Local and Systemic Expression Pattern of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 play important roles in inflammation as well as in pain processes. For this reason, we compared the concentrations of these enzymes in skin and serum of patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), other pain diseases and healthy subjects. We analyzed ipsi- and contralateral skin biopsies of 18 CRPS patients, as well as in 10 pain controls and 9 healthy subjects.

Stability of amiodarone in serum samples under various storage conditions.

The present study was intended to examine the stability of amiodarone (Cordarex, CAS 1951-25-3) and its metabolite desethylamiodarone. For this purpose 20 ml of blood were taken from each of 12 patients treated with amiodarone and were stored, after centrifuging, at room temperature, +5 degrees C, -18 degrees C and -38 degrees C. The amiodarone and desethylamiodarone concentrations were determined by the HPLC method 30 min, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, one and two weeks after blood-taking.

Relation of intraperitoneal and intravascular coagulation and fibrinolysis related antigens in peritoneal dialysis.

Patients received 2,000 ml of dialysate intraperitoneally with five exchanges per day during continuous peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) for the treatment of terminal renal insufficiency. During a dwell time of 4 h the dialysate reached a total protein concentration up to 100 mg/dl by mass transfer of intravascular proteins. The composition is dependent on the molecular weight of the proteins.

[Amyloidosis in Crohn disease. Case reports and review of the literature].

A review of the literature on Crohn's disease with secondary amyloidosis and four own case reports are presented. At least 1% of patients with Crohn's disease develop amyloidosis. The extent of the inflammatory bowel disease seems to have an influence on the occurrence of amyloidosis.

Intraperitoneal heparin in peritoneal dialysis and its effect on fibrinopeptide A in plasma and dialysate.

In 6 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis we investigated the inhibition of intraperitoneal fibrin formation by heparin. A continuous addition of 500 U of heparin per liter dialysate was used for 52 h. In plasma no heparin activity could be detected, even 52 h after intraperitoneal administration of heparin.

Intraperitoneal fibrin-formation and its inhibition in CAPD.

The intraperitoneal fibrin formation and its inhibition by intraperitoneal heparin (5000 U) was investigated in six patients on CAPD. The intraperitoneal heparin concentration decreased linearily from 1.78 U/ml to 1.

[Differential diagnosis in fever of unknown origin: significance of concomitant clinical symptoms].

Between 1978 and 1984, 169 patients were admitted to the hospital for fever of unknown origin which was repeatedly above 38.3 degrees C. After a retrospective analysis of their records the patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the following new criteria.

Pancreatic exocrine secretion in response to intraduodenal infusion of different detergent agents in anesthetized cats.

Bile salts, when instilled into the intestine at pH 6, stimulate pancreatic exocrine secretion in man and cat. We investigated if the surface tension as a major physicochemical property of bile acids might be responsible for this effect. In anesthetized cats, either conjugated taurocholate (TC) or unconjugated ursodesoxycholate (UDC) as steroidal detergents or oleate as nonsteroidal detergent were perfused into the duodenum.

Intraperitoneal heparin in CAPD.

In six patients on CAPD (continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis) the systemic effects of intraperitoneally administered heparin (5000 U) were investigated. Using a modification of a plasma heparin determination serial measurements of heparin concentration in dialysate were performed. During a dwell time of 4 hours the intraperitoneal heparin level decreased by 1825 +/- 253 U (mean +/- S.