Growth hormone release-inhibiting hormone (somatostatin), a hypothalamic peptide that inhibits the release of growth hormone and also the secretion of insulin glucagon, and gastrin, was found in the rat stomach and pancreas in a concentration similar to that in the hypothalamus, as measured by radioimmunoassay. Somatostatin was also found in the duodenum and jejunum, but in a smaller concentration. Gel filtration of the extracts of the pancreas and stomach on Sephadex G-25 yielded two immunoreactive peaks, one corresponding in each case to the somatostatin tetradecapeptide. The hormone was not detected in other viscera or the ovaries. The results imply that somatostatin may be synthesized in the pancreas and the stomach in addition to the brain, and may be involved in local regulatory mechanisms for pancreatic and gastric secretion as well as secretion of growth hormone.

Recently, Brazeau et a/.(1) isolated growth hormone release-inhibiting hormone (G H-RIH) from ovine hypothalamic extracts and characterized the structure as H-Ala-Glv-Cys-Ly s-Asn-Phe-Phe-Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Cys-OH. The synthetic tetradecapeptide was as active as natural GH-RIH in both in vitro and in vivo assay systems (1-5). However, it is not clear whether this tetradecapeptide represents physiological GH-RIH which controls G H secretion in animals and humans. An approach to the study of this problem may be the production of an antibody against GH-RIH which would enable a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay method to be established for determining GH-RIH in biological materials together with immunohistochemical studies on GH-RIH. This report deals with the development of such a system. Materials aiid Methods. Immunogen preparation. Two and one-half mg of synthetic GH-RIH tetradecapeptide (Ayerst, No. 24910) and 12 mg human serum a-globulin (H SG) (Schwa rtz/Mann , Orange burg, New York) were dissolved in 2 ml of ammonium acetate buffer 0.1 M , pH 7.0. To this solution was added dropwise 1.3 ml of 0.02 M glutaraldehyde solution. After stirring for 5 hr at room temperature, the reaction mixture was dialyzed against 2 1 of water at 4" for 24 hr. The water was changed twice during the dialysis. The solution was then lyophilized, and the weight of final product was 16.1 mg, indicating that nearly all GH-RIH was conjugated with HSG. It could, therefore, be assumed that 1 mg of the conjugate contained approximately 155 p g GH-RIH.Immunization. Four mg of GH-RIH-HSG conjugate was dissolved in 2 ml 0.9% NaC1. To this was added 10 mg of desic-

Intravenous injection of rat anti-mouse gamma interferon (IFN--y) monoclonal antibody as well as rabbit anti-mouse tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antibody into mice which had received a sublethal infection with Listeria monocytogenes cells resulted in acceleration of listeriosis. Endogenous IFN-'y seemed to be produced early in infection, because suppression of antilisterial resistance was significant when a single injection of anti-IFN--y monoclonal antibody was given on day 0 or day 1 of infection. Production of TNF but not of IFN-y in the bloodstream early in infection was inhibited by administration of anti-IFN-y monoclonal antibody. The suppressive effect of anti-IFN-'y and anti-TNF antibodies on antilisterial resistance was not augmented by simultaneous administration of these antibodies. On the other hand, in the secondary infection, simultaneous administration of anti-IFN--y and anti-TNF antibodies, but not of either of these antibodies alone, into L. monocytogenes-immune mice resulted in high mortality and explosive multiplication of bacterial cells in the spleens and livers. These results suggest that endogenously produced IFN--y and TNF are both essential to the host defense against L. monocytogenes infection and that these cytokines might act by different modes between the primary infection and the secondary infection.

Elucidation of a profile of scallop vitellin formation associated with oogenesis and its endocrine control, and identification of a vitellogenin synthesizing site were immunologically undertaken by using anti-scallop Vn serum. Vn content increased during ovarian growth and accounted for more than 80% of the water soluble protein of the ovary at the mature stage. In vivo injection of estradiol-17 beta (E(2)) resulted in an increase in Vn content in the ovary. In vitro accumulation of Vn in the ovarian tissue was promoted with E2 and a vitellogenesis promoting factor (VPF) from cerebral plus pedal ganglion which was heat stable, less than MW 10,000 and trypsin/chymotrypsin resistant. Estrogen receptor (ER)-like immunoreactivity was found in the growing oocyte and the auxiliary cell in close contact with growing oocytes, in which Vn immunoreactivity was also found. It is suggested that the vitellogenin synthesis occurred inside the ovary, especially in the auxiliary cell, and is controlled by E2 and VPF via ER.

ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to assess the psychosocial consequences among nurses affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake in order to identify their coping strategies and explore possible countermeasures against complex disasters.MethodsIn 2012, we conducted a qualitative study and screened participants for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).ResultsThirty-eight nurses participated in this study. The result showed a relatively high proportion of probable PTSD (39%). Thirty-two conceptual codes emerged from the data and were grouped into 8 categories: “initial acute stress,” “acute stress turning chronic,” “chronic physical and mental fatigue,” “occupational stress,” “fear of the impact of radiation on children’s health,” “occupational satisfaction,” “positive influences of the disaster experiences,” and “impact of mutual care through interpersonal cognition.”ConclusionsThe study reveals that mutual care may have a positive impact in assisting recovery and enhancing the psychological well-being of nurses. We suggest that disaster management should take into consideration the conflict between professional and family responsibilities. In the light of the chronic impact of the nuclear crisis, enhanced support for interpersonal relationships and human resources, as well as appropriate safety precautions, is urgently needed to help affected nurses. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:519-526)