Effect of neurotensin on pancreatic function in man

The effect of neurotensin on submaximally-stimulated hepatobiliary and pancreatic secretion was studied in 6 healthy subjects. An intravenous infusion of neurotensin 1.4 ± 0.3 pmol/kg/min, designed to reproduce plasma neurotensin immunoreactivity levels within the physiological range, produced a significant increase in pancreatic bicarbonate output. Plasma concentrations of pancreatic polypeptide rose by 83 ± 16 pmol/l and were associated with a small reduction in trypsin, but no significant change in bilirubin outputs.     

Characterization of lysosomal hydrolases that are elevated in Gaucher's disease.

Although Gaucher's disease occurs in three distinct forms with greatly varying degrees of severity, there is no correlation between the clinical course of the disease and levels of residual glucocerebrosidase, the fundamental enzymatic deficiency. In an effort to study secondary changes which might contribute to the pathology of Gaucher's disease, homogenates of spleen, liver, and brain tissue, as well as serum from patients with Gaucher's disease were analyzed for their content of a number of lysosomal enzymes. Extracts of 8 Gaucher spleens contained 3- to 4-fold increases in acid phosphatase activity as well as 5-to 10-fold increases in galactocerebrosidase⁵ activity. The marked elevation in galactocerebrosidase activity in Gaucher spleen was documented using various [³H]galactose labeled galactocerebrosides as substrates and with [³H]galactose labeled lactocerebroside under the “lactosylceramidase I”⁵ assay conditions established by Suzuki (Tanaka, H., and Suzuki, K., 1975, J. Biol. Chem., 250, 2324–2332) that measure galactocerebrosidase activity specifically in the presence of G_mi-ganglioside β-galactosidase. Acid phosphatase determinations using extracts of liver from a case of infantile, neuropathic Gaucher's disease revealed a 2-fold elevation in this activity, whereas brain acid phosphatase activity in this case was similar to that of control tissue. Separation of hexosaminidase A and B activities on DEAE-Sephadex columns indicated increases in both forms of the enzyme in Gaucher tissue with the major increase occurring in the hexosaminidase B component. Glucuronidase and nonspecific esterase were observed to be elevated approximately 2-fold. However, not all lysosomal enzyme activities were increased. Levels of splenic arylsulfatase A and B, α-arabinosidase, sphingomyelinase, α-mannosidase, and G_mi-ganglioside β-galactosidase activities in Gaucher spleen were unremarkable. G_mi-ganglioside β-galactosidase was measured using 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-d-galactopyranoside and [³H]galactose labeled lactocerebroside under the specific assay conditions described by Suzuki for the determination of “lactosylceramidase II” activity. Although levels of arylsulfatase A and B in Gaucher spleen were similar to those of control tissue, arylsulfatase A activity was markedly reduced (20% of control) in homogenates of brain from the case of infantile (type 2) Gaucher's disease. The metabolic and pathologic consequences of these changes in lysosomal enzymes in Gaucher's disease are discussed.     

Characterization and the broad cross‐species applicability of 20 anonymous nuclear loci isolated from the Taiwan Hwamei (Garrulax taewanus)

We isolated 20 anonymous nuclear loci (8556 bp in total) from the Taiwan Hwamei (Garrulax taewanus), an endemic songbird of Taiwan. A panel of nine to 15 individuals with unknown relationship was used to characterize polymorphism of these loci. We identified 46 single nucleotide polymorphic sites (SNPs) in 15 polymorphic loci. Frequency of SNPs was one per every 186 bp in average. Nucleotide diversity, θ, ranged from 0.00054 to 0.00371 per locus. We also tested cross‐species applicability of these loci on 17 species from eight different passerine families. All 20 loci could be successfully amplified (ranged from one to 16 species, mean = 7.9 species).     

Effective surgical treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome based on provocative clinical testing without electrodiagnostics

This study evaluated the effectiveness of identifying surgically correctable ulnar nerve compression at the elbow based on provocative clinical testing alone in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome after failure of conservative treatment. Twenty-four patients were included in the study (mean age, 60 years). Three patients underwent bilateral procedures. Patients complaining of symptoms in the distribution of the ulnar nerve were tested by elicitation of Tinel's sign and combined flexion and pressure testing at the elbow and wrist. Two-point discrimination was determined. After a failed 6-week trial of conservative therapy patients underwent anterior submuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve with carpal tunnel release. Postoperatively, the change in two-point discrimination as measured at 6 months was significantly improved, with a mean improvement per digital nerve of 2.52 mm (p<0.001). Mean time to relief was 7.2 weeks. Complications included one hematoma and one seroma. A total of 26 of the 27 limbs chosen for surgical treatment by provocative clinical testing alone experienced relief of symptoms with anterior submuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve and carpal tunnel release. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of surgical therapy in patients with lesions identified by clinical examination without electrodiagnostic testing.     

Short-term fluoxetine treatment enhances baroreflex control of sympathetic nervous system activity after hindlimb unloading

Data in humans indicate that individuals with orthostatic hypotension that are refractory to other traditional forms of therapy are responsive to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment. We tested the hypothesis that SSRI administration would help correct the attenuated baroreflex control of sympathetic nervous system activity in the hindlimb-unloaded (HU) rat model of cardiovascular deconditioning. An initial study was conducted to determine the time course of effects of fluoxetine (Flu) administration on baroreflex control of lumbar sympathetic nerve activity (LSNA) in conscious, chronically instrumented rats. Animals received either vehicle (Veh, sterile water) or 10 mg/kg Flu for 1, 4, or 16 days of treatment. Data indicate that while 1-day and 16-day Flu administration did not affect baroreflex function, baroreflex control of LSNA was enhanced after 4-day (short term) Flu administration. HU rats were then treated with Flu for 4 days and compared with HU rats receiving Veh and to casted control rats maintained in the normal posture that received either Veh or short-term Flu treatment. Similar to pilot data, short-term Flu treatment enhanced baroreflex control of LSNA in both HU rats and control rats. These data taken together indicate that baroreflex control of sympathetic nervous system activity is a possible mechanism responsible for the successful treatment of orthostatic intolerance with Flu.