Intra-pituitary relationship of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone during pubertal development in Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus).

As part of the endeavor aiming at the domestication of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT; Thunnus thynnus), first sexual maturity in captivity was studied by documenting its occurrence and by characterizing the key hormones of the reproductive axis: follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The full length sequence encoding for the related hormone β-subunits, bftFSHβ and bftLHβ, were determined, revealing two bftFSHβ mRNA variants, differing in their 5' untranslated region. A quantitative immuno-dot-blot assay to measure pituitary FSH content in BFT was developed and validated enabling, for the first time in this species, data sets for both LH and FSH to be compared.

[Assessment of criteria for forming follow-up groups of patients at high risk for ulcerogenesis in ambulatory care].

A method of clinico-laboratory examinations to reveal persons at high risk for the development of duodenal ulcer, suitable for wide use during prophylactic medical screenings was devised. The rise of the levels of serum pepsinogen-I, pepsin and hexosamines in the urine, being of prognostic importance as applicable to ulcerogenesis, was the most significant indicator in screening risk group patients. During 3 to 5 years of the screened group follow-up and carrying out health measures, peptic ulcer was ascertained in 8.