Fibronectin plasma levels in gynecological cancers.

Purpose: Fibronectin (FBN) is involved in the motility and migration of malignant cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate FBN plasma levels in gynecological cancers patients and in healthy women.

Methods: The study took place between 1998 and 2003.

The differential effect of estrogen, estrogen-progestin and tibolone on coagulation inhibitors in postmenopausal women.

Objectives: Hormone therapy increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, possibly through a negative effect on coagulation inhibitors. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of conjugated equine estrogens alone or in combination with medroxyprogesterone acetate, low-dose 17beta-estradiol combined with norethisterone acetate and tibolone on inhibitors of coagulation.

Methods: Two hundred and sixteen postmenopausal women received orally either conjugated equine estrogens 0.

Changes in erythrocyte calcium and potassium in patients during HD and CAPD.

The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in calcium and potassium content in the red blood cells (RBC) of uremic patients during a hemodialysis (HD) session and a 6/hrs CAPD exchange. RBC calcium and potassium were determined in 20 patients on HD in three blood samples collected at 0'-HD (pre-HD), 45'-HD and 240'-HD (end-HD), in 20 patients on CAPD, in two blood samples, collected at 0' time (pre-inflow) and 120', (solution in peritoneal cavity) during a 6/hrs exchange (4 exchanges / 24 h) and in 20 normal subjects. The mean value (+/-SD) of RBC calcium in controls was 15.

A cross-over study of a new low molecular weight heparin (Logiparin) in hemodialysis.

The safety and effectiveness of a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) of 4500 +/- 1500 Daltons were evaluated in eight hemodialysis (HD) patients, in comparison with unfractionated heparin (UFH). In phase A of the study 3000 +/- 500 anti-factor Xa (AFXa) IU of LMWH were administered in bolus for the three consecutive HD sessions of a week. In phase B, 10000 +/- 2500 IU of UFH were administered to the same patients for the same time.

Plasma and amniotic fluid concentration of fibronectin during normal and diabetic pregnancy.

Fibronectin is a plasma glycoprotein which is involved in coagulation, platelet function, tissue repair and the vascular endothelial basement membrane. To ascertain the influence of pregnancy on plasma concentrations of fibronectin, we qualified plasma concentrations of fibronectin in normal pregnant women during the first, second and third trimester; at the time of delivery; and on the third day post partum, using a radial immunodiffusion plate procedure. The concentrations of fibronectin found in these samples were compared with the concentration of fibronectin in 20 pregnancies complicated by diabetes.