Urinary C-peptide excretion (U-C-peptide) was measured in order to examine the changes in endogenous insulin secretion after the beginning of insulin therapy. U-C-peptide in the 24-h urine (TU-C-peptide) of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients was measured on the 6,7,8th (period-A), 13,14,15th (period-B) and 20,21,22nd day (period-C) after admission. The TU-C-peptide of NIDDM patients, newly receiving insulin therapy from the 9th day, decreased to 58.7 +/- 6.2% (mean +/- SEM) of its basal level (period-A, 19.8 +/- 3.8 nmol/day) at period-B and remained at the same level at period-C, although U-C-peptide in the urine collected between 04.00 h and 06.30 h did not decrease significantly. Their plasma C-peptide levels from 2-5 h after the ingestion of a mixed meal at period-C decreased significantly compared with those at period-A. On the other hand, the TU-C-peptide of NIDDM patients who continued therapy with insulin or sulfonylureas in the outpatient clinic at period-B and -C did not decrease significantly from the basal level at period-A, although fasting plasma glucose decreased to the same level in both groups of patients. These results suggest that the endogenous insulin secretion after food ingestion is suppressed during insulin therapy in NIDDM patients.

Blood Glucose↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Sharing Pacific-Rim experiences in disasters: summary and action plan.

INTRODUCTION: The discussions in this theme provided an opportunity to address the unique hazards facing the Pacific Rim. METHODS: Details of the methods used are provided in the preceding paper. The chairs moderated all presentations and produced a summary that was presented to an assembly of all of the delegates. Since the findings from the Theme 3 and Theme 7 groups were similar, the chairs of both groups presided over one workshop that resulted in the generation of a set of action plans that then were reported to the collective group of all delegates. RESULTS: The main points developed during the presentations and discussion included: (1) communication, (2) coordination, (3) advance planning and risk assessment, and (4) resources and knowledge. DISCUSSION: Action plans were summarized in the following ideas: (1) plan disaster responses including the different types, identification of hazards, focusing training based on experiences, and provision of public education; (2) improve coordination and control; (3) maintain communications, assuming infrastructure breakdown; (4) maximize mitigation through standardized evaluations, the creation of a legal framework, and recognition of advocacy and public participation; and (5) provide resources and knowledge through access to existing therapies, the media, and increasing and decentralizing hospital inventories. CONCLUSIONS: The problems in the Asia-Pacific rim are little different from those encountered elsewhere in the world. They should be addressed in common with the rest of the world.

Asia↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Breed differences in allele frequency of the dopamine receptor D4 gene in dogs.

We previously reported that the dog dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene is polymorphic as observed in humans, and four alleles were identified based on the number and/or order of the 12 and 39 bp sequences located in the homologous region of human DRD4. To assess the diversity of the DRD4 gene in dogs we examined the allelic variations in four breeds (beagle, golden retriever, Shetland sheepdog, and shiba) employing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). As a result, we found three novel alleles and determined the DNA sequences of these alleles. The beagle shared four alleles, including 396, 435, 447a, and 447b, with the 435 (52.6%) and 447a (39.5%) alleles being common. The golden retriever had the 435 and 447a alleles, and the 435 allele was frequent (73.3%). In the Shetland sheepdog, the 435, 447a, and 498 alleles were observed, of which the 447a allele was most frequent (82.5%). The shiba had five alleles-447a, 447b, 486, 498, and 549-and the 447b allele was most common (55.4%). These findings suggest that the allele frequency varied among the four dog breeds, and analysis of the DRD4 polymorphism may therefore be useful for elucidating the relationships among dog breeds.

Alleles↗