Measurement of glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow in the diabetic rat by the single-injection isotopic technique: effects of altered distribution volumes of 51Cr-EDTA and 125I-hippuran.

Following an intravenous injection of an isotopically-labelled clearance marker, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or renal plasma flow (RPF) can be measured from the rate of plasma isotope disappearance, without collecting urine. The plasma disappearance curve can be closely approximated from a single, timed plasma measurement, if the volume of distribution (V) of the marker is known. Although V is generally predicted from body weight, effects of disease states on the relationship between V and body weight have not been studied.

Schistocytosis, aminotransferase elevation and thrombocytopenia in preeclampsia/eclampsia.

Some preeclamptic patients have schistocytosis, abnormal liver function tests and thrombocytopenia. To determine how strongly these three abnormalities cluster with each other, a sequential series of 49 preeclamptic or eclamptic patients was analyzed for the presence of schistocytosis, serum aminotransferase elevation and thrombocytopenia. These three abnormalities were found less often together (the HELLP syndrome) than singly or in pairs.

A modified scleroderma skin scoring method.

The extent of skin thickness in scleroderma has been reported to correlate with the degree of internal organ involvement. An objective method for the clinical evaluation of skin involvement (skin score) in scleroderma is described. In this preliminary study, the method was tested in twenty scleroderma patients.

Evidence of accelerated platelet production and consumption in nonthrombocytopenic preeclampsia.

Platelet size and the distribution of platelet sizes are both increased in preeclamptic patients with normal platelet counts. These changes suggest that accelerated platelet production and consumption are both widespread in preeclampsia.

Predictive value of fibronectin levels in normotensive gravid women destined to become preeclamptic.

The plasma fibronectin concentration was abnormally elevated (greater than 400 micrograms/ml) in 16 of 17 normotensive gravid women who subsequently developed preeclampsia. Of this group, 13 had elevated levels detectable greater than or equal to 4 weeks before the onset of hypertension. Our results indicate that plasma fibronectin levels can be abnormally increased long before the onset of clinical symptoms and that abnormalities of this glycoprotein may be an early indication of this pathologic process.