Inge Axelsson

Extraction and purification of proteoglycans from various types of connective tissue

Abstract A new procedure for the isolation of proteoglycans has been described. Tissues are extracted with 4 M guanidinium chloride. the extracting solven is then exchanged for 7 M urea and the extract is chromatographed on a DEAE-cellulose column previously equilibrated with 7 M urea. Non-proteoglycan proteins were eluted with urea in weak salt solutions. Subsequently proteoglycans were eluted with strong salt solutions. By the procedure proteoglycans from tissues containing only small amounts of proteoglycans can be obtained virtually free from collagen in a form suitable for further fractionation.

Anaphylaxis and angioedema due to rubber allergy in children.

ABSTRACT. Delayed hypersensitivity to rubber chemicals is well known but there are an increasing number of case reports on an immediate type of hypersensitivity inducing contact urticaria and anaphylaxis in adults. We now report on three atopic children who developed angioedema, which in two of them progressed to anaphylaxis after exposure to natural rubber products. All three patients showed positive skin prick tests and one had a positive RAST test to latex from the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). It is dear that sensitized subjects are at risk of developing anaphylaxis when exposed to natural rubber products, e.g. during medical examination or surgery when rubber gloves are used.

Characterization of proteins and other macromolecules by agarose gel chromatography

Abstract A number of proteins and proteoglycans were chromatographed on a Sepharose 4B column at various ionic strengths and after application of various amounts of samples. Kav was negligibly affected by the chromatographic conditions. When Kav was plotted against Stokes′ radius, it was found that molecules with different frictional ratios followed relationships. These results are discussed in relation to the effects of molecular asymmetry. Physical parameters for Sepharose 4B and 6B gels were calculated from chromatography of two protein mixtures.

Diagnosis-prescribing surveys in 2000, 2002 and 2005 in Swedish general practice: Consultations, diagnosis, diagnostics and treatment choices

The aim of this study is to present diagnostic patterns, diagnostics used and antibiotic treatment in relation to guidelines in 3 repeated diagnosis-prescription studies conducted simultaneously in general practice in 5 Swedish counties, during 1 week in November 2000, 2002 and 2005. General practitioners (GPs) at the participating health centres were asked to complete a form for all patients with symptoms of an infectious disease. During the studied periods a total of 15,371 consultations was registered. Consultations with GPs diagnosed as respiratory tract infection (RTI), especially consultations for sore throat, decreased considerably between y 2000 and 2005. The percentage of patients allocated an RTI diagnosis and prescribed an antibiotic declined significantly from 54% to 49% and the decline was most pronounced among children. Penicillin V remained the dominant antibiotic prescribed throughout the study periods. For lower urinary tract infections there was a significant change in choice of prescribed antibiotics with an increase for pivmecillinam and nitrofurantoin and a decrease for trimethoprim, in accordance with recommendations. The results indicate a quite close adherence to current guidelines, with changes in the pattern of consultations as well as in the management of infectious diseases in general practice in Sweden.

Nebulization of drugs in a nasal CPAP system.

Aerosolized drugs have been used in infants for the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (β‐agonists, steroids and surfactant) and bronchiolitis due to respiratory syncytial virus (epinephrine and ribavirin). Controlled clinical trials have, however, produced conflicting results, probably due in part to problems with the transportation of the aerosol from the nebulizer to the bronchioli. We have modified a nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) system permitting an aerosol to flow through a canal to the nasal prongs and into the airways of the infant. It has been used successfully for the administration of epinephrine, salbutamol, budesonide, acetylcysteine, natural surfactant and ribavirin to sick infants. The modified nasal CPAP system is a simple, safe, cost‐efficient and baby‐friendly system for respiratory support and drug treatment, which can be used in future trials of aerosolized drugs.

Dose Response of Inhaled Corticosteroids in Children With Persistent Asthma: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE: To assess the dose-response relationship (benefits and harms) of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) in children with persistent asthma. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared ≥2 doses of ICSs in children aged 3 to 18 years with persistent asthma. Medline was searched for articles published between 1950 and August 2009. Main outcomes of our analyses included morning and evening peak expiratory flow, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, asthma symptom score, β2-agonist use, withdrawal because of lack of efficacy, and adverse events. Meta-analyses were performed to compare moderate (300–400 μg/day) with low (≤200 μg/day beclomethasone-equivalent) doses of ICSs. RESULTS: Fourteen RCTs (5768 asthmatic children) that evaluated 5 ICSs were included. The pooled standardized mean difference from 6 trials revealed a small but statistically significant increase of moderate over low doses in improving forced expiratory volume in 1 second (standardized mean difference: 0.11 [95% confidence interval: 0.01–0.21]) among children with mild-to-moderate asthma. There was no significant difference between 2 doses in terms of other efficacy outcomes. Local adverse events were uncommon, and there was no evidence of dose-response relationship at low-to-moderate doses. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with low doses, moderate doses of ICSs may not provide clinically relevant therapeutic advantage in children with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma. Additional RCTs are needed to clarify the dose-response relationship of ICSs in persistent childhood asthma.

The inhibition by retinoic acid of the biosynthesis of proteoglycans in corneal cell cultures.

The inhibition by retinoic acid (vitamin A acid) of the proteoglycan biosynthesis in human and rabbit corneal fibroblast cultures has been studied. A stepwise increase in the concentration of retinoic acid in the medium from 10 −9 to 10 −6 m leads to a gradual decrease in the incorporation of [ 3 H]glucosamine. At a concentration of 10 −7 m retinoic acid the synthesis of each of the individual glycosaminoglycans was inhibited to about the same extent. In rabbit corneal organ cultures no clearcut effect of short time (2 hr) incubation with 10 −7 m -retinoic acid was observed.

Risk factors for pulmonary arterial hypertension in children and young adults

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been linked to preterm birth explained by congenital heart defects and pulmonary diseases.

Some neonatal risk factors for adult pulmonary arterial hypertension remain unknown

Pulmonary hypertension has been linked to premature birth, chronic lung disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and congenital heart disease. This national population‐based registry study assessed the risk of adult pulmonary hypertension following premature birth, adjusted for known risk factors.

Serious complications in male infant circumcisions in Scandinavia indicate that this always be performed as a hospital-based procedure.

More than 7000 male circumcisions are performed in Scandinavia every year. Circumcision is regulated in different ways in Sweden and Denmark and Norway. This study reviewed and described factors associated with complications of circumcision in infant boys in Scandinavia over the last two decades and discussed how these complications could be avoided.