The inter-relationship between gonadal steroids and POMC peptides, beta-endorphin and alpha-MSH, in the control of sexual behavior in the female rat.

Estradiol benzoate (10 microg EB) given to ovariectomized-adrenalectomized rats induced sexual receptivity in half the animals and increased alpha-MSH in the preoptic area, ventromedial nucleus (VMN) and arcuate nucleus (ARC), in all the animals, although levels were significantly higher in the VMN and ARC of the receptive (R) subgroup. EB also raised levels of beta-endorphin in the VMN and ARC in the R rats only. POMC expression was not altered. EB did not affect alphaMSH in extra-hypothalamic areas, but addition of progesterone, raised levels in the septum, amygdala, hippocampus and caudate putamen. Only in the VMN, ARC and septum were the steroid-induced increases correlated with onset of sexual behavior.

Oral phenylalanine loading and sunlight as source of UVA irradiation in vitiligo on the Caribbean island of Curacao NA.

Recently, favourable results have been reported from oral L-phenylalanine (Phe) combined with UVA/sunlight irradiation (Phe-UVA) in the treatment of vitiligo. In the present pilot study vitiligo patients were treated on a thrice weekly scheme of 50 mg Phe.kg-1 body weight and exposed to sunlight as a source of UVA. An observed 81% response on the skin disorder correlates with earlier figures; 43% responded within 3 months. The self-controlled treatment includes the risk of over-irradiation, as possibly happened with one patient. The repigmentation was predominantly of follicular pattern. The assumption that Phe plays a central biochemical regulatory role in melanin, catecholamine and antibody synthesis forms an attractive challenge for the explanation of repigmentation and requires further investigation.

Usefulness of bone marrow imaging in childhood malignancies.

Two hundred six technetium-99m sulfur colloid bone marrow scans in 110 pediatrics patients were reviewed. The normal distribution of sulfur colloid in the lower extremities in various age groups was established. There was progressive loss of uptake with increasing age from less than two years to greater than ten years. Tumor replacement was seen as regions of decreased radioactivity, and the extent of the scan defect paralleled the response of the disease to therapy. Both chemotherapy and irradiation resulted in an extension of the Tc-99m SC to peripheral marrow sites. In irradiated areas, marrow scan defects were demonstrated and generally recovered normal activity by six months after the completion of therapy. Marrow scan abnormalities caused by tumor replacement were present in four patients despite normal bone scans and radiographs. Ultimate confirmation of tumor involvement was by needle aspiration or biopsy. Persistent marrow defects were seen in two patients with neuroblastoma who had remission of their disease: biopsy revealed myelofibrosis. Technetium-99m sulfur colloid bone marrow scanning is a sensitive monitor of altered marrow activity associated with pediatric hematologic or oncologic diseases.

Gastroesophageal reflux in infants and children comparative accuracy of diagnostic methods.

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of methods employed for detection of gastroesophageal reflux, 30 infants and children with symptoms of GER were evaluated by upper gastrointestinal series, gastroesophageal scintiscan, measurement of mean resting lower esophageal sphincter pressure, esophageal intraluminal PH measurement (acid reflux test), and endoscopy. Fifteen control patients were also evaluated by the above studies. GER was demonstrated by UGI in 15 and by GE scintiscan in 17 study patients. LESP less than 15 mm Hg was noted in 12 and a positive acid reflux test was obtained in 29 study patients. Esophagitis was detected in two (of 30) study patients radiographically and in 15 (of 21) study patients by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents was not detected by the radionuclide method. None of the 15 control patients had GER demonstrated with any of the above methods. These studies indicate that (1) the acid reflux test correlates most closely with symptoms of GER; (2) THE GE scintiscan is complementary to the UGI in the diagnosis of GER, i.e., the combination increases sensitivity; (3) normal LESP does not necessarily exclude GER; and (4) endoscopy is superior to the UGI in detecting the presence of esophagitis.