Arachidonic acid-induced insulin secretion from rat islets of Langerhans.

There is growing evidence that arachidonic acid (AA) and/or its metabolites may be involved in the control of insulin secretion. We have now investigated the effect of AA on insulin secretion from rat islets, and the possible involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in this process. Exogenous AA stimulated insulin secretion from intact islets at a substimulatory concentration of glucose (2 mM), but did not further enhance glucose-induced (20mM) insulin secretion. AA-induced insulin secretion was temperature dependent. The secretory responses seen at 37 degrees C were totally abolished by reducing the incubation temperature to less than or equal to 34 degrees C. AA-induced insulin secretion was not dependent upon extracellular Ca2+ and was potentiated by omission of Ca2+ or bovine serum albumin from the media. PKC in rat islets can thus be stimulated by AA, but the stimulation of PKC is not required for AA-induced insulin secretion.     

A diagnostic algorithm for male genital oedema

Male genital oedema can be defined as swelling or the appearance of swelling of the scrotum and/or the penile shaft and prepuce. Despite the various causes of genital oedema reported in the published work, a concise approach to the evaluation and management has not been sufficiently addressed.     

Longitudinal patterns of enrollment and expenditures for a Medicaid cohort.

This article is based on 4 years of data for a cohort of Medicaid enrollees in California and Georgia to determine patterns of enrollment and expenditures. The analyses were developed from the statistical system known as Tape-to-Tape, which is based on Medicaid enrollment and claims files from these and other States. The composition of the cohort changed over times as a result of the differential rates of turnover for subgroups of the Medicaid population. Longitudinal expenditure patterns also varied by health service and eligibility group. These Medicaid expenditure patterns differed from those observed previously in Medicare studies, undoubtedly reflecting differences in service coverage under Medicare and Medicaid.     

Bilateral ovarian fibromas in children

The case of bilateral ovarian fibromas occurring in an 8-year-old black girl is reported. These lesions occur rarely in premenarchal females and may be a manifestation of Nevoid Basal Cell Syndrome. Calcifications are reported to occur rarely in ovarian fibromas but seem to occur frequently in fibromas in children. Management is guided by the benignity of the lesion and consists of surgical excision of the fibroma. Preservation of normal ovarian tissue is recommended with the acknowledged risk of recurrence of the fibroma.