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A low peripheral blood lymphocyte count association with increased mortality risk in older persons is investigated. It is determined whether this association is ascribed to ill health. Results indicate that a low lymphocyte count is associated with an increased mortality risk in older persons without apparent disease.

We present an acute manifestation of mesenteric lymphangioma in a 1-Year-Old Girl. Lymphangiomas (LA) comprise a considerable group of different benign vascular malformations of the lymphatic system and account for about 6% of all benign pediatric tumors. About 5% of LA present intraabdominally as mesenteric LA. Diagnosis of this disease can be initially difficult, but the use of ultrasound allows for a quick diagnosis. Although the tumor is benign, it can lead to an acute abdomen requiring emergency surgery.

The present study examined the mechanism by which metformin prevents dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced embryonic resorption in mice. Treatment with DHEA (6 mg/100 g bodyweight, 24 and 48 h post implantation) induced 88 1 % embryonic resorption and the diminution of both serum oestradiol (E) and progesterone (P) levels. However, when metformin (50 mg/kg bodyweight) was given together with DHEA, embryo resorption (43 3% v. 35 5% in controls) and both serum E and P levels were not significantly different from controls. Glucose and insulin levels were increased in the DHEA-treated mice but when metformin was administered together with DHEA these parameters were similar to control values. Treatment with DHEA increased ovarian oxidative stress and diminished uterine nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity; however, when metformin was administered together with DHEA, both ovarian oxidative stress and uterine NOS activity were not different from controls. Metformin treatment did not modify the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from both axillar and retroperitoneal lymph nodes but prevented the increase of serum tumour necrosis factor ? produced in DHEA-treated mice. These results show that metformin acts in DHEA-induced embryonic resorption in mice by modulating endocrine parameters, ovarian oxidative stress and uterine NOS activity.

Objective and design: Ageing and obesity result in decreased activity of the GH/IGF-I axis and concomitant impaired GH responses to secretory stimuli. We therefore determined the validity of the GH cut-off value of 15.0 μg/l in the GH-releasing hormone (GHRH)/GH releasing peptide-6 (GHRP-6) test for the diagnosis of GH deficiency in elderly or severely obese men.Methods: We performed a combined GHRH/GHRP-6 test in ten elderly men (mean age 74 years; mean body mass index (BMI) 24.6 kg/m2), nine obese men (mean age 47 years; mean BMI 40.6 kg/m2) and seven healthy male controls (mean age 51 years, mean BMI 24.3 kg/m2). After assessment of fasting plasma GH, IGF-I and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), GHRH (100 μg) and GHRP-6 (93 μg) were given intravenously as a bolus injection. Repeated GH measurements were performed for two hours. Results: Both peak GH levels and areas under the curve (AUC) were significantly lower in the obese than in the controls (peak 13.2 vs 53.4 μg/l, P= 0.001; AUC 707 vs 3250 μg/l × 120 min; P= 0.001). Mean GH response in the elderly was lower than in the controls (peak 35.0 μg/l; AUC 2274 μg/l × 120 min), but this was not statistically significant. In contrast, GH peak levels in seven obese men remained below the cut-off level of 15.0 μg/l associated with severe GH deficiency. All others had GH peak levels exceeding this threshold. IGFBP-3 levels were significantly lower in the elderly than in the controls (1.35 vs 2.05 mg/l, P= 0.001). Baseline GH or IGF-I did not differ significantly between groups.Conclusions: GH responses following GHRH/GHRP-6 administration were significantly reduced in severely obese men, but were not significantly reduced in elderly men, despite a negative trend. Our data indicate that the cut-off GH level of 15.0 μg/l after GHRH + GHRP-6 administration for the diagnosis of severe GH deficiency cannot be used in severely obese men.