NEW SUBMISSIONS

Here we discuss the identity, heterogeneity and functions of glial cells in the developing and adult central nervous system (CNS). First we define radial glial cells by morphological, cell biological and molecular criteria as true glial cells, akin to astroglia.

The cornea is a transparent avascular tissue that provides a protective barrier from the external environment and also serves as the main refractive element of the visual system. The corneal transparency relies on the normal functioning of its three tissue layers, epithelium, stroma and endothelium.

While extensive research data is available on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) from industrialized countries, very few studies have been undertaken in the developing countries including the Arab world. A representative random sample of school children aged 5 to 16 years was evaluated for the prevalence of ADHD using the Conner Parent and Teacher Scale in Dubai, Al Ain and Ras Al-Khaima to represent the urban, semi-urban and rural population of UAE.

Cytokines play crucial roles in all aspects of health and iseases. They influence immune expression, the development of immunologic memory, and regulation of antigen-specific and nonspecific immune ctivation. Based on their production by Thelper (TH) cells, cytokines are categorized into TH1 and TH2 types. TH1 type includes inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. The former induces signal three that bridge innate and adaptive immunity, whilst the latter sustains proliferation and survival of T cells.

We found that refusal to participate in blood testing was related to reluctance to disclose private information in general and to sensitivity on the subject of vaccinations in particular. Also, parents of younger children with less older siblings, without a history of pertussis, and consuming less frequently vegetables, were more likely to be a non-participant. Selective participation in blood testing may have affected our assessment of the reliability of the reported vaccination status, but leaves our conclusion from the original study, that there is no positive association between the DTP-IPV vaccination and atopy, unaffected.

Novel direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs), such as bivalirudin, are replacing heparin in several clinical scenarios. In particular, DTIs are indicated for the treatment and thromboprophylaxis of patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). In interventional cardiology, DTIs have several advantages over heparin, and offer a clinical benefit equivalent to that of a combination of heparin and antiplatelet agents. We hypothesize that this benefit results from the ability of DTIs to inhibit platelet activation by activated serine proteases.

Reviewed here are studies in animal models of type I diabetes that have led to better understanding of the disease and progress to its cure by of pancreatic islet transplantation and/or manipu-lations of the immune system. These studies include: 1) the first complete and permanent cure of chemi-cally induced diabetes in rodents; 2) demons-tration of autoimmune recurrence of diabetes in islet recipients; 3) induction of intrathymic tolerance to islets; 4) prevention of autoimmune diabetes by thymic manipulation; and 5) demonstration of the importance of B lymphocytes in autoimmune diabetes and islet rejection.

Islet transplantation can be an important ther-apeutic option for adults with unstable type 1 diabetes-individuals who, despite their best efforts, have wide, unpredictable fluctuations in blood sugar levels or who are no longer able to sense that their blood sugar is dangerously low. For these people, transplantation may be a viable solution. Since the first report of successful pancreatic islet transplantation to reverse hyperglycaemia in diabetic rodents, there has been great interest in determining the optimal site for implantation. Although the portal vein remains the most frequently used site clinically, it is not ideal. About half of the islets introduced into the liver die during or shortly after transplantation.

Metabolic surgery can be considered as part of functional surgery, where the function to be corrected is a metabolic one. The first known example of metabolic surgery is probably the partial ileal bypass for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Modern metabolic surgery was preceded and inspired by bariatric surgery, basing on the strong metabolic effect of some obesity surgery operations, especially gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion (BPD), mainly active on type 2 diabetes mellitus. A true metabolic operation, primarily aimed at obtaining a favourable metabolic change, should on one side not provoke undue weight loss, on the other side act through specific mechanisms independent of weight changes.

Over the last fifty years neonatal care has made tremendous progress; increasing survival, reducing morbidity, developing newer modalities of care and therapy for the very low birth weight (VLBW) and premature infant. However, mortality from neonatal sepsis in this group of infants has remained between 18-20% in the developed world and around 80% in the developing world for last three decades with little sign of decline. There is also clear evidence that VLBW infants who survive infection in the neonatal period are at significantly greater risk of neuro-developmental delay; making sepsis the most important cause of mortality and morbidity in this group of infants today.