Cystatin C as a marker of renal function is affected by HIV replication leading to an underestimation of kidney function in HIV patients.

Background: Broad use of tenofovir and an ageing HIV- infected population have created an interest in renal function in HIV patients. Serum cystatin C is a newer marker of renal function and might be more sensitive than creatinine.

Methods: Patients were enrolled consecutively in an observational study.

Efficacy of transferrin determination in human sera in the diagnosis of iron deficiency.

Apparently healthy persons (n = 425) as well as 264 patients characterized by an iron concentration in serum < 7.2 mumol/l were examined. A latent iron deficiency was defined as a concentration of ferritin < 20 micrograms/l (males) and < 15 micrograms/l (females), without anaemia; manifest iron deficiency defined by an additional presence of hypochromic microcytic anaemia.

Renal functional reserve in patients with IgA glomerulopathy.

Unlabelled: Seven patients with histologically proven IgA nephropathy and modest impairment of renal function, and 2 patients with IgA nephropathy and nephrotic syndrome were investigated, compared to a control group of 9 healthy individuals, to study the effects of amino acids on glomerular and tubular function, and to evaluate renal functional reserve in IgA nephropathy with different clinical course. Inulin and PAH clearances were used to evaluate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF); proximal and distal tubular fluid delivery and reabsorption were measured by lithium clearance, before and after submission of a standardized amino acid solution. GFR and ERPF increased significantly during amino acid load in healthy individuals and patients without nephrotic syndrome, while filtration fraction (GFR/ERPF) remained constant.

Influence of preoperative radiotherapy on DNA ploidy in squamous cell carcinomas of the oesophagus.

The influence of preoperative radiotherapy on the prevalence of DNA aneuploidy and the prognostic significance of tumour DNA ploidy was evaluated in 126 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus. Preoperative radiotherapy with 30 Gy was performed in 52 patients. DNA ploidy was analysed by flow cytometry on nuclei isolated from paraffin embedded tumour tissue.

Prognostic significance of DNA ploidy in adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. A flow cytometric study of paraffin-embedded specimens.

Background: The prognostic significance of tumor DNA ploidy in patients with cancer of the pancreas has not been defined because conflicting results have been reported.

Methods: DNA content was measured in 56 ductal adenocarcinomas of the pancreas. DNA ploidy status was evaluated by flow cytometry in nuclei isolated from paraffin-embedded tumor tissues.

DNA aneuploidy in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis: results of a comparative flow cytometric study.

DNA ploidy and S-phase fractions were assessed by flow cytometry in colonic biopsy specimens from 28 patients with ulcerative colitis and 51 with Crohn's disease. Whereas only diploid DNA histograms were found in Crohn's disease and control subjects, three patients with ulcerative colitis exhibited DNA aneuploidy. In one case, aneuploidy was associated with low grade dysplasia.

Evidence for abnormal platelet glycoprotein expression in diabetes mellitus.

In 41 diabetics (27 type I, 14 type II) and in 23 healthy controls the number of glycoprotein (GP) GPIB and GPIIB/IIIA molecules were determined on resting, peripheral platelets by means of flowcytometry after immunostaining with monoclonal antibodies which bind independently from the state of activation. The average number of both glycoproteins per platelet was significantly elevated (GPIB: 54,100 x 1.27 +/- 1 vs.

[Acute effects of extracorporeal LDL cholesterol and fibrinogen elimination on blood rheology and microcirculation].

Long-term intermittent heparin-induced extracorporeal low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol precipitation was performed in three men - aged 32, 52 and 56 years - with severe familial hypercholesterolaemia and angiographically demonstrated coronary heart disease. This significantly lowered by 65-70% their LDL-cholesterol concentration and by 48-54% their fibrinogen concentration. Fibrinogen elimination reduced plasma viscosity by 13-14% and clearly raised the transcutaneously measured partial pressure of oxygen by 33-50%.

Platelet analysis using flowcytometric procedures.

'Ex vivo' testing of functional platelet properties using conventional techniques reflects the overall behaviour of the whole platelet population in the sample under investigation. Since many functional aspects depend on ultrastructural constituents which may vary from one cell to another, multiparameter single cell analysis of platelets may be advantageous in providing direct insight into deviations at the cellular level relevant to the pathophysiology of disease states such as bleeding disorders or thrombophilia. Immunolabelling with monoclonal antibodies against membrane antigens has been combined with flowcytometry to provide a standardized, highly specific and sensitive analytical tool.

Increased platelet volume--sign of impaired thrombopoiesis in diabetes mellitus.

Increased functional properties of diabetic platelets might be already conditioned during thrombopoiesis in the stem cell system. This hypothesis was studied by recording the distribution characteristics of the peripheral platelet pool in 218 diabetic patients versus 51 controls. Furthermore, platelet membrane coating with the stem cell marker glycoprotein IB was analyzed in 41 diabetic subjects and compared to 23 healthy volunteers.

[Demonstration of thrombocyte membrane proteins with monoclonal antibodies by a flow cytometry bioassay].

Formation of a hemostatic plug is triggered by platelets. Platelet function (e.g.