Role of pylorus in mediating cholecystokinin-stimulated satiety in the Zucker rat

Obese Zucker rats are less responsive than their lean littermates to the effects of cholecystokinin-octapeptide on satiety and pancreatic growth and exocrine function. We hypothesized that the hyperphagia observed in obese Zucker rats may be caused by a decreased pyloric contractile response to cholecystokinin, resulting in an increased rate of gastric emptying, decreased postprandial gastric distention, and thus decreased satiety. Pyloric muscle strips from six obese Zucker rats and six lean littermates were mounted in separate tissue baths and isometric contraction was measured in response to acetylcholine and cholecystokinin-octapeptide. The dose-response curves for acetylcholine-and cholecystokinin-octapeptide-stimulated pyloric muscle contraction were similar for both the obese and the lean rats. (For cholecystokinin, D₅₀ obese=4.0±0.6 nM, D₅₀ lean=3.4±0.2 nM;P=0.16). We conclude that the decreased satiety response to cholecystokinin-octapeptide observed in obese Zucker rats is not secondary to a decreased pyloric responsiveness to cholecystokinin.This work was supported by NIH grant AM28303-03.     

Photodynamic laser cyclodestruction with chloroaluminum sulfonated Phthalocyanine (CASPc) or photofrin®(PII) Vs. Nd:YAG laser cyclodestruction in a pigmented rabbit model

Background and Objective: To investigate Photofrin® (PII) and CASPc for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of the ciliary body in rabbits. Study Design/Materials and Methods: PII (10 mg/kg) or CASPc (1 mg/kg) was given by ear vein. Pharmacokinetics were studied in frozen sections by fluorescence microscopy (CCD camera based low light detection system with digital image processing) at 1 and 24 h (8 rabbits;16 eyes). Laser light was delivered (argon pumped dye laser;630 and 675 nm;8 rabbits;16 eyes) by contact fiberoptic. To compensate for iris attenuation, irradiance was 125 mW/cm² (20, 40, 80, or 160 J/cm²). Controls (4 rabbits;8 eyes) received laser light without photochemicals (OD) and for comparison, continuous wave Nd:YAG laser by fiberoptic (0.8–1.2J;OS). Results: Localization studies showed intravascular distribution with some selective ciliary body distribution at 24 h (PII > CASPc). Rabbits treated with PII or CASPc exhibited variable amounts of gross ciliary body edema, infarction, and necrosis by 24–48 h. This response was not seen in PDT control tissues;damage was seen in the iris and ciliary body, with partial vacuolization of the pigment epithelium. Conclusion: PDT may offer a more selective approach to ciliary body destruction. A small but significant thermal effect was seen during PDT from melanin photon uptake with damage to iris and ciliary body. Thermal damage and potential interaction with ocular visual pigments may limit use of these photochemicals and wavelengths for PDT of the ciliary body © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Genotype at a major locus with large effects on apolipoprotein B levels predicts familial combined hyperlipidemia

A sample enriched for familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) was examined for evidence of an association between genotype at an apolipoprotein B (apoB) elevating locus defined by complex segregation analysis and FCHL. Complex segregation analysis detected a locus with a large effect on plasma apoB levels and was used to compute the most probable genotype of family members. None of the 35 normolipidemic adults carried a copy of the allele associated with elevated apoB levels, yet 58% of the 109 adults with FCHL carried 1 (29%) or 2 (28%) copies. Two of 28 (7%) normal children had 1 copy of this allele and none had 2 copies, while 88 of 182 (48%) children with FCHL had 1 (26%) or 2 (22%) copies. Further, 4l of 48 (85%) individuals classified as having hyperapobetalipoproteinemia did not carry a copy of this “elevated apoB” allele. Therefore, the presence of the allele associated with elevation of apoB level is highly predictive of FCHL and this association cannot be explained solely by the presence of elevated apoB levels in FCHL, suggesting that the locus controlling apoB levels may play an etiologic role in FCHL. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Middle-aged Patients

Background: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) after noncardiac surgery is strongly associated with increasing age in elderly patients; middle-aged patients (aged 40-60 yr) may be expected to have a lower incidence, although subjective complaints are frequent.

Methods: The authors compared the changes in neuropsychological test results at 1 week and 3 months in patients aged 40-60 yr, using a battery of neuropsychological tests, with those of age-matched control subjects using Z-score analysis. They assessed risk factors and associations of POCD with measures of subjective cognitive function, depression, and activities of daily living.

Results: At 7 days, cognitive dysfunction as defined was present in 19.2% (confidence interval [CI], 15.7-23.1) of the patients and in 4.0% (CI, 1.6-8.0) of control subjects (P < 0.001). After 3 months, the incidence was 6.2% (CI, 4.1-8.9) in patients and 4.1% (CI, 1.7-8.4) in control subjects (not significant). POCD at 7 days was associated with supplementary epidural analgesia and reported avoidance of alcohol consumption. At 3 months, 29% of patients had subjective symptoms of POCD, and this finding was associated with depression. Early POCD was associated with reports of lower activity scores at 3 months.     

Incidence of intrauterine growth retardation and its significance in perinatology in Hungary]

The authors have examined the incidence of intrauterine growth retardation at a country level for the first time both in local and international aspect. Using the nomenclature of NDN-system they have found the frequency of WL-(proportional) retardation 7.95% and that of N-(disproportional) retardation 5.99%. They show incidence of retardation from county to county, as well. Examining the correlation between retardation and perinatal mortality they've stated that while the frequency of still-birth among the average developed and proportionally nutrified fetus is 0.34% and the frequency of perinatal mortality among them is 1.23%, that of the N-retardated newborns is 0.88% and 2.08%, respectively, and that of the WL-retarded is higher than the latter: 2.03% and 3.90% respectively. Regarding the incidence and mortality ratio among the two types of retardation the difference is significant.