Showing papers in "Scandinavian Journal of Clinical & Laboratory Investigation in 1990"
TL;DR: The sex hormone pattern found in connection with a Western-type diet is prevailing in the breast cancer patients, but is only partly a result of the diet.
Abstract: Breast cancer, prostate cancer, coronary heart disease and colon cancer belong to the so-called Western diseases and a general opinion is that diet is a significant or even the main factor increasing incidence and mortality of these diseases in the Western world. This review describes studies carried out in this department for about 10 years, many in collaboration with scientists abroad, and with the aim to clarify some of the connections between the diet and sex hormone, lipid and bile acid metabolism. A Western-type diet elevates plasma levels of sex hormones and decreases the sex hormone binding globulin concentration, increasing the bioavailability of these steroids. The same diet results in low formation of mammalian lignans and isoflavonic phytoestrogens. These diphenolic compounds seem to affect hormone metabolism and production and cancer cell growth by many different mechanisms making them candidates for a role as cancer protective substances. The precursors of these diphenols are to be found in ...
747 citations
296 citations
TL;DR: Among the apolipoprotein measurements, Apo B appears to be the most promising in terms of meeting requirements to elevate it from risk factor to causative agent, and will be a number of years before any of these could be designated in the same class as LDL-cholesterol.
Abstract: Coronary atherosclerotic disease remains the major cause of mortality and morbidity in western societies. Despite significant reductions in the incidence of death associated with the disorder over the last 30 years, especially in the United States, there is an urgent need to identify more clearly the underlying causative agents so that primary and secondary prevention programs can be implemented. A number of lipid parameters such as total and LDL-cholesterol have withstood long-term evaluation, and have met all the criteria necessary to designate them as playing a causative role in coronary atherosclerosis. These two parameters, especially LDL-cholesterol, is now the focus of a number of public health initiatives in various countries. The role of HDL-cholesterol is still not yet certain, while that of triglycerides is still clouded. A host of newer lipid associated (apolipoprotein) parameters are currently under investigation and it will be a number of years before any of these could be designated in the ...
215 citations
TL;DR: A decrease in Hb was found after start of treatment with enalapril in patients with progressive chronic renal failure, possibly caused by a suppression of EPO production.
Abstract: It has been suggested that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors halt the progression of chronic renal failure. During the first months of a controlled trial of this hypothesis a fall in haemoglobin (Hb) was observed in patients treated with the ACE inhibitor enalapril. It was investigated whether this was related to changes in serum erythropoietin (EPO). Data were analysed in 59 consecutive patients during an observation period of 90 days. In enalapril-treated patients (n = 27) Hb fell gradually from a median value of 7.6 to 6.7 mmol/l at 90 days of treatment. In the control group of patients on conventional antihypertensive treatment (n = 32) median Hb was unchanged (7.6 mmol/l) throughout the observation period (p less than 0.001 enalapril vs control). In the enalapril-treated group median EPO concentration fell from 32 to 24 U/l at 90 days of treatment, whereas in conventionally treated patients median EPO was 34 U/l and 35 U/l, respectively (p less than 0.05 enalapril vs control). Neither glomerular filtration rate nor arterial blood pressure differed significantly in the two groups. Furthermore, there were no signs of bone marrow suppression, increased haemolysis or change in plasma volume. In conclusion, a decrease in Hb was found after start of treatment with enalapril in patients with progressive chronic renal failure, possibly caused by a suppression of EPO production.
109 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The increasing availability and use of immunoassays in clinical chemistry have revealed a number of endogenous interferences, including interfering factors of unknown nature causing nonspecific binding of enzyme-labelled antibodies and methods for their elimination discussed.
Abstract: The increasing availability and use of immunoassays in clinical chemistry have revealed a number of endogenous interferences. Solid-phase sandwich immunoassays based on monoclonal antibodies are particularly sensitive to any factor able to bridge immunoglobulins together. Heterophilic immunoglobulin antibodies have been demonstrated in up to 40% of patient samples and to cause spuriously elevated results unless certain precautions are taken. Rheumatoid factors belong to the same category, but their affinity is usually too low to cause significant interference. Immunoscintigraphy generates high-titre anti-immunoglobulin responses causing serious interferences in immunoassays. Recently interfering factors of unknown nature causing nonspecific binding of enzyme-labelled antibodies have been observed. Spuriously decreased values can be caused by complement, which may interfere with antigen-binding to solid phase antibody. The aforementioned and other endogenous interferences in immunoassays are reviewed and methods for their elimination discussed.
107 citations
TL;DR: The program is primarily intended for routine laboratories with a blood gas analyzer combined with a multi-wavelength spectrometer and may also be used as a teaching aid in acid-base and respiratory physiology.
Abstract: Input parameters for the program are the arterial pH, pCO2, and pO2 (measured by a blood gas analyzer), oxygen saturation, carboxy-, met-, and total hemoglobin (measured by a multi-wavelength spect...
95 citations
TL;DR: The effect on gastric emptying rate (GER) of elevated plasma glucose was investigated in eight healthy non-diabetics and the percentage delay of GER of solids following glucose infusion was related to the increase in plasma glucose.
Abstract: The effect on gastric emptying rate (GER) of elevated plasma glucose was investigated in eight healthy non-diabetics. They received intravenous infusions of 1000 ml 10% glucose (555 mmol, 1720 kJ) in 2 h: one-half before and the rest during the measure of GER. A control group was established with infusion of hypertonic sodium chloride and in a third group the GER was measured twice without infusion. GER was measured after 6 h of fasting, and following ingestion of a 100 g omelette (1400 kJ) tagged with 40 MBq 99mTc-sulphur colloid and 150 ml water with 8 MBq 111In-DPTA. Anterior and posterior recordings were made on gamma camera every 10th min during 1 h. Time-activity curves from the gastric area were generated for solid and liquid phases, respectively, using geometric means. The GER of solids was delayed, at least partly, by prolongation of the lag phase, and the GER of liquids was delayed following the intravenous infusion of glucose. The GER of solids was delayed following hypertonic saline infusion b...
94 citations
TL;DR: Sputum activity in sputum is positively correlated with the degree of inflammation and neutrophil recruitment, and theoretical considerations suggest that factors other than the gross level of inhibitors must be involved in the control of cathepsin B activity.
Abstract: Sputum samples from 25 patients with bronchiectasis were assayed enzymatically for myeloperoxidase, neutrophil elastase and cathepsin B, and immunologically for cystatin A, cystatin B, cystatin C, cystatin S and kininogen. High myeloperoxidase and neutrophil elastase levels were found in those sputum samples that were assessed visually to be purulent. These samples were also found to contain high levels of cathepsin B activity and cystatin A, but low levels of cystatin S and of the most effective cathepsin B inhibitor, cystatin C. In contrast, sputum samples that were low in myeloperoxidase and neutrophil elastase activities had low levels of cathepsin B and cystatin A, but high cystatin C and S levels. It is concluded that cathepsin B activity in sputum is positively correlated with the degree of inflammation and neutrophil recruitment. Although this may be due in part to reduced amounts of cathepsin B inhibitors, particularly cystatin C, theoretical considerations suggest that factors other than the gross level of inhibitors must be involved in the control of cathepsin B activity.
83 citations
TL;DR: The synthesis of 2H3-labelled lathosterol is described and this compound was used together with 2H7-lab labelled cholesterol for simultaneous assay of unesterified lATHosterol and cholesterol in serum by isotope dilution-mass spectrometry.
Abstract: The synthesis of 2H3-labelled lathosterol is described. This compound was used together with 2H7-labelled cholesterol for simultaneous assay of unesterified lathosterol and cholesterol in serum by isotope dilution-mass spectrometry. After addition of a fixed amount of the two internal standards to a fixed amount of serum (in general 25 μl), the steroids were extracted with chloroform and subjected to Lipidex 5000 chromatography. The fraction containing cholesterol and lathosterol was converted into trimethylsilyl ether and subjected to mass spectrometric analysis with selected monitoring of the ions at m/z 458 (molecular ion of the trimethylsilyl ether derivative of unlabelled cholesterol and lathosterol), m/z 461 (molecular ion of derivative of 2Hrlabelled lathosterol) and m/z 465 (molecular ion of derivative of 2H7-Iabelled cholesterol).Individual standard curves were used for assay of each steroid. Under the conditions employed, the coefficient of variation of the two assays was less than 6%. In differ...
71 citations
TL;DR: A sensitive method for the measurement of the ATP production rate in isolated skeletal muscle mitochondria is presented, utilizing a reagent based upon firefly luciferase, which emits light proportional to the ATP concentration.
Abstract: A sensitive method for the measurement of the ATP production rate in isolated skeletal muscle mitochondria is presented. Mitochondrial suspensions were prepared by differential centrifugation from approximately 80 mg of soleus muscle. ATP production rates were measured luminometrically, utilizing a reagent based upon firefly luciferase, which emits light proportional to the ATP concentration. In a group of 10 rats the ATP production rates were measured with the following substrate combinations: pyruvate + malate, palmitoyl-L-carnitine + malate, alpha-ketoglutarate, succinate + rotenone and succinate alone. The variance of the method including tissue preparation, protein determination and the luminometric determination of ATP production was estimated to be 10-14% for the various substrates. Compared to values in the literature, the present results show a good agreement for the substrates pyruvate + malate and palmitoyl-L-carnitine + malate, but lower rates were obtained in our study for alpha-ketoglutarate and succinate + rotenone. The advantage of the luminometric method is its high sensitivity. Only 30-40 mg of tissue is required for a complete determination, compared to 1-2 g for a similar assay of oxygen consumption. The method is intended for use in human subjects and will facilitate studies of mitochondrial respiration both in patients of different age groups and in healthy subjects.
68 citations
TL;DR: Hospital patients (n = 17) received 0.216 mmol/min kg body weight of ethanol as an intravenous infusion over 60 min during and after administration and the mean plasma:whole blood ratio of ethanol nor the water content of the specimens depended on sampling time after ethanol administration.
Abstract: Hospital patients (n = 17) received 0.216 mmol/min kg body weight of ethanol as an intravenous infusion over 60 min. At fixed time intervals during and after administration, two consecutive samples of whole blood (5 ml each) were taken from a cubital vein. The plasma fraction was obtained by centrifugation of one of the tubes. The concentrations of ethanol in whole blood and plasma were determined by headspace gas chromatography and the water contents of the specimens by desiccation. The mean plasma:whole blood ratio of ethanol was 1.10:1, range 1.03:1 to 1.24:1 (n = 159). The components of variance (SD) within subjects and between subjects were 0.0293 (CV 2.7%) and 0.0165 (CV 1.5%) respectively. The 95% confidence interval ranged from 1.03:1 to 1.16:1 for a single new determination in a subject from the same population. The average water content in plasma and whole blood were 91.8% w/w (SD 0.49) and 80.1% w/w (SD 1.03) respectively. Neither the mean plasma. blood ratio of ethanol nor the water content of...
TL;DR: The increasing availability and use of immunoassays in clinical chemistry have revealed a number of endogeneous interferences, including interfering factors of unknown nature causing nonspecific binding of enzyme-labelled antibodies have been observed.
Abstract: The increasing availability and use of immunoassays in clinical chemistry have revealed a number of endogeneous interferences. Solid-phase sandwich immunoassays based on monoclonal antibodies are particularly sensitive to any factor able to bridge immunoglobulins together. Heterophilic immunoglobulin antibodies have been demonstrated in up to 40% of patient samples and to cause spuriously elevated results unless certain precautions are taken. Rheumatoid factors belong to the same category, but their affinity is usually too low to cause significant interference. Immunoscintigraphy generates high-litre anti-immunoglobulin responses causing serious interferences in immunoassays. Recently interfering factors of unknown nature causing nonspecific binding of enzyme-labelled antibodies have been observed. Spuriously decreased values can be caused by complement, which may interfere with antigen-binding to solid phase antibody. The aforementioned and other endogeneous interferences in immunoassays are reviewed and...
TL;DR: It is indicated that ageing is not associated with a significant depletion of 25(OH)D, 24,25(OH]2D or 1,25 (OH)2D in normal men and women up to the age of 75 years and changes in vitamin D metabolism seem not to be an important factor in early postmenopausal bone loss.
Abstract: We investigated the influence of menopause, age and sex on vitamin D metabolism in a large group of healthy women (n = 113) and men (n = 108) and in a group of early postmenopausal women (n = 124). Furthermore, we studied the vitamin D metabolism in 42 women with endometriosis. The vitamin D metabolites did not show dependence on age or on duration of menopause. The serum concentrations of vitamin D metabolites did not differ in normal men and women. There were highly significant seasonal oscillations for 25(OH)D and 24,25(OH)2D3 but not for 1,25(OH)2D. Women with endometriosis had significantly elevated serum 1,25(OH)2D compared to the normal women. Our study indicates that ageing is not associated with a significant depletion of 25(OH)D, 24,25(OH)2D or 1,25(OH)2D in normal men and women up to the age of 75 years. Furthermore, changes in vitamin D metabolism seem not to be an important factor in early postmenopausal bone loss. Our results on patients with endometriosis indicate that these patients may have some calcium-metabolic disturbances.
TL;DR: Plasma levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-LI) to be significantly higher in females than in males and that women on contraceptive pills had significantly higher CGRp-LI levels than women not taking contraceptives are found.
Abstract: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is one of the peptides encoded for by the calcitonin gene. It has been demonstrated in man to be located in the thyroid and in perivascular nerves and to possess potent vasodilatory properties. In the present study we found plasma levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-LI) to be significantly higher in females than in males and that women on contraceptive pills had significantly higher CGRP-LI levels than women not taking contraceptives. These data are in accordance with one earlier report on an increased CGRP level during pregnancy and suggest a positive influence of the female sex hormones on the plasma CGRP level in man, which should be considered in the establishment of a reference range for this analysis.
TL;DR: Individual variations in serum lipid concentrations resulting from laboratory error are often much less than those due to other factors, so the coefficient of variation for biological fluctuations in cholesterol is 5-10% and for triglyceride concentration 5-25%.
Abstract: Individual variations in serum lipid concentrations resulting from laboratory error are often much less than those due to other factors. Thus the coefficient of variation for biological fluctuations in cholesterol is 5-10% and for triglyceride concentration 5-25%. Many of the causes of changing lipid levels are known. Sampling conditions (venous stasis, body position) contribute as does the handling of the blood sample before it reaches the laboratory, for example whether an anticoagulant is used and haemolysis, clearly meals have a major effect on serum triglycerides, but even when fasting there is probably also diurnal variation. Fluctuations in serum lipids occur during the menstrual cycle, cholesterol and triglycerides tending to be highest at midcycle and to decline towards menstruation. Pregnancy produces major increases in both cholesterol and triglyceride levels. There is a well established seasonal variation in cholesterol concentrations which are greatest in autumn and lowest in late spring and early summer. This may be partly due to nutritional changes, but similar findings in laboratory animals suggest that humoral factors may also be important. Age also influences serum lipids. It is frequently not appreciated that both cholesterol and triglycerides are at their lowest in adolescence. Rapid increases in cholesterol may occur in women around the menopause. Lipid concentrations may undergo considerable change during illness. The decrease in LDL and HDL cholesterol and apo B and tendency for increases in triglycerides during acute myocardial infarction are well known but similar alterations can also occur with angina or coronary artery bypass surgery. Other surgical operations and intercurrent illnesses, perhaps even common viral infections, may also influence lipids.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
TL;DR: A decrease in regional perfusion and an increase in regional vascular resistance was found in skin, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, kidney, the gastro-intestinal tract, the thyroid and pancreas, while heart and liver showed vasodilatation.
Abstract: Regional perfusion and vascular resistance were examined in different tissues with the radioactive microsphere technique in Gottingen minipigs before, during and after treatment with Intralipid and heparin.This treatment led to an increase in the free fatty acid/albumin molar ratio from 0.39±0.23 to 3.43±1.37. Concomitantly a decrease in regional perfusion and an increase in regional vascular resistance was found in skin, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, kidney, the gastro-intestinal tract, the thyroid and pancreas, while heart and liver showed vasodilatation. The vascular effects were fully reversible when the free fatty acid/albumin molar ratio had normalized. This vascular effect of lipid emulsions has to be considered when patients are treated with parenteral nutrition.
TL;DR: Although the best reproducibility was found for cholesterol, the results obtained indicate that six tests have to be taken before and after intervention by drug or diet to detect a reduction of 10% in an individual with a probability of 0.95.
Abstract: Diurnal and monthly variability of the serum concentration of lipids, lipoproteins and apoproteins were examined in 11 healthy subjects aged 32-63 (mean 46) years For diurnal measurements, blood samples were drawn at 0800, 1200, 1500,1800, and 2100 hours The variability over 1 month was assessed from four analyses taken weekly at 0800 hours after at least 8 h fast The analytical variability expressed as mean coefficient of variation (CV) ranged from 095% for cholesterol to 76% for apoprotein B The mean CVs for diurnal biological variability were 24% for cholesterol, 35% for HDL-cholesterol, 51% for LDL-cholesterol, 295% for triglycerides, 65% for apoprotein A and 65% for apoprotein B The respective biological CVs for monthly variability were 42%, 41%, 52%, 207%, 94% and 97% A repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant increase of triglycerides (p<001) and decrease of LDL-cholesterol (p<001) during the day Within 1 month, apoprotein A tended to rise (005
TL;DR: All the variables may be determined with sufficient accuracy and precision in healthy adults, provided the oxygen saturation is less than 0.97 and the measurements are performed according to the highest state of the art.
Abstract: We measured pH, pCO2, pO2, oxygen saturation, total hemoglobin concentration, and fractions of carboxy-and methemoglobin in arterial blood samples from 35 healthy adults. We used a new algorithm to...
TL;DR: In women, osteocalcin level increased after the age of 50 years and was higher than in men, while in men it remained constant over age 60 years in both sexes, but was higher in women.
Abstract: Osteocalcin, the most abundant non-collagenous protein in the bone matrix, is partly released in blood. We have measured its concentration by a radio-immunoassay procedure in 1096 apparently healthy subjects from both sexes who came for a health screening examination. Their ages varied from 4 years to over 65 years. Venous blood was drawn in the morning from fasting subjects. Plasma osteocalcin was higher in men than in women. Its level increased significantly with age, body weight, height and bone age until age 12-13 years in girls and 14-15 years in boys. In women, osteocalcin level increased after the age of 50 years and was higher than in men. It remained constant over age 60 years in both sexes, but was higher in women. There was no effect of menstrual cycle in girls at puberty. Plasma osteocalcin did not vary with follicular and luteal phases or with the use of oral contraceptive drugs in women. The usual nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs had no effect on blood osteocalcin level. Reference limits according to age and sex are provided.
TL;DR: The "reference value philosophy", its terminology and recommended practical procedures are presented and it is warned not to use incorrect terms such as "normal reference range".
Abstract: A review describing the fallacies of the concept of normal values and the reasons for its substitution with reference values. The "reference value philosophy", its terminology and recommended practical procedures are presented and it is warned not to use incorrect terms such as "normal reference range". The concepts of health and disease are discussed from the point of view of the laboratory. Reference values are not always derived from "healthy" persons. In order to be comparable, reference values and observed (i.e. patient) values should be produced in the same way, using the same analytical procedure, quality control, etc. The influence of preanalytical factors such as food intake, posture, use of tourniquet and freezing and storing samples is great and necessitates standardisation of specimen collection. Strategies for the selection of reference individuals are presented and the reasons and methods for subdivision of the data are described. Descriptions are also given of the individual reference values and the statistical treatment of collected data including multivariate analysis. Finally, the reporting of observed values in relation to reference values is discussed. There is a trend to avoid the use of the reference interval because of the temptation to regard the values falling outside it as pathological.
TL;DR: The new generation of very accurate multi-wavelength oximeters, e.g. the ABL300 combined with the data measured with the OSM3, for in vitro measurement of the hemoglobin oxygen saturation, total hemoglobin concentration, and carboxy- and methemoglobin fractions opens new aspects of oxygen monitoring.
Abstract: The new generation of very accurate multi-wavelength oximeters, e.g. OSM3, for in vitro measurement of the hemoglobin oxygen saturation, total hemoglobin concentration, and carboxy- and methemoglobin fractions opens new aspects of oxygen monitoring. Combined with the data from the blood gas analyzer (e.g. ABL300) these very accurate measurements allow the calculation of several derived oxygen parameters on the basis of a set of newly developed calculation algorithms. The traditional parameters obtained from an arterial sample are the oxygen tension (pO2) and the hemoglobin oxygen saturation (sO2). Clinical examples illustrate that the pO2 and the sO2 even in combination may give misleading information. The new algorithm calculates three extra oxygen parameters. 1) The oxygen extraction tension, px, defined as the tension required to extract 2.3 mmol of oxygen per liter blood. It signals the mixed venous pO2 level on the assumption that the arterio-venous oxygen difference is normal (2.3 mmol/L). 2) The concentration of extractable oxygen, cx, defined as the concentration of oxygen extracted at a tension of 5.0 kPa. 3) The oxygen compensation factor, Qx, derived as (2.3 mmol/L)/cx. It may be interpreted as the increase in cardiac output necessary to maintain a normal mixed venous pO2 of 5 kPa. These three parameters indicate the oxygen availability of the blood and summarize important properties of the arterial blood in relation to oxygen supply of the tissues, including the arterial pO2, the 'active' hemoglobin concentration (equivalent to the oxygen capacity), and the hemoglobin oxygen affinity (p50). The set of data measured with the blood gas analyzer, e.g. the ABL300 combined with the data measured with the OSM3 contains much more information than is routinely utilized. This information is extracted and summarized by our calculation algorithm. Omitting the calculation of the extra oxygen parameters involves a risk of losing valuable information.
TL;DR: In this study, 6 mol/l concentration of urea was found to be sufficient for disassembly of the polypeptides, and urea-containing preparative isoelectric focusing gel was used for separation of high quantities of the subunits.
Abstract: L1 is a major granulocyte and monocyte protein with a M, of 36.5 kDa. It is found mainly in the cytosol of these cells. Purified LI is shown, on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE), to contain three subunits. In this study, 6 mol/1 concentration of urea was found to be sufficient for disassembly of the polypeptides, and urea-containing preparative isoelectric focusing gel was used for separation of high quantities of the subunits. The pi of the eluted subunits were 5.8, 6.1 and 7.1. When tested on 2D-PAGE, the isolated subunits were found at their typical locations. Polyclonal rabbit antibodies were produced against the subunits, and the antisera were, on dot-blot, found to react with the different subunits as well as the purified LI.
TL;DR: A total of 20% of the variation in blood lead was explained by parents' tobacco smoking, the child's number in the sibship, gender, and consumption of canned food at home.
Abstract: Blood lead concentrations were measured in a group of children from a group of 9- to 10-year-old school children in Aarhus, Denmark. The study group was selected as a high-level and a low-level lead group, as identified by the lead concentration in the circumpulpal dentine in deciduous teeth shed 2-3 years previously. The validity of the blood sampling technique was investigated in adult volunteers, and lead was determined by electrothermal atomic absorption. Capillary blood sampling by a finger-stick method was preferred, as the slight contamination caused by this technique was deemed acceptable. The children with the highest dentine lead levels (n=70), had blood lead concentrations of 0.08-0.63 μmol/1 and a geometric mean of 0.28 μ.mol/1. The children with lowest dentine levels (n=76) had blood lead concentrations of 0.08-0.70 μmol/1 and a geometric mean of 0.18 μmol/l. The blood lead concentrations were compared with interview data on behaviour, family habits, diet, parents' tobacco smoking and occupat...
TL;DR: It was found that reliable estimates of the glomerular filtration rate can be obtained from two plasma samples of 1 ml each, taken 3 h and 4 h after the injection of the contrast medium.
Abstract: The total plasma disappearance of the non-ionic contrast medium iohexol was determined by X-ray fluorescence technique following intravenous urography in 10 children aged between 2 and 13 years. For comparison the plasma disappearance of 99Tcm-DTPA was estimated both 2 days before and simultaneously with the iohexol study. High correlations between the three sets of data were found and no change in the glomerular filtration rate was detected following injection of contrast medium. It was also found that reliable estimates of the glomerular filtration rate can be obtained from two plasma samples of 1 ml each, taken 3 h and 4 h after the injection of the contrast medium.
TL;DR: The possibility of further simplifying the investigation by using capillary sampling was evaluated and iohexol concentrations calculated from the capillary blood concentration and erythrocyte volume fraction were in good agreement with actual plasma concentrations.
Abstract: Glomerular filtration rate can be conveniently quantified by monitoring the plasma clearance of iohexol. In this study we have evaluated the possibility of further simplifying the investigation by using capillary sampling. Eight women and two men were given a single injection of iohexol (5 ml Omnipaque). Three to 4 h after the injection plasma and capillary samples were taken. Iohexol concentrations in whole blood and in plasma were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography after precipitation with perchloric acid. Iohexol in blood was quantitatively distributed to the plasma compartment. Plasma concentrations of iohexol calculated from the capillary blood concentration and erythrocyte volume fraction were in good agreement with actual plasma concentrations (r = 0.98). The imprecision of iohexol determination in capillary samples was 3.5% (CV) and clearance measurements using venous and capillary sampling also agreed well.
TL;DR: Tumour-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) is a 6 kDa peptide, which is synthesized at low concentrations by several tumours and cell lines, and appears to be the marker of choice for this tumour.
Abstract: Tumour-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) is a 6 kDa peptide, which is synthesized at low concentrations by several tumours and cell lines. Very high concentrations of TATI occur in mucinous ovarian tumours. Elevated levels of TATI occur in serum and urine in connection with most types of cancer at advanced stages. In mucinous ovarian cancer up to 85 % of all cases have elevated serum levels. Because high levels also occur in early mucinous ovarian cancer TATI appears to be the marker of choice for this tumour. Elevated levels may also occur in nonmalignant disease, especially in patients with severe infections, tissue destruction and pancreatitis. Production of TATI in tumours is associated with expression of two new tumour-associated trypsin(ogen) (TAT) isoenzymes, TAT-1 and-2, TAT-2 being the major form. These enzymes are immunologically similar to trypsinogen-1 and-2, respectively. They activate prourokinase and may therefor trigger the tumour-associated protease cascade contributing to the invasiven...
TL;DR: High aerobic capacity is associated with an increased density and ability of lymphocytic beta-adrenoceptors to respond to catecholamines, which may lead to a condition of relative adrenergic hypersensitivity.
Abstract: Catecholamines play an essential role in the activation of the cardiovascular system and in the regulation of energy metabolism in a variety of physiological conditions. Many of these effects are mediated through beta-adrenoceptors located on cell membranes. Binding of catecholamines to beta-adrenoceptor increases the concentration of intracellular cyclic AMP which in turn activates protein kinase A. This enzyme phosphorylates a number of other intracellular enzymes influencing cell metabolism and functions. The primary structures of the receptor and its topography in the cell membrane as well as its binding domains have been partially clarified. In studies of the human beta-adrenergic receptors blood lymphocytes have mostly been used as model cells. These cells carry receptors of mainly the beta 2-subtype. The adequacy of this model system has been demonstrated in several studies. In clinical work receptor assays have had limited use until now. However, studies on the pathophysiology of the adrenergic system in several diseases have revealed that receptor alterations may constitute an important factor in the disease process. Measurements of adrenergic receptors may also have increasing usefulness in determining optimal drug concentrations. Our own studies have primarily focused on physiological adjustments in the beta-adrenergic system during acute or prolonged physical exercise as well as receptor changes in heart failure, muscle diseases and the alcohol withdrawal syndrome. We have also explored receptor dynamics during therapy with beta-blocking agents. These studies, briefly reviewed in this communication, have led to the following conclusions: (1) High aerobic capacity is associated with an increased density and ability of lymphocytic beta-adrenoceptors to respond to catecholamines. (2) Both short-and long-term physical exercise induce a rapid up-regulation and more effective functioning of lymphocytic beta-adrenoceptors. (3) Administration of beta-blocking drugs is associated with a subnormal exercise-induced up-regulation and decreased functioning of the lymphocytic beta-adrenoceptors. (4) The exercise-provoked up-regulation and improved functioning of beta-adrenoceptors is blunted in heart failure patients. (5) Patients with Duchenne-type of muscular dystrophy have a reduced number of lymphocytic beta-adrenoceptors. (6) In chronic alcoholics the lymphocytic beta-adrenoceptor level is subnormal but during abrupt ethanol withdrawal a rapid increase in the number and functioning of the receptors to a normal level takes place. This sequence of events may lead to a condition of relative adrenergic hypersensitivity.
TL;DR: Functional properties of the Fab region were unaffected upon glycation, as revealed by determination of antigen-binding capacity, antibody affinity and antibody concentration.
Abstract: Incubation of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) with glucose in vitro leads to the formation of glycated IgG concomitant with marked changes in functional properties of the Fc fragment. After 22 days of incubation in the absence and presence of 13.9, 27.7 and 55.5 mmol/l glucose, respectively, protein A binding was reduced by 42, 66 and 83%, depending on the glucose concentration employed. Binding of complement by IgG was abolished after incubation of the immunoglobulins for 13 days at 13.9 mmol/l glucose. In contrast, functional properties of the Fab region were unaffected upon glycation, as revealed by determination of antigen-binding capacity, antibody affinity and antibody concentration. The functional changes of the Fc fragment were observed at glycation levels comparable to those found in diabetics.
TL;DR: This study shows that the TBA-value of plasma is primarily determined by the fatty acid content and is not influenced by antioxidant supplementation in healthy individuals.
Abstract: An age-related rise in blood lipid peroxides measured by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method has been reported in several studies. Our study was designed to investigate whether this could be attributed to antioxidant deficiencies in aged individuals. We therefore measured the TB A-value of young and old women and related this to vitamin E and selenium status and the fatty acid composition, triglyceride and cholesterol content of platelet-poor plasma. A significant difference (p<0.001) between young and old women in the plasma TB A-value and the plasma lipid parameters was found. Old women had a lower selenium status than the young women (p<0.01), but their vitamin E status was fully adequate. Only the lipid parameters correlated significantly (p<0.001) with the TBA-value. In a 3-month placebo-controlled supplementation trial with vitamin E and selenium, the plasma TBA-value of the old women did not change. This study shows that the TBA-value of plasma is primarily determined by the fatty acid content and...
TL;DR: There is a wide range of inhomogeneity of error from one PO to another in clinical conditions, and the error introduced by the drift of EOS with SfO2 should be considered separately.
Abstract: This study was designed to discriminate, according to their accuracy, between eight pulse oximeters (PO) using a realistic evaluation performed by means of a moderate exercise to provide artefacts and thus represent a typical clinical situation. Accuracy was assessed by calculating error on saturation (EOS) as the difference between simultaneous measurement of non-invasive (SpOz) and invasive functional (SfOz) arterial blood oxygen saturation. An index of homogeneity of EOS (InH), calculated using a Lehmann analysis, was chosen as a representative of error dispersion, leading to a statistical classification; the influence on error introduced by the drift of EOS with Sf02 was thus eliminated.We obtained a clear-cut separation of the eight PO (Datex Satlite (DA), Kontron 7840 (KO), Nellcor 200 (NE), Novametrix 505 (NO), Ohmeda 3700 (OH), PPG-Hellige (PP), Physiocontrol 1600 (PH), and Radiometer Oxi (RA)) into two statistically different subgroups by comparing their InH standard deviation (SD). There is a hi...