatment with Norplant implants does not result in increasing plasma levels of androgens.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1986

Immunohistological evaluation of alopecia areata treated with squaric acid dibutylester (SADBE).

A total of 19 patients with alopecia areata volunteered for serial biopsies of the scalp skin during SADBE treatment. Regrowth of terminal hair was seen in 12 of the 19 patients on the side of the scalp treated with SADBE for a minimum of four months, but not on a control side treated with sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). Immunocompetent cells were characterized with ANAE staining and monoclonal antibodies in biopsy specimen showing marked peribulbar and perivascular inflammatory cell infiltrates. Inflammatory cell subclasses were repeatedly evaluated during SADBE treatment. No specific alterations in lymphocyte subclasses and macrophages were seen in relation to the hair growth response. In immunofluorescent studies it was found that in patients with regrowth of hair, immunoglobulins, fibrin and complement, appeared in the hair bulb and along the basement membrane during the treatment. Results were negative in patients without regrowth of terminal hair and in SLS-treated skin. As we could not demonstrate that any cell-mediated mechanism was involved, we suggest that SADBE may induce terminal hair growth through as yet uncharacterized mediators.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Determination of vitamin B12 in gruel by a radioisotope dilution assay.

The results obtained by a radioisotope dilution (RID) method for the determination of vitamin B12 in gruel were compared with those obtained by a standard microbiological assay with Lactobacillus leichmannii. A commercially available RID assay kit was used. A very high correlation between the results from the RID method and the microbiological method was found when the extraction procedure was the same. Digestion with buffer solution at pH 4.6 was shown to be the most suitable extraction method. The RID assay is an acceptable method for routine determinations of vitamin B12 in gruel.

Biological Assay↗
PubMed1985

Abnormal calcium and magnesium stores in erythrocytes and granulocytes from patients with inflammatory connective tissue diseases. Relationship to inflammatory activity and effect of corticosteroid therapy.

The mass fraction of Ca and Mg in isolated erythrocytes and granulocytes was measured using the nuclear microprobe technique. Conspicuous abnormalities were observed in cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory arthritides. Compared with the normal cellular content, total Ca was increased an average of 3 times in erythrocytes and 5 times in granulocytes. Total granulocyte Mg was increased about 3 times, whereas erythrocyte Mg was reduced to as much as 60% of normal. These abnormalities were less prominent or were absent in scleroderma patients, except for levels of granulocyte Ca, which were increased more than 3 times beyond normal in this patient group. A significant positive correlation was found between serum haptoglobin and erythrocyte or granulocyte Ca content among these patients, but not between haptoglobin and erythrocyte or granulocyte Mg values. During corticosteroid treatment, a significant increase in erythrocyte Mg and a significant reduction in erythrocyte Ca were noted, but normalization of these levels was not achieved. Granulocyte Ca was also significantly reduced, while granulocyte Mg remained unaltered. Serum levels of Ca and Mg were within normal ranges and were not influenced by corticosteroid therapy. The results indicate that at least Ca abnormalities in erythrocytes and granulocytes are associated with the intensity of the inflammatory process and that the amounts of Ca and Mg in these cells are influenced by potent antiinflammatory therapy.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1985

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Clinical and light- and electron-microscopic observations during etretinate therapy.

Three patients with epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV) were treated with etretinate for 9-13 months. The patients had lesions characteristic of EV, including flat warts, common genital warts, pityriasis-versicolor-like lesions and malignant changes such as actinic keratosis and Bowenoid cancer in situ. During etretinate treatment, some flattening of the warts was observed in all three patients, and the lesions on the chest and back became less red and scaling. However, none of the lesions disappeared completely, and when the treatment was discontinued, the lesions relapsed. No malignant changes were detected during the period of therapy. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of typical large, clear cells containing viral particles in the upper epidermis. Etretinate therapy induced the same type of fine-structural changes as those seen in keratinization disorders and genodermatoses. The clear cells and virus particles persisted throughout the treatment period. More long-term, controlled studies are necessary to make possible an estimate of the curative and cancer-inhibitory effect of etretinate treatment in patients with EV.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Reduced zinc in peripheral blood cells from patients with inflammatory connective tissue diseases.

By the use of the nuclear microprobe technique, the concentrations of zinc in isolated erythrocytes, platelets, and granulocytes were measured in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, other inflammatory arthritides, and scleroderma. Markedly reduced cellular zinc values were found compared to those measured in healthy subjects. No relation was found to inflammatory activity or disease duration. Plasma zinc was reduced in the majority of the patients and was negatively correlated to the inflammatory activity estimated by ESR and serum orosomucoid. No relation was found between total zinc values in plasma or cells or disease duration. Corticosteroid therapy was instituted in a number of the patients with inflammatory arthritides and induced a significant elevation of total zinc in all cell types, although normalization was not achieved. Plasma zinc values remained unchanged during the treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Assessment of class-specific antibodies against denatured DNA in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

In this retrospective study 103 serum samples from 16 females with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), obtained during a mean follow-up time of 2 years, were investigated for the presence of anti-denatured [single-stranded (ss)] DNA antibodies of the IgG, IgM, and IgA classes. The anti-ssDNA antibodies were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the results were expressed in three ways: as units derived from a single serum dilution and as two parameters, E and A, calculated from the dose-response curve, E being an estimate of the effective amount of antibodies and A a function of the reaction constant between the antigen and the antibody. The simultaneous occurrence of anti-ssDNA antibodies of all three immunoglobulin classes was seen most often in the patients with the shortest duration of the disease. Clinically active disease was found to correlate with high reaction constants of the IgA anti-ssDNA antibodies. There was also an association between the IgA anti-ssDNA antibody levels and the presence of nephritis. Great fluctuations in the amounts of effective antibodies of the IgG class were seen in seven patients, in six of whom changes in the disease activity also were seen. Changes in the disease activity were unaccompanied by fluctuations in the IgG anti-ssDNA levels in four patients; two of these patients were positive for antibodies against extractable nuclear antigens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Anovulation, inadequate luteal phase and poor sperm penetration in cervical mucus during prolonged use of Norplant implants.

Blood samples for progesterone assay were collected for a total of 49 cycles, from 27 volunteers using the NORPLANT system. Levonorgestrel determinations were carried out in the same samples. A group of 12 women with normal cycles were studied in the same manner to serve as controls. Of the 49 cycles studied, 20 (41%) were ovulatory. The mean levonorgestrel level in ovulatory patients was 0.34 +/- 0.11 ng/ml (S.D.) compared to 0.42 +/- 0.14 ng/ml (S.D.) in anovulatory cycles. Compared to the control group, progesterone levels were significantly lower for users of NORPLANT implants during days -12 to -10 (p less than 0.025), -9 to -7 (p less than 0.05), -6 to -4 (p less than 0.0005) and days -3 to -1 (p less than 0.01). Cervical mucus evaluations and post-coital tests were done around mid-cycle in 29 of the cycles studied. All samples of cervical mucus were of poor quality, viscous and scarce, with a mean SPK of 4.1 +/- 2.3 cm. Most had absent or atypical ferning. Twenty-one subjects (73%) had a post-coital score of 1, and 4 (14%) of zero. Thus, anovulation, inadequate luteal phase and the direct effect of the continuous administration of levonorgestrel over cervical function, all seem to contribute to the effectiveness of NORPLANT implants.

Anovulation↗
PubMed1985

Trace element profiles in individual blood cells from patients with Down's syndrome.

The concentrations of trace elements in three different types of blood cells--erythrocytes, thrombocytes and neutrophils--were determined by nuclear microprobe analysis in 11 children with Down's syndrome (DS) and compared with those in 13 controls. The median concentration of copper in all three types of blood cells and that of calcium in erythrocytes were significantly higher in DS children than in controls. In contrast, the median levels of zinc in erythrocytes, of manganese and iron in erythrocytes and neutrophils, and of magnesium in erythrocytes and thrombocytes were significantly lower in DS than in control children. In 10 of the 11 DS children, detectable erythrocyte levels of titanium were found, which is remarkable, since this was not observed in any of the cells from the control children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Langerhans cells in SLE skin. A role in lymphocyte migration and activation in situ.

Langerhans cells in SLE skin and mucosa were studied by using monoclonal anti-T6 and anti-Ia antibodies and avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex staining. Langerhans cells were present in cell infiltrates of natural SLE skin lesions. In developing early skin lesions induced with test antigen, Langerhans cells were the predominant inflammatory cells, suggesting that migration of Langerhans cells into the inflammatory site in fact precedes lymphocyte migration. These findings agree with the hypothesis of the role of dendritic cells in lymphocyte circulation and antigen presentation under physiological and pathological conditions. Many of the infiltrating local T lymphocytes in both natural and test antigen induced SLE lesions were activated Ia+ cells. This suggests an active immune response in both natural and test antigen induced skin lesions in SLE. The low immunomodulatory T4/T8 ratio in situ in SLE skin lesions might suggest that T8+ cells exert immunosuppressive control on the local inflammation.

Cell Movement↗
PubMed1985

Elevated granulocyte manganese in rheumatoid arthritis and other connective tissue diseases.

Higher than normal amounts (p less than 0.001) of manganese were found in granulocytes isolated from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, other inflammatory arthritides, and scleroderma, while erythrocytes and platelets contained normal amounts of manganese. The cause of manganese accumulation is not known but evidently is linked to the intensity of the inflammatory process since significant positive correlations (p less than 0.001) were seen between erythrocyte sedimentation rate or serum haptoglobin and granulocyte manganese. During corticosteroid therapy granulocyte manganese started to return to normal levels but the relative changes were modest. Strong positive correlations (p less than 0.001) were found between granulocyte manganese and granulocyte stores of calcium and iron, suggesting a close relationship in the cellular regulation of these elements in chronic inflammatory conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic characterization of the cellular infiltrate in alopecia (areata, totalis, and universalis).

The inflammatory cell infiltrates in scalp skin of 35 patients, 20 with alopecia areata (AA), 7 with totalis, and 8 with universalis were characterized with the ANAE (alpha-naphthylacetate esterase) marker, monoclonal antibodies, and electron microscopy. As demonstrated by the ANAE staining, no clear difference in the main lymphocyte subclasses (T and B cells) or macrophages was seen between the different types of alopecia or as compared to control patients' scalp skin. However, T lymphocytes and macrophages were seen most frequently and in greater numbers perivascularly and infiltrating the hair bulb in those cases of AA where active hair loss took place. Using monoclonal OKT (OKT-3, -4, and -8) antibodies and the avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method on frozen sections, a concentration of OKT-8 reactive cells (suppressor/cytotoxic T cells) was seen peribulbarly and invading the hair infundibulum. The cells affecting the hair infundibulum were further studied by electron microscopy. They could be classified into three main types: small lymphocytes (60%), macrophages (30%) and cells closely resembling large granular lymphocytes (LGL) (10%). LGL have previously been considered to be human natural killer (HNK) cells. Thus the hair follicle seems to be the target for the cellular immune response in alopecia. Whether HNK cells participate in the destruction of hair bulbs remains to be investigated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Polyclonal B-cell activation and increased lymphocyte helper-suppressor ratios in discoid lupus erythematosus.

We studied polyclonal B-cell activation in twenty-six patients with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). Spontaneous plaque-forming cells of the IgA class (IgA-SPFC) as determined by a reverse haemolytic plaque assay were significantly more common in patients with DLE than in fifty control subjects. The patients showed a positive correlation between IgA-SPFC and OKT4/8 ratios and also had a significantly higher mean OKT4/8 ratio. The two groups did not differ with regard to cells producing IgG or IgM or cells with OKT3, OKT4, OKT8 or OKMI markers. None of the three patients with DLE who had IgA-SPFC values which were above the mean (+2 s.d.) for the control subjects had positive tests for ANA or low serum C3 or C4, but two of the three also had increased IgG-SPFC values. The results indicate that polyclonal B-cell activation occurs in a small proportion of patients with DLE.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1984

Auditory brain stem responses in patients with vertigo.

Sixty-two patients with vertigo were examined with ABR. Eight of the 30 patients with vestibular neuronitis had abnormal ABR indicating brain stem dysfunction. Most of the patients with abnormal ABR showed continued ABR abnormality after recovery from the disease. Only one patient with epidemic vertigo had abnormal ABR, the remaining 15 patients had no signs of brain stem involvement. All 16 patients with benign positional vertigo had normal ABR.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1984

Dinitrochlorbenzene (DNCB) treatment of viral warts. A 5-year follow-up study.

A series of 43 patients with therapy-resistant viral warts of long-duration were treated with dinitrochlorbenzene (DNCB). Of the 37 patients, who completed the treatment, 19 were cured, including five of seven patients with hyperkeratotic tumor-like warts. The majority of the patients showed a depressed cell-mediated immune response. 25 patients were reexamined 5 years later and 8 additional patients answered on inquiry. Six (18%) of these patients had warts. Eight of the 21 primarily tuberculin-negative patients had developed immunity to tuberculin, and none of them had warts. Five of the 6 patients with warts were still tuberculin-negative. The reaction to DNCB had reverted to negative in 17 (68%) out of 25 tested patients and in the majority of the remaining cases a weak reaction only was seen. The study does not tell if the cure is a consequence of the DNCB treatment or a function of time. However, it shows that cure is associated with normalization of the cell-mediated immune response. The DNCB hypersensitivity seemed to disappear with time and late complications were not documented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Dietary intake of weaned infants in a Swedish community.

The energy and nutrient intake of 6 and 12-month-old weaned Swedish infants was studied by means of 24-h recalls. Milk-cereal follow-up formulas played a dominating role in the diet, contributing 57 per cent of the total energy intake at 6 months and 26 per cent at 12 months. The ratio between the macronutrients was characterized by a high-protein and low-fat intake; 16-17 per cent of energy derived from protein and 29-33 per cent from fat at 6 and 12 months respectively. The protein intake was also high in absolute figures: 3.3 g per kg body-weight at 6 months and 4.2 g per kg at 12 months. The mean daily energy intake for these normally growing infants was 75 per cent of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) at 6 months, and the need for a revision of the energy allowances in infancy is discussed. The estimated daily intake of iron was equal to the RDA at 6 months and 80 per cent of the allowance at 12 months. The daily intake of vitamin D exceeded the RDA to such a degree, that the present level of vitamin D supplementation through oral drops is questioned.

Diet↗