Human galanin (hGal) is an important neuro-modulator present in the brain, gastrointestinal system and the hypothalamo-pituitary axis. A specific receptor for hGal has been identified in various areas in human brain. A single class of high affinity binding sites was found on plasma membranes of the amygdala (Kd 0.23 nM, Bmax 44 fmol/mg), the hypothalamus (Kd 0.20 nM, Bmax 25 fmol/mg) and the cortex cerebri (Kd 0.11 nM, Bmax 8.2 fmol/mg). Other brain areas, i.e. cerebellum, thalamus or pons, expressed binding sites of identical high affinity in lower quantities (Bmax < 3 fmol/mg). Specific binding of 125I-labelled hGal was found to be reversible, time- and temperature-dependent and inhibited by Ca2+, Na+ and K+ ions at a concentration of 5 mM. Non-hydrolysable guanosine nucleotides potently reduced specific binding of 125-I-labelled hGal by more than 80%. Synthetic hGal analogues substituted in the N-terminal region exhibited strongly reduced binding affinity for the hGal receptor. Using 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-2-hydroxy-1-propanesulphonate, hGal receptors were successfully solubilized from human cortical membranes, exhibiting no significant loss of binding affinity. Affinity cross-linking to 125I-labelled hGal revealed a labelled band of approximately 60 kDa sensitive to unlabelled Gal. This putative hGal receptor is glycosylated since its molecular size was reduced after treatment with endoglycosidase F. Receptors bound to 125I-labelled hGal could be specifically adsorbed to wheat germ agglutinin and ricinus communis agglutinin, suggesting that receptor glycosylation involves N-acetyl glucosamine and galactose respectively.

The data indicate that current standards for the 1st year of life for the Zurich area might no longer be appropriate and need to be updated. The currently used velocity percentiles based on 3-monthly measurements are not suitable to assess individual height and weight increments calculated from monthly measurements.

Patients Lifestyle such as habitual consumption of certain meals and beverages plays major role in the development of diabetes. There is strong positive association between overall obesity as measured by Body Mass Index (BMI), blood cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes. Black and green tea and coffee are traditional beverages that are daily consumed by many Libyans. In this study, we studied the relationship between the average daily consumed amount of coffee, green tea, or black tea and fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure or Body Mass Index (BMI) as an indicator for obesity in type 2 diabetic patient. Our study included 396 Libyan diabetic patients (292 females and 104 males) with mean age of 49±17 years from Tripoli center of diabetes. This study performed during a period of 2 years. We also included control patients who were coffee or tea non consumer type2 diabetics. The results of this study showed that as the amount of daily consumed coffee, green tea, and black tea increases there is a marked decrease in fasting blood glucose of type 2 diabetics. In addition, a habitual green tea consumption strongly reduces blood cholesterol, blood pressure and BMI while black tea has weaker effect. In contrast, coffee consumption significantly increases blood cholesterol, BMI and blood pressure of diabetics at higher doses.

Vitamin D deficiency is becoming endemic in many parts of the world.Several studies demonstrated a relationship between vitamin D deficiency, hypocalcemia and thyroid disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the serum level of Vitamin D in healthy adult Libyan women and the status ofserum calcium and thyroid hormones. Serum vitamin D levels were measured in 174 healthy women who are classified in groups according to the age(Mean age 34±14 years). Our results revealed that vitamin D deficiency is very common among Libyan adult females because the mean of vitamin D was 13.4 ± 6.4 (n=174). Vitamin D deficiency was considered at serum levels lower than 20 ng/ml.In addition, we evaluated serum level ofcalcium and Thyroidfunction hormones (TSH, T3 and T4) in only60participants from 174 who are included in this study.It has been previously shown that individuals with low vitamin D levels have low thyroid functionbut our results here indicated that serum thyroid hormones and calcium analysis were lay within the normal rang in most of the participants. Therefore, we strongly recommend the screening for Vitamin D deficiency in all adult Libyan females and encourage the advisability of increasing vitamin D intake combined with following up its serum level to avoid over dose.