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Biomedical subjects

K Holmberg

Publications and source records attributed to K Holmberg.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Chromosome damage and second malignancy in patients treated with melphalan.

Cytogenetic studies were carried out on peripheral lymphocytes from cancer patients at different times after therapy with melphalan. The frequency of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) was increased markedly shortly after treatment, and then declined to near pretreatment levels over a four-week period. In-vitro studies showed that the SCE frequency induced by melphalan is reduced slowly in resting G0 lymphocytes and considerably faster in mitogen-stimulated G1 cells. The results demonstrate that measurement of SCE is useful for the study of newly-induced chromosome damage in melphalan-treated cells, but is less suitable for the detection of persistent, cytogenetic alterations long after therapy. The frequency of chromosomal aberrations in a cohort of 50 patients with ovarian carcinoma was increased for up to ten years after melphalan therapy. The predominant aberrations were chromosomal translocations, marker chromosomes and cells with multiple, complex rearrangements. The frequency distribution of chromosomes involved in aberrations was studied in cells from some of the patients. An overrepresentation of chromosomes 8 and 9 was found in these cells, whereas the X chromosome was overrepresented in cells from control subjects. An increased frequency of chromosomal rearrangements was found in long-term cultures of T-lymphocytes from three of the patients, indicating that these aberrations are compatible with cell survival and proliferation. Seven patients in the cohort developed a second, primary tumour during the observation time. The frequencies and types of aberrations in these patients were similar to those of the other patients in the cohort.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed1986

A new procedure to immobilize polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C) on the surface of polymethylmethacrylate and the use of poly I:C in clinical hemoperfusion.

A new procedure for covalent immobilization of polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C) on the surface of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is described. Carboxyl groups are generated on the PMMA surface and react with primary amino groups of cytosine. These amino groups are made accessible by heating. The original polynucleotide structure is partly reformed on cooling. An extracorporeal chamber for in vivo whole blood perfusion made from PMMA has been previously described. Such chambers activated as described above by poly I:C have been used clinically. Considerable increase of cytotoxicity activity was observed and was long-lasting. No significant toxic side effects occurred and no refractoriness ensued during intermission between treatment periods. The same poly I:C chamber could be used several times in the same patient without loss of activity. Controls showed no leakage from the poly I:C mono-layer on the PMMA surfaces.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Methods of immobilization of proteins to polymethylmethacrylate.

An extracorporeal hemoperfusion chamber for insertion into the peripheral circulatory system has previously been described. In 4 to 6 hours perfusion its aim is to exert a subtractive, selective effect on the blood and to stimulate immunocompetent cells. The chamber is made from polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Two general methods for immobilization are described here. The first is based on hydrazinolysis of the PMMA surface. Biologically active substances can be attached through diacylhydrazine bridges, amine bonds and amide groups to the PMMA surface. In the second method carboxyl groups are generated by hydrolysis of the PMMA methyl ester groups. The biologically active substance is immobilized using diamine or dialdehyde coupling agents. Methods are provided to attach the substances to the PMMA either via their carboxyl or via their amino groups.

Azides↗
PubMed1985

Study of precipitation reactions to Actinomyces israelii antigens in uterine secretions.

Uterine secretions were obtained from 110 women and analysed by counterimmunoelectrophoresis for the occurrence of precipitation reactions against Actinomyces israelii antigens. Precipitation reactions were found in secretions from seven women and a correlation was found between these reactions and long term use of plastic intrauterine devices. The precipitating components could not be proved to be immunoglobulins; neither could identity be shown with IgG precipitins in reference serum. The nature and the importance of the precipitating components are discussed.

Actinomyces↗
PubMed1985

The correlation between otoscopy and otomicroscopy in acute otitis media during healing.

One hundred ears in 50 children were investigated independently by four otolaryngologists during healing of acute otitis media. Interobserver variations of the tympanic membrane were studied. Clinical findings with otoscopy were correlated with otomicroscopy. The investigation showed that there is a substantial interindividual variation in evaluation of the tympanic membrane. Otomicroscopy improves the diagnostic performance and reduces interobserver variations. Interobserver agreement was best for normal tympanic membranes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Mucociliary transport in the human nose. Effect of topical glucocorticoid treatment.

The effect of topical budesonide on the human mucociliary transport in the nose was investigated utilizing the saccharin-dye test in 10 healthy volunteers. Measurements were made before treatment, after a single dose and after one week continuous treatment with either placebo or active substance. The design of the study was double blind, randomized and cross-over. A single dose of placebo or budesonide did not alter the mucociliary transport as compared to pretreatment values. A trend towards decrease of mucociliary transport was noted after one week treatment with the active drug, a trend that reached statistical significance in the comparison between the 1 h value and the 1 week value.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1985

Nasal hypersensitivity in wood furniture workers.

Occupational nasal allergies were studied in six wood furniture factories. The concentration of moulds, wood dust and endotoxins was registered and occasionally high values were found. Paecilomyces spec. was the most common mould. A special questionnaire showed that 16% (42/268) of the wood workers with a mean exposure time of 12 years had a history compatible with hypersensitivity in the upper airways associated to their work. Rhinomanometric investigations showed mucosal congestion in the workers with nasal discomfort and nasal clearance was pathologically slow in 54%. Histological studies revealed a high incidence of unciliated and metaplastic nasal epithelium. Skin prick tests and provocation tests with standard allergens and allergens prepared from the moulds and the wood dust in the environment showed that the wood furniture workers had an incidence of allergy to moulds in 3% and to wood dust in 2%. Most of the workers sensitive to moulds and/or woods were also skin prick sensitive to other allergens. No statistical difference concerning the presence of precipitating antibodies against mould and wood antigens could be registered between workers with discomfort and workers without symptoms.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1984

Persistence of chromosome rearrangements in peripheral lymphocytes from patients treated with melphalan for ovarian carcinoma.

Chromosome aberrations were studied in peripheral lymphocytes from 50 patients treated with melphalan against ovarian carcinoma. The chromosome analyses were carried out 4-132 months (mean 57 months) after the end of melphalan therapy. Most of the patients were studied several times during four years. The mean frequency of cells with chromosome and chromatid aberrations was 5.4% in the patients and 2.3% in an untreated control group. The highest aberration frequency (average 18%) was found in a patient who later developed gastric carcinoma. The dominating types of aberrations in the patients were chromosome exchanges occurring as single marker chromosomes or as multiple chromosome rearrangements. These types of aberrations were found in only 0.3% of the control cells as compared to 3.8% of the patient cells. Patients with a high total dose of melphalan (above 420 mg) and a long duration of the therapy (average 22.5 months) had a higher frequency of cells with aberrations (6.3%) than patients with a lower total dose (below 420 mg) and a shorter therapy (12 months) (4.2%). No additive effect of radiation therapy was observed on the aberration frequency.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Candida in patients with oral lichen planus.

The presence of yeasts in oral lichen planus (OLP) lesions was studied in cultivations from 41 OLP patients and by histological examination in 39 of these cases. The histological features of OLP were also recorded. The cultivation results were compared with those of a randomly selected, age- and sex-matched control group without mucosal changes. The extent of growth was recorded as "sparse" (1-10 colonies), "model-rate" (11-40 colonies), or "heavy" (greater than 40 colonies). Yeasts were found to be present on cultures or histologic sections from a total of 19 OLP patients (46%). "Moderate-heavy" growth was obtained in 29% of the OLP cases but in only 7% of the control group. Candida albicans accounted for over 80% of the yeasts. The histological examination revealed only 3 cases of invasive fungal growth. Regarding the criteria of OLP, hyperortho- or hyperparakeratosis and a band-shaped subepithelial infiltration of lymphocytes were present in all specimens, basilar liquefaction degeneration in 87% and an eosinophilic zone in 77%. Local treatment with amphotericin B (Fungizone) in 18 OLP patients with positive findings resulted in subjective relief of symptoms in 89% of the patients. Clinical improvement was seen in 94%. The presence of Candida was significantly correlated to low secretion rate in unstimulated saliva.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Nasal hypersensitivity in wood furniture workers. An allergological and immunological investigation with special reference to mould and wood.

Occupational nasal allergies caused by moulds and wood dust were extensively studied in six wood furniture factories. The concentration of moulds, wood dust and endotoxins was registered and occasionally high values were found. Paecilomyces spec. was the most common mould. Answers to a special questionnaire showed that 16% (42/268) of the wood workers with a mean exposure time of 12 years had a history compatible with hypersensitivity in the upper airways associated with their work. Calculations based on skin prick tests and provocation tests with relevant allergens showed that the wood furniture workers had an incidence of allergy to moulds in 3% and to wood dust in 2%. Most of the workers (5/7) sensitive to moulds and/or woods were also skin prick sensitive to other allergens. No statistical difference concerning the presence of precipitating antibodies against mould and wood antigens could be registered between workers with discomfort and workers without symptoms.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1984

Clinical evaluation of precipitin tests for genital actinomycosis.

A precipitin test system for antibodies against Actinomyces israelii, comprising a combination of counterimmunoelectrophoretic and crossed immunoelectrophoretic gel techniques, was evaluated for its clinical usefulness in diagnosing genital actinomycosis. A total of 263 serum samples from healthy women and women with proven actinomycosis, A. israelii-associated salpingitis, other gynecological infections, or miscellaneous gynecological diseases were analyzed. Six different precipitins could be detected. Five precipitins were defined as specific for actinomycosis, whereas one was found to occur nonspecifically in women with gynecological infections. The specificity of the test system for the detection of cases of genital actinomycosis was 98%, and the sensitivity was 83%. The accuracy was 100% for negative prediction and 45% for positive prediction. Thus, the test was shown to be valuable for a noninvasive diagnosis of genital actinomycosis.

Actinomyces↗
PubMed1984

Insulin receptors on pancreatic acinar cells in guinea pigs.

The characteristics of interaction of insulin with specific receptors on exocrine pancreatic cells of the guinea pig have been studied. Insulins from different species as well as certain insulin analogs were found to have affinities to receptors on pancreatic acinar cells which are similar to what have been described for insulin receptors in other organs of different mammalian species. Binding was rapid and reversible at 37 C but dissociation was markedly slower at 12 C. Clear indications of negative cooperativity between binding sites were not seen. Bovine and chicken insulin bound with approximately a 100-fold higher affinity to guinea pig insulin receptors than guinea pig insulin itself. The number of insulin receptors per acinar cell were comparable with what has been described for other mammalian cells. Part of cell-associated insulin was internalized. After 60 min of incubation the major part of radioactivity in the incubation medium as well as in cells appeared as intact [125I] iodoinsulin on a Sephadex G-50 column and less than 12% of radioactivity was eluted as breakdown products together with Na 125I.

Aminoisobutyric Acids↗
PubMed1984

Genital colonization by Actinomyces israelii and serologic immune response to the bacterium after five years use of the same copper intra-uterine device.

An increased risk of developing genital actinomycosis has been found with long-term use of IUDs. In this study a group of women who had used their IUDs for 60 +/- 6 months was compared with a group having worn their IUDs for 36 +/- 6 months. None of the women examined had symptoms of genital infection. No significant differences could be found in colonization frequency of A. israelii on the IUDs or in humoral antibody response to the bacterium.

Actinomycosis↗
PubMed1984

A longitudinal study of Actinomyces israelii in the female genital tract.

A prospective longitudinal investigation was performed to study variations in the occurrence of Actinomyces israelii with reference to four microorganisms, staphylococci, E. coli, P. acnes and C. albicans, in the female genital tract. Fifteen healthy women were studied during all phases of the menstrual cycle. Sampling was made from the cervix, vagina and perineal area three times a week during two consecutive menstrual periods and during menstruation from napkins and tampons. Altogether 1108 samples were taken on 349 sampling occasions for different cultural procedures. A. israelii was identified in all women, in varying frequencies (range 4 to 74% of sampling occasions). As a mean, A. israelii was recovered in 24% of the perineal samples, 13% of the vaginal and 6% of the cervical samples. The occurrence of A. israelii was related neither to the recovery of reference microorganisms nor to the phase of the menstrual cycle, the amount of bleeding or discharge, the pH of the vaginal specimens, the contraceptive method used, or to the use of different sanitary products. It is our conclusion that A. israelii appears to be a part of the indigenous genital flora of healthy women.

Actinomyces↗
PubMed1983

Actinomyces israelii in the genital tract of women with and without intra-uterine contraceptive devices.

Actinomycosis involving the female genital tract is more common among IUD users than others. The diagnosis is difficult and often delayed. It has been suggested that the finding of Actinomyces-like organisms or A. israelii in cervical smears indicates a risk of developing actinomycosis. A. israelii has not been regarded as a part of the indigenous genital flora. A group of IUD users without symptoms of genital tract infections were compared with a control group without IUDs. No Actinomyces-like organisms were found on cytological examination of cervical smears. Immunofluorescent staining and cultures identified A. israelii in 4% of the IUD users and in 3% of the non-users. Serologic precipitin tests for actinomycosis were negative in all women. None developed actinomycosis on follow-up of positive cases. The study indicates that A. israelii is a commensal of the female genital tract. The identification of A. israelii alone does not indicate that the patient risks developing actinomycosis. Other methods such as a serology test should be useful in defining the clinical significance of the findings.

Actinomyces↗