The accumulation of cyclosporine was evaluated in 11 patients following either heart or heart-lung transplantation. Blood samples were drawn frequently for the first few postoperative days, and the plasma was analyzed by both radioimmunoassay (RIA) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The levels determined by RIA were higher than those assessed by HPLC, and it is hypothesized that the difference is due to antibody reactive metabolites of cyclosporine, which are measured by the RIA procedure. We did not find any consistent trends in the accumulation of these metabolites. Analysis of early clinical data did not suggest any relationship between levels of cyclosporine or its metabolites and clinical outcome.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of cortisone on aspartate and alanine aminotransferases in a desert lizard.

1. Liver and serum aspartate aminotransferase (GOT) and alanine aminotransferase (GPT) activities were measured in a hibernating desert lizard, Uromastix hardwickii. The levels of both enzymes were found to be lower in hibernation than during the active period, particularly in the liver. 2. After intramuscular injection of 2 mg of cortisone acetate there was a rapid rise in the levels of these enzymes with a peak of 18 hours (GOT) and 12 hours (GPT). 3. The response of both enzymes to cortisone was much greater during the active period than during hibernation. 4. GOT showed a much more rapid and greater response to cortisone than GPT. This is in contrast to the response of rat liver where GPT is more responsive to this hormone. 5. These studies indicate that the transferase enzymes of this lizard differ from those of the rat in their sensitivity and time of response to cortisone.

Alanine Transaminase↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparative study of home blood glucose monitoring devices: Visidex, Chemstrip bG, Glucometer, and Accu-Chek bG.

Visidex (Ames Company, Elkhart, Indiana) and Accu-Chek bG (Bio-Dynamics, Boehringer Mannheim, Indianapolis, Indiana), two new devices for determining blood glucose at home, were compared with two older devices, Chemstrip bG (Bio-Dynamics) and Glucometer (Ames Company), and the standard laboratory glucose-oxidase method (Beckman autoanalyzer, Beckman Instruments, Fullerton, California). Laboratory serum glucose values up to 400 mg/dl had excellent overall correlation with Accu-Chek bG (r = 0.974), Glucometer (r = 0.974), Chemstrip bG (r = 0.963), and Visidex (r = 0.955). For glucose values less than or equal to 180 mg/dl, Glucometer had the best correlation (r = 0.921). For glucose values of 181-400 mg/dl, Accu-Chek bG had better correlation (r = 0.907) although Glucometer had closer mean value. Visidex was just as accurate as Chemstrip bG. Although the four devices tested tended to give lower values than the lab method, they are sufficiently accurate to be of clinical use in home monitoring of blood glucose. Meticulous care in running the tests is mandatory for accuracy. Individual differences among the four methods are discussed.

Autoanalysis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Recurrent use of disposable syringe-needle units in diabetic children.

Fourteen insulin-dependent diabetic children reused their disposable syringe-needle units an average of 6.3 times per needle. Between uses, the needle was wiped with alcohol and stored in the refrigerator. There were no infections reported during the study for an average duration of 94 days. Dullness of the needle was the major reason for changing to a new one. Recurrent use of disposable needles for insulin injections appears safe in children and may be advised. It will help decrease some of the high cost of the daily care of a person with diabetes.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Endothelial adhesion molecules in heart transplantation.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Cell Adhesion Molecules↗