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Biomedical subjects

L Carlsson

Publications and source records attributed to L Carlsson.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Proarrhythmic effects of the class III agent almokalant: importance of infusion rate, QT dispersion, and early afterdepolarisations.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to study factors contributing to torsade de pointes in the acquired long QT syndrome. METHODS: Anaesthetised rabbits or cats were given a continuous infusion of methoxamine and the class III agent almokalant (at a rate of 5 or 25 nmol.kg-1.min-1, respectively) and the effects on incidence of torsade de pointes and QT dispersion were examined. Effects of almokalant on action potentials recorded from Purkinje fibres and ventricular cells of rabbits and cats were also studied. RESULTS: "High rate" infusion of almokalant prolonged the QTc interval [from 162(SEM 6.2) ms to 211 (5.3) ms, p < 0.001] and initiated torsade de pointes in 9/10 rabbits after a dose of 391(116.3) nmol.kg-1. During "low rate" infusion, 1/8 rabbits developed torsade de pointes (p = 0.0029) despite infusion of 900 nmol.kg-1 almokalant and QTc prolongation from 162(3.6) ms to 230(12.6) ms (p < 0.01). In eight separate rabbits given the high rate infusion of almokalant, seven developed torsade de pointes and the QTc dispersion increased from 15(1.7) ms to 32(5.6) ms (p < 0.05). In six rabbits given the low rate infusion, none developed torsade de pointes (p = 0.0023), and the QTc dispersion was unaltered. In six cats, high rate infusion induced a QT interval lengthening from 241(6.0) ms to 349(8.0) ms (p < 0.001), but in only one cat was torsade de pointes initiated and preceded by a marked increase in QT dispersion (from 22 ms to 78 ms). In vitro, almokalant caused a marked lengthening of the action potential duration and early afterdepolarisations in Purkinje fibres but not in ventricular muscle cells of the rabbit. In the cat, however, almokalant induced a homogeneous prolongation of the action potential duration in both cell types, and early afterdepolarisations were never observed. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of infusion of repolarisation delaying agents may influence the dispersion of repolarisation and play a decisive role in the initiation of torsade de pointes.

Action Potentials↗

Electrophysiological and inotropic effects of H 234/09 (almokalant) in vitro: a comparison with two other novel IK blocking drugs, UK-68,798 (dofetilide) and E-4031.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to compare the electrophysiological and inotropic effects of the novel class III agents H 234/09, UK-68,798, and E-4031 in vitro. METHODS: The electrophysiological effects were investigated by recording transmembrane action potentials in the isolated ventricular muscle and Purkinje fibres of the rabbit; effects on force (adjusted to the maximum isoprenaline response) and refractoriness were investigated in the isolated cat papillary muscle. RESULTS: It was shown that all the drugs induced a concentration dependent prolongation of the action potential duration, which was much more pronounced in the Purkinje fibres than in the ventricular muscle. However, when compared at concentrations giving a 15% increase of the action potential duration in ventricular muscle, H 234/09 was significantly less effective in the Purkinje fibres than the other two drugs. In the cat papillary muscle all drugs induced an increase in force development. This increase tended to parallel the increase in effective refractory period. However, at prolongations of effective refractory period of more than approximately 50% the increase in developed force levelled off. CONCLUSIONS: All the class III agents investigated showed a positive inotropic effect, which may be of advantage when compared to conventional class I antiarrhythmic agents, which have cardiodepressant actions. Compared to UK-68,798 and E-4031, H 234/09 showed a less unfavourable profile in terms of dispersion of repolarisation, which theoretically may reduce the risk of arrhythmias associated with delayed repolarisation. However, this less unfavourable profile must, like the positive inotropic effect, ultimately be investigated in clinical trials.

Action Potentials↗

Embryonic stem cells express growth hormone receptors: regulation by retinoic acid.

Embryonic and fetal growth are generally considered to be independent of pituitary GH. However, it has been demonstrated recently that 18-day-old rat embryos and rat fetuses express GH receptors, suggesting that GH could play a role in early development. The aim of the present investigation was to determine whether preimplantation embryos also express GH receptors. Germ line competent mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells and cultured mouse preimplantation embryos were examined with Northern blot analysis, RNAse-protection solution-hybridization assays, reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction assays and immunohistochemistry for the detection of GH receptors. Northern blot analysis of ES cells using a probe corresponding to the extracellular domain of the GH receptor demonstrated the presence of two transcripts (1.2 and 4.5 kilobases). The RNAse-protection solution-hybridization assay revealed that ES cells express approximately one sixth of the GH-receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) levels expressed in liver from pregnant mice. Treatment of cultured ES cells with retinoic acid (100 nM) for 6 days increased GH-receptor mRNA levels (P < 0.01). GH-receptor mRNA was further identified in ES cells, preimplantation embryos, muscle, liver, and placenta by a reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction assay. In humans it has previously been shown that exon 3 of the GH-receptor is deleted in the placenta. However, none of the studied mouse tissues had a deletion of the GH-receptor mRNA corresponding to exon 3 of the human GH receptor. GH-receptor immunoreactivity was identified on the cultured ES-cells by immunohistochemistry. In conclusion, we have in the present study shown that germline competent ES cells and preimplantation mouse embryos express the GH receptor transcript and that this transcription is increased by retinoic acid in ES cells. Furthermore, the presence of GH-receptor immunoreactivity on the ES cells indicates that the GH-receptor transcript is translated.

Animals↗

Growth hormone-binding protein determination in plasma: a comparison of immunofunctional and growth hormone-binding assays.

The recent development of an immunofunctional assay for GH-binding protein (GHBP) facilitates measurement of GHBP in biological fluids. Previous methods employed GH binding followed by size exclusion chromatography to determine GHBP levels (GH binding assay), and a considerable body of information exists based on data obtained with that type of assay. To cross-validate the two methods and permit comparison of results obtained in the two assays, we measured GHBP by both methods in 61 plasma samples from normal adults (aged 19-69), 10 patients with acromegaly, 2 patients with Laron dwarfism, and in a normal adult plasma pool. The results show a good overall correlation between the two methods (r = 0.669). However, for individual observations, the coefficient of determination was not high enough to permit interconversion of data with high precision. There is both biological and methodological variation in GHBP levels, rendering the interpretation of a single observation difficult except in the extreme range. The range of values was wider in the immunoassay (56-1187 pmol/L) than in the GH-binding assay (12.1-36.1% GH bound/400 microL). There was no significant sex difference in plasma GHBP levels, nor was there an age-dependent trend in adult subjects as assessed by both assays. Patients with acromegaly had significantly decreased GHBP levels in both assays, but the majority of the values were within the low normal range. The two patients with Laron dwarfism had undetectable GHBP in both assays. The previously defined unit of GHBP (i.e. the amount contained in 1 ml pooled adult plasma) corresponds to 256 fmol GHBP as determined by immunofunctional assay.

Adult↗

Growth hormone insensitivity associated with elevated circulating growth hormone-binding protein in children with Alagille syndrome and short stature.

The purpose of this study was to assess GH sensitivity in children with Alagille syndrome (syndromic intrahepatic bile duct paucity) by examining their response to short term administration of recombinant human GH (rhGH). Serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) were low despite elevated overnight integrated serum GH concentrations. Administration of rhGH (0.05 mg/kg.day for 3 days) to four growth-retarded children with Alagille syndrome did not significantly alter the serum concentrations of IGF-I and insulin, blood urea nitrogen, or urinary calcium excretion. In contrast, circulating IGF-I increased 2-fold in two children with Alagille syndrome and normal stature. In the control group, consisting of seven prepubertal children with GH deficiency, the predicted changes in response to rhGH in serum concentrations of IGF-I and insulin, urea nitrogen, and urinary calcium excretion were observed. Serum GH-binding protein levels, measured by a ligand-mediated immunofunctional assay, were significantly higher in children with Alagille syndrome than in children with cirrhosis or GH deficiency. We conclude that growth-retarded children with Alagille syndrome are insensitive to GH. The growth disturbances and metabolic defects may be due in part to failure to increase IGF-I concentrations in response to GH, implying that growth-retarded children with Alagille syndrome may benefit from IGF-I treatment.

Alagille Syndrome↗

Radioimmunolocalization of hepatic metastases and subcutaneous xenografts from a human colonic cancer in the nude rat. Aspects of tumour implantation site and mode of antibody administration.

Antibody localization was analyzed following intraperitoneal (i.p.) or intravenous (i.v.) injection of the 125I-labelled anti-CEA-MAb I-38S1 in 44 nude rats, in order to evaluate the influence of tumour implantation site and the route of MAb administration. The animals were xenografted with a human colonic cancer (LS 174 T), either in the form of hepatic metastases, subcutaneous (s.c.) tumours or both. Tissue measurements, 4 days after MAb injection, showed better uptake for hepatic than for s.c. tumours, irrespective of the route of antibody administration. Antibody accumulation per g liver metastases was not size dependent for noduli weighing between 4 and 1,110 mg. MAb excretion evaluated in 20 animals and blood activity studied in 11 rats were equivalent 24-96 h following i.p. and i.v. injection. Dissimilar autoradiographic patterns were seen in hepatic metastases with predominantly peripherally located clusters following i.p. and more homogeneously distributed grains after i.v. MAb administration. The results indicate that tumour implantation site has a quantitative, and the route of administration at least a qualitative impact on the tumour accretion of anti-CEA MAb I-38S1 in the present xenograft model.

Animals↗

Attenuation of proarrhythmias related to delayed repolarization by low-dose lidocaine in the anesthetized rabbit.

Polymorphous ventricular tachyarrhythmias (torsades de pointes) were induced in seven of eight (88%) anesthetized rabbits receiving the class III antiarrhythmic agent almokalant (25 nmol/kg/min i.v.). The tachyarrhythmia was preceded by a significant lengthening of the QT interval from 118 +/- 7.2 to 148 +/- 9.0 msec, P < .01. Two separate groups of eight rabbits in each were given lidocaine (4.3 mumol/kg + 12.8 mumol/kg/hr or 12.8 mumol/kg + 38.4 mumol/kg/hr), before almokalant was administered. In comparison with the vehicle-pretreated rabbits, lidocaine treatment caused a dose-dependent attenuation in the incidence of torsades de pointes. Hence, the incidence was reduced to four of eight (50%, P = .1538 vs. the vehicle-treated group) rabbits and to none of eight (0%; P = .0007) rabbits in the groups treated with the "low" and the "high" dose of lidocaine, respectively. This attenuation was observed despite a significant prolongation of the QT interval by almokalant (from 128 +/- 7.6 to 175 +/- 15.9 msec, P < .01, and from 116 +/- 8.4 to 159 +/- 10.3 msec, P < .001, respectively). Acute injection of lidocaine (12.8 mumol/kg, n = 4) during recurrent episodes of torsades de pointes in vehicle-treated rabbits caused an abrupt restoration of sinus rhythm without influencing the almokalant-induced prolongation of the QT interval. It is concluded that lidocaine may inhibit the initiation of and suppress rhythm abnormalities related to delayed repolarization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anesthesia↗

Well-informed patients with end-stage renal disease prefer peritoneal dialysis to hemodialysis.

One hundred and one azotemic patients, from March 1988 to March 1992, expected to be in need of active treatment of uremia within the next 6 months, were invited to four information meetings concerning conservative treatment of uremia, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and transplantation. Eighty-three percent of the invited patients attended. Another 13 started active treatment of uremia after receiving individualized information. At the end of the observation period, 37 of 97 patients had chosen continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and 23 hemodialysis. Twenty-nine had not yet decided which mode of active treatment of uremia they wanted, and 4 patients had died. Patients choosing CAPD had a mean age of 52 years, compared to 59 years for those choosing hemodialysis. Thirty-six of 37 patients who had chosen CAPD and 19 of 23 patients who had chosen hemodialysis had started treatment. The cumulative patient and technique survival at 12 months for CAPD was 92% and 66%, and for hemodialysis 70% and 70%, respectively. The patients were asked to give their views on their choice of active treatment of uremia and the information meetings once they had started treatment. Eighty-six percent of the patients did not want to change their chosen therapy, and 88% of the patients found the information provided adequate. When patients with renal insufficiency are given adequate information, the majority prefer peritoneal dialysis to hemodialysis and are very satisfied with their choice.

Adolescent↗

Micromotion of a noncemented tibial component with screw fixation. An in vivo roentgen stereophotogrammetric study of the Miller-Galante prosthesis.

Micromotion of the tibial component was studied in ten cases of successful arthroplasty for gonarthrosis using the Miller-Galante total knee prosthesis with roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis (RSA). In six of seven cases, there was a mean of 0.6-mm migration during the first year. Most of this migration occurred as tilt and rotation. Subsidence was seldom found. Inducible displacement was observed in seven cases after one year; in six, deflections were found. In five cases, the inducible displacement was small, approximately 0.3 mm, whereas the sixth case showed inducible displacement of 1.7 mm. The micromotion found in this study was smaller than has previously been reported for other noncemented prostheses. In some of these cases, the RSA data may be compatible with mechanical coupling of the prosthesis to the bone by bony ingrowth.

Aged↗

The heparin-binding domain of extracellular superoxide dismutase C and formation of variants with reduced heparin affinity.

A fundamental property of the secretory tetrameric extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) is its affinity for heparin and analogues, in vivo, mediating attachment to heparan sulfate proteoglycans located on cell surfaces and in the connective tissue matrix. EC-SOD is in vivo heterogeneous with regard to heparin affinity and can be divided into subclasses; A which lacks heparin affinity, B with intermediate affinity, and C with strong heparin affinity. The EC-SOD C subunits contain 222 amino acids and among the last 20 carboxyl-terminal amino acids, 10 are positively charged and six of these are located in a cluster in positions 210-215. To analyze if this local accumulation of basic amino acids is responsible for heparin binding we produced three series of recombinant EC-SOD (rEC-SOD) variants, six containing amino acid exchanges in the carboxyl-terminal end, four with truncations, and two with both truncations and substitutions. Exchange of positively or negatively charged amino acids on the carboxyl-terminal side of the cluster results in only minor modifications in heparin affinity, whereas substitution of three of the amino acids in the cluster abrogates the heparin binding. Insertions of stop codons at different positions resulted in either C or A but not B class EC-SOD. In an attempt to produce EC-SODs with intermediate heparin affinities, plasmids defining C and A class EC-SOD were cotransfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells. In addition to the parental A and C class EC-SOD forms, two variants with intermediate heparin affinities were formed. Coincubation of EC-SOD C and A resulted in the appearance of one heterotetramer with intermediate affinity for heparin. We conclude that the cluster of six basic amino acids forms the essential part of the heparin-binding domain and that the composition of the four subunits in the EC-SOD tetramer determines the affinity for heparin. This domain is different from heparin-binding domains of other proteins, and its localization allows the distribution of EC-SOD in vivo to be regulated by proteolytic processing.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Developmentally controlled selection of antibody genes: characterization of individual VH7183 genes and evidence for stage-specific somatic diversification.

Nucleotide sequence analysis of a large number of rearranged immunoglobulin heavy chain V region genes allowed the identification of six new members of the VH7183 gene family. These six new genes plus the eight previously defined genes agrees with the previously estimated complexity of this gene family. Twelve of these genes were represented among the isolated clones. A comparison of the clones, derived from 1-day- and 14-week-old BALB/c mice, suggested a biased and developmentally controlled VH7183 gene utilization. Furthermore, a developmentally controlled, non-random distribution of the functional vs. non-functional VHDJH rearrangements was observed among clones utilizing genes of this family, suggesting unsuspected regulatory aspects of Ig rearrangements in the process of B cell differentiation. Finally, a limited junctional diversity was revealed among the neonatal clones as the result of a low frequency of N-sequence addition. A similar discrepancy was also observed between neonatal and adult VHJ558 clones. In conclusion, these data suggest a programmed generation of B cell diversity similar to what has been observed for the establishment of gamma/delta T cell repertoires.

Animals↗

Selection against N-region diversity in immunoglobulin heavy chain variable regions during the development of pre-immune B cell repertoires.

The generation of Ig heavy chain chain diversity is dependent on the ordered rearrangement of three different, i.e. variable (VH), diversity (DH), and joining (JH), germline gene segments, exonuclease nibbling of the terminals of these gene segments, and the addition of template-independent nucleotide (N-sequences) in the junctions of these segments. The latter process has recently been reported to be limited within B cells formed during early ontogeny. In this study, we have analysed a large number of VHDJH rearrangements isolated from genomic DNA of adult and neonatal C57BI/6 mice using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. A comparison of functional versus non-functional VHDJH rearrangements derived from these PCR libraries, or from a set of previously published clones of BALB/c origin, revealed a selection against N-region diversity both in neonatal and adult B cell repertoires. This selection process is most pronounced in the early development of the immune system but can still be observed in the adult. Furthermore, selection against N-sequence additions was evident amongst neonatal VHDJH rearrangements utilizing both VH 7183 and VH J558 genes, but only in VH 7183 utilizing clones of adult origin. These results imply that in addition to a developmentally controlled onset of N-sequence additions, cellular selection against N-region diversity exist both in the neonatal and adult immune system.

Animals↗

Electrophysiologic and hemodynamic effects of H 234/09 (almokalant), quinidine, and (+)-sotalol in the anesthetized dog.

The electrophysiologic and hemodynamic effects of H 234/09 (Almokalant), a novel class II antiarrhythmic agent, were studied in the anesthetized dog. H 234/09 (1.0 mumol/kg i.v.) significantly prolonged the atrial and ventricular effective refractory periods, the ventricular monophasic action potential duration, and the paced QT interval. At this dose, atrial, ventricular, and atrioventricular conduction was not affected, aortic blood pressure was not changed, and contractile force was transiently increased. The effects on cardiac repolarization and refractoriness induced by H 234/09 were both larger and more long lasting than the effects observed after quinidine (11.8 mumol/kg) and (+)-sotalol (9.7 mumol/kg). However, both quinidine and (+)-sotalol significantly reduced the aortic blood pressure and (+)-sotalol also decreased cardiac contractility. The effect of H 234/09 on atrial refractoriness was very little influenced by the paced heart rate and was twice as large as the corresponding effect in the ventricle. In conclusion, H 234/09 has electrophysiological properties suggestive of a class III antiarrhythmic. H 234/09 may have a favorable therapeutic profile compared to both quinidine and (+)-sotalol, especially for the treatment of atrial arrhythmias.

Animals↗

Core temperature measured in the auricular canal: comparison between four different tympanic thermometers.

Four different tympanic thermometers, absorbing infra-red radiation, (FirstTemp, Diatek, Ivac and Genius) were studied. Variations from repeated measurements and reliability of tympanic temperature compared to oesophageal, rectal and pulmonary artery temperature were studied. Core temperature measured by the "FirstTemp" and the "Genius" thermometers showed slightly higher values than core temperature measured by oesophageal, rectal and pulmonary artery thermistors. Compared to oesophageal temperature "FirstTemp" showed 0.56 degrees C and "Genius" 0.28 degrees C higher values, while the "Diatek" and the "Ivac" gave slightly lower values (-0.5 degrees C and -0.28 degrees C). All four thermometers were found accurate for repeated measurement both in terms of standard deviation and coefficient of variance. All four tympanic thermometers showed good accuracy for changes in core temperatures compared to the reference thermistors (r2 values 0.96 for "FirstTemp", 0.88 for "Diatek", 0.96 for "IVAC" and 0.95 for "Genius"). The tympanic thermometer was found to be a valuable alternative for measuring core temperature in most clinical settings.

Body Temperature↗

Antiarrhythmic effects of potassium channel openers in rhythm abnormalities related to delayed repolarization.

BACKGROUND: Earlier observations have indicated that repolarization-delaying agents may, under certain circumstances, have the propensity to induce polymorphous ventricular tachyarrhythmias (PVTs) (i.e., torsade de pointes). We have studied whether the potassium channel opener pinacidil and two of its pyridylcyanoguanidine analogues (P1075 and P1188) have any antiarrhythmic effects on clofilium-induced PVTs and triggered responses in rabbits in vivo and in vitro. METHODS AND RESULTS: Anesthetized rabbits were pretreated with propranolol (2 mumol/kg i.v.) and subsequently given a concomitant intravenous infusion of clofilium (63 nmol/kg/min for maximally 15 minutes) and the alpha 1-agonist methoxamine (70 nmol/kg/min). In vehicle-pretreated rabbits (n = 19), clofilium invariably induced PVTs, which closely resembled torsade de pointes and were preceded by a marked prolongation of the QTU interval (27 +/- 2.4%, p less than 0.001). In a separate group of seven rabbits in which monophasic action potentials were recorded from the left ventricular endocardium, the tachyarrhythmia was preceded by deflections consistent with early afterdepolarizations (EADs) of the plateau repolarization phase of the monophasic action potentials. Intravenous administration of the pyridylcyanoguanidines in doses reducing mean arterial blood pressure by 25 or 50 mm Hg, respectively, was associated with a dose-dependent attenuation in the occurrence of clofilium-induced PVTs. In the pinacidil-pretreated rabbits (0.41 mumol/kg or 1.86 mumol/kg i.v.), the occurrence of PVTs was reduced from seven of seven rabbits to five of six and to three of seven rabbits (p = 0.035 versus vehicle-pretreated controls), respectively. In rabbits pretreated with the low dose of P1075 (0.01 mumol/kg i.v.), PVT occurrence was reduced from six of six rabbits to two of six rabbits (p = 0.030), whereas in six rabbits given the high dose of P1075 (0.13 mumol/kg), no PVTs appeared (p = 0.001). When the sulfonylurea glibenclamide (10 mumol/kg i.v.) was administered to rabbits before P1075 (0.13 mumol/kg) was infused, clofilium induced PVTs in five of six rabbits (not significantly different from the incidence in the vehicle-pretreated rabbits). Pretreatment with P1188 (4.36 mumol/kg or 11.88 mumol/kg i.v.) caused a reduction in the occurrence of PVT from six of six rabbits to five of six and to none of six rabbits (p = 0.001), respectively. In the six animals pretreated with the high dose of P1188 in which no clofilium-induced arrhythmias were elicited, glibenclamide (20 mumol/kg i.v.) was injected after the entire dose of clofilium had been administered. In these rabbits, premature ventricular systoles and PVTs appeared within a few minutes in five and four of the animals, respectively. In contrast to the pyridylcyanoguanidines, diltiazem pretreatment (0.9 mumol/kg i.v., decreasing arterial pressure by 50 mm Hg) did not attenuate PVT occurrence (five of six rabbits). Acute administration of P1075 (0.13 mumol/kg) during recurrent attacks of PVTs abruptly regularized the rhythm in 12 of 13 animals and diminished EADs observed in monophasic action potentials recorded from the left ventricular endocardium. In in vitro experiments, action potentials were simultaneously recorded from rabbit Purkinje fibers and ventricular muscle cells. Clofilium markedly prolonged action potential duration in Purkinje fibers but not in ventricular muscle cells, and eventually, bradycardia-dependent EADs and triggered activity were elicited. P1075 completely abolished EADs and triggered activity in all (six of six) experiments. Glibenclamide antagonized the suppressive effect of P1075; hence, EADs and triggered responses reappeared and resembled those present before P1075. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that ATP-sensitive potassium channel activat BACKGROUND: Earlier observations have indicated that repolarization-delaying agents may, under certain circumstances, have the propensity to induce polymorp

Animals↗

Expression of serum insulin-like growth factors, insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins, and the growth hormone-binding protein in heterozygote relatives of Ecuadorian growth hormone receptor deficient patients.

Recently, an isolated population of apparent GH-receptor deficient (GHRD) patients has been identified in the Loja province of southern Ecuador. These individuals presented many of the physical and biochemical phenotypes characteristic of Laron-Syndrome and are believed to have a defect in the GH-receptor gene. In this study, we have compared the biochemical phenotypes between the affected individuals and their parents, considered to be obligate heterozygotes for the disorder. Serum GH, insulin-like growth factor I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II) levels were measured by RIA Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins. (IGFBPs) were measured by Western ligand blotting (WLB) of serum samples, following separation by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and relative quantitation of serum IGFBPs was performed with a scanning laser densitometer. Serum GH-binding protein (GHBP) levels were measured with a ligand-mediated immunofunctional assay using a monoclonal antibody raised against the GHBP. These values were then compared to values obtained from normal, sex-matched adult Ecuadorian controls, to determine if the above parameters were abnormal in the heterozygotes. The serum IGF-I levels of the GHRD patients were less than 13% of control values for adults and 2% for children. However, the IGF-I levels of both the mothers and fathers were not significantly different from that of the control population. The serum IGF-II levels of the GHRD patients were approximately 20% of control values for adults and 12% for the children. The IGF-II levels of the mothers were reduced, but were not significantly different from that of the control population. However, IGF-II levels of the fathers were significantly lower than those of controls (64% of control male levels). WLB analysis of serum IGFBP levels of the affected subjects demonstrated increased IGFBP-2 and decreased IGFBP-3, suggesting an inverse relationship between these IGFBPs. The GHRD patients who had the lowest serum IGFBP-3 levels (as measured by WLB) demonstrated a serum protease activity that could proteolyze 125I-IGFBP-3. GHRD patients who had higher serum IGFBP-3 levels lacked this serum protease activity. There were no differences in the serum IGFBP profiles of the mothers or the fathers for either IGFBP-2 or IGFBP-3, and serum from both groups lacked the ability to significantly proteolyze 125I-IGFBP-3. While GHRD patients had very low levels of serum GHBP, some patients did have measurable GHBP levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Loads and designs of screw joints for single crowns supported by osseointegrated implants.

The problem of screw stability was approached in this study by calculating the maximum occlusal forces in vivo for patients with single implant restorations (which use only one screw to secure the prosthetic reconstruction to the implant). The measurements of occlusal forces together with geometric parameters for the individual patients were used to determine the necessary holding capabilities of the screw joint. Different screw designs were tried in bench test situations and the results were compared with clinical situations. A gold alloy screw with a flat head and high tightening torque (35 Ncm) produced the best results.

Bite Force↗