Rapid sensing of circulating ghrelin by hypothalamic appetite-modifying neurons

To maintain homeostasis, hypothalamic neurons in the arcuate nucleus must dynamically sense and integrate a multitude of peripheral signals. Blood-borne molecules must therefore be able to circumvent the tightly sealed vasculature of the blood–brain barrier to rapidly access their target neurons. However, how information encoded by circulating appetite-modifying hormones is conveyed to central hypothalamic neurons remains largely unexplored. Using in vivo multiphoton microscopy together with fluorescently labeled ligands, we demonstrate that circulating ghrelin, a versatile regulator of energy expenditure and feeding behavior, rapidly binds neurons in the vicinity of fenestrated capillaries, and that the number of labeled cell bodies varies with feeding status. Thus, by virtue of its vascular connections, the hypothalamus is able to directly sense peripheral signals, modifying energy status accordingly.     

Comparison of IL10 and IL2 genotypes of Turkish population with other populations

The human genome has been shaped by evolutionary and historical forces. Therefore, genetic polymorphisms are useful tools not only to understand the susceptibility to disease in modern populations, but the history of ancestral populations as well. For this purpose, data on genetic polymorphisms such as human leucocyte antigen, mitochondrial DNA sequence variability and the frequencies of TAP1 and TAP2 gene variants in Turkey have been reported previously. Here we have used interleukin (IL)‐10 (?592C/A, ?819T/C, ?1082G/A) and IL‐2 (?330T/G) as genetic markers to study the relationship between Turkish population and other populations.     

DYSGERMINOMA IN A CHILD WITH ATAXIA–TELANGIECTASIA

Ataxia–telangiectasia is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia, oculocutaneous telangiectasia, immunodeficiency, high incidence of cancer, and increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation. The authors report a case of dysgerminoma in a child with high α-fetoprotein, CA125 and β-human chorionic gonadotropin, who has been followed-up for ataxia–telangiectasia for 2 years.     

Evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of a genetically modified live vaccine in broilers challenged with Salmonella Heidelberg

Salmonellosis ranks among the major diseases of commercial poultry, and its presence in poultry flocks is responsible for economic losses and risks related to public health. Vaccines are an important tool within integrated programmes to control salmonellosis. The purpose of this study was to assess cross-protection provided by the Poulvac® ST vaccine in the control of Salmonella Heidelberg in experimentally challenged 3- and 21-day-old birds. Eighty birds were identified and separated into four treatments (T1: vaccinated and challenged at 3 days of age, T2: unvaccinated and challenged at 3 days of age, T3: vaccinated and challenged at 21 days of age, and T4: unvaccinated and challenged at 21 days of age). The inoculum was produced from a Brazilian field strain of SH. At the end of the experiment, caecum and liver/spleen samples were collected for quantitative and qualitative analysis of SH, respectively. Analysis of the liver/spleen showed that Poulvac® ST significantly (P?≤?0.05) reduced the percentage of SH positivity in the group challenged at 3 days of age, while in the group challenged at 21 days this difference was almost considered significant (P?=?0.1818). On the other hand, there was no statistically significant difference in SH count in the caecum (CFU/g) in the group challenged at 3 days, but for the group challenged at 21 days the SH counts were significantly (P?≤?0.05) lower in the vaccinated group when compared to the positive control.     

Cutaneous non-X histiocytosis: clinical and histologic features and response to dermabrasion

A 22-year-old man presented with a progressive cutaneous eruption consisting of reddish-yellow papules and plaques on his face, which was histopathologically characteristic of a non-X histiocytosis. No systemic involvement was present. Monoclonal antibody staining of the tissue infiltrate was strongly positive for only OKT6. On electron microscopy, Langerhans (Birbeck) granules were not found. Four years of conservative treatment was unsuccessful. Spontaneous involution did not occur. Dermabrasion not only produced excellent cosmetic results, but on rebiopsy the histiocytic infiltrate was absent. There has been no recurrence in treated areas after 18 months.     

Is color Doppler a reliable method for the diagnosis of malrotation?

Purpose

The gold standard for the diagnosis of malrotation is barium contrast study of the upper gastrointestinal system (UGCS), while color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) is another method used in the diagnosis. We investigated the value of CDUS for the diagnosis of malrotation in this study.

Methods

UGCS images, CDUS images, plain abdominal images, demographic data, and symptoms of 82 patients who were investigated for presumed malrotation during a 7-year period were evaluated, retrospectively.

Results

All patients underwent CDUS, and 18% of these patients were diagnosed with malrotation as the superior mesenteric vein was seen to be on the left of the superior mesenteric artery. We found that 16% of the 75 patients who underwent UGCS were diagnosed with malrotation. The sensitivity and specificity of CDUS in the diagnosis of malrotation was found to be 93.8 and 100%, respectively. The respective values for UGCS were 91.7 and 98.4%.

Conclusion

Current data in the literature and our results underline that UGCS may yield false-positive and false-negative results. Although CDUS was found to be a reliable method for the diagnosis of malrotation in our study, the limitations of UGCS are also recognized for CDUS. Prospective studies are needed to determine the more valuable method.