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Biomedical subjects

H Gustafsson

Publications and source records attributed to H Gustafsson.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Concentrations of nuclear progesterone receptors in endometrium of virgin and repeat breeder heifers after embryo transfer.

The present study aimed to correlate the repeat breeder syndrome in the bovine with an impaired or suboptimal uterine progestational response. Concentrations of nuclear (i.e. transformed) receptors for progesterone (PRn) were determined with a binding and exchange method in endometrial samples from virgin (VH) and repeat breeder (RBH) heifers 15 days post oestrus. The heifers were recipients of Day 7 demi-embryos collected from donors with normal fertility and transferred 8 days prior to tissue sampling. Results were compared with both the type of heifer, the condition of the embryo present within the uterus and the temporal relationship to the hormone plasma levels. The binding data for PRn indicated that a single class of high-affinity, low-capacity sites existed. The amount of PRn in VH endometria holding embryonic structures was significantly greater than in RBH, but no statistical differences were found in their plasma progesterone levels. PRn concentrations were also higher in the uterine horn in which an elongated (greater than 15 mm), morphologically normal embryo was present, when compared to cornua with small (less than 5 mm) embryos, regardless of recipient group. Furthermore, in endometria with an elongated embryo in the lumen, the relative amount of PRn was significantly greater in VH than in RBH. The present results indicate that the RBH recipients of Day 7 demi-embryos by Day 15 have fewer numbers of specific receptors for maternal progesterone, which could explain in part the poorer development of the transferred embryos compared with that in virgin heifers.

Animals↗

Pulmonary gas exchange correlated to clinical signs and lung pathology in horses with chronic bronchiolitis.

Eight horses (mean weight 438 kg) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were studied for clinical signs, ventilation/perfusion relationships (VA/Q) and lung morphology. Four horses were killed and necropsied after the study. In horses with COPD, minute ventilation was almost twice as high as normal, whereas PaO2 was significantly decreased. Cardiac output was normal, but pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance were significantly increased. The VA/Q distribution was abnormal with an increased scatter of VA/Q ratios. However, shunt (VA/Q = 0) was increased in one horse only. Ventilation of dead space and high VA/Q regions (VA/Q greater than 10) were increased markedly and comprised 74 per cent of minute ventilation. On lung biopsy, all horses showed chronic bronchiolitis with epithelial hyperplasia and metaplasia. Diffuse acinar hyperinflation also was evident at necropsy. There was a significant inverse correlation between the respiratory rate and the fractional ventilation of normal VA/Q regions. Also, there was a significant agreement between the extent of bronchiolar epithelial hyperplasia in necropsy specimens of lungs and the degree of ventilation of high VA/Q regions and dead space. The findings suggest that hyperinflation of the lung due to obstructed airways may be the common denominator of increased ventilation of high VA/Q regions and dead space ventilation and of elevated pulmonary artery pressure in horses with COPD from chronic bronchiolitis.

Animals↗

Fractionated irradiation and early changes in salivary glands. Different effects on potassium efflux, exocytotic amylase release and gland morphology.

Irradiation is a potent treatment modality of head and neck cancer. However, the irradiation is usually associated with an influence on salivary glands with ensuing dryness and discomfort for the patients. In the present study we used different in vitro secretory models and morphologic characterization of rat parotid gland. Radiation was given to one gland on a 5-day schedule with 6 MV photons (total dose 20, 30, 35, 40, 45 Gy). The contralateral gland served as control, and the analysis of glands were performed 10 days after the last irradiation treatment. The noradrenaline stimulated electrolyte secretion (86rubidium tracer for potassium) was decreased in relation to the irradiation dose and in comparison to contralateral control glands. Noradrenaline stimulated exocytotic amylase release was not affected by irradiation and, there were no signs of obvious quantitative morphologic alterations after irradiation compared with controls. The results suggest that there are differences in the sensitivity to radiation for the two different secretory processes in salivary glands, and, thus, the structures regulating electrolyte and fluid secretion seem to be more vulnerable to irradiation than the process of exocytosis. The results, however, do not allow discrimination between temporary cellular impairment and irreversible damage leading to cell death.

Amylases↗

Transmitter characteristics of small mesenteric arteries from the rat.

We have studied the neurogenic response of small mesenteric arteries from the rat to evaluate the involvement of possible co-transmitters under various modes of stimulation. Segments of small branches of the mesenteric artery were mounted in a myograph and the intramural nerves were activated with transmural electrical stimulation. A single stimulation of the nerves caused a contraction that was reduced by only 20% in the presence of adrenergic blocking agents (prazosin or phenoxybenzamine), whereas the steady-state response to continuous nerve stimulation of high frequency was reduced by 90-95%. In contrast, all responses to applied noradrenaline in doses up to at least 1 mM were eliminated by phenoxybenzamine treatment. The stable ATP analogue, alpha,beta-methylene ATP, reduced the response to a single nerve stimulation by 70%, but reduced the contraction caused by continuous high-frequency nerve stimulation by only 10%. None of these agents affected the response to applied neuropeptide Y (NPY). The response of relaxed vessels to nerve stimulation was totally blocked by the combination of an adrenoceptor-blocking agent and alpha,beta-methylene ATP, although even in this situation a further neurogenic response could be revealed in vessels precontracted with vasopressin. Responses to either single stimuli or brief burst stimulations were potentiated after high-frequency stimulation. Both the adrenergic and non-adrenergic components were enhanced to roughly the same extent. Also the potentiated response was eliminated by the combined application of prazosin and alpha,beta-methylene ATP. The non-adrenergic transmitter in the sympathetic nerves of small arteries thus appears to be the dominant transmitter during low-frequency nerve stimulation, causing rapid but phasic activation. Noradrenaline is the most important transmitter for higher frequencies, exerting slower but sustained contractions. The post-stimulatory potentiation affects both the adrenergic and the non-adrenergic part of the neurogenic response.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Endothelium-independent potentiation by neuropeptide Y of vasoconstrictor responses in isolated arteries from rat and rabbit.

An endothelium-dependent action of neuropeptide Y (NPY) has been implicated in studies on various vascular beds. In the present study, the requirement of an intact endothelium for NPY-evoked potentiation of the response to sympathetic nerve stimulation was determined in the small mesenteric arteries of the rat and in the central ear artery of the rabbit. Further, NPY-mediated inhibition of relaxing influences was determined in small mesenteric arteries of the rat. Vascular segments were mounted in a double myograph, where one of the two suspended vessels was denuded of endothelium by gently rubbing the intimal surface. Removal of endothelium was verified by en-face silver staining. In both species, the response to bursts of transmural field stimulation eliciting 10% of maximal contraction was potentiated 2-4 times in the presence of 10 nM NPY, whether the endothelium was present or not. In small mesenteric arteries precontracted with noradrenaline, addition of acetylcholine (I microM) caused relaxation only in vessels with an intact endothelium. Subsequent addition of 10 nM NPY enhanced vasoconstriction in both intact and endothelium-denuded vessels. The endothelium-independent beta-adrenergic agonist isoprenaline (I microM) relaxed both intact and denuded small mesenteric arteries, and in both further addition of 10 nM NPY increased the contraction to about the same extent. The results demonstrate that NPY potentiates the responses to sympathetic field stimulation in small mesenteric arteries from the rat and in central ear artery from rabbit whether the endothelium is present or not. NPY inhibits both endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxations in small mesenteric arteries from rat.

Animals↗

Vascular adrenergic responses in morphine-dependent rats.

The circulatory effects of morphine abstinence have recently been found to involve decreased renal sympathetic nerve activity and increased mean arterial pressure, induced by vasoconstriction. A direct influence of morphine withdrawal on the peripheral vasculature could possibly contribute to the increased resistance. Therefore, contractile responses to transmural nerve stimulation and to applied noradrenaline of peripheral arteries from morphine-dependent and untreated rats were examined in vitro under paired conditions. No increase in contractile response was observed after chronic morphine treatment, either on nerve stimulation or on applied noradrenaline. Instead the smooth muscle sensitivity to adrenergic stimulation was reduced. Consequently, the present study does not support a peripheral adrenergic origin of the vasoconstriction during naloxone-precipitated morphine abstinence.

Animals↗

Morphology of day 7 bovine demi-embryos during in vitro reorganization.

Non-surgically collected day 7 bovine embryos were microsurgically cleaved and reinserted into surrogate zonae pellucidae. The demi-embryos were fixed immediately after splitting and at various intervals of in vitro incubation at 35 degrees C in modified Dulbecco's medium. At the light-microscopical level, the demi-embryos were found to have restored their prebisection morphology within 30 min after splitting. The electron microscopy confirmed these findings, by the presence of mitosis, cell polarization, neoformation and reaggregation of mitochondria, increased pinocytosis and cell-to-cell contact between trophoblastic and/or inner cell mass cells. The present observations therefore suggest that day 7 bovine demi-embryos intended for transfer should be cultured for 30 min before being morphologically evaluated.

Animals↗

Glial fibrillary acidic protein and desmin in salivary neoplasms. Expression of four different types of intermediate filament proteins within the same cell type.

The presence of intermediate filament proteins (IFP) in normal salivary gland tissue and investigated by immunohistochemical techniques on frozen sections. Cytokeratins (CKs) were seen in almost all normal epithelial cells. In the parotid gland and in palatal gland tissue, a co-expression of cytokeratin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was seen in some myoepithelial cells, but this was not apparent in the submandibular gland. In some pleomorphic adenomas, carcinomas in pleomorphic adenomas, one mucoepidermoid carcinoma, one mucus-producing adenopapillary carcinoma and one adenoid cystic carcinoma, cells expressing three different IFP classes were found (CKs, vimentin, GFAP). These cells were most often situated peripherally in the tumour cords or ducts. The cytokeratin pattern in these cells, as revealed by mAbs PKK1-3, was similar to that in normal myoepithelial cells. Furthermore, reactivity for a fourth class of IFP, desmin, could be seen in this cell type in two carcinomas in pleomorphic adenomas, and also in a few cells in a pleomorphic adenoma and an adenoid cystic carcinoma. Thus the pattern of IFP expression in salivary gland neoplasms, is very complex, and cannot always be related to the normal tissue.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Myoepithelial cells in salivary gland neoplasms.

Archival paraffin sections from normal salivary gland tissue and salivary gland neoplasms were stained by immunoperoxidase technique with a well characterized cytokeratin antibody (PKK1). In normal parotid tissue, myoepithelial cells and peripheral cells of larger ducts were selectively stained. In pleomorphic adenomas, most cells were stained, the staining being somewhat stronger towards the duct lumina. In basal cell adenomas, only cells adjacent to the duct lumina were stained where a differentiation of cells into peripheral and ductal was seen. In adenolymphomas basal cells were stained, and in oncocytomas small elongated cells reacted with the PKK1 antibody. Only a few duct cells in an acinic cell carcinoma were reactive and in mucoepidermoid carcinoma, peripheral epidermoid cells were strongly stained. In adenoid cystic carcinoma, mostly duct cells were stained whereas the peripheral ones remained unstained. Although the intermediate filament protein expression is very stable during tumorigenesis, the staining with the presently used monoclonal antibody in salivary gland neoplasms differed markedly from what could be expected according to current views on the participation of this cell type. This supports our view that cells in tumors should be characterized on the basis of their staining, i.e. state of differentiation and not on their presumed histogenesis.

Adenoma↗

Effects of pre-junctional alpha-receptor blockade on vascular neuro-effector characteristics in rats on high sodium intake.

Various in-vitro studies have indicated a direct attenuating effect of sodium on the affinity of adrenergic alpha 2-receptors. It has been suggested that ingested sodium in this way might increase blood pressure by reducing the activity of central alpha 2-receptors and thereby increasing sympathetic discharge. However, such an effect of sodium would also impair the function of peripheral alpha 2-receptors. In the present study we have therefore investigated the effect of high sodium intake on the alpha 2-receptor-mediated inhibition of the vascular neurogenic response. Male Wistar rats were given 2% NaCl in their drinking water from 4 to 9 weeks of age. Another group receiving plain tap water served as controls. Segments of small branches from the mesenteric artery were mounted in a myograph. Responses to transmural nerve stimulation were determined before and after alpha 2-receptor blockade with either yohimbine or idazoxan. The response to a continuous nerve stimulation that elicited 30% of maximal contraction was increased 2-3 times after addition of either idazoxan (0.1 microM) or yohimbine (0.3 microM), with no significant difference between sodium-treated and control rats; if anything the enhancement was slightly greater in the sodium-treated group. Also, responses to intermittent burst stimulation were increased from 30 to about 80% of maximal response in both rat groups. The results thus indicate that high sodium intake does not affect the inhibitory influence of pre-junctional alpha 2-receptors on the vascular neurogenic response.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Distribution of intermediate filament proteins in developing and adult salivary glands in man.

Adult and developing salivary glands were investigated using five monoclonal antibodies against cytokeratins (CKs) and vimentin. Acinar cells displayed mainly CK 18 whereas CKs 7, 17 and 19 were only detected in duct and myoepithelial cells. All epithelial and myoepithelial cells were unreactive for one vimentin antibody (Vim 9) whereas with the other (Vim 24), myoepithelial cells and basal cells of excretory ducts were stained. Fetal cells showed the CK pattern of duct cells. At gestational week 18, a reaction for both vimentin antibodies could be found in basal cells of terminal tubules. Although vim 9 reactivity has been shown for a number of salivary neoplasms, it has not been detected in any adult epithelial salivary tissue. The finding of this reactivity in the fetal gland indicates that the expression of this intermediate filament protein in certain salivary neoplasms may be a sign of dedifferentiation resulting in the expression of a filament pattern found in an earlier stage of gland development.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Expression of cytokeratins and vimentin in salivary gland carcinomas as revealed with monoclonal antibodies.

The expression and distribution of cytokeratins and vimentin in fifteen malignant salivary neoplasms were examined by immunocytochemical techniques using, five monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against different epitopes of Cytokeratins (CKs) (mAbs PKK1, PKK2, and PKK3, identifying CKs 8, 18 and 19, CKs 7, 17 and 19, and CK 18, respectively) and Vimentin (mAbs V9 and V24). Antibody PKK1 gave strong reactions in all neoplasms showing the similarity of these tumours to other digestive system adenocarcinomas. Three general staining patterns of the neoplasms were recognized with respect to the reactivity of mAbs PKK2, PKK3, and V9. Mucoepidermoid cancer, salivary duct carcinoma and a clear cell carcinoma had a higher relative content of CKs 7, 17 and 19 than of CK 18. Adenoid cystic carcinoma showed the same CK pattern but in the periphery of the tumour cords vimentin was readily detected. In two acinic cell carcinomas, the relative content of CK 18 was higher than that of CKs 7, 17 and 19. Furthermore vimentin was expressed in the tumour cells. However, one mucoepidermoid carcinoma showed vimentin expression and two acinic cell carcinomas were vimentin negative and more reactive for PKK2 than PKK3. Pecularities in CK expression were seen: squamous areas of mucoepidermoid carcinomas were stained by mAb PKK3 although CK 18 is not present in normal squamous epithelia or in squamous cell carcinomas of tongue and skin. In conclusion, the different salivary neoplasms can be distinguished on basis of IFP content. Such a differentiation fits with current theories of histogenesis, i.e. vimentin is seen in tumours presumed to arise from intercalated duct reserve cells, whilst the vimentin negative neoplasms would be expected to arise in excretory duct reserve cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Glycoprotein tumour markers in head and neck neoplasms--a consecutive study on CA-50, CA 19-9, and CEA.

Serum levels of three glycoprotein tumour antigens (carcino-embryonic antigen, CEA; cancer-associated antigen 50, CA-50; gastrointestinal cancer-associated antigen, CA 19-9) were determined on 125 consecutive patients with tumours of the head and neck region. Elevated CEA values (greater than 5 units/ml) were found in 13/70 squamous cell carcinomas, 3/21 benign and 4/18 malignant salivary gland neoplasms. Elevated CA-50 values (greater than 17 units/ml) were found in 19/70 squamous cell carcinomas, 6/18 malignant and 1/21 benign salivary neoplasms. CA 19-9 displayed higher values (greater than 37 units/ml) in 9/68 squamous cell carcinomas, 4/18 malignant and none of 21 benign salivary gland tumours. Combination of CEA and CA-50 analyses increased the proportion of elevated values to 30/70 in squamous cell carcinomas and 10/18 in salivary gland malignancies. In squamous cell carcinomas no correlation between staging or grading and serum levels was detected for any of the markers. Among malignant salivary gland tumours, CA-50 displayed enhanced serum values in 4/6 mucoepidermoid carcinomas. The mean values for CA-50 and CA 19-9 serum levels were significantly higher for malignant salivary gland neoplasms compared to benign tumours. There was a close correlation between CA-50 and CA 19-9 serum levels. Although, the results suggest that at present none of the tumour markers tested have a place alone in the routine examination of patients with tumours affecting the head and neck region, further studies on salivary gland neoplasms and combinations of the tumour markers are justified.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Spinal haematoma following epidural analgesia. Report of a patient with ankylosing spondylitis and a bleeding diathesis.

A patient who developed an epidural haematoma with multifactorial aetiology (bleeding diathesis, ankylosing spondylitis, chronic alcoholism and acute pancreatitis) after epidural analgesia for pain relief is described. Our conclusion is that adequate laboratory screening of blood coagulation, including platelet count, should be carried out in this category of patient before attempted epidural blockade, the risks of which must be weighed against the benefits. The block should be allowed to wear off intermittently and repeated neurological assessment performed if an epidural catheter is used for repeated injections or for a continuous infusion of local anaesthetic. Neuroradiological examination should be carried out promptly if an epidural haematoma is suspected and surgical decompression performed without delay if the diagnosis is confirmed.

Anesthesia, Epidural↗

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma in a minor salivary gland in childhood.

Salivary gland neoplasms in childhood and adolescence are rare, especially in the minor salivary glands. Vasoformative tumours and pleomorphic adenomas appear to be the most common benign neoplastic salivary gland lesions in the pediatric age group. The distribution of various malignant histological types is not always consistent with that in the adult population, and they appear more often in girls than in boys. Only 17 cases have previously been documented. The clinical and histological picture of a case of palatal mucoepidermoid carcinoma in a 13-year-old girl is presented as well as a review of the literature on malignant salivary gland tumours in childhood.

Adolescent↗