摘要:

Serum amyloid A (SAA) proteins comprise a family of apolipoproteins synthesized in response to cytokines released by activated monocytes/macrophages. Acute‐phase protein concentrations have been advocated as objective biochemical indices of disease activity in a number of different inflammatory processes. Clinical studies in large groups of patients with a variety of disorders confirmed the rapid production and exceptionally wide dynamic range of the SAA response. It is as sensitive a marker for the acute‐phase as C‐reactive protein (CRP). Recent studies indicate that SAA is the most sensitive non‐invasive biochemical marker for allograft rejection. Further studies comparing the measurement of SAA to CRP could reveal other indications for its specific use. These studies are now more feasible given newer assays to measure this acute‐phase reactant. Observations that the acute‐phase response is tightly coupled to lipoprotein abnormalities and the fact that acute‐SAA proteins are mainly associated with plasma lipoproteins of the high density range suggested a possible role of this apolipoprotein (apo SAA) in the development of atherosclerosis. The expression of SAA mRNA in human atherosclerotic lesions and the induction of acute‐phase SAA by oxidized low‐density lipoproteins strengthen the hypothesis that SAA might play a role in vascular injury

ISSN:0014-2972    

DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2362.1996.159291.x

出版商:Blackwell Science Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0014-2972    

DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2362.1996.176290.x

出版商:Blackwell Science Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Cold‐induced neuropathy may play a dominant role in the long‐term sequelae with cold sensitivity after local cold injuries (LCIs). Somatosensory functions were assessed and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and motor distal delay (MDD) were measured in the limbs of 31 Norwegian former soldiers with persistent cold intolerance 3–4 years after the primary LCI. NCV measurements were performed in 24 lower and 16 upper extremities. NCV was related to degree of overall subjective complaints quantified by means of a visual analogue scale (VAS). Motor (MNCV) and sensory conduction velocity (SNCV) in the lower extremities and SNCV in the hands were significantly decreased compared with controls. MDD was pathologically increased in the feet. NCV of the forearms ranged from normal to significant reduction. The more pronounced effect on the lower extremities may be caused by deeper cooling of the calves compared with forearms for several reasons. No significant associations were found between VAS and NCV except for the right median nerve. NCV measurements may provide objective findings in cold‐injured patients and in those with few or no conspicuous clinica

ISSN:0014-2972    

DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2362.1996.153309.x

出版商:Blackwell Science Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0014-2972    

DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2362.1996.152303.x

出版商:Blackwell Science Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Adrenomedullin is a recently discovered peptide that was first purified from phaeochromocytoma tissue and has marked vasodilatory activity, causing hypotension. In thyrotoxicosis, various haemodynamic changes are observed, including an increase in cardiac output and heart rate with a concomitant decrease in peripheral vascular resistance. To evaluate the mechanism underlying these haemodynamic changes in thyrotoxicosis, we measured the plasma adrenomedullin concentration in thyrotoxic patients with Graves' disease. The plasma concentration of adrenomedullin was elevated in hyperthyroid patients (14.7±5.7pmolL−1) compared with euthyroid control subjects (5.6±1.3pmolL−1) (P<0.001). The correlation between the plasma adrenomedullin concentration and serum free thyroid hormone levels was marginally significant. The mean blood pressure was relatively low in the face of an elevated plasma adrenomedullin level. Adrenomedullin may therefore be responsible for the vasodilatation observed in thyrotoxi

ISSN:0014-2972    

DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2362.1996.155307.x

出版商:Blackwell Science Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Modern non‐invasive biometrological methods have proven to be helpful in monitoring some skin disorders. The present study was designed to evaluate the mechanical properties of skin in systemic scleroderma. The Cutometer SM 474 was used to measure the rheological properties of the skin in 33 patients suffering from scleroderma. The most prominent abnormality consisted in a marked reduction in skin extensibility. Changes occurring in time objectivate the evolution of the disease. Measuring the mechanical properties of skin in patients with scleroderma may be useful in monitoring the disease and its treatmen

ISSN:0014-2972    

DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2362.1996.154303.x

出版商:Blackwell Science Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Neonates are more susceptible than adults to many Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacterial infections. Whereas group B streptococcus causes life‐threatening infections in neonates, group A β‐haemolytic streptococcus infections rarely occur in neonates. To test the hypothesis that group A streptococcus may have different effects on neonatal and adult red blood cells (RBCs), haemolysis and deformability (rheoscope) of RBCs from adults, full‐term and pre‐term neonates were studied during 60 min incubation with 1 haemolytic unit (HU) mL−1group A streptolysin O (SLO). SLO incubation of adult RBCs resulted in almost linearly increasing time‐dependent haemolysis reaching 82%, whereas haemolysis of neonatal RBCs was below 60% after 1 h. After 60 min SLO incubation, RBC deformation was significantly (P < 0.05) more reduced in adults than in full‐term and preterm neonates. An inverse overall relationship (r = 0.68) between SLO‐induced haemolysis and RBC deformation was found after 60 min of SLO incubation. We conclude that SLO causes less haemolysis and less impairment of RBC deformation in neonates than in adults. The decreased RBC deformation of unhaemolysed RBC indicates that, before lysis, mechanical RBC me

ISSN:0014-2972    

DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2362.1996.161310.x

出版商:Blackwell Science Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Circulating immune complexes (ICs) were isolated by affinity chromatography and sucrose density gradient fractionation during acute and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Immunochemical and biomolecular studies showed that they basically consist of the virus component, IgG with specific anti‐HCV activity and IgM bearing 17.109 epitope (IgM 17.109), an antigenic determinant common to rheumatoid factors (RFs) with WA cross‐idiotype (XId). An antigen‐specific IC assay was used to demonstrate IgG anti‐HCV/IgM 17.109 ICs (IgG‐IgM ICs) in five out of the five patients with acute and in 8 out of the 10 patients with chronic hepatitis C who mounted an IgG anti‐HCV immune response. They were not detected in patients with no IgG anti‐HCV response. IgG–IgM ICs appeared in step with IgG anti‐HCV seroconversion and remained detectable for a long period irrespective of clinical outcome, in that they were demonstrated over a 4‐year follow‐up of patients with chronic hepatitis C. Their presence was unrelated to the severity and progression of liver histology. Despite similar serum levels of IgM 17.109 XId, antigen‐specific IgG‐IgM ICs were not found in acute and chronic hepatitis B or in acute hepatitis A. Thus, these ICs appear to be uniquely associated with HCV infection, supporting the view that IgM 17.109 XId derive from an antigen‐driven response strictly related to the involved antigen. Even although they have no apparent effects on the progression of HCV‐related liver disease, their presence may help to explain the immunological abnormalities and extrahepatic disord

ISSN:0014-2972    

DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2362.1996.162317.x

出版商:Blackwell Science Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

The objective of the present study was to determine the rate of development of mutation at codon 215 of HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase and to identify baseline characteristics associated with this mutation following initiation of zidovudine therapy. To achieve such a purpose, 80 HIV‐1‐infected patients starting zidovudine therapy have been submitted to clinical, immunological and virological monitoring at entry and every 12 weeks. The critical end point of the study was time to development of mutation at codon 215. The association of key baseline characteristics (CD4+counts, clinical stage, HIV‐1 p24 antigen, CD8+counts, serum β‐microglobulin and virus phenotype) with the mutation at codon 215 was also investigated. A total of 38 subjects (48%) developed mutation at codon 215 during follow‐up. The estimated Kaplan–Meier probability of remaining with wild genotype at 24, 48 and 96 weeks (96% CI) was 0.82 (0.73–0.90), 0.70 (0.60–0.80) and 0.53 (0.41–0.66) respectively. Univariate analysis showed that time to the development of mutation at codon 215 was positively associated with baseline p24 positivity, C clinical stage, low CD4+count and high β‐microglobulin level. Only p24 antigenaemia and CD4+count remained significantly independent predictive factors for the development of mutation at codon 215 in the Cox proportional hazard stepwise regression analysis [risk ratio (95%CI): 3.67 (1.75–7.70),P=0.0007; 2.89 (1.17–6.72),P=0.0073 respectively]. Thus, a continuous emergence of mutation at codon 215 was observed and HIV‐1 p24 antigenaemia should be considered an independent predictor for faster develop

ISSN:0014-2972    

DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2362.1996.164315.x

出版商:Blackwell Science Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Exhaled nitric oxide (NO), early morning urinary nitrites/nitrates and urinary female sex steroid conjugates were measured daily to investigate whether there was a variation in NO generation during the menstrual cycle. Exhaled NO concentrations and early morning urine samples were taken for 30 consecutive days in five healthy normotensive women with proven ovulation. The urine samples were analysed for nitrite–nitrate creatinine ratios, oestrone‐3‐glucuronide (EG) and pregnanediol‐3‐alpha glucuronide (PG). The mean (95% CI) exhaled NO concentration was 52 ng g−1in the 150 readings and the mean molar urinary nitrate–creatinine ratio was 0.18. There was no temporal relationship between the measurement of NO production and urinary sex steroid conjugates within the menstrual cycle. These findings suggest that oestrogens do not modulate exhaled NO concentration and appear not to increase the production of the early morning urinary nitrates in healthy premenopausal women. There was also no sex difference in exha

ISSN:0014-2972    

DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2362.1996.163311.x

出版商:Blackwell Science Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY