Annals of internal medicine
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The principal function of erythrocytes is the transport of oxygen. Erythropoiesis proceeds at a rate consistent with the demand for oxygen-carrying capacity, and the major regulator of erythrocyte production is erythropoietin. Erythropoietin is produced primarily by the kidney under control of a tissue oxygenation sensor. ⋯ Erythrocytosis increases oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, but at high hematocrit levels increased blood viscosity may result in decreased tissue oxygen delivery. Polycythemia vera is a hematopoietic stem cell disease of clonal origin. Initial results from the Polycythemia Rubra Study Group suggest that therapy with chlorambucil is associated with an unacceptably high risk for development of acute leukemia, and 32P is preferred for situations in which phlebotomy alone is insufficient.
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The value of glycosylated serum protein and glycosylated hemoglobin levels for estimating diabetic control was compared in 14 patients over 8 weeks during which glycemic control was improved. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels were not an effective indicator of improved glycemic control for the preceding 2 weeks; glycosylated serum protein values, however, accurately reflected alteration of mean glycemic levels 1 and 2 weeks after improvement of glycemic control. Both measurements were equally satisfactory after 8 weeks. In five patients glycosylated serum protein and glycosylated albumin values appeared equally effective in predicting glycemic control.