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- Bay, Bjorn, et al.
(author)
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Response of human oral mucosa and skin to histamine provocation : laser Doppler perfusion imaging discloses differences in the nociceptive nervous system
- 2009
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In: Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. - London : Taylor & Francis. - 0001-6357 .- 1502-3850. ; 67:2, s. 99-105
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. To investigate the existence of histamine-excitable nerve fibers in the oral mucosa and to compare the response to histamine provocation in healthy volunteers with that in a small group of patients with chronic oral pain. Material and methods. Thirteen healthy volunteers and six patients suffering from chronic oral pain took part in the study. Blood perfusion was monitored in the hard palate, the tongue, and the skin of the cheek using laser Doppler perfusion imaging (Perimed; Sweden). Baseline scannings were performed, followed by 15 scannings after iontophoresis of histamine (1%). A free description of the sensations was then obtained from the participants after finishing the measurements. Results. Compared to pre-histamine scanning, histamine application resulted in a considerable increase in blood perfusion in all regions (p0.001) that was significantly higher in skin than in oral mucosa (p0.001). There were no significant differences between the healthy volunteers and the patients regarding baseline blood flow, increased blood perfusion, or flare size after histamine provocation. The sensory impression was reported to be more persistent and intense in the skin than in the oral mucosa. No effect on mucosa could be detected by visual inspection. Conclusions. Intra-oral flare could be induced by activating histamine-excitable nerve fibers. Both duration and intensity of the flare were considerably less pronounced than in the control skin site. Histamine application was not clearly associated with itch.
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| 4. |
- Blomgren, Bo, et al.
(author)
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A computerised, unbiased method for epithelial measurement
- 2004
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In: Micron. - Amsterdam : Elsevier. - 0968-4328 .- 1878-4291. ; 35, s. 319-329
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ObjectiveTo develop and evaluate a standardised method for unbiased measurements of epithelial thickness taking the variability of the dermal papillae in consideration.MethodsA computer-assisted measurement program suitable for haematoxylin and eosin routine stained specimens has been developed.ResultsThe developed program was designed to measure four different distance parameters, taking the number, height and width of dermal papillae into account. The measurement program gave very accurate results compared with manual measurements. The measurement results can be presented as tables or star graphs, and the results can be further processed by multivariate analysis.ConclusionThe computer-assisted measurement program is considered to be a valuable and reliable tool for measurements of epithelial thickness, irrespectively of the variability of the epithelial morphology. Since length, size and number of the papillae may change with certain pathological conditions, age and also under hormonal influence, this method can be a helpful diagnostic tool.
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| 6. |
- Blomgren, Bo, 1960-
(author)
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Morphometrical Methodology in Quantification of Biological Tissue Components
- 2004
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Objective:To develop and validate computer-assisted morphometrical methods, based on stereological theory, in order to facilitate the analysis and quantitative measurements of biological tissue components.Material and methods:Biopsy specimens from the vaginal wall or from the vestibulum vaginae of healthy women, or from women suffering from incontinence or vestibulitis were used.A number of histochemical methods for light microscopy were used, and modified for the different morphometrical analyses. Electron microscopy was used to reveal collagen fibre diameter.Computer-assisted morphometry, based on image analysis and stereology, was employed to analyse the different tissue components in the biopsies. Computer programs for these purposes were developed and validated.Results:The results show that computer-assisted morphometry is of great value for quantitative measurements of the following tissue components:Epithelium: The epithelial structure, instead of just thickness, was measured in an unbiased way.Collagen: The collagen fibril diameter was determined in electron microscopic specimens, and the collagen content was analysed in light microscopic specimens.Elastic fibres: The amount of elastic fibres in the connective tissue was measured after visualisation by autofluorescence.Vasculature: A stereological method using a cycloid grid was implemented in a computer program. Healthy subjects were compared with patients suffering from vestibulitis. The results were identical in the two groups.Smooth muscle: A stereological method using a point grid was implemented in a computer program. Using the Delesse principle, the fibres were calculated as area fractions. The area fractions were highly variable among the different specimens.Conclusion:Morphometry, used correctly, is an important analysis method in histopathological research. It is important that the methods are as simple and user-friendly as possible. The present studies show that this methodology can be applied for most quantitative histological analyses.
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| 8. |
- Bohm-Starke, Nina, et al.
(author)
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Decreased mechanical pain threshold in the vestibular mucosa of women using oral contraceptives : a contributing factor in vulvar vestibulitis?
- 2004
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In: Journal of reproductive medicine. - Chicago : The Journal. - 0024-7758 .- 1943-3565. ; 49:11, s. 888-892
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective:To analyze possible differences in somatosensory perception in the vestibular mucosa in healthy women associated with the use of oral contraceptives.Study design:Quantitative sensory tests were performed on the vestibular mucosa in 39 healthy women. Twenty women were using oral contraceptives containing 30-40 µg ethinyl estradiol combined with various progestins; 19 women with regular menstrual periods not using oral contraceptives served as controls. The testing included mechanical and heat pain thresholds and detection thresholds of warmth and cold in the anterior and posterior part of the vestibule.Results:Significant lower mechanical pain thresholds were observed in both areas tested in women using oral contraceptives. The most sensitive area was the posterior vestibule in the group using oral contraceptives with a mechanical pain threshold of 72±10 (±SEM) mN as compared to 161±3 mN (p<0.01), in the controls. The result of the thermotest showed no significant differences between the groups.Conclusion:Oral contraceptives may induce increased sensitivity in the vestibular mucosa in healthy women and might be one contributing factor in the development of vulvar vestibulitis.
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| 10. |
- Brorsson, Sofia, 1973-, et al.
(author)
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A new force measurement device for evaluating finger extension function in the healthy and rheumatoid arthritis hand
- 2008
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In: Technology and Health Care. - Amsterdam : IOS Press. - 0928-7329 .- 1878-7401. ; 16:4, s. 283-292
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Although often neglected, finger extension force is of great importance for developing grip strength. This paper describes the design and evaluation of a new finger extension force measurement device (EX-it) based on the biomechanics of the hand. Measurement accuracy and test-retest reliability were analysed. The device allows measurements on single fingers as well as all the fingers (excluding the thumb) of both healthy and deformed hands. The coefficient of variation in the device was 1.8% of the applied load, and the test-retest reliability showed a coefficient of variation no more than 7.1% for healthy subjects. This study also provides reference values for finger extension force in healthy subjects and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Significant differences were found in extension strength between healthy subject and RA patients (men, p < 0.05 and women, p < 0.001). EX-it provides objective and reliable data on the extension force capacity of normal and dysfunctional hands and can be used to evaluate the outcome of therapeutic interventions after hand trauma or disease
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