Biomedical subjects

P Gustavsson

Publications and source records attributed to P Gustavsson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Occupational exposures and squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and oesophagus: a case-control study in Sweden.

OBJECTIVES: This community based case-referent study was initiated to investigate aetiological factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the upper gastrointestinal tract. METHODS: The study was based on all Swedish men aged 40-79 living in two regions of Sweden during 1988-90. Within that base, efforts were made to identify all incident cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx and hypopharynx, larynx, and oesophagus. Referents were selected as a stratified (age, region) random sample of the base. The response was 90% among cases and 85% among referents. There were 545 cases and 641 referents in the final study group. The study subjects were interviewed about several lifestyle factors and a life history of occupations and work tasks. The exposure to 17 specific agents were coded by an occupational hygienist. The relative risk (RR) of cancer was calculated by logistic regression, standardising for age, geographical region, and alcohol and tobacco consumption. RESULTS: Exposure to asbestos was associated with an increased risk of laryngeal cancer, and a dose-response relation was present. The RR was 1.8 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.1 to 3.0) in the highest exposure group. More than eight years of exposure to welding fumes was associated with an increased risk of pharyngeal cancer (RR 2.3 (1.1 to 4.7)), and laryngeal cancer (RR 2.0 (1.0 to 3.7)). There were indications of a dose-response for duration of exposure. Associations were also found for high exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and oesophageal cancer, RR 1.9 (1.1 to 3.2). Exposure to wood dust was associated with a decreased risk of cancer at the studied sites. CONCLUSIONS: Some of the present findings confirm known or suspected associations--such as asbestos and laryngeal cancer. The study indicates that welding may cause an increased risk of pharyngeal as well as laryngeal cancer. The findings corroborate an association between exposure to PAHs and oesophageal cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Oxytocin, prolactin, milk production and their relationship with personality traits in women after vaginal delivery or Cesarean section.

The aim of the present study was to investigate if personality profiles reflecting anxiety and social interaction of mothers who delivered by Cesarean section (CS) or by the vaginal route (VD) differed in early postpartum and to investigate whether these personality traits were correlated with hormonal data. Seventeen women delivered by emergency CS and 20 by the vaginal route were selected for this study. The amount of milk transferred to the baby was measured. Blood samples were collected during the second breast-feeding on the second day after delivery. The samples were analysed for oxytocin and prolactin. After breastfeeding, the mothers were asked to fill in the personality inventory, Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP). The scores were compared between the two groups and with a normative group of women. Each scale on the personality inventory was correlated with hormonal parameters. The KSP showed significant differences between the delivered mothers and the normative group in variables related to anxiety and socialization. The VD mothers deviated more than the CS mothers from the normative group. Correlations with hormonal data indicated that anxiety was inversely related with basal levels of oxytocin and prolactin in the CS mothers, whereas the pulsatility of oxytocin was related to social desirability in both groups. Social desirability and oxytocin pulsativity were also correlated with the amount of milk transferred from the mother to the baby. The correlations indicate that central oxytocin, as reflected by basal plasma levels and patterns, may be involved in behavioral adaptations to the maternal role.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

A cohort study of Swedish capacitor manufacturing workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Mortality and cancer incidence were investigated among 242 male capacitor manufacturing workers, exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) for at least six months between 1965 and 1978. Mortality and cancer incidence were followed from 1965 to 1991. There was a significantly increased mortality from cardiovascular diseases among those employed for at least five years in high-exposed jobs, with a latency of 20 years. There were two cases of cancer of the liver and bile ducts, which previously has been associated with PCB exposure, both in epidemiological and animal experimental studies. No data on smoking habits were available. The study supports some previous findings of an increased risk of cancer of the liver and bile ducts after exposure to PCBs. The reason for the excess of cardiovascular deaths in the high-exposure group is not known and deserves evaluation in future studies.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Assessment of past exposure to man-made vitreous fibers in the Swedish prefabricated house industry.

Large quantities of man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF) are handled in the Swedish prefabricated wooden house industry. The present study is part of a program to investigate mortality, cancer incidence, and current as well as previous exposure to MMVF among workers in the Swedish prefabricated wooden house industry. Since measurements of historical fiber exposure levels are lacking, these were calculated by the application of a matrix of multipliers to recently measured MMVF levels. The multipliers represented changes over time in production rate, technical properties of the fibers, manual handling vs. automation, and ventilation control. The multipliers were based on a similar matrix, developed for the MMVF-manufacturing industry, which was modified to reflect the conditions in the wooden house industry. The model was developed for the highest-exposed job title in the study, insulators. One hundred and twenty samples of airborne fiber were taken in 11 plants to reflect current exposure levels. The highest mean fiber exposure level for insulators was assessed as 0.18 f/ml (geometric mean), which occurred during the mid-1970s, compared to 0.10 f/ml at the end of the 1980s and the early 1960s. Changes in production rate, improved ventilation control, and the surface area of the total amount of MMVF sheets handled per insulator were the most important variables of the model. No increased risk of lung cancer was found in the present industry.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

PubMed1997

Clinical characteristics and biological parameters in temperamental clusters of suicide attempters.

A sample of 215 suicide attempters was categorized in a cluster analysis into four groups according to temperamental trails. Monoamine metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid were analysed (n = 106). Dexamethasone suppression tests (DST) were performed (n = 154) and the activity of the enzyme monoamine oxidase in platelets (pl-MAO) was assessed (n = 103). Patients belonging to the two clusters with the most deviant temperament profiles (nos 2 and 3) were young and scored high on the Beck Hopelessness Scale and the Suicide Assessment Scale. "Cluster 3" ("neurotic, impulsive, aggressive") patients often had dysthymia and axis II, cluster B diagnoses (e.g. borderline or histrionic personality). "Cluster 2" ("neurotic and introverted") patients often had major depression. The "Cluster 1", with on the whole a normal temperament profile, had significantly higher levels of post-DST cortisol than the other clusters. The "Cluster 4" had a normal temperament profile. Adjustment disorders were most common in "Cluster 1" and "Cluster 4". The monoamine metabolite levels did not differ between the clusters, and the differences in pl-MAO activity disappeared after adjusting for age and gender. The results suggest that temperament profiles in suicide attempters are related to psychiatric diagnoses, suicidality, hopelessness, and post-DST cortisol, but are not predictive of completed suicide.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Cancer risk from occupational and environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Epidemiologic evidence on the relationship between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and cancer is reviewed. High occupational exposure to PAHs occurs in several industries and occupations. Covered here are aluminum production, coal gasification, coke production, iron and steel foundries, tar distillation, shale oil extraction, wood impregnation, roofing, road paving, carbon black production, carbon electrode production, chimney sweeping, and calcium carbide production. In addition, workers exposed to diesel engine exhaust in the transport industry and in related occupations are exposed to PAHs and nitro-PAHs. Heavy exposure to PAHs entails a substantial risk of lung, skin, and bladder cancer, which is not likely to be due to other carcinogenic exposures present in the same industries. The lung seems to be the major target organ of PAH carcinogenicity and increased risk is present in most of the industries and occupations listed above. An increased risk of skin cancer follows high dermal exposure. An increase in bladder cancer risk is found mainly in industries with high exposure to PAHs from coal tars and pitches. Increased risks have been reported for other organs, namely the larynx and the kidney; the available evidence, however, is inconclusive. The results of studies addressing environmental PAH exposure are consistent with these conclusions.

Acetylene↗

PubMed1997

Padlock probes reveal single-nucleotide differences, parent of origin and in situ distribution of centromeric sequences in human chromosomes 13 and 21.

Chromosome centromeres, composed of repeated DNA sequences, orchestrate the correct segregation of chromatids in cell division. We have examined the centromeres of human chromosomes 13 and 21 by studying the distribution, in situ, of two alpha satellite sequences that differ in a single nucleotide position. This was possible using padlock probes, oligo-nucleotides that can be ligated into circles upon target recognition. The segregation of individual 13 and 21 homologues in a family was followed by monitoring of the signals from two differentially labelled probes, specific for either sequence variant. A characteristic arrangement of the repeat motifs in three separate spots, oriented transverse to the length axis of the metaphase chromosomes and bilaterally symmetric, indicates that only parts of the detected regions are involved in the centromeric region, joining the sister chromatids before anaphase.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1997

Diamond-Blackfan anaemia: genetic homogeneity for a gene on chromosome 19q13 restricted to 1.8 Mb.

Diamond-Blackfan anaemia (DBA; MIM#205900) is a rare disorder manifested as a pure red-cell aplasia in the neonatal period or in infancy. The clinical hallmark of DBA is a selective decrease in erythroid precursors and anaemia. Other lineages are usually normal and the peripheral white blood cell count is normal. In approximately one-third of cases, the disease is associated with a wide variety of congenital anomalies and malformations. Most cases are sporadic, but 10-20% of them follow a recessive or a dominant inheritance pattern. A female with DBA and a chromosomal translocation involving chromosome 19q was recently identified. We undertook a linkage analysis with chromosome 19 markers in multiplex DBA families of Swedish, French, Dutch, Arabic and Italian origin. Significant linkage to chromosome 19q13 was established for dominant and recessive inherited DBA with a peak lod score at D19S197 (Zmax = 7.08, theta = 0.00). Within this region, a submicroscopic de novo deletion of 3.3 Mb was identified in a patient with DBA. The deletion coincides with the translocation break-point and, together with key recombinations, restricts the DBA gene to a 1.8-Mb region. The results suggest that, despite its clinical heterogeneity, DBA is genetically homogeneous for a gene in 19q13.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Diamond-Blackfan anaemia in a girl with a de novo balanced reciprocal X;19 translocation.

A 7 year old girl is described with congenital hypoplastic anaemia (Diamond-Blackfan anaemia, DBA) and an apparently balanced reciprocal translocation, 46,XX,t(X;19)(p21;q13). The girl has associated features including short stature, unilateral kidney hypoplasia, and a branchial cyst. Fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) studies with 19q specific cosmids showed that the chromosome 19 breakpoint is located between the RYR1 and the XRCC11 loci spanning a physical region of 5 Mb. There is no family history of DBA and the parents and two healthy sibs have normal karyotypes. This is the first report of a balanced translocation associated with DBA and we suggest that the distinct phenotype has resulted from a de novo disruption of a functional gene. DBA can be inherited as an autosomal trait and our observation may indicate a candidate gene for the disorder in the 19q13 region.

Blood Transfusion↗

PubMed1997

Increased risk of lung cancer among male professional drivers in urban but not rural areas of Sweden.

OBJECTIVES: To study the risk of lung cancer in different subgroups of professional drivers in urban and rural areas of Sweden. METHODS: Information on occupation and geographical region was obtained from the Swedish census of 1970 and data on the incidence of lung cancer between 1971 and 1984 from the National Swedish Cancer Registry. Professional drivers were separated into bus, taxi, and long and short distance lorry drivers. Comparisons of cumulative incidence of lung cancer were made between each particular group of drivers and gainfully employed men in the same region. RESULTS: Taxi drivers, and long and short distance lorry drivers in Stockholm County showed increased relative risks (RRs) of lung cancer with the highest risk among the short distance lorry drivers (RR 2.0, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.5 to 2.6). These categories of drivers also showed increased risks in the other two large conurbations in Sweden. In the rest of the country (mainly rural areas) there were no increased RRs for any category of driver. The RR for bus drivers was not increased in any region. After adjustment for assumed differences in smoking habits the RRs remained significantly increased for lorry drivers in Stockholm but not for other groups of drivers in other areas. However, the RRs remained numerically higher in large conurbations than in rural regions for all groups of drivers. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that some factors present in the urban environment play a substantial part in the excess of lung cancer among short distance lorry drivers in urban areas of Sweden. Exposure to motor exhaust fumes may have contributed to this excess.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Determinants of self-rating and expert rating concordance in psychiatric out-patients, using the affective subscales of the CPRS.

To investigate in more detail concordance between the recently developed Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS) and the recently developed Self-Rating Scale for Affective Syndromes (CPRS-S-A), a total of 101 psychiatric out-patients were assessed using these procedures and a diagnostic interview according to DSM-III-R. Depressive and anxiety syndromes were the most common diagnoses on Axis I. Approximately one-third of the patients had a diagnosis of clinical personality disorder on Axis II. The majority of the patients were assessed as predominantly manifesting either Cluster B or Cluster C traits. In general, the correlation between self- and expert-ratings was strong (0.83 for the Montgomery-Asberg Rating Scale (MADRS) depression subscale and 0.76 for the Brief Scale for Anxiety (BSA) anxiety subscale), but it tended to be weaker in the group of patients with clinical personality disorders. The correlation between the two ratings was also weaker in the group with predominantly Cluster B character traits than in the group with predominantly Cluster C traits or the group with no predominant traits, and weaker in the depressive group than in the anxiety group. However, personality disorder diagnoses were over-represented in the depressive group. The weaker correlations in the groups mentioned above may have been attributable to psychological factors and qualitative differences in cognitive and communicative style. The CPRS-S-A is considered to be a useful and reliable instrument for quantitative rating of symptoms in out-patients. Our results highlight the potential value of using appropriate self-assessment forms as complementary tools in clinical practice and research.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Myocardial infarction among male bus, taxi, and lorry drivers in middle Sweden.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present case-referent study was to investigate the incidence of myocardial infarction among male professional drivers, taking the type of vehicles and area of residence into account. METHODS: The study base comprised all men aged 30-74 in five counties in middle Sweden during 1976-81 or 1976-84. Incident cases of the first episode of myocardial infarction were identified from registers of hospital admissions and causes of deaths. Referents were selected randomly from the study base. Information about occupation was obtained from the national censuses in 1970 and 1975. The possible impact from tobacco smoking and overweight were evaluated by simulations in combination with indirect data on these factors. RESULTS: The incidence of myocardial infarction was increased among bus drivers in Stockholm (relative risk (RR) = 1.53, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.15-2.05), and among taxi drivers both in Stockholm (RR 1.65, 95% CI 1.30-2.11) and in the surrounding rural counties (RR 1.82, 95% CI 1.17-2.82). A smaller increase was found among long distance lorry drivers, whereas the relative risk among short distance lorry drivers was close to unity. Indirect comparisons make it unlikely that the excess among bus drivers in Stockholm could be explained by uncontrolled confounding from tobacco smoking or overweight. A very high proportion (more than 80%) of urban bus drivers in Sweden report a combination of high psychological demands and low control at work. CONCLUSIONS: Different types of drivers are at different risk of myocardial infarction. Bus drivers in urban areas seem to be at an increased risk, which is unlikely to be explained by uncontrolled confounding from tobacco smoking or overweight. Psychosocial work conditions may play a part in the increased incidence of myocardial infarction among urban bus drivers and should be investigated further.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Temperamental vulnerability and suicide risk after attempted suicide.

The aim was to extend recent findings of suggested temperamental features in attempted suicide and to explore possible domains of vulnerability to suicide risk after attempted suicide. Fifty-four psychiatric inpatients hospitalized after a suicide attempt underwent lumbar puncture for analysis of CSF 5-HIAA concentration and also completed the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP) before discharge from the hospital. Suicide attempters scored high on Somatic Anxiety, Psychic Anxiety, and Muscular Tension, and low on Socialization, findings that support recent findings in suicide attempters followed up after an emergency room visit. Five patients committed early suicide, i.e., within 3 years, and the overall long-term suicide mortality after attempted suicide was 13%. There were significant correlations between survival time among early suicides and CSF 5-HIAA (r = .87; p = .054), and the following KSP scale t scores: Somatic Anxiety (r = -.96; p < .05), Impulsivity ( r = -.88; p < .05), and Socialization (r = 90; p < .05). KSP Socialization showed correlations with CSF 5-HIAA (r = .89; p = .046) among the early suicides. Features of temperamental vulnerability to suicide risk after attempted suicide might involve anxiety proneness, impulsivity, low socialization, and low CSF 5-HIAA.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Surveillance of mortality and cancer incidence among Swedish graphite electrode workers.

Mortality and cancer incidence were investigated among 901 workers at a Swedish company manufacturing graphite electrodes. Current and previous measurements of personal exposure to benzo[a]pyrene were used to calculate individual exposure estimates. Smoking habits were investigated by questionnaire. There were 42 deaths during the study period (1968-1989), whereas 32.3 would be expected, based on age, sex, time, and county-specific population statistics. Three cancers of the respiratory system were found vs 1.2 expected. The overall mortality was slightly elevated, mainly due to an increased number of deaths from external causes. Thus far, no excess risk of cancer has been documented in this cohort. The results indicate that an increased risk of respiratory cancer may be present, but influence from chance cannot be ruled out due to small numbers. The cohort will be under continued surveillance.

Benzo(a)pyrene↗

PubMed1995

Characterization of current exposure to man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) in the prefabricated house industry in Sweden.

The exposure to man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) was investigated at 11 Swedish plants manufacturing prefabricated wooden houses. Current fibre levels were studied by monitoring personal exposure using the membrane filter technique. All samples were analysed by phase contrast optical microscopy (PCOM) according to Swedish standard rules; they were also analysed using a set of modified criteria for fibre counting, developed for this study, which in addition also required straight, parallel and/or convergent edges of the fibres. The objective of this alternating counting method, the modified fibre method, was to exclude fibres with appearance other than MMVF, that might be present in the wood industries. The method was validated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In all, 120 samples were taken and 273 analyses were performed. The mean exposure (GM), analysed by the standard method, was for insulators 0.10 f ml-1 (range 0.03-0.30 f ml-1) and for woodcutters 0.09 f ml-1) (range 0.05-0.19 f ml-1). Analysed by the modified fibre method the insulators were exposed to 0.029 f ml-1 (range 0.013-0.077 f ml-1 and the cutters to 0.021 f ml-1 (range 0.014-0.033 f ml-1). A significant difference was observed between the exposure for near-field workers/job titles and far-field workers/job titles. Analysis of fibre levels by the modified fibre method indicated that only a minor proportion, around 25%, of the total airborne fibres were MMVFs. The reliability of the alternative modified counting method was high, and a high correlation (r = 0.94) with the SEM results was also achieved.

Calcium Compounds↗

PubMed1995

Screening for CGG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the fragile X mental retardation 1 gene in schizophrenic patients.

Patients diagnosed using DSM-III-R criteria as having schizophrenia and other related disorders (n = 128) were assessed for CGG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR-1) gene. One subject, a woman with schizophreniform disorder, was found to have a premutation of the gene. Her case report is given. The present investigation supports the view that mutation or premutation of the FMR-1 gene is not of importance for the aetiology of the vast majority of schizophrenic patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Age-related decrease in plasma levels of gastrin, cholecystokinin and somatostatin.

Newborn babies have higher concentrations of gastrointestinal hormones than adults. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between age and plasma levels of the three peptides gastrin, cholecystokinin and somatostatin in healthy children aged 1-15 years. Gastrin, cholecystokinin and somatostatin concentrations were twice as high at 1-2 years of age compared with children older than 10 years. Significant negative correlations between age and hormone concentrations were established. It is suggested that these age-dependent differences are related to the growth rate and relative energy consumption during the early years of life.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Fiber exposure assessment in the Swedish rock wool and slag wool production industry in 1938-1990.

OBJECTIVE: A multiplicative model was developed to assess past exposure to respirable fibers among rock wool and slag wool production workers in Sweden in 1938-1990. METHODS: Information on the job titles, work tasks and employment times of 1487 workers exposed to man-made vitreous fibers was obtained from company records and interviews with older employees. A mathematical model developed earlier for assessing historical fiber exposure, based on factory averages, was further developed. Matrices of multipliers for each plant that were specific for job title were modified to assess fiber exposure with respect to job title and calendar period. The model was based on measurements made in 1977. Two methods of exposure assessment were compared, cumulative exposure based on factory average (model I) and cumulative exposure based on job title (model II). RESULTS: The exposure changed considerably in the two factories during the period 1938-1990, and it varied also between job titles. The estimated average fiber (f) exposure level at the two plants in the middle of the 1940s was 1.32 and 0.78 f.ml-1. These values are 26 and 16 times higher, respectively, than the exposure in 1980. Process changes, as well as the addition of binders and oil, reduced the exposure drastically around 1950. The mean cumulative respirable fiber exposure for the 1487 subjects was 1.44 (range 0.05-18.40) f.ml-1.year. The cleaners had 14 times higher annual fiber exposure than the preproduction workers. CONCLUSIONS: Model II was judged to be more valid than model I in assessing exposure to man-made vitreous fibers.

Adult↗