Serum levels of TSH, thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), T4, T3 and reverse T3 (rT3) were measured in 36 patients with fatty liver disease, 11 patients wih chronic persistent hepatitis, 17 patients with chronic active hepatitis, and 29 patients with liver cirrhosis. TBG was significantly above normal levels in both groups of chronic hepatitis, the slight concomitant T4 and T3 increase was significant only for T4 in chronic persistent hepatitis. A significant decrease in T4 and T3 concentration was found in fatty liver disease and in hepatic cirrhosis. A shift in T4 conversion to rT3 could exclusively be demonstrated for the group of hepatic cirrhosis, reflected by a significant increase in rT3. As our findings indicate normal TSH levels and a lack of clinical signs of hypothyroidism in chronic liver disease, the possibility of diverse regulating changes must be considered.

Alpha-Globulins↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Autosomal recessive inheritance of congenital goiter in Afrikander cattle.

Congenital goiter was reported in a number of herds of Afrikander cattle in the 1950's. Some affected animals were assembled and maintained as a closed herd. Although considerable biochemical research into the nature of the disease has been conducted, no definitive report has described the mode of inheritance of the defect. This paper presents the results of breeding studies that indicate the defect is inherited as an autosomal recessive. Southern blot analysis of the thyroglobulin gene confirms this finding. In addition, serum levels of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone, thyrotropin), T3 (3,4,3'-tri-iodothyronine), T4 (thyroxine), rT3 (3,3',5'-tri-iodothyronine), and DIT (diiodotyrosine) of goitrous animals are compared with normal animals.

Africa, Southern↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Modified cellulosic dialyzer membranes: an investigative tool in thrombogenicity studies.

We have previously demonstrated that chemical modification of cellulosic membranes with dimethyl-amino-ethyl (DEAE) groups significantly improves membrane properties in terms of biocompatibility. Here, we show that DEAE substitution also alters the membrane's thrombogenic properties, and cellulosic membranes with various amounts of DEAE substitution were produced. Clinical dialyzers were constructed using two experimental membrane materials: modified cellulose-low (MC-low) and MC-high; standard unsubstituted cellulose was used as a control. Six patients were treated for a period of 3 weeks with each type of dialyzer and a heparin dose of less than 6000 IU/treatment. MC-low exhibited less extracorporeal beta-thromboglobulin and thromboxane B2 release than MC-high or Cuprophan. In addition, residual blood volume after clinical use was lower in the MC-low type. MC-low and MC-high induced less complement activation than Cuprophan, as characterized by extracorporeal C5a and C3a plasma concentrations (75% less C5a generation and 50 to 70% less C3a generation than unsubstituted cellulose).

Cellulose↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Prostaglandin production and extracorporeal complement activation by dialyzer membranes.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Complement Activation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Present population development and decision problems in the frame of social security for the aged].

Under the condition that current demographic conditions and the legislation of the old-age insurance will stay as they are now it is to calculate on a higher ratio of pensioners to work in the year 2030. The resulting financing requirements are neither only to be solved by appropriately high old-age insurance contributions nor by a reduction of the pensions level. Some measures for a relief of these problems are discussed with their advantages and disadvantages to economic growth and income distribution. But since measures partly need a decision in 20-40 years only, it is to be required for the moment that no steps are taken now which make the financing requirements more difficult at that time.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Thromboxane B2 blood levels and incipient system clotting in heparin free hemodialysis.

Clotting of the extracorporal system is the main complication of heparin free hemodialysis performed in patients with an increased risk of bleeding. The authors compared thromboxane B2, platelet factor 4, beta-thromboglobulin, and thromboelastography in systemic blood as markers of thrombogenicity during hemodialysis in eight patients with an increased risk of bleeding. Measurements were performed during hemodialysis with and without heparin. Thromboxane B2 levels in centrifuged blood were evaluated by an 125I assay system using a special extraction with mini-columns and magnetic separation (normal 32-64 pg/ml). At the onset of hemodialysis, thromboxane B2 concentrations in the inflow arterial blood line were lower than normal (30 +/- 23 pg/ml). Thromboxane B2 increased (97 +/- 105 versus 40 +/- 26 pg/ml) and was significantly higher during heparin free hemodialysis than during hemodialysis with heparin (p = 0.01, Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test). The highest values were observed in 5 cases with signs of clotting (152 +/- 122 pg/ml). Among the investigated parameters, thromboxane B2 proved to be the most significant serum parameter correlated with platelet activation and the consequently increased risk of incipient clotting during heparin free hemodialysis.

Aged↗