Ultrastructure of β-cells during the dynamic response to glucose and tolbutamide in vitro

Summary Ultrastructural changes in cells of the isolated perfused rat pancreas were observed during the dynamic response to glucose and tolbutamide. Evidence of granule secretion into the extracellular space by emiocytosis was noted during the first 60 sec of glucose stimulation, but not thereafter nor at any time during tolbutamide stimulation. Packaging of granules within the Golgi apparatus was apparent after 60 min of glucose injection, but not in the case of tolbutamide. These findings support the concept that glucose initially stimulates the release of a small labile pool of preformed insulin, while continued administration stimulates Golgi packaging activity and the provision of additional insulin for the secretory process. High tolbutamide alone, in contrast increases the Golgi complex, coated vesicles, multivesicular bodies and cytosegresomes. Thus it may stimulate packaging without insulin provision, or alternatively, increase lysosomal degradative processes.Supported in part by U.S. Public Health Service Grants AM 11182 and AM 01410.     

Biliary disease in metachromatic leukodystrophy

Pediatric Radiology - This paper illustrates the previously unreported sonographic changes in the biliary tract in metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD). Gallbladder wall thickening due to sulfatide...     

Radiological differentiation of tuberculous and pyogenic osteomyelitis: a case report

A case report is presented in which tuberculosis of the spine (Pott's disease) is identified radiographically and is compared with pyogenic osteomyelitis. Physical examination findings, as well as laboratory evaluation of these conditions, are differentiated.     

Use of Regression Residuals to Quantify Individual Differences in Acute Sensitivity and Tolerance to Alcohol

Due to the problem of correlation of errors inherent in the difference or ratio scores typically used to quantify individual differences in acute sensitivity and tolerance to alcohol, it is recommended that residual scores from regression analyses be used instead for such quantification. Conceptualizations of acute sensitivity and tolerance and problems with the reliability of change scores are also discussed.     

Familial ectopic ossification.

We report a family with dominantly inherited ectopic ossification. It is characterised by childhood onset of multifocal subcutaneous ossifications (primary osteoma cutis), which are of trivial clinical significance. One family member had extensive ectopic ossification involving one limb. We speculate that this may reflect somatic mutation having caused conversion to homozygosity.     

Ultrasound appearance of scrotal fat necrosis in prepubertal boys

BACKGROUND: Scrotal fat necrosis is a rare cause of scrotal pain in prepubertal boys. Despite its characteristic clinical presentation, it is an under-recognized entity. Specific scrotal US imaging features of this condition have not been previously reported. OBJECTIVE: To describe the US imaging features of scrotal fat necrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1999 and November 2006 we identified all boys with idiopathic scrotal fat necrosis presenting for ultrasound imaging. All the children were reviewed by the urology service during the initial presentation and assessment with clinical confirmation of the diagnosis of scrotal fat necrosis. The sonographic appearances in each child were reviewed. RESULTS: Over the course of 6 years we identified ten children who had the classic clinical diagnosis of idiopathic scrotal fat necrosis. The scrotal fat was characteristically hyperechoic, with posterior shadowing. This was located inferior to the testes which were displaced superiorly. The testes and epididymi were normal in all children. CONCLUSION: There are specific imaging features of scrotal fat necrosis that when combined with the characteristic clinical presentation can confirm the diagnosis of scrotal fat necrosis.     

阿片成瘾者中的人格障碍问题

本文采用多种人格障碍筛查表对接受戒毒治疗的８０例阿片成瘾者进行了测查。结果显示，各种人格障碍（ｐｅｒｓｏｎａｌｉｔｙｄｉｓｏｒｄｅｒｓ，ＰＤｓ）的现患率为８６％，其中戏剧性ＰＤ、依赖性ＰＤ、回避性ＰＤ和边缘性ＰＤ各分别占４４％、３６％、３５％和７６％。具有统计学意义的多种ＰＤ为：（１）依赖性－回避性（ＯＲ值＝１３．９；９５％可信限范围＝４．５５，４２．８３）；（２）戏剧性－依赖性（ＯＲ值＝２．８；９５％可信限范围＝１．１１，７．２６）；（３）边缘性－戏剧性（ＯＲ值＝５．５；９５％可信限范围＝１．４５，２０．８７）；（４）边缘性－依赖性（ＯＲ值＝３．９；９５％可信限范围＝１．０４，１５．０４）。此结果提示，在阿片成瘾者中存在着各种严重的人格障碍，需要在临床工作中注意进行筛查诊断和必要的治疗     

Real-time PCR for the early detection and quantification of Coxiella burnetii as an alternative to the murine bioassay

Real-time PCR was used to analyze archived blood from non-human primates (NHP) and fluid samples originating from a well-controlled Q fever vaccine efficacy trial. The PCR targets were the IS1111 element and the com1 gene of Coxiella burnetii. Data from that previous study were used to evaluate real-time PCR as an alternative to the use of sero-conversion by mouse bioassay for both quantification and early detection of C. burnetii bacteria. Real-time PCR and the mouse bioassay exhibited no statistical difference in quantifying the number of microorganisms delivered in the aerosol challenge dose. The presence of C. burnetii in peripheral blood of non-human primates was detected by real-time PCR as early after exposure as the mouse bioassay with results available within hours instead of weeks. This study demonstrates that real-time PCR has the ability to replace the mouse bioassay to measure dosage and monitor infection of C. burnetii in a non-human primate model.