Association of APOE polymorphisms with disease severity in MS is limited to women.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
G van Kamp
Publications and source records attributed to G van Kamp.
alpha-atrial natriuretic peptide, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, and endothelin in plasma as markers of myocardial depression in human septic shock.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of alpha-atrial natriuretic peptide (alpha-ANP), second messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP,) and endothelin as markers of myocardial depression in septic shock. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Medical intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Fourteen consecutive patients with septic shock and arterial and pulmonary artery catheters in place. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Hemodynamic variables and plasma levels of alpha-ANP, cGMP, and endothelin were measured every 6 hrs for 3 days after admission. Eight patients died from shock in the ICU. The nadir left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI) was below 35 g/m2 in all patients, and the median peak circulating alpha-ANP (n < 68 pg/mL) was 276 pg/mL (range, 79-1056), the median peak cGMP (n < 2.1 ng/mL) was 8.1 ng/mL (range, 3.2-29.7), and the median peak endothelin (n < 5.3 pg/mL) was 15.5 pg/mL (range, 8.5-33.9), supranormal in all patients. Outcome groups differed in the course of cardiac index and LVSWI, which were lower in nonsurvivors despite similar filling pressures and more intensive inotropic treatment (p < .01). The course of alpha-ANP, cGMP, and endothelin plasma levels also differed between groups, with higher levels in nonsurvivors (p < .05). As for pooled data, the mean daily or nadir LVSWI inversely related to mean daily or peak alpha-ANP, cGMP, and endothelin levels, respectively (p < .05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for myocardial depression (LVSWI < 35 g/m2) was for alpha-ANP and endothelin 0.77, and for cGMP 0.85 (p < .01). The optimum cutoff values for alpha-ANP, cGMP, and endothelin were 172 pg/mL, 4.5 ng/mL, and 10.0 pg/mL, respectively. The sensitivity for myocardial depression of alpha-ANP, cGMP, and endothelin was 68%, 77%, and 72%, and the specificity was 82%, 93%, and 69%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Circulating alpha-ANP, endothelin, and, particularly, cGMP may be markers of the myocardial depression of human septic shock, which is associated with mortality.
Adult↗
Seroconversion for Helicobacter pylori.
The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori antibodies increases with age, but it is unknown whether this is due to a constant rate of infection in different age groups, or whether most infection occurs in childhood. Follow-up data on infection rates and the course of infection in an untreated population are scarce. We measured H pylori IgG antibody concentrations in patients who were seen at our endoscopy unit between 1979 and 1983. 115 of 164 eligible patients (70%) participated in the study. H pylori IgG antibody concentrations were measured in two serum samples taken with a mean interval of 11.5 years. 56 patients tested positive at the first visit. During follow-up, 2 patients became infected (annual infection rate 0.30%, 95% Cl 0.04-1.08%). Evidence of infection disappeared in 6 patients: after gastric surgery in 3 and due to an unknown cause in the remaining 3 patients. A non-significant decrease of infection was shown in different age cohorts during follow-up. Antibody concentrations did not increase with age. These results strongly support the concept of dominant infection rates in childhood. Elimination of infection may occur in a few patients without eradication therapy.
Adolescent↗
Activation of complement C3 by different calcium phosphate powders.
The ability of different calcium phosphate to activate the complement system is studied by crossed immunoelectrophoresis demonstrating conversion of C3 to C3b. Complement consumption is determined by a haemolytic assay CH50. Hydroxyapatite powders after sintering induce a significant conversion of C3 and reduction of CH50 value. However the complement system is not activated by sintered tricalciumphosphate (beta-whitlockite). This is not related to the adsorption behaviour; it depends neither on chemical composition nor on crystal lattice. It is argued that C3 conversion is not triggered by the convertase of the classical pathway.
Calcium Phosphates↗
Interaction of some serum proteins with hydroxylapatite and other materials.
In order to investigate whether the immune system is involved in the degradation of hydroxylapatite as implant material the adsorption behavior of several serum proteins to hydroxylapatite was studied and compared with the adsorption to other calcium phosphate compounds (Ca3(PO4)2, CaHPO4), calcium carbonate, aluminium oxide, and zinc oxide. It was found that complement factors, C4 and C3, and alpha 2-HS-glycoprotein adsorbed to the calcium phosphate compounds, but not to the other materials. IgG and albumin were adsorbed to all investigated compounds. These results suggest that the complement factors are directly adsorbed on the surface of the calcium phosphate compounds. Therefore, the activation of complement, if any, proceeds by the classical pathway. The binding of complement factors to the calcium phosphate salts investigated points to a more specific involvement of the immunosystem in the degradation process of calcium phosphate implants.
Adsorption↗