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The localisation and distribution of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, or serotonin) and neuropeptides in the nervous system of the protoscolex of the hydatid organismEchinococcus granulosus were determined by an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Nerve-cell bodies immunoreactive for 5-HT occurred in the lateral ganglia and in association with the lateral longitudinal nerve cords. 5-HT immunostaining was also evident in the central nerve ring, in the rostellar nerves and in the nerve plexus innervating the suckers. Of the antisera used to screen the protoscolex for neuropeptide immunoreactivity (IR), immunostaining was obtained with those raised against pancreatic polypeptide (PP), peptide YY (PYY), substance P (SP), peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). The most extensive pattern of IR occurred with antisera to PP and PYY. Immunoreactive nerve elements were evident in the lateral ganglia, central nerve ring, rostellar nerves, rostellar ganglia, sucker plexus and longitudinal nerve cords. The distribution of SP-, PHI- and VIP-IRs was more restricted: SP-IR occurred in the lateral ganglia and sucker nerves, whilst PHI- and VIP-immunoreactive nerve elements were associated with the lateral longitudinal nerve cords. Protoscoleces cultured in vitro for 29 days were also examined and neuroanatomical changes noted. A greater development of the longitudinal nerve cords and their cross-connectives in the body of the worm was evident, and a group of nerve cells were seen to develop at the posterior end of the main lateral nerve cords.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between single parents and the health of their children with cystic fibrosis. Seventy‐five children aged between 0.8 and 6.0 y were identified from our patient register; 20 of these children came from single parent families. Socioeconomic profiles were collated for each family. Retrospective medical data including, gene mutation analysis, were recorded from the hospital notes of all 75 patients. Maternal health was assessed by means of the General Health Questionnaire (28‐item version). The results show that maternal age of ≤19y and lone parenthood were associated with higher morbidity in CF patients <6y of age. Predicted values of the Shwachman score being lower by 4.1 and 4.3 points, respectively. A declining Shwachman score of 1.1 points/y was associated with increasing patient's age. In addition, analysis showed that the CF children of teenage mothers were 16 times more likely to have admission rates of ≥1/y. Single mothers experienced more stress‐related symptoms than those from the married group. We concluded that the young CF children of single or teenage mothers have a significantly worse clinical progress and consequently have a higher demand for hospital services. Clearly this population requires extra clinical vigilance and social support.

A large excess of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been documented in renal transplant patients and may be related to immunosuppressive therapy, persistent antigenic challenge from the graft, or both. To determine whether immuno-suppression resulting from chronic renal failure is associated with an elevated risk of certain tumors such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the authors studied cancer incidence in a national cohort of 28,049 patients in the United States with chronic renal failure who received maintenance dialysis for at least six months (totaling 66,706 person-years of observation). Compared with national incidence rates, the relative risk (RR) of cancer was 0.9 (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer, multiple myeloma, kidney cancer, and uterine cervix cancer). Moderate excesses of leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, thyroid cancer, and biliary tract cancer were found, but were not statistically significant for both sexes combined. A significantly elevated risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (RR = 2.6) accounted for the excess observed in the total series, raising the possibility of factors specific to this disease.

Recounts how the author rediscovered her college friendship and closeness when she learned her friend was dying of AIDS, and how she still feels she should have done more for him.