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Biomedical subjects

S Eriksson

Publications and source records attributed to S Eriksson.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Environmental correlates of impaired lung function in non-smokers with severe alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency (PiZZ).

BACKGROUND: Active smoking is the most important risk factor for pulmonary emphysema in subjects with severe alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of environmental risk factors other than active smoking on lung function and on respiratory symptoms in non-smoking PiZZ individuals. METHODS: Lifetime exposure to passive smoking, domiciliary use of a kerosene (paraffin) heater or gas cooker, and all occupations since leaving school were reported by 205 non-smoking PiZZ individuals (95 men and 110 women) included in the Swedish AAT deficiency register. Lung function test results and histories of respiratory symptoms (chronic bronchitis, recurrent wheezing, and exertional dyspnoea) were elicited from the AAT register records. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, agricultural employment and domiciliary kerosene heater usage, but not gas cooker usage or passive smoking, were both associated with significantly decreased lung function. Multiple linear regression analysis showed age, sex, kerosene heater usage, and agricultural employment to be independent determinants of lung function impairment. Age and passive smoking for 10 years or more, both at home and at the work place, were associated with the presence of chronic bronchitis. Age and agricultural employment for > or = 10 years were associated with recurrent wheezing and exertional dyspnoea. CONCLUSIONS: Domiciliary kerosene heater usage and an agricultural occupation therefore appear to be environmental factors associated with decreased lung function in non-smoking PiZZ individuals, and passive smoking is associated with an increased frequency of chronic bronchitis, but not with impaired lung function.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Treatment of perforated appendicitis: an analysis of 362 patients treated during 8 years.

BACKGROUND AND METHOD: In a retrospective study 2,351 records from patients who underwent surgery for acute appendicitis during 1986-1993 were analysed. During this period, there were 362 patients with perforated appendicitis. The aim of this study was to analyse the complication rate, the period of antibiotic treatment and whether the complication rate decreased when intravenous treatment was followed by oral antibiotic treatment. RESULTS: The complication frequency was 18% which was significantly higher than that for non-perforated appendicitis of 10%. The complication rate was 15% in the group receiving additional oral antibiotics compared to 19% in the group receiving only intravenous antibiotics. This difference is not significant. CONCLUSION: Perforated appendicitis is however still associated with increased mortality and morbidity.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1998

Pharmacokinetics of cladribine in plasma and its 5'-monophosphate and 5'-triphosphate in leukemic cells of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The pharmacokinetic parameters of cladribine (CdA) in patient plasma and its intracellular nucleotides CdA 5'-monophosphate (CdAMP) and CdA 5'-triphosphate (CdATP) were delineated in circulating leukemia cells in 17 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, after the last dose intake and up to 72 h thereafter. Patients were treated with 10 mg/m2 CdA p.o. on 3 consecutive days. A novel and specific ion-pair liquid chromatographic method, which separates the intracellular CdA nucleotides, was used. The area under the concentration versus time curve (AUC) of CdAMP in leukemia cells was generally higher (median, 47 micromol/liter x h) than the AUC of CdATP (median, 22 micromol/liter x h); however, in some patients (3 of 17), the reverse relationship was seen. The median ratio between the AUC values for CdATP and CdAMP was 0.60 (95% confidence interval, 0.4-1.0). The median half-life (t(1/2)) of CdAMP was 15 h, and that of CdATP was 10 h. The median terminal t(1/2) of CdA in plasma was 21 h. A significant correlation was found between the maximum plasma CdA and cellular CdAMP concentrations (r = 0.56, P = 0.02). There was no correlation between the AUC values of cellular CdAMP and CdATP (r = 0.224, P = 0.55). No correlation was found between deoxycytidine kinase activity and intracellular pharmacokinetic parameters of CdAMP or CdATP. The response to treatment was not significantly related to intracellular concentration of CdAMP or active metabolite CdATP. There is great heterogeneity among patients in terms of AUC and t(1/2) of CdAMP and CdATP. Furthermore, the results emphasize the differences between the pharmacokinetics of plasma CdA and those of the metabolites in circulating leukemic cells.

Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed1998

The view of caring among patients and personnel.

All patients in hospital care and primary health care in the country of Västerbotten, Sweden (n = 5158) were asked to express their level of satisfaction with the quality of care. The study was carried out on one specific day. All personnel on duty that day (n = 2824) were also included and asked to give their interpretations of their patients' experiences. A questionnaire containing positive and negative statements concerning both the relationship and the task aspects of care was used. The results showed that the youngest and oldest patients expressed the highest degree of satisfaction, while young and middle-aged patients expressed a more restrained view. The least satisfactory aspects concerned the opportunities to express criticism and the possibilities of receiving information about access to help outside the health care organization. The personnel's responses agreed with those of the patients, but fewer personnel thought that their patients were satisfied than was in fact the case.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The myrosinase-binding protein from Brassica napus seeds possesses lectin activity and has a highly similar vegetatively expressed wound-inducible counterpart.

This communication demonstrates that proteins in the family of myrosinase-binding proteins (MBP) present in seeds of Brassica napus possess lectin activity, binding most efficiently to p-aminophenyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside-agarose, and to some extent to N-acetylglucosamine-agarose. A cDNA encoding a vegetatively expressed, wound-inducible counterpart to these seed MBP was isolated and characterised. Upon wounding, this MBP transcript accumulated in old and young leaves, and was systemically expressed in the young plant. Additionally, the wound-induced MBP transcript increased in abundance after treating the young plants with methyl jasmonate (MeJA), jasmonic acid (JA) or abscisic acid (ABA), and to some extent in response to the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid. Expression induced by wounding, ABA or JA was antagonised by simultaneous feeding of the plants with salicylic acid. MBP polypeptides accumulated in MeJA-treated plants. The myrosinases redistributed from the soluble fraction into the insoluble fraction of a tissue extract after induction. The most abundant MBP (94 kDa) partitioned in the insoluble fraction, while two larger MBP (103 kDa and 108 kDa) were present only in the soluble fraction of extracts obtained from the control or MeJA-treated plant tissues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Bovine cytosolic IMP/GMP-specific 5'-nucleotidase: cloning and expression of active enzyme in Escherichia coli.

A cDNA coding for bovine cytosolic IMP/GMP-specific 5'-nucleotidase endowed with phosphotransferase activity was cloned from calf thymus RNA, by 5' and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends protocols (5' and 3' RACE). Two products were isolated: a 5' RACE 1.6 kb fragment and a 3' RACE 2.0 kb fragment, with an overlapping region of 505 bp, leading to a total length of approx. 2951 bp. The similarity in the coding region to that of the human 5'-nucleotidase cDNA sequence [Oka, Matsumoto, Hosokawa and Inoue (1994) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 205, 917-922], indirectly identified as a 5'-nucleotidase, was 94% and the deduced amino acid sequences were 99.5% identical. The bovine cDNA sequence included the sequences codifying for six peptides obtained from 5'-nucleotidase/phosphotransferase purified from calf thymus. Northern blots of human mRNA species from different tissues showed a 3.6 kb mRNA expressed at equal levels in most tissues. The cDNA was cloned into a pET-28c expression vector and the protein obtained after induction had a molecular mass of 61 kDa under SDS/PAGE. It exhibited both 5'-nucleotidase and phosphotransferase activity, as well as immunological and kinetic properties similar to those of the enzyme purified from calf thymus. This is the first time that a fully active recombinant 5'nucleotidase has been described.

5'-Nucleotidase↗
PubMed1997

Enzymatic properties of the unnatural beta-L-enantiomers of 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine and 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine.

The beta-L-enantiomers of 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine and 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine have been stereospecifically synthesized. In an attempt to explain the previously reported antiviral activities of these compounds, their enzymatic properties were studied with respect to adenosine kinase, deoxycytidine kinase, adenosine deaminase, and purine nucleoside phosphorylase. Adenosine deaminase was strictly enantioselective and favored beta-D-ddA and beta-D-d4A, whereas adenosine kinase and purine nucleoside phosphorylase had no apparent substrate properties for the D- or L-enantiomers of beta-ddA or beta-d4A. Human deoxycytidine kinase showed a remarkable inversion of the expected enantioselectivity, with beta-L-ddA and beta-L-d4A having better substrate efficiencies than their corresponding beta-D-enantiomers. Our results demonstrate the potential of beta-L-adenosine analogues as antiviral agents and suggest that deoxycytidine kinase has a strategic importance in their cellular activation.

Adenosine Deaminase↗
PubMed1997

Central application of a nitric oxide donor activates heat defense in the rabbit.

In chronically instrumented, conscious rabbits at moderately warm ambient thermal conditions, infusion of the NO-donor SIN-1 into the anterio-ventral 3rd cerebral ventricle (1-2 microg/min per kg BW, 2-4 microl/min, 30 min) initiated a co-ordinated activation of autonomic heat loss mechanisms, as indicated by the rise in ear skin temperature and by increases in panting frequency and respiratory evaporative water loss, while oxygen consumption decreased slightly. The heat loss responses were similar to those attributed to NO in studies employing systemic application of NO-donors. Different from NO acting peripherally, which causes arterial hypotension and tachycardia, centrally acting NO induced arterial hypertension and bradycardia. The observation of the same heat loss responses despite opposing circulatory actions suggests that NO is specifically involved in thermoregulation as a central activator of heat defense mechanisms.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The effects of high salt concentrations on the regulation of the substrate specificity of human recombinant deoxycytidine kinase.

Deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) is a salvage pathway enzyme with broad substrate specificity that can phosphorylate both pyrimidine and purine deoxynucleosides, including important antiviral and cytostatic agents. The kinetic behaviour of dCK is complex with saturation curves showing negative cooperativity. In this study, we have expressed and affinity purified recombinant dCK, using the pET 9d vector system with a histidine tag-sequence and a thrombin cleavage site fused to the N-terminus of the dCK coding sequence. The His-tagged protein showed essentially the same kinetic properties as the protease cleaved protein and the purified protein isolated from human spleen. However, addition of 0.2-0.4 M NaCl during the dCK reaction caused a stimulation of 2'-deoxycytidine (dCyd), and the antileukemic analog 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (CldAdo) phosphorylation, but an inhibition of the 2'-deoxyguanosine (dGuo) phosphorylation, both with His-tagged and protease cleaved dCK. The negative cooperativity observed with dCyd was eliminated by the presence of 0.4 M NaCl so that the Hill coefficient changed from 0.6 to 1.4. In contrast, dGuo phosphorylation that initially followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics showed negative cooperativity after addition of 0.4 NaCl. The alterations in kinetic properties were not accompanied by any apparent changes in subunit structure as revealed by gel filtration. The major form of dCK eluted in the position corresponding to a dimer in the presence or absence of salt, but a minor fraction of dCK, eluting in the position of a tetramer, was diminished in the presence of salt. The mechanism for the effects of 0.4 M NaCl on dCK kinetic behaviour is not known but it is most likely due to alterations in the conformation of the active site of the enzyme. The effects described here also may explain some of the discrepancies reported in the literature on the substrate specificity of this complex enzyme.

Chromatography, Affinity↗
PubMed1997

Regulation of the wound-induced myrosinase-associated protein transcript in Brassica napus plants.

Two slightly differing cDNA clones corresponding to the wound-inducible form of a previously characterized seed myrosinase-associated protein (MyAP) have been isolated from Brassica napus L. The transcripts corresponding to the induced MyAP (iMyAP) were found to be developmentally regulated in various vegetative organs. Both young and old leaves exhibited wound-inducible iMyAP expression. Furthermore, in the young plant, wounding resulted in a systemic increase in leaves located both acropetally and basipetally to the wounded leaf. Also, the iMyAP transcripts were induced by methyl jasmonate, jasmonic acid and abscisic acid. The different inductions could be antagonized by salicylic acid. A general responsiveness in methyl-jasmonate-treated leaves was demonstrated by in situ hybridization. No effect on the amount of iMyAP transcript was detected after feeding the plants with the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid. The similarity between MyAP and a lipase from Arabidopsis thaliana indicated a possible function in liberating acylated glucosinolates from their acyl group, thereby making them available for hydrolysis by the myrosinase enzymes. We also report on a reduction in the amount of myrosinase transcripts derived from the vegetatively expressed MB-gene family after treatment with exogenously applied salicylic acid or abscisic acid.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

B cell granule peptides affect human islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) fibril formation in vitro.

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) forms fibrils spontaneously. We examined whether other B cell granule peptides affect formation of beta-pleated sheet fibrils in vitro from human IAPP. Quantitative radioassay (radioactivity of soluble IAPP after adding 125I-IAPP) and thioflavine fluorescence spectroscopy showed that insulin, C-peptide, and pancreastatin inhibited fibril formation by 60-100% at ratio 100:1 (peptide:IAPP), whereas at 1:10 or 1:100, i.e., IAPP in excess, a potentiated IAPP fibril formation was induced by the peptides. Semi-quantitative analysis by electron microscopy yielded similar effects. Thus, spontaneous IAPP fibrillisation is influenced by other B cell secretory granule peptides in a molar ratio dependent manner.

Amyloid↗
PubMed1997

Therapeutic efficacy and bone mineral density response during and following a three-month re-treatment of endometriosis with nafarelin (Synarel).

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to determine the effects of a repeated course of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist nafarelin on symptoms and signs of endometriosis and lumbar and distal radius bone mineral density. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-five women previously treated for 6 months with nafarelin, who had recurrent symptoms and signs of endometriosis, received 400 mcg/day of nafarelin intranasally for 3 months. Efficacy was evaluated by changes in severity of symptoms and signs. Lumbar bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and distal radius bone mineral density by single-photon absorptiometry. Bone mineral density was also measured in 10 control volunteers. RESULTS: Repeated 3-month treatment significantly alleviated recurrent symptoms and signs of endometriosis. Lumbar bone mineral density decreased significantly by a mean of 2% at the end of treatment; this loss was restored within 3 to 6 months after treatment completion. No bone mineral density decline occurred in the radius. Bone mineral density changes in the control group were statistically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: A repeated 3-month course of nafarelin treatment significantly relieved recurrent endometriotic symptoms and signs without sustained loss of bone mineral density.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Effects of rapid colloid volume expansion on pulmonary microvascular pressure and lung water in the conscious sheep.

Increased pulmonary microvascular pressure (Pmv), in combination with other factors, may cause pulmonary interstitial oedema. Whether increased Pmv alone induces alveolar oedema is questionable. In the present study we used the heavy water-indocyanine green dilution method to measure lung water during a rapid intravascular volume expansion in the sheep. Eight conscious sheep were given two 10-min intravenous infusions of either 50 ml/kg (N = 2) or 35 ml/kg (N = 6) of dextran 60 with an interval of 10 min between them. At a Pmv of 40 mmHg, respiratory distress was observed in sheep no. 2 which had been given a total amount of 100 ml/kg of dextran; this was immediately followed by a lethal pulmonary haemorrhage. Mean Pmv in the remaining seven sheep increased to 31 (7) mmHg in response to the volume expansion without causing any respiratory distress or increase in lung water. These results show that in conscious sheep the lungs have strong protective mechanisms against hydrostatic oedema. They do not support the hypothesis that increased Pmv alone induces alveolar oedema, but suggest that an increase in Pmv to 40 mmHg may cause stress failure of the pulmonary vasculature.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Serine protease inhibitors in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to determine whether deficiency of the major serine protease inhibitors (alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) or alpha1-antichymotrypsin (ACT)) is associated with increased risk for chronic hepatitis B or C virus (HBV or HCV) infection. METHODS: We studied 709 adults with chronic liver disease who had undergone liver biopsy during the 14-year period 1978-92. Anti-HCV testing was carried out with second-generation ELISA and immunoblot assays (RIBA 2). HBV markers were tested with commercially available radioimmunoassays. ACT and AAT concentrations in plasma were measured with electroimmunoassay and immune nephelometry. Plasma samples were screened for the AAT PiZ deficiency with ELISA technique and phenotyped by isoelectric focusing. The 229Pro-->Ala mutation for ACT deficiency was identified by PCR techniques. RESULTS: Of the 709 patients, 132 (18.6%) were positive for anti-HCV according to RIBA 2. PiZ AAT deficiency was found in 44 (6.2%) of patients (one PiZZ, 38 PiMZ, and PiSZ), while subnormal ACT levels were found in 33 (4.6%) patients, frequencies that were higher than expected in the general population (p=0.0375 and p<0.0001, respectively). Of the PiZ-carriers, 8/44 (18%) were found to be anti-HCV positive according to RIBA 2, as compared to 123/662 (19%) non-PiZ-carriers (p>0.05). One of these patients had cirrhosis, four chronic active hepatitis, and three chronic persistent hepatitis. In contrast, 17/33 (51.5%) of the patients with subnormal ACT were anti-HCV positive (OR=5.2, CI=2.6-10.6; p<0.0001). No relationship was found between HBV infection and AAT deficiency or subnormal ACT levels. Only one patient with subnormal ACT levels was heterozygous for the 229Pro-->Ala mutation of ACT deficiency. There was no significant difference in the histological findings when the patients with subnormal ACT levels or PiZ allele were subgrouped according to HCV status. CONCLUSIONS: There is no overrepresentation of chronic HBV or HCV in heterozygous AAT deficiency, although an association with more severe liver disease in such patients cannot be excluded. In contrast, low plasma levels of ACT that may be acquired or hereditary, due to mutations other than 229Pro-->Ala, are frequent in HCV infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Severe alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency (PiZ homozygosity) with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome, reversible after orthotopic liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nephropathy associated with alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency is assumed to be an unusual entity. We describe the case of a 23-year-old woman with severe alpha1-antitrypsin (PiZ homozygosity) deficiency who developed hepatic cirrhosis in childhood, and glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome in adult life. METHODS/RESULTS: A renal biopsy was consistent with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. An immunofluorescence study revealed the presence of alpha1-antitrypsin (PiZ) in the subendothelial region of the glomerular basement membrane. The renal disease was reversible after orthotopic liver transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of abnormal PiZ protein in the subendothelial region of the glomerular basement membrane may suggest a possible role for this protein in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis. The case should add impetus to the search for alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency in any patient presenting with combined liver and renal disease, in the absence of evidence of hepato-renal syndrome, and illustrates that liver transplantation alone may reverse the nephropathy associated with alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Effect of age and occupational exposure to airway irritants on lung function in non-smoking individuals with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency (PiZZ).

BACKGROUND: Severe alpha 1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency (PiZZ) is associated with an increased risk of lung emphysema, especially in smokers. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors other than smoking for declining lung function. METHODS: Lung function was studied in 225 self-reported never-smoking PiZZ individuals included in the Swedish AAT deficiency register. RESULTS: Lung function was poorer in men than in women (mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 80 (30) versus 88 (17)% predicted) despite the fact that the men were younger (mean (SD) age 45 (18) versus 51 (17) years), and poorer in those aged 50 or older than in those aged under 50 (mean (SD) FEV1 70 (30) versus 98 (16)% predicted). Self-reported occupational exposure to gas, fumes, or dust occurred more frequently in men than in women. In those aged 50 or older lung function was lower in individuals exposed to airway irritants than those who were not exposed (mean (SD) FEV1 63 (29) versus 76 (31)% predicted). Male sex, increasing age, and previous symptoms of wheezing were independent risk factors for lung function impairment, and male sex, wheeziness, and occupational exposure to airway irritants were independent risk factors in the subjects aged 50 years or more. CONCLUSIONS: In non-smoking PiZZ individuals lung function declines with increasing age, especially after 50. Men are at greater risk of lung function deterioration than women. Asthmatic symptoms and occupational exposure to airway irritants appear to constitute additional risk factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Incidence of falls in three different types of geriatric care. A Swedish prospective study.

The incidence and consequences of falls were investigated in three different types of Swedish geriatric care clinics: a geriatric rehabilitation clinic, a psychogeriatric clinic and a nursing home. Falls were prospectively registered by the nursing staff. The incidence rate (and 95% confidence interval) of falls per 10,000 patient days of the psychogeriatric clinic was 171 (146-196), compared with 92 (72-112) at the geriatric rehabilitation clinic, and 31 (22-41) at the nursing home. Most falls (62%) did not result in injury, while major injuries occurred in 5%. We conclude that accidental falls are a major problem in geriatric care in Sweden, but there is a considerable difference in incidence rates between different types of institutions.

Accidental Falls↗