Localization of four polypeptide hormones in the saurian pancreas

Glucagon, insulin, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide have been localized in the anolian pancreas using peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemistry. The most abundant endocrine cell type contains glucagon. Insulin-containing cells are the next most numerous. Somatostatin-immunoreactive cells tend to be localized at the periphery of the islet cords. Pancreatic polypeptide-containing cells are a minor endocrine component scattered throughout the exocrine pancreas and occasionally within the islet areas. No staining was observed after application of antigastrin serum.

Intravesical epodyl in the management of bladder tumors: combined experience of the Yorkshire Urological Cancer Research Group

Of 48 patients with bladder tumors treated with intravesical epodyl 17 have shown a complete remission at some stage of treatment, although several have relapsed later. Partial remission occurred in 20 patients and 11 have shown no improvement or the lesions have progressed. Epodyl is used best as an adjunct to transurethral resection or diathermy of T1 bladder lesions. Even in patients who do not show complete remission epodyl may reduce the incidence of recurrence and the number of lesions. It is useful when rapid recurrence of T1 bladder tumors prevents control by resection or diathermy and it also is beneficial as an emergency measure to control hematuria. Complications are not infrequent and may be severe occasionally. Bone marrow depression has been seen in 2 patients whose bladders showed extensive carcinoma in situ.

Immunocytochemical localization of a gastric imhibitory polypeptide-like material within A-cells of the endocrine pancreas

In rat pancreatic islets, the glucagon-producing A-cells also contain a GIP-like material as revealed by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemical technique. Control studies showed that this dual staining was not due to the cross-reactivity of anti-GIP with glucagon. It is concluded either that the A-cells synthesize a GIP-like peptide or that it is taken up from the circulation.

Phentolamine prevents the somatostatin-mediated inhibition of pancreatic glucagon secretion

This study was undertaken to assess the role of alpha-adrenergic receptors in the somatostatin-mediated inhibition of pancreatic glucagon secretion. In dogs, somatostatin inhibited the pancreatico-duodenal vein output of glucagon. During an infusion of the alpha-adrenergic blocking agent phentolamine, somatostatin did not significantly inhibit the output of glucagon. Thus, alpha-adrenergic mechanisms appear to influence the ability of somatostatin to decrease pancreatic glucagon secretion.

Treatment of advanced bladder cancer with adriamycin and 5-fluorouracil

The cytotoxic drug combination of adriamycin and 5-fluorouracil has resulted in a 35% objective response in 20 patients with advanced bladder cancer. This has been achieved with minimal toxicity and on an out-patient basis. If the survival rate of patients with invasive bladder cancer is to be improved it seems likely that some form of systemic treatment will need to be added to the local measures currently in use. Further studies of different chemotherapeutic agents should help to define an effective and safe form of adjunvant therapy.

Stress-induced inhibition of triglyceride secretion in vivo sand rats (Psammomys obesus)

The effects of acute stress upon circulating triglyceride, glucose, insulin, free fatty acids, and glycerol were investigated in obese desert sand rats. Three groups of animals, designated "nonstress", "non-exertional stress", and "exertional stress", were studied. Acute stress, with or without accompanying exercise, was associated with significant decreases in circulating triglyceride; significant increases in circulating glucose, free fatty acids, and glycerol; and variable changes in circulating insulin. Since these data indicated that substrate availability and hepatic insulization were adequate and therefore could not explain the observed fall in circulating triglyceride, endogenous triglyceride secretion rates were examined by the Triton method. Compared to predicted rates based upon earlier studies, both nonexertional and exertional stress were associated with significantly decreased endogenous triglyceride secretion. Thus, acute stress in the sand rat, with or without accompanying exercise, appears to induce an immediate decrease in endogenous triglyceride secretion and circulating triglyceride.

Metal-androgen interrelationships in carcinoma and hyperplasia of the human prostate

Zinc and cadmium concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy in normal and pathological human prostates. Our studies confirm the values of zinc in normal tissue [6.84 +/- 1.21 (S.E.M.) mumol/g] and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) (6.9 +/- 1.19 mumol/g) are similar, while in neoplastic tissues zinc concentrations were significantly lower (2.61 +/- 0.45 mumol/g). The Cd2+ levels in BPH (23.11 +/- 3.28 nmol/g) were, on the other hand, considerably higher than those found for normal tissues (5.15 +/- 0.62 nmol/g). In agreement with other published reports, Cd2+ concentrations were found to be markedly increased in carcinomatous tissue (129.79 +/- 22.22 nmol/g). No correlation was however established between the values for the two metals in either type of prostatic tissue. An established specific radioimmunoassay was used for the measurement of testosterone and dihydrotestoesterone (DHT) and a distinct pattern emerged upon comparing these results with those for the zinc and cadmium concentrations. It appears that the concentrations of DHT in benign hypertrophy and of testosterone and DHT in carcinoma were inversely proportional to the levels of Zn2+ in abnormal tissue. In contrast, the DHT levels in the hypertrophied and malignant tissue were proportional to the Cd2+ concentrations.

Androgen levels in the plasma and prostatic tissues of patients with benign hypertrophy and carcinoma of the prostate

Specific radioimmunoassays for testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and androstenedione were carried out to measure the concentrations of the three hormones in the plasma and prostatic tissue of ten patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and ten patients with carcinoma of the prostate. The results indicate that there are no significant differences between the peripheral plasma concentrations of testosterone, DHT and androstenedione in BPH [19.7 +/- 2.6, 2.6 +/- 0.9 AND 5.5 +/- 1.7 (S.E.M.) nmol/l respectively] and in carcinoma [16.9 +/- 2.8, 2.4 +/- 0.5, 4.4 +/- 1.1 nmol/l respectively], (in all cases P greater than 0.1). In contrast, the prostate tissue rations DHT: testosterone (3.59 +/- 0.55 for BPH and 0.66 +/- 0.09 for carcinoma) and androstenedione: testosterone (2.83 +/- 0.38 for BPH and 1.07 +/- 0.16 for carcinoma) are significantly less in carcinoma than in benign hypertrophy ( in all cases P less than 0.01). The accumulation of testosterone in the carcinoma, relative to values found in BPH tissue is, therefore, not associated with changes in the concentrations of androgens in the plasma pool but may be related to local factors and metabolic changes within the prostate.

Percutaneous cystostomy in paraplegia--a follow-up of 41 patients

Percutaneous cystostomy using a fine calibre (9 Charriere) plastic trocar and cannula has been used in 51 male patients in the early weeks following spinal cord injury. The results are satisfactory. Of the last ten patients none has been catheterised per urethram; eight of these patients are now passing urine satisfactorily using a condom urinal.

Percutaneous suprapubic cystostomy after spinal cord injury

The results of treatment of urinary bladder paralysis with small calibre (9 Charriere) suprapubic drainage in 41 male patients are described. It was found that suprapubic drainage could be maintained for an average of 8 weeks and that the urine in 43% of patients remained sterile for an average of 7 weeks. This technique merits further trial, both in the paraplegic patient and in normal patients requiring catheterisation because of obstruction of the lower urinary tract.

Longitudinal extension of the pulmonary trunk during breathing in young rabbits: a possible factor in elastin fragmentation

Corrosion casts of the pulmonary trunk and major branches of the pulmonary arteries of 39 rabbits were made from a silicone polymer. In half of the rabbits the casts were made with the lungs expanded and half with the lungs collapsed. The length of various segments of the casts were measured from magnified photographs. It was found that in rabbits less than 23 days old the pulmonary trunk is significantly longer when the lungs are expanded than when they are collapsed. This suggests that a repeated longitudinal extension of the vessel occurs during breathing. This effect disappears after 30 days of age, possibly because of elastin fragmentation. Between the ages of 23 and 30 days the growth in length and diameter of the pulmonary trunk undergoes a rapid acceleration. This may also be the result of elastin fragmentation. Whereas it may be that repeated longitudinal stress in the pulmonary trunk during breathing causes elastin in its media to fragment, one cannot exclude the possibility that other factors such as growth are responsible.

Phentolamine blocks the somatostatin-mediated inhibition of insulin secretion

This study was undertaken to determine the influence of alpha-adrenergic blockade upon the somatostatin-mediated inhibition of insulin secretion. Somatostatin inhibited both the basal and glucose-stimulated pancreaticoduodenal vein insulin output of dogs. This effect was not observed during a simultaneous infusion of phentolamine, an alpha-adrenergic blocker. It is proposed that alpha-adrenergic mechanisms play a role in the inhibition of insulin secretion by somatostatin.

Micturition patterns in patients paraplegic following spinal cord injury

Patterns of micturition in normal subjects and in patients after complete and incomplete injury of the spinal cord have been compared. All patients showed an abnormal flow pattern, this being least obvious in those who had undergone resection of the bladder neck and external sphincter. It is suggested that the Disa type 14 F 45 mictiograph is a useful instrument in determining the need for transurethral resection following spinal cord injury.

Structural modification of Schwann cells in the pancreatic islets of the dog

In dog pancreatic islets, Schwann cells not only ensheath autonomic nerves but also have cytoplasmic processes that are contiguous with large expanses of the islet surface. These processes are interposed between the islet basal lamina and the endocrine parenchyma. This structural modification of Schwann cells may play a role in the neural control of islet function.

Determinants of human adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase. Effect of diabetes and obesity on basal- and diet-induced activity

The role of insulin in the regulation of human adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase was evaluated. Adipose tissue heparin-releasable lipoprotein lipase (thought to be related to peripheral clearance of plasma triglycerides) was low in insulin-deficient, untreated hyperglycemic diabetic subjects (P less than 0.001) and treatment of hyperglycemia returned the activity to normal. In chronic hyperinsulinism, represented by obesity, heparin-releasable activity among control subjects was correlated to percent of ideal body weight (r=0.53, P less than 0.05) and to fat cell size (r=0.61, P less than 0.02). Acetone-ether powder lipoprotein lipase activity (presumed to reflect total tissue enzyme) was also related to percent of ideal body weight (r=0.76, P less than 0.001 for controls; r=0.67, P less than 0.05 for diabetics) and to fat cell size (r=0.71, P less than 0.01 for controls; r=0.85, P less than 0.01 for diabetics. Postprandial-stimulated insulin secretion was related to diet-induced changes in lipoprotein lipase in control subjects; both were dependent upon the amount of dietary carbohydrate. In contrast, the diabetic patients with low insulin responses, failed to increase lipoprotein lipase activity with feeding. The changes in heparin-releasable (r=0.66, P less than 0.01) and acetone-ether powder (r=0.69, P less than 0.01) activity during feeding were related to the percent increase in plasma insulin. Thus, insulin appears to be important in the regulation of human adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity. Elevated insulin levels in obesity and increased insulin secretion after eating were associated with increased lipoprotein lipase activity. Defects in insulin secretion, both in postabsorptive and postprandial states, are associated with low adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase and may lead to hypertriglyceridemia in diabetic man.

Human adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase: comparison of assay methods and expressions of activity

There was a positive correlation in normal man between heparin releasable lipoprotein lipase and lipoprotein lipase of ammonium hydroxide homongenate of acetoneether powder in adipose tissue. Heparin releasable as lipoprotein lipase activity was about twice as high as the enzymatic activity in acetone powder, even though 40-70% of the original activity remained in the tissue after incubation with heparin. This might indicate that activation of the enzyme is associated with its release by heparin from tissue. The lipoprotein lipase activity per unit weight and per fat cell were affected differently by obesity: In obese subjects lipoprotein lipase per unit weight was propotionally lower than the activity per fat cell. The expression of activity per fat cell appears to avoid the effect of obesity, and hence increased fat cell size, on values obtained.

Disposable graft splint in penetrating keratoplasty

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Natural history of rheumatoid cervical luxations

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Aphasic performance on visual tracking program

The performance of 9 adult aphasics on a visual tracking program was investigated. The results indicated (1) significant increases in visual tracking rate over an 8-wk. training period, (2) significant increases in performance on tests of silent reading rate and over-all reading ability, and (3) no direct relationships between increases in visual tracking rate and silent reading rate or over-all reading ability. The significant gains observed in perceptual speed and accuracy, silent reading rate, and over-all reading ability indicated that the visual tracking program (Gaeke & Smith, 1962) may contribute significantly to the remediation of reading deficits in aphasia.

Unusual presentation of ocular Toxocara infestation

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