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Biomedical subjects

G Westberg

Publications and source records attributed to G Westberg.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Body, mind, and soul. The parish nurse offers physical, emotional, and spiritual care.

Many hospitals see the parish nurse program as a way to bring their mission to the community and collaborate with area parishes. Because people are finding it increasingly difficult to access our nation's complex healthcare system, the parish nurse program is becoming more popular with hospitals, parishes, and the communities they serve. The parish nurse is a resource person--a health educator, a personal health counselor, a volunteer coordinator and support group organizer, a community liaison, and a role model for the relationship between one's faith and health. Parish nurses do not provide invasive treatments. Parish nurse programs that have been most successful have been developed through the hospital's pastoral care department in conjunction with the nursing department. The hospital establishes a steering committee to guide the program's formation. Daily, the faculty, a group made up of a physician and representatives from nursing and from pastoral care, supervise and monitor the parish nurse program.

Catholicism↗
PubMed1990

Differential effects of captopril and enalapril, two angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, on immune reactivity in experimental lupus disease.

We have previously demonstrated that Captopril, an inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), ameliorates experimental systemic lupus erythematosus in inbred MRL lpr/lpr (MRL/l) mice. In contrast, Enalapril, another ACE inhibitor with antihypertensive properties but lacking a thiol group, did not show similar beneficial effects. To better understand the mode of action of captopril in the autoimmune disease we have evaluated its immunomodulatory properties with special emphasis on antigen-specific and polyclonal B- and T-cell activation. The results obtained strongly suggest that Captopril exerts its immunomodulatory effects through stimulation of T-lymphocytes.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1990

Effect of MaxEPA in patients with SLE. A double-blind, crossover study.

Seventeen patients with moderately active SLE participated in a double-blind, crossover study on the effect of MaxEPA, using olive oil as the control substance. During the first 3 months, 8/17 on Max EPA but only 2/17 on the control substance clinically and serologically improved (p = 0.05), but at 6 months there was no difference. The beneficial effect (if any) of MaxEPA on the disease was short-lived.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Effect of eicosapentaenoic acid rich menhaden oil and MaxEPA on the autoimmune disease of Mrl/l mice.

The Mrl lpr/lpr (Mrl/l) mouse is a model for systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis in humans. The diet of Mrl/l mice was supplemented with EPA (see Introduction) in menhaden oil or in the commerical fish oil MaxEPA. The survival of mice was not affected by the dietary manipulations. The addition of menhaden oil decreased the severity of the renal pathology. However, MaxEPA containing the same amount of eicosapentaenoic acid was considerably less effective. A diet deficient in polyunsaturated fatty acids did not ameliorate any manifestations of the disease. Anti-DNA antibody levels in serum were not influenced by the therapy. Myocardial abscesses and/or ulcerating valvular lesions were observed in about one third of the mice, irrespective of the diet given.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Effect of captopril on murine systemic lupus erythematosus disease.

The MRL/1 and New Zealand black-New Zealand white cross (NZB x W) mice spontaneously develop a disease similar to systemic lupus erythematosus in man. The effect of antihypertensive treatment on MRL/1 and NZB x W mice was studied with respect to survival, blood pressure, proteinuria, haematuria and renal histopathology. The treatment consisted of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (captopril and enalapril) and bretylium, a sympathetic blocker. Tail systolic blood pressure was measured with a strain gauge technique. All antihypertensive drugs caused a reduction in blood pressure in both strains. In MRL/1 bretylium and both ACE inhibitors improved renal histopathology, but only captopril prolonged survival, and it decreased proteinuria and haematuria. In NZB x W captopril decreased proteinuria but did not influence survival or renal histopathology. Bretylium was without any effect on these parameters. At the doses used captopril improves survival in MRL/1 mice and decreases proteinuria and haematuria in both MRL/1 and NZB x W mice. Since bretylium and enalapril lack this property despite a similar blood pressure reduction, it seems to be a drug-specific action.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Beneficial effect of captopril on systemic lupus erythematosus-like disease in MRL lpr/lpr mice.

MRL lpr/lpr (MRL/l) mice exhibit a disease similar to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in humans. To investigate the influence of antihypertensive treatment on this disease, four groups of MRL/l mice were treated with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril (n = 25), with the sympathetic blocker bretylium (n = 15), and with cyclophosphamide (n = 10). Thirty-five mice did not receive any treatment and served as controls. Survival rate, blood pressure, incidence of proteinuria and hematuria, renal pathology, lymphoid hyperplasia and dermatitis were studied. The survival at the age of 36 weeks was significantly improved by captopril as compared to controls (60 vs. 25%, p = 0.035). The cyclophosphamide group showed no mortality at that time and the bretylium group did not differ from the control group. Captopril and bretylium reduced systolic blood pressure significantly while cyclophosphamide was without effect. Captopril and cyclophosphamide diminished significantly the glomerular damage with less proliferative changes and a decreased incidence of proteinuria. The bretylium-treated animals also exhibited an improved renal pathology index but they did not differ from the controls with respect to proteinuria and hematuria. Lymphoid hyperplasia and dermatitis were decreased only by captopril and cyclophosphamide. It is concluded that captopril improves survival in SLE disease of MRL/l mice, counteracting lymphoid hyperplasia, renal disease, dermatitis and decreasing arterial blood pressure.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Rheumatoid factor isotypes and renal disease in systemic lupus erythematosus.

There is no agreement on whether rheumatoid factor (RF) exerts protection, injury, or is an epiphenomenon with regard to kidney disease in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study we examined the occurrence and isotype distribution of rheumatoid factor in SLE in relation to some clinical parameters, including renal function and arthritis. A highly significant correlation (p less than 0.001) was noted between the presence of IgG RF and absence of kidney disease. The IgG RF also seemed to protect SLE patients from developing arthritis (p less than 0.01). On the other hand, elevated IgM RF levels indicated active SLE disease. The results obtained are discussed in relation to the ability of RF to interact with immune complexes in vitro and in vivo.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Hydralazine-associated glomerulonephritis.

Nine patients (6 men, 3 women) with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis developing during hydralazine therapy were seen. Early cessation of hydralazine treatment resulted in improvement in seven patients, while continued hydralazine treatment resulted in permanent renal insufficiency in two. The clinical symptoms of systemic illness associated with the hydralazine syndrome were absent in most patients. Antinuclear antibody test was positive in all, and six investigated patients had antibodies to histones. All patients had anemia, high ESR, and microscopic hematuria. Five of the nine patients were rapid drug acetylators. Renal biopsies from eight patients revealed a uniform histologic picture with segmental necrosis of glomeruli and extracapillary proliferation. Immunofluorescence investigation was positive in all and electron microscopy revealed deposits in the glomerular capillary walls in five of seven specimens. This renal disease may represent a late and monosymptomatic manifestation of the hydralazine syndrome.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1985

Proteinuria and renal function in kidney transplant donors 10-18 years after donor uninephrectomy.

Ten to eighteen years after donor uninephrectomy (UN) the compensatory increase in renal function is maintained. Albuminuria was slightly increased in a few donors compared to the controls. We found no evidence for donor uninephrectomy to carry a risk for progressive renal failure. Further studies 2-3 decades after UN will provide additional insight in how UN affects the development of proteinuria and renal function.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Successful treatment of refractory autoimmune haemolytic anaemia by plasmapheresis.

A 16-year-old female was admitted because of rapidly progressive fatigue, severe anaemia and icterus. The S-bilirubin was 190 mumol/l, COHb 7.3% and high amounts of free Hb in plasma were present. The Coombs' direct test was strongly positive with anti-IgG but negative with anti-IgM and anti-C3. Conventional therapy with very high doses of hydrocortisone i.v., cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, and transfusions of washed packed red cells proved ineffective. During 5 consecutive days she also received i.v. infusions of gamma-globulin (25 g each day). Nevertheless, her condition deteriorated and 3 plasma exchanges were carried out with impressive clinical and laboratory effects. After the 3rd plasma exchange, the patient did not require further transfusions of packed red cells. Therapy with corticosteroids could be rapidly reduced and she was discharged after 5 weeks with a normal blood picture. Since then she has remained in excellent health.

Adolescent↗