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Biomedical subjects

H Backman

Publications and source records attributed to H Backman.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Effect of adjuvant androgen deprivation on thyroid function tests in prostate cancer patients.

Androgen deprivation (AD) used in the treatment of prostate cancer is known to alter concentrations of sex hormones and their binding globulins. Less is known as to its effect on thyroid hormones. In this prospective study the effects of AD on thyroid function were clarified. Levels of serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid binding globulin concentrations were measured in prostate cancer patients treated with either radical radiotherapy and androgen deprivation for 12 months (AD) or radical radiotherapy alone (RT). Measurements were made at baseline, and at 3, 6 and 12 months. At baseline and at 3 months the results of thyroid function tests did not differ significantly between groups. A significant decline in serum testosterone in the AD group was accompanied by a significant decline in FT4 at 6 and 12 months, while no significant changes in thyroid function were observed in the RT group. The decline in FT4 among AD patients did not evoke a normal TSH response. Prolonged use of AD hampers the interpretation of thyroid test results. This finding has substantial implications for the follow-up of patients in hormonally treated prostate cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Androgen deprivation and cognition in prostate cancer.

Androgen deprivation (AD) is commonly used in neoadjuvant and adjuvant setting with prostate cancer (PC) radiotherapy. This prospective study assessed whether cognitive functioning is impaired during 12 months of AD therapy. Longitudinal testing of 25 patients treated with AD and curative radiotherapy was undertaken at baseline, and at 6 and 12 months. CogniSpeed software was used for measuring attentional performances. Other cognitive performances were evaluated using verbal, visuomotor and memory tests. The Beck depression inventory was employed to evaluate depressive mood and EORTC QLQ-C30 for quality of life (QoL). During longitudinal testing of the AD group, no impairment in cognitive performances was found. Instead, improvement was observed in object recall (immediate, P=0.035; delayed, P<0.001), and in semantic memory (P=0.037). In QoL, impairment in physical function was observed. Androgen deprivation of 12 months appears to be associated with preserved cognitive functioning, although physical impairment occurs. These results have implications for counseling and psychosocial support of patients in the context of treatment options in PC.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Air quality and ocular discomfort aboard commercial aircraft.

BACKGROUND: Aircraft cabin air quality has been a subject of recent public health interest. Aircraft environments are designed according to standards to ensure the comfort and well-being of the occupants. The upper and lower limits of humidity set by ASHRAE standards are based on the maintenance of acceptable thermal conditions established solely on comfort considerations, including thermal sensation, skin wetness, skin dryness, dry eyes and ocular discomfort. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of air (carbon dioxide level, relative humidity, and temperature) aboard commercial aircraft on ocular discomfort and dry eye of aircraft personnel and passengers. METHODS: Measurements of indoor air quality were performed in 15 different aircraft at different times and altitudes. Forty-two measurements of carbon dioxide, temperature, and humidity were performed with portable air samplers every 5 minutes. Passenger loads did not exceed 137 passengers. RESULTS: Thermal comfort rarely met ASHRAE standards. Low humidity levels and high carbon dioxide levels were found on the Airbus 320. The DC-9 had the highest humidity level and the Boeing-767 had the lowest carbon dioxide level. CONCLUSIONS: Air quality was poorest on the Airbus 320 aircraft. This poor level of air quality may cause intolerance to contact lenses, dry eyes, and may be a health hazard to both passengers and crew members. Improved ventilation and aircraft cabin micro-environments need to be made for the health and comfort of the occupants.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed1999

Indoor-air quality and ocular discomfort.

BACKGROUND: Almost 25 million workers in 1.2 million commercial buildings in the United States have symptoms of sick building syndrome (SBS). It is a source of ocular discomfort and may exacerbate the successful wear of contact lenses. This study examines the relationship between SBS and oculovisual discomfort. METHODS: Measurements of carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, temperature, and humidity were performed in 12 public office buildings that contained a total of 877 occupants. A questionnaire survey of the occupants was also performed. RESULTS: Thirty-five percent of the occupants of the buildings were dissatisfied with the indoor-air quality. Twenty-nine percent of the office building occupants reported ocular discomfort. CONCLUSION: There was a significant correlation between eye irritation, throat irritation, and symptoms of blurred near vision. Ocular discomfort could be an indicator of poor indoor-air quality and a sick building syndrome.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1995

Validity of ambulatory 24-h oesophageal pH measurement in the diagnosis of reflux disease.

The validity of 24-h oesophageal pH recording was studied in 100 consecutive patients who had gastro-oesophageal reflux (GER) symptoms and had indications for a 24-h pH recording. The aim was to explore the relationship of patient symptoms, endoscopic findings and histopathological analysis of oesophageal mucosa with the findings in pH recording. Among these patients with typical GER symptoms, the multiplicity of symptoms or their nature did not differentiate them, but in all groups abnormal amounts of reflux were present, as compared with usual reference pH recording values. Yet, among these symptomatic patients, the macroscopic severity of oesophagitis and histologically defined oesophagitis were related to increased abnormality of 24-h pH recording. The results suggest that 24-h pH recording of the oesophagus gives a good indication of the severity of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and, as such, superior to patient symptoms.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Diurnal changes in dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, homovanillic acid and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol in serum of man.

Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity (DBH) and concentrations of homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were measured in serum of 11 normal volunteers at 8 a.m., 2 p.m., 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. DBH was higher at 8 a.m. (p less than 0.05) and lower at 2 a.m. (p less than 0.0025). MHPG followed the same course, while HVA was higher at 8 p.m. (p less than 0.05). The mean values for the eleven volunteers were: DBH 65.8+/-25.8 nanomoles hydroxylated tyramine per ml serum and hour (At substrate concentration 0.05 mM), HVA 89.9+/-57.3 ng/ml serum and MHPG 10.9+/-3.4 ng/ml, with variation coefficient of 38.6, 63.8 and 30.1 respectively. The circadian variations found in serum parallel the data from estimations of MHPG and HVA in urine by other investigators. It is suggested that the diurnal variations of DBH, MHPG and HVA reflect the alternating activity of the catecholaminergic neurons in the peripheral as well as the central nervous system.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

DNA cytometry in diagnostic cytology of the prostate gland.

BACKGROUND: Differential analysis and cytological grouping of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) samples of the prostate are important in practice. We used image analytical DNA cytometry to achieve this and also studied the best method of interpretation of the histograms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two FNAB samples of the prostate were stained with Feulgen stain and nuclear DNA histograms were produced by image cytometry. The most atypical cell groups were selected for measurements. Also, free epithelial cells between cell groups were studied. The cells presented in the histograms were grouped according to the nuclear DNA content and by application of different gates of observation for diploid status. RESULTS: Several DNA histogram features (histogram classification categories, benign and malignant histogram patterns, presence of >5c-7c cells) showed significant relationships to differential diagnosis. Highly aneuploid (>5c-7c) cells had the potential for distinguishing a progressive-type of prostate cancer. CONCLUSION: The fraction of tetraploid and aneuploid histograms increased from atypical but benign to definitely malignant samples. DNA histograms have potential in the differential diagnosis and evaluation of the progressive character of prostate cancer.

Biopsy, Needle↗