Biomedical subjects

S Kopp

Publications and source records attributed to S Kopp.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Children with septo-optic dysplasia - how to improve and sharpen the diagnosis.

The data in this article are based on investigations performed in 25 children with suspected septo-optic dysplasia (SOD). There are many signs and methods that help in the diagnosis of SOD. In particular, the ocular fundus, abnormalities of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis and other midline brain structures should be described. In order to achieve a more holistic and functional diagnosis, the degree of neurological, neuropsychiatric and psychological involvement should also be stated. It has been suggested that SOD is associated with autosomal recessive inheritance, and it can be speculated that it is the result of genetic and environmental influences early in gestation. An early diagnosis can favourably influence the outcome of the affected child.

Blindness↗

PubMed2000

RNA shape space topology.

The distinction between continuous and discontinuous transitions is a long-standing problem in the theory of evolution. Because continuity is a topological property, we present a formalism that treats the space of phenotypes as a (finite) topological space, with a topology that is derived from the probabilities with which one phenotype is accessible from another through changes at the genotypic level. The shape space of RNA secondary structures is used to illustrate this approach. We show that evolutionary trajectories are continuous if and only if they follow connected paths in phenotype space.

Models, Genetic↗

PubMed2000

Temporomandibular disorders in juvenile chronic arthritis patients. A clinical study.

In a prospective study, 105 children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) were clinically and radiographically examined. The aim was to investigate the distribution of symptoms and clinical signs of temporomandibular disorders and to study correlations with radiographic mandibular condylar lesions. The present material appeared to be a representative sample of Swedish JCA children with respect to the distribution of genders and JCA subtypes as well as the peak of onset of the disease. Symptoms from the masticatory system were common (26%) and pain at mandibular function and stiffness at mouth opening the most frequent ones. Restricted maximal voluntary mouth opening (MVM) was the most frequent clinical finding. Radiographic condylar lesions, frequently found in the present material (39%), were significantly correlated with postnormal occlusion, restricted MVM, anterior open bite and mandibular retrognathia. However, most of the JCA children with radiographic condylar lesions did not present with symptoms from the masticatory system, postnormal occlusion, restricted MVM, anterior open bite or mandibular retrognathia.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Plasma and serum serotonin levels and their relationship to orofacial pain and anxiety in fibromyalgia.

AIMS: Serum serotonin levels (S-5-HT) have been reported to be reduced in patients with fibromyalgia and to show a negative correlation with pain. We hypothesized that one mechanism behind this could be that platelets are activated to release 5-HT into the plasma compartment (P-5-HT), which then binds to nociceptors. The aims of this study were therefore to investigate the relation between P-5-HT and S-5-HT and their relationship versus orofacial pain and anxiety in fibromyalgia. METHODS: Twelve patients with fibromyalgia, 12 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and 12 healthy individuals participated in the study. Pain measures used were pain intensity assessed with a visual analog scale, pain drawings, and influence of pain on daily living activities (ADL). The Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scale was used for self-rating of anxiety levels. The participants were examined clinically, and the pressure pain threshold (PPT) over the masseter muscle was assessed. Finally, venous blood was collected for analysis of P-5-HT and S-5-HT. RESULTS: The ratio between P-5-HT and S-5-HT was calculated to determine the relative plasma fraction of serotonin (RPS). Patients with fibromyalgia showed significantly lower S-5-HT than did patients with rheumatoid arthritis. They also showed significantly higher STAI scores and tender point index of orofacial muscles and significantly lower PPT than the healthy individuals. High RPS was associated with high ADL and STAI scores. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that a high level of plasma serotonin in relation to serum level is associated with pain discomfort and increased anxiety in fibromyalgia.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2000

Absolute and relative facial pressure-pain thresholds in healthy individuals.

AIMS: To investigate and compare absolute pressure-pain threshold (PPT) levels and ratios between craniofacial test and reference sites during consecutive PPT recordings, as well as over a 6-month period, in healthy individuals. This study also investigated PPT differences between genders and the clinical usefulness of different reference sites in the craniofacial region. METHODS: Twelve female and 12 male healthy individuals participated in the first examination. Six months later, 9 females and all of the males returned for a second examination. An electronic algometer was used to make 5 consecutive recordings of PPTs with a 2-minute interval at 3 reference sites: mental protuberance (PRO), first metacarpal bone (MET), and frontal bone (FRO), as well as at 3 test sites: temporomandibular joint, masseter muscle, and temporalis muscle. RESULTS: Absolute PPTs decreased significantly for all test sites during the 5 recordings, while they increased significantly between the examinations. No ratio with FRO as a reference site changed significantly. The males had significantly higher absolute PPTs than the females at PRO and FRO sites. CONCLUSION: This study shows that absolute PPT levels in healthy individuals change significantly during consecutive PPT recordings, as well as over a 6-month period; this limits the usefulness of such measurements. This study also shows that the use of relative PPTs with the FRO as a reference site is useful, both for comparison between groups and for longitudinal studies.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

[Who attends the department of child psychiatry? Visits to a child and adolescent psychiatry center in Gothenburg over five years].

All case-records of first-time visitors to an outpatient child and adolescent psychiatric centre from 1992 to 1996 were reviewed, and re-diagnosis was performed according to DSM-III-R. Assessment procedures and routines were seen to change over this period as awareness of neuropsychiatric disorders increased. Slightly more than 5% of all children in the catchment area (10,522 individuals) sought psychiatric help during the study period; about 40% of these made 1-3 visits. One fifth of health care resources was consumed by 2% of all clinic attenders. Fewer than 50% were seen by a psychiatrist. Half were living in single-parent families, one third had experienced mild stress, and nearly one third had been exposed to marked psychosocial stress. The proportion of patients receiving a neuropsychiatric diagnosis rose markedly from 24% in 1992 to 45% in 1996.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Structure-activity relationship studies of propafenone analogs based on P-glycoprotein ATPase activity measurements.

Propafenone analogs (PAs) were previously identified as potent inhibitors of P-glycoprotein (Pgp)-mediated toxin efflux. For this as well as other classes of Pgp inhibitors, lipophilicity as well as hydrogen bond acceptor strength are important determinants of biological activity. The question as to whether a direct interaction between PA-type modulators and Pgp takes place was addressed by means of Pgp ATPase measurements and transport studies. Propafenone-type modulators stimulated ATPase activity up to 2-fold over basal activity in a concentration-dependent biphasic manner. Within a series of structural homologs, Ka values of ATPase stimulation strongly correlated with lipophilicity. Analogs containing a quaternary nitrogen stimulated Pgp ATPase activity with lesser efficacy, while Ka values were somewhat higher when compared to corresponding tertiary analogs. Transport studies performed in inside-out plasma membrane (I/O) vesicles demonstrated that analogs containing a tertiary nitrogen rapidly associated with the biomembrane. Quaternary analogs, which are restricted by a permanent positive charge in transiting the plasma membrane by diffusion, accumulated in Pgp containing I/O vesicles in an ATP-dependent and cyclosporin A-inhibitable manner, which identified them as Pgp substrates. Identical structure-activity relationships were found in either Pgp ATPase stimulation experiments in I/O vesicles or in toxin efflux inhibition studies using intact cells. Therefore, differences in membrane transit are not responsible for the observed structure-activity relationships.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

PubMed1999

Prognostic value of the pilocarpine test to identify patients who may obtain long-term relief from xerostomia by acupuncture treatment.

BACKGROUND: Xerostomia (dry mouth) is a clinical symptom due to a number of factors, including Sjögren syndrome and radiation treatment to the head and neck region. It has been reported that acupuncture increases the salivary flow rate (SFR) in healthy subjects and in patients with xerostomia. A prognostic tool that would allow the care provider to identify patients who may respond to acupuncture treatment will aid in early intervention and thus lead to normalized SFR or relief of symptoms. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prognostic value of a test using pilocarpine chloride to identify those patients with xerostomia who may achieve a long-term increase in SFR in response to acupuncture. DESIGN: Cohort clinical study of 10 months' duration. SETTING: School of dentistry in a large, urban, research institute. PATIENTS: Thirty-two consecutive patients with xerostomia due to radiation treatment (n = 21) or Sjögren syndrome (n=11). INTERVENTION: Salivary flow rates for unstimulated whole saliva and paraffin-chewing stimulated whole saliva were measured before and after the administration of individualized doses of pilocarpine. All patients were then given 24 acupuncture treatments and followed up at 1 and 6 months. The effects of acupuncture treatment on SFR were recorded and response compared with the results of the pilocarpine test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of the pilocarpine test based on changes in SFR, defined as a 20% increase or greater, following acupuncture treatment, compared with response to the pilocarpine test. RESULTS: At the 1-month follow-up, 18 (72%) of 25 patients with a positive pilocarpine test result had defined significant changes in SFR; 4 (67%) of 6 patients with a negative pilocarpine test result had an unchanged SFR. At this point, the sensitivity of the pilocarpine test was 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68-0.99) and the specificity was 0.36 (95% CI, 0.11-0.69). The positive predictive value was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.51-0.88), and the negative predictive value was 0.67 (95% CI, 0.22-0.96). At the 6-month follow-up, 17 (74%) of 23 patients with a positive pilocarpine test result had defined significant changes in SFR; 3 (60%) of 5 patients with a negative pilocarpine test result had an unchanged SFR. At this point, the sensitivity of the pilocarpine test was 0.89 (95% CI, 0.67-0.99), and the specificity was 0.33 (95% CI, 0.07-0.70). The positive predictive value was 0.74 (95% CI, 0.52-0.90), and the negative predictive value was 0.60 (95% CI, 0.15-0.95). CONCLUSION: The pilocarpine test was found to have a high sensitivity and good positive predictive value in identifying patients who may respond to acupuncture for the treatment of xerostomia.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

PubMed1999

Effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine infusion on microcirculation in the rabbit masseter muscle measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry.

The aim was to test the hypothesis that 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) influences the microcirculation of the masseter muscle. Rabbit masseters were infused with increasing concentrations of 5-HT (10(-9)-10(-5) M) on the experimental side and with saline on the control side. The effect on microcirculatory blood flow was measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry. The intramuscular temperature was recorded to monitor the influence of tissue temperature. 5-HT infusion resulted in a statistically significant decrease in blood flow at the lowest concentration (10(-9) M) (median; -11.2%: Wilcoxon signed-rank test; p<0.05). At concentrations greater than 10(-9) M, there was no significant change in blood flow. This study shows a decrease of microcirculatory blood flow in the rabbit masseter following 5-HT infusion (10(-9) M).

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Serotonin in an antigen-induced arthritis of the rabbit temporomandibular joint.

The aim was to investigate the joint perfusate concentration of serotonin (5-HT) in antigen-induced monoarthritis of the rabbit temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and knee joint. Thirty adult male New Zealand White rabbits, of whom eight were first used as healthy controls, were divided into TMJ and knee arthritis groups. Unilateral arthritis was induced with ovalbumin intra-articularly and the contralateral joint was sham-induced. The joints were perfused with saline (flow rate, 0.05 ml/min; 10-min intervals during 50 min) 3 weeks later and the 5-HT concentration analysed. After the perfusion, the joints were evaluated histologically. The 5-HT concentration in the initial perfusate from the arthritic TMJ was higher than in both sham-induced and healthy control joints, and from the knee joint arthritis higher than in sham-induced joints. No histological difference in the arthritis was observed between the two groups. This study shows that the 5-HT concentration found immediately after puncture is increased in antigen-induced arthritis of the rabbit TMJ and knee joint.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine-2 and alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonists on the 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced decrease in rabbit masseter muscle blood flow.

A previous study showed a significant decrease in blood flow in the rabbit masseter during infusion of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) (10(-9) mol/l). The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that blockade of the 5-HT2 or the alpha-adrenergic receptor would inhibit the 5-HT-induced decrease of microcirculatory blood flow in the masseter. In 12 rabbits, the masseters were infused with 5-HT (10(-9) mol/l) in combination with the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine (10(-6) mol/l) or the 5-HT2-receptor antagonist ritanserin (10(-6) mol/l). The effect on microcirculatory blood flow was measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry. Infusion of 5-HT induced a significant decrease in blood flow. Inclusion of ritanserin in the 5-HT infusion solution significantly inhibited this decrease, while inclusion of phentolamine did not. This study therefore showed that the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist ritanserin inhibited the 5-HT-induced decrease in microcirculatory blood flow in the rabbit masseter. This decrease in blood flow is thus mediated by the 5-HT2 receptor.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

PubMed1999

The level of serotonin in the superficial masseter muscle in relation to local pain and allodynia.

The aim of this study was to investigate if serotonin is present in the human masseter muscle and if so, whether it is involved in the modulation of local muscle pain or allodynia. Thirty-five patients with pain and tenderness of the masseter muscle as well as ten healthy individuals were included in the study. Of the patients, 18 suffered from fibromyalgia and 17 had localized myalgia, e.g. myofascial pain in the temporomandibular system. The participants were examined clinically with special consideration to the masseter muscle and the pressure pain threshold as well as tolerance levels of this muscle were assessed. Intramuscular microdialysis was performed in order to sample serotonin and a venous blood sample was collected for analysis of the serum level of serotonin. Serotonin was present in the masseter muscle and the level was significantly higher in the initial sample than in the sample collected during steady state. The level of serotonin in the masseter muscle in relation to the level of serotonin in the blood serum was calculated. This fraction of serotonin was higher in the patients with fibromyalgia than in healthy individuals and high level of serotonin was associated with pain as well as allodynia of the masseter muscle. In conclusion, the results of this study show that serotonin is present in the human masseter muscle both immediately following puncture and in a subsequent steady state and that it is associated with pain and allodynia. The origin of the serotonin seems partly to be the blood, but our results indicate that peripheral release also occurs.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Synovial fluid sampling from the temporomandibular joint: sample quality criteria and levels of interleukin-1 beta and serotonin.

The aims of this study were to compare two sets of quality criteria (SQC A and B) with respect to synovial fluid (SF) sampling and to present temporomandibular joint (TMJ) SF levels of IL-1 beta and 5-HT. The study comprised 310 TMJ SF samples from 12 healthy individuals (HI) and 59 patients with TMJ inflammatory disorders. Ten HI and 37 patients were selected for investigation of TMJ SF levels and samples were obtained by a push-and-pull method with quantification by vitamin B12. The SQC comprised aspirate weight (AW), dilution factor (DF), blood contamination and hemolysis. IL-1 beta and 5-HT levels did not differ between the samples that satisfied SQC A or B. The proportion of samples that satisfied SQC A was higher than for SQC B. Patients with polyarthritides had significantly higher TMJ SF concentrations of 5-HT and IL-1 beta than HL. In conclusion, there is a recovery of TMJ SF of 0.1-0.2 g with the method used and the criteria set with the highest success rate do not differ from the other one with respect to SF levels of IL-1 beta and 5-HT. This set of sample quality criteria comprised no hemolysis, no or only minor blood contamination, AW > 0.5 g and DF < 0.98. The higher SF levels in the diseased TMJ (polyarthritides) compared to the healthy joint with respect to 5-HT and IL-1 beta is of clinical diagnostic relevance and the presence of 5-HT or IL-1 beta in TMJ SF seems to indicate a pathological joint condition probably of an inflammatory nature.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Clinical course of an antigen-induced arthritis model in the rabbit temporomandibular joint.

The aim of this study was to investigate clinical features of an antigen-induced arthritis model in the rabbit temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and compare them to those in knee joint (KJ) arthritis. Eighteen adult male New Zealand White rabbits were divided into a TMJ arthritis group and a KJ arthritis group. Monoarthritis was induced unilaterally with ovalbumin and clinical observations, including joint swelling, skin surface temperature (SST) over the joints, and the withdrawal reflex threshold (WRT) to noxious pressure, were performed over a 3 week period. The joints were then evaluated histologically. The WRT was decreased during the 3 weeks after induction of TMJ arthritis, together with mild but significant joint swelling. The arthritic KJ also showed significant swelling and reduced WRT during the 3 week period. A significant increase of SST over the arthritic TMJ was present during the first week, while changes in SST over the KJ were inconsistent. The histological evaluation showed chronic arthritic features in all arthritic joints of both groups and no difference in the severity of arthritis was found between the TMJ and the KJ.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Rapid detection of chromosome aneuploidies by quantitative fluorescence PCR: first application on 247 chorionic villus samples.

We report the results of the first major study of applying quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) assays for the detection of major chromosome numerical disorders. The QF-PCR tests were performed on a total of 247 chorionic villus samples, which were analysed blind, without any knowledge of the results obtained using conventional cytogenetic analysis. The aims of this investigation were to evaluate the detection power and accuracy of this approach by testing a large number of fetal samples and to assess the diagnostic value of each of the chromosome specific small tandem repeat (STR) markers used. In addition, we introduced three more markers specific for chromosomes 13, 18, and X to allow an accurate analysis of samples homozygous for a particular STR. Fluorescent labelled primers were used to amplify 12 STRs specific for chromosomes 21, 18, 13, X, and the amylogenin-like DNA sequence AMXY, expressed on the X and Y chromosomes. In this blind study of 247 fetal samples, 222 were correctly diagnosed by QF-PCR as normal for each of the five chromosomes investigated; 20 were diagnosed by QF-PCR as trisomic for chromosomes 21, 18, or 13, in agreement with the cytogenetic tests. Only one false negative result was observed, probably owing to the mishandling of the sample, which had been transferred through three laboratories before being analysed by QF-PCR. The 247 samples also included four cases of mosaicism or translocation; one case of mosaic trisomy 21 was detected by QF-PCR and the other cases were not identified by QF-PCR. The results of this investigation provide clear evidence that the QF-PCR assays are powerful adjuncts to conventional cytogenetic techniques and can be applied for the rapid and accurate prenatal diagnosis of the most frequent aneuploidies.

Aneuploidy↗

PubMed1999

TMJ pain in relation to circulating neuropeptide Y, serotonin, and interleukin-1 beta in rheumatoid arthritis.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain is influenced by circulating levels of neuropeptide Y, serotonin, and interleukin-1 beta in rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Forty-three seropositive (RF+) or seronegative (RF-) rheumatoid arthritis patients and 24 healthy individuals were included in the study. RESULTS: High serum concentrations of serotonin were associated with low TMJ pressure pain thresholds and pain during mandibular movement in the RF+ patients. The results of this study do not support a relationship between circulating neuropeptide Y or interleukin-1 beta and TMJ pain. The RF+ patients had higher C-reactive protein levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rates than the RF- patients. There were also higher plasma levels of interleukin-1 beta in the RF+ patients than in the healthy individuals. Plasma levels of neuropeptide Y in the RF- patients were higher than in the healthy individuals. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the serum concentration of serotonin is associated with TMJ allodynia in seropositive rheumatoid arthritis.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Pain, allodynia, and serum serotonin level in orofacial pain of muscular origin.

AIMS: This study was conducted to investigate the serum level of serotonin (S-5-HT) in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) of muscular origin, i.e., localized myalgia, and to compare it to that found in healthy individuals and patients with fibromyalgia. A second aim was to investigate the association between S-5-HT and pain parameters. METHODS: Twenty patients with localized myalgia participated in the study. Twenty age- and gender-matched healthy individuals and twenty patients with fibromyalgia served as controls. The participants were examined clinically as to the condition of the temporomandibular region and S-5-HT. RESULTS: The levels of S-5-HT did not differ significantly between the groups. However, in patients with localized myalgia there was a negative correlation between S-5-HT and tenderness of the temporomandibular muscles. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that allodynia of orofacial muscles in patients with TMD is significantly related to S-5-HT concentration.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Presence of orofacial pain and temporomandibular disorder in fibromyalgia. A study by questionnaire.

The objective of this study was to evaluate subjective symptoms from the temporomandibular system in patients with fibromyalgia. Two hundred and thirty-seven individuals with fibromyalgia affiliated to the Stockholm Rheumatologic Association were included in the study. A questionnaire about symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) was mailed and returned by 191 (81%). The participants reported frequent and severe symptoms of TMD, 94% reported local pain from the temporomandibular system with a mean duration of 12 years. The most frequent sites were the temple, temporomandibular joint and neck regions. General body pain had a significantly longer duration than TMD, which indicates that fibromyalgia starts in other parts of the body and later extends to the temporomandibular region. The severity of general pain scored significantly higher than local pain, but there was a significant positive correlation between the two conditions. High frequency, 73-78 %, of headache, facial pain and tiredness of the jaws was found and about fifty percent of the patients also complained about difficulties to open the mouth and to chew. Fibromyalgia is thus a probable cause of TMD. In conclusion this study shows that patients with fibromyalgia often suffer from symptoms of TMD, and that the intensity of the pain is correlated to general body pain. These findings indicate that fibromyalgia is one of the causes of TMD.

Adult↗