| 1. |
- Bodin, Ingrid, 1944-
(författare)
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Impairment of intra-oral sensation, discrimination ability, and swallowing function following radiotherapy and surgery for oral and pharyngeal cancer
- 2004
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Oral and pharyngeal cancer is commonly treated with a combination of radiotherapy and surgery. It is a clinical knowledge that patients often experience severe swallowing disorders following treatment. Since surgical sequelae are instantaneous and obvious, little attention has been paid to other concurrent effects of the treatment. To shed light on this subject, the aim of this thesis was twofold (i) to make a retrospective inventory of the sequelae following treatment and (ii) to perform a prospective, inceptive examination at diagnosis, and to follow-up after radiotherapy, six months and 12 months after surgery. The files of ninety-nine patients revealed that following treatment one-third had to use gastric fistulas and more than nine of ten patients had restricted swallowing capacity. Every second patient could only swallow puréed or liquid food. Adequate intra-oral sensation and discrimination ability is essential for bolus preparation and bolus control, for appropriate elicitation of the swallowing reflex and, hence, for the oral phase of swallowing. At the inceptive examination, the prospective part of the study demonstrated intra-oral discrimination ability in patients was equal to that in healthy controls but was impaired six months after treatment and there was no significant improvement after 12 months. It had been expected that the patient’s healthy, non-tumor side would compensate but it did not. An explanation was found when it was revealed that radiotherapy induced a delayed decline in intra-oral sensation. Sensory decline was not demonstrated within a month after radiotherapy but was manifest six months later. Since the radiotherapy field includes the neck, because of the risk for metastasis, it is highly plausible that pharyngeal sensation declines in a manner corresponding to that found intra-orally when the healthy side is irradiated. In accord with this presumption, pharyngeal swallowing function deteriorated in patents with oral tumors. Cineradiographic evaluation of oral and pharyngeal swallowing function disclosed a significant association between the degree of swallowing dysfunction and the degree of sensory decline and with the degree of impairment of shape recognition. Conclusions: Delayed intra-oral sensory decline, found to be induced by radiotherapy, can be expected to appear in the entire radiation field, including the oral cavity and the pharynx, with adverse effect on swallowing. Testing intra-oral sensation close to the last radiotherapy session is not advisable, because sensory decline does not develop immediately after radiotherapy but manifests after six months. Spontaneous sensory rehabilitation cannot be expected after six months. The significant association between degree of swallowing dysfunction and degree of intra-oral sensory decline and impaired discrimination ability must be considered in the quest for functional rehabilitation of patients treated for oral or pharyngeal cancer.
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| 2. |
- Jacobson, Sofie, et al.
(författare)
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Leptin independently predicts development of future sepsis and determines survival in the acute phase
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Objective: To determine if levels of the adipocyte-derived hormones leptin and adiponectin (adipokines) predict sepsis development and if intra-individual changes in circulating levels from baseline to the acute phase affect outcome.Method: A nested case-referent study within the framework of the Northern Sweden Health and Disease Study (NSHDS) and the Northern Sweden Maternity Cohort (NSMC). Patients aged 18 years or more with documented sepsis within 24 hours after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) were included if they had participated in a health survey and donated blood samples prior to the sepsis event, and if possible also had stored plasma from the acute phase. Two matched referents free of known sepsis were selected for each case. Baseline and acute phase plasma leptin and adiponectin levels were determined. The associations between adipokines and sepsis and its severity and outcome were determined.Results: We identified 57 men and 97 women with a first-time sepsis event 6.5 years (median with IQR 7.7) after participation in the health survey, and 83% of them had also samples from the acute septic phase. Hyperleptinemia associated with a future sepsis event (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.04-3.00, P=0.03), with stronger associations with severe sepsis and septic shock than with sepsis. High leptin levels were also associated with hospital death in the fully adjusted model. Leptin remained associated with sepsis in men (P=0.02), but not in women (P=0.36), after stratification and adjustment for BMI. In the acute phase, leptin increased more in men than in women (P=0.001), and high leptin levels were associated with increased risk for in-hospital death in women (OR 4.18, 95%CI 1.17-15.00, P=0.03), while being protective in men (OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.01-0.48, P=0.01). Adiponectin did not associate with sepsis or outcome.Conclusions: Hyperleptinemia independently predicted the development of sepsis, and an unfavourable outcome in men. Adiponectin was not associated with sepsis development.
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| 3. |
- Jacobson, Sofie, 1961-, et al.
(författare)
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Levels of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) associates with sepsis-related in-hospital mortality in women
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Inflammation. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1476-9255. ; 17
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) mediates the innate immune response either through direct opsonisation of microorganisms or through activation of the complement system. There are conflicting data whether MBL deficiency leads to increased susceptibility to infections or not. The aim of this study was to determine if low levels of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) predict sepsis development, sepsis severity and outcome from severe sepsis or septic shock.Method: Patients aged 18 years or more with documented sepsis within 24 h after admission to the intensive care unit were included if they had participated in a health survey and donated blood samples prior to the sepsis event. A subset of these patients had stored plasma also from the acute phase. Two matched referents free of known sepsis were selected for each case. Plasma levels MBL were determined in stored samples from health surveys (baseline) and from ICU admission (acute phase). The association between MBL and sepsis, sepsis severity and in-hospital mortality were determined with 1300 ng/mL as cut-off for low levels.Results: We identified 148 patients (61.5% women) with a first-time sepsis event 6.5 years (median with IQR 7.7) after participation in a health survey, of which 122 also had samples from the acute septic phase. Both high MBL levels in the acute phase (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]) (2.84 [1.20-6.26]), and an increase in MBL levels from baseline to the acute phase (3.76 [1.21-11.72]) were associated with increased risk for in-hospital death in women, but not in men (0.47 [0.11-2.06]). Baseline MBL levels did not predict future sepsis, sepsis severity or in-hospital mortality.Conclusions: An increase from baseline to the acute phase as well as high levels in the acute phase associated with an unfavourable outcome in women.
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| 4. |
- Jacobson, Sofie, 1961-
(författare)
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Severe sepsis : epidemiology and sex-related differences in inflammatory markers
- 2014
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background. Sepsis is a syndrome associated with high mortality rates, substantial morbidity and high costs of care. The incidents of sepsis is reported to be high and controversy exists whether gender affect severity or outcome. Little is known about factors determining susceptibility for developing the syndrome and severity of the syndrome once developed. Early detection and adequate antibiotic administration are the mainstay of treatment and means to identify patients with particular high risk of adverse outcome are desirable. There are data to suggest that the course of sepsis and outcome from the syndrome may be influenced by inherited differences in the immunological response among humansAims: Paper I: Assess incidence and outcome for ICU-treated sepsis patients in this region; Paper II: Assess if there are gender differences related to characteristics, aspects of treatment or outcome in sepsis in this region. Paper III: Assess the association of baseline levels of leptin and adiponectin and future sepsis event, and association of these adipokines in the cute phase and sepsis severity and outcome. Paper IV: Assess association of baseline levels of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and future sepsis event, and MBL levels in the acute phase in relation to sepsis severity and outcome.Results. Paper I: Overall ICU mortality rate was 25%, while the ICU mortality for patients with septic shock was 58% in this retrospective single university hospital cohort analysis. Cardiovascular disease and diabetes were the most prevalent comorbidities among patients who died during hospital stay. Paper II: No gender-related differences in mortality or length of stay was found in this prospective single center observational study. Differences in aspects of treatment were related to differences in site of infection. Men had more often infections in skin and skin-structures, whereas women more often had abdominal infections. Early organ dysfunction assessed as SOFA score at admission was a stronger predictor for hospital mortality for women than for men. The discrepancy was related to the SOFA coagulation-sub score. Paper III: In this nested case-referent study hyperleptinemia at baseline predicted a first-ever sepsis event, even after adjustment for BMI and other cardiovascular risk factors. Hyperleptinemia in the acute sepsis phase was associated with reduced risk of in-hospital death in men, but associated with increased risk of in-hospital death in women. Paper IV: In the same matched cohort as in Paper III high baseline levels of MBL predicted a first ever sepsis event. High MBL levels in the acute phase or an increase from baseline to the acute phase associate with increased in-hospital death in women but not in men. Low MBL levels was not identified as a risk for acute sepsis or in-hospital death.Conclusions. Mortality from severe sepsis is high, equally affecting men and women. There are differences in patient characteristics and inflammatory markers, which associate with in-hospital mortality differentially in men and women. Aspects of gender should be mandatory, and genetic analysis are desired in future sepsis research.
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| 5. |
- Jacobsson, Sofie, et al.
(författare)
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Leptin independently predicts development of sepsis and its outcome
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Inflammation. - London : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1476-9255. ; 14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition and obesity is related to the clinical outcome. The underlying reasons are incompletely understood, but the adipocyte derived hormones leptin and adiponectin may be involved.Methods: Patients aged 18 years or more with documented first time sepsis events were included in a nested case-referent study if they had participated in previous health surveys. Two matched referents free of known sepsis were identified. Circulating levels of leptin and adiponectin were determined in stored plasma, and their impact on a future sepsis event and its outcome was evaluated.Results: We identified 152 patients (62% women) with a sepsis event and a previous participation in a health survey. Eighty-three % had also blood samples from the acute event. Hyperleptinemia at health survey associated with a future sepsis event (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.04-3.00) and with hospital death. After adjustment for BMI leptin remained associated with sepsis in men, but not in women. High levels in the acute phase associated with increased risk for in hospital death in women (OR 4.18, 95% CI 1.17-15.00), while being protective in men (OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.01-0.48). Furthermore, leptin increased more from baseline to the acute phase in men than in women. Adiponectin did not predict sepsis and did not relate to outcome.Conclusions: Hyperleptinemia independently predicted the development of sepsis and an unfavourable outcome in men, and inertia in the acute response related to worse outcome.
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| 6. |
- Larsson, Marie, et al.
(författare)
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Haemoglobin and red blood cell reference intervals during infancy
- 2022
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Ingår i: Archives of Disease in Childhood. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 0003-9888 .- 1468-2044. ; 107:4, s. 351-358
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: There is a need for updated haematological reference data in infancy. This study aimed to define intervals for haemoglobin and red blood cell biomarkers based on data from a large cohort of longitudinally followed Swedish infants.Design: Longitudinal cohort study.Setting: Two Swedish study centres.Participants: Three community-based populations including 442 presumably healthy infants born at term and with umbilical cord clamping delayed to 30 s or more after birth.Methods: Blood samples were collected from umbilical cord blood (a), at 48-118 hours (b), at 4 months (c) and at 12 months (d). Reference intervals as the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles were calculated in coherence with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.Results: Reference intervals for haemoglobin (g/L) were: (a) 116-189, (b) 147-218, (c) 99-130, (d) 104-134, and for mean cell volume (fL): (a) 97-118, (b) 91-107, (c) 71-85, (d) 70-83. Reference intervals for erythrocyte counts, reticulocyte counts, reticulocyte haemoglobin, mean cell haemoglobin and mean cell haemoglobin concentration were also estimated. According to the WHO definition of anaemia, a haemoglobin value less than 110 g/L, 16% of this presumably healthy cohort could be classified as anaemic at 12 months.Conclusion: We found mainly narrower reference intervals compared with previously published studies. The reference intervals for each parameter varied according to the infants' age, demonstrating the necessity of age definitions when presenting infant reference intervals. The discrepancy with the WHO classification for anaemia at 12 months, despite favourable conditions in infancy, needs future investigation.
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| 7. |
- Larsson, Sara Marie, et al.
(författare)
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Soluble Transferrin Receptor during infancy and reference intervals for the Roche Cobas platform
- 2021
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Ingår i: International Journal of Laboratory Hematology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1751-5521 .- 1751-553X. ; 43:3, s. 378-386
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction Infant iron status assessments may be difficult to interpret due to infections. The soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) has been suggested as a biomarker mainly unaffected by the acute phase response. Reference intervals reflecting dynamics of infant growth first year in life are not well established. Methods The sTfR and CRP concentrations were measured in samples from 451 term infants with the Roche Cobas platform in umbilical cord, at 48-96 hours, 4 and 12 months. Reference values were constructed as the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles. The relationship between CRP concentrations >1 mg/L and sTfR was tested by Kendall correlation. Results Reference intervals for girls and boys were 2.4-9.5 mg/L at birth, 2.9-8.4 mg/L at 48-96 hours, 2.6-5.7 mg/L at 4 months and 3.0-6.3 mg/L at 12 months. No differences between sexes were observed except for at 4 months. sTfR did not covariate with CRP concentrations >1 mg/L except in 48-96 hours samples. Conclusion This study reports reference intervals for sTfR from birth to 12 months of age in a large group of infants in a low-risk area for iron deficiency. sTfR might add value to infant iron status diagnostics since no covariation with CRP was found at birth, at 4 months or at 12 months.
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| 8. |
- Larsson, Sara Marie, et al.
(författare)
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When age really matters : ferritin reference intervals during infancy revisited
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0036-5513 .- 1502-7686. ; 79:8, s. 590-594
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Infants are at risk for iron deficiency. Despite research advances, assessing iron stores during infancy remains a challenge to the clinician. Ferritin is the first-choice laboratory marker for measuring iron stores but it is today still unclear how to evaluate reference intervals among infants. We have studied Swedish infants (n = 456), born at term after normal pregnancies. Ferritin was measured at birth (umbilical cord sample), 48-72 h, 4 months and 12 months. Lower and upper reference interval limits were constructed as the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles. By a large study population, we were able to use more stringent measures to avoid interference from the acute phase response than previous reports on ferritin reference intervals. When we used mathematical transformation we furthermore avoided potential information loss in precision and confirmed earlier reports of sex differences. At the lower reference interval limits there were small differences between sexes. For the higher limits, the differences were more pronounced in the older infant. At 0-3 d of age we observed a difference between the sexes of only 5% at the upper limits. The differences peaked at 12 months, where the boys' upper 97.5th percentile was 56% compared to girls.
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| 9. |
- Åberg, Anna-Maja, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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Carbon monoxide concentration in donated blood : relation to cigarette smoking and other sources
- 2009
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Ingår i: Transfusion. - : Wiley. - 0041-1132 .- 1537-2995. ; 49:2, s. 347-353
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Carbon monoxide (CO) is normally present in the human body due to endogenous production of CO. CO can also be inhaled by exposure to external sources such as cigarette smoke, car exhaust, and fire. The purpose of this study was to investigate CO concentrations in blood from 410 blood donors at the blood center in Umea, Sweden. To further evaluate the effects of cigarette smoking on CO concentrations, the elimination time for CO was examined in six volunteer smokers after a smoked cigarette. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood samples from whole blood donors were obtained during the blood center's routine operation. In connection with blood donations, demographic and behavioral data were collected from the donors. The CO concentration was determined using gas chromatography. RESULTS: The majority of blood donors had approximately the same CO concentration (mean, 84.5 micromol/L). In 6 percent of the samples, the concentrations were higher than 130 micromol per L. The highest CO concentration was 561 micromol per L. The main source for these high CO concentrations appeared to be cigarette smoking. In the volunteer smokers, the elimination time after a smoked cigarette varied significantly, with elimination half-lives from 4.7 to 8.4 hours. CONCLUSION: These results show that blood bank red blood cell bags may have CO concentrations above the physiologic level. The time interval between cigarette smoking and blood donation seems to be a particularly important factor for elevated CO concentrations.
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| 10. |
- Åberg, Anna-Maja, et al.
(författare)
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Does carbon monoxide treatment alter cytokine levels after endotoxin infusion in pigs? : A randomized controlled study
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Inflammation. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1476-9255. ; 5, s. 13.-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Carbon monoxide (CO) has recently been suggested to have anti-inflammatory properties, but data seem to be contradictory and species-specific. Thus, in studies on macrophages and mice, pretreatment with CO attenuated the inflammatory response after endotoxin exposure. On the other hand, human studies showed no effect of CO on the inflammatory response. Anti-inflammatory efficacy of CO has been shown at concentrations above 10% carboxyhaemoglobin. This study was undertaken to elucidate the possible anti-inflammatory effects of CO at lower CO concentrations. METHODS: Effects of CO administration on cytokine (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1beta and IL-10) release were investigated in a porcine model in which a systemic inflammatory response syndrome was induced by endotoxin infusion. Endotoxin was infused in 20 anaesthetized and normoventilated pigs. Ten animals were targeted with inhaled CO to maintain 5% COHb, and 10 animals were controls. RESULTS: In the control group, mean pulmonary artery pressure increased from a baseline value of 17 mmHg (mean, n = 10) to 42 mmHg (mean, n = 10) following 1 hour of endotoxin infusion. Similar mean pulmonary artery pressure values were found in animals exposed to carbon monoxide. Plasma levels of all of the measured cytokines increased in response to the endotoxin infusion. The largest increase was observed in TNF-alpha, which peaked after 1.5 hours at 9398 pg/ml in the control group and at 13395 pg/ml in the carbon monoxide-exposed group. A similar peak was found for IL-10 while the IL-6 concentration was maximal after 2.5 hours. IL-1beta concentrations increased continuously during the experiment. There were no significant differences between carbon monoxide-exposed animals and controls in any of the measured cytokines. CONCLUSION: Our conclusion is that 5% COHb does not modify the cytokine response following endotoxin infusion in pigs.
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