[Hepatocyte receptors for polymerized albumin. Experimental study on isolated hepatocytes and in vivo animals].

In the present work receptors for polymerized rat serum albumin (P-RSA) were studied by incubation of radiolabelled polymers with rat hepatocytes isolated with mechanical techniques. Isolated rat hepatocytes showed a receptor activity for polymerized albumin and such a membrane receptor seems to be controlled by the cellular cytoskeleton. During rat total body scintigraphy receptor expression was detected exclusively in the liver.

Transhepatic portal sampling for preoperative localization of insulinomas.

The data of 72 patients with pancreatic insulinomas were analyzed. Twenty-one were obtained from personal experience and 51 from a review of the literature. In all instances, detailed information about insulin levels in the portal tree as obtained by means of a transhepatic portal sampling (THPS) and localization of the tumor as found during the surgical procedure was available.

Evaluation of carbohydrate antigens 19-9 and 12-5 in patients with pancreatic cancer.

The diagnostic value of the tumor-associated antigens Ca 19-9 and Ca 12-5 was tested in 130 subjects (38 healthy controls, 37 carcinomas of the pancreas, 23 chronic pancreatitis, 23 extrapancreatic gastrointestinal cancers, 9 endocrine pancreatic tumors). Ca 19-9 levels above 37 U/ml were obtained in 67.6% and Ca 12-5 levels above 39 U/ml in 45.

Surgical experience with adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater.

Between 1968 and 1982, 13 patients in this study had a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), one patient had a total pancreatectomy, two had an ampullectomy, and one patient had a choledochoduodenostomy for neoplasia of the ampulla of Vater. The operative mortality was zero, and the 5-year actuarial survival rate for the 16 resected patients was 52.6 per cent.

[Clinical evaluation of clotiazepam in the ambulatory treatment of anxiety states].

To assess the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of Clotiazepam in the treatment of anxiety, the drug was administered to 20 subjects suffering from anxiety (12 cases) or from nervous depression (8 cases), all of whom were without psychopharmacological drugs for at least one month prior to the trial. Treatment with Clotiazepam improved the anxiety and brought about a statistically significant reduction in both groups of patients regards the total score in the Hamilton Scale and in the two sub-scale scores (somatic and psychological symptoms). Tolerability to the drug was very satisfactory.

Effects of pirenzepine on plasma insulin, glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide levels in normal man.

The secretion of various pancreatic hormones (insulin, glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide) is affected to a different extent by the cholinergic system. In 7 healthy subjects the effects of treatment for 1 week with pirenzepine, an anticholinergic drug selective for muscarinic receptors, on basal secretion of these hormones and on that induced by i.v.

Usefulness of transhepatic portal catheterization in the treatment of insulinomas.

Twenty-four per cent of beta-cell tumours require more than one operation to control the hypoglycaemic syndrome. Almost all of them are small insulinomas undetectable by palpation of the pancreas. Arteriography is too insensitive to detect non-palpable tumours.