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Biomedical subjects

N Liappis

Publications and source records attributed to N Liappis.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Low plasma thyroid indices of depressed patients are attenuated by antidepressant drugs and influence treatment outcome.

Decreased turnover of thyroid indices and blunting of TSH release after TRH administration has been associated with depressive disorder. A further decrease in plasma thyroid hormone; during antidepressant treatment has been reported. However, the putative association between the plasma thyroid indices' concentration and response has not been addressed. In the present study 21 depressed inpatients underwent a four-week double blind antidepressant with amitriptyline and mianserin; their plasma thyroid hormone indices (total thyroxine [TT4], free thyroxine [FT4], total triiodothyronine [TT3], free triiodothyronine [FT3], thyrotropin [TSH], and thyroglobulin [TBG]) were quantified to elucidate their involvement in depression and during antidepressant drug treatment. Depressed patients' plasma TSH, when corrected for age, was significantly lower than that of healthy subjects. During antidepressant treatment the entire patient cohort showed a significant decrease in plasma TT4 and FT4 concentrations. Responders showed a significant drop in TT4 FT4, FT3, and T4/TBG, but nonresponders only a decrease in FT4. During mianserin treatment, a decrease was observed in TT4, FT4, FT3, and T4/TBG. FT4 and FT3 baseline levels correlated positively with the improvement in the Hamilton Depression Rating Score (HDRS). These findings show that depressed inpatients' serum TSH levels are within the reference range, but significantly lower than those of healthy subjects, and those patients who turn out to be nonresponders have potentially lower availability of thyroid hormones than responders. Therefore, we hypothesize that in order to assure clinical improvement in depression, an adequate capacity of the thyroid hormone pool is necessary to compensate for the additional antidepressant-provoked decrease in serum thyroid hormone availability.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Reference values for IgE concentration in serum of children. Method: ImmunoCAP-FEIA system].

UNLABELLED: Age specific IgE reference values were determined in serum of 224 children by the aid of the ImmunoCAP fluorescence enzyme immunoassay method. RESULTS: Cord blood: less than 0.35 kU/l; Till 0.5 year: less than 2.0 kU/l; 0.5-2 years: up to 3.8 kU/l; 2-5 years: up to 16.0 kU/l; 5-8 years: up to 26.2 kU/l; 8-12 years: up to 34.6 kU/l; 12-16 years: up to 26.3 kU/l. These IgE reference values can be used for the diagnosis of pathological elevated IgE concentrations in serum of children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Evaluation of the bilirubinometer Hico-Bilimat A 700].

The Hico-Bilimeter A 700 is a simple filter photometer for the determination of total bilirubin in neonatal serum, reading the absorbance of the undiluted sample at two wavelengths. Precision of the measurements is good, with linearity acceptable up to a concentration of 18 mg/dl. Compared to the values obtained with the reference method the results below 18 mg/dl are 16% too high on average; above 18 mg/dl the scatter of results is markedly increased. Even a moderate hemolysis shows a distinct influence on the measurements. Using the instrument tested no reliable results could be obtained, especially in hemolytic samples.

Bilirubin↗
PubMed1991

[Comparison of thyrotropin (TSH), thyroxine (TT4) and triiodothyronine (TT3) concentration in capillary and venous blood serum in children and adolescents].

The thyrotropin, thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentration was compared in sera from capillary and venous blood (n = 50) using a luminescence-enhanced enzyme immuno assay. The results showed a good correlation (TSH, r = 0.991, TT4, r = 0.988, TT3, r = 0.975) and a linear relationship. It is concluded that serum of capillary blood can be used for the in vitro diagnosis of thyroid function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Comparison of five routine methods with the candidate reference method for the determination of bilirubin in neonatal serum.

Using five routine methods and the candidate reference method of Doumas (Clin. Chem. 31, 1779-1789 (1985)), total bilirubin was determined in 77 neonatal serum samples (concentration range 63-444 mumol/l, average value 227 mumol/l). Four of the routine methods (Jendrassik & Grof's (Biochem. Z. 297, 81-89 (1938)) method, Hertz's (Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest. 33, 215-230 (1974)) method, the bilirubinometer procedure, and the method employing 2,5-dichlorophenyldiazonium (Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest. 29, Suppl. 126, Abstr. 11. 12. (1972]) gave values that were generally higher than those of the reference method. In contrast, the results from Vink's (Clin. Chem. 34, 67-70 (1988] direct spectrophotometric method differed only negligibly from those of the reference method. The accuracy of Jendrassik & Grof's method, and to a limited extent that of the 2,5-dichlorophenyldiazonium method, can be improved by redetermination of the molar absorption coefficient, or by using a standard containing a matrix of human albumin, with an assigned value determined by the reference method. It was found that Hertz's direct spectrophotometric method can be replaced by that of Vink. The accuracy of the bilirubinometer results could be improved only by using calibrators with assigned values specific for the bilimeter, or by calibration with a serum pool.

Bilirubin↗
PubMed1990

[Low pressure trocar resection versus Iglesias suction resection].

Trocar resection is superior to Iglesias' backwash resection. The main criteria on which this assessment is based are the larger operative specimen obtained, the shorter duration of the operation, and the much smaller intraoperative infiltration volume. This last was determined using a glycine irrigation solution, by measuring the increase in glycine in the serum by means of column chromatography. This showed that the intravesical irrigation pressure determines the absorption volume after opening of the venous sinus, while the duration of the resection and the volume of irrigation solution employed perioperatively are of less importance. In the case of alcohol-based irrigation solutions these results can be confirmed by measuring the "standby" alcohol in the respiratory air.

Glycine↗
PubMed1990

[Fructosamine reference ranges for pregnant patients and children determined using an improved NBT method].

Reference values for fructosamine in pregnancy show a decrease with progressing pregnancy, which can be explained by pregnancy-associated hemodilution. A normalization to 7.0 g/dl total protein leads to values independent of gestational age. For children and adolescents age-dependency of the reference range is abolished if values are related to total protein. More plausible values are obtained in longitudinal profiles if fluctuations of protein concentration are taken into account.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Total theophylline clearance in childhood: the influence of age-dependent changes in metabolism and elimination.

Theophylline metabolism and elimination during childhood are age-dependent. The total clearance, which is the sum of metabolic and renal clearances is highest in infants and young children. To differentiate between the two pathways, theophylline concentrations were measured in both serum and urine in 16 children aged 2 weeks-16 years using the fluorescence polarization immunoassay. It was found that both partial clearances assume maximal values at about the same age, but the fraction of total clearance attributable to the renal route decreases continuously.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Circulating serum phenylalanine concentrations and the effect of arginine infusion on plasma levels of growth hormone and insulin in treated phenylketonuric children.

According to desired phenylalanine (Phe) levels of 50-80 mg/l during treatment, three groups of patients with classical phenylketonuria (PKU) (5.3-17.1 years) were formed. They were investigated for their growth hormone (GH) and insulin response to arginine infusion: Group I (N = 5) had Phe levels below (22 +/- 4 mg/l), group II (N = 3) within (61 +/- 6 mg/l), and group III (N = 3) above therapeutic limits (156 +/- 3 mg/l). Nine children (5.2-14.5 years) with short stature served as controls. Whereas group I and II PKU children showed normal GH response to arginine infusion, group III children exhibited impaired GH response expressed as integrated GH response (218 +/- 38.6 micrograms X 1(-1) X 2 h vs 911 +/- 145 micrograms X 1(-1) X 2 h; P less than 0.01) or peak GH response (6.6 +/- 1.2 micrograms/l vs 18.7 +/- 2.3 micrograms/l; P less than 0.05). Integrated insulin responses did not differ between the three PKU groups but were significantly higher in all PKU patients compared with controls (4903 +/- 421 mU/l vs 2750 +/- 378 mU/l; P less than 0.01). However, this reflects impaired insulin secretion in children with constitutional delay of growth and adolescence rather than hyperinsulinism in PKU patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Plasma levels of growth hormone-releasing hormone and somatostatin in response to a mixed meal and during sleep in children.

Following a mixed meal, plasma levels of GHRH, GH, SRIH and insulin were measured in 7 prepubertal children with constitutional delay of growth and adolescence (CDGA) and in 3 children with proven GH-deficiency which responded to GHRH-injection. In children with CDGA, plasma levels of GHRH increased between 60 and 120 min (10.1 +/- 1.2 ng/l vs 25.5 +/- 4.4 ng/l; P less than 0.01). Although no GH increase occurred in patients with GH-deficiency, their plasma GHRH increases were comparable to those in CDGA children. No time relationship was present between circulating GHRH and GH, SRIH, or insulin, nor was there any correlation between their integrated hormone response areas. Sleep-induced plasma GHRH, GH and SRIH values were determined in 10 prepubertal children with CDGA. Spontaneous variations of plasma GHRH and GH values occurred with no temporal or quantitative relationship. SRIH values did not change during nocturnal sleep. In one child with GH-deficiency, comparable GHRH plasma fluctuations occurred, although GH values were all below 1 microgram/l. Our results support the concept that circulating GHRH does not only represent hypothalamic GHRH, but derives mainly from extrahypothalamic sources, possibly from the gastrointestinal tract.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Ion exchange column chromatographic investigation of free amino acids in tears of healthy adults.

Free amino acids were determined quantitatively in tear fluid and serum samples from the fasting blood of 21 healthy men (aged 22-45 years) and 22 women (aged 21-56 years). Protein was removed from tears and serum by adding an equal volume of 5% sulfosalicyclic acid, and the amino acids were separated by ion exchange column chromatography. None of the 43 subjects showed any evidence of liver damage, kidney or metabolic disease. Men had significantly higher valine, isoleucine and histidine concentrations than women. The range of normal values was determined from these findings.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Concentration levels of thyroxine binding globulin and thyroxine in the blood of euthyroid children. Reliability and diagnostic value of the T4/TBG quotiens--establishing reference values].

The most important transportprotein for thyroxine (T4) is the thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG). This protein and T4 were determined using the radioimmunoassay method in bloodserum of 443 euthyreotic children. The age-specific analysis showed high TBG and T4 concentrations in the postnatal phase, nearly constancy between 1. and 9. years with concentrations in the upper physiological range of adults, elevation of the values in the age of 10/11. years and definite attainment of the normal range for adults at 12/13. years. The importance of the T4/TBG quotient for thyroid gland diagnostics was discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Low molecular solutes and the blood cerebrospinal fluid barrier.

An attempt is made to evaluate those portions of low molecular hydrophilic solutes that obey apparent passive transfer principles at the blood cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier under steady state conditions. Twenty-four electrolytes, metabolites, and amino acids are determined in serum and CSF obtained simultaneously. The correlation found between the serum/CSF concentration ratios and the molecular radii of most compounds is indicative of the prevalence of passive transfer processes in CSF formation, as has been already demonstrated for proteins. The level of some constituents in the primary filtrate may be secondarily increased by influx from the adjacent extracellular space, e.g. glutamine and creatinine, or decreased by specific uptake from the CSF compartment, e.g. glycine. The CSF levels of all compounds are dependent upon the actual state of the blood CSF barrier as evaluated by the serum/CSF concentration ratios of albumin and alpha 2-macroglobulin. The results do not support the assumption that CSF may be used to test the permeability state of the blood brain barrier propery.

Blood-Brain Barrier↗
PubMed1982

[Potential coulometry, a new methodology for the determination of iron concentration in serum. Comparison with the bathophenanthroline method in protein-free solution (author's transl)].

Iron concentration was determined by the aid of the ESA Ferrochem 3050 analyzer and the bathophenanthroline method with deproteinization. Both methods showed a good precision and accuracy. The investigation was carried out in 505 sera with an iron concentration between 9 and 333 micrograms/dl. The comparison of the two methods in 360 sera with normal iron concentration (40-150 micrograms/dl) showed a close correlation (correlation coefficient r = 0.965). Close correlation (correlation coefficient r = 0.939) was also found in the 35 sera with increased iron concentration (150-333 micrograms/dl) and acceptable correlation (correlation coefficient r = 0.808) resulted in the 110 sera with decreased iron concentration (9-40 micrograms/dl). The special merits of the potential coulometric method were precision, quickness in the time of analysis and very small sample size (50 microliters), important for pediatric analyses.

Humans↗