Effects of insulin on hepatic lipid synthesis in alloxan diabetic rats.

In vitro hepatic synthesis of lipids starting from 1-(14)C-acetate was studied in rats made diabetic by subcutaneous alloxan administration (175 mg/kg b.w.). A second group of diabetic rats was treated with lente insulin. In the alloxan-treated rats, a decrese was observed in hepatic incorporation of 1-(14)C-acetate into phospholipids, triglycerides and esterified cholesterol; there was an increased incorporation into nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and free cholesterol. Insulin administration restored lipid synthesis values to normal. On histologic examination, an intranuclear glycogenesis was observed in the hepatocytes of the alloxan-treated rats, along with severe hepatic necrosis; the latter however, only in rats sacrified on the 3rd day. Hepatic steatosis with small, medium and large droplets was present in the insulin-treated rats; signs of cellular degeneration were less evident.     

Intracranial capillary hemangiomas: literature review in pediatric and adult population

Neurosurgical Review - Capillary hemangiomas (CHs) of the central nervous system represent a rare diagnosed pathology. CHs are benign vascular tumors whose most common manifestations are dermal and...     

Association of Insulin Resistance and Higher Oncotype DX™ Recurrence Score

Annals of Surgical Oncology - Black women with breast cancer have a worse overall survival compared with White women; however, no difference in Oncotype DX? (ODX) recurrence scores has been...     

Mutagen sensitivity and cancer susceptibility in patients with multiple primary cancers

Thirty-two patients with multiple cancers were evaluated for in vitro sensitivity to mutagens and were compared with normal controls, Mutagen sensitivity was evaluated by exposing lymphocytes to mitomycin-C in vitro and estimating the mitomycin-induced chromosomal gaps and breaks (G/B) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) per cell. The results show significant differences between control and patient groups when spontaneous and induced G/B and SCE were evaluated. In addition, establishing the limit of normality for G/B and SCE, among the control group, the examined patients show largely positive levels in respect to both of the parameters used. In this study we discuss the usefulness of mutagen sensitivity as an indirect measure of DNA repair and genetic susceptibility to multiple primary cancers.     

Dynamics of institutionalization of older adults in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Epidemiological and social changes related to population aging in Brazil will probably increase the need for nursing homes (NH). The study analyses the dynamics of institutionalization in Belo Horizonte, a 3 million inhabitant city of whom 8.0% are aged 60 or more. METHODS: Age and length of stay of 1,128 NH residents (92.5% of the estimated population) was registered and occupancy and institutionalization rates were determined. RESULTS: Among women aged 65+ in Belo Horizonte, 0.88% were living in NH; among men, 0.26%. Occupancy rates were 92%. Women (81%) were older than men (76.4 x 70.4 years; two-tailed t test = 6. 4; p=0.00) and lived there for a longer period (5.6 x 4.5 years; two-tailed t test = 2.6; p=0.01). Almost 1/3 of the men were aged < 65. CONCLUSIONS: High occupancy rates, long waiting lists and hard criteria for admission (half reject demented or dependent individuals) insinuates that these low institutionalization rates are related to scarcity of beds. The preponderance of women reflects the proportion of those widowed or separated in the community (66% of those aged 65-+, versus 76% of married man). The high frequency of institutionalized men aged <65 suggests lower capacity of maintaining themselves after widowhood. High death rates (24% during a 20 month follow-up of a 263 random sample) determines the small median length of stay (3 years). These data unveil the anachronism of a system which is not directed towards the maintenance of the Brazilian older people among their families and homes.     

Cerebrospinal fluid isoprostane shows oxidative stress in patients with multiple sclerosis

The CSF level of the isoprostane 8-epi-prostaglandin (PG)-F2alpha (a reliable marker of oxidative stress in vivo) was three times higher in subjects with definite MS than in a benchmark group of subjects with other neurologic diseases. This increase was not correlated with that of PGE2 levels, measured as an index of cyclooxygenase activity, and was much lower in steroid-treated patients. The levels of 8-epi-PGF2alpha were moderately correlated with the degree of disability.     

Phospholipase A2 enzymes regulate alpha IIb beta3-mediated, but not Fc gammaRII receptor-mediated, pp125FAK phosphorylation in platelets

The alphaII(b)beta3 integrin and FcgammaRII receptors mediate, respectively, platelet adhesion and spreading on fibrinogen and immunoglobulin (IgG) coated surfaces. Platelet adhesion to fibrinogen resulted in a partial conversion of the faster to the slower migrating (phosphorylated) form of Ca(+2)-sensitive cytosolic phospholipase A2(cPLA2) but failed to trigger arachidonic acid (AA) release. Full mobility shift of cPLA2 and a massive release of AA release were stimulated by platelet adhesion to IgG or addition of thrombin to the fibrinogen adherent platelets. IgG and thrombin induced AA production were blocked by methyl arachidonyl fluorophosphonate (MAFP), an irreversible inhibitor of cPLA2 and the Ca(+2)-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2). In contrast, bromoenol lactone (BEL), a specific inhibitor of iPLA2 had no effect on the release of AA. MAFP and BEL prevented pp125FAK phosphorylation and platelet spreading on fibrinogen having no effect on pp125FAK phosphorylation or platelet spreading on immobilized IgG. We conclude that alpha(IIb)beta3-mediated pp125FAK phosphorylation and platelet spreading on fibrinogen are regulated by PLA2 enzymes.     

Book reviews

Health Matters A. PETERSEN & C. WADDELL, EDITORS Buckingham, Open University Press, 1998, IBSN 0 335 20261 6 (hbk), 0 335 20260 8 (pbk)

Madness in its Place: Narratives of Severalls Hospital, 1913–1997 DIANA GITTINS London, Routledge, ISBN 0 415 183888-X

Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches KEITH PUNCH London, Sage, 1998, 319 pp., price not stated, ISBN 0 7619 5812 6 (hbk), 0 7619 5813 4 (pbk)