We have investigated the role of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) in the growth and/or differentiation of pancreatic islet beta-cells. We found that in the human fetal pancreas immunoreactive HGF/SF receptor (c-met proto-oncogene product) is preferentially associated with the developing beta-cells. In the adult pancreas, c-met messenger RNA is highly enriched in the islets and the immunoreactive protein is also restricted to the islet beta-cells. HGF/SF messenger RNA content of fetal pancreas-derived fibroblasts is more than 10-fold higher than that of adult fibroblasts. Culture of human fetal pancreatic epithelial cells in conditioned medium from the fetal pancreatic fibroblasts caused a 2.4-fold stimulation of the formation of islet-like cell clusters that was due to both mitogenic and morphogenic effects. Beta-cell proliferation in the cell clusters was stimulated 3.5-fold by the conditioned medium, and this was associated with a marked decrease in insulin content. All of the effects of the conditioned medium were blocked by anti-HGF/SF antibody. Specificity was confirmed by overriding the blocking effect of the antibody with excess recombinant HGF/SF. Conditioned medium from adult pancreatic fibroblasts stimulated islet-like cell cluster formation only slightly, and did not affect beta-cell replication. These results suggest that HGF/SF secreted by fetal fibroblasts is mitogenic to beta-cells. Taken together, our findings indicate an important role for HGF/SF in fetal mesenchyme-induced pancreatic beta-cell growth.

What Jung Really Said (i), from devoting almost two pages ofhis 585-page treatise to challenging three and a halflines from my own 264-page predecesSor, What Freud Really Said (2), and thereby misleading your reviewer (Journal, April, 1967, p. 453) into believing that â€oe¿ Freud and Jung analysed each other―.

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As cases of fatal non-responsive anaemia have been observed in schizophrenia over a period of years, with few corresponding cases in other mental diseases, it was decided to collect and tabulate the findings in cases in which full histological examinations had been carried out. This was done covering a period of 11·5 years (1951–1963).

During an investigation of the morbid anatomy of pituitary and adrenal glands of an unselected series of mental hospital patients (1), it was noted that adrenal sudanophilic material and birefringence were reduced in many cases of schizophrenia. It was therefore decided to make a statistical study of such cases in order to determine if any significance could be attached to the findings and if so, to consider how the facts might be related to present knowledge of schizophrenia.

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Aims To assess, using Cochrane methodology, the current pharmacological treatments for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) for the Cochrane Upper GI&Pancreatic Diseases group. Methods We searched for RCTs in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CISCOM and ISI Science Citation Index, ISI web of science and Meta-Register of Controlled Trials. Handsearching of references was performed including published abstracts from gastroenterology conferences over 5 years. Abstracts were reviewed and relevant RCTs selected for all children with functional reflux/GORD (birth–16 years) receiving medications. Trials were critically appraised, data independently extracted and risk of bias assessed using RevMan. Strength of evidence is expressed using GRADE methodology. Results We considered the efficacy of medications in treating GORD, and functional reflux, in infants, and GORD in older children. Twenty-four studies (1201 patients) contributed data. There is good evidence proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) in children and infants with GORD, but benefit is unclear for infants with functional reflux. Two similar studies of infants with GORD were meta-analysed, assessing PPIs against placebo/gaviscon. PPI was not significantly superior in infants at reducing reflux-index (SMD–0.28, 95% CI –1.98 to 1.42). Moderate evidence exists for H2-antagonist efficacy in improving erosive oesophagitis; meta-analysis was not possible. Insufficient evidence exists to judge efficacy of Domperidone. Evidence of Gaviscon Infant’s efficacy in infants is limited by small numbers and outcomes. Conclusions Despite the paucity of studies, there is good evidence supporting the use of PPIs in older children and infants with GORD, and moderate evidence supporting H2-antagonists. Concerns regarding pharmaceutical-company support, and study heterogeneity are discussed. A lack of independent placebo-controlled or head-to-head trials with common end-points remains. For infants with functional reflux, poor correlation between symptomatology and investigative findings limits assessment of treatment efficacy. PPIs have some evidence of efficacy, with significant study heterogeneity. Domperidone has poor evidence of efficacy. Gaviscon Infant has some evidence to support use, limited by short follow-up. The lack of robust RCT evidence for treatment for preterm-babies or children with neurodisabilities is discussed. We welcome the opportunity to present the findings in detail. A template for further research is outlined.