| 50011. |
- Kristjánsdóttir, Ragnhildur, et al.
(författare)
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Glial fibrillary acidic protein and neurofilament in children with cerebral white matter abnormalities.
- 2001
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Ingår i: Neuropediatrics. - : Georg Thieme Verlag KG. - 0174-304X .- 1439-1899. ; 32:6, s. 307-12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is the major structural protein of the intermediate filaments found in glial cells. Increased levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have been found to indicate gliosis. Neurofilament (NFL) is a structural element of neurons, mainly found in large myelinated axons. Its presence in the CSF has been suggested to reflect destruction of axons. The aim of this study was to see if GFAP and NFL in the CSF of children with neurological disabilities and an abnormal signal on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cerebral white matter could be used to clarify the underlying neuropathology. The potential of GFAP and NFL to differentiate a progressive disease from a stationary disorder was investigated, as was the correlation with disability and clinical findings. CSF from 26 children, eleven with progressive and 15 with non-progressive disorders, was analysed. GFAP was increased in all, interpreted to reflect gliosis. NFL was elevated in seven and considered to indicate ongoing neuroaxonal damage as all but one patient were found to have a progressive disease. GFAP did not differentiate between progressive and non-progressive disorders, although low levels were found in stationary and high levels in progressive disorders. The severity of the disability correlated with the NFL levels, but not with the concentration of GFAP.
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| 50012. |
- Kristjánsdóttir, Ragnhildur, et al.
(författare)
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Ophthalmological abnormalities in children with cerebral white matter disorders.
- 2002
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Ingår i: European journal of paediatric neurology : EJPN : official journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society. - : Elsevier BV. - 1090-3798. ; 6:1, s. 25-33
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children with severe neurological impairment has defined a subgroup with increased T2-signals from cerebral white matter. The causes of white matter abnormalities are for the most part unknown, despite extensive investigation. Their clinical correlates and characteristics have still to be systematically analysed and described. We have compared clinical, ophthalmological and electro-ophthalmological findings in such children to delineate neurological and MRI patterns and have sought to correlate with the progression of disease. Clinical and electro-ophthalmological investigations were performed in 26 children with cerebral white matter abnormalities of unknown aetiology; 25 of the 26 children showed abnormalities, 23 clinical and 18 electro-ophthalmological. Optic nerve abnormalities, severe visual impairment and strabismus were the most common. Electro-ophthalmological abnormalities were increased latencies and abnormal waveform of the visual evoked potentials (VEP). Children with progressive disease all had abnormal VEP, whereas none of the ten children with a normal VEP deteriorated. We conclude that children with cerebral white matter abnormalities almost invariably had ophthalmological and often VEP abnormalities. Normal VEP was correlated with non-progressive disorder, as was hypoplasia or malformation of the papilla, whereas abnormal VEP were associated with progressive disease.
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| 50013. |
- Kristjansson, Karl, 1958, et al.
(författare)
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Blood pressure and pulse pressure development in a population sample of women with special reference to basal body mass and distribution of body fat and their changes during 24 years
- 2003
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Ingår i: International Journal of Obesity. ; 27, s. 128-133
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Department of Family Medicine, Solvangur Health Centre, University of Iceland, Hafnarfjördur, Iceland. karlk@hgsolvangur.is OBJECTIVE: To study blood pressure and pulse pressure longitudinally and their association with basal and change of body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR). DESIGN: A prospective population study of 1462 women in Gothenburg, Sweden, aged 38-60 y at baseline, with a longitudinal follow-up of 24 y. OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of hypertension, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and pulse pressure at baseline and after 12 and 24 y of follow-up. RESULTS: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as pulse pressure increased with age and turned down again at high age. BMI and WHR at baseline were each independently associated with baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but only BMI with pulse pressure. However, baseline BMI and WHR were not associated with change of systolic, diastolic or pulse pressure during 12 or 24 y of follow-up. Increase in BMI during the follow-up period was associated with increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure but not with increase in pulse pressure. There were no such associations with WHR changes which, were either unrelated or in one analysis inversely related with blood pressure changes. When considering incidence of hypertension during the first 12 y of follow-up, BMI and change in BMI were significant predictors, independent of WHR. CONCLUSION: Age, BMI and increments in BMI seem to be strong predictors for hypertension and increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure in women. In contrast, WHR plays a lesser and uncertain role in the development of hypertension in middle-aged women. Changes in BMI seem not to be accompanied by changes in pulse pressure during a long time follow-up. PMID: 12532164 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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| 50014. |
- Kristjansson, Karl, 1958, et al.
(författare)
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The interrelationships between fasting serum insulin level, obesity and blood pressure in women: Results from a cross-sectional population study of women in Gothenburg, Sweden
- 1993
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Ingår i: Hypertension Research. - 1348-4214. ; 16:3, s. 197-201
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study is based on a representative population sample of women in Gothenburg, Sweden. Three hundred and thirty-six 50-year-old nondiabetic women, not taking any antihypertensive medication, were included in the study. They underwent a comprehensive examination programme, where body weight, body height, waist and hip circumferences, systolic and diastolic blood pressures and fasting serum insulin concentration were measured. Fasting serum insulin concentration was significantly correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressures. After controlling for both body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip circumference ratio (WHR), fasting serum insulin concentration remained independently associated with blood pressure (P=0.001 for systolic blood pressure, P=0.06 for diastolic blood pressure). When stratified for BMI or WHR the correlations between fasting serum insulin concentration and blood pressure remained significant only in the upper 50th precentiles of BMI and WHR. When relating pressure to different levels of fasting serum insulin concentration there seems to be a threshold at an insulin concentration corresponding to the upper quartile limit (at approximately 17μU/ml), above which level the blood pressure rises more obviously. The same phenomenon was seen for systolic and diastolic blood pressures.
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| 50015. |
- Kristjánsson, Sigurdur, 1955, et al.
(författare)
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Eosinophil cationic protein, myeloperoxidase and tryptase in children with asthma and atopic dermatitis.
- 1994
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Ingår i: Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. - 0905-6157. ; 5:4, s. 223-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), tryptase, total IgE and differential blood cell counts were studied in atopic children with: 1) moderate to severe asthma using inhaled steroids and symptom-free for the last 3 weeks (n = 13), 2) mild asthma with sporadic symptoms, using only inhaled beta 2-agonists < 3 times/week (n = 15), 3) acute asthmatic attacks admitted to hospital (n = 12), 4) mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (n = 14). Fifteen children without any history of atopy served as controls. ECP, MPO, tryptase and IgE were measured in serum by radioimmunoassays (RIA). The symptom-free children with inhaled steroids had similar median ECP and MPO values as the controls, 8.0 and 360 micrograms/l, vs. 9.0 and 310 micrograms/l, while both ECP and MPO were significantly (p < 0.001) increased in the symptom-free children without anti-inflammatory treatment, 32 and 887 micrograms/l and in those with acute asthma, 28 and 860 micrograms/l. The children with atopic dermatitis had increased ECP but normal MPO levels, 16.0 and 455 micrograms/l. Tryptase in serum was not measurable in any patient. All groups except the control group had significantly elevated total IgE levels. The results indicate that in atopic children serum ECP is a good marker of ongoing asthma or atopic dermatitis. The normal levels of ECP and MPO in the children with asthma using inhaled steroids seem to reflect successful anti-inflammatory treatment. The increased levels of ECP and MPO in the children with mild asthma and no anti-inflammatory treatment may indirectly reflect airway inflammation.
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| 50016. |
- Kristjánsson, Sigurgeir, 1964, et al.
(författare)
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Increased prevalence of otitis media following respiratory syncytial virus infection.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Acta paediatrica. - : Wiley. - 1651-2227 .- 0803-5253. ; 99:6, s. 867-70
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: The aim of this study was to analyse whether, during the 18 months following a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in infants, there were differences in the prevalence of common infections such as acute otitis media (AOM), compared with controls. We also wanted to see whether passive smoking could be a contributory factor. Methods: In a longitudinal study, 33 children who attended the emergency room with an RSV infection (age ≤7 months) were compared with 37 age-matched controls recruited from routine infant check-ups. The 18-month follow-up consisted of a questionnaire focusing on environmental factors and the child’s health during the last 12 months. An allergy skin prick test (SPT) was performed and venous blood was obtained. Results: The prevalence of AOM and the use of antibiotics were higher in the RSV group than in the controls (p = 0.009 and p = 0.027 respectively). The number of AOMs and the use of antibiotics correlated, r = 0.8. In the RSV group, one or both parents smoked in 52% compared with 14% in the controls (p < 0.001). There were no differences in allergy SPT results. Conclusion: The infants with RSV infection had AOM and were prescribed antibiotics more frequently during the follow-up period. Furthermore, smoking was far more common among the parents of the RSV group. We speculate that passive smoking could be a contributory factor to the infections noted here.
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| 50017. |
- Kristjánsson, Sigurdur, 1955, et al.
(författare)
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Inflammatory markers in childhood asthma.
- 1996
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Ingår i: Annals of medicine. - 0785-3890. ; 28:5, s. 395-9
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The importance of airway inflammation in the pathogenesis of asthma is clearly established. Studies in adults as well as in children have led to the concept that asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease. Airway inflammation is found even in mild asthma. Bronchoconstriction and hyper-reactivity appear to be secondary to the release of inflammatory mediators. The changed view of the pathogenesis of asthma and current emphasis on anti-inflammatory treatment have raised a need for markers that reflect the inflammatory status in the airways. This is of special importance in paediatric practice because lung function tests are less easily performed in young children, and it is preferable to keep steroid doses as low as possible. The eosinophil granulocyte has a multitude of proinflammatory functions and plays a key role in the asthmatic inflammation. It secretes toxic proteins and produces cytokines, which have important roles in airway inflammation. Use of eosinophil granula proteins to monitor inflammation is now finding its place. Measurement of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) seems to be a valuable complement to the recording of lung function. For paediatric use, measurement of urinary eosinophil protein X (EPX) is promising because it does not require blood sampling.
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| 50018. |
- Kristjánsson, Sigurdur, 1955, et al.
(författare)
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Leukotriene B4 and C4 generation by human leukocytes after ex vivo stimulation with Ca-ionophore and opsonized zymosan in children with atopic asthma.
- 1995
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Ingår i: Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. - 0905-6157. ; 6:3, s. 155-60
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The ex vivo release of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) from leukocytes was evaluated after stimulation with both Ca-ionophore (Ca-I) and opsonized zymosan (OZ) in children with atopic asthma. Twenty-seven patients with asthma of varying severity were evaluated and divided into three groups: 1) moderate to severe asthma using inhaled steroids and symptom-free for the last 3 weeks (n = 8), 2) mild asthma with sporadic symptoms, only using inhaled beta 2-agonists < 3 times/week (n = 8), and 3) acute asthmatic attacks admitted to hospital (n = 11). A group of children without atopic disease or any other known disease served as controls (n = 15). Total serum IgE levels were significantly increased in the children with asthma compared with the control group. LTC4 production was only significantly increased in the group of children with moderate to severe asthma after stimulation with Ca-I, when compared with controls. In the same group, a trend towards increased LTC4 production after stimulation with OZ was found. LTB4 was not significantly increased in any patient group compared with the control group. A significant correlation between LTC4 production after stimulation with Ca-I, but not OZ, and the relative blood eosinophil count was found in all subjects. LTC4 generation per eosinophilic cell after stimulation with Ca-I or OZ was not statistically different in any patient group compared with the controls. We conclude that the increased leukotriene (LT) levels found after the stimulation of peripheral white blood cells sampled from atopic children with asthma are mainly the result of increased numbers of LT-producing cells, rather than due to increased releasability from these cells.
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| 50019. |
- Kristjánsson, Sigurdur, 1955, et al.
(författare)
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Nebulised racemic adrenaline in the treatment of acute bronchiolitis in infants and toddlers.
- 1993
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Ingår i: Archives of disease in childhood. - 1468-2044. ; 69:6, s. 650-4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The effect of inhaled nebulised racemic adrenaline upon symptoms of acute bronchiolitis was investigated in 29 infants and toddlers aged 2-17.5 months by transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO2), oxygen saturation, transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension (TcPCO2), and clinical evaluation in a double blind placebo controlled study. Clinical score and TcPO2 improved significantly at 30, 45, and 60 minutes after inhalation of racemic adrenaline, with an increase in TcPO2 > or = 0.5 kPa in 72% of the children < 1 year of age. No significant improvement was observed after inhalation of placebo. No significant changes in heart rate or TcPCO2 were observed from before to after inhalation, but a small increase in mean systolic blood pressure was observed immediately and 45 minutes after racemic adrenaline inhalation. This study demonstrates that treatment with nebulised racemic adrenaline improved oxygenation and clinical signs in hospitalised children aged less than 18 months with bronchiolitis.
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| 50020. |
- Kristjansson, S., et al.
(författare)
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Respiratory syncytial virus and other respiratory viruses during the first 3 months of life promote a local TH2-like response
- 2005
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Ingår i: J Allergy Clin Immunol. - : Elsevier BV. - 0091-6749. ; 116:4, s. 805-11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections during infancy are considered to be a risk factor for developing asthma and possibly allergic sensitization. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the cytokines, chemokines, and eosinophil cationic protein in the nasopharyngeal secretions of infants < or = 7 months of age with RSV infections or other respiratory viral infections and healthy infants as controls. Groups were also analyzed according to age, < or = 3 months and >3 months, and the levels were compared within and between groups. RESULTS: Thirty-nine infants with RSV, 9 with influenza or parainfluenza virus infections and 50 controls with no history of infections, were enrolled in the study. The RSV-infected infants had significantly higher levels of IL-4; macrophage inflammatory protein 1beta, a chemoattractant for T cells; and eosinophil cationic protein in nasopharyngeal secretions compared with the control group. The levels of the TH2 cytokine IL-4 were significantly higher in RSV-infected infants < or = months of age compared with RSV-infected infants >3 months of age. In infants < or = 3 months of age, infections with influenza or parainfluenza virus caused TH2-like responses similar to those produced by RSV. CONCLUSION: Infections with RSV as well as with influenza and parainfluenza virus during early infancy preferentially promote a TH2-like response in the nose with local production of IL-4, IL-5, and macrophage inflammatory protein 1beta and infiltration and activation of eosinophils.
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