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Biomedical subjects

S Berg

Publications and source records attributed to S Berg.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Characteristics of long-surviving men: results from a nine-year longitudinal study.

Although the life expectancy of men is commonly less than that of women, previous analyses of a longitudinal data set revealed a sub-sample of older men whose survival curves over twenty years are similar to those of the women in the sample. The main purpose of this research is to identify factors which differentiate this group of "successful" males from the other males in the sample. Data from the two groups of males (and two groups of females) were examined using analysis of variance, chi 2 analysis, and survival analysis. Data include measures in a variety of biomedical, functional, behavioral, and psychological areas collected during in-home and hospital examinations. Results show that "successful" males have significantly higher scores in both cognitive abilities and health, initially and at longitudinal follow-ups. The combination of overall high scores in the multiple domains evidently gives this group of men an advantage over the others. The results emphasize the importance of recognizing the sub-groups in the aging population with different developmental patterns, and tailoring both research and services to the uniqueness of these groups.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Ultrasonographic bedside evaluation of maxillary sinus disease in mechanically ventilated patients.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate A-mode ultrasonographic examination of maxillary sinus disease in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients using sinoscopy as criterion standard. DESIGN: Prospective case series. SETTING: The intensive care units of a tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS: 25 mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients with nasotracheal intubation or a tracheotomy were followed up by ultrasonographic examination of the maxillary sinuses in supine and semirecumbent positions. Infectious sinusitis was suspected in 15 patients, who were bilaterally sinoscoped combined with sampling for bacterial culture. RESULTS: The frequency of oedema and/or secretions was high: 29 antra of 30 examined. Only 2 of 30 antra showed bacterial infection. Ultrasonographic examinations were sensitive to general pathological changes but less accurate in specific diagnostics such as the presence of secretions (sensitivity for fluid 75%, oedema 81%). The sensitivity of ultrasonographic diagnosis improved when the examination was made in the semirecumbent position (sensitivity for fluid 91%, oedema 81%). CONCLUSIONS: A-mode ultrasonography is a useful method for daily use, being easy to perform and without discomfort to the patient. It is fast and gives an immediate diagnosis. In intensive care unit patients, it should be the method of choice for day-to-day studies of effects and changes in the upper airways. For the differential diagnosis of oedema and/or secretions, it is not reliable enough to be used as the sole diagnostic method. A complementary investigation, such as computed tomography or sinoscopy, which also provides the opportunity to take samples, is needed for diagnostic confidence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Profiles and treatment of attempted suicide by self-immolation.

Self-immolation represented 3.9% of patients (N = 7) at this burn unit over the last 18 months. Charts of these patients were retrospectively reviewed for demographics, hospital course, and discharge plan. All had a major psychiatric diagnosis, although no clear patient profile emerged. These patients required complex individualized care, but the psychosocial treatment challenges had many common elements. Psychiatric aspects of these patients proved problematic for the burn unit staff. Physical sequelae of the burns raised problems in arranging subsequent psychiatric treatment. Follow-up information was obtained by brief telephone interviews. The survivors appeared to be functioning well given their psychopathology and physical sequelae.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Hyaluronan turnover in relation to infection and sepsis.

Sepsis is a major clinical problem in intensive care. The mortality in septic shock is high, and predominantly due to cardiovascular collapse and multiple organ dysfunction. In sepsis high levels of circulating hyaluronan have been found, correlating to disease severity and prognosis. The reason behind the increased levels could be both decreased hepatic uptake and increased peripheral synthesis. Thus, plasma hyaluronan may be a clinically useful marker of hepatic dysfunction and possibly also an indicator of the increased inflammatory and reparative activity in different organs in septic conditions.

Critical Care↗
PubMed1997

Circadian variations in blood pressure and heart rate in diabetes prone and resistant rat strains compared with spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Circadian blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and motor activity (MA) of nondiabetic (nd) and spontaneously diabetic (d) BB/OK rats were compared with that of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In addition a diabetes-resistant and non-hypertensive rat strain (LEW.1W) was monitored for the same parameters. Systolic and diastolic BP (SBP, DBP), HR and MA were measured telemetrically. In d BB rats, the 24 h mean value of SBP (132 +/- 0.15 mm-Hg) was significantly increased compared to nd BB rats (125 +/- 0.18 mmHg). No differences were found in DBP between d and nd BB rats (93 +/- 0.13 v.s. 94 +/- 0.15 mmHg). Both, d and nd BB rats were significantly different in SBP and DBP to that of SHR (155 +/- 0.19 and 110 +/- mmHg). Nondiabetic BB rats did not significantly differ from LEW.1W rats in SBP and DBP (125 vs. 123 mmHg and 94 vs. 94 mmHg). The heart rate was lowest in diabetic BB rats compared with all other strains. Compared to nd BB the diabetic rats had an altered daily rhythm in BP. The results demonstrate that the diabetic BB rats develop circadian variations in BP and HR similar to those observed in hypertensive rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Functional alterations in the rat kidney induced either by diabetes or high protein diet.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of long-term diabetes with that of a long-term high protein diet in vivo on the kidney function and in vitro on cellular parameters of isolated glomeruli of BB rats. Four groups of rats were investigated: Group 1 = normoglycaemic (N) rats > 250 days old; group 2 = age-matched diabetic (D) rats with a diabetes duration of more than 150 days; group 3 = BB rats which were fed a protein diet of 8% (low protein = LP) and group 4 = rats which received a high protein (HP) diet (32%) for more than 80 weeks. From 24-h-urine samples albumin, urea, creatinine and electrolyte excretion were estimated. At the end of the study the total kidney weight was determined and glomeruli were isolated for in vitro experiments. Hyperglycaemic and HP fed rats were characterised by a significantly increased excretion of albumin, urea and different electrolytes compared to normoglycaemic or LP fed animals. Creatinine excretion was neither affected by hyperglycaemia nor HP diet. HP and D caused a significant increase in total kidney weight when compared to the LP and N group, respectively (N: 1.79 +/- 0.08; D: 2.33 +/- 0.09; LP: 2.26 +/- 0.18; HP: 3.28 +/- 0.46 g; p < 0.05). The increased kidney weight of diabetic and HP rats correlated well with a significant enhanced DNA content of isolated glomeruli (N: 3.41 +/- 0.15; D: 4.45 +/- 0.19; LP: 4.18 +/- 0.35; HP: 6.40 +/- 0.62 micrograms/1000 glomeruli; p < 0.02). In addition, glomeruli obtained from either D or HP fed BB rats incorporated significantly more 3H-thymidine into their DNA indicating an elevated rate of DNA synthesis. The results demonstrate that HP diet caused markedly altered kidney function and induced cellular changes of glomeruli which are interpreted as enhanced proliferative processes. These alterations are comparable to those associated with diabetes mellitus. An unbalanced high protein diet represents a considerable risk factor for the development of functional and structural impairments of the kidney and should absolutely be avoided in patients suffering from diseases which are known to be associated with kidney alterations.

Albuminuria↗
PubMed1997

Heritability for Alzheimer's disease: the study of dementia in Swedish twins.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease has been thought to have familial and sporadic forms, and several genetic defects have been identified that chiefly explain early-onset familial cases. In this study, our purpose was to detect all cases of dementia in an established twin registry and to estimate total extent of genetic contribution to liability to Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: At the first stage, members of the registry were screened for dementia, using in-person or telephone mental status testing. At the second stage, those who screened positively and their partners were referred for clinical work-ups, including neuropsychological assessment, physician examination, laboratory tests, and neuroimaging. Clinical diagnoses were assigned at a multidisciplinary consensus conference. Probandwise concordance rates were examined by zygosity, and structural modeling was applied to the data to estimate genetic and environmental influences, using both single- and multiple-threshold models. RESULTS: Sixty-five pairs were identified in which one or both was demented. The probandwise concordance rate for Alzheimer's disease among monozygotic pairs was 67%; the corresponding figure for dizygotic pairs was 22%. Heritability of liability to Alzheimer's disease was estimated to be .74; to any dementia, .43. The other variance is attributable to environmental influences. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate a substantial genetic effect for these predominantly late-onset Alzheimer's disease cases. At the same time, structural modeling results and large intra-pair differences in age of onset suggest that environmental factors are also important in determining whether and when an individual may develop dementia.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed1997

Comparison of direct and indirect measurements of respiratory airflow: implications for hypopneas.

The purpose of this study was to compare indirect methods for measuring respiratory airflow, such as temperature difference between inspired and expired air, thoracoabdominal movements, and nasal respiratory-airflow pressures-with a more direct measurement of minute ventilation using a head-out body plethysmograph. Measurements were obtained in healthy, awake, seated subjects during sequences of different levels of voluntary hypoventilations at 20 breaths/minute and analyzed to determine how well different methods could identify hypopneas (defined as reduction in minute ventilation by 50% or more). The results varied widely between different methods. Sensitivities ranged from 0 to 1, specificity ranged from 0.33 to 1, positive predictive values (PPV) ranged from 0 to 0.73, negative predictive values (NPV) ranged from 0.68 to 0.93. Cohen's kappa varied between 0 and 0.65 The poorest agreement was for the thermistor method, and the best agreement was obtained when a combination of thoraco-abdominal movements and nasal respiratory-airflow pressure was employed (sensitivity = 0.86, specificity = 0.83, PPV = 0.71, NPV = 0.92, Cohen's kappa = 0.65). We conclude that none of the indirect methods investigated, individually or in combination, proved adequate for identification of voluntary hypopneas in awake individuals.

Humans↗
PubMed1997

Arousals and nocturnal respiration in symptomatic snorers and nonsnorers.

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the relationship among upper airway resistance, snoring, and arousals, all measured simultaneously, in nonapneic snorers complaining of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). To accomplish this task, we selected a group of nine nonapneic snorers who presented because of snoring, EDS, tiredness, or fatigue. Ten healthy, alert, nonapneic, nonsnoring subjects recruited from among the hospital personnel acted as a comparison group. All subjects had nocturnal polysomnography, which included measurements of snoring, nasal and pharyngeal airway pressure, esophageal pressure, and total respiratory flow. Each polysomnogram was analyzed to identify all arousals and all respiratory events, i.e. apneas, hypopneas, and periods of increased upper airway resistance. Each arousal was examined to determine whether it was associated with a respiratory event, and each respiratory event was examined to determine whether it was associated with an arousal. The results were compared between snorers and nonsnorers. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the total sleep time (182+/-61 minutes in controls vs. 188+/-50 minutes in patients) or the total number of arousals per hour of sleep (24+/-12 in controls vs. 28+/-10 in snorers). However, the distribution of arousals, i.e. electroencephalogram (EEG) vs. respiratory, was different in snorers and nonsnorers. In snorers 55% of arousals were respiratory, whereas in nonsnorers only 17% of arousals were associated with respiratory events. Not unexpectedly, the snorers had significantly more respiratory events during the night (512) than controls (112). However, the relative proportion of these events that was accompanied by arousals was similar in both groups. We conclude that the difference in daytime function between symptomatic snorers and asymptomatic nonsnorers is unlikely to be due strictly to the number of arousals during the night; however, it is possible that respiratory and EEG arousals have different impacts on daytime performance, which may explain the difference in daytime function between our two groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Comparison of detection methods for trichothecenes produced by Fusarium sporotrichioides on fodder and grains at different air humidities.

Growth and toxin production of a highly toxic strain of Fusarium sporotrichioides Sherb were studied on oat and wheat grains and on straw under experimental conditions, in which relative humidity (RH) of air was regulated. The materials were incubated at three different RH levels at a range of 84-100%. F. sporotrichioides grew well on oat and wheat grains at RH 97-100% but grew less well at RH 84-88% and on straw. Toxin production was measured with three biological toxicity tests (cytotoxicity test, dermotoxicity test, and yeast cell toxicity test), with chemical analysis, and T-2 ELISA assay. Cytotoxicity and production of trichothecene mycotoxins were detected in all the samples incubated at all three RH levels. On oat and wheat grains, T-2 toxin, neosolaniol, and diacetoxyscirpenol were found, and on straw T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, neosolaniol, and T-2 tetraol were determined. In the T-2 ELISA assay, all material samples were found to contain T-2 toxin. The cytotoxicity test was the most sensitive method for detecting biological toxicity of samples inoculated with fungus. The T-2 ELISA assay and chemical analysis were about equally sensitive to detect T-2 toxin in samples.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1996

Development of an amplification and hybridization assay for the specific and sensitive detection of Mycoplasma fermentans DNA.

A polymerase-chain-reaction-based detection system for Mycoplasma fermentans was established. The highly conserved tuf gene, which encodes elongation factor Tu of prokaryotes, served as target sequence for the PCR. With two PCR oligodeoxynucleotides, which were selected from M. fermentans specific sequences of the tuf gene, we amplified a 850 base pair DNA fragment. Via the biotin-moiety of one primer the PCR fragments were immobilized on streptavidin-coated microtitre plates. After alkaline denaturation a digoxigenin-labelled M. fermentans specific DNA probe was hybridized to the single stranded immobilized PCR fragment. Detection was performed by addition of an alkaline phosphatase conjugated anti-digoxigenin antibody. 4-methyl-umbelliferyl-phosphate was used as a fluorogenic substrate. Amplification of 10 fg chromosomal target DNA was detected by this 'DNA enzyme immuno assay (DEIA)' technique, corresponding to seven genome copies. Our study supports the presumption that the tuf gene proves to be a suitable target sequence for the PCR based detection of any bacterial species. Furthermore, hybridization of PCR fragments with radio-labelled DNA probes should no longer be necessary, because a very sensitive non-radioactive test system can easily be established with the 'DEIA' technique.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Determinants of survival: an analysis of the effects of age at observation and length of the predictive period.

The main objective of this study was to analyze how the identification of determinants of survival is dependent on age at the time of data collection and on the length of the predictive period. The study is part of a gerontological and geriatric population investigation in Göteborg (Gothenburg), Sweden, called H70, which is a longitudinal study based on a large random sample of men and women born in 1901/1902 in Göteborg. They were first examined at the age of 70, and have then been re-examined at the ages of 75 and 79. Twelve variables from different areas were selected for use in the present study. As physical health has proven to be highly correlated to survival, the sample was split into two subgroups, one consisting of elderly with few health problems and the other of less healthy elderly. All analyses were performed on each gender separately, and on the whole samples of men and women, respectively, as well as on each health subgroup. The results show that the statistically significant determinants of survival differ substantially between the two subgroups. In addition, age at examination and length of predictive period proved to be very important in identifying determinants of survival. Lung capacity, measured be peak flow, was the only variable, among those selected for this study, that had predictive power for both genders, in both health groups and at each of the three observation ages.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

A co-twin--control study of response to widowhood.

The effects of long-term and recent conjugal bereavement were investigated in a sample of 2,104 Swedish twins followed between 1984 and 1993. In co-twin-control analyses, the bereaved twin experienced significantly more depressive symptoms, more loneliness, and less life satisfaction than the married co-twin. This association existed for recently widowed (< 3 years) of both sexes. Long-term widowed (> 5 years) reported more loneliness than married individuals, and for women there was also a difference in life satisfaction. There were no effects of bereavement on perceived physical health. Individual analyses, which included all respondents regardless of the co-twin's bereavement status, showed the same pattern of results. There was also evidence for an anticipation effect of widowhood indicated by elevated depressive symptoms prior to the spouse's death. Finally, longitudinal analyses showed that it is more stressful to be bereaved when young-old than old-old, but revealed no age differences in adaptation.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1996

The use of psychoactive medications and cognitive function in older adults.

This study examined the relationship between cognitive function and psychotropic medication use in a population sample (n = 743) of elderly persons. Approximately one third of subjects received such agents, which consisted primarily of anxiolytics, hypnotics, and antidepressants. Subjects received a battery of cognitive tests at three time points: when they were 70, 75, and 79 years of age. Data on medication use revealed that the use of psychoactive agents increased with age, and was greater for females. A cross-sectional analysis showed that those using psychoactive medicines had lower cognitive test scores compared with those who did not receive such drugs. Repeated measures analysis of variance demonstrated that psychotropics had a negative and cumulative effect on cognition, with the function of subjects who received psychoactive agents consistently poorer than those who did not. The magnitude of this effect is relatively small and for several cognitive tests subjects who received these drugs averaged only a few points lower than individuals not using psychoactive medicines.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Multidimensional patterns of aging in 70-year-olds: survival differences.

This article examines the predictive ability for survival of five multidimensional patterns of aging found in 335 70-year-olds from the geriatric and gerontological studies in Gothenburg, Sweden (H-70). The multidimensional patterns were identified by cluster analysis of the domains of cognitive performance, physical health, functional capacity, subjective well-being, and social contacts. Survival differences are found among the patterns and between genders within the patterns. Patterns with higher domain scores at age 70 have higher median survival rates over 20 years. Conversely, patterns with lower domain scores at age 70 have earlier mortality. However, one group, with the lowest cognitive score, has a survival pattern similar to the group with low scores in every domain, substantiating the finding that poor cognitive performance is an important single predictor of mortality. Females exhibit at least a 4-year survival advantage over males in all but one group, in which the males resemble the females in their survival.

Aged↗