Associated factors of behavioural problems in children at preschool age: the Hokkaido study on environment and children's health.

BACKGROUND: Finding associated factors with childhood behavioural problems as early as preschool age is important. Studies have revealed several factors including socioeconomic factors, which may vary among different cultural background and population. However, investigation in general Japanese population of preschool age has not been well demonstrated. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine associated factors of childhood behavioural problems using Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in a prospective birth cohort study. METHODS: Total 3813 SDQ were distributed between October 2014 and December 2015 to the subpopulation of prospective birth cohort study, the Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health. The subpopulation consisted of participants who had reached age 5 and were born between April 2008 and December 2010. Baseline questionnaire filled at recruitment and birth record were used to obtain participant information. Children with total difficulties score ≧ 13 were defined as likelihood of behavioural problems. A total of 2553 children with valid answers were included into the analysis. The response rate was 67.1%. RESULTS: Number of children with likelihood of behavioural problems was 521 (20.4%). Boys showed more problematic scores than girls. Multivariate analysis found that maternal pre-pregnancy BMI ≧ 30 kg/m2 , primipara, maternal education lower than high school, family income during pregnancy < 3 million yen/year and boy gender were the factors associated with increased odds ratio of likelihood of child behavioural problems. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that prenatal socioeconomic factors were associated with likelihood of child behavioural problems at preschool age in Japan.

Fibrinogen distribution on surfaces and in organelles of ADP stimulated human blood platelets.

The fibrinogen distribution in platelet organelles after ADP-stimulation was investigated with anti-human fibrinogen using protein A-gold applied to serial sections. Fibrinogen was detected in the so-called alpha-granules of platelets and also in granule protrusions which were observed after ADP-stimulation. The ends of these protrusions were formed as coated membranes and the tips were often in apposition to the surface connected membranes or the plasmalemma. At such places fusion events and hence signs of an exocytosis could be demonstrated by means of cryofixation and cryosubstitution. Examination of serial sections revealed fibrinogen on all these granule profiles. Surface connected membranes, free surfaces and the characteristic structure of the contact zones of aggregated platelets were also labelled by gold particles but less than anticipated. On the platelet surfaces and surface connected membranes fibrinogen was rarely demonstrable with ferritin-labelled anti-human fibrinogen on washed or thrombin-stimulated, almost fibrinogen free platelets. After addition of human fibrinogen to the thrombin stimulated and disaggregated platelets a part of the platelets aggregated spontaneously and formed characteristic contact zones. Anti-human fibrinogen was observed on the free surfaces, in filamentous bridges between the contact spaces and in a tubular surface connected membrane system with involvement of coated membranes at the central ends of these structures. The results indicate the following: all alpha-granules contain fibrinogen; after ADP-stimulation secretion takes place with involvement of coated membranes; during aggregation fibrinogen binds to platelet surfaces and forms contact spaces; fibrinogen is taken up by the surface connected system with involvement of coated membranes.

Comparative study of intranasal, subcutaneous and intravenous administration of desamino-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP).

This study was performed to evaluate the influence of different routes of administration on the efficacy of DDAVP treatment. Ten healthy volunteers received DDAVP intranasally (i.n.), subcutaneously (s.c.) and intravenously (i.v.) in a randomized cross-over trial. Factor XII and high molecular weight (HMW)-kininogen levels increased only slightly after DDAVP administration. The mean increase of factor VIII: C was 3.1 (i.v.), 2.3 (s.c.), and 1.3 (i.n.) - fold over baseline. Ristocetin cofactor (von Willebrand factor antigen) increased 3.1 (2.5), 2.0 (2.3) and 1.2 (1.2) - fold over baseline mean values after i.v., s.c. and i.n. DDAVP, respectively. The half-disappearance time of factor VIII and von Willebrand factor (vWF) after DDAVP ranged from five (factor VIII:C) to eight hours (vWF). The mean increase of fibrinolytic activity was more pronounced after i.v. DDAVP. The antidiuretic effect was moderate with no apparent differences between the routes of application. This study provides further evidence that both i.v. and s.c. DDAVP administration result in an appropriate and reliable stimulation of haemostasis. An additional advantage of s.c. administration is its suitability for home treatment.

Thrombin-induced platelet malondialdehyde (MDA) formation in normal subjects and in women taking oral contraceptives.

Thrombin-induced platelet malondialdehyde (MDA) production and platelet count were studied in 82 male and 74 female healthy blood donors. 37 women on oral contraceptives (OC) had significantly lower values of MDA production than women who were not using the pill. There were no statistically significant differences of MDA production in women on a low dose estrogen, a medium dose, and a relatively high dose. Males had significantly higher values than females. In 15 further subjects (5 males, 5 OC-users, 5 OC-nonusers) the kinetics of MDA formation was determined by using increasing doses of thrombin. No significant differences could be found. Platelet count in women on OCs was lightly increased, but the difference was not significant.

Factor VIII: C (FVIII: C) recovery and half-life after infusion of steam-treated high purity factor VIII concentrate in severe hemophilia A--comparison of one-stage assay, two-stage assay and a chromogenic substrate assay.

Factor VIII:C recovery and half-life was measured in 16 hemophilia A patients under comprehensively standardized conditions. Each patient received the same lot of a steam-treated high purity FVIII concentrate at a dose of 19-33 U/kg body weight. A comparison was made between the one-stage assay, the two-stage assay and a chromogenic substrate test for FVIII:C determination using a FXa-sensitive chromogenic substrate. Factor VIII:C potency of the administered FVIII concentrate was measured using calibration curves derived from a concentrate standard and FVIII:C plasma levels were read from calibration curves derived from a plasma standard. The chromogenic assay showed a good reproducibility at FVIII:C levels between 0.015 and 0.50 U/ml. The FVIII:C recoveries calculated from the results of the one-stage assay, the two-stage assay and the chromogenic substrate test were 109 +/- 20, 92 +/- 14 and 81 +/- 11% (mean +/- SD), respectively. The elimination half-lives of FVIII:C were calculated by non-linear least square analysis using a modified computerized Gauss-Newton algorithm. The half-lives calculated from the FVIII:C plasma levels measured by the one-stage assay, the two-stage assay and the chromogenic test were 23.8 +/- 6.4, 22.2 +/- 5.7 and 17.1 +/- 4.8 h (mean +/- SD), respectively. No previous study has reported such long half-life values. Our findings indicate that measurements of recoveries and half-lives by the chromogenic FVIII:C assay and by computerized non-linear least square analysis allow the possibility of individualized FVIII replacement therapy.

Fibrinolytic effects of pro-urokinase combined with low-dose urokinase compared to high-dose urokinase in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

20 patients (6 females, 14 males) aged between 47 and and 75 years (mean: 62.6 yrs.) with acute myocardial infarction (onset of symptoms within 6 hours) were treated intravenously with either 200,000 U urokinase (UK) and 4.5 million U pro-urokinase (pro-UK) within 60 min (group I, N = 10), or 2.5 million U UK within 5 min (group II, N = 10). Blood samples for haemostatic and fibrinolytic function tests were taken prior to and repeatedly during the 24 hours following treatment. Peak fibrinolytic activity measured by fibrin plates was equivalent in both regimens. Average decreases, with lowest levels within 60 to 120 min following thrombolytic therapy, were observed of 27% and 70% for plasminogen, of 71% and 91% for alpha-2-antiplasmin, and of 20% and 74% for fibrinogen in group I and II, respectively. The reptilase time reached maximum values of 1.5- and 4.5-fold within 60 to 180 min. Peak levels of D-dimers and thrombin-antithrombin III complexes in group II were 2.6 and 3.2 times those of group I. After 24 hours, in contrast to group I, all these parameters still remained significantly different from pretreatment values in group II. These data indicate that, contrary to high-dose UK, pro-UK in combination with low-dose UK causes minor systemic fibrinolytic effects and is, therefore, assumed to be largely clot-specific, although the fibrinolytic potential is equivalent for both regimens.

Half-life of single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (scu-PA) and two-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (tcu-PA) in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

The pharmacokinetics of urokinase (two-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator, tcu-PA) and single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (scu-PA) were studied in 20 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Ten consecutive patients received 2.5 million units tcu-PA by bolus injection within 5 min during the first 6 h after AMI (group I). Ten further consecutive patients received 250,000 U tcu-PA within 5 min, followed by 4.5 million U scu-PA by intravenous infusion over 40 min (group II). An enzyme immunoassay was developed for urokinase antigen determinations, and a fibrin plate assay for determinations of fibrinolytic activity was applied. Using a 3-compartment model, in group I 98% of urokinase antigen were cleared with a half-life of 60.8 min. After scu-PA, urokinase antigen was cleared with half-lives (area under the curve in parentheses) of 6.9 min (74.8%), 26.5 min (23.6%), and 329.7 min (2.2%). The half-disappearance times of fibrinolytic activity were 18 and 8 min in group I and II, respectively. A more pronounced decrease of plasminogen was observed after tcu-PA.

Comparison of different prothrombin complex concentrates--in vitro and in vivo studies.

The potency and tests for thrombogenicity were studied prospectively in 7 different (two lots of each brand, A-G) prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC). Human albumine (H) and a factor IX concentrate (I), served as controls. The potency of coagulation factors and inhibitors varied considerably. Two brands (E, F) contained no protein S, additionally one brand contained no protein C. Two preparations exhibited high amidolytic activities, especially towards the thrombin-sensitive chromogenic substrate S-2238, in vitro. These activities could be quenched in part by the addition of hirudin or antithrombin III. The heparin and antithrombin III content of the PCCs was significantly different, and, after addition of antithrombin III an increase of thrombin-antithrombin III complexes in 2 preparations (B, D) was observed in vitro. Additionally, three brands (B, D, F) caused more severe cardio-pulmonary reactions in rabbits, associated with an increase of fibrin split products for brands B and D. We conclude that the use of these preparations in patients, in whom an acquired protein C or S defect, or a hypercoagulable state, can be suspected, cannot be recommended.

Modern strategies for treatment of acute myocardial infarction: significance of haemostaseological and rheological findings.

In spite of equivalent clinical efficacy of various thrombolytic agents for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction there is evidence of different drug-depending influences on the haemostatic and fibrinolytic system. In the present study 40 patients with acute myocardial infarction have been investigated. 20 patients received 750,000 and 1.5 mio U streptokinase (SK), respectively, 10 patients 30 mg anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex (BRL 26921) and 10 patients a combination of 200,000 U urokinase (UK) and 4.5 mio U pro-urokinase (PUK) as a short-term intravenous treatment. Reperfusion of coronary arteries has been achieved in 70 to 100 percent. Major not fatal bleedings occurred in 2 patients. One patient died within 72 hours after beginning of the myocardial infarction. The longest duration of fibrinolytic activity was observed in the BRL 26921 group (half-disappearance time close to 2 h). It was significantly shorter in the SK groups showing a dose-dependency. Plasma concentration of fibrinogen dropped beyond normal levels following SK and BRL 26921, but not under UK/PUK. Plasma viscosity correlated with fibrinogen decrease and displayed a dose-depending relationship with the presence of SK. Haemorheological effects are suggested to be important for the clinical efficacy of thrombolytic therapy in myocardial infarction.

[Problems in measuring parameters of the fibrinolytic system: circadian rhythm of tissue-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor]. / Probleme bei der Messung von Parametern des Fibrinolytischen Systems: Circadiane Rhythmik von Gewebe-Plasminogen-Aktivator und Plasminogen-Aktivator-Inhibitor.

Reference values of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen, t-PA activity, and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) were established in healthy blood donors using different assay systems. Significant differences between male and female donors were found, due to the intake of oral contraceptives. PAI-activity determinations, using the method described by Chmielewska et al. (1983) or the modification by KabiVitrum, were only poorly correlated (r = 0.53; N = 98; p greater than 0.0001). PAI-activity (Chmielewska et al. 1983) determinations and t-PA antigen measurements were also significantly correlated (r = 0.52; N = 96), which may be a consequence of a joint regulation. In a second series, the diurnal variations of t-PA and PAI were investigated in blood donors (N = 83). PAI-activity and t-PA antigen were about 30 to 40 percent decreased in the evening hours, when compared with the morning values. In two controlled studies, the acute effects of heparins and desmopressin (DDAVP) on the fibrinolytic system were investigated in healthy individuals (N = 10). Again, a pronounced diurnal variation of t-PA and PAI was found. PAI and t-PA were significantly higher in the morning when compared with the evening. However, t-PA activity (Verheijen et al. 1982) showed a reversed pattern, low levels were found in the morning and increased levels in the evening. Our studies clearly show that when determining parameters of the fibrinolytic system, the diurnal variations have to be taken into account.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Plasminogen: a brief introduction into its biochemistry and function.

Human plasminogen is a beta-globulin (2% carbohydrate, molecular weight 90 KD), which in its native form has NH2-terminal glutamic acid (Glu-plasminogen) whose primary structure is known (31, 37, 38). From human plasma plasminogen can easily be isolated by affinity chromatography techniques (10, 25, and Table 1). Plasminogen is synthesized in many organs. The production site of the zymogen may be the liver (21), the eosinophiles (3) or the kidney (15). The plasma-plasminogen level is low in newborns (22) and even lower in the premature infant (2). In healthy adults it is found in plasma or serum in a concentration of 200 mg/l (= 2 microM, 22, 39). The half-life of the native (Glu-) plasminogen is 2.24 +/- 0.29 days (6). Two types of Glu-plasminogen occur in human plasma, which differ in their carbohydrate composition as well as in their content of sialic acid. Genetic variants (see Mayr, 3.1.); of plasminogen have been reported (16) after isoelectric focusing of human plasma in polyacrylamide gels. Three patterns were found, two completely different and the third most likely a mixture of the other two. Characteristical functional properties of plasminogen are related to its molecular structure, e.g. its in vivo specificity for fibrin in contrast to the fairly unspecific in vitro activity of plasmin. Glu-plasminogen is easily converted by limited plasmic digestion to modified forms with NH2-terminal lysine, valine or methionine, which are commonly designated "Lys-plasminogen" displaying a plasma half-life time of 0.8 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ultrastructural studies on the binding sites of fibrinogen on platelet surface during aggregation.

Activated human blood platelets show characteristic globular structures on their surface. Aggregated platelets in blood plasma form contact zones with 40-50 nm spaces between the plasmalemmata. These spaces are bridged by filamentous structures (5,000 per microns 2). To investigate whether the globules or bridges observed are caused by fibrinogen, platelets were washed and treated first with thrombin (1 U thrombin/ml) in order to remove fibrinogen from platelet storage organelles and then with plasmin (0.5-2 U/ml) in order to dissolve remnants of fibrinogen from the platelet surface. Platelets treated in this way were resuspended in tyrode-albumin buffer solution (containing hirudin and prostaglandin E1). No storage organelles were revealed but the platelets reconstituted their discoid shape and the marginal bundle of microtubules. By representing the platelet glycocalix with alcian blue it was observed that the previously homogeneous surface coat was interdispersed with holes of 60-70 nm in diameter, approx. 900 per microns 2. Fibrinogen (8 mg/ml) was then added and the suspension was stirred for 3 minutes at 37 degrees C. The platelets again aggregated and formed contact zones in blood plasma as described above. In spaces of 40 to 50 nm width filamentous bridges similar in size, structure and number to those between aggregated platelets in blood plasma were observed. In both cases the bridges appeared to adhere with small rods into the plasmalemma. Bridges and rods can be easily stained with protein stabilizing agents. In contrast, glycocalix treated with alcian blue are weakly stained. The findings strongly indicate that fibrinogen is the mediator of this type of platelet contact in aggregates. The fibrinogen binding sites are situated to the plasmalemmal outer leaf let and not on the peripheral glycocalix.

Characterization of commercially available plasminogen preparations in vitro: purity and reactivity.

Three different commercially available plasminogen preparations (Immuno-, Kabi-, and Behring-plasminogens) were examined regarding purity and reactivity to different activators (high molecular weight [HMW] or low molecular weight [LMW] two-chain urokinase type plasminogen activator [tcu-PA], single chain urokinase type plasminogen activator [scu-PA], tissue type plasminogen activator [t-PA], and streptokinase [SK]). The Immuno-preparation was a Lys-plasminogen, commercially available for therapeutical use, whereas the research reagents for KabiVitrum and Behringwerke were Glu-plasminogen. Activity data provided by the manufacturers correlated well with our findings. Also a good correlation of reactivity to activators measured with a chromogenic substrate and on fibrin plates could be observed. The Immuno-plasminogen showed a minimum contamination with plasmin which has to be taken into consideration for the interpretation for its apparently higher activation by plasminogen activators compared to the plasmin-free plasminogens. Further in vitro and in vivo research has to be performed to find out criteria for a practicable scheme of administration of fibrinolytic agents for therapeutical thrombolysis.

Reference values and variability of plasminogen in healthy blood donors and its relation to parameters of the fibrinolytic system.

During a survey of four month's duration the following parameters were determined in 43 healthy blood donors (22 males, 21 females; mean age 29 years/20-49/): plasminogen activity, plasminogen concentration, alpha 2-antiplasmin (alpha 2-AP) activity, alpha 2-AP concentration, tissue type plasminogen activator (t-PA) activity, t-PA concentration, plasminogen activator inhibitor--I (PAI-I) activity, AT III activity, AT III concentration and heparin cofactor II (HC II) activity. Normal values including standard deviation (x +/- 2s) were: plasminogen activity: 96.3% (65.9-126.8), plasminogen concentration: 12.2 mg/dl (7.7-16.8), alpha 2-AP activity: 99.9% (83.8-116), alpha 2-AP concentration: 108.1% (84.5-131.8), t-PA activity: 0.85 IU/l (0.0-1.92), t-PA concentration: 10.3 ng/ml (2.5-18.1), PAI-I activity: 15.2 AU/ml, AT III activity: 111.4% (87.8-134.9), AT III concentration: 31.6 mg/dl (24.2-39.1) and HC II activity: 110.7% (81.4-140.0). Concerning plasminogen values no sex related difference could be stated. Women who were smokers and used oral contraceptives tended to present elevated t-PA activity levels due to a lower activity of PAI-I, although this tendency was not significant. Determining concentration and activity of components in the fibrinolytic system plays an important part in the diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of thrombophilic disorders.

[Relevance of antithrombin III in thrombogenesis: the diagnosis and therapy of antithrombin III defects]. / Relevanz von Antithrombin III bei der Thrombogenese: Diagnose und Therapie von Antithrombin-III-Defekten.

Pathological and inconspicuous AT III measuring values were compared with the clinical findings (arterial occlusive diseases, postthrombotic syndromes, acute profound thrombosis of the pelvic veins and the leg veins, acute heparin tolerance in several basic diseases). After calculatory elaboration of all rightly positive and falsely positive, rightly negative and falsely negative laboratory results becomes evident that the positive power of prognosis of the AT III determination is unsatisfactory for a certain basic disease and the negative evidence in these questionings rather well satisfy for the functional measuring method. - The sensitivity of the functional AT III test for the recognition of increased heparin tolerances is quite satisfactory, and the test for the answer of this questioning also suitable and more sensitive than the immunological proof method. - The high percentage of rightly positive and rightly negative findings of all tested results of apparently healthy persons and the groups of patients represented makes clear, which role plays the AT III as a physiologic inhibitor against coagulation-active serine proteases particularly in DIC and in profound thrombosis of the pelvic and leg veins. - For the observation of the course in profound thrombosis of the pelvic and led veins, features of postthrombotic condition and the DIC at least the functional determination of AT III is decisively important.

The development of a central register for side effects of biomaterials.

Examination of the interaction between biomaterials and tissues from a clinical realistic as well as scientific viewpoint to complement the highly advanced experimental and biochemical basis research is an undertaking that has suffered a considerable amount of neglect in the past. Attempts to realize internationally a Central Registry for documenting clinically relevant side effects will be reported in detail. Implementation of the registry involves the review of present literature (prospective clinical studies, retrospective studies and case reports). An "incompatibility incident report/questionnaire" has been developed according to the guidelines of the "Report on Pharmacological Side Effects" of the Pharmaceutical Commission of the German Medical Association. The aims of registering and evaluating these reports will be demonstrated and discussed in detail.