Relating oxygen partial pressure, saturation and content: the haemoglobin-oxygen dissociation curve.

The delivery of oxygen by arterial blood to the tissues of the body has a number of critical determinants including blood oxygen concentration (content), saturation (S O2 ) and partial pressure, haemoglobin concentration and cardiac output, including its distribution. The haemoglobin-oxygen dissociation curve, a graphical representation of the relationship between oxygen satur-ation and oxygen partial pressure helps us to understand some of the principles underpinning this process. Historically this curve was derived from very limited data based on blood samples from small numbers of healthy subjects which were manipulated in vitro and ultimately determined by equations such as those described by Severinghaus in 1979.

The high prevalence of unrecognized anaemia in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease: a population-based study.

Background: Anaemia occurs early in the course of diabetes-related chronic kidney disease (CKD). There is little evidence about the prevalence of anaemia in people with diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of anaemia, by stage of CKD, in the general diabetic population.

Migration is associated with lower total, but not free testosterone levels in South Asian men.

Objective: Serum testosterone measurement is an integral part of the endocrine assessment of men. Little is known about its variation in relation to migration. We examined within a South Asian group the effect of migration to the UK on androgen levels.