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Tag: University of Gothenburg

  • IBD patients at risk of serious infection, even when disease is mild

    IBD patients at risk of serious infection, even when disease is mild

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    Newswise — Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an independent risk factor for serious infection, even at very low levels of gastrointestinal inflammation. This has been shown by a study at the University of Gothenburg.

    IBD is an umbrella term for chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, with a population prevalence of around 0.5%. The main types of IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Unlike irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), IBD results in visible damage to the intestinal mucous membrane.

    IBD is characterized by intermittent symptoms. Periods of high disease activity are sometimes followed by longer periods of low or no activity. However, the extent to which IBD patients with low disease activity are also at increased risk of serious infections, including sepsis, has been unclear.

    The current study, published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, included data on 55,626 individuals diagnosed with IBD. ‘Serious infections’ referred to infections requiring hospitalization.

    The difference between healed and unhealed

    The results show that during periods of low disease activity but active gastrointestinal inflammation, known as microscopic inflammation, there was an increased risk of being affected by serious infections compared to periods of microscopically healed intestinal mucosa.

    In the case of microscopic inflammation, the number of serious infections was 4.62 per 100 people per year. The corresponding figure for microscopically healed mucosa was 2.53. This corresponded to a 59% relative risk increase for residual microscopic gastrointestinal inflammation, on adjusting the results for various confounders.

    Interestingly, the results held true even after adjusting for the prescribed IBD medications, and were otherwise similar regardless of age group, sex, and level of education.

    The study’s first-named and corresponding author is Karl Mårild, an associate professor in pediatrics at the University of Gothenburg’s Sahlgrenska Academy and a consultant at the Gastrointestinal and Liver Clinic at Queen Silvia’s Children’s Hospital in Gothenburg.

    Healing provides important protection

    “We have shown that even during periods of microscopic intestinal inflammation, IBD patients have an increased risk of serious infections, including sepsis, compared to periods when they have a microscopically healed mucosa,” he explains. “This is also true for patients who appear to have low-active disease in clinical terms, but who have microscopic intestinal inflammation beneath the surface.

    “The results indicate that achieving a fully healed intestinal mucosa in IBD may reduce the risk of serious infections. This is important, as serious infections currently contribute toward increased morbidity and mortality in both children and adults with IBD.”

    The results from the study are based on data from a national cohort (ESPRESSO) with information from Swedish health registers, and from the quality register for IBD (SWIBREG) on people in Sweden diagnosed with IBD between 1990 and 2016. This information was linked to data from microscopic intestinal examinations of patients with IBD.

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    University of Gothenburg

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  • Exercise guards against brain hemorrhage

    Exercise guards against brain hemorrhage

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    Newswise — A recent study conducted by the University of Gothenburg has found that regular physical activity and exercise can potentially reduce bleeding in individuals with intracerebral hemorrhage. This type of brain bleeding can have severe consequences, and the researchers highlight the significance of physical activity in safeguarding the brain. Engaging in regular physical activity is believed to have a protective effect, and it is an important factor in maintaining brain health and preventing complications associated with intracerebral hemorrhage. The study highlights the potential benefits of incorporating physical activity into the management and prevention strategies for this condition.

    The study, published in the journal Stroke and Vascular Neurology, analyzed data on 686 people treated for intracerebral hemorrhage at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg during the years 2014 to 2019.

    The results of the study, which was conducted retrospectively, indicate a clear association between regular physical activity and smaller hemorrhages in individuals with intracerebral hemorrhage. However, it is important to note that the study design does not allow for the establishment of causal connections. While the findings demonstrate that those who reported engaging in regular physical activity had smaller hemorrhages compared to inactive individuals, further research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and establish a cause-and-effect relationship. Nonetheless, the study provides valuable insights into the potential benefits of regular physical activity in reducing the severity of hemorrhages in individuals with intracerebral hemorrhage.

    Physically active was defined as engaging in at least light physical activity, such as walking, cycling, swimming, gardening, or dancing, for at least four hours weekly.

    50 percent less bleeding volume

    The main author of the study is Adam Viktorisson, who is a PhD student in clinical neuroscience at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. He is also a doctor in general practice at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. Adam Viktorisson’s expertise in both clinical neuroscience and general practice likely provided valuable insights for the study, contributing to its design, analysis, and interpretation of results. His dual role as a researcher and a practicing physician allows for a comprehensive understanding of the clinical implications of the study’s findings.

    According to the findings of the study led by Adam Viktorisson, individuals who participate in regular physical activity exhibited, on average, hemorrhage volumes that were 50 percent smaller upon their arrival at the hospital. This discovery is particularly noteworthy because although similar associations have been observed in animal studies, this is the first study to demonstrate this relationship in humans. The results suggest that engaging in regular physical activity may have a positive impact on reducing the size of hemorrhages in individuals with intracerebral hemorrhage.

    When individuals arrive at the hospital with suspected intracerebral hemorrhage, they typically undergo a computerized tomography (CT) scan of the brain to confirm the diagnosis. The severity of the hemorrhage determines the course of treatment, and in some cases, neurosurgery may be necessary. However, for the majority of patients, non-surgical approaches and medications are employed to manage symptoms and support the recovery process. These non-surgical methods can include closely monitoring the patient, administering medications to control blood pressure and prevent further bleeding, and providing supportive care to address any associated symptoms or complications. The treatment approach is tailored to each individual’s specific condition and needs.

    Intracerebral hemorrhage is the most dangerous type of stroke and can lead to life-threatening conditions. The risk of severe consequences from the hemorrhage increases with the extent of the bleeding.

    According to Thomas Skoglund, an associate professor of neurosurgery at the University of Gothenburg and a neurosurgeon at the University Hospital, major intracerebral hemorrhages can pose a risk of increased intracranial pressure. This elevated pressure within the skull can potentially have severe consequences and even lead to fatal outcomes. Managing and reducing the increased intracranial pressure is crucial in the treatment of such cases. It highlights the critical importance of prompt medical intervention and appropriate neurosurgical interventions to mitigate the risks associated with major intracerebral hemorrhages. Thomas Skoglund’s expertise in neurosurgery brings valuable insights to the study and underscores the significance of effective management strategies for these critical situations.

    Better understanding of intracerebral hemorrhages

    The study’s findings showed that the beneficial effects of regular physical activity on reducing bleeding were observed regardless of the location within the cerebrum (the main part of the brain). This means that physically active individuals had smaller hemorrhages not only in the deep regions of the brain, which are commonly associated with high blood pressure, but also in the surface regions that are linked to age-related conditions like dementia. These results suggest that regular physical activity may have a broad protective effect on reducing bleeding throughout different areas of the brain, regardless of the specific underlying mechanisms involved.

    The study conducted by Katharina Stibrant Sunnerhagen, a professor of rehabilitation medicine at the University of Gothenburg and senior consultant physician at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, provides a foundation for further research in the field of intracerebral hemorrhages and physical activity. As the overseer of the study, Professor Sunnerhagen’s expertise in rehabilitation medicine brings valuable insights into understanding the potential benefits of physical activity in managing and preventing intracerebral hemorrhages. The findings of this study open up avenues for future investigations to delve deeper into the relationship between physical activity and brain health, ultimately contributing to the development of effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of intracerebral hemorrhages.

    “We hope that our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of intracerebral hemorrhages and aid in the development of more effective preventive measures” she concludes.

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  • Poststroke Recovery Hinges on Physical Activity, Study Finds

    Poststroke Recovery Hinges on Physical Activity, Study Finds

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    Newswise — After a stroke, physical activity can be pivotal to successful recovery. People who spend four hours a week exercising after their stroke achieve better functional recovery within six months than those who do not, a University of Gothenburg study shows.

    The study, now published in the scientific journal JAMA Network Open, is based on data concerning 1,500 stroke patients in 35 Swedish hospitals. The participants were grouped according to their poststroke patterns of physical activity.

    The results show that increased or maintained physical activity, with four hours’ exercise weekly, doubled the patients’ chances of recovering well by six months after a stroke. Men and people with normal cognition kept up an active life relatively more often, with better recovery as a result.

    Positive programming from exercise

    The researchers have previously succeeded in demonstrating a clear inverse association between physical activity and the severity of stroke symptoms at the actual onset of the condition. These new findings highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle after a stroke.

    The first and corresponding author of the study, Dongni Buvarp, is a researcher in clinical neuroscience at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. Besides her research internship, she is a resident doctor at an initial stage of specialist training at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.

    “Physical activity reprograms both the brain and the body favorably after a stroke. Exercise improves the body’s recovery at the cellular level, boosts muscle strength and well-being, and reduces the risk of falls, depression, and cardiovascular disease. Regardless of how severe the stroke has been, those affected can derive benefits from exercising more,” she says.

    Knowledge and support vital

    “Being physically active is hugely important, especially after a stroke. That’s a message that health professionals, stroke victims and their loved ones should all know. Women and people with impaired cognition seem to become less active after stroke. The study results indicate that these groups need more support to get going with physical activity,” Buvarp says.

    One weakness of the study is that, with a few exceptions, the researchers were unable to study the participants’ degree of activity before the stroke. The patients included were treated in Sweden in the period from 2014 to 2019.

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  • High levels of methane in the Nord Stream leak area

    High levels of methane in the Nord Stream leak area

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    Newswise — The scientific expedition to the Nord Stream leak from the University of Gothenburg has arrived back home. The researchers discovered that the methane levels near the leak were about 1,000 times higher than normal, but it’s too early to draw any conclusions from that discovery. The researchers have brought back heaps of samples to analyse.

    After five days at sea, the research vessel Skagerak is back home in Gothenburg. The hastily organised expedition to the Nord Stream leaks in the Baltic Sea is over, and the researchers are content with their efforts.

    “Everything has gone incredibly well, considering the short preparation time. In less than 48 hours, we got the researchers and equipment we wanted onboard,” says Katarina Abrahamsson, marine chemist at the University of Gothenburg, and coordinator for the expedition.

    German scientists assisted

    The methane gas leak was discovered on 26 September, and since then methane gas has continued to leak into the water. It was essential for the researchers to get to the area quickly to measure the effects of this large discharge, and to collect important data, says Abrahamsson. During a period of 54 hours, the expedition took 100–200 water samples.

    “In order to map the spread of the methane in the water, we had 20 different measurement locations at intervals of approximately 9–18 kilometres. At our assistance, we had researchers and equipment from the Alfred Wegener Institute in Germany. They have the knowledge to separate the pipeline methane from what occurs naturally, says Katarina Abrahamsson.

    What did you see?

    “In the water samples, we could see that the methane levels were up to 1,000 times higher than normal. Also, the distribution pattern of the methane from the leak was complicated and difficult to explain. A reason for this could be that we couldn’t measure the entire discharge, because the vessel was only permitted to go in Swedish waters. We simply didn’t have time to seek permission from Denmark,” says Katarina Abrahamsson.  

    Methane gas is dissolved in water, but when it reaches the surface, it transforms back to gas form and is emitted into the atmosphere. For how long the elevated levels of methane remain in the Baltic Sea depends on the currents, and when the leakage stops.

    Unclear effect on marine life

    It’s unclear what kind of effect these high methane levels could have on marine life. For example, there are bacteria in the water that can oxidize methane gas to grow and multiply.

    “I have filtered water samples during the expedition to see if there’s now been a growth of these types of bacteria when there are elevated methane levels in the water,” says Carina Bunse, marine biologist at the University of Gothenburg.

    Could it affect biological life in the Baltic Sea?

    “It’s autumn now, and soon it will be low season for phytoplankton and zooplankton. It could affect the food web locally if these methane-eating bacteria grow at the expense of other plankton species. But we can’t foresee the results. Before we can draw any conclusions, we have to make DNA analyses of the content in the water samples,” says Carina Bunse.

    Now, Skagerak is back in Gothenburg, and the researchers have a gigantic workload before them. Before anything could be said with certainty concerning the impact from the Nord Stream emissions on marine life in the long run, the water samples and measurements must be analysed and discussed. But the researchers are already making plans for new expeditions to the waters east of Bornholm.  

    “We now need to get an overview of our results, and then summarise them in an initial scientific paper. With a little luck, that could be published before the end of the year, says Katarina Abrahamsson.

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