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Rapid determination of plasma ammonia using an ion specific electrode
No full textA method for measuring directly the ammonia concentration in plasma by the use of an ammonia gas sensitive electrode is proposed. The plasma pH is brought to a final value of 10.4; at which pH, no NH3 is released from other sources and the amount of NH3 measured is 92% of the total ammonia (pKa = 9.3). The potentiometric readings of the samples are referred to a standard curve. In normal subjects, the mean values of venous ammonia nitrogen are 23.9 ± 9.6 (SD) μg/100 ml of plasma. Reproducibility is ± 0.5 mV, or 2%. The method was also compared to the ion exchange method: The difference was constantly below 3%. The time required for the assay is less than 10 min. The method, when compared to others adopting the same electrode, is recommended for its simplicity, accuracy, and rapidity. © 1975
NONSURGICAL APPROACH TO GALLSTONES - ORAL-THERAPY WITH BILE-ACIDS
No full textGallstone disease is very common. According to recent epidemiological studies it affects 6.4% of men and 10.4% of women between 30-69 years of age. In more than half of these the disease remains asymptomatic. Until fairly recently cholecystectomy was the only available treatment. However, in the early '70's, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) were introduced as possible alternatives to surgery. Nonetheless, not everyone with gallstones can or should be given this type of treatment. Whilst it is commonly agreed that symptomatic gallstones must be operated on, there is no such agreement regarding treatment with biliary acid per os for asymptomatic stones. However, only asymptomatic subjects with radiolucent stones in a functioning gallbladder, no larger than 15 mm in diameter, can be treated with a good rate of success-as high as 50% after one year of treatment. The biliary acid currently used, either alone or together with CDCA, is UDCA. The average dose is 8-10 mg/kg/day. There are few side effects and in practice there are no contraindications to such treatment. The cost of the treatment is not prohibitive: 750 mg/day of UDCA in Italy costs about $1540 for a year's supply
Produzione di energia a riposo e ossidazione dei substrati in pazienti cirrotici studiati mediante la calorimetria.
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