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Biomedical subjects

O Johansson

Publications and source records attributed to O Johansson.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Skin changes in patients claiming to suffer from "screen dermatitis": a two-case open-field provocation study.

An open-field provocation, in front of an ordinary TV set, of 2 patients regarding themselves as suffering from skin problems due to work at video display terminals (VDTs) is presented. Using immunohistochemistry, in combination with a wide range of antisera directed towards cellular and neurochemical markers, we were able to show a high-to-very high number of somatostatin-immunoreactive dendritic cells as well as histamine-positive mast cells in skin biopsies from the anterior neck taken before the start of the provocation. At the end of the provocation the number of mast cells was unchanged; however, the somatostatin-positive cells had seemingly disappeared. The reason for this latter findings is discussed in terms of loss of immunoreactivity, increase of breakdown, etc. The high number of mast cells present may explain the clinical symptoms of itch, pain, edema and erythema. Naturally, in view of the present public debate, the observed results are highly provocative and, we believe, have to be taken seriously.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Somatostatin immunoreactive cells in lesional psoriatic human skin during peptide T treatment.

Peptide T has been shown to be an effective treatment in psoriasis. The mechanism through which peptide T works in psoriasis is at present unknown. Furthermore, a clearance of psoriasis has also been registered using the inhibitory peptide somatostatin. These observations all focus on the fact that peptide T, somatostatin, and/or other peptides, might provide a clue to understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of psoriasis. Therefore, the effect of peptide T administration on somatostatin containing cutaneous cell populations was investigated. Ten psoriatic patients were treated with peptide T (D-Ala-peptide T amide; 2 mg/day i.v.) for 28 days. Serial biopsies were obtained from the psoriatic lesions before, once weekly during and 4 weeks after discontinuation of the peptide T treatment. An indirect immunofluorescence procedure was performed using a polyclonal antiserum against somatostatin. Clinically, most of the patients responded successfully to the treatment. Immunohistochemical investigations of the serial biopsies revealed the appearance of extensive changes in the number of dermal somatostatin immunoreactive dendritic cells. We believe that peptide T may stimulate the local synthesis and/or release of somatostatin, or proliferation and/or migration of certain dendritic cell populations in psoriatic lesions during healing. Since the benefits of peptide T treatment of psoriatic patients parallel earlier investigations using somatostatin infusions, it is likely that somatostatin given exogenously or synthesized/released endogenously plays a vital role in inducing the healing process.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Tetrasomy 15q: two marker chromosomes with no detectable alpha-satellite DNA.

Two patients with specific and similar phenotypes were both found to have an unusual marker chromosome present in 70%-80% of their lymphocytes at routine cytogenetic examination. The marker chromosomes were isolated by flow sorting and were amplified by degenerate oligonucleotide-primed PCR. These libraries and a cosmid probe located at 15q26 were used to characterize the marker chromosomes by FISH. Both marker chromosomes were found to consist of duplicated chromosome material from the distal part of chromosome 15q and were identified as inv dup(15) (qter-->q23::q23-->qter) and inv dup(15) (qter-->q24::q24-->qter), respectively. Hence, the markers did not include any known centromere region, and no alpha-satellite DNA could be detected at the site of the primary constriction. Tetrasomy 15q may be a new syndrome, associated with a specific type of marker chromosome. In addition, further analyses of this type of marker chromosome might give new insight into the structure and function of the mammalian centromere.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1993

The innervation of the mystacial pad of the rat as revealed by PGP 9.5 immunofluorescence.

The innervation of the mystacial pad in the rat was investigated with the aid of antihuman protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 immunofluorescence. PGP 9.5 is ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase, which is distributed throughout neuronal cytoplasm. This technique revealed all previously known innervation as well as a wide variety of small-caliber axons and some endings of large-caliber afferents that had not been observed before. Newly revealed innervation affiliated with vibrissal-follicle sinus complexes included 1) fine-caliber, radially oriented processes in the epidermal rete ridge collar; 2) a loose network of fine-caliber, circumferentially arrayed processes in the centrifugal part of the mesenchymal sheath at the level of the ring sinus; 3) a loose haphazard network of fine-caliber and medium-caliber processes in the mesenchymal sheath and among the trabeculae of the cavernous sinus; 4) a loose network of circumferentially arrayed processes within the mesenchymal sheath of the cavernous sinus and in close proximity to the basement membrane; 5) a dense network of reticular-like endings provided by large-caliber afferents to the mesenchymal sheath in the upper part of the cavernous sinus; and 6) fine-caliber innervation to the dermal papilla at the base of all vibrissal shafts. In the intervibrissal skin, a dense distribution of fine-caliber individual and clustered profiles was detected in the epidermis. In addition to previously known innervation, Merkel endings were consistently observed in the epidermis at the mouths of guard hairs, loose networks of fine-caliber axons were found around the necks of occasional guard hairs, and fine-caliber profiles were frequently affiliated with vellus hairs. Vascular profiles were heavily innervated throughout the dermis. Axons and motor end plates of the facial nerve innervation to papillary muscles also were labeled. Transection of the infraorbital nerve eliminated all but the facial nerve innervation. Unilateral removal of the superior cervical ganglion eliminated the innervation to the dermal papillae but caused no other noticeable reduction. PGP 9.5-like immunofluorescence was also moderately expressed in apparent Schwann cells, in Merkel cells only in the external root sheath of vibrissal follicles, and in apparent dendritic and/or Langerhans cells usually located in the epidermis and occasionally in the follicles. PGP 9.5-like immunofluorescence persisted in highly vacuolated profiles along the usual courses of medium to large-caliber axons 2 weeks after nerve transection. The possible functional role of the newly discovered innervation is considered along with that of previously identified afferents.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Population-based cohort investigations of the risk for malignant tumors in first-degree relatives and wives of men with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Retrospective studies of familial cancer risks could be subjected to bias and should be supplemented with prospective studies if possible. Few such studies exist, and no prospective population-based study has addressed the risk for malignant tumors among relatives or wives of men with breast cancer. METHODS: All first-degree relatives and wives of 153 men whose conditions were diagnosed as male breast cancer from 1965 to 1989 in the southern health-care region of Sweden were identified through parish data. Relatives and wives alive January 1, 1958, were included in two cohorts. Their vital status and cancer morbidity were studied in the Swedish Cancer Registry, Cause of Death Registry, and Census Registry. RESULTS: The incidence for malignant tumors was significantly increased among female first-degree relatives (standardized morbidity ratio [SMR], 1.36). Significantly elevated SMR were seen for breast carcinoma (SMR, 1.80), ovarian carcinoma (SMR, 2.27), and cancer of the parotid gland (SMR, 5.58). Elevated nonsignificant SMR were seen for cancer of the cervix uteri and for bone and soft tissue sarcoma. An almost significant decreased overall cancer incidence was seen for male first-degree relatives (SMR, 0.75). The most pronounced decrease was seen for cancer of the prostate. The increased breast cancer incidence in female relatives were present in mothers, sisters, and daughters. The overall tumor incidence was not increased (SMR, 0.98) in wives of men with breast cancer. There was no significant increase in breast cancer incidence (SMR, 0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Female first-degree relatives of men with breast cancer have an elevated incidence of breast cancer and other female genital tumors, whereas male first-degree relatives have a reduced cancer incidence. Wives of men with breast cancer have a similar cancer incidence as the general population.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMed1993

Methodological aspects on immunohistochemistry in dermatology with special reference to neuronal markers.

In an attempt to optimize the immunohistochemical procedure for visualizing neuronal markers, such as neuropeptides, in the human skin, different alternatives in all steps of the process were compared. We have studied the influence of type of immunohistochemical method, the biopsy technique, including the size of the punch biopsy, anaesthesia, the choice of fixative and the time of fixation, the storage process, the sectioning parameters, incubation procedure, the type of fluorophore-conjugated antibody and its dilution, mounting and storage, and, finally, microscopical examination. The following procedure was found to give the best result: punch biopsies of 3 mm, taken under local anaesthesia using lidocaine injected into the dermis-subcutis at the place of biopsy; fixation by a buffered 10% formalin solution containing 14% of saturated picric acid for 2 h at 4 degrees C; storage in 10% sucrose buffer for at least 24 h up to 1 month at 4 degrees C or deep-frozen to -70 degrees C for 2 months (with only a minor structural deterioration); cryostat sectioning of the biopsies with a section thickness of 14 microns and with the cutting edge perpendicular to the skin surface; rhodamine (TRITC)-conjugated, instead of fluorescein-isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated, secondary antiserum, since it gives a lower background fluorescence; and for the incubation and mounting procedures, our standard laboratory routines were applied. The result is an optimal indirect immunofluorescence technique, to be applied in dermatology. We also found that biopsies taken under local anaesthesia with chloroethyl spray lost almost all immunofluorescence for several neuronal markers in the epidermis-upper dermis.

Anesthesia, Local↗
PubMed1993

Glutamate- and aspartate-like immunoreactivities in human normal and inflamed skin.

The presence of glutamate/aspartate-like immunoreactivity was studied in normal human skin and in skin with gold-induced inflammation. In normal skin all epithelial cells were glutamate and, apparently more weakly, aspartate immunoreactive. Both glutamate and aspartate immunoreactivities were also found in macrophage-like, HLA-DR positive cells in the dermis and in the epidermis. The intensity of glutamate and especially aspartate-like immunoreactivities seemed to be increased in the epidermis and dermis of the inflamed as compared to the normal skin, and this increase was particularly pronounced in the HLA-DR positive (dendritic) cells in the epidermis. Numerous cells, often of the mononuclear type, in the superficial dermis expressed glutamate- and aspartate-like immunoreactivities in the inflamed skin and many of these were HLA-DR positive. The functional role of glutamate and aspartate in normal skin, and the significance of the increase in the levels of these amino acids in several cell populations in the inflammatory skin is not known, but modulatory or protective roles may be considered. High concentrations of these amino acids could also induce cell damage. Moreover, the macrophage-like cells in the human skin may have a role in the processing of glutamate and aspartate on a recycling basis.

Aspartic Acid↗
PubMed1993

Gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone (gamma-MSH)-like immunoreactivity is present in certain normal human keratinocytes.

Using the indirect immunohistochemical approach, the occurrence of gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone (gamma-MSH)-like immunoreactivity in human normal keratinocytes is described. The positive cells were observed in each layer of the epidermis (except stratum corneum) and often, at the level of the stratum spinosum, also around the orifices of cutaneous accessory organs, such as sweat glands and sebaceous glands/hair follicles. Combining these data with our previous investigations, the results support the possibility that locally produced gamma-MSH could be involved in cutaneous immune response, pigmentation and epithelial proliferation, as well as neuromodulation.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Speculations around the mechanism behind the action of peptide T in the healing of psoriasis: a minireview.

Peptide T, the HIV envelope-derived fragment Ala-Ser-Thr-Thr-Thr-Asn-Tyr-Thr, has already been used to successfully treat psoriatic patients without major side-effects. The underlying reason for the positive effect is, however, at present unknown. In the following minireview, we summarize today's knowledge regarding peptide T's interaction with other chemical messenger molecules, such as somatostatin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), within the human skin, and, finally, speculate about their relationship to each other. In summary, we believe that the clearance effect of peptide T on psoriasis will open up new avenues with regard to the concept of the pathogenesis of as well as the clinical attendance to this disease.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

A comparison of the capsules around smooth and textured silicone prostheses used for breast reconstruction. A light and electron microscopic study.

A total of 18 women who had undergone modified radical mastectomy and tissue expansion for breast reconstruction were studied. When the expanders were replaced, nine patients had received smooth, gel-filled permanent prostheses and nine had received textured, gel-filled permanent prostheses. For medical reasons, e.g. capsular contraction, incorrectly placed or sized implant, an additional operation was performed, and then biopsy specimens from the capsules around the prostheses were taken and subsequently examined with the aid of the light and transmission electron microscope (TEM). A histologist was able to classify blindly 11 capsules out of 13 which were investigated by light microscopy in the correct groups and several differences between the capsules were found. Capsules around the smooth implants had a clear line of separation between the inner surface and the prosthesis, and formed a single collageneous layer. They were sparse in fibroblasts, which were long and thin. Capsules around textured implants consisted of two layers, the outer layer being compact with long, slender fibroblasts, and the inner one looking rugged with wavy bundles of collagen often splitting from each other, and with shorter and more rounded fibroblasts. The overall thickness seemed greater compared to the capsules around the smooth prostheses, which, on the other hand, showed a greater variation in thickness. To analyze collagen fibril diameters, sample sections were photographed at magnification 22,000 x in the TEM. The fibril diameters were measured with an interactive image analysis system (IBAS). The mean diameter of the collagen fibrils was 47.2 nm in the capsules around the smooth prostheses and 51.7 nm in the capsules around the textured prostheses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Collateral reinnervation and expansive regenerative reinnervation by sensory axons into "foreign" denervated skin: an immunohistochemical study in the rat.

Immunohistochemistry has been used to study, the capacity of different types of sensory axons in the saphenous nerve to extend into denervated glabrous skin territory after a chronic sciatic nerve lesion. In this study, the extension of the intact or regenerating thin peptidergic and coarse saphenous nerve fibres in adult and neonatal rats was determined. Substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antibodies were used as markers for thin axons and neurofilament (NF) antibodies for coarse axons. In addition, S-100 protein (S-100) antibodies, which primarily stain Schwann cells associated with myelinated axons, as well as innervated lamellated cells of Meissner corpuscles, were used. After a chronic sciatic nerve lesion in adult rats, thin dermal and epidermal SP-immunoreactive (IR) and CGRP-IR saphenous nerve fibres were present in an area lateral to that normally innervated by the saphenous nerve in the foot sole. In neonatally lesioned animals, thin dermal and epidermal SP-IR and CGRP-IR, as well as coarse dermal NF-IR fibres and S-100-IR cells, all of which derived from the saphenous nerve, were found in the sciatic nerve territory. In addition, some dermal SP-IR and CGRP-IR fibres were transiently present in the lateral part of the foot sole. After chronic sciatic nerve lesion and a concomitant crush injury of the saphenous nerve in adults or neonatals, thin dermal and epidermal SP-IR and CGRP-IR fibres, as well as coarse dermal NF-IR fibres and S-100-IR cells, were found in the innervation area normally occupied by the sciatic nerve. After a sciatic nerve cut and a concomitant crush injury of the saphenous nerve in adult rats, the SP-IR and CGRP-IR fibres, as well as the NF-IR fibres and S-100-IR cells were restricted to the medial part of this area. After a sciatic nerve cut and a concomitant crush injury of the saphenous nerve in neonatal rats, a few thin dermal SP-IR and CGRP-IR fibres were found in the lateral part of the foot sole as well. The findings of the present study together with those of previous morphological studies indicate that intact thin axons from the saphenous nerve, including those exhibiting peptide immunoreactivity, but not coarse saphenous axons, are capable of extending into "foreign" denervated glabrous skin after chronic sciatic nerve injuries. In neonatally sciatic-nerve-injured animals, both groups of axons spread from the intact saphenous nerve into the sciatic nerve territory.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aging↗
PubMed1992

Histamine immunohistochemistry: a new and highly sensitive method for studying cutaneous mast cells.

Mast cells have characteristic granulae containing various glucoseaminoglycans, proteases and amines (predominantly histamine). The conventional histological methods for studying mast cells are based upon acidic ortho- and metachromatic routine stains of the glucoseaminoglycans. However, the success of these procedures is dependent upon both the fixatives and the tissues used. In this study, we wanted to find out whether an immunohistochemical procedure could overcome some of these difficulties. Normal human skin was fixed in five different types of fixative and processed for indirect immunofluorescence, using an antiserum to histamine. Only one, 4% carbodiimide in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), resulted in immunostaining. The quality of the staining was good, with a high signal-to-noise ratio, and was located on the mast cells. The method made it possible to visualize small structures such as a single secreted granula, the thin cytoplasmatic extension of some cells, and a previously undescribed dendritic morphology of some of the mast cells. We therefore recommend this procedure for cellular studies of mast cells when accuracy is needed.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of regret after tubal sterilization.

Many different criteria and profiles have been suggested for the possible cause of regret and requests for reversal after tubal sterilization. Evaluation of data obtained from 2253 women who had undergone tubal sterilization showed a strong correlation between regrets and youthful age and to changes in marital situation. Previously demonstrated risk factors, such as sterilization in connection with abortion or labor were not related to regret in this study material.

Adult↗