Anti-Tritonia Diomedea Small Cardioactive Peptide B Monoclonal antibody, clone 17.1G6

Objective. There is ongoing controversy with regard to the stability of calcified carotid artery plaques (CCAPs) seen in the bifurcation area on panoramic images (PIs). Therefore, we sought to evaluate the possibility of these plaques shedding emboli by observing their relationship with ipsilateral retinal emboli. Study Design. The study group included 50 neurologically and visually asymptomatic males with diabetes, with PIs that incidentally demonstrated CCAPs (CCAP+) and contemporaneous digital retinal images that had been obtained for evaluation of diabetic retinopathy. The control group consisted of 50 males with diabetes who were matched for age and body mass index and had undergone both imaging studies and whose PIs were devoid of carotid plaques (CCAP-). The presence of retinal emboli was determined by two ophthalmologists blinded to the patients' medical histories, and the prevalence rates for the two groups were calculated. Results. The presence of asymptomatic retinal arteriolar emboli was found in the eye ipsilateral to the radiographically observed carotid atheroma in 10 of 50 (20%) of the patients in the CCAP+ group, compared with 2 of 50 (4%) in the CCAP- group, and this difference was statistically significant (Fisher's exact P <.03). Conclusions. Some male patients with diabetes mellitus type II having calcified carotid artery atheromas in the bifurcation area, as visualized on PIs, may have significant sequelae as evidenced by retinal artery emboli.

To compare the stomatogastric nervous system of the crayfish Cherax destructor with those of other decapod species, the distribution of FLRF (Phe-Leu-Arg-Phe) amide-, proctolin- and crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP)-like immunoreactivities was studied in the stomatogastric nervous system and in neurosecretory structures by using wholemount immunocytochemical techniques and confocal microscopy. In addition, the number of cells in the stomatogastric ganglion (19-24) and axon profiles in the stomatogastric nerve (157-165) were counted. FLRFamide-like immunoreactivity was present within numerous cell bodies and neuropil of the commissural ganglia, in the neuropil of the stomatogastric ganglion, and in one cell body of the esophageal ganglion. FLRFamide-like immunoreactivity was also found in two cell bodies at the junction of the stomatogastric nerve with the superior esophageal nerve and in two cell bodies in the inferior ventricular nerve. Proctolin-like immunoreactivity was present in numerous cell bodies and neuropil of the paired commissural ganglia and in the neuropil of the stomatogastric ganglion. CCAP-like immunoreactivity was found in the neuropil and in one to four cell bodies in the commissural ganglia. Both proctolin- and CCAP-immunoreactive varicosities occurred on the surface of the circumesophageal connectives and on the postesophageal commissure, indicating a neurohemal source within the stomatogastric nervous system, which was verified by electron microscopy. The pericardial organs showed FLRFamide-, proctolin-, and CCAP-like immunoreactivity. This staining pattern suggests that FLRFamide-like and proctolin-like peptides are used as neurohormones and as neuromodulators in the stomatogastric nervous system of the crayfish C. destructor, whereas CCAP-like peptides may only affect the stomatogastric ganglion as a neurohormone. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.