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S Jonsson

Publications and source records attributed to S Jonsson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Epidemiology of organising pneumonia in Iceland.

BACKGROUND: Cryptogenic organising pneumonia (COP) has also been called idiopathic bronchiolitis obliterans organising pneumonia. In secondary organising pneumonia (SOP) the causes can be identified or it occurs in a characteristic clinical context. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and epidemiological features of COP and SOP nationwide in Iceland over an extended period. METHODS: A retrospective study of organising pneumonia (OP) in Iceland over 20 years was conducted and the epidemiology and survival were studied. All pathological reports of patients diagnosed with or suspected of having COP or SOP in the period 1984-2003 were identified and the pathology samples were re-evaluated using strict diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: After re-evaluation, 104 patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for OP (58 COP and 46 SOP). The mean annual incidence of OP was 1.97/100 000 population (1.10/100 000 for COP and 0.87/100 000 for SOP). The mean age at diagnosis was 67 years with a wide age range. The most common causes of death were lung diseases other than OP, and only one patient died from OP. Patients with OP had a lower rate of survival than the general population, but there was no statistical difference between COP and SOP. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of OP is higher than previously reported, suggesting that OP needs to be considered as a diagnosis more often than has been done in the past.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Phthalate hydrolysis under landfill conditions.

Experimental data from a study using a landfill simulation reactor were used to develop and calibrate a one-dimensional distributed model of co-digestion of municipal solid waste and three phthalic acid diesters with different water solubilities. The three diesters were diethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate. Two types of municipal solid wastes were assumed, easily degradable and recalcitrant. The model considered inhibition of hydrolysis of the recalcitrant fraction and phthalic acid esters, and also methanogenesis at acidic pH. The results indicated that the prolonged steady-state concentrations of the diesters in the leachates could be explained by equilibrium between physicochemical desorption and sorption processes for the three diesters. When methanogenic conditions were induced in the acidogenic landfill simulation reactor, inhibition of both hydrolysis of recalcitrant MSW and of phthalic acid esters ceased.

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration↗
PubMed2003

Transformation of phthalates in young landfill cells.

Phthalic acid diesters are additives in a variety of materials that can end up in landfills. Leachates from a series of full-scale young landfill cells were analysed over time for dimethyl, diethyl, dibutyl, butylbenzyl, and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (respectively designated DMP, DEP, DBP, BBP, and DEHP), and their corresponding monoesters monomethyl, monoethyl, monobutyl, monobenzyl, and mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MMP, MEP, MbutP, MbenzP, and MEHP, respectively), as well as o-phthalic acid (PA). One landfill cell was created in each of three consecutive years by deposition of the same type of waste in July and August. The pH, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and total organic carbon (TOC) were measured to characterise development of the degradation phases in three landfill cells, which revealed early acidogenic to initial methanogenic stages. Analysis of the phthalate compounds showed that observed concentrations of the degradation products were below the detection limit in the acidogenic leachates but exceeded concentrations of their corresponding diesters in leachates from cells in the initial methanogenic phase. Maximum and average concentrations of phthalic acid were 50 and 23 mg/l, respectively, and the corresponding values for the other phthalates were 430 and 27 microg/l. The concentrations of all phthalates decreased during the establishment of stable methanogenic conditions.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed2003

Laser flash photolysis of bismaleimides.

Bismaleimides containing between 2 and 12 methylene spacer units have been synthesized and characterized using laser flash photolysis spectroscopy. In the case of the monofunctional N-methylmaleimide, the 1,4-biradical was observed only at maleimide concentrations high enough to effectively quench the triplet state, indicating that the 1,4-biradical is Formed from self-quenching of the triplet excited state. The transient spectral features and the transient lifetimes of bismaleimides containing 2 and 9 methylene spacer units closely resemble those of N-methylmaleimide and are attributed to triplet-state transients. N,N'-Alkylenebismaleimides with 3 and 6 methylene spacer groups exhibit a transient with a very short lifetime attributed to a singlet 1,4-biradical species formed from intramolecular interaction. The absence of triplet spectra in these latter bismaleimides indicate that the 1,4-biradical is formed directly from the excited singlet state. The large difference in the lifetime of the 1,4-biradical formed in monofunctional maleimide solutions and bismaleimide solutions is reflective of differences in the biradical spin-state multiplicity. The bismaleimide with a 12 methylene spacer group exhibits transient spectra corresponding to both a triplet state of the maleimide and a 1,4-biradical formed by exo interaction of two maleimide groups. As a demonstration of the ability of acrylate monomers to react with the short-lived singlet biradicals, it is shown that the photopolymerization of a multifunctional acrylate monomer is readily initiated by the 1,4-biradical formed from the bismaleimides with 3 and 6 methylene spacer groups, presumably by direct reaction of the biradical with the acrylate.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Influence of obesity on cardiovascular risk. Twenty-three-year follow-up of 22,025 men from an urban Swedish population.

OBJECTIVE: To assess to what extent the incidence of coronary events and death related to smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes is modified by obesity. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SUBJECTS: A total of 22 025 men aged 27 to 61-y-old at entry. MEASUREMENTS: Incidence of coronary events (CE, ie acute myocardial infarctions and deaths due to chronic ischaemic heart disease) and death during 23 y of follow-up was studied in relation to body mass index (BMI), heart rate, blood pressure, blood lipids, glucose and insulin, lifestyle factors, history of angina pectoris, history of cancer, self-reported health and socio-economic conditions. RESULTS: At the end of follow-up 20% of the obese men were no longer alive, and 13% had had a coronary event. Incidence of CE was 16% lower (RR (relative risk) 0.84; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65-1.10) among underweight (n=1171), 24% higher (RR 1.24; CI 1.12-1.37) among overweight (n=7773), and 76% higher (RR 1.76; 95% CI 1.49-2.08) among obese men (n=1343) than it was among men with normal BMI (n=11 738). The risk associated with overweight and obesity remained statistically significant after adjustment for potential confounders (RR 1.18; CI 1.07-1.31; and 1.39; 1.17-1.65, respectively). The association between BMI and mortality was J-shaped. In all, 1.7% of the obese men were smokers with hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and diabetes, 16.3% were not exposed to any of these risk factors. The cardiovascular risk associated with obesity was small in the absence of other risk factors. Between smoking and obesity there was a statistically significant synergistic effect. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is associated with an increased incidence of coronary events and death. The risk associated with obesity is substantially increased by exposure to other atherosclerotic risk factors, of which smoking seems to be the most important. The preventive potential of these associations should be evaluated in controlled trials.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Obesity and myocardial infarction--vulnerability related to occupational level and marital status. A 23-year follow-up of an urban male Swedish population.

BACKGROUND: People, who are single, have a blue-collar job or low income have an increased cardiovascular risk. This study on myocardial infarction sought to explore whether the socio-economic pattern of disease has any relationship with obesity. METHODS: In the cohort are 20,099 middle-aged men of whom 9,150 were manual and 9,190 nonmanual workers and 1,759 were self-employed. A total of 4,081 were single, 16,018 cohabiting. The body mass index (BMI) cut-off values for overweight and obesity were 25-30 and >/=30 kg m-2, respectively. Local and national registers were used to monitor incidence of events over 18 years. RESULTS: Obesity was associated with an increased incidence of coronary events and deaths in each occupational group. Being single significantly increased the risk associated with obesity. After stratification for civil status the risk associated with obesity was limited to those who were single and who either had a blue-collar job or were self-employed. The multivariate-adjusted relative risk (RR) of coronary events and deaths in obese manual workers who were single was 1.91 (95% confidence interval: 1.21-3.02) and 2.54 (1.74-3.69), respectively, times higher than it was amongst those who were cohabiting. Amongst those who were self-employed, the corresponding age-adjusted RRs were 4.79 (1.69-13.57) and 3.80 (1.62-8.93). CONCLUSIONS: Adjusted for lifestyle and biological risk factors, the increased risk of coronary events and death for obese men with manual jobs was applicable only to those who were single. It is concluded that being single significantly increases the cardiovascular risk associated with obesity.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Vaccination of COPD patients with a pneumococcus type 6B tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine.

This paper examines how pneumococcal type 6B polysaccharide conjugated to tetanus toxoid (Pn6B-TT) compares to a 23 valent pneumococcal vaccine (pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPS)-23) with respect to immunogenicity and serum opsonic activity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients with COPD aged 55-75 yrs were vaccinated with Pn6B-TT (n=10) or with PPS-23 (n=9). Healthy young adults (HA) were vaccinated with Pn6B-TT as controls. Total antibodies to serotype 6B polysaccharide were measured by radioimmunoassay and immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Opsonic activity was measured by a phagocytosis assay using human neutrophils as effector cells. The patient groups were comparable by age, smoking history, lung function and use of steroids. COPD patients vaccinated with Pn6B-TT or PPS-23 showed an increase in IgG antibodies and a nonsignificant increase in opsonic activity. This was similar to the increase in IgG and opsonic activity seen in HA. There was a significant correlation between antibody levels and opsonic activity in COPD patients vaccinated both with Pn6B-TT and PPS-23. Pneumococcal antibodies have been shown to confer protection from infection. The results of the present study indicate that protective immunity can be expected in elderly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients vaccinated with conjugate vaccines.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Progress in Karl Fischer coulometry using diaphragm-free cells.

Different designs of a semiopen, drainable cathode compartment of a medium-sized coulometric Karl Fischer (KF) cell for the determination of water in the range 0.1-500 microg were evaluated. The main criterion for the design was to keep the resistance between the anolyte and catholyte low enough to permit the generation of currents larger than 20 mA (for an output voltage of 28 V). It was found that a good compromise between the size of this current and a minimal influence from diffusing/migrating oxidizable reduction products from the catholyte was achieved by means of an interface having a channel length and diameter of 8 and 2.1 mm, respectively (catholyte volume, approximately 1 mL). To show the general applicability of the concept, the following different types of coulometric reagents suitable for nonpolar and polar samples, as well as for samples containing active carbonyl compounds, were investigated: Hydranal Coulomat A, AD, AK, AG-H (modified with chloroform, Merck), and two homemade methanolic reagents modified with 40% (v/v) chloroform and 50% (v/v) formamide, respectively. Except for Hydranal Coulomat A, the mean value of five consecutive titrations of 50 microg water did not deviate by more than 0.2% from the expected value for all reagents. Draining after every titration was sufficient to obtain accurate results, even for Coulomat A which, when used in the commercial diaphragm-free system of Metrohm, gave values which were about 10% too high. As compared to earlier reported results for diaphragm-free coulometry, the descibed modified cell represents a significant improvement, mainly because of the high accuracy achieved for all types of reagents.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Cadmium and zinc in kidney, liver, muscle and mammary tissue from dairy cows in conventional and organic farming.

Input of Cd to arable soils occurs mainly through atmospheric deposition and mineral fertilisers. Phosphate fertilisers are often contaminated with Cd. In organic farming the use of mineral fertilisers is restricted. The impact of conventional and organic farming on Cd and Zn levels in tissues from dairy cows was studied. Kidney, liver, muscle and mammary tissue samples were collected at slaughter from 67 cows, aged 30-95 months, in a project with conventional and organic production at the same farm. Samples were analysed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with a quality control programme. Significantly lower levels of Cd were found in cows from the organic system (n = 29) than from the conventional cows (n = 38) in kidney [330 +/- 100 (mean +/- s) micrograms kg-1 vs. 410 +/- 140], liver (33 +/- 15 vs. 44 +/- 19) and mammary tissue (0.38 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.59 +/- 0.37), while there were no differences in muscle (0.48 +/- 0.13 vs. 0.49 +/- 0.14). Organic cow kidneys had lower Zn levels than conventional cows (19 +/- 1.4 mg kg-1 vs. 20 +/- 2), whereas muscles had higher Zn levels than conventional cows (67 +/- 16 vs. 51 +/- 12). Cd and Zn in mammary tissue were positively related to age and milk production. There was a positive relationship between levels in kidney of Cd and metallothionein (MT) and a Cd/MT concentration ratio indicating protection from Cd-induced renal dysfunction. When older animals, that entered the project as milk-producing cows, were included the differences in kidney and liver Cd levels between the systems were no longer significant, while Cd in kidney became related to age- and production-related parameters. The change of significant relationships when older animals were included shows the importance of controlled conditions for environmental monitoring.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1999

Successful treatment of recalcitrant cicatricial pemphigoid with a combination of plasma exchange and cyclophosphamide.

We describe two patients with severe oral cicatricial pemphigoid, one of whom also had severe pharyngeal involvement. Both patients were resistant to treatment with corticosteroids and other standard immunosuppressive therapies. Plasma exchange alone proved to be only temporarily effective, but the combination of plasma exchange with subsequent cyclophosphamide resulted in a remission in both patients. Both patients experienced mild side-effects during the plasma exchange treatment (urticaria and mild hypotension). At present, at follow-up of 6 and 9 years, respectively, the patients have no symptoms of active disease and have not required any further immunosuppressive treatment.

Cyclophosphamide↗
PubMed1998

Pneumonia caused by penicillin-non-susceptible and penicillin-susceptible pneumococci in adults: a case-control study.

The objective of this study was to investigate the observation that patients with pneumonia due to penicillin-non-susceptible pneumococci (PNSP) in many instances present with milder disease than patients with pneumonia caused by penicillin-susceptible pneumococci (PSP) and to compare the cost of treatment. The clinical data, APACHE II score and laboratory features of hospitalized adults with pneumonia caused by PNSP or PSP were compared, along with antibiotic and hospital costs. Each patient with PNSP pneumonia (n = 36) was matched to a control with PSP pneumonia of the same age and gender. There was no difference in smoking history, but PNSP pneumonia patients had received prior antibiotics more frequently (p < 0.007). The mean APACHE II score was not different, but when broken down into acute vs. chronic scores those with PSP pneumonia had a significantly higher acute score (p = 0.005). Bacteraemia was present in 9 of 31 (29%) patients with PSP compared to 2 of 25 (8%) with the PNSP pneumonia (p = 0.09). The majority of isolates in the PNSP group were of serotype 6B (minimum inhibitory concentration range 0.125-2.0 mg/l), whereas serotypes 7, 9, 14, 18 and 19 were noted among the 9 PSP isolates. Compared with the control group, patients with the PNSP strains had a significantly longer hospital stay, 26.8 vs. 11.5 days (p = 0.001) and higher average antibiotic cost, $736 vs. $213 (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, pneumonia in adults caused by PNSP is associated with a milder clinical presentation than infection caused by PSP, suggesting either that resistance carries a price or that the serotypes of PNSP are less virulent. Pneumonia due to PNSP resulted in increased cost because of prolonged hospitalization and the use of more expensive antibiotics.

APACHE↗
PubMed1998

Screening of concentrations of C-reactive protein and various plasma protease inhibitors preoperatively for the prediction of postoperative complications.

OBJECTIVE: To find out whether concentrations of albumin (reflecting nutritional state), C-reactive protein (reflecting an acute phase reaction) or plasma protease inhibitors (reflecting ongoing proteolysis) are good predictors of postoperative complications, and whether other biochemical tests may improve diagnostic accuracy. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University hospital, Sweden. SUBJECTS: 260 patients undergoing elective surgery for malignant (n = 149) or benign (n = 111) disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative biochemical plasma measurements and postoperative complications. RESULTS: 192 patients recovered uneventfully and 35 had minor and 33 major postoperative complications. An increased plasma C-reactive protein concentration preoperatively, as well as a reduced albumin concentration, predicted the risk of developing major postoperative complications. Measurement of plasma protease inhibitors (C1-esterase inhibitor, alpha-2-macroglobulin and antithrombin III), specific biochemical studies of microheterogeneity, or comparison of quantitative and functional concentrations of the inhibitors gave no additional information. CONCLUSION: One measurement of the C-reactive protein and albumin concentrations preoperatively will identify patients at risk of developing severe postoperative complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Isotypes and opsonophagocytosis of pneumococcus type 6B antibodies elicited in infants and adults by an experimental pneumococcus type 6B-tetanus toxoid vaccine.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major respiratory pathogen of infants, children, and the elderly. Polysaccharide vaccines have been useful in adult populations but do not elicit protective immunity in infants and young children. To enhance their immunogenicity, vaccines of pneumococcal polysaccharides conjugated to proteins are being developed. In this study antibody levels and opsonic activities were compared in sera of infants and adults injected with pneumococcal polysaccharide type 6B (Pn6B) conjugated to tetanus toxoid (TT) (Pn6B-TT). Healthy infants were injected with Pn6B-TT; group A was injected at 3, 4, and 6 months of age, and group B was injected at 7 and 9 months of age. A booster injection was given at 18 months. Adults were injected once. Antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoassay, and their functional activities were measured by opsonophagocytosis of radiolabelled pneumococci. In adults, increases in immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG, IgA, IgG1, and IgG2 to Pn6B were observed. Infants reached adult levels of IgG1 anti-Pn6B after the primary injections. After the booster injection the infant groups had total IgG- and IgM-Pn6B antibody levels similar to those of adults. After the booster injection, IgG1 was the dominant infant anti-Pn6B isotype and at a level higher than in vaccinated adults, but IgA and IgG2 antibodies remained at very low levels. Opsonic activity increased significantly after Pn6B-TT injections; the highest infant sera showed opsonic activity comparable to that of vaccinated adults. Overall, opsonic activity correlated best with total and IgG anti-Pn6B antibodies (r = 0.741, r = 0.653, respectively; n = 35) and was highest in sera with high levels of all Pn6B antibody isotypes. The results indicate the protective potential of a pneumococcal 6B polysaccharide protein conjugate vaccine for young infants.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Immune responses of infants vaccinated with serotype 6B pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugated with tetanus toxoid.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of meningitis, bacteremia, pneumonia and otitis media. Pneumococcal polysaccharides are not immunogenic in infants, but improved immunogenicity of polysaccharide-protein conjugates has been demonstrated. Antibiotic-resistant pneumococci have increased the need for an effective vaccine. OBJECTIVE: To study the safety and immunogenicity of a pneumococcal type 6B polysaccharidetetanus toxoid conjugate (Pn6B-TT) in infants and to assess the function of antibodies. METHODS: Healthy infants were injected, Group A at 3, 4 and 6 months (n = 21) and Group B at 7 and 9 months (n = 19). Booster injection was given at 18 months. Antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoassay, and functional activity was measured by opsonization of radiolabeled pneumococci. Nasopharyngeal cultures were obtained. RESULTS: No significant adverse reactions were observed. Pn6B-IgG (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) increased to a geometric mean of 0.62 microgram/ml (P = 0.367, compared with prevaccination titers) in Group A at 7 months and 1.22 micrograms/ml (P < 0.001) in Group B at 10 months. Total Pn6B antibodies (radioimmunoassay) were 44 ng of antibody N/ml (P < 0.053) in Group A and 211 ng of antibody N/ml (P < 0.001) in Group B. A smaller increase in IgM and IgA anti-Pn6B was observed. Reinjection at 18 months elicited booster responses in total and IgG anti-Pn6B; 62% of those in Group A and 79% of those in Group B had > 300 ng of antibody N/ml. Opsonic activity, after initial and booster vaccinations, correlated with Pn6B-antibody titers. Three infants with nasopharyngeal cultures repeatedly positive for serogroup 6 had poor serum IgG responses. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that Pn6B-TT is safe, elicits functional antibodies and memory responses in infants.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1996

Pre-operative plasma levels of C-reactive protein, albumin and various plasma protease inhibitors for the pre-operative assessment of operability and recurrence in cancer surgery.

Pre-operative levels of the acute phase protein C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin (assessing nutritional status), the tumour marker CEA and three plasma protease inhibitors, i.e. C1-esterase inhibitor, alpha-2-macroglobulin and antithrombin III, were prospectively studied in 183 patients with various solid cancers. First, the predictive value of abnormal levels for operability at the primary operation was studied. Secondly, the predictive value of abnormal levels for cancer recurrence and metastases was evaluated during 2 years of follow-up. The results show that malignancy induces increased CRP and C1-esterase inhibitor levels and decreased albumin levels in serum. These changes, as well as raised alkaline phosphatase and lowered haemoglobin levels, also correlate to the 'overall' tumour burden. The most important conclusion is, that increased pre-operative CRP levels (CRP > or = 10 mg/l; sensitivity, 79%; specificity, 71%) and/or low albumin levels (albumin <37 g/l; sensitivity, 94%; specificity, 54%) are seen in inoperable cancer patients compared with patients having operable cancers. The second main important conclusion is, that high pre-operative C1-esterase inhibitor levels (C1-esterase inhibitor >152%; sensitivity, 45%; specificity, 90%), and in some patients a high alkaline phosphatase level, are seen in patients exhibiting early cancer recurrence (within 2 years post-operatively).

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Glial fibrillary acidic protein is increased in the cerebrospinal fluid of preterm infants with abnormal neurological findings.

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is the structural protein of the intermediate filament of astroglia. The aims of the present study were to examine GFAP in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of preterm infants at different postmenstrual ages and to evaluate the potential of GFAP to predict abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome. GFAP increased in correlation with postmenstrual age in preterm infants (n = 17) and full-term infants (n = 9). The levels were five times higher in preterm infants (n = 10) with an abnormal neonatal course and/or an abnormal neurological outcome than in healthy preterm infants. The positive predictive value of a GFAP higher than the 98th percentile of normal infants was 69%, while a GFAP level below this limit invariable predicted a good outcome. Simultaneously analysed noradrenaline, hypoxanthine and glutamate did not differ between the groups. We conclude that CSF GFAP increases with maturity and that CSF GFAP appears to be a promising marker for perinatal brain damage.

Biomarkers↗