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Biomedical subjects

G Berg

Publications and source records attributed to G Berg.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Strains of the genus Serratia as beneficial rhizobacteria of oilseed rape with antifungal properties.

Isolates of Serratia have been isolated from the rhizosphere of oilseed rape. The percentage of Serratia in this microenvironment was determined as 12.4% of the total antifungal bacteria. Serratia liquefaciens, S. plymuthica and S. rubidaea were found. All of the isolates showed an antifungal activity against different phytopathogenic fungi in vitro but the efficiency of strains was different. The antifungal mechanisms of 18 selected strains were investigated. Direct antifungal effect may be based on antibiosis (production of prodigiosin and pyrrolnitrin) and production of lytic enzymes (chitinases and beta-1,3-glucanases). Potent siderophores were secreted by the strains to improve the availability of iron. No strain was able to produce cyanide. Most of the strains secrete the plant growth hormone indole-acetic-acid which can directly promote the growth of roots. The mechanisms were specific for each isolate.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMed1996

Clinical outcome of radioiodine treatment of hyperthyroidism: a follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical outcome of treatment of hyperthyroid patients with radioiodine. DESIGN: Records of patients treated for hyperthyroidism with radioiodine from 1989 to 1992 were examined in 1994, and a questionnaire was sent to patients < or = 70 years with Graves' disease (GD) and toxic nodular goitre (TNG) to obtain information regarding thyroxine substitution, smoking habits and present state of health. SETTING: Outpatients in a thyroid unit; follow-up by primary care. SUBJECTS: Seven hundred and fifty-four patients with hyperthyroidism treated with radioiodine, 327 receiving the questionnaire, 72% response rate. INTERVENTION: Radioiodine treatment using a delivered absorbed dose method, aiming at an absorbed dose to the thyroid of 100-120 Gy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Statistical analysis of clinical records and results from questionnaire. RESULTS: Only 10% of the patients needed more than one treatment. At the time of follow-up, thyroxine supplementation was given to 178 (93%) of the GD and to 21 (47%) of the TNG patients. Smoking was more common in GD patients than in the general population (44% vs. 26%; P < 0.001). Smoking GD patients experienced eye discomfort more often than smoking TNG patients (53% vs. 7%; P < 0.001). Weight gain after therapy was a problem in 79% of the hyperthyroid individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Few patients needed retreatment and most of the GD patients had thyroxine after 1-5 years after therapy. Smoking patients, especially those with GD, had more eye symptoms. At follow-up, the euthyroid patients still consider themselves having a poorer health than individuals in the general population.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Lymphocyte subsets and mitogen stimulation of blood lymphocytes in normal pregnancy.

PROBLEM: In normal pregnancy the maternal immune system should be directed towards tolerance or suppression in order not to reject the partly foreign feto-placental unit. The aim of this investigation was to find hallmarks of systemic immunosuppression during normal pregnancy. METHODS: Five healthy primigravidae were examined during pregnancy and postpartum with flow cytometric analysis to define T and B lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood. In addition, we studied the proliferative response of lymphocytes to mitogens or interleukin-2 (IL-2) alone or in combination with immunomodulating drugs or interleukin-4 (IL-4). The results were compared to healthy, non-pregnant women. RESULTS: During pregnancy and early puerperium we noted an immune balance in favour of suppression, as measured by increased numbers of T "helper/suppressor" (CD4+CD45RA+) and "suppressor"/effector T cells (CD8+S6F1-), and decreased numbers of T "helper/inducer" (CD4+CD29+), T "helper/memory" (CD4+CD45RO+), killer/effector T cells (CD8+S6F1+), and Natural Killer cells (CD56+), as well as decreased numbers of activated lymphocytes expressing IL-2 receptor (CD25+) and T cells expressing HLA-DR (HLA-DR+CD3+). During pregnancy, lymphocyte proliferation was impaired in autologous serum with concanavalin A (ConA), phytohemagglutinin (PHA), or IL-2. A difference in proliferative response to PHA or IL-2 between cultures with AB serum and autologous serum is suggestive of an immunosuppressor factor in serum during pregnancy. Indomethacin significantly increased lymphocyte proliferation in autologous serum with ConA, indicating PGE2 mediated suppressor activity during pregnancy. Chlorambucil and cimetidine modulated the proliferative response to ConA, indicating an alkylating agent sensitive and a histamine dependent suppressor activity during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: During normal pregnancy, a state of systemic suppression of the maternal immune system seems to be present.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Maltophilin: a new antifungal compound produced by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia R3089.

Strains of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia R3089, isolated from the rhizosphere of rape plants (Brassica napus L.), produced a novel antifungal compound, named maltophilin, which inhibited the growth of various saprophytic, human-pathogenic and phytopathogenic fungi but was inactive against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Maltophilin is a novel macrocyclic lactam antibiotic with a molecular mass of 510 mu. The compound was isolated from the culture filtrate by ethyl acetate extraction and gel filtration on Sephadex LH20 and purified by preparative HPLC on reversed phase. The structure of maltophilin was elucidated by electrospray mass spectrometry and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1996

[A rare cause of recurrent upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage: aortoesophageal fistula in aneurysma spurium of the descending aorta].

An aneurysma of the distal thoracic aorta developed in an 65 year old man. Several weeks later, the man was admitted to hospital because of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The diagnosis of an aortoesophageal fistula was made not until several endoscopic investigations. The patient died from a major bleeding soon after. The aneurysm proved to be an aneurysma spurium.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Systemic radionuclide therapy using indium-111-DTPA-D-Phe1-octreotide in midgut carcinoid syndrome.

A 55-yr-old woman with a midgut carcinoid syndrome due to metastatic spread of an ileal tumor to the liver, paraortic and mediastinal lymph nodes and to the skeleton was given systemic radionuclide therapy with 111In-DTPA-D-Phe1-octreotide. Before therapy, dosimetric calculations were performed on whole-body scintigraphs and 111In retention was shown to be long-lasting. Excretion was mainly seen during the first 24 hr after injection; thereafter whole-body retention remained stationary at 30%. Indium-111 activity in tumor biopsies and blood was measured using a gamma counter. Very high tumor-to-blood ratios were obtained: 150 for the primary tumor and 400-650 for liver metastases, which further justified radiation therapy. Indium-111-DTPA-D-Phe1-octreotide treatment was given on three separate occasions (3.0, 3.5 and 3.1 GBq) 8 and 4 wk apart. After each therapy, the patient experienced facial flush and pain over the skeletal lesions followed by symptomatic relief, even though no objective tumor regression was found radiologically after 5 mo. After initiation of octreotide treatment, there was a 14% reduction of the main tumor marker, urinary 5-HIAA. After three subsequent radionuclide therapies, there was a further 31% reduction of 5-HIAA levels. No adverse reactions, other than a slight decrease in leukocyte counts, were seen. The mean absorbed radiation dose after the three treatments was estimated to be about 10-12 Gy in liver metastases and 3-6 Gy in other tumors, depending on the size and location of the metastases. Assuming internalization of 111In into tumor cells and a radiobiological effect from short range Auger and conversion electrons, there might be a therapeutic effect on the tumor.

Female↗
PubMed1996

Clinical consequences of anal sphincter rupture during vaginal delivery.

BACKGROUND: Rupture of the anal sphincters at childbirth is considered rare in obstetric literature. Long-term effects are sparingly mentioned. In clinical practice, however, it is not uncommon to meet women with anal incontinence. The aim of our study was to record the incidence and to evaluate the consequences of rupture of the anal sphincter at childbirth. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-one consecutive women with primarily sutured anal sphincter rupture and 31 women without anal sphincter rupture were prospectively studied after vaginal delivery. All were assessed clinically at 3 days, 6 weeks, and 6 months after delivery. After 6 months, all women underwent anorectal manometry and answered a questionnaire about incontinence, social function, and general health. RESULTS: The overall incidence of sphincter rupture was 2.4 percent. Significantly lower values were found for maximum anal squeeze pressure and squeeze pressure area 6 months postpartum in the women with sphincter rupture compared with those without rupture. The resting pressures did not differ between groups. Approximately 40 percent of the women in both groups had noted some fecal incontinence by 6 months postpartum. Symptoms were significantly more severe in patients with sphincter rupture. CONCLUSIONS: Anal sphincter rupture was 2.4 times as common as reported in Swedish birth statistics. The high incidence of fecal incontinence by 6 months postpartum in all women is surprising and deserves further investigation, specifically regarding occult sphincter rupture.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Quality assurance by improved cooperation?--Results of a study of prenatal care in Berlin].

Cooperation between the various participants of Public Health services is now recognised as a significant factor to ensure quality in health services. The German system of prenatal care is, because of its heterogenic structure, particularly dependent on a functioning co-ordination between the individual providers of services to pregnant women. However, cooperation between gynaecologists, midwives, social workers and others working in this field in Germany has proved considerably deficient. Within the framework of a qualitative study on the situation of services available to pregnant women in four selected districts of Berlin, a number of decisive barriers to cooperation could be identified, e.g. deficient mutual information among providers, differing concepts of care, as well as different structural and economic conditions of the various members within the health system. On the other hand, a number of different approaches at different levels were perceived which may allow for a better cooperation between the various participants. The results of the study were discussed at conferences attended by regional experts. As a pragmatic aid for the advancement of cooperation, community guides orientated around the needs of pregnant women were drafted for each of the four districts.

Berlin↗
PubMed1996

[Very low density lipoproteins and subclasses of intermediate density lipoproteins in postmenopausal women].

Post menopausal women present an increase of cardiovascular risk associated with the atherogenic plasma lipoproteins IDL and LDL. Our purpose was to study the composition of VLDL, IDL and the subfractions IDL-1 and IDL-2, and the Lipoprotein Lipase and Hepatic Lipase activities in a group of twelve healthy post menopausal women as compared with eleven fertile controls. The mean values of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were significantly increased in the post menopausal group compared to the controls (p < 0.005 and p < 0.001 respectively). The contribution of the HDL-cholesterol plasma concentration to total cholesterol was lower in the postmenopausal women (p < 0.02) although no one had HDL-cholesterol lower than 35 mg/dl and the mean value was 50 mg/dl. Postmenopausal women had increased concentrations of VLDL, total IDL and IDL-2 compared to controls (p < 0.05, p < 0.005 and p < 0.001 respectively). Plasma concentrations of total IDL was increased in postmenopausal women (33.6 +/- 3.4 vs 22.6 +/- 0.8 mg/dl, p < 0.005). The increase in total IDL was due to IDL-2 (19.9 +/- 1.7 vs 11.5 +/- 0.8 mg/dl, p < 0.001, in postmenopausal women vs controls). The IDL-2 subfraction was 60 +/- 2.6% of total IDL in postmenopausal women and 51 +/- 2.0% in controls (p < 0.02). In postmenopausal women and in controls the ratio triglyceride/protein (which indicates particles size) was significantly higher in IDL-1 than in IDL-2 (p < 0.005 and p < 0.01 respectively), but this ratio did not show differences when VLDL, total IDL and IDL-2 were compared between postmenopausal and control women. Then, the increased plasma concentration of these lipoproteins would show an increased number of particles in the postmenopausal women vs controls. There were no differences in the Lipoprotein Lipase and Hepatic Lipase activities between both groups. Lipoprotein Lipase vs total IDL-triglycerides and IDL-2-triglycerides showed a significant inverse correlation in controls (p < 0.05) but not in postmenopausal women. We conclude that the qualitative and quantitative study of the lipoproteins shows a more atherogenic profile in the postmenopausal group, with an increase in the concentration and number of particles of VLDL, total IDL and IDL-2.

Cholesterol, HDL↗
PubMed1995

Origins and clinical implications of aneuploidy in early bladder cancer.

Cytogenetic and flow cytometric studies in a variety of human solid tumors have suggested that gross aneuploidy may arise by a process of abrupt chromosome complement doubling followed by gradual chromosome loss. However, this sequence has not been demonstrated directly in serial studies in individual patients in vivo. The purpose of this study was to search for evidence of chromosome complement doubling and subsequent chromosome loss in flow cytometric ploidy patterns in serial bladder washings and/or biopsies from individual patients with early bladder cancer. Fifty-two patients with noninvasive bladder cancer were followed with serial flow cytometric DNA studies for periods ranging from 5.1 to 42.7 months (median 15.1 months). Serial changes in DNA ploidy and S phase fractions were recorded and correlated with histologic and/or cytologic findings, response to treatment and clinical outcome. The data suggest a series of genetic evolutionary changes in early bladder cancer that include the initial development of peridiploid aneuploidy and repeated rounds of DNA content doubling with chromosome loss in patients with progressive disease. It is likely that gross DNA aneuploidy, and more specifically, DNA multiploidy and DNA hypertetraploidy, all arise by this mechanism. The sequence of DNA diploidy, peridiploid aneuploidy, near-tetraploidy, hypotetraploidy and hypertetraploidy is associated with a progressive increase in S phase fraction, and with increasing tumor grade; late steps in this ploidy sequence were often present in tumors that were refractory to local therapeutic measures and tumors that developed deep tumor invasion and/or distant metastases. We conclude that DNA multiploidy and hypertetraploidy are markers of advanced stages of genetic evolution in human bladder cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Comparison of mortality from acute myocardial infarction in patients receiving anistreplase with those not receiving thrombolysis.

Within 1 year, 434 patients were admitted to 14 hospitals with suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI) < or = 4 hours after the onset of symptoms. Group A consisted of 171 patients (39%) treated with thrombolysis, and group B consisted of 263 patients (61%) with contraindications. Patients in group A more likely had a "definite AMI" (92%; group A1) than patients in group B (67%; group B1). Group B1 had 277 contraindications (1.6/per patient) with increased risk for life-threatening bleeding being the most frequently recorded at admission. The in-hospital mortality in group A1 was 7% (11 of 158) and in group B1, 27% (47 of 177) (p < 0.0001). Age and type of therapy (thrombolysis or no thrombolysis) were identified as independent predictors of increased mortality (p < 0.0001 and < 0.05, respectively). Thus, although most patients with an AMI are excluded from thrombolytic therapy because of contraindications, our data suggest that their in-hospital mortality is unexpectedly high. Further evaluation of this group of patients is warranted to define the impact of contraindications as an independent factor of mortality.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

The effect of oral magnesium substitution on pregnancy-induced leg cramps.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether women with pregnancy-related leg cramps would benefit from oral magnesium supplementation. STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-three women with pregnancy-related leg cramps were interviewed about their symptoms in a prospective, double-blind, randomized trial. Initial serum magnesium levels and diurnal magnesium excretion was determined in 50% of the patients. Oral magnesium or placebo was given for 3 weeks, after which new interviews and laboratory analyses were performed. RESULTS: Serum magnesium levels in these patients were at or below the lower reference limit, as is also often the case in healthy pregnant patients. Oral magnesium substitution decreased leg cramp distress (p < 0.05 compared with the placebo group, p < 0.001 compared with initial complaints), but did not significantly increase serum magnesium levels, excess magnesium being excreted as measured by an increase in urinary magnesium levels (p < 0.002). CONCLUSION: Oral magnesium supplementation seems to be a valuable therapeutic tool in the treatment of pregnancy-related leg cramps.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1995

KCl potentiated inactivation of poliovirus 1 by free chlorine at pH 4.5.

At 5 degrees C in phthalate buffer at pH 4.5, poliovirus 1 was destroyed 60 to 70% more rapidly by free chlorine (FC) in the presence of 1,262 mg/L (approximately 0.0169 M) KCl than in the absence of KCl. At 5 degrees C, more than 99.9% of FC exists as HOCl at pH 4.5. Since buffers themselves may have a marked potentiating effect on the virus-inactivating capability of FC, and because a maximum ion potentiating effect may occur, the actual degree of potentiation of HOCl by KCl may be much greater. Because the level of chlorination for drinking water is in large part determined by the rate at which the chlorines inactivate viruses in laboratory studies, the potentiation of FC by ions normally present in drinking waters may permit reducing chlorination levels and with them the levels of carcinogenic and otherwise toxic organic halides produced by chlorination.

Antiviral Agents↗
PubMed1995

A comparative study of two hormone replacement therapy regimens on safety and efficacy variables.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of tibolone on endometrial safety, plasma estradiol concentrations, lipid metabolism and climacteric symptoms in comparison to sequential conjugated equine estrogens and medroxyprogesterone acetate in postmenopausal women. METHODS: In a randomised, open-label, 6-cycle, group-comparative study, the effects on the aforementioned parameters were studied with tibolone 2.5 mg/day (N = 13) continuously, and with conjugated equine estrogens 0.625 mg/day continuously, combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate 5 mg/day (N = 11) (CEE/MPA) sequentially, during 12 days of each 28-day cycle. Within-group statistical analysis was performed with Student's t-test for paired samples, whereas between-group statistics were performed using the Student's t-test for independent groups. RESULTS: Cytological evaluation revealed no endometrial stimulation in either group. In the tibolone group, there were no effects on estradiol levels, whereas in the CEE/MPA group, an increase in total and non-SHBG-bound estradiol plasma levels was reported. In the tibolone group, there were significant decreases in plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol, whereas no significant changes in LDL-cholesterol and IDL-cholesterol were reported. In the CEE/MPA group there were significant decreases in plasma total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, whereas there were no significant changes in triglycerides, IDL-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol. Climacteric symptoms, particularly vasomotor episodes, decreased similarly in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both tibolone and CEE/MPA were safe with respect to effects on the endometrium and both treatments induced changes in the plasma profiles of certain lipid and lipoprotein parameters. However, the overall clinical implications of these changes are unknown. Finally, both regimens were equally effective in the treatment of climacteric symptoms.

Anabolic Agents↗
PubMed1995

Transdermal hormonal replacement therapy with transdermal progestin every second month.

OBJECTIVES: Unopposed estrogen therapy may induce endometrial hyperplasia. To protect the endometrium, estrogen replacement therapy should be combined with a progestin in menopausal women with an intact uterus. The aim of this open non-comparative study was to evaluate the effects on bleeding control and endometrium of 'spacing-out' the 14-day progestin therapy to every second month during transdermal combined hormonal replacement therapy. METHODS: Sixty-eight healthy women, previously treated with sequential combined transdermal hormonal replacement therapy every month for 3 years, were treated for the following 2 years in cycles with 6 weeks of transdermal estradiol 50 micrograms/daily (Estraderm, Ciba-Geigy), followed by 2 weeks of combined norethisterone acetate 0.25 mg/day and 50 micrograms estradiol per day. RESULTS: Annual endometrial biopsies diagnosed hyperplasia in one woman during the second year whereas most biopsies showed a secretory endometrium. Vaginal ultrasound showed no correlation to either bleeding-pattern or histopathological diagnosis. Most women had a regular bleeding-pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Transdermal progestin every second month might be an alternative to regular monthly sequential hormonal replacement therapy.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1995

Lymphocyte subsets and autoantibodies in pregnancies complicated by placental disorders.

PROBLEM: The survival of the fetoplacental unit might partly depend on down-regulation of rejection reactions. Pathological maternal cellular immune response mechanisms could therefore be of pathogenic importance in pregnancies complicated by placental disorders. METHOD: A flow-cytometric analysis of T-cell subsets and B-cell, as well as serological tests for anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and rheumatoid factor (RF) were done on 90 women with complicated pregnancies. The results were compared with that of nonpregnant women (n = 5), and normal pregnant women (n = 5) in the third trimester. RESULTS: Two women, suffering from severe preeclampsia and eclampsia respectively, had aCL on 12 and 13 units, respectively. ANA occurred in 11 patients with moderate and severe preeclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation. All women had negative RF tests. Within the CD4 T-helper subpopulations, the proportion of suppressor/inducer T-cell population (CD4+CD45RA+) significantly increased, while the memory and helper/inducer T-cells (CD4+CD45RO+ and CD4+CD29+) significantly decreased during normal pregnancy compared to nonpregnant controls. This deviation of CD4 subpopulations was not found, or was less pronounced, in complicated pregnancies. The proportion of cytotoxic T cells (CD8+S6F1+) was significantly reduced during normal pregnancy. This reduction was less pronounced in complicated pregnancies. CONCLUSION: Systemic immunological deviations toward suppression or decreased activity of the immunological response as seen in normal pregnancies, was not observed in preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation, intrauterine fetal death, and abruptio placentae. This lack of suppression or increased T-cell activity may have a primary pathogenic role in some women with a complicated pregnancy, or it may be secondary to the placental disorders.

Abruptio Placentae↗
PubMed1995

Inducible L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway in human internal mammary artery and saphenous vein.

To characterize the L-arginine/nitric oxide (NO) pathway in human vascular smooth muscle (VSM), contractile responses of isolated internal mammary arteries (IMA) and saphenous veins (SV) were observed after induction of NO synthase by interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) or by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In IL-1 beta-treated endothelium-denuded rings, contractile responses to phenylephrine were reduced in SV rings only. Maximum phenylephrine-induced contraction was depressed by approximately 50%. This was not modified by the presence of indomethacin, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), or methylene blue (MeB). In LPS-treated vessels, contractile responses were depressed in both SV and IMA rings (40%), and this was not affected by indomethacin. In SV, L-NAME, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, or MeB did not affect the inhibitory effect of LPS, whereas the effect was reversed in IMA by these inhibitors. In LPS-treated IMA, but not in SV, exogenous L-arginine evoked significant vasodilation (20%). We conclude that VSM of the human IMA possesses an L-arginine/NO pathway inducible by LPS. In SV, LPS or IL-1 beta treatment inhibits contraction by an unidentified system that is not dependent on NO synthase or on guanylate cyclase activities.

Aged↗