Effects of serotonin and the serotonin blocker metergoline on meal patterns and macronutrient selection

Serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)] in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of rats has a suppressive effect on feeding behavior and causes a selective decrease in carbohydrate ingestion, specifically at the onset of the natural (dark) feeding period. Studies conducted here provide further evidence for this phenomena, showing a similar dose-related decrease in carbohydrate ingestion at dark onset after PVN injection of 5-HT or of the agonists, d-norfenfluramine or fluoxetine, which act through endogenous 5-HT. To further characterize the effects of this indoleamine on the macrostructure of feeding, a computer-automated data acquisition system was used to analyze macronutrient feeding patterns in freely feeding animals maintained on the pure diets of protein, carbohydrate, and fat. Results indicate that PVN administration of 5-HT at dark onset decreases intake of the carbohydrate nutrient by decreasing meal size, feeding time, and feeding rate for this nutrient and increasing the satiating effect of carbohydrate. These effects, which occur specifically during the first meal after injection, are opposite those seen after peripheral administration of the 5-HT receptor antagonist, metergoline. This drug stimulates feeding through a selective increase in carbohydrate intake, characterized by an increase in meal size, percent composition, and feeding time for this nutrient and a decrease in the satiety ratio for carbohydrate. These results implicate the serotonergic system in the termination of carbohydrate-rich meals that are prevalent during the early hours of the natural feeding cycle.     

Autonomic paroxysms: their pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment

In the article the rules about etiology and pathogenesis of vegetative paroxysms are stated based on careful analysis of the publications of researches as Russian, so foreign authors, and also own experimental and clinical supervision. During experimental and clinical researches the modern methods were used, enabling to estimate from positions of the system analysis different parts of pathogenesis of vegetative paroxysms, and also to offer ways of differential diagnostics of the various forms of disease. The application of some new preparations and direction of therapy of vegetative paroxysms are substantiated, and also the various circuits of treatment of the patients with distinguishing forms of given pathology are motivated.     

Postoperative adhesion formation and reproductive outcome using Interceed after ovarian surgery: a randomized trial in the rabbit model

The efficacy of an oxidized regenerated cellulose barrier (Interceed) in reducing postoperative adhesion formation and improving reproductive outcome after ovarian surgery was evaluated in a prospective randomized trial. Twenty-nine New Zealand White female rabbits were submitted to a mid-line laparotomy and a standardized surgical incision was made on both ovaries. At random, one ovary was entirely wrapped in a sheet of Interceed, whereas the contralateral ovary was left uncovered. Four weeks following surgery, the rabbits were mated with a male of proven fertility. Two weeks later, a second-look laparotomy was performed by a blinded observer who evaluated the incidence and score of adhesions, the number of corpora lutea in each ovary, the number of embryos in the ipsilateral uterine horn and also calculated the nidation index for each side. Adhesions were observed in 66% of Interceed-covered and in 97% of control ovaries (P < 0.0001). The adhesion score on the Interceed side was significantly lower than on the control side. The nidation index for the Interceed side was significantly higher than for the control side. The authors conclude that, in the rabbit model, Interceed significantly reduces the incidence and score of postoperative ovarian adhesions and significantly improves reproductive outcome.     

A phase II trial of weekly infusional 5-fluorouracil in combination with low-dose leucovorin in patients with advanced colorectal cancer

We examined 59 breast cancers for p53 and bcl-2 protein expression by immunohistochemistry. The results were correlated with Ki-67 immunostaining. p53-negativity was noted in 40 cases and the remaining 19 tumours were p53-positive. Thirty-six tumours showed strong expression of bcl-2 and in 23 no staining for this protein was observed. We found statistically significant reverse correlation between expression of p53 and bcl-2 in majority of carcinomas: 31 cases were bcl-2 positive and p53-negative, and 14 tumours were bcl-2-negative and p53-positive. Six carcinomas showed no nuclear staining for Ki-67 and in the remaining 53 the percent of cancer cells positive for Ki-67 ranged from 1 to 60 (mean: 14.6). In these 53 cases we found that bcl-2-positive tumours were characterized by lower proliferation than bcl-2-negative tumours, the mean value of Ki-67 immunostaining being 10.7% and 23.0%, respectively. p53-negative tumours showed lower proliferation than p53-positive tumours: mean Ki-67 index was 10.2% and 23.9%, respectively. We conclude that immunohistochemically detected p53 and bcl-2 proteins show a significant inverse relationship in majority of breast carcinomas and their expression correlates with tumour proliferation (Ki-67 immunostaining).     

Diagnostic imaging in the detection of parotid adenoma. Review of the literature and personal experience with the combined use of computerized tomography and MRI

In this report we reviewed the role of Ultrasonography, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance and 99Tc-Sestamibi Scintigraphy for the detection of abnormal parathyroid glands in patients with biochemical evidence of hyperparathyroidism. We also report our personal experience with CT and RM.