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Biomedical subjects

M Hammar

Publications and source records attributed to M Hammar.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Impact of oestradiol and progesterone on antioxidant activity in normal human breast epithelial cells in culture.

The risk of developing breast cancer increases after long term use of oestrogen and progestagen, and carcinogenesis in the breast is partly due to oxidative damage to DNA bases. Therefore, we studied the effects of 17 beta-oestradiol and progesterone on the antioxidative status and the vulnerability to oxidative stress exhibited by normal human breast epithelial cells in culture. After exposure to hydrogen peroxide, cells grown with oestradiol alone or with both oestradiol and progesterone showed significantly decreased viability compared to cells grown in medium without added hormones. There was, however, no difference in hydrogen peroxide degradation rate between controls and hormone treated cultures. When desferrioxamine was added, the viability increased and the hydrogen peroxide degradation rate decreased. The levels of several antioxidants were altered in cells grown in the presence of oestradiol and progesterone: the concentrations of glutathione reductase and catalase decreased significantly while the levels of glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione did not change. The alterations in enzyme activity and cell vulnerability were more pronounced in cultures treated with a combination of oestradiol and progesterone. We conclude that the redox balance in the cultured normal human breast epithelial cells was altered by treatment with oestradiol and progesterone, and that this change led to the increased death of cells subsequently exposed to hydrogen peroxide. This effect may have implications for sex hormone dependent diseases of the breast.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Estrogen and natural products in the treatment of postmenopausal complaints. Oral contraceptives prepare the way for hormonal substitution].

To chart current and previous use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and alternative remedies in a postmenopausal population, in relation to previous oral contraceptive (OC) usage, all 1,323 55-56-year-old women living in Linköping in 1995 were sent a questionnaire concerning health status and climacteric symptoms, and previous and/or current use of HRT, OCs and alternative remedies. Current HRT was more common among previous OC users than among those who had never used OCs (41.4 vs. 23.1 percent). As compared with non-HRT users, HRT users were characterised by greater physical activity but less strenuous occupations, and a higher prevalence of hysterectomy. Of the series as a whole, 35 per cent were currently on HRT, half of them having been so for at least two years, and only 5 per cent had abandoned HRT after trying it for some time. Alternative remedies were used by 5 per cent of the women as therapy for climacteric complaints, but about four times as many women had tried such therapy and abandoned it. The sole characteristic feature of alternative remedy usage was that it was less common among hysterectomised women. Of women treated for breast cancer, none used HRT and few used alternative remedies. Thus, in this postmenopausal population, the prevalence of HRT was high, as was the level of compliance. Previous OC usage was probably a determinant of current attitudes toward HRT.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Treatment of menopausal symptoms with applied relaxation: a pilot study.

Applied relaxation (AR) was tested in a series of six women with postmenopausal hot flushes. The AR program consisted of group instructions 1 hour per week over a 12 week duration. The number of flushes were registered from 1 month before to 6 months after training AR. Menopausal symptoms (Kupperman Index), psychological well-being (Symptom Checklist), and mood (MOOD Scale) were measured at various moments during the study. For the six patients the number of flushes decreased from the baseline period to 6 months follow-up with 59, 61, 62, 67, 89 and 100% respectively, in mean 73%. While the scores on the Kupperman Index and the Symptom Checklist followed the pattern of the flushes, a similar trend was not seen for the scores on the MOOD Scale.

Affect↗
PubMed1997

Effect on sexual life--a comparison between tibolone and a continuous estradiol-norethisterone acetate regimen.

OBJECTIVES: to compare the effects of tibolone 2.5 mg (Livial) with those of 17 beta-estradiol 2 mg plus norethisterone acetate 1 mg (Kliogest) on sexual life. METHODS: in a 48 week, double blind, multicenter study, 437 postmenopausal women were randomised to treatment with either tibolone or 17 beta-estradiol 2 mg plus norethisterone acetate. Treatment groups were compared with respect to different aspects of sexual life with a questionnaire covering sexual experience and responsiveness during the last 30 days. RESULTS: a total of 315 subjects completed 48 weeks treatment. In the E2/NETA group an improvement after 48 weeks compared to baseline was observed in five out of seven items assessing sexual life. In the tibolone group an improvement regarding all seven items assessing sexual life was seen. When tibolone was compared to E2/NETA significantly higher scores were found for the items assessing 'frequency', 'satisfaction' and 'enjoyment'. CONCLUSIONS: this study indicate that tibolone and E2/NETA -which both have an androgenic profile-affect several aspects of sexual life positively. The difference with respect to satisfaction with sexual enjoyment and frequency could be of clinical importance.

Anabolic Agents↗
PubMed1997

Microdialysis of human breast tissue during the menstrual cycle.

1. Previously it has been impossible to perform studies of human breast tissue in vivo. In this study, we investigated whether the microdialysis technique is applicable in human breast tissue and whether the concentrations of amino acids, lactate and pyruvate change during the menstrual cycle. 2. Microdialysis was performed twice during the menstrual cycle in eight healthy women, in the breast and subcutaneous fat. Amino acids, lactate and pyruvate were analysed by HPLC. 3. None of the women showed any complications, such as bleeding or infection, after the experiments. The concentrations of aspartic acid, asparagine, serine, glycine, threonine, tyrosine and ornithine were decreased in the breast late in the menstrual cycle. In the subcutaneous fat, the concentration of glycine decreased late in the cycle. 4. This study has shown that microdialysis is a safe technique and is suitable for investigations of human breast tissue. Our data indicate that metabolism in the breast changes during the menstrual cycle. The lower levels of specific amino acids late in the menstrual cycle could indicate a higher proliferative and/or apoptotic activity during this period. However, the data we have obtained cannot yet be fully explained.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1997

Multiprofessional education in the medical curriculum.

The aim of this project was to design a programme for the students at the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) which has long fostered multiprofessional education, and encourages development of positive attitudes and skills related to collaboration with other health professionals. This should be characterized by mutual respect and understanding and should also provide students with insight into the various professional roles and competencies involved in collaboration within the health care system. A multi-professional training ward, and since January 1996 a student-manned training ward, has been in operation at the Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospital, Linköping. The care, treatment and rehabilitation of patients is performed by students from all the education programmes at the FHS. While the supervisors are medically responsible, they generally only observe and provide guidance without taking too much active part in the practical work. The students are recruited during one of their last two semesters when they have attained fairly good insight into their future professional roles. Experience thus far has shown that a training ward seems to be a very efficient way of improving the ability to work as a team with real patients, and is an inspiring and efficient means for obtaining these skills which, in turn, are essential in future professional work. This paper reports the implementation and first experiences of the training ward. A detailed evaluation of the effects of an educational ward, taking into account the opinions and attitudes of students, teachers and patients, is in progress.

Attitude↗
PubMed1997

Problem-based medical education: development of a theoretical foundation and a science-based professional attitude.

Problem-based learning, combined with early patient contact, integration between different subject areas, elements of multiprofessional education, and special emphasis on the development of communications skills has become the basis for the medical curriculum at the Faculty of Health Sciences in Linköping. Critics have questioned the depth of the scientific and theoretical aspects of the curriculum. Through a series of specific measures in the organization of the curriculum and examinations, and due to the pedagogical principles involved per se, our claim is that students graduating at Linköping do possess the required theoretical knowledge and a scientific attitude to the practice of medicine, at least equivalent to that obtained in a more conventional medical curriculum. One such specific measure is that all students perform one field study and two scientific studies during the course of the curriculum. An investigation of student opinions regarding the value of performing scientific projects of their own have shown that these projects have had a positive impact on the students' general scientific attitude and their willingness to engage in future scientific work. The specific skills acquired, as confirmed by oral examinations, were largely determined by the scientific nature of the chosen field of study. Our graduates have not yet progressed far enough in their careers for comparisons to be made on the basis of the Swedish Licensing Board Internship Examinations, but continuing evaluations of students, graduates and licensed doctors emerging from the curriculum will provide future evidence as to whether our present evaluation is correct.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1997

Availability of the fibre subunit CsgA and the nucleator protein CsgB during assembly of fibronectin-binding curli is limited by the intracellular concentration of the novel lipoprotein CsgG.

Curli, an adhesive surface fibre produced by Escherichia coli and salmonellae, was proposed on the basis of genetic evidence to follow a distinct assembly pathway involving an extracellular intermediate of the fibre subunit CsgA, the polymerization of which can be induced at the cell surface by a 'nucleator' protein (CsgB). Here we show biochemically that CsgA is actively secreted to the extracellular milieu and that CsgB is surface located. We demonstrate that the putative curli assembly factor CsgG is an outer membrane-located lipoprotein. CsgG is highly resistant to protease digestion both in vivo and in vitro. During curli assembly, CsgG is required to maintain the stability of CsgA and CsgB. In line with this, it is possible to modulate the steady-state levels of CsgA and CsgB by varying intracellular levels of CsgG. This suggests that, in the absence of CsgG, CsgA and CsgB are proteolytically degraded. Moreover, curli production and steady-state levels of CsgA and CsgB can be increased above wild-type levels by overexpression of CsgG, meaning that the quantity of assembled curli fibres can be controlled by this lipoprotein.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1997

Exercise and smoking habits among Swedish postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess exercise habits and their relation to smoking habits and social and medical factors in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with a questionnaire to all 1324 55-56 year old women in Linköping, Sweden. RESULTS: Response rate was 85%. About a third of the women took part in some kind of quite strenuous exercise for at least one hour a week. After a quarter worked out once a week; fewer did swimming and jogging. One in four women smoked. Women who used hormone replacement therapy, who were not smoking and who had a physically light occupation more often took part in strenuous sports. Women who had been treated for malignancies or with back problems exercised to the same extent as women in the general population. CONCLUSION: About a third of the post-menopausal women exercised on a regular basis, if exercise involved in getting to and from work was not counted. Since regular physical exercise has many health benefits, more women should be encouraged to take part in regular physical exercise. Factors probably associated with level of education and general awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle positively influenced the likelihood of these women to be physically active on a regular basis. A previous malignant disease or current back problems did not prevent women from taking part in exercise on a regular basis.

Back↗
PubMed1997

Variability of glutathione levels in normal breast tissue and subcutaneous fat during the menstrual cycle: an in vivo study with microdialysis technique.

A small increase in the risk of breast cancer has been reported after long term use of combined estrogen-progestagen treatment. Free oxygen radicals and antioxidants such as glutathione are involved in the regulation of proliferation and apoptosis and thereby in carcinogenesis. To study whether the glutathione levels are sex hormone dependent, we used the microdialysis technique to measure the in vivo concentrations of glutathione in breast tissue and sc fat during the menstrual cycle. Six healthy women (23-32 yr old) were investigated early in the follicular phase and the midluteal phase. Two 60-min fractions each were collected by microdialysis of periumbilical fat and breast tissue, respectively. The samples were stored at -70 C and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. Glutathione concentrations increased in the midluteal phase compared to those in the follicular phase in both adipose tissue and breast tissue (P < 0.05). The variability of glutathione levels during the menstrual cycle, with higher levels late in the menstrual cycle, indicates that the antioxidant system could be sex hormone dependent. This may be of importance in breast cancer development.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1997

Transplacental needle passage and other risk-factors associated with second trimester amniocentesis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the obstetric outcome of all pregnancies undergoing midtrimester amniocentesis over a 10 year period at one center and the risk-factors for pregnancy loss associated to the procedure. MATERIAL AND METHOD: All 2083 pregnancies with known pregnancy outcome and second trimester amniocentesis were included. Risk-factors for pregnancy loss were analysed by using patients' charts and a special record from the amniocentesis. RESULTS: The over-all risk of pregnancy loss after second trimester amniocentesis was 1.3% (28/2083). There was a slight but nonsignificant relationship between the degree of experience of the gynecologist and risk for pregnancy loss. A more experienced operator used significantly fewer needle insertions (p<0.001). Multiple needle insertions were also associated with a slight, albeit nonsignificant, increase in incidence in fetal loss (3.8% after three or more insertions vs. 1.2% after one insertion, NS). No difference in spontaneous abortion incidence was found in patients having an anterior versus a posterior placenta, nor did transplacental needle passage increase the risk for pregnancy loss. Comparison between use of real-time ultrasonic guidance at the amniocentesis and static ultrasonography immediately prior to the procedure did not reveal any differences in the incidence in spontaneous abortion. CONCLUSION: Second trimester amniocentesis seems to be a safe method for prenatal diagnosis. The risk for pregnancy loss was low (1.3%) and was only slightly and nonsignificantly affected by the operator's experience and multiple needle insertions. Transplacental needle passage did not affect the risk of pregnancy loss.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1997

Oral contraceptive use among female elite athletes and age-matched controls and its relation to low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Exogenous and endogenous female sex steroids may influence the risk of low back pain. The fact that back pain is a very common symptom during pregnancy supports this theory. Back pain is also more common among female than male athletes. Oral contraceptives have been suggested to increase the risk of low back pain. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether the prevalence of low back pain is higher among oral contraceptive users than non-users and if it differs between women taking part in different sports. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to female elite athletes in volleyball (n = 205), basketball (n = 150), and soccer (n = 361) as well as to age-matched controls (n = 113). The questionnaire comprised questions about age, constitution, occupation, parity and use of contraceptive method as well as previous and current back pain and possible consequences of the back problems. RESULTS: The response rate was 85%. Between 42% and 52% of the women in the different groups used oral contraceptives. The groups were similar in most background variables, except that the volleyball and basketball players were taller. The prevalence of current low back pain was between 21% and 34% in the different athlete groups with an average of 30%, whereas only 18% of the controls suffered from low back pain (p < 0.01). The prevalence of low back pain within each group, athletes as well as controls, was similar in women who used, and did not use oral contraceptives. CONCLUSIONS: This study does not support the theory that low back pain is affected by the use of oral contraceptives. Instead, constitutional factors and mechanical stress during intense physical activity is probably more important.

Adult↗