[Carcinoma of Papilla Vater with celiac axis stenosis--application of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty].

In a case of carcinoma of Papilla of Vater with angiographically proved celiac axis stenosis, PTA (Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty) was performed to restore sufficient blood flow, followed by standard pancreaticoduodenectomy. This would be the first case to have PTA applied to the cancer-bearing celiac axis stenosis. The patient was 58 year old female, presented with acute abdominal pain and vomiting.

Effects of adenosine and 2'-deoxyadenosine on epidermal keratinocyte proliferation: its relation to cyclic AMP formation.

Although it has been reported that adenosine has an inhibitory effect on keratinocyte proliferation at both G2 and S phases of the cell cycle, its relation to cyclic AMP formation through the adenylate cyclase system has been less well characterized. In order to determine the precise mechanism of the adenosine effect, another physiologic adenine nucleoside, 2'-deoxyadenosine was employed. 2'-Deoxyadenosine was shown to be remarkably different from adenosine in its ability to stimulate the epidermal adenylate cyclase; whereas adenosine markedly increased cyclic AMP levels of pig epidermis, deoxyadenosine had a much weaker effect on the cyclic AMP levels of the skin.

Bone resorption and mineral excretion in rats during spaceflight.

Bone resorption was measured directly in flight and synchronous control rats during COSMOS 1129. Continuous tracer administration techniques were used, with replacement of dietary calcium with isotopically enriched 40Ca and measurement by neutron activation analysis of the 48Ca released by the skeleton. There is no large change in bone resorption in rats at the end of 20 days of spaceflight as has been found for bone formation.

Augmentation of insulin secretion by a non-nutrient drink.

Because it is known that nutrients can enhance insulin release, we studied the effect of a drink which was devoid of nutrients upon the immunoreactive insulin response to i.v. glucose in 13 normal subjects.

Secretion of an insulinotropic factor from isolated, perfused rat intestine.

To examine gut-islet interrelationships, we entirely separated the gastrointestinal tract from the rat. When we arterially perfused this preparation with an erythrocyte-free solution for 1 h, it remained histologically intact and took up oxygen and glucose. Feedings were given via a duodenal tube.

The effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on the endocrine pancreas.

TRH has been shown to be present in the pancreas. To examine a possible role for TRH in the control of endocrine pancreatic function, we have studied the effects of TRH on the isolated perfused rat pancreas preparation. Arginine caused release of TRH from the preparation.