Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Heikinheimo

Publications and source records attributed to M Heikinheimo.

88 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Absorption of penicillin V from mixture formulations. Comparison of potassium and benzathine salts.

The absorption rate and serum level curves of two commercial phenoxymethylpenicillin mixture preparations were compared in adult volunteers. Both the potassium salt (Primcillin) and the benzathine salt (V-Pen ped forte) of V-penicillin were rapidly absorbed and the mean peak serum levels were obtained with both preparations within the first hour after single dose administration. The mean peak level obtained with the potassium salt was several-fold higher (p less than 0.001) and was also reached within a shorter time than that of the benzathine preparation. These results confirm the earlier evidence, obtained with other formulae, for the superior bioavailability of the potassium salt of V-penicillin as compared to most other derivatives used in V-penicillin mixtures.

Adult↗

Concanavalin A binding of pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein in normal pregnancy and trophoblastic disease.

The binding of pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein (SP1) to Concanavalin A (Con A) has been studied in serum samples from 34 pregnant women and 13 patients with trophoblastic diseases. In normal pregnancy and in hydatidiform moles, the fraction that did not bind to Con A accounted for 0.5--4.3% of the total SP1 concentration whereas, in 5 out of 6 patients with choriocarcinoma, the fraction was 4.8--30%. The secretion of Con A non-binding SP1 appears to be an inherent characteristic of some malignant trophoblast tissues and may result from its altered glycosylation.

Choriocarcinoma↗

Pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein (SP1) in cultured amniotic fluid cells.

The synthesis of pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein (SP1) was studied in amniotic fluid cell cultures using RIA, immunoperoxidase, and immunofluorescence techniques. SP1 was found by RIA in all 11 sonicates and in 21 of 26 culture media. The SP1-immunoreactive material was immunologically similar to maternal serum SP1. Immunoperoxidase and indirect immunofluorescence staining were positive in large cells identified as epithelial amniotic cells by labeling with antikeratin antibodies. Fibroblast-like cells were occasionally found in cultures, but they did not contain demonstrable amounts of SP1. The physiological significance of the findings presented remains unclear.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Pregnancy specific beta 1-glycoprotein and human chorionic gonadotrophin levels n amniotic fluid and maternal serum in the first half of pregnancy.

Pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein (PSBG) and chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) were measured by radioimmunoassay in the amniotic fluid of 99 normal pregnancies, 19 pregnancies of women at risk of having another child with congenital nephrosis and 8 pregnancies in which the fetus had a neural tube defect. Maternal serum PSBG and HCG levels were estimated in 52 normal pregnancies and 15 pregnancies at risk for congenital nephrosis. Both amniotic fluid and maternal serum PSBG levels increased in either compartment after 14th week of pregnancy. There was a positive correlation between maternal serum and amniotic fluid PSBG concentrations (P less than 0.001), between maternal serum and amniotic fluid HCG concentrations (P less than 0.001), and between the amniotic fluid PSBG and HCG levels (P less than 0.05) at a given week of pregnancy (wk 15). On average the maternal serum PSBG level was 20-50 times and the HCG level 2-3 times the amniotic fluid level of normal pregnancies. In cases with a neural tube defect the amniotic fluid PSBG and HCG values were similar to those in normal pregnancy. In congenital nephrosis the amniotic fluid HCG concentration was higher than normal at 15-16 weeks of gestation (P less than 0.05), whereas the amniotic fluid PSBG concentration was normal. Thus, placental pathology in congenital nephrosis appears to be reflected as an increased amniotic fluid concentration of HCG in the second trimester.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein in amniotic fluid in high risk late pregnancy.

Pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein (PSBG) levels in amniotic fluid were studied by radioimmunoassay in 70 normal and 90 high risk pregnancies between 34 and 41 weeks. Most values from high risk singleton pregnancies were within the normal range. Intra-uterine growth retardation (n = 22) was associated with normal amniotic fluid PSBG levels. In twin pregnancies, the amniotic fluid PSBG values were usually above the normal mean, but within the normal range. The average ratio between amniotic fluid and maternal serum PSBG concentrations was 1:16. Amniotic fluid PSBG concentration did not correlate with the maternal serum PSBG level, and no relationship with fetal distress, infant birth weight or length, sex or placental weight was observed.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein levels in normal and toxemic pregnancy.

Maternal plasma levels of pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein (PSBG) in 166 normal and 169 toxemic pregnancies were measured by radioimmunoassay in the third trimester. Individual PSBG levels were studied in 16 women during weeks 7 through 39 of normal pregnancy. The levels were found to increase as pregnancy progressed. During the third trimester neither normal nor toxemic pregnancies showed any circadian rhythm in PSBG levels. In toxemic pregnancies low PSBG values were seen mainly in cases with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Plasma PSBG concentrations at weeks 39-40 in toxemic patients correlated positively with placental weight. No such correlation was found in normal or toxemic pregnancies at 37-38 weeks or in either group between PSBG level and infant birth weight, birth length, or Apgar score. In toxemic pregnancies with low PSBG values during the last trimester, birth weights were somewhat lower than in those with normal levels. Thus, low levels of maternal plasma PSBG may reflect IUGR, but will be of little value for assessment of fetal condition at birth.

Birth Weight↗

Detection of trophoblastic tumour activity by pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein.

Pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein (PSBG) and human chorionic gonagotrophin (hCG) were measured by specific radioimmunoassays in 73 serum samples from eight patients treated for gestational choriocarcinoma. Both markers were initially present in all cases, but at the time of writing both had levelled off in six cases and decreased markedly in two. Usually hCG was detectable for longer than PSBG during the course of chemotherapy. Both PSBG and hCG reappeared on clinical recurrence. However, at times during the follow-up period one trophoblastic marker only was expressed. This was hCG in most cases, but in one case PSBG alone was encountered. These results suggest that PSBG may serve as an additional marker for the detection of residual tumour growth in patients with trophoblastic tumours.

Choriocarcinoma↗

Pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein levels in cholestasis of pregnancy.

Plasma concentrations of pregnancy specific beta-1-glycoprotein (PSBG) were measured by specific radioimmunoassay in 211 samples from 123 normal women during the third trimester of pregnancy and in 166 samples from 68 patients with cholestasis of pregnancy. At 37--38 weeks of gestation patients with cholestasis had significantly lower PSBG levels than the normal pregnant women (P less than 0.005), whereas the levels in patients in the cholestasis had not been significantly different from those for normal pregnant women before 37 weeks. At 37--38 weeks of gestation patients with cholestasis showed a slight correlation between placnetal weight and plasma PSBS levels (r = 0.362; P less than 0.05), whereas this was not found in patients with normal pregnancy. No correlation was found between infant weight or length at birth and the PSBG concentrations in either group, and no difference was noted in PSBG concentrations between cases with and without fetal distress.

Cholestasis↗

Amniotic fluid pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein (SP1) in fetal developmental disorders.

Concentration of pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein (SP1) was studied in second and third trimester amniotic fluid from pregnancies with various fetal developmental disorders. The material consisted of 26 cases with chromosomal disorders and 19 cases with non-chromosomal fetal malformations. The SP1 concentration was elevated in two cases of Meckel's syndrome (mean +2.7-4.0 S.D.) as well as in one case of fetal triploidy (mean +22 S.D.), while it was normal in all other 14 different fetal disorders.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Studies on the elevated amniotic fluid SP1 in Meckel's syndrome: modified glycosylation of SP1.

Pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein (Schwangerschaftsprotein, SP1) is elevated in the amniotic fluid in Meckel's syndrome. In an attempt to clarify this phenomenon, we studied fetal tissues by immunohistochemistry for the distribution of SP1 in normal fetuses and fetuses with Meckel's syndrome. The amount of SP1 was increased in two out of ten Meckel placentae, as semiquantitatively shown by the immunoperoxidase method, but was normal in the rest of the cases. There was no difference in the SP1 distribution or content in the other fetal tissues studied. Fetal cerebrospinal fluid contained only very low levels of SP1 and thus cannot provide a source for elevated amniotic fluid SP1. In addition, binding of amniotic fluid SP1 to concanavalin A (Con-A) was studied in pregnancies with normal fetuses and Meckel's syndrome using affinity chromatography. The proportion not bound to Con-A in normal amniotic fluids decreased with advancing gestation and was lowest when the total SP1 concentrations were highest. An especially low percentage of SP1 not bound to Con A was found in Meckel's syndrome, suggesting an altered carbohydrate structure of SP1 in these amniotic fluids.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Bioavailability of three commercial preparations of ibuprofen 600 mg.

The pharmacokinetic variables of ibuprofen 600 mg were investigated after administration of Brufen and compared to administration of Burana and Ibumetin. The investigation was carried out as a randomized single-dose crossover study in 17 healthy volunteers. The mean maximum plasma concentrations of ibuprofen were 58, 45 and 54 micrograms/ml after administration of Brufen, Burana and Ibumetin, respectively, the time to reach this being 1.4, 2.1 and 1.6 h, respectively, after administration. The differences between Brufen and Burana were significant. The relative bioavailability was very similar between Brufen and Burana but about 8% lower for Ibumetin and this difference between Brufen and Ibumetin was significant. Thus, different brands of ibuprofen may not be pharmacokinetically interchangeable and the results show that Brufen is superior to either Burana or Ibumetin when considering both the rate and extent of absorption. These findings are clinically interesting since a high and early plasma concentration of ibuprofen seems to be related to increased analgesic efficacy.

Adolescent↗

Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and sperm abnormalities in men born with benign sacrococcygeal teratoma.

To elucidate the hypothetical role of a primary germ cell defect in the development of a germ cell tumor, with subsequent testicular dysfunction, the authors studied a series of men who had surgery performed for a benign sacrococcygeal teratoma when newborns. The mean levels of serum testosterone and gonadotropins did not differ from the control patients. However, gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation caused exaggerated responses of serum luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. Testicular size was small in three of eight patients. Semen analysis showed abnormal semen quality in five of eight patients. Only one patient had no evidence of testicular dysfunction. The results indicate that men born with benign sacrococcygeal teratoma may have Leydig cell dysfunction, abnormal spermatogenesis, or both. It was speculated that the associated abnormalities may have a common etiology: for instance, they might be due to a congenital germ cell defect.

Adult↗

Vertebral abnormalities associated with congenital sacrococcygeal teratomas.

An orthopedic and radiologic follow-up study was performed on 45 patients who had undergone surgery for a benign congenital sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT). Eighty percent of the patients had one to three vertebral abnormalities at the mean age of 21 years. Extrapelvic primary tumors were associated with subsequent development of spondylolysis in the lumbosacral spine, and intrapelvic primary tumors were associated with multiple spina bifida occulta lesions and other spinal anomalies. In addition, an increased incidence of congenital dislocation of the hip (7%) was observed in patients with SCTs.

Adolescent↗

Total and lipid-bound serum sialic acid in children with malignancy or infections.

Increased levels of sialic acid-containing glycoconjugates in serum have been observed in malignancies. In this study, significantly elevated serum concentrations of total sialic acid (TSA), TSA/total protein (TSA/TP) and lipid-bound sialic acid (LASA) were observed at diagnosis of children with various malignancies compared to healthy children. Serum TSA and TSA/TP were superior to LASA in differentiating solid tumors (p < 0.005) and leukemias (p < 0.05) from normal controls. In neuroblastoma and yolk sac tumors, a descending trend in TSA and TSA/TP was noted after successful treatment of the malignancy. Children with simultaneous malignancy and infection had significantly higher serum TSA (p < 0.05) and TSA/TP (p < 0.01) levels compared to patients with infectious diseases only, the corresponding areas under the curve were 0.83 and 0.88. The measurement of serum TSA and TSA/TP could be useful adjuncts in exclusion, diagnosis and follow-up of malignancies in children.

Adolescent↗