Prevalence and estimation of hepatitis B and C infections in the WHO European Region: a review of data focusing on the countries outside the European Union and the European Free Trade Association.

Knowledge of hepatitis B and C prevalence, and numbers infected, are important for planning responses. Published HBsAg and anti-HCV prevalences for the 20 WHO European Region countries outside the EU/EFTA were extracted, to complement published data for the EU/EFTA. The general population prevalence of HBsAg (median 3·8%, mean 5·0%, seven countries) ranged from 1·3% (Ukraine) to 13% (Uzbekistan), and anti-HCV (median 2·3%, mean 3·8%, 10 countries) from 0·5% (Serbia, Tajikistan) to 13% (Uzbekistan). People who inject drugs had the highest prevalence of both infections (HBsAg: median 6·8%, mean 8·2%, 13 countries; anti-HCV: median 46%, mean 46%, 17 countries), and prevalence was also elevated in men who have sex with men and sex workers. Simple estimates indicated 13·3 million (1·8%) adults have HBsAg and 15·0 million (2·0%) HCV RNA in the WHO European Region; prevalences were higher outside the EU/EFTA countries. Efforts to prevent, diagnose, and treat these infections need to be maintained and improved. This article may not be reprinted or reused in any way in order to promote any commercial products or services.

The involvement of neuropeptide Y Y1 receptors in the blood pressure baroreflex: studies with BIBP 3226 and BIBO 3304.

To ascertain the role of the neuropeptide Y Y1 receptors in the vascular manifestations of the sympathetic baroreflex, 10-s bilateral carotid occlusions were performed in anesthetized cats; systemic blood pressure was monitored continually. This maneuver rose systolic blood pressure in 23 +/- 2 mmHg. Following 100 microg/kg BIBP 3226 or BIBO 3304 i.v., the increase in blood pressure elicited by the occlusions was only 14 +/- 1 and 15 mmHg, respectively. Both BIBP 3226 and BIBO 3304 displaced significantly 5.5 fold rightward the pressor dose-response curve elicited by exogenous neuropeptide Y, without altering the norepinephrine curve. Prazosin (10 microg/kg) reduced the pressor response elicited by the carotid occlusion to 12 +/- 4 mmHg. The simultaneous administration of BIBP 3226 plus prazosin rose the systemic blood pressure following the occlusion only 9 +/- 2 mmHg, supporting the involvement of neuropeptide Y in vascular sympathetic reflexes.

Increased neuropeptide Y pressor activity in Goldblatt hypertensive rats: in vivo studies with BIBP 3226.

Nanomoles of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and noradrenaline (NA), administered i.v. to pentobarbital-anesthetized rats, caused nearly equipotent dose-dependent pressor responses in normotensive rats. However, in renovascular Goldblatt hypertensive rats, the dose-response curves for both NPY and NA were significantly displaced to the left, approximately threefold. Intravenous administration of BIBP 3226 (30-180 microg/kg) did not consistently lower blood pressure, per se, but did evoke competitive antagonism of the NPY pressor response in both rat populations. The magnitude of the NPY antagonism evoked by BIBP 3226 was comparable in normotensive and hypertensive rats. The absence of NA antagonism demonstrates the selectivity of the BIBP 3226 blockade.

Demonstration of two isoforms of the SERCA-2b type Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase in pancreatic endoplasmic reticulum.

An antibody raised against a 12 amino acid peptide corresponding to the C-terminal sequence of the SERCA-2b Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase precipitated Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase activity from pancreatic rough ER. Thapsigargin and vanadate inhibited the activity with the same concentration-dependence as for native ER membranes. Partial purification of Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase using Reactive Dye-agarose affinity chromatography resulted in activation of the enzyme, suggesting the presence of an endogenous inhibitor which was detached by binding to the Reactive Dye. Immunoblots and analysis of immunoprecipitated protein revealed two bands of molecular masses approx. 111 kDa and 97 kDa. It is concluded that pancreatic ER Ca2+,Mg(2+)-ATPase is of the SERCA-2b type and consists of two isoforms.

Evaluacion de la ensenanza de la cirugia en el pregrado. / Evaluation of the surgical teaching in pregraduate courses

Se presenta una experiencia en la evaluacion de 52 alumnos de las ultimas rotaciones. Se procura obtener informacion sobre nivel de conocimientos de los alumnos, aprovechamiento de la ensenanza, condiciones docentes del educador, adecuacion de la ensenanza a los objetivos y utilidad del metodo de evaluacion. Se concluye que la metodologia de clases adoptada ha sido util al alumno, ya que la asistencia a las mismas esta en relacion directa con el porcentaje de examenes aprobados

Evaluacion de la ensenanza de la cirugia en el pregrado. / Evaluation of the surgical teaching in pregraduate courses

Se presenta una experiencia en la evaluacion de 52 alumnos de las ultimas rotaciones. Se procura obtener informacion sobre nivel de conocimientos de los alumnos, aprovechamiento de la ensenanza, condiciones docentes del educador, adecuacion de la ensenanza a los objetivos y utilidad del metodo de evaluacion. Se concluye que la metodologia de clases adoptada ha sido util al alumno, ya que la asistencia a las mismas esta en relacion directa con el porcentaje de examenes aprobados