Soluble E-selectin is found in supernatants of activated endothelial cells and is elevated in the serum of patients with septic shock.

A quantitative sandwich ELISA for E-selectin in the fluid phase (soluble E-selectin, sEs) has been developed that is sensitive to 100 pg/ml. The assay shows no reactivity with either L- or P-selectins. We have used this to determine the fate of E-selectin after cell-surface expression and to test whether levels measured in vivo may represent the state of endothelial activation.

[Acquired polycystic degeneration of the kidneys].

Kidneys of patients with advanced renal insufficiency undergo polycystic transformation, described as acquired cystic degeneration (ACD). In 118 chronic dialysis patients clinical data were compared with sonographic findings of their 221 cirrhotic kidneys: 74 (63%) patients showed distinctly discernible renal cysts: 19 patients hat one single cyst, nine patients had two to eight cysts, 46 patients had more than eight cysts. Accordingly 39% of patients had ACD.

Folate nephropathy occurring during cytotoxic chemotherapy with high-dose folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil.

High-dose folinic acid with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a novel combination chemotherapy used in the treatment of metastatic gastrointestinal cancer. One of the mechanisms of action of 5-FU is its conversion into fluorodeoxyuridylate (FdUMP), which inhibits thymidilate synthetase (TS). The rate of inhibition of TS is augmented by increasing concentrations of folinic acid.

[Rapidly progressing glomerulonephritis. Spontaneous course and differential therapy with special reference to the infection-associated form].

Since 1971 we observed 31 patients with histologically proven rapidly progressive (crescentic) glomerulonephritis. At the onset of therapy 16 patients presented with end stage renal failure, the others with impaired renal function. 21 patients received combined immunosuppressive therapy, consisting of prednisone, cyclophosphamide and azathioprine.

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.