Influence of dry heat treatment and anticoagulant on coupling of fibrinogen and fibronectin to von Willebrand factor in normal plasma.

In plasma from healthy subjects a coupling was identified between von Willebrand factor (vWf), fibrinogen (fg), and fibronectin (fn) that was dependent of anticoagulants heparin, EDTA, and citrate. Binding was quantitated by ELISA methodologies, based on polyclonal antibodies directed against the proteins studied, in order to express the percentage of moles of fg or fn bound to moles vWf, C[fg/vWf] or C[fn/vWf] (mol/mol)%. The intra-assay coefficients of variation (CV%) for fg and fn bound to vWf were 10.6% and 7.4% (n = 10) respectively, and the inter-assay coefficients of variation were 24.4% and 22.2% (n = 10). The largest degree of coupling was found in heat-treated lyophilized heparin plasma, where C[fg/vWf] and C[fn/vWf] were 12.9 +/- 1.4 (mol/mol)% and 2.4 +/- 0.1 (mol/mol)% (mean +/- SD). Binding was further qualitatively demonstrated through experiments using gel filtration chromatography and agarose gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting. In all instances coupling of vWf with fg was higher than with fn. Lyophilisates of normal plasma that were subjected to dry heating (60 degrees C in 72 h) showed considerably increased coupling. Previous investigators, studying reconstituted factor VIII concentrates by means of gel filtration, pointed out that an association between vWf, fg and fn was present in such therapeutic material. This investigation signifies that a coupling between these proteins may be present even in the source plasma, and that 'dry heating' increases binding. Implications of these results are discussed.     

Idiopathic early ovarian aging: is there a relation with premenopausal accelerated biological aging in young women with diminished response to ART?

Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics - To evaluate whether young women with idiopathic early ovarian aging, as defined by producing fewer oocytes than expected for a given age over...     

Onset of the release of spermatozoa (spermarche) in boys in relation to age, testicular growth, pubic hair, and height

The onset of production of spermatozoa (spermarche) is the basis for achievement of reproductive capacity in men. We collected 24-h urine samples every 3 months in a 7-yr longitudinal study of 40 normal boys initially aged 8.6-11.7 yr. After centrifugation, the urine was analyzed for the presence of spermatozoa by microscopic examination, and spermarche was estimated on the basis of age at first observed spermaturia. The results were corrected for the intermittent occurrence of spermatozoa in the urine after first observed spermaturia and the fact that the urine samples were collected quarterly. In addition, physical examination, including determination of testicular size by orchidometer measurement, pubic hair distribution (Tanner stage), and height, was carried out every 6 months. Spermarche occurred at a median age of 13.4 yr (range, 11.7-15.3 yr), at a time when testicular size was 4.7-19.6 ml (median, 11.5 ml), and pubic hair distribution was 1-5 (median, 2.5). In most boys, spermarche preceded the age of peak height velocity (median, 13.8 yr; range, 12.2-15.2 yr); at the time of spermarche, median peak height growth velocity was 9.9 cm/yr (range, 7.5-13.4 cm/yr), and median height was 160.4 cm (range, 151.7-175.9 cm). We conclude that spermarche is an early pubertal event and that a wide variation in testicular size and secondary sex characteristics is found at that time. In particular, spermarche may occur when little or no pubic hair has developed, and the testes have grown only slightly.     

Effect of Citalopram on Alcohol Intake in Heavy Drinkers

The effect of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram (40 mg daily dose) on alcohol intake was investigated in a doubleblind, placebo-controlled cross-over study. Thirty men with heavy alcohol consumption (mean daily alcohol intake 111 ± 51 g pure alcohol) completed the study. After a 2-week baseline period, subjects were randomly allocated to treatment with either citalopram or placebo for 5 weeks. In the total sample of heavy drinkers, no difference was found between citalopram and placebo treatment in alcohol consumption or days of abstinence. However, the response to citalopram was negatively correlated ( r _a=–0.67, p < 0.01) with baseline levels of mean daily alcohol intake. Therefore, we divided the total sample into two subgroups with baseline mean daily alcohol intake above and below median (107 g pure alcohol), respectively. In the group with the higher baseline values (138 ± 25 g pure alcohol), citalopram was not different from placebo in reducing the daily alcohol intake, but in subjects with the lower baseline values (85 ± 15 g pure alcohol), citalopram was significantly ( p < 0.01) superior to placebo. Consequently, citalopram at the present dose appears capable of reducing alcohol intake only in a subgroup of heavy drinkers with a mean daily consumption of between 60 and 100 g pure alcohol.     

Development and regulation of porcine pancreatic function

Summary A surgical and experimental procedure was developed to enable the collection of pure and inactivated pancreatic juice during the growth of the pig. Studies have shown that, during the suckling period, both the basal and the secretory responses to suckling are low, if present at all. After weaning, basal levels of the total exocrine secretion, total protein, amylase, and trypsin, respectively, increase slightly, while the postprandial levels of total protein, amylase, trypsin, lipase, colipase, and carboxylester lipase, respectively, increase markedly. The pancreatic juice enzyme composition changes qualitatively and the antibacterial activity of the pancreatic juice also significantly increases. Piglet age appeared to be of minor importance, since weaning at either 4 or 6 wk of age gave the same results. Secretin and CCK administered together in supraphysiological doses only significantly affect exocrine function from 3–4 wk of age. However, CCK may also affect the exocrine pancreas indirectly via reflexes initiated intraduodenally. Milk consumption in the suckling pig leads to a postprandial increase in glucose levels but not insulin. Milk, appears to be able to regulate the exocrine pancreas to produce only the amount and type of enzymes required for digestion. Thus, milk components or digestive products may affect pancreas function regulation. Studies show that enterostatin, the procolipase activation peptide, may inhibit pancreatic secretion mediated indirectly through the GI tract. Pancreastatin, an endocrine peptide, inhibits both insulin secretion and protein and trypsin secretion to pancreatic juice. In hypoinsulinemic (alloxan + streptozotocin diabetes) pigs (15–20 kg), no postprandial pancreatic juice response is seen, although CCK 33 + secretin can stimulate pancreatic secretion. Hypoinsulinemic pigs have a reduced capacity for glucose tissue utilization, suggesting that tissue metabolism and exocrine pancreas secretion are related.     

von Willebrand disease: an update in the Åland islandsSummary of a Nordic Symposium on von Willebrand disease, 24–25 September 1998, Mariehamn, Åland

In the past decades von Willebrand disease (vWD) has, in several respects, fallen into the shadow of classical haemophilia due to all problems that have faced those dealing with congenital bleeding disorders, not least regarding blood-borne diseases. The time has come to revisit and refocus on vWD, probably the most common bleeding disorder. Accordingly, a number of Nordic physicians and scientists working in this field organized a meeting on the ferry boat from Stockholm to Mariehamn, in the Åland islands, the home of the index families with this disease, as described by Erik von Willebrand in 1926. The objective of the meeting was to make a comprehensive survey of vWD as seen from the situation in the Nordic countries. In order to achieve all goals some scientists of note from countries outside the Nordic area were invited as well. This paper gives a summary of the symposium, mainly based on the separate papers published in this issue.     

Hepatic-Intestinal Disposal of Endogenous Human Alpha Atrial Natriuretic Factor99-126 in Patients with Cirrhosis

Hepatic-intestinal disposal of endogenous human alpha atrial natriuretic factor99-126 (ANF) was assessed in 13 patients with cirrhosis (six Child-Turcotte class A, five class B, and two class C) and eight control subjects. The Fick principle was applied during hepatic vein catheterization. Arterial ANF concentration in patients with cirrhosis [11.1 +/- 1.6 (SEM) pmol/L] was not significantly different from that of the control subjects (14.9 +/- 4.2 pmol/L, NS). Arteriohepatic venous extraction ratio of ANF (0.43 +/- 0.05 in cirrhosis vs 0.37 +/- 0.09 in controls, NS), hepatic-intestinal clearance (274 +/- 46 vs 237 +/- 46 ml/min, NS) and removal rate (2.9 +/- 0.88 vs 3.1 +/- 0.77 pmol/min, NS) were closely similar in patients and controls. The present results give no indication that significantly reduced hepatic-intestinal disposal of ANF has a role in causing altered circulating plasma levels of this peptide in cirrhosis. This is in keeping with the presence of vascular clearance receptors and peptidases for ANF degradation independent of hepatocellular function.