Pancreatic disorders and diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is a common disease among patients with pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis, disorders of the exocrine pancreas. Different clinical features of diabetes are associated with these two conditions: hyperinsulinemia and peripheral insulin resistance are the prevailing diabetic traits in pancreatic cancer, whereas reduced islet cell mass and impaired insulin secretion are typically observed in chronic pancreatitis. Whether or not a causal relationship exists between diabetes and pancreatic carcinoma is an intriguing but unanswered question. Diabetes often precedes pancreatic cancer and is thus regarded as a potential risk factor for malignancy. Conversely, pancreatic cancer may secrete diabetogenic factors. Given these findings, there is increasing interest in whether close monitoring of the glycemic profile may aid early detection of pancreatic tumor lesions.

Morphological and molecular characterization of a new terrestrial allogromiid species: Edaphoallogromia australica gen. et spec. nov. (Foraminifera) from Northern Queensland (Australia).

The foraminiferal family Allogromiidae occurs mainly in marine environments, although some genera are described from brackish and freshwater habitats. We report here the occurrence of a terrestrial allogromiid foraminiferan. Phylogenetic relationships were investigated by sequencing part of the SSU rDNA. DNA sequence analysis confirms a close relationship of the new species to the genus Allogromia. Morphological studies corroborate the affiliation to the family Allogromiidae but the lack of an entosolenian tube and an internal septum as well as the different ecology do not allow a classification into a known genus of this family. Taking the molecular, morphological and ecological differences into account, a new genus Edaphoallogromia with the type species E. australica is erected.

The biology and ultrastructure of the testate amoeba, Difflugia lucida penard (Protozoa, Rhizopoda).

Two strains and one population of Difflugia lucida have been studied, from Germany and Japan. The ultrastructure is described from selectively cultured specimens with thin shells; such agglutinate shells have a slightly different morphology from those provided with ample mineral grains. The cytoplasm is described and of particular interest are details of the 'ovular' nucleus, which has an additional lamina to the nuclear membrane, several nucleoli and changes its position within the region of dense endoplasmic reticulum. Two types of organic cement vesicles are secreted by the dictyosomes. The building blocks are spherical in the cytoplasm but when discharged often become elongate strips. Smaller cement vesicles discharge fibrous material which is used either to line the inner shell wall or possibly form the enclosing membrane of cysts. Some cytoplasmic differences associated with the first stage of division and precystic organisation are included. Comparisons are made with recent light microscope observations.

The taxonomy and systematics of some species of Cucurbitella, Difflugia and Netzelia (Protozoa: Rhizopoda); with an evaluation of diagnostic characters.

A critical examination of the biology and morphology of two species of Cucurbitella, six species of Difflugia and three species of Netzelia is presented. A new term 'necklace' is given to species of Difflugia which have an apertural rim, but lack a distinct collar like those of Cucurbitella. Details of the shell surface composition is used to differentiate some species, and a knowledge of the general biology assists the interpretation of these results. Biometrical data is also shown to be useful in separating morphologically similar species. Cytoplasmic features such as the size and structure of the nucleus and nucleolus is used to further distinguish species. As a consequence of our investigation one new species is erected and several synonyms proposed.