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PubMed1991

[Progress in glycated albumin assay and its clinical significance].

Glycated albumin (G-Alb) measured as one of the glycated proteins is recognized to be the clinical significant index of blood glucose control at earlier stage rather than HbA1c. The borate affinity column (BAC) method is regarded as a reference assay method, but the assay of fructosamine (FRA) is widely used at present as the easier method of G-Alb. In this paper, the characteristics, problems and usefulness of BAC method and FRA assay were described.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed2005

[Applications of a rat model of chronic bronchitis on toxicity of PM2.5].

OBJECTIVE: To study the acute toxicity of PM2.5 to the rats with chronic bronchitis and the control rats and the difference between the model rats and the control rats on PM2.5 toxicity. METHODS: With the use of an intratracheal instillation, both groups were exposed to suspensions of PM2.5. After three times, the levels of ALB, LDH, AKP, MDA and GSH in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were analyzed. RESULTS: PM2.5 could induce the acute toxicity to both model rats and control rats, and dose-response relationships were observed in all indexes. In model rats, the levels of ALB, LDH, AKP, and MDA were higher in control rats( P < 0.05), while the levels of GSH were lower in control rats (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PM2.5 could have acute toxic effects on both model rats and health rats, and the rats with chronic bronchitis are more susceptible to PM2.5 than health rats.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2006

[The value of serum markers in evaluating liver fibrotic changes].

OBJECTIVE: Serum fibrotic markers were investigated for diagnosing and prognosing liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: Liver biopsy data of 93 patients before and after treatment were gathered from an experiment group (Fuzhenghuayu capsule, 36 cases) and a control group (Heluoshugan capsule, 57 cases) from multiple medical centers, using randomized and double blind strategies to evaluate the effectiveness of Fuzhenghuayu capsules against liver fibrosis. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the treatment efficacy: an effectual group and a non-effectual group. The hepatic inflammation, liver function and serum fibrotic markers of the patients of the two groups were analyzed. RESULTS: We found that (1) Liver fibrosis improved with hepatic inflammation improvement. (2) After the drug treatment, the serum HA and PIIIP levels of the effectual group decreased obviously (t = 3.34, t =3.17, P < 0.01), and the decreased degree was higher than that of the non-effectual group, but there were no changes for LN and IV-C levels. (3) Alb contents increased (t = 3.24, P < 0.01) and activities of GGT and AST and PT decreased significantly in the effectual group, but there was no change in the non-effectual group. CONCLUSION: The serum GGT and AST activities, PT, Alb, HA and PIIIP contents in the chronic hepatitis B patients are good markers for evaluating the degree of liver fibrosis and the effectiveness of the drug action, but the values of LN and IV-C in the evaluation need to be studied more.

Aspartate Aminotransferases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A modified reconstruction method to prevent critical complications after pancreatoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A new method of reconstructing the pancreatic stump after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) is necessary to improve the postoperative mortality rate. Thus, we modified the pancreatoenteric procedure to reduce anastomotic leakage from the pancreatic stump after PD, and we conducted a study to evaluate the usefulness of the new procedure on the basis of patients' postoperative condition. METHODOLOGY: We compared the postoperative condition of 21 patients who underwent PD with the new separated loop (SL) reconstruction (6 men, 11 women; mean age, 67.7+/-7.2 years) to that of 31 patients (12 men, 19 women; mean age, 66.8+/-10.3 years) who underwent PD with pancreatogastrostomy (PG). In the SL reconstruction procedure, the proximal jejunum is brought up behind the colon, and an end-to-side choledochojejunostomy is made with a single layer of interrupted sutures. Approximately 20cm of the jejunum is fitted with a fixed stomach tube for postoperative enteral feeding, and the cut proximal jejunum is positioned next to the pancreatic stump. A pancreatic tube is inserted into the lumen of the pancreatic duct and fixed without closing the pancreatic duct. Pancreatojejunostomy is achieved as an end-to-end anastomosis with the pancreatic stump telescoping into the proximal jejunum. Approximately 20cm of the jejunum is anastomosed side-to-end to the stomach, and end-to-side jejunojejunostomy is made to complete a Y-type reconstruction. Each patient's postoperative condition was also assessed on the basis of serum albumin (ALB), cholinesterase and total cholesterol (T-CHO) levels on postoperative days (PODs) 14 and 28. RESULTS: A high level of amylase in drainage fluid was noted in two (6.5%) and delayed gastric emptying in four (12.9%) of the patients in the PG group. There were no complications in the SL group. Postoperative levels of ALB on POD 14 and T-CHO on POD 28 were significantly higher than in the PG group. CONCLUSIONS: The SL method is safe and does not induce complications after PD. Our results indicate that this method may provide a favored outcome.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Serum leptin concentration and left ventricular hypertrophy and function in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate the potential relationship between left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and left ventricular ejection fraction with serum leptin in end-stage renal failure patients undergoing regular hemodialysis (HD) treatment. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 41 patients (15 women, 26 men) with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), undergoing maintenance HD treatment with acetate basis dialysate and polysulfone membranes. Serum leptin, pre- and post-dialysis creatinine, predialysis BUN, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), serum albumin (Alb) and serum ferritin were monitorized; the patients were categorized into no LVH, mild , moderate and severe LVH, according to the performed echocardiographies. RESULTS: The mean patient's age was 46+/-17.6 years. The mean length of the time patients had received HD was 29.5+/-34 months (median: 18 months). The mean serum leptin was 9.5+/-13.8 ng/mL (median value 4.7 ng/mL). In this study no significant association between stages of LVH with serum leptin was seen. In this study a significant positive correlation between LV ejection fraction with logarithm of serum leptin (r=0.32, P=0.048) (adjusted for age, duration and doses of dialysis, BMI, diabetes mellitus, serum ferritin, Ca, P and serum Alb was observed). CONCLUSIONS: Leptin might not be an aggravator for LV hypertrophy. This behavior of leptin in maintenance HD patients which is in contrast to general population, especially in obese patients with normal renal function could be explained through its reverse epidemiology role in HD patients. Our results emphasize the importance of leptin in HD and clinical impact of these findings merit further investigation.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed2006

[Clinical analysis of 942 cases of Kawasaki disease].

OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to investigate the clinical characteristics and the effects of therapeutic proposal on Kawasaki disease (KD). METHODS: Clinical features, diagnosis and treatment for totally 942 patients with KD hospitalized during Jan, 2000 to Dec, 2004 were reviewed. Clinical features of typical and incomplete KD were compared. Also, influential factors for KD resistant to intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy were analyzed. Five hundred and ten cases were followed up for analyzing the prognosis of coronary artery lesion (CAL). RESULTS: (1) 774 cases were diagnosed as typical KD, and 168 cases as incomplete KD. The incidence of infants with incomplete KD was higher than that of infants with typical KD (18.5% vs. 10.1%, P < 0.01). As compared with typical KD, the cases of incomplete KD had a long duration of fever before final diagnosis [(7.7 +/- 2.9) d vs. (7.0 +/- 2.4) d, P < 0.01], high hemoglobin level [Hb, (106.6 +/- 13.4) g/L vs. (103.5 +/- 12.3) g/L, P < 0.01], high hematocrit [Hct, (32.0 +/- 4.3)% vs. (31.0 +/- 4.0)%, P < 0.01], and high prevalence of CAL (23.8% vs. 16.8%, P < 0.05), respectively. The occurrence rate and emerging time of clinical manifestations in incomplete KD and in typical KD were presented, respectively: non-exudative conjunctivitis [occurrence rate, 64.9% vs. 93.5%; emerging time, (4.4 +/- 1.4) d vs. (4.0 +/- 1.6) d, respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01)], erythema and cracking of lips [occurrence rate, 50.6% vs. 94.8%; emerging time, (4.9 +/- 1.4) d vs. (4.5 +/- 1.6) d, respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01)], rash [occurrence rate, 35.1% vs. 87.7%; emerging time, (3.9 +/- 1.9) d vs. (3.4 +/- 1.7) d, respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01)], erythema and edema of extremity [occurrence rate, 26.8% vs. 71.4%; emerging time, (6.7 +/- 1.5) d vs. (5.3 +/- 1.7) d, respectively (P < 0.01)], cervical lymphadenopathy [occurrence rate, 34.5% vs. 68.0%; emerging time, (4.3 +/- 2.5) d vs. (3.6 +/- 2.2) d, respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01)], strawberry tongue [occurrence rate, 31.0% vs. 59.8%; emerging time, (5.6 +/- 2.2) d vs. (4.9 +/- 1.8) d, respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01)], membranous desquamation of fingertips [occurrence rate, 34.5% vs. 56.3%; emerging time, (11.7 +/- 3.3) d vs. (10.3 +/- 2.7) d, respectively (P < 0.01)], and desquamation peri-anus [occurrence rate, 42.9% vs. 50.0%; emerging time, (6.7 +/- 2.7) d vs. (6.9 +/- 2.5) d, respectively (P > 0.05)]. Except for peri-anus desquamation, other clinical manifestations in incomplete KD were sporadical as compared to typical KD. (2) Six per cent (51/857) of cases were resistant to the IVIG therapy. As compared to the group responding to IVIG therapy, high prevalence of CAL (31.4% vs. 17.1%, P < 0.05), long fever duration [(10.6 +/- 3.9) d vs. (7.5 +/- 2.3) d, P < 0.01], low Hb level [(99.9 +/- 14.1) g/L vs. (104.3 +/- 12.4) g/L, P < 0.01], low Hct [(30.1 +/- 4.5)% vs. (31.2 +/- 4.0)%, P < 0.05], low platelet [PLT, (256.9 +/- 142.4) x 10(9)/L vs. (309.7 +/- 131.5) x 10(9)/L, P < 0.05], and low albumin level [ALB, (27.8 +/- 8.4) g/L vs. (33.5 +/- 6.7) g/L, P < 0.01] were found in the group resistant to IVIG therapy, respectively. (3) In patients who received IVIG 1 g/kg and 2 g/kg, the recovery rates from CAL were 83.1% and 89.7% (P > 0.05), respectively. The prevalence of CAL in those without CAL in acute and subacute stages was 0.9% and 3.5% (P > 0.05), respectively, during 2 year-follow-up period. CONCLUSION: (1) Infants appeared to have more chances to suffer from incomplete KD. Incomplete KD had high prevalence of CAL. The peri-anus desquamation might be an important clue for early diagnosis of incomplete KD. (2) In acute stage, the influential factors for KD resistance to IVIG therapy included prolonged fever, non-elevated PLT, and persistent decrease in Hb, Hct and ALB levels. (3) Children receiving IVIG 1 g/kg and 2 g/kg had the similar effects on recovery and prevention from CAL within the first two years after KD onset.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Fetuin A in children with renal diseases].

UNLABELLED: Fetuin A, 59 kDa protein, produced in the liver is a circulating inhibitor of vascular calcification. The aim of the study was to estimate a concentration of fetuin A in children with renal diseases. Fifty three children were examined: 18 with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) aged 2.5 to 14.5 years, mean 6.6 +/- 3.6 and 35 with chronic renal failure (CRF) aged 4.5 to 20 years, mean 13.3 +/- 3.9. The control group (K) consisted of 22 healthy children, aged from 6.5 to 17.5 years, mean 10.8 +/- 3.3. In all children serum concentration of fetuin A (ELISA method, BioVendor), calcium (sCa), phosphorus (sP), protein (P), albumin (Alb), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were measured. The daily protein excretion in children with proteinuria (mg/kg/day) and the serum parathormone (PTH) level in children with CRF were analysed. RESULTS: The concentration of fetuin A was the lowest in children with NS (78.1 +/- 24.5 ng/ml) and was statistically different (p=0.0003) than in group K (101.4 +/- 11 ng/ml) and group CRF (106.7 +/- 13.7 ng/ml). In group NS significant correlations were found between concentrations of fetuin A and sCa (r=0.62, p<0.01), P (r=0.59, p= 0.01) and Alb (r=0.64, p<0.01) and negative correlations with concentration of TC (r=-0.68, p<0.01) and daily proteinuria (r=-0.79, p<0.001). In groups K and CRF the correlations of fetuin A level and analysed parameters were not found. CONCLUSION: Low concentration of fetuin A in children with nephrotic syndrome may be the additional agent to promote the atherogenic lesions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Studies on renal dysfunction after intra-arterial hypertensive chemotherapy (CDDP, PEP) for advanced cancer of the uterine cervix--serum.urinary alpha 1-microglobulin, beta 2-microglobulin and urinary lysozyme, albumin].

The present study evaluated the degree of renal impairment caused by intra-arterial hypertensive chemotherapy (CDDP, PEP). In 11 cases of advanced cancer of the uterine cervix, serum and urinary levels of alpha 1-microglobulin (alpha 1-m) and beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m), and urinary albumin (Alb) and lysozyme (LZM) were determined before the chemotherapy and 1,2 and 3 weeks after the therapy. Results are summarized as follows: 1. After intra-arterial chemotherapy, the histological classification was Grade I in 1 case (9.1%), Grade IIa in 2 cases (18.2%), and Grade IIb in 8 cases (72.7%). 2. Serum alpha 1-m and beta 2-m levels remained within the normal range after chemotherapy. 3. Urinary alpha 1-m, beta 2-m and LZM levels exceeded the normal limit between 1 and 2 weeks after the therapy, but thereafter they returned to normal. 4. Urinary Alb was significantly increased (p less than 0.05) between 1 and 2 weeks after therapy, but thereafter it returned to normal. These results suggested that intra-arterial chemotherapy (CDDP 100mg and PEP 40 mg in a dose) was effective for advanced cancer of the cervix and that renal disorders including tubular and glomerular impairment, which are the adverse effects of the therapy, were mild and reversible.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Impact on peritoneal membrane of use of icodextrin-based dialysis solution in peritoneal dialysis patients.

The usefulness of icodextrin-containing peritoneal dialysis (PD) solution for the management of body fluid and blood pressure has been reported. However, icodextrin PD solution is a foreign solution in the body, and the possible induction of intraperitoneal inflammation has been reported. In this study, we investigated at 6-month intervals the influence of icodextrin solution on peritoneal permeability and inflammatory reactions in patients in whom glucose solution had been changed to icodextrin solution for the overnight dwell. We enrolled 9 anuric PD patients (5 men, 4 women) of mean age 58 +/- 5.9 years (range: 45.6-64.8 years) into the study. The patients' mean duration of PD was 61.9 +/- 42 months (range: 6.7-142.5 months). The cause of end-stage renal disease was chronic glomerulonephritis in all patients. For evaluation ofperitoneal permeability, we performed peritoneal equilibration tests (PETs) immediately after an overnight dwell and determined the dialysate-to-plasma ratios of creatinine (D/P Cr), beta2-microglobulin (D/P beta2m), albumin (D/P Alb), immunoglobulin G (D/P IgG), and alpha2-macroglobulin (D/P alpha2m). We also measured interleukin-6 (IL-6) and fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs) in overnight effluent as indices of inflammation and of the fibrinolysis-coagulation system. The evaluation was performed every 6 months for 24 months. The FDPs in effluent increased significantly at 6 months after the change to icodextrin solution, and IL-6 tended to increase. The D/P beta2m, D/P Alb, D/P IgG, and D/P alpha2m all significantly increased in the course of follow-up. In the PETs, the D/P Cr increased slightly, but the change was nonsignificant. At 30 months after the change to icodextrin solution, 1 patient was diagnosed as having a risk of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (pre-EPS). In this patient, rapid increases in IL-6, D/P Cr and macromolecular and small molecular D/P by PET were noted after the change to icodextrin solution. Steroids were administered after the diagnosis of pre-EPS, with the result that the IL-6 level rapidly decreased and the D/P Cr and D/P of small molecules and macromolecules slightly decreased. Icodextrin dialysis solution increased peritoneal permeability. Although the cause was unclear, icodextrin may have changed peritoneal reactivity. Long-term use of icodextrin PD solution requires further investigation.

Albumins↗
PubMed1990

[Serum level of vascular basement membrane associated collagen by the sandwich ELISA with monoclonal antibodies and its clinical significance in various diseases].

A sandwich ELISA system for detecting vascular basement membrane associated collagen (BAC) was developed. Serum levels of BAC were determined in patients with liver diseases (N = 53), various cancers (N = 65) and other diseases (399). Serum levels of procollagen type III (PIIIP) amino propeptide, type IV collagen.7s domain (7s domain) and other parameters (TP, ALB, GOT, GPT, CHE, gamma-GTP, ALP, LDH, CHE, TG, GLU) were also determined in those patients. In the whole patients, serum concentrations of BAC showed a weak correlation with GOT, GPT, ALB and CHE but not with gamma-GTP and ALP. There was no correlation between BAC and PIIIP or 7s domain. Although serum levels of BAC were elevated in both liver diseases and cancers, the increase in liver diseases was more marked. Markedly increased serum levels of BAC with low levels of CHE were found only in liver cirrhosis and liver cirrhosis plus hepatocellular carcinoma. Increased BAC may reflect capillarization of the liver sinusoid or remodeling of the vascular basement membrane which is observed in the progression of liver fibrosis. Serum BAC is thought to be a promising new marker, different from PIIIP or 7s domain for diagnosing fibrosis state in the organs, particularly in the liver.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed2006

[Influence of glutamine and growth hormone intensified nutrition support on immunomodulation in critically ill elderly patients].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impacts of glutamine (Gln) and recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) intensified nutrition support on critically ill elderly patients. METHODS: Ninety critically ill aged patients were included in a prospective, randomized and controlled clinical study, and randomly divided into three groups: group A (standard nutrition support), group B (standard nutrition support+10% Gln 100 ml/d), group C (standard nutrition support+ Gln 100 ml/d+rhGH 10 U/d). Before treatment and then 7 and 14 days after treatment, blood samples were collected for analysis of serum proteins including albumin (ALB), pre-albumin (PAB), C-reactive protein (CRP), immunoglobulin G (IgG). Meanwhile, the variables including T-cell subsets, CD14 human leukocyte antigen (locus) DR (CD14 HLA-DR), and total lymphocytes were measured. The changes in acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) scores, the durations of intensive care unit (ICU) stay and mechanical ventilation, and 28-day survival rate were recorded. RESULTS: Comparing with group A and B, the levels of serum ALB, PAB and IgG were significantly elevated in group C. The T-cell subsets, CD14 HLA-DR and the number of total lymphocytes were markedly higher in group C (P<0.01), and the APACHE II and MODS scores were decreased significantly in group C (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The levels of serum CRP were lowered significantly in group C (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in the durations of ICU stay, mechanical ventilation and 28-day survival rate among three groups (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Gln and rhGH intensified nutrition support can improve nutritional condition and immune function, downregulate the inflammatory response in the critically ill elderly patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

[Detection of circulating and bone marrow myeloma cells in patients with multiple myeloma and its clinical significance].

This study was aimed to investigate the correlation between circulating myeloma cells (CMC) and bone marrow myeloma cells (MMC) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and its clinical significance. Four-color flow cytometry was used to detect the percentage of CMC and MMC in 55 patients with MM. Other prognosis-associated factors such as beta(2) microglobulin (beta(2)-MG), serum albumin (Alb), chromosomal abnormalities and renal function were simultaneously analyzed. The patients were divided into four groups: group A, in which CMC and MMC were simultaneously detected; group B, in which only MMC were detected; group C, in which only CMC were detected; group D, in which no myeloma cells were detected in peripheral blood or bone marrow. The results showed that the concentrations of beta(2)-MG and creatinine were significantly increased and Alb markedly decreased in group A as compared with other groups. Statistical differences existed in the above-mentioned factors between patients with myeloma cells detected and not detected. The percentages of CMC or MMC in newly diagnosed, refractory and relapsed patients were apparently higher than those in patients with partial and complete remission, respectively. CMC were strikingly correlated with MMC. It is concluded that the percentages of CMC and MMC not only imply tumor load in MM patients, but also predict the progression of MM, respectively for patients with MM, in those patients CMC and MMC were simultaneously detected.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Membrane pore size and filtration selectivity in cryoglobulinemic plasma fractionation.

Efficiency of albumin (Alb) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) separation from cryoprecipitable proteins (CPP) and IgM was compared between a membrane plasma fractionator with a mean pore diameter (MPD) of 0.1 micron, surface area of 0.65 m2, and a new large pore diameter filter with a MPD of 4.3 microns, and surface area of 0.14 m2. In five in vitro tests at 4 degrees C using polyclonal cryoglobulinemic (CG) plasma from a patient treated by plasma exchange (PE), the large pore filter retained only 22% of the mass of Alb, and a comparable amount of CPP and IgM, as compared to the plasma fractionator, at a fraction of its total retention capacity. The new filter can replace PE in treatment of polyclonal CG.

Cryoglobulinemia↗
PubMed1991

[Study of prognostic factors of survival in patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer].

We studied prognostic factors of survival in 121 patients unresectable non-small cell lung cancer treated between March 1983 and November 1988 at forth department of internal medicine, Kinki university school of medicine, about histology, clinical stage, age, sex, performance status, Brinkman Index, hemoglobin, serum TP, serum Alb, serum LDH, pulmonary function and chemotherapy. The prognostic factors were studied using survival rate by Kaplan-Meier method, univariate analysis by Log-rank test and generalized Wilcoxon test and multivariate analysis by proportional hazard model of Cox. The prognostic factors of pretreatment were age, serum Alb, serum LDH, pulmonary dysfunction of mixed type and performance status. In the classified study according to histology, age and pulmonary dysfunction of mixed type were prognostic importance in patients with squamous cell lung cancer. Hemoglobin in patients with squamous cell lung cancer was important, too. The chemotherapy given good response improved patient's prognosis.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

Internalization of gap junctions between neuron and glial cell and formation of annular lamellar bodies in Chinese leech Whitmania pigra.

This paper reveals the formation of annular lamellar body (ALB) in the ganglion of leech by means of in situ fixation and the lanthanum nitrate tracer technique. This formation involves both wrapping and internalization of the gap junctions between glial processes themselves, as well as between neuron and glial process. The results indicate that there is probably an active process of internalization of membrane structures involving gap junctions between neuron and glial cell in the central nervous system in leech. The functions of ALB are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Urinary excretion of albumin and enzymes in non-insulin-dependent Chinese diabetics.

Urine albumin (Alb), total protein (TP) and creatinine (Cr) concentrations and the activities of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), alanine aminopeptidase (AAP) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) were measured in untimed random urine samples from 157 non-insulin-dependent (NIDDM) diabetic subjects and 54 healthy subjects. In NIDDM subjects the excretions of TP, Alb, NAG, AAP, GGT (expressed in relation to creatinine) were significantly higher and were abnormal in 59.9%, 68.8%, 47.2%, 41.4% and 13.4% of the subjects, respectively. However, 24.5%, 22.4% and 6.1% of NIDDM subjects with normal Alb/Cr ratio had abnormal excretion of NAG, AAP and GGT, respectively. Alb/Cr ratio was greater than 26.8 mg/mmol (considered to be equivalent to albumin excretion of 250 mg/24 h) in 14.6% and between 2.5-26.8 mg/mmol (equivalent to albumin excretion rates of 20-250 mg/24 h) in 54.1% of subjects. In those diabetic subjects with clinical retinopathy only Alb/Cr ratio was higher. Arterial blood pressure was significantly correlated with Alb/Cr (r = 0.365) and NAG/Cr (r = 0.204). We conclude that prevalence of abnormal Alb/Cr is relatively common among Chinese NIDDM subjects.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗
PubMed1990

Integration, expression and germ-line transmission of growth-related genes in pigs.

We have produced transgenic pigs that harbour structural genes for bovine and human growth hormone (bGH and hGH) ligated to a mouse metallothionein-I (MT) promoter, human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF) ligated to the MT or mouse albumin (ALB) promoter, and human insulin-like growth factor-I (hIGF-I) ligated to MT promoter. From 0.31 to 1.03% of microinjected ova developed into transgenic pigs with the various fusion genes. Foreign GH was present in plasma of 61% of the MT-hGH and 89% of the MT-bGH transgenic pigs. Two of 7 pigs with MT-hGRF and all 3 ALB-hGRF transgenic pigs had high concentrations of GRF in their plasma, but plasma concentrations of porcine GH (pGH) were not higher in GRF transgenic pigs than in littermate control pigs. In contrast, plasma concentrations at birth ranged from 3 to 949 ng hGH/ml for MT-hGH transgenic pigs and 5 to 944 ng bGH/ml for MT-bGH transgenic pigs. Presence of the foreign GH depressed endogenous pGH to non-detectable levels. In MT-bGH transgenic pigs, plasma IGF-I was elevated more than 2-fold, plasma glucose was elevated about 30 mg/dl, and plasma insulin was 20-fold higher than in littermate or sibling control pigs. Two lines of pigs expressing the MT-bGH transgene gained 11.1% and 13.7% faster, and were 18% more efficient in converting feed to body weight gain than were sibling control pigs. Expression of the MT-bGH transgene caused a marked repartitioning of nutrients from subcutaneous fat into other carcass components, including muscle, skin, bone and certain organs. The persistent excess hGH or bGH in transgenic pigs was detrimental to general health; lameness, lethargy and gastric ulcers were the most prevalent problems. Gilts that expressed the hGH or bGH transgenes were anoestrous. Germ-line transmission was obtained in 4 of 5 expressing transgenic boars and 4 of 5 nonexpressing transgenic boars and gilts. From 2% to 73% of progeny inherited a transgene from founder transgenics. All transgenic progeny of MT-hGH, MT-bGH and MT-hGRF founder males expressed the transgene if their sire also expressed the gene. The concentration of bGH or hGH in plasma of transgenic progeny was similar to the concentration present in the founder transgenic.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pore size and temperature effects in membrane separation of albumin from immunoglobulins.

A series of ethylene-vinyl alcohol co-polymer hollow fiber membranes, differing in maximum pore diameter (0.01, 0.02, 0.03 micron), in modules of 2 m2 total surface area, were evaluated for separation of immunoglobulins G and M (IgG and IgM) from albumin (Alb) in normal human plasma at two different temperatures (4 degrees C and 37 degrees C). Separation was based on molecular size differences. In the dead end mode, with constant flow rate (20 ml/min) filtration, nearly total recovery of Alb, 27% rejection of IgG, and 87% rejection of IgM at VT = 2.4 L (total volume of filtrate accumulated at transmembrane pressure delta p = 300 mmHg) was observed for the largest pore membrane at 37 degrees C. A significant increase in IgG rejection to 50% was observed at 4 degrees C for this membrane, with a concomitant decrease of VT to 1 L. Average rejection coefficients of representative solutes, and delta p dependence on filtrate volume, were analyzed using the log-normal regression method and membrane pore blocking models. Filtration characteristics were noted to be dominated by the native membrane properties at 37 degrees C, and by solute-solute and solute-membrane interactions at 4 degrees C.

Cholesterol, HDL↗