Enzymatic profile of myocardial infarct

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/33419/1/0000821.pd

Non-suicidal reasons for self-harm: a systematic review of self-reported accounts

Background: Self-harm is a major public health problem yet current healthcare provision is widely regarded as inadequate. One of the barriers to effective healthcare is the lack of a clear understanding of the functions self-harm may serve for the individual. The aim of this review is to identify first-hand accounts of the reasons for self-harm from the individual's perspective. Method: A systematic review of the literature reporting first-hand accounts of the reasons for self-harm other than intent to die. A thematic analysis and ‘best fit' framework synthesis was undertaken to classify the responses. Results: The most widely researched non-suicidal reasons for self-harm were dealing with distress and exerting interpersonal influence. However, many first-hand accounts included reasons such as self-validation, and self-harm to achieve a personal sense of mastery, which suggests individuals thought there were positive or adaptive functions of the act not based only on its social effects. Limitations: Associations with different sub-population characteristics or with the method of harm were not available from most studies included in the analysis. Conclusions: Our review identified a number of themes that are relatively neglected in discussions about self-harm, which we summarised as self-harm as a positive experience and defining the self. These self-reported “positive” reasons may be important in understanding and responding especially to repeated acts of self-harm

Ldh isoenzymes by urea inhibition and substrate (lactate) modification: a clinical evaluation

Summary1. Differentiation of the anodic (LDH1 and LDH2) and cathodic (LDH5) isoenzymes of lactate dehydrogenase in human sera can be accomplished by combining variable substrate (lactate or pyruvate) concentrations with specific inhibitors such as urea.2. One technic useful in the clinical laboratory is based upon a colorimetric assay for total LDH activity in which the oxidation of lactate is coupled to the reduction of a tetrazolium salt. The ratios of activity in 2M lactate to the activity in 0.02 lactate--2M urea yields an index of the predominant LDH isoenzymes in sera.3. Clear-cut distinction between myocardial and hepatic isoenzyme predominance was achieved in the majority of 98 patients studied, but the isoenzyme index can be misleading and non-confirmatory in patients who have liberation of LDH isoenzymes from several organ sources.4. The LDH isoenzyme index is considered to be an additional and informative test only and cannot serve as a diagnostic estimation.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/33128/1/0000514.pd

Iatrogenic aberrations of serum enzyme activity

Summary1. Three forms of iatrogenic serum enzyme alteration are presented, each entailing a different mechanism of action.2. Recent modifications in creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) assay systems have greatly increased the sensitivity of this measurement. This increase in sensitivity has been accompanied by a relative decrease in clinical specificity. In patients receiving intramuscular injections of drugs, resort may have to be made to the SGOT, LDH or isoenzymes of LDH. The latter also appear to be the only common measurements not liable to modification by narcotics injected intra-muscularly in patients with biliary tract disease.3. Post-valvulotomy patients with anginal chest pain cannot be satisfactorily assessed by LDH or LDH isoenzyme assays. CPK and SGOT estimations are the procedures of choice because of their relative insusceptibility to activity changes secondary to hemolysis.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/33127/1/0000513.pd