211 research outputs found

    S100B Profiles and Cognitive Function at High Altitude

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    Bjursten, Henrik, Per Ederoth, Engilbert Sigurdsson, Magnus Gottfredsson, Ingvar Syk, Orri Einarsson, and Tomas Gudbjartsson. S100B profiles and cognitive function at high altitude. High Alt. Med. Biol. 11:31-38, 2010.-Exposure to high altitude can lead to acute mountain sickness (AMS) and high altitude cerebral edema (HACE). In this study we investigated the effect of high altitude on neurocognitive function and S100B release. Increased S100B release has been hypothesized to signify a loss of integrity in the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Seven healthy volunteers trekked to Capanna Regina Margherita (4554 m above sea level) in the Monte Rosa massif. During ascent and descent, five test events were undertaken; participants underwent neurocognitive testing, Lake Louise scoring (LLS), and blood sampling to measure levels of S100B. The blood tests revealed that S100B levels increased 42% to 122% from baseline, and mean LLS increased from 0.57 to 2.57. A significant correlation was observed between both S100B levelsand LLS and S100B and some neurocognitive scores. The study indicates that S100B can be released by a mild hypoxia during AMS. Moreover, an observed correlation between S100B and a lower score on neurocognitive tests suggests that the pathogenetic mechanisms may be linked. The study indicates that a decline in cognitive function is associated with symptoms of AMS

    S100B Profiles and Cognitive Function at High Altitude

    No full text
    Bjursten, Henrik, Per Ederoth, Engilbert Sigurdsson, Magnus Gottfredsson, Ingvar Syk, Orri Einarsson, and Tomas Gudbjartsson. S100B profiles and cognitive function at high altitude. High Alt. Med. Biol. 11:31-38, 2010.-Exposure to high altitude can lead to acute mountain sickness (AMS) and high altitude cerebral edema (HACE). In this study we investigated the effect of high altitude on neurocognitive function and S100B release. Increased S100B release has been hypothesized to signify a loss of integrity in the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Seven healthy volunteers trekked to Capanna Regina Margherita (4554 m above sea level) in the Monte Rosa massif. During ascent and descent, five test events were undertaken; participants underwent neurocognitive testing, Lake Louise scoring (LLS), and blood sampling to measure levels of S100B. The blood tests revealed that S100B levels increased 42% to 122% from baseline, and mean LLS increased from 0.57 to 2.57. A significant correlation was observed between both S100B levels and LLS and S100B and some neurocognitive scores. The study indicates that S100B can be released by a mild hypoxia during AMS. Moreover, an observed correlation between S100B and a lower score on neurocognitive tests suggests that the pathogenetic mechanisms may be linked. The study indicates that a decline in cognitive function is associated with symptoms of AMS

    Combining Keynes and Schumpeter. Ingvar Svennilson's Contribution to the Swedish Growth School and Modern Economics

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    In a study of European growth in the interwar period, the Swedish economist Ingvar Svennilson integrated a Keynesian theory of cumulative growth with a Schumpeterian analysis of economic transformation. Svennilson emphasised that innovations and the use of new technologies had been stimulated by high demand and production growth. Svennilson’s strong commitment to "Vendoorn's Law" which actually was "Svennilson's Law", made it difficult to incorporate him in a Schumpeterian tradition. A synthesis between Keynes and Schumpeter with Svennilson as a mediator was also prevented by the decisive role of entrepreneurship and the critique of Keynesian models in works by Schumpeter and the Swedish growth school. However, a synthesis has been facilitated by neo-Schumpeterian theories of demand-led innovations and cumulative economic processes. Svennilson’s study has been superseded by later contributions to economics except for a theory of a negative, "Keynesian", relationship between unemployment and growth and an exceptional "un-Verdoornian" theory that high aggregate demand may lead to crowding-out of new firms from capital markets. Besides, Svennilson's integration of short run and long run macro analysis and of theoretical and empirical work is still a fruitful research strategy in economics.Innovations; Cumulative Growth; Productivity Growth; Verdoorn’s Law; Swedish Growth School

    Systemic and Local Inflammatory Mediator Response to Major Surgery

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    Cell-signalling via cytokines modulates the local response to surgical trauma, directs the immunologic response and initiates the healing process. Surgical trauma induces a systemic cytokine response and a down-regulation of the antigen presentation capacity of monocytes (HLA-DR expression), which is associated with a poor prognosis if pronounced. The aims with the studies in this thesis were to identify factors that modulate the cytokine and the immune-cell responses to major surgery and to evaluate the role of collagenases in colonic healing. Major surgery evoked a cytokine response in the systemic circulation, which was enhanced by the presence of a cancer, in colorectal resections. The IL-6 response in colorectal surgery originated from the bowel and enhanced concentrations of IL-6 in tissue of colorectal cancers, emanating from an IL-6 expression in the malignant epithelium, might be the source. Open surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair induced higher IL-6 responses than transfemorally placement of endoluminal grafts (TPEG), lower peri-operative sigmoidal pH but equal down-regulation of the HLA-DR expression on monocytes. These findings suggest that tissue destruction influences the systemic IL-6 response in trauma, but not the down-regulation HLA-DR expression on monocytes. Experimental colonic obstruction in rats implied a local inflammatory response and an increased break-down of collagen by matrix metalloproteinases in the colonic wall, leading to a decrease in collagen concentration, assessed as hydroxyproline concentration. Inhibition of MMPs in the early phase of anastomotic healing in the colon, resulted in increased breaking strength of the anastomoses in inhibitor-treated animals compared to controls, confirming a negative role of MMPs in this phase of colonic healing. The knowledge on cytokine response to surgical trauma and interactions with the healing process needs to be expanded by studies on local events in tissue. The information on collagenase up-regulation in the local inflammatory response in the colon and the results of MMP-inhibition in anastomotic healing are promising in the efforts to improve healing in colorectal surgery

    «Det absurde ved å være fanget i blodbankende materie»: Om rus og litteratur i Ingvar Ambjørnsens \u27Skogens hjerte\u27

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    This article explores Norwegian author Ingvar Ambjørnsen’s short story «The Heart of the Forest» from his collection Dark Dawn (1997) and focuses on the story’s prime experience, that of drugs. Peter Sloterdijk’s account of the historical development of drugs from the early Greek era to modernity is the theoretical framework. His understanding is found in Ambjørnsen’s short text, which also contains a notion of intertextuality. Therefore, the article highlights both literary (Vesaas) and philosophical references (Huxley). «The Heart of the Forest» is also the precursor for Ambjørnsen’s novel The Night Dreaming of Day (2012), which implies that the author sampled his own short story and gave it a pessimistic reinterpretation.Artikkelen undersøker Ingvar Ambjørnsens novelle «Skogens hjerte» fra novellesamlingen Natt til mørk morgen (1997) og fokuserer på fremstillingen av ruserfaringer som står sentralt i teksten. Utgangspunktet for lesningen er Peter Sloterdijks beskrivelse av den historiske utviklingen av ruserfaringer fra antikken til det moderne. Hans forståelse finner man også i Ambjørnsens korttekst, men denne omfatter dessuten en bestemt bruk av intertekstualitet. Herved fokuseres det både på litterære (f.eks. Vesaas) og idéhistoriske referanser (Huxley). «Skogens hjerte» ble i tillegg det intertekstuelle forelegget for deler av Ambjørnsens roman Natten drømmer om dagen (2012). På en måte ‘sampler’ forfatteren sin egen novelle, som får en mer pessimistisk omfortolking

    Hur ska vi klara av kravet på MDT-konferens för alla?

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    Modern medicinsk kunskap är idag så omfattande och diversifierad att en enskild läkare i många sammanhang inte kan ta ett lika klokt medicinskt beslut som en grupp av kollegor. Terapikonferenser blir därför allt viktigare för de flesta maligna tillstånd men också för vissa benigna åkommor. Styrgruppen för kolorektala cancerregistret vill här understryka vikten av MDT-konferenser.</p

    Systemic and Local Inflammatory Mediator Response to Major Surgery

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    Popular Abstract in Swedish Kroppens svar på vävnadsskada är avgörande för initierandet av läknings-processen och försvaret mot invaderande mikroorganismer. Det lokala samspelet mellan de olika cellerna i immunförsvaret sker genom cellsignalering via små proteiner kallade cytokiner. Ett kraftigt eller obalanserat svar kan medföra att inflammationsdrivande cytokiner (IL-6, IL-1, TNF) läcker ut i blodomloppet. Detta kan ge upphov till ett generellt inflammatoriskt pådrag, vilket bäddar för allvarliga komplikationer. Av central betydelse för kroppens försvar mot mikroorganismer är förmågan att skilja kroppsegna proteiner från främmande proteiner (antigen). Innan ett immunologiskt "minne" kan skapas, krävs att det främmande antigenet presenteras för immunkompetenta celler. Förmågan hos vissa celler att binda och presentera antigen på detta sätt är kopplat till förekomsten av så kallade HLA-DR molekyler på cellytan hos dessa celler. Den volymsmässigt viktigaste celltypen för antigenpresentation är monocyten, entyp av vit blodkropp. Ett lokalt obalanserat inflammatoriskt svar kan medföra problem genom störningar i läkningsprocessen. Vid tarmkirurgi är detta extra känsligt då läckage i en sydd förbindelse på tarmen (anastomos) kan ge upphov till förödande konsekvenser för patienten. Den i bindväven viktigaste substansen för hållfastheten är kollagen. Ett frisättande av vävnadsnedbrytande enzymer , utlöst av operation eller annan påverkan på tarmen, tros spela en avgörande roll för försvagning av anastomoser och därmed medföra en risk för läckage. Enzym kapabla att bryta ner kollagen, så kallat kollagenas, kan misstänkas ha särskilt stor betydelse. Vilka faktorer som styr cytokinsvaret respektive styr förekomsten av HLA-DR molekyler på monocyter är dåligt känt, liksom vilka lokala mekanismer som försämrar hållfastheten av tarmanastomoser. Målsättningen med detta avhandlingsarbete har varit: att kartlägga kroppens svar på större kirurgi avseende cytokiner och kapaciteten för antigenpresentation (förekomst av HLA-DR på monocyter). att identifiera faktorer som modulerar dessa svar, med särskilt fokus på operationstyp, grad av cirkulations störning i tarmen och förekomst av cancer. att undersöka om immun- och cytokin-svar kan användas som prognostiska markörer för komplikation till kirurgi. att studera kollagenasaktiviteten i tarmväggen samt inverkan av kollagenas på hållfastheten av tarmanastomoser. Metoder Nivåerna i cirkulerande blod av inflammationsdrivande cytokiner (IL-1, IL-6, TNF) mättes på patienter med likartade tarmingrepp på grund av cancer respektive godartade åkommor. Vidare studerades detta vid operation av pulsåderbråck i kroppspulsådern (aorta), där två olika kirurgiska metoder jämfördes. Vid aortaoperationerna mättes dessutom förändringar i HLA-DR uttrycket hos monocyter och inverkan på blodcirkulationen i tjocktarmen. En experimentell modell med passagehinder i tjocktarmen (colonileus) på råtta användes, vilken medför försämrad hållfasthet vid anastomos operation. Det lokala inflammatoriska svaret och kollagenasaktiviteten i tarmväggen studerades. Inverkan av kollagenas på anastomoshållfastheten studerades genom blockering av kollagenas vid operation med anastomos på tjocktarmen hos råtta. Resultat och Diskussion Större kirurgi utlöste ett svar av inflammationsdrivande cytokiner i cirkulerande blod. Graden av vävnadsskada var avgörande för IL-6 svarets storlek men ej beträffande TNF. Högre förekomst av bakterier kan vara en orsak till att ett TNF svar sågs vid tarmkirurgi men ej vid aorta kirurgi. Förekomsten av tjocktarmscancer potentierade såväl IL-1, IL-6 som TNF svarets storlek vid tarmkirurgi, där studier av lokala blodnivåer visade att IL-6 svaret emmanerade från tarmen. En påvisad förhöjd IL-6 halt i tumörvävnad jämfört med normal tjocktarm är sannolikt källan till det potentierade cytokinsvaret vid cancer. Uttrycket av HLA-DR antigen på monocyter sjönk efter aortaoperationer, till skillnad från övriga delar i det cellmedierade immunsvaret. Graden av nedreglering korrelerade starkt till svår postoperativ komplikation och kan användas som prognostisk markör, liksom förhöjda IL-6 nivåer. Colonileus utlöste ett inflammatorisk svar i tarmväggen och en kraftigt ökad kollagenasaktivitet jämfört med friska djur. Parallellt med den ökade kollagenasaktiviteten sågs en minskning av kollagen koncentrationen. En ökad kollagenasaktivitet kan därför misstänkas vara en orsak till den ökade frekvensen av anastomosläckage vid operation för colonileus som tidigare beskrivits. Betydelsen av kollagenas för hållfastheten i tarmanastomoser påvisades genom att en ökad mekanisk hållfasthet noterades hos djur där kollagenas blockerats kemiskt jämfört med obehandlade djur.Cell-signalling via cytokines modulates the local response to surgical trauma, directs the immunologic response and initiates the healing process. Surgical trauma induces a systemic cytokine response and a down-regulation of the antigen presentation capacity of monocytes (HLA-DR expression), which is associated with a poor prognosis if pronounced. The aims with the studies in this thesis were to identify factors that modulate the cytokine and the immune-cell responses to major surgery and to evaluate the role of collagenases in colonic healing. Major surgery evoked a cytokine response in the systemic circulation, which was enhanced by the presence of a cancer, in colorectal resections. The IL-6 response in colorectal surgery originated from the bowel and enhanced concentrations of IL-6 in tissue of colorectal cancers, emanating from an IL-6 expression in the malignant epithelium, might be the source. Open surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair induced higher IL-6 responses than transfemorallyplacement of endoluminal grafts (TPEG), lower peri-operative sigmoidal pH but equal down-regulation of the HLA-DR expression on monocytes. These findings suggest that tissue destruction influences the systemic IL-6 response in trauma, but not the down-regulation HLA-DR expression on monocytes. Experimental colonic obstruction in rats implied a local inflammatory response and an increased break-down of collagen by matrix metalloproteinases in the colonic wall, leading to a decrease in collagen concentration, assessed as hydroxyproline concentration. Inhibition of MMPs in the early phase of anastomotic healing in the colon, resulted in increased breaking strength of the anastomoses in inhibitor-treated animals compared to controls, confirming a negative role of MMPs in this phase of colonic healing. The knowledge on cytokine response to surgical trauma and interactions with the healing process needs to be expanded by studies on local events in tissue. The information on collagenase up-regulation in the local inflammatory response in the colon and the results of MMP-inhibition in anastomotic healing are promising in the efforts to improve healing in colorectal surgery
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