Is there a place for research in the training of surgeons?

The incorporation of research facilities into the surgical curriculum is a major asset in supporting the scientific aspect of surgery. The dearly won place of surgery in medical science should be preserved and consolidated by encouraging motivated young surgeons to carry out research. It is the task of the universities to set up laboratories and research units, where the necessary know-how and infrastructure are present and accountable research activities can be developed.

Tyrosine phosphorylation of a M(r) 38,000 A/B-type hnRNP protein selectively modulates its RNA binding.

The M(r) 38,000 RNA-binding protein (P38) is the major component of translationally repressed messenger ribonucleoproteins in cryptobiotic gastrulae of the brine shrimp Artemia. Partial elucidation of the amino acid sequence of P38 reveals that it is homologous to A/B-type hnRNP proteins. This was confirmed by immunodetection with antibodies specific for A/B-type hnRNP proteins from Drosophila melanogaster.

Facial nerve neuroma. Report of two cases including histological and radiological imaging studies.

Unlike the acoustic neuroma, a facial nerve neuroma is an uncommon finding, even in referral clinical centers. Two cases of facial nerve neuromas are presented, with special focus on the importance of adequate radiological imaging techniques and histological characteristics of tumor specimens. Surgical modalities regarding tumor removal as well as facial nerve repair are discussed and the current world literature reviewed.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV: development, design, synthesis and biological evaluation of inhibitors.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV, EC 3.4.14.

Purified and cell-bound CD26: enzymatic inhibition, antibody binding profile, and expression on T cells in relation to other surface markers.

The CD26 activation antigen (Ag), which is expressed on a subpopulation of human T cells, has been characterized as dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV, EC 3.4.14.

Soluble serotonin and catecholamine binding proteins in the bovine adrenal medulla.

The soluble serotonin-binding proteins (SBP) present in the adrenal medulla and in chromaffin cells, are very similar to those reported for the bovine brain and retina. Binding of [3H]serotonin and [3H]dopamine to these SBP is increased by Fe2+ but not by Fe3+. At an optimal concentration of Fe2+ (0.

[Andreas Vesalius and surgery].

By publishing De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri Septem in 1543, Andries van Wesel (1514-1564) gave surgical science an immense impulse. The revolutionary renovation in the knowledge of man's anatomical structure changed slowly and progressively into topographical and physiological understanding of surgical diseases. At the same time, this made better aimed and more secure operations possible.

Structure of the small ribosomal subunit RNA of the pulmonate snail, Limicolaria kambeul, and phylogenetic analysis of the Metazoa.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the small ribosomal subunit RNA of the gastropod, Limicolaria kambeul, was determined and used to infer a secondary structure model. In order to clarify the phylogenetic position of the Mollusca among the Metazoa, an evolutionary tree was constructed by neighbor-joining, starting from an alignment of small ribosomal subunit RNA sequences. The Mollusca appear to be a monophyletic group, related to Arthropoda and Chordata in an unresolved trichotomy.

A simple and economical strategy for downstream processing of specific antibodies to human transferrin from egg yolk.

A rapid and economical procedure for extraction of antibodies from egg yolk is described. Laying hens were immunized with human transferrin and extracts of egg-yolk were purified with a procedure based on affinity chromatography. The resulting purified antibodies were evaluated in a nephelometric system for the assay of transferrin in human sera.

[Small intestinal ulceration and stenosis induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents].

Unlabelled: We report a case who developed a small bowel ulceration in a long segment of distal duodenum and proximal jejunum, a few days after he had taken high doses of diclofenac. After a month, it was complicated by a stenosis of the same segment. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs have recently been recognised as a possible etiologic factor of small bowel ulcerations.

Magnetic beads in suspension enable a rapid and sensitive immunodetection of human placental alkaline phosphatase.

The kinetics and efficiency of the interaction between placental alkaline phosphatase and a monoclonal antibody (laboratory number 327) were determined by immunoassay using microtitre plates or magnetic beads. While only up to 45% of placental alkaline phosphatase was bound to microwells precoated with this antibody, even after prolonged incubation, no less than 60% and 100% binding were reached using magnetic beads after 1 and 3 h incubations, respectively. High-molecular-mass placental alkaline phosphatase and complexed placental alkaline phosphatase forms were also completely bound to magnetic beads in the presence of deoxycholate (up to 9 g/l for serum samples).

Dolichyl-pyrophosphoryloligosaccharide protein oligosaccharide transferase in neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis.

The kinetics of the oligosaccharide transfer from oligosaccharyl pyrophosphoryldolichol to endogenous protein acceptors in human fibroblasts were studied. No alterations in the transferase activity and enzyme characteristics could be observed in fibroblasts from neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (NCL) patients. Analysis of urinary dolichol of two NCL patients also did not reveal substantial differences with respect to controls.

Uptake of dolichol by Vero cells.

Characterization and kinetics of dolichol uptake by a Vero cell line are reported. Vero cells incorporate dolichol in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Optimal uptake is found at 37 degrees C and at a pH of 7.

Synthesis of glial fibrillary acidic protein in rat C6 glioma in chemically defined medium: cyclic AMP-dependent transcriptional and translational regulation.

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFA) expression was induced in rat C6 glioma in chemically defined medium by the addition of N6, O2'-dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP). Induction was dependent on the increase in intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP), which was linearly correlated with added dbcAMP. Contrary to GFA mRNA synthesis, which can be obtained by cAMP-dependent and -independent pathways, translation of mRNA into GFA was observed only above a cellular cAMP concentration of approximately 0.

Becker-type muscular dystrophy. Report of a family with one postmortem study.

Becker-type muscular dystrophy (BMD) is reported in two brothers. In one of the patients, the molecular demonstration of an in-frame deletion of exons 45, 46 and 47 has confirmed the clinical and pathological diagnosis of BMD. The autopsy of the other patient revealed mild neuronal losses in the anterior horns at C8, lumbar and sacral levels of the spinal cord.

Prevalence and type of infertility in Gabon.

The prevalence and type of infertility based on the WHO criteria were determined in a rural and semi-rural population in south-eastern Gabon. The prevalence rate of infertility in the rural population was 5.7% for primary infertility and 20.

Acardiac amorphous twin with prune belly sequence in the co-twin.

We describe a twin with acardia acephalus or "Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion Sequence" and prune belly sequence in the co-twin. In a former quite similar case a prune belly appearance of the co-twin of an acardiac fetus was found to be secondary to the ascites caused by cardiac failure. In the present case, we are dealing with the prune belly sequence as a separate condition, given the fact there were no signs of ascites or cardiac failure.

Sleep and wake disorders in shift workers. Part II: Prevention and treatment strategies.

The present review deals with preventive and treatment strategies for sleep and wake disorders, and the other problems of shift workers. Management must take into account the direction, speed and other parameters of the rotation schedule. Good sleep-wake hygiene may alleviate the problems.

Sleep and wake disorders in shift workers. Part I: Prevalence, clinical phenomena and pathogenesis.

The present review summarizes the prevalence, clinical phenomena, and pathogenesis of sleep and wake disorders in shift workers. Insomnia and hyper-somnolence occur in more than 50% of shift workers, mainly in association with the night shift. Circadian rhythm disruption is the major determinant of these disorders.

[The human dimension of health care through the application of the principles of complete quality of care].

Quality of care is the property of a service when it is an adequate response to a good defined need at an effort all parties are satisfied with. Some aspects of this complex definition are discussed in detail. To measure quality some absolute and relative criteria are needed.

[Acoustic neuroma: a histopathological study].

In view of recent controversy concerning the preservation of hearing in acoustic neuroma surgery, a histologic study of the nerve-tumour interface was undertaken in order to investigate cochlear nerve involvement. Twelve intact acoustic neuromas were studied by means of Masson's trichrome stain, the Luxol fast blue technique, Verhoeff's stain and an immunohistochemical technique using monoclonal antibodies to human neurofilaments. In nine out of twelve specimens, macroscopically visible adherences were present between the cochlear nerve and the tumour.

A single maxillary incisor as a manifestation of an ectodermal dysplasia.

A single, central, maxillary incisor was found in a patient with an ectodermal dysplasia.