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Biomedical subjects

S Eriksson

Publications and source records attributed to S Eriksson.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

Differentiation of cardiac amyloidosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A comparison of familial amyloidosis with polyneuropathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by electrocardiography and echocardiography.

The clinical and echocardiographic features of cardiac amyloidosis may closely resemble those of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and the disorders may thus be mixed up. The present study was undertaken in an attempt to identify features separating the two conditions by analysis of electro- and echocardiographic findings in patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Twenty-nine patients with familial amyloidosis and 22 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were studied. Particular attention was given to the sum of the S wave in V1 and R wave in V5 or V6, the echocardiographic left ventricular mass and cross-sectional area, the presence or absence of asymmetrical septal thickening, granular and sparkling myocardial appearance, thickened heart valves, systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve, and pericardial effusion. A granular and sparkling appearance of the myocardium and thickened heart valves were found to be the best predictors of cardiac amyloidosis, while low QRS amplitudes in relation to echocardiographic left ventricular mass and a pericardial effusion seemed less important. The presence of systolic anterior movement of the mitral valve, a large left ventricular mass and a sum of S in V1 and R in V5 or V6 greater than 35 mm indicated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. When the four strongest predictors (left ventricular mass, thickened heart valves, a granular sparkling myocardial appearance, and systolic anterior movement of the mitral valve) were used to reclassify the present patients, 28 of 29 amyloidosis patients and 21 of 22 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were correctly categorized. Noninvasive methods may thus be useful for detecting the myocardial infiltrative process, and cardiac amyloidosis may be confidently diagnosed by typical noninvasive findings together with histopathological documentation of amyloid in an organ other than the heart.

Adult↗

Separation of DNA restriction fragments by ion-pair chromatography.

The separation of restriction endonuclease fragments of DNA on columns of Pharmacia PepRPC (C2/C18) has been studied. The effect of different concentrations of triethylammonium or tetrabutylammonium salts as ion-pairing reagents, as well as of physical parameters, such as flow-rate and sample load, has been investigated. With the use of triethylammonium buffers, removed by evaporation under vacuum, separated fragments were recovered in yields of 68%. Isolated fragments were accessible to further cleavage with restriction enzymes. Resolution of fragments ranging from 10 to 3000 base pairs depended primarily upon molecular size.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Risk of cirrhosis and primary liver cancer in alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency.

Previous reports have suggested an association between homozygous alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, cirrhosis, and primary liver cancer. To assess the risk of these complications we conducted a retrospective study based on 17 autopsied cases of alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency identified during the period 1963 to 1982 in the city of Malmö, Sweden. During the study period, autopsies were performed in 38,250, or 68.2 percent, of all patients in the city who died. From the homozygote frequency in the population, 21 of these were expected to have alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency. The disease had been diagnosed in 20, and autopsies had been performed in 17 (1 child and 16 adults). Each autopsied case was matched with four controls selected from the same autopsy register, and the Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio (ORmh) was calculated. The results indicated a strong relation between alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency and cirrhosis (ORmh = 7.8; 95 percent confidence limits, 2.4 to 24.7) and primary liver cancer (ORmh = 20; 95 percent confidence limits, 3.5 to 114.3). When data were stratified according to sex, these associations were statistically significant only for male patients. We conclude that men with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency may be at higher risk for cirrhosis and primary liver cancer. The apparent male predominance suggests the additive effects of exogenous factors.

Aged↗

A photoaffinity-labeled allosteric site in Escherichia coli ribonucleotide reductase.

The B1 subunit of Escherichia coli ribonucleotide reductase is coded for by the nrdA gene, of determined structure. Protein B1 contains two types of allosteric binding sites. One type (h-sites) determines the substrate specificity while the other type (l sites) governs the overall activity. The effectors dGTP and dTTP bind only to the h-sites while dATP and ATP bind to both the h- and the l-sites. Protein B1 has been photoaffinity-labeled with radioactive dTTP and dATP using direct UV irradiation. Following tryptic digestion of labeled protein B1 only one peptide labeled with dTTP was found, while several peptides were labeled with dATP. One of the dATP-labeled peptides had chromatographic properties very similar to that labeled with dTTP and this peptide most likely forms part of the h-site of protein B1. Labeling of the l-site could not be conclusively shown since substantial non-specific labeling occurred with dATP. CNBr fragments of dTTP-labeled protein B1 were used to localize the region of nucleotide binding in the deduced primary structure of the nrdA gene. The dTTP label was further localized to a tryptic octapeptide with the sequence Ser-X-Ser-Gln-Gly-Gly-Val-Arg. The labeled amino acid was found at position 2, but the residue itself could not be directly identified. Unexpectedly, this sequence was not found in the earlier reported primary structure of the nrdA gene. However, a recent revised structure of the gene identifies the labeled residue as Cys-289 and fully confirms the rest of the peptide sequence. Thus the present result clearly defines one of the allosteric binding sites in ribonucleotide reductase.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Purification and properties of human deoxycytidine kinase.

The purification of deoxycytidine kinase from human leucemic spleen reported here result in a pure protein of molecular weight 28K. The enzyme eluates during gel filtration as a dimer and the same enzyme phosphorylates both deoxycytidine, deoxyguanosine and deoxyadenosine, but with different Km and Vmax values. Our results are in agreement with earlier studies with partially purified calf thymus deoxycytidine, but clearly different from some studies on human deoxycytidine kinase.

Chromatography, Affinity↗

A Swedish family with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, haemochromatosis, haemoglobinopathy D and early death in liver cirrhosis.

We report a unique family with chronic liver disease associated with three different inborn errors, alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, hereditary haemochromatosis and haemoglobinopathy Hb-D Punjab. The probability of acquiring these three rare genes is less than 1/10(9). In one generation 4 of 5 individuals have died of liver failure between 51 and 63 years of age.

Female↗

The N-terminal propeptide of collagen type III in serum as a prognostic indicator in primary biliary cirrhosis.

The serum level of N-terminal propeptide of collagen III (Col 1-3) has received increasing attention as a possible marker of liver fibrosis. Elevated levels have been reported in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). We measured Col 1-3 levels in 24 patients with PBC (mean age 56 +/- 8 years) and compared their value as a prognostic marker with serum bilirubin and IgM levels, the aminopyrine demethylating capacity (ABT) and presence of clinical symptoms. Mean observation time was 5.1 +/- 2.7 years. When these parameters and age were evaluated as predictive factors for survival, only bilirubin, Col 1-3 levels and symptom status variables were found to be significant. When tested as explanatory variables for survival in a stepwise linear logistic regression model Col 1-3 was identified as the strongest significant (P less than 0.001) explanatory variable followed by bilirubin (P less than 0.01) whereas the symptom status emerged as a non-significant variable. The results suggest that the serum level of Col 1-3 may be a useful prognostic indicator in PBC, which is independent of the bilirubin level.

Adult↗

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in obesity: a reversible condition.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is a rare complication of obesity with laboratory and histological features indistinguishable from alcoholic hepatitis. Three patients with 50-60% overweight and steatohepatitis are reported. All responded with normalization of the biochemical and/or histological changes after modest weight reduction.

Adult↗

Venous thromboembolism after cerebral infarction and the prophylactic effect of dextran 40.

In a prospective study of the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after stroke, and the prophylactic effect of dextran, 50 patients, admitted with a diagnosis of cerebral infarction with paresis of the lower extremity within the first 48 hours, were randomly allocated to treatment or non-treatment groups. The treatment group received 500 ml of dextran 40 on admission and on days 1 and 2, and 250 ml on days 4 and 6. Venesection was performed on admission and if necessary on day 1. The control group received no dextran or venesection. DVT was diagnosed with the 125I-fibrinogen test during the first ten days. The incidence of DVT was 54% in the treatment group and 50% in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding number of DVTs needing treatment, number of positive scanning points or number of days for scan to become positive. Lethal pulmonary emboli occurred in one treated and in three control patients, respectively. Age and progress of neurologic symptoms predisposed for the development of DVT. The high incidence of DVT in stroke patients indicates the need for prophylactic routines.

Aged↗

Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone in cerebrovascular disease.

A thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) test with serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) assays was performed in 22 euthyroid stroke patients without thyroid disease and the results were compared with those in 17 age-matched euthyroid controls. Basal and maximum TSH levels after TRH injection were significantly lower in the stroke group without elevation of basal serum thyroid hormone levels. There was a tendency towards an inverse relationship between TSH levels and the degree of pareses of the extremities. The test was repeated in 7 stroke patients 3-4 months after the onset of stroke with essentially the same results. The abnormal TSH parameters in stroke patients seem to be the result of the brain lesion per se.

Aged↗

Lack of association between hemochromatosis and alpha-antitrypsin deficiency.

alpha 1-Antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency of phenotype PiZ and idiopathic hemochromatosis (IH) predispose to the development of cirrhosis and liver cell carcinoma. Several reports have suggested an association between these two inborn errors. To elucidate this question we used a monoclonal antibody against the PiZ gentic variant of AAT to analyze and compare the PiZ gene frequency in an area (county of Jämtland in Central Sweden) with a high, and another area (the city of Malmö in Southern Sweden) with a low IH prevalence. The PiZ gene frequencies did not differ between the areas. We also analyzed sera from 27 unrelated adult males with hemochromatosis diagnosed in the high IH area for the presence of the PiZ gene product but none was a carrier of the PiZ allele. These findings strongly refute any association between. AAT deficiency and IH.

Adult↗

The significance of handmirror cells in acute myelocytic leukaemia type M1 and M2 after weak cytostatic treatment.

The handmirror shape is a cell configuration assumed by mononuclear leucocytes and leucocyte precursors during locomotion. A fraction of fixed tumour cells in bone-marrow smears from patients with acute leukaemia have this handmirror shape. The incidence of handmirror cells has been reported to correlate positively with length of patient survival in some previous studies, but not in others. This controversy was elucidated by examination of bone-marrow smears of a retrospective material, consisting of smears from 32 patients with acute myelocytic leukaemia of the M1 and M2 type from 1971-1974. During this period, cytostatic treatment of acute myelocytic leukaemia was so weak that it can be considered almost negligible for the patient group studied. There was a positive but statistically non-significant correlation between incidence of handmirror cells and length of patient survival (Rs = +0.28, p = 0.11). It is reasonable to assume that incidence of handmirror cells is a minor prognostic sign, the effect of which is not detectable in all materials.

Adult↗

Sex steroids and steroid binding proteins in female alcoholic liver disease.

Blood levels of sex steroids and steroid binding proteins were measured in 21 females with alcoholic liver disease and in age matched healthy controls and correlated to type and severity of histological changes in concomitant liver biopsies. In patients with liver disease androstenedione levels were high in contrast to the low levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHAS) and albumin. Normal levels of testosterone and total oestrone were found in the patients. SHBG varied independently of albumin and decreased SHBG levels were found in patients with steatosis. DHA, DHAS and albumin levels were negatively correlated to the total biopsy score and a positive correlation was found between DHAS and albumin. The higher levels of androstenedione were found in patients with mild histological lesions. The findings are thought to reflect alcohol-induced changes in hepatic as well as in adrenocortical activity.

Adult↗

The combination of pivampicillin and pivmecillinam versus pivampicillin alone in the treatment of acute pyelonephritis.

96 patients with clinical symptoms of acute pyelonephritis were randomized to 2 weeks treatment with either a fixed combination of pivampicillin and pivmecillinam or to pivampicillin alone. If needed, treatment was first started with the respective parenteral equivalents of the drugs. Acute pyelonephritis was bacteriologically verified in 57 patients, in whom Escherichia coli was isolated in 80% of the cases, Klebsiella in 7% and Proteus mirabilis in 5%. 22 of the 39 patients excluded did not have significant bacteriuria (less than 10(8) c.f.u./l). Combination treatment was superior to pivampicillin/ampicillin alone, in terms of clinical effect, with successful treatment being noted in 93% in the combination group and in 53% in the ampicillin group (p = 0.002). The combination was also more effective bacteriologically and it did not select resistant strains in the urinary tract. Ampicillin treatment alone, was, however, associated with a significant increase in urinary strains resistant to ampicillin and to mecillinam. Unsuccessful responders had a significantly higher mean age (p less than 0.01) than successful responders. No serious side-effects were noted.

Acute Disease↗

The catabolic fate of hyaluronic acid.

Part of the hyaluronic acid (HA) synthesized in peripheral tissues enters the blood circulation through the lymph. It is rapidly taken up by the endothelial cells in the liver (half-life in blood is 2.5-5.5 minutes) and degraded. Pure primary cultures of liver endothelial cells were obtained by a newly developed technique and used to follow the metabolism of the polysaccharide on the cell surface. At 37 degrees C the HA is effectively endocytosed and degraded to acetate and lactate. A radioassay specific for HA and sensitive in the nanogram range has been developed to follow the concentration of HA in serum. The normal level in man is 10 to 100 micrograms/l. Elevated serum levels of HA are seen in liver cirrhosis, rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma indicating that both an impaired catabolism in the liver and an increased synthesis in the peripheral tissues can modify the HA level.

Animals↗