Effects of galanin on insulin and glucagon secretion in the rat

Galanin-like immunoreactivity has been visualized in nerve fibers in the islets of Langerhans, suggesting an involvement of galanin in the neural regulation of islet function. In this study, we investigated the effects of galanin on basal and stimulated insulin and glucagon secretion by infusing the peptide at three different dose rates in rats. We also studied the direct effect of galanin on insulin secretion from freshly isolated rat islets. At 320 pmol/kg/min, but not at 20 or 80 pmol/kg/min, galanin lowered basal plasma insulin levels. In contrast, basal plasma glucagon levels were lowered by galanin already at 20 and 80 pmol/kg/min. Furthermore, galanin inhibited both glucose- and arginine-induced insulin release at all three dose levels, whereas arginine-induced glucagon release was not affected by galanin. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from isolated rat islets was dose-dependently suppressed by galanin (10^-6-10^-8M). Therefore, it is concluded that galanin in rats inhibits insulin secretion, both in vivo and in vitro, and that at lower dose levels, the peptide also inhibits basal glucagon release.     

The role of infection and vaccination in the genesis of optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis in children

This article describes the association between previous infection and/or vaccination and the development of optic neuritis (ON) in 18 children. Ten of these children subsequently developed clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS), while in 8 patients a clinically definite etiology could not be confirmed. Vaccination preceded the first ON attack in 6 patients, all but one of whom subsequently developed MS. It also preceded subsequent demyelinating events in 6 patients. Ten of the patients had a bacterial or viral infection within the 2 weeks prior to the first symptoms of ON. Intrathecal antibody synthesis against 2 or more viruses could be shown in 5 out of 8 patients studied; 5 out of 6 patients had oligoclonal antibodies in CSF and 12 out of 16 patients a high IgG index. Neither intrathecal antibody synthesis against 2 or more viruses nor elevated IgG indexes could be found in the control patients. Measles and mumps occurred at a significantly later age in the children who subsequently developed MS than in the control children, and these patients had significantly more events that might have impaired the blood-brain barrier than the controls. These results indicate that immunological events leading to MS may be triggered during childhood. Vaccination and infection often precede ON in childhood. Intrathecal viral antibody production can occur already in childhood at the time of the first symptoms of MS.     

Primary papillary serous cystadenocarcinoma of broad ligament

A rare case of an advanced primary broad ligament carcinoma is discussed, with a review of the literature regarding its incidence, presentation and management. This patient showed a complete response to adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy following panhysterectomy and is presently without any evidence of disease, 15 months after completion of her treatment.     

Epidemiology of acute diarrhea in children living in Sicily

A longitudinal survey (February 1984 - January 1985) on the incidence of acute diarrhea episodes in a sample of 8,164 children (aged 0–12 years) living in southeastern Sicily was carried out by means of weekly telephone interviews with doctors practising in the territory. The incidence rate was 0.479 (0.472–0.485 95% C.I.) per child per year and the frequency of episodes was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in children aged 0–4 years (0.86). Diarrhea was more frequent in industrial areas than in rural ones, and almost half (45.1%) of the total episodes had a mild course. No death from diarrhea occurred and admission to hospital was reported for 8.4% of all cases.Corresponding author.     

The expression of 3-fucosylated-N-acetyl lactosamine carbohydrate determinants in renal tumours

The distribution in renal tumours of 3-fucosyl-N-acetyl lactosamine has been studied by using the monoclonal antibodies AGF 4.36 and AGF 4.48 and immunoperoxidase methods on tissue sections. Seven of 19 nephroblastomas and 12 of 30 renal cell carcinomas contained the epitope. In nephroblastomas the epitope was found on the terminals of type B tubules in six cases and in one case on the type A or neoplastic tubules. In renal carcinoma the antigen was found on the surface of tumour cells. The results suggest that in kidneys bearing nephroblastomas ureteric bud elements may grow into the tumour from the adjacent kidney.     

老年骨髓炎患者的围术期护理

目的探讨老年骨髓炎患者围术期护理的体会及经验。方法对32例老年骨髓炎患者围术期护理经验进行分析和总结。结果全组32例患者通过手术治疗及合理护理措施均得到治愈，无褥疮、肺部及泌尿系感染等并发症发生。结论老年骨髓炎患者体质差，合并症多，护理需认真、细致，并且根据术前、术中、术后按不同病情制订个案护理计划，预防并发症，能有效地提高手术成功率。     

食管癌放疗中二次模拟定位临床探讨

目的：探讨食管癌放疗中间再次定位的必要性和重要性。方法：我院放疗科自1998年10月－2001年3月对356例食管癌患者行单纯放疗或放疗加化疗，356例患者照射全过程都进行二次模拟定位（第一次模拟定位后照射30－40GY／15－20次后进行第2次模拟定位）。比较分析前后二次模拟定位靶中心移位的情况。结果；靶中心移位＜0．5cm为157例，移位0．5－1．0cm为130例，移位＞1．0cm为69例。全部靶中心移位达55．90％。食管肿瘤长度＜5cm靶中心移位27例，5－8cm移位117例，病变长度＞8cm移位55例，P＜0．05；食管肿瘤发生于颈段，上胸段靶中心移位25例，而中、下段食管移位174例，P＜0．01。结论：食管肿瘤外照射达到一定剂量时，靶中心会出现不同程度的移位，肿瘤长度越长靶中心移位会更明显， 肿瘤位置越小，移位亦显著。因此，我们对食管癌患者放疗全过程必需进行2到3次定位，这样才能保证靶中心的精确度，以达到预期治疗目的。     

rhGM—CSF对小鼠口腔粘膜损伤的防治作用

目的：观察rhGM-CSF对TMX致实验性小鼠口腔粘膜损伤的疗效。方法：按随机分组原则将501只昆明种小白鼠分成8组，分别在相应时间给予不同药物（MTX，CF或rhGM-CSF）的处理因素，于第1－10天光镜下观察小鼠口腔粘膜的病理改变和积分情况。结果：IDMTX致口腔粘膜损伤病变率（45％－63％）和积分率（19．4％－56％）较其它组高，且死亡率很低（小于5％）；IDMTX＋GM0（或GM2）组的口腔粘膜损伤病变率（30．53％和30．99％）和积分率（19．47％和17．25％）比IDMTX组（55．56％和36．31％）明显减少，且溃疡严重程度较轻，二者相差显著（P＜0．01）。结论：IDMTX致小鼠口腔粘膜损伤模型可以用于粘膜损伤的研究；rhGM-CSF可以减少MTX致小鼠口腔粘膜损伤，并促进粘膜损伤恢复。     

肝细胞癌的相关血清标志物

HCC的早期诊断是其治疗的关键，HCC血清标志物的检测又为其诊断提供了有利的途径，并且操作简单，敏感性高和特异性强。目前常用的血清标志物为AFP、AFP变异体、AFP mRNA、AFU、GGT、DCP、AIF、GPC3等。这些标志物的联合使用有助于HCC的诊断及预后。