Leptin, lipid and lipid metabolism-related hormones in chronic renal failure in Arabia

SUMMARY: In patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), hyperleptinaemia has been widely reported, but the exact mechanisms leading to elevated leptin levels are unclear. Impaired renal clearance of leptin and the influence of other hormones may be important. In this study, we measured serum leptin levels in 150 patients on haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis or in the predialysis phase of CRF. Furthermore, we measured plasma levels of insulin, growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), as well as plasma levels of triacylglycerols and total low density lipoprotein (LDL)- and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. We observed significantly elevated levels of leptin, particularly in female patients, and leptin was shown to correlate significantly with insulin, total and LDL-cholesterol and log triacylglycerols. Leptin was inversely correlated with GH concentrations, but was not correlated with IGF-1 levels. Despite the multiple correlations established between leptin levels and other variables, only hyperinsulinaemia in CRF seems to be important as a determinator of leptin levels.     

Mapping of human non-muscle type cofilin (CFL1) to chromosome 11q13 and muscle-type cofilin (CFL2) to chromosome 14

Cofilin is a widely-distributed, intracellular, actin binding protein which is involved in the translocation of actin-cofilin complex from cytoplasm to nucleus. We have cloned a non-muscle-type cofilin (CFL1) from a human promyelocytic cDNA library and mapped this to human chromosome 11 by PCR amplification of 3' untranslated sequence in a panel of rodent-human somatic cell hybrids, and to the interval 11q12-q13.2 in a chromosome 11 somatic cell hybrid mapping panel. Confirmation of regional localisation to 11q13 has been obtained by fluorescent in situ hybridisation of genomic cosmid clones, by demonstration of the presence of both SEA (the human homologue of avian retrovirus pro viral tyrosine kinase, 11q13) and CFL1 in some of these clones and by close linkage of CFL1 to SEA in a panel of high-dose irradiation hybrids.
We have identified human muscle-type cofilin sequences by comparison of human expressed sequence tags with M-type cofilins of other species and we have mapped the human M-type cofilin, CFL2, to chromosome 14.     

A Study of Respiratory Infections in a Healthy Adult Population During the 1987 Australian Winter

During the 1987 Australian winter, respiratory illness patternswere studied in a population of 454 healthy adults, aged 18–59,over a period of 45 days. These patterns were matched with dataobtained from laboratory diagnoses for respiratory viruses,Mycoplasma pneumoniae and bacteria. Influenza B/1/86 was byfar the most prevalent pathogen but other viruses includinginfluenza A, paramyxoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus andcoronavirus OC-43 were also present, either alone or in combinationduring the sampling period. Overall, 92 males and 101 femalesexperienced one episode, 12 males and 22 females experiencedtwo episodes and four females experienced three episodes. However,there were only 52 instances of viral or M. pneumoniae infections,of which 37 had a defined aetiology, while the remainder wereclinically silent. No bacterial pathogens could be detectedfrom throat swabs taken from 15 of 37 volunteers in whom a viralinfection was detected, or from 43 of 70 volunteers who didnot experience such infections. The study indicates that majordeficiencies in our understanding of the aetiology of respiratoryviral illness are probably due to methodological problems inobtaining laboratory diagnoses for many respiratory viruses,and that great difficulties exist in establishing an aetiologyfor respiratory infections based upon clinical symptoms alone.     

The Results of Surgical Treatment for Peptic Ulceration, 1960 - 1964

The results of 530 consecutive operations for peptic ulceration have been assessed and classified as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. The disabilities which determined the result have been analysed, and their incidences after gastrectomy and after vagotomy and drainage compared.     

Breast abscess due to Corynebacterium striatum

Corynebacterium striatum, a normal constituent of the skin flora, is rarely pathogenic. Previous reports of infection are few, and are mainly confined to immunosuppressed patients or those with indwelling prosthetic devices. We report a case in which the organism caused a recurrent breast abscess in a woman with normal immune function. The only previous reports of Corynebacterium striatum mastitis have been in cows.