Hydrokinetic pancreatic function and insulin secretion are moduled by Cl- uniporter Slc26a9 in mice.

AIM: Slc26a9 is a member of the Slc26 multifunctional anion transporter family. Polymorphisms in Slc26a9 are associated with an increased incidence of meconium ileus and diabetes in cystic fibrosis patients. We investigated the expression of Slc26a9 in the murine pancreatic ducts, islets and parenchyma, and elucidated its role in pancreatic ductal electrolyte and fluid secretion and endocrine function. METHODS: Pancreatic Slc26a9 and CFTR mRNA expression, fluid and bicarbonate secretion were assessed in slc26a9-/- mice and their age- and sex-matched wild-type (wt) littermates. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed. RESULTS: Compared with stomach, the mRNA expression of Slc26a9 was low in pancreatic parenchyma, 20-fold higher in microdissected pancreatic ducts than parenchyma, and very low in islets. CFTR mRNA was ~10 fold higher than Slc26a9 mRNA expression in each pancreatic cell type. Significantly reduced pancreatic fluid secretory rates and impaired glucose tolerance were observed in female slc26a9-/- mice, whereas alterations in male mice did not reach statistical significance. No significant difference was observed in peripheral insulin resistance in slc26a9-/- compared to sex- and aged-matched wt controls. In contrast, isolated slc26a9-/- islets in short term culture displayed no difference in insulin content, but a significantly reduced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion compared to age- and sex-matched wt islets, suggesting that the impaired glucose tolerance in the absence of Slc26a9 expression these is a pancreatic defect. CONCLUSIONS: Deletion of Slc26a9 is associated with a reduction in pancreatic fluid secretion and impaired glucose tolerance in female mice. The results underline the importance of Slc26a9 in pancreatic physiology.

[Vocational integration of physically handicapped persons--a regional study in the Regensburg district]. / Berufliche Integration körperbehinderter Menschen--Eine regionale Studie im Landkreis Regensburg.

The present study had been aimed at tracing possible reasons for insufficient placement of people with physical disablement in the open labour market in the Regensburg region, at gaining insights on the prerequisites of and potential for improving vocational integration as well as at clarifying the relevance of alternative work and employment opportunities in terms of halfway and sheltered settings. Based on a structured questioning schedule, interviews were carried out with 10 experts, 32 physically disabled individuals and 30 employers concerning their placement notions and experience. Generally speaking, it was in particular found that insufficient placement cannot simply be attributed to economic trends; the groups interviewed, rather, differ in some of their underlying assumptions and expectations, a fact which impacts negatively on the integration process. Interaction of disabled and nondisabled persons hence requires greater attention. For the disabled, along with their educational-occupational qualifications, acquisition of communication and social skills is crucial in vocational integration, whereas the companies, in particular small and medium-sized ones, are in need of better information and counselling as well as appropriate supports to be provided by job or placement assistants when hiring physically disabled persons.