Platelets attenuate oxidant-induced permeability in endothelial monolayers: glutathione-dependent mechanisms.

We studied the effects of adding washed human platelets or platelets with nonintact glutathione redox cycles to endothelial cell monolayers treated with glucose oxidase to initiate oxidant stress and increase permeability. Changes in 125I-labeled albumin transmonolayer movement were used as the index of monolayer permeability. Washed human platelets attenuated oxidant-induced increases in albumin flux.

Effect of xanthine-related compounds on a theophylline assay using theophylline oxidase.

Objective: This study investigated a new, nonimmunologic, enzymatic-based theophylline assay for the possible interference of a clinically achievable serum theophylline concentration by four xanthine-related compounds: pentoxifylline, 1-methylxanthine, allopurinol, and oxypurinol.

Rationale: The enzyme theophylline oxidase is used in this assay kit to convert theophylline to 1,3 dimethyluric acid in the presence of cytochrome C. Cytochrome C is reduced to ferrocyte C, which is then measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometry at one minute and again at five minutes.

Pleural fluid analysis in malignant mesothelioma. Prognostic implications.

Pleural fluid characteristics of 26 patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma over an 18-year period were reviewed and compared with those of patients with effusions due to other malignancies. Survival from time of initial thoracentesis was directly correlated with pleural pH and decreased pleural fluid/serum glucose ratios but was not related to protein or LDH concentration. Decreased pleural fluid pH was statistically related to a decreased pleural fluid/serum glucose ratio.

Renal vein thrombosis. Initial manifestation of Goodpasture's syndrome.

We report a patient who presented with renal vein thrombosis and nephrosis that progressed to alveolar hemorrhage and renal failure. Renal biopsy immunofluorescence and serum antiglomerular basement membrane antibody titer studies confirmed the diagnosis of Goodpasture's syndrome. To our knowledge, this is the first report of renal vein thrombosis as the initial presentation of Goodpasture's syndrome.

Hypothyroidism and pleural effusions.

Serous effusions have been thought to be an unusual complication of hypothyroidism and most commonly have been associated with ascites, pericardial fluid and heart failure. Pleural fluid as an isolated finding in hypothyroidism is apparently rare and complete analysis of these hypothyroid-associated pleural effusions has not been described. To determine the frequency, chemical characteristics and clinical associations of hypothyroidism and pleural effusions, the medical records of 128 patients with hypothyroidism (defined by an increased serum TSH concentration) were reviewed.