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Biomedical subjects

I Lundberg

Publications and source records attributed to I Lundberg.

114 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Acute myeloid leukemia among petrol station attendants.

The risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) within different occupations was studied, using occupational information obtained from the Swedish 1970 census. Follow-up in the Swedish Cancer Register was carried out from 1971 to 1984. Among male petrol station attendants, 10 cases were observed versus 2.8 expected (observed/expected = 3.6, 95% confidence interval 1.7-6.6). For several decades, Swedish petrol has contained 3-5% of benzene. Thus, a hypothesis was that benzene had contributed to the excess risk. The work histories of the 10 cases were reconstructed through interviews with surviving relatives and were compatible with the hypothesis. However, because the air benzene exposures at petrol stations always have been lower than benzene exposures associated previously with an increased risk of AML, the leukemogenic effect of benzene may have been potentiated by other petrol or vehicle exhaust components.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Development of alcoholism: interaction between heavy adolescent drinking and later low sense of control over work.

The combined effects of heavy use of alcohol in late adolescence and later unfavourable psychosocial work-environment may contribute to the development of alcoholism. Data on circumstances during childhood and adolescence, including alcohol use, history of police and/or childcare contacts, and emotional stability, were collected for 49 323 young men, born during the period 1949-1951, at the time of enlistment for compulsory military training in 1969/1970. On the basis of census data on occupation in 1975, all individuals were classified into groups with regard to the level of work-control (i.e. participation in decision-making, variation in job task, etc.) in accordance with a job exposure matrix. The background of those men who acquired a diagnosis of alcoholism according to in-patient psychiatric care registers in 1976-1983 was examined in relation to their alcohol consumption in adolescence and the nature of their subsequent work environment. It was found that young men with heavy alcohol consumption had an increased risk of developing alcoholism if they later worked in an environment characterized by low control. This finding was not due to selection of heavy drinkers into low control jobs. Similar results were obtained when data from blue-collar workers were analysed separately.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Experiences from long-term research cooperation between Costa Rican, Nicaraguan, and Swedish institutions.

This paper summarizes experiences from long-term ongoing cooperation between Swedish research institutions and institutions at the National Universities in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. 24 researchers and teachers from the Central American institutions and ten Swedish research students have been trained. In addition to three full doctoral and three licentiate (two-year PhD program) theses, the two programs have so far published 15 articles in English-language, international, refereed journals and about three times as many abstracts for conferences in more than ten countries. A "sandwich" model for training is recommended, where the southern researchers come to the wealthier partner for collaborative analyses and write-ups of the publications, while spending 50-75% of their time in their home countries for data collection. Such collaboration should be planned for a time span of at least eight years and include substantial numbers of researchers and students. Means to minimize the risk of brain drain are suggested. The collaboration has been important for the globalization of the research cultures at the participating institutions and has trained international experts.

Costa Rica↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cytokine production, serum levels and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: T cell abnormalities, B cell hyperactivity and abnormal cytokine production have been implicated to be of pathogenic importance in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to investigate if ongoing production and serum levels of type 1 and 2 cytokines reflect disease activity and the presence of organ manifestations. METHODS: Fifty-two SLE patients and 29 healthy individuals were investigated. Blood samples were collected for assessment of anti-ds DNA antibodies, cytokine production and serum cytokine levels. Disease activity was simultaneously assessed using the Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM) index and SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). ELISPOT analysis of freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was used to estimate the production of cytokines (gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma), interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-6 and IL-10) using both unstimulated cells and cells stimulated with the T cell mitogen phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). Serum levels of IL-10 were determined using an ELISA method, serum levels of IL-6 were determined using a bioassay and anti-ds DNA antibodies were analysed by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: The SLE patient group had significantly increased numbers of cells spontaneously producing IL-10 and IL-6 as compared to healthy controls (P = 0.01 and 0.03, respectively). The number of cells producing IL-10 and IL-6 after PHA-stimulation was also increased in SLE patients (P = 0.01 and < 0.0004, respectively). Serum IL-10 and IL-6 levels were also significantly increased in SLE patients (P < 0.0004 and 0.0005, respectively). Serum IL-10 levels correlated with the titre of anti-ds DNA antibodies in the patients. No correlation was found between disease activity or clinical profiles and the production or serum levels of cytokines except for a weak correlation (not statistically significant) between levels of IL-10 in the sera and disease activity as measured by the SLEDAI but not by the SLAM index. CONCLUSION: Our results confirm earlier reports that SLE patients have an increased production as well as increased serum levels of the type 2 cytokines IL-10 and IL-6. We found no significant correlation between IL-6 and IL-10 and disease activity or clinical profiles. Serum IL-10 levels correlated with the titre of anti-ds DNA antibodies in the SLE patients. In summary, our result indicate that the increased IL-10 production in SLE could be constitutive.

Adult↗