Mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis: a 30-year prognosis study.

Background: Diffuse mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis (MesP) is the most commonly diagnosed type of glomerulonephritis (GN) in Denmark, with an incidence of 10.8 million per year. In the present study, the 30-year renal survival was estimated.

High prevalence of impaired glucose homeostasis and myopathy in asymptomatic and oligosymptomatic 3243A>G mitochondrial DNA mutation-positive subjects.

Introduction: The point mutation of 3243A>G mtDNA is the most frequent cause of mitochondrial diabetes, often presenting as the syndrome maternally inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD). The mutation may also cause myopathy, ataxia, strokes, ophthalmoplegia, epilepsy, and cardiomyopathy in various combinations. Consequently, it is difficult to predict the "phenotypic risk profile" of 3243A>G mutation-positive subjects.

Fibrin clot structure in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Fibrin clots with reduced permeability, increased clot stiffness and reduced fibrinolysis susceptibility may predispose to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Little is known, however, about the structure of fibrin clots in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). These patients suffer from a high risk of CVD in addition to their chronic low-grade inflammation.

A cross-sectional study of the relation between symptoms and physical findings in computer operators.

Background: The character of upper limb disorder in computer operators is subject to debate. A peripheral nerve-involvement is suggested from the common presence of a triad of symptoms consisting of pain, paraestesiae and subjective weakness, and from physical findings suggesting neuropathy. This study aimed to examine the outcome of a detailed neurological examination in computer operators and to compare findings with the presence of symptoms.

Estrogen receptor 1 haplotype does not regulate oral contraceptive-induced changes in haemostasis and inflammation risk factors for venous and arterial thrombosis.

Background: Administration of oral contraceptives (OCs) has profound effects on the plasma levels of haemostasis and inflammation variables, resulting in an increased thrombosis risk. Individuals show large differences in the response of these variables to OCs. Polymorphism in the estrogen receptor-1 (ER1) gene may explain part of this inter-individual response.

Genetic influence on thrombotic risk markers in the elderly--a Danish twin study.

Objective: Several hemostatic variables are identified as cardiovascular risk markers. In young and middle-aged individuals, plasma concentrations of these variables are partly determined by genetic factors. The genetic contribution to cardiovascular disease (CVD) decreases with increasing age, and it is therefore important to determine the heritability of hemostasis also in the elderly.

A new optimized method for the determination of fibrin clot permeability.

The measurement of fibrin clot permeability is important in the investigation of fibrin clot characteristics. A major disadvantage of the standard measurement techniques is that they are time consuming as they require constant adjustments and monitoring. Presented here is a new method that is easy to perform and does not need continuous adjustments.

Osteoclasts from patients with autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type I caused by a T253I mutation in low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 are normal in vitro, but have decreased resorption capacity in vivo.

Autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type I (ADOI) is presumably caused by gain-of-function mutations in the LRP5 gene. Patients with a T253I mutation in LRP5 have a high bone mass phenotype, characterized by increased mineralizing surface index but abnormally low numbers of small osteoclasts. To investigate the effect of the T253I mutation in LRP5 on osteoclasts, we isolated CD14+ monocytes from ADOI patients and assessed their ability to generate osteoclasts when treated with RANKL and M-CSF compared to that of age- and sex-matched control osteoclasts.

A 1-year study to compare the hemostatic effects of oral contraceptive containing 20 microg of ethinylestradiol and 100 microg of levonorgestrel with 30 microg of ethinylestradiol and 100 microg of levonorgestrel.

Objectives: To comparatively evaluate the impact of a balanced one-third dose-reduced oral contraceptive on hemostatic variables.

Methods: In an open-label, randomized study, a dose-reduced oral contraceptive containing 20 microg of ethinylestradiol (EE) and 100 microg of levonorgestrel (LNG) was compared with a reference preparation containing 30 microg of EE and 150 microg of LNG. One-year data were obtained from 48 volunteers.

Intraperitoneal heparin ameliorates the systemic inflammatory response in PD patients.

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) suffer from high mortality rates of cardiovascular diseases, conditions closely linked to the magnitude of their chronic low-grade inflammation. As heparins have been suggested to possess anti-inflammatory properties, we set out to investigate the impact of long-term treatment with intraperitoneal heparin on local and systemic inflammation in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Methods: In a double-blinded cross-over study, 21 PD patients with ESRD were randomised to inject either 4,500 anti-Xa IU tinzaparin or placebo (isotonic saline) into their morning dialysis bags every day for two periods of 3 months separated by a 1-month wash-out period.

Intraperitoneal heparin reduces peritoneal permeability and increases ultrafiltration in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: Patients on long-term treatment with peritoneal dialysis (PD) suffer from increasing peritoneal permeability and loss of ultrafiltration as a result of persistent inflammation, which may be triggered by bioincompatible dialysis fluids. Heparins have anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties. We have examined the effect of intraperitoneal (IP) low-molecular weight heparin (tinzaparin) on peritoneal permeability and ultrafiltration in PD patients.

Inflammation, thrombosis and atherosclerosis: results of the Glostrup study.

Inflammation and thrombosis are important mechanisms in cardiovascular disease, as illustrated by the consistent association between inflammatory and hemostatic variables and the risk of cardiovascular events in epidemiological studies. However, the relationship between plasma concentrations of inflammatory and hemostatic markers and the severity of atherosclerosis is not yet well studied. We have evaluated 325 men and 370 women of 60 years, participating in the Danish Glostrup study.

Effect of long-term hormone replacement therapy on tissue factor pathway inhibitor and thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor in healthy postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled study.

It was recently reported from the Women's Health Initiative that healthy women using combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for 5 years have an increased cardiovascular risk. We hypothesize that the increased risk is confined to subgroups of atherosclerotic women. Such women may have higher arterial tissue factor expression and higher thrombin formation, and changes in tissue factor pathway coagulation inhibitor (TFPI) and thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) may be deleterious.

Creatinine concentration measurement in glucose based peritoneal dialysate.

The measurement of creatinine concentrations in peritoneal dialysate is important for evaluating the effectiveness of peritoneal dialysis treatment. However, peritoneal dialysate often contains glucose, which has been reported to interfere with the measurement of creatinine concentrations in some creatinine assays. In this study creatinine concentrations in solutions containing increasing glucose concentrations (0-250 mmol/L) were evaluated using an enzymatic method.

Internal quality control of PCR-based genotyping methods: practical experiences.

Internal quality control programmes for genetic analyses are needed. We have focused on quality control aspects of selected polymorphism analyses used in thrombosis research. DNA was isolated from EDTA-blood (n = 500) and analysed for 18 polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), i.

The Göttingen minipig as a model for postprandial hyperlipidaemia in man: experimental observations.

Postprandial hyperlipidaemia is believed to be atherogenic. This study aimed to establish a minipig model to investigate determinants of postprandial lipid metabolism. In a randomized cross-over design seven minipigs were subjected to six different feeding regimens: intragastric fat loads of 1, 2, and 4 g fat (Intralipid, 20%) kg(-1) in two fractions 1.

Internal quality control of PCR-based genotyping methods in research studies and patient diagnostics.

Genetic analyses are increasingly integrated in the clinical laboratory, and internal quality control programmes are needed. We have focused on quality control aspects of selected polymorphism analyses used in thrombosis research. DNA was isolated from EDTA-blood (n = 500) by ammonium acetate precipitation and analysed for 18 polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), i.

A high fat meal activates blood coagulation factor VII in rats.

In humans, high fat meals cause postprandial activation of blood coagulation factor VII (FVII), but human studies have not provided definite evidence for a prothrombotic effect of dietary FVII activation. An animal model would be an attractive way to pursue this question and therefore we tested the LEW/Mol rat. We gavaged 3 mL of a fat emulsion (n = 42) or 3 mL isotonic glucose (n = 42).

A Common Calibrator Does Not Secure Harmonisation of Commercial t-PA and PAI-1 Antigen Measurements.

Unlabelled: There is no common standardisation of different commercially available kits for both t-PA and PAI-1 antigen.

Aim: The aim of this project was to study whether the exchange of the kit calibrator with the common calibration materials of the WHO would harmonise the results produced by five different commercially available t-PA and PAI-1 antigen kits when analysing the SSC secondary standard.

Methods: WHO international standards were used as calibrator and the SSC secondary standard and a commercially available plasma standard were used as test plasma in 5 commercially available kits measuring total t-PA and PAI-1 antigen.

Jet and ultrasonic nebulization of single chain urokinase plasminogen activator (scu-PA).

Recent studies have indicated that the deposition of intra-alveolar fibrin may play a central role in the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Our aim was to study whether the indigenous fibrinolytic agent (urokinase) normally present in the alveoli can be administered locally by nebulization in a recombinant zymogen form as single chain urokinase plasminogen activator (scu-PA). We aimed to characterize the particle size distribution, drug output, and enzymatic activity of scu-PA after nebulization with a Ventstream jet nebulizer (Medic-Aid, Bognor Regis, UK) and a Syst'AM DP-100 ultrasonic nebulizer (Pulmolink, Kent, UK).

In vitro effects of heparin and tissue factor pathway inhibitor on factor VII assays. possible implications for measurements in vivo after heparin therapy.

The coagulant activity of blood coagulation factor VII (FVII:C) can be lowered by changes in lifestyle and by therapeutic intervention, e.g. heparin infusion.

The effect of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid on bleeding after transurethral prostatectomy--a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Objective: An increase in the loss of blood after ingestion of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) has been reported after several types of surgery, but randomized placebo-controlled studies have exclusively been performed after coronary artery bypass surgery. The reported effects of ASA on bleeding after transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) have been conflicting. We have studied the effect of low doses of ASA (150 mg) on bleeding after TURP in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Standardization of Measurement of Components of the Fibrinolytic System - Introduction and Current Status.

There is compelling evidence that measurement of analytes of the fibrinolytic system may be helpful for the clinician in a number of situations. Except for measurement of plasma fibrin d-dimer such quantities have not been widespread introduced in the clinical laboratory. One main reason for this is a documented large method and interlaboratory variation for specific analytes.

Tissue-type plasminogen activator and C-reactive protein in acute coronary heart disease. A nested case-control study.

Objectives: To study the importance of inflammation and fibrinolysis for evolution of ischaemic heart disease in a cohort of initially healthy subjects.

Design: Nested case-control study. Follow-up periods 7-15 years.