bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The sodium iodide symporter: its pathophysiological and therapeutic implications
Authors: Spitzweg Christine , Morris John C.
Published: March 2003

The sodium iodide symporter (NIS) is an intrinsic plasma membrane protein that mediates the active transport of iodide in the thyroid gland and a number of extrathyroidal tissues, in particular lactating mammary gland. Because of its crucial role in the ability of thyroid follicular cells to trap iodide, cloning of NIS opened an exciting and extensive new field of thyroid‐related research. Cloning and molecular characterization of NIS allowed investigation of its expression and regulation in thyroidal and nonthyroidal tissues, and its potential pathophysiological and therapeutic implications in benign and malignant thyroid disease. In addition to its key function in thyroid physiology, NIS‐mediated iodide accumulation allows diagnostic thyroid scintigraphy as well as effective therapeutic application of radioiodine in benign and malignant thyroid disease. Characterization and application of NIS as a novel therapeutic gene and the presence of high native NIS expression in the majority of breast cancers further suggest a promising role of NIS in diagnosis and therapy of cancer outside the thyroid gland.
Immune function during GH treatment in GH‐deficient adults: an 18‐month randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded trial
Authors: Sneppen S. B. , Mersebach H. , Ullum H. , Feldt‐Rasmussen U.
Published: March 2003

Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate natural killer (NK) cell function and lymphocyte subsets in GH‐deficient (GHD) adults, before and during long‐term GH treatment.

Study Design We investigated immune function in 19 adults with severe GHD, before and during 18 months of randomized treatment with GH or placebo. Measurement of lymphocyte subsets and NK cell activity was performed. Data obtained from 110 healthy adults served as reference values.

Results NK cell activity, both unstimulated and stimulated by interferon‐a or interleukin‐2, was significantly impaired in GHD patients. Similarly, NK cell concentration and the proportion of NK cells (CD16+) were reduced in GHD patients compared to controls. Both total and proportional CD4 + cells were increased in patients compared with controls. IGF‐I increased significantly during treatment, but the immune functions investigated were unaltered.

Conclusions GH deficiency was associated with changes in lymphocyte subsets and impaired unstimulated and stimulated natural killer cell activity, but these remained abnormal during 18 months of GH replacement therapy. Extra‐pituitary GH gene expression in, e.g. lymphoid tissues may serve as an autocrine/paracrine factor in immunomodulation and explain the clinical normal immune function in adult GH‐deficient patients.
Differential expression of galectin‐3 in medullary thyroid carcinoma and C‐cell hyperplasia
Authors: Faggiano Antongiulio , Talbot Monique , Lacroix Ludovic , Bidart Jean Michel , Baudin Eric , Schlumberger Martin , Caillou Bernard
Published: March 2003

Objective and Design Galectin‐3 is a β‐galactoside‐binding protein that plays a role in cell adhesion and tumour progression. It was shown recently to diagnose malignant follicular thyroid lesions accurately. The reliability of this marker in the differential diagnosis between medullary thyroid carcinoma and C‐cell hyperplasia was studied by immunohistochemistry.

Patients Tissue specimens were obtained from 34 patients belonging to families with medullary thyroid carcinoma who underwent prophylactic thyroidectomy for RET gene mutation and/or abnormally increased plasma calcitonin levels.

Results Galectin‐3 was expressed in 23 of 25 cases of medullary thyroid carcinoma and in none of the nine cases of C‐cell hyperplasia only, giving a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 100% for the diagnosis of carcinoma. A significant association was found between higher galectin‐3 expression and occurrence of lymph node metastases (P < 0·05).

Conclusions Galectin‐3 is a reliable diagnostic marker of medullary thyroid carcinoma, and its use may provide relevant information for prognosis and therapy.
Hyperadiponectinaemia in anorexia nervosa
Authors: Delporte M. L. , Brichard S. M. , Hermans M. P. , Beguin C. , Lambert M.
Published: March 2003

objective Adiponectin (ApN) is a fat‐derived hormone that enhances insulin sensitivity, controls body weight, prevents atherosclerosis and negatively regulates haematopoiesis and immune functions. In contrast to many proteins secreted by adipose tissue, the circulating level of ApN falls in obesity and insulin resistance states. The influence of starvation‐induced depletion of fat stores on ApN concentrations is yet unknown. We therefore investigated plasma ApN in anorexia nervosa (AN).

patients and design We measured plasma ApN in 26 female anorectic patients and examined its relationships to several anthropometric or metabolic parameters. Twenty‐four age‐matched healthy female controls (C) were also studied.

results Body mass index (BMI) and fat mass were markedly decreased in AN. However, plasma ApN levels were 30% higher in anorectic than in control subjects (P < 0·01), while a reverse pattern was observed for leptin concentrations. When normalized for fatness, ApN values almost doubled in AN. ApN levels were negatively correlated with BMI and fat mass (P < 0·05 in the combined population, AN + C). Insulin sensitivity tended to be 40% higher in AN (n = 7) than in C (n = 12) subjects, and plasma ApN levels were positively correlated with insulin sensitivity (P < 0·05 in AN + C subgroups). Total and low density lipoprotein (LDL)‐cholesterol were higher, or tended to be higher, in AN, but there were no correlations between plasma ApN and plasma lipids. By contrast, ApN was related to the lipid profile, in a manner consistent with its antiatherogenic role, in healthy controls [i.e. negatively correlated with triglycerides, total and LDL‐cholesterol and total/high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol; P < 0·05 or less for each parameter]. In a multiple regression analysis, BMI and insulin sensitivity in AN were independent determinants for ApN levels, explaining up to approximately 80% of the variance in this measure.

conclusions Plasma adiponectin levels are increased in anorexia nervosa. This may, at least in part, be due to the lack of negative feedback exerted by fat mass on adiponectin production and/or to enhanced insulin sensitivity. We speculate that hyperadiponectinaemia could, in turn, contribute to maintain a state of enhanced insulin sensitivity and possibly exacerbate haematological and infectious complications of anorexia nervosa.
Reproducibility of abnormal heart rate variability indices: the case of hypertensive sleep apnoea syndrome
Authors: Salo  , Voipio‐Pulkki  , Jalonen  , Helenius  , Viikari  , Kantola
Published: March 2003

Before heart rate variability can be used as an investigational tool in the clinical setting, its reproducibility must be known. We studied heart rate variability four times during 44 weeks in 15 hypertensive patients with sleep apnoea syndrome. Time and frequency domain analytical approaches were used during the spontaneous and controlled breathing tests, orthostatic manoeuvre and the cold pressor test. Alterations in resting heart rate were taken into account using the coefficient of component variance. In general, the response of heart rate variability was abnormal and variability was reduced in the hypertensive patients with sleep apnoea syndrome compared with reference data. Time domain measures of heart rate variability demonstrated generally better reproducibility over four recordings than frequency domain measures in these hypertensive patients with sleep apnoea syndrome. On the other hand, the reproducibility of frequency domain measures depended on the specific conditions: during orthostatic manoeuvre and cold pressor test the best reproducibility was found using normalized units. In the reference data set, there were no significant differences between the two heart rate variability recordings during any of the autonomic nervous function tests. In this follow‐up study we found that simple procedures such as the controlled breathing test show good reproducibility. More complex tests such as the orthostatic manoeuvre require special attention in order to obtain acceptable reproducibility of heart rate variability measurements. Quantitatively minor changes in the variability indices when the overall variability is reduced exert major effects on the results. Therefore we suggest that reproducibility data obtained in healthy volunteers are not valid for the interpretation of data in patients with damaged cardiovascular autonomic control.
Both leg blood flow and the femoral blood flow pattern are related to left ventricular mass in elderly men
Authors: Lind Lars , Andersson Per‐Erik , Andrén Bertil , Lithell Hans
Published: March 2003

Left ventricular mass (LVM) was significantly related to both the leg blood flow (r = –0·31, P<0·05) and a Doppler‐derived index of femoral arterial stiffness (r = 0·35, P<0·05) in a sample of elderly men. Together with blood pressure, these two characteristics of peripheral blood flow explained 42% of the variation in LVM.
Low‐frequency respiratory rhythms in infants during the first six months of life
Authors: Otto  , Mrowka  , Schubert  , Orlow  , Wauer  , Patzak
Published: March 2003

The aim of the study was to investigate characteristics of low‐frequency components in respiration. Sixteen healthy term infants were examined from the first day up to the 6th month of life. The respirogram, instantaneous respiratory frequency and respiratory amplitude of undisturbed segments of quiet sleep phases and periodic breathing (PB) were analysed via fast Fourier transformation. The peak frequency (PF) in the low‐frequency range (0·04–0·2 Hz) was determined. PF for PB ranged from 0·056 to 0·1 Hz. Further, low‐frequency rhythms (LFR) of the respirogram, which were stable during the recordings as well as during development, were found ranging from 0·045 to 0·067 Hz. The LFR of the respirogram is correlated with rhythmic changes in the relationship between inspiratory and expiratory amplitudes. The frequency of the LFR was significantly lower than that of the PB. The data indicate that LFR and PB are low‐frequency respiratory rhythms which are separately controlled and perform independently.
Body composition in Italian and Danish women
Authors: De Lorenzo  , Andreoli  , Testolin  , Oriani  , Svendsen
Published: March 2003

The objective of this cross‐sectional study was to compare the body composition and fat distribution measured by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DPX, Lunar) in different age decades of age‐matched Danish and Italian women. The subjects comprised 133 healthy Italian women (age 20–60 years) age‐matched to a representative sub‐sample of healthy Danish women (n=375). Total and abdominal body fat tissue mass were measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Italian women were shorter and fatter compared with age‐matched Danish women, but in middle‐age, had a less abdominal fat distribution. There was no difference in total body bone mineral density.
Increased circulating levels of plasma ATP in cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: Lader A. S. , Prat A. G. , Jackson G. R. , Chervinsky K. L. , Lapey A. , Kinane T. B. , Cantiello H. F.
Published: March 2003

Recent studies have shown that the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), an ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter whose mutations are responsible for cystic fibrosis (CF), permeates ATP. However, little information is available concerning extracellular ATP concentrations in CF patients. Thus, the goal of this preliminary study was to determine the circulating levels of plasma ATP in CF patients. Circulating levels of plasma ATP were determined by the luciferin‐luciferase assay in both CF patients and healthy volunteer control subjects. The two groups were compared using an analysis of variance. CF genotype and age, which ranged from 7 to 56 years, were also used to compare data by single‐blind analysis. With comparable sample numbers, CF patients had statistically higher levels of circulating ATP (34%, P<0·01) when compared by analysis of covariance with the age of the subjects as the cofactor. The CF patients bearing the ΔF508 genotype had a 54% (n=33, P<0·01) higher plasma ATP concentration compared to controls, while patients bearing other CF genotypes were similar to controls (n=10, P<0·4). We conclude that CF patients have higher circulating levels of ATP when compared to controls. Increased levels of plasma ATP, which is an important autocrine/paracrine hormone in many cell types, may be associated with chronic manifestations of the disease.
Impaired platelet prostacyclin receptor activity: a monozygotic twin study discordant for spinal cord injury
Authors: Kahn Nighat N. , Sinha Asru K. , Bauman William A.
Published: March 2003

Coronary artery disease (CAD) has been reported to occur prematurely in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Although persons with SCI have metabolic abnormalities that may predispose them to CAD, other potential aetiologies may also be operative. Increased platelet aggregation, among other factors, initiates thrombus formation at the site of the vessel injury, which may acutely obstruct arterial blood flow. Prostacyclin is known to have a beneficial effect to inhibit platelet aggregation and prevent thrombus formation. Platelets were studied from 12 pairs of monozygotic twins, one co‐twin with SCI. Each twin pair had similar patterns of platelet aggregation with adenosine diphosphate (ADP), thrombin or collagen, as well as inhibition of platelet aggregation by prostacyclin (PGE1/I2) and synthesis of cyclic adenosine mono phosphate (AMP) by the prostanoid. However, the twin pairs differed in their response to PGE1/I2 inhibition of platelet‐stimulated thrombin generation that was completely inhibited in non‐SCI platelets but not in SCI platelets. Scatchard analysis of the binding of 3H‐prostaglandin E1, a stable prostacyclin receptor probe, showed the presence of one high‐affinity (Kd1=8·1 ± 2·8 nM; nl=168 ± 35 sites per platelet) and one low‐affinity (Kd2=1·1 ± 0·22 μM; n2=1772 ± 220 sites per cell) prostacyclin receptor in normal platelets, whereas in SCI platelets there was a significant loss (P<0·00l) of high‐affinity receptor sites (Kd1=6·34 ± 1·80 nM; n1=42 ± 11 sites per platelet) with no significant change in the low‐affinity receptor sites (Kd2=1·2 ± 0·23 μM; n2=1860 ± 412 sites per cell). These discordant platelet findings in identical twin pairs raises the possibility of an environmental aetiology for accelerated CAD in those with SCI. The loss of inhibitory effect of PGI2 on thrombin generation in the twin with SCI appears to be because of loss of platelet high‐affinity prostanoid receptors, which may contribute to atherogenesis in individuals with SCI.
The effect of systemic blood pressure on cardio‐vascular reflexes in elderly subjects
Authors: James Martin A. , Robinson Thompson G. , Potter John F.
Published: March 2003

The evidence for impairment of cardiovascular reflexes by hypertension in elderly subjects is mixed. This study tested the hypothesis that baroreceptor‐ and non‐baroreceptor‐mediated responses in elderly subjects differed with hypertension. 54 elderly subjects were studied: 16 with combined hypertension (CT) (blood pressure 184 ± 4/102 ± 2 mmHg), 16 with isolated systolic hypertension (180 ± 3/85 ± 1 mmHg) and 22 normotensives (NT) (138 ± 2/76 ± 1 mmHg). All subjects performed isometric exercise with a handgrip dynamometer. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure and forearm vascular resistance (FVR) responses were then studied to 60° head‐up tilt and the cold face stimulus. Baseline FVR, and the response to isometric handgrip, were similar in all groups. Subjects with isolated systolic hypertension manifested greater increases in FVR with tilt (P<0·001), whilst the HR increment was greater in the NT group (P<0·001). Blood pressure changes with tilt were similar in the three groups. With the cold face stimulus (CFS) a rise in FVR of approximately 30% was seen in all groups and blood pressure rose modestly, with the largest increases being seen in the combined hypertensives. This study in elderly subjects indicates significant differences with hypertension in the response to tilt, with an impaired baroreceptor‐cardiac reflex being compensated by an augmented baroreceptor‐vascular response.
Circadian rhythm of core body temperature in subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome
Authors: Hamilos Daniel L. , Nutter David , Gershtenson Josh , Ikle David , Hamilos Sharon Sue , Redmond Daniel P. , Di Clementi Jeannie D. , Schmaling Karen B. , Jones James F.
Published: March 2003

The pathophysiological basis for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) remains poorly understood. Certain symptoms of CFS, namely fatigue, neurocognitive symptoms and sleep disturbance, are similar to those of acute jet lag and shift work syndromes thus raising the possibility that CFS might be a condition associated with disturbances in endogenous circadian rhythms. In this study, we tested this hypothesis by examining the circadian rhythm of core body temperature (CBT) in CFS and control subjects. Continuous recordings of CBT were obtained every 5 min over 48 h in a group of 10 subjects who met the Center for Disease Control (CDC) definition of CFS and 10 normal control subjects. Subjects in the two groups were age, sex and weight‐matched and were known to have normal basal metabolic rates and thyroid function. CBT recordings were performed under ambulatory conditions in a clinical research centre with the use of an ingestible radio frequency transmitter pill and a belt‐worn receiver‐logger. CBT time series were analysed by a cosinor analysis and by a harmonic‐regression‐plus‐correlated‐noise model to estimate the mean, amplitude and phase angle of the rhythm. The goodness of fit of each model was also compared using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and σ2. Average parameters for each group were compared by Student’s t‐test. By cosinor analysis, the only significant difference between CFS and control groups was in the phase angle of the third harmonic (P=0·02). The optimal harmonic‐regression‐plus‐correlated‐noise models selected were ARMA(1,1): control 7, CFS 6; ARMA(2,0): control 1, CFS 4; and ARMA(2,1): control 2 subjects. The optimal fit ARMA model contained two harmonics in eight of 10 control subjects but was more variable in the CFS subjects (1 harmonic: 5 subjects; 2 harmonics: 1 subject; 3 harmonics: 4 subjects). The goodness of fit measures for the optimal ARMA model were also better in the control than the CFS group, but the differences were not statistically significant. We conclude that, measured under ambulatory conditions, the circadian rhythm of CBT in CFS is nearly indistinguishable from that of normal control subjects although there was a tendency for greater variability in the rhythm. Hence, it is unlikely that the symptoms of CFS are because of disturbance in the circadian rhythm of CBT.
Postprandial impairment of resistance vessel function in insulin treated patients with diabetes mellitus type‐2
Authors: Francesconi Mario , Koizar Claudia , Wascher Thomas C.
Published: March 2003

Reduced postischaemic reactive hyperaemia, is considered a marker of impaired resistance vessel function. Acute postprandial hyperlipidaemia has been shown to induce vascular dysfunction. In the present study, the impact of postprandial hyperglycaemia on resistance vessel reactivity was investigated in insulin treated type‐2 diabetic patients. The study was performed in 16 insulin treated type‐2 diabetics (eight male/eight female, age 47 ± 3 years, HbA1c 7·2 ± 0·2) and 16 controls. Reactive hyperaemia was measured in the forearm by venous occlusion plethysmography after 5 min of ischaemia in the fasting state and 90 min after a test meal. In diabetics, blood glucose increased from 8·7 ± 1·1 to 15·3 ± 1·0 mmol l−1 (P<0·001) postprandially. This resulted in (i) a significant increase of resting blood flow (3·4 ± 0·3 to 4·8 ± 0·4 ml min−1 100 ml−1, P<0·01) and (ii) in a reduced peak reactive hyperaemia (52·3 ± 7·4 to 36·8 ± 4·3 ml min−1 100 ml−1, P<0·005). In controls, a similar effect of the meal on resting flow was observed but reactive hyperaemia was unaltered. In the absence of a test meal, basal flow as well as peak reactive hyperaemia remained unchanged in diabetic as well as in non‐diabetic subjects. Our data provide evidence that in the postprandial state resistance vessel reactivity becomes reduced in insulin treated type‐2 diabetic patients.
Comparison of airway conductance and FEV1 as measures of airway responsiveness to methacholine
Authors: Sundblad Britt‐Marie , Malmberg Per , Larsson Kjell
Published: March 2003

When defining bronchial responsiveness in healthy, non‐asthmatic, subjects exposed in different working situations, it is not clear whether different outcome measures yield similar results. Therefore, the concentration and dose of methacholine that caused a 20% decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (PC20FEV1 and PD20FEV1), the corresponding change in Gaw and the relationship between the dose–response slope (DRS) for FEV1 and Gaw was studied in different working populations and healthy control subjects (n=1038). The two outcome measures were compared in groups of subjects in whom differences in bronchial responsiveness could be anticipated [atopics (n=72) and non‐atopics (n= 207) and subjects exposed (n=54) and not exposed (n=32) to saw dust]. A bronchial challenge was also made before and after exposure in a swine confinement building, an exposure known to increase bronchial responsiveness (n=37). PD20FEV1 was 1·7 mg in atopics and 4·9 mg in non‐atopics, 7·1 mg in saw dust exposed and >20 mg in non‐exposed subjects and 5·3 mg before and 0·79 mg after exposure to organic dust. There was a correlation between DRSFEV1 and DRSGaw, r=0·87 (P<0·001). In subjects who were highly sensitive to methacholine a 20% change in FEV1 corresponded to <40% change in Gaw, while a 20% decrease in FEV1 corresponded to none or a minor decrease in Gaw in subjects with less methacholine‐sensitive airways. The ability to detect differences in bronchial responsiveness between groups, or to detect changes in bronchial responsiveness following exposure was approximately the same for FEV1 and Gaw. The reproducibility was similar for both variables and a second measurement was within one doubling of the methacholine concentration of the first provocation in ≈95% of all measurements (n=41). In conclusion, with our methacholine provocation method, FEV1 and Gaw had similar sensitivity in detecting small differences in bronchial responsiveness in healthy subjects.
Disturbances in airflow dynamics and tracheal sounds during forced and quiet breathing in subjects with unilateral vocal fold paralysis
Authors: Saarinen Antti , Rihkanen Heikki , Malmberg L. Pekka , Pekkanen Leena , Sovijärvi Anssi R. A.
Published: March 2003

Variable extra thoracic obstruction has been found in spirometric studies in subjects with unilateral vocal fold paralysis. The aim of the study was to further evaluate airflow dynamics in these subjects with body plethysmography and tracheal sound analysis. Ten patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis without a history of chronic pulmonary diseases and 10 healthy control subjects were studied. Flow‐volume spirometry, body plethysmography and tracheal sound analysis were performed within 1 day. The study shows that peak inspiratory flow (PIF) and specific airway conductance (SGaw) expressed as percentage of Finnish reference values were significantly lower and airway resistance (Raw) was higher among the patients than among the controls (P=0·004, P=0·026 and P=0·004, respectively). The patients had higher sound amplitude of both inspiratory and expiratory tracheal sounds than the controls [root mean square (RMS) values of the power spectra were 31·5 and 25 dB, P=0·006 in inspiration and 31·5 and 26 dB, P=0·013 in expiration, respectively]. Quartile frequencies (F25 and F50) and RMS of expiratory tracheal sounds had significant negative correlation with PIF (P=0·02, P<0·001, P=0·02, respectively) and forced inspiratory volume in 1 s (FIV1) (P=0·01, P<0·001, P=0·01, respectively). There was also an association between F50 and peak expiratory flow (PEF) (P=0·02). According to the present study, both quiet breathing and forced inspiration are disturbed in subjects with unilateral vocal fold paralysis. A close relationship between tracheal sounds and respiratory function tests exists.
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of testicular germ cell tumours; a 10‐year experience in a community hospital
Authors: GarcÍa‐Solano  , Sánchez‐Sánchez  , Montalbán‐Romero  , Sola‐Pérez  , Pérez‐Guillermo
Published: March 2003

garcía‐solano j., sánchez‐sánchez c., montalbán‐romero s., sola‐pérez j. and pérez‐guillermo m. (1998) Cytopathology9, 248–262

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of testicular germ cell tumours; a 10‐year experience in a community hospital

A retrospective reappraisal is made of the smears of 29 testicular germ cell tumours (TGCT) studied by FNA in which both orchiectomy specimens and histologic diagnoses were available. In 22 cases (75.86%) the yield was sufficient and contained cells suitable for cytologic diagnosis; in these 22 cases a diagnosis of malignancy was reached. In four cases (13.79%) the yield was sparse and diagnostic cells were partially obscured by haemorrhage and necrosis; these cases were categorized as suspicious of malignancy. In three cases (10.34%) the yield was not suitable for cytologic evaluation because haemorrhage and necrosis hampered evaluation of diagnostic cells. The cytologic findings that enable a reliable diagnosis of TGCT are described and those cytologic features that may lead the less experienced cytopathologist into an erroneous diagnosis are discussed. Pure TGCT can be confidently diagnosed with FNA and mixed TGCT can be successfully diagnosed, although it is difficult to recognize every cytologic subtype observed in the histologic sections. Despite the advantages of FNA for the prompt diagnosis of TGCT, FNA can not fully replace the histologic diagnosis and should rather be considered as a helpful tool in the work‐up of testicular tumours.
Diagnostic utility of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology in HIV‐infected patients with lymphadenopathy
Authors: Reid A. J. C. , Miller R. F. , Kocjan G. I.
Published: March 2003

reid a. j. c., miller r. f. and kocjan g. i. (1998) Cytopathology9, 230–239

Diagnostic utility of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology in HIV‐infected patients with lymphadenopathy

Sixty‐five FNA cytology procedures were performed on lymph nodes in 52 HIV+ patients. Cervical lymph nodes were the commonest site of FNA cytology investigation (54%). The diagnoses were persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (38%), infection (17%), and malignancy (11%). Diagnosis could not be rendered in 25% of FNA cytology due to inadequate sampling. Of those with infection, mycobacterial disease was the commonest cause (91%), the diagnosis of which was enhanced by concurrent microbiological examination. Non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma was the commonest malignancy. Sixteen lymph node FNA cytologies had subsequent tissue biopsy. There were two false‐positive and four false‐negative FNA cytologies. FNA cytology in HIV+ patients is most useful in the diagnosis of infection, obviating the need for tissue biopsy and allowing prompt initiation of treatment.
Chromosome 11 aneuploidy detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) in breast cancer: relation with progesterone receptor expression
Authors: Mialhe A. , Louis J. , Cassanelli S. , Seigneurin D.
Published: March 2003

Progesterone receptor (PR) expression is known to be impaired in breast cancer. As the PR gene is located on chromosome 11 which is also often affected, we studied their relationship in 15 patients with breast carcinoma. Tumoural imprints were used for PR immunocytochemistry and for FISH with chromosome 11 centromeric probes. Distribution profiles of chromosome 11 number in PR+ and PR− cell populations were examined. No difference in the number of chromosome 11 was found between PR+ and PR− breast tumours. Thus, loss of PR expression in breast cancer cannot be explained only by loss of chromosome 11; other genetic or non‐genetic mechanisms should be advanced.
Polymorphous low‐grade adenocarcinoma of the soft palate: fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology
Authors: MINCIONE G. P. , NESI G. , AMOROSI A.
Published: March 2003

INTRODUCTION
Human papillomavirus (HPV) in high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) detected by morphology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)—a cytohistologic correlation of 277 cases treated by laser conization
Authors: Lie A. K. , Isaksen C. V. , Skarsvåg S. , Haugen O. A.
Published: March 2003

Human papillomavirus (HPV) in high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) detected by morphology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)—a cytohistologic correlation of 277 cases treated by laser conization

The aims of this study were to evaluate the cytohistologic correlation in women treated for high‐grade lesions of the cervix uteri (HG CIN), to assess the distribution of HPV features and finally to test the validity of the morphological criteria of HPV infection. The smears and biopsy specimens from 277 women treated for HG CIN by laser conization were re‐evaluated blindly. Tissue blocks (n= 188) and 52 archival smears were examined for HPV DNA using PCR. HPV changes were detected with equal frequency in the smears and biopsy specimens by light microscopy; 63% and 65%, respectively. The prevalence of HPV DNA in biopsies was 88% and in archival smears 85%; agreement was found in 89% of the cases. Using PCR as the gold standard, we found a sensitivity of 63% for cytology and 70% for histology; the specificity was 41% and 37%, respectively. The positive predictive value was > 80%, but the negative predictive value was < 20%. Our study confirms that HPV features are frequently associated with HG CIN and that morphology is a non‐specific method of identifying HPV infection and should be followed by PCR, also allowing detection of oncogenic HPV types and latent infections.
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade III (CIN III) and invasive cervical carcinoma: the yawning gap revisited and the treatment of risk
Authors: Herbert A. , Smith J. A. E.
Published: March 2003

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade III (CIN

III) and invasive cervical carcinoma: the yawning gap revisited and the treatment of risk

In a 3‐year study of the population of Southampton and south‐west Hampshire there were 10 times as many cases of CIN III compared with invasive squamous carcinoma (700 compared with 70). The peak incidence of CIN III per 1000 screened women years was in those aged 25–29 years, which was 20 years earlier than the peak incidence of invasive cervical cancer per 1000 women years at risk. Ninety percent of CIN III was diagnosed in women under 50 years. There were 14 cases of cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia grade III (CGIN III), three coexisting with CIN III, all in women aged under 50 years: the gap between intraepithelial and invasive lesions was not seen for glandular neoplasia. Although referral was for at least moderate dyskaryosis in 86.8% of women with CIN III or CGIN III, most had been screened previously, either having had mild abnormalities requiring repeat cytology (39.8%) or negative cytology (34.5%). Only 12 women aged ≥ 50 years had previous negative cytology: 21.4% compared with 35.6% of women aged < 50 years (P = 0.034). The results of this study suggest that the best opportunity for preventing invasive squamous cell carcinoma lies in screening women aged 20–39 years when the incidence of CIN III in the screened population is highest and before the peak incidence of invasive disease. The results also indicate the importance of repeated screening and follow up of minor cytological abnormalities in the detection of CIN III. The benefit of screening must be regarded as a treatment of risk, since it is almost certain that a high proportion of CIN III regresses or persists unchanged.
Fine needle aspiration cytology of malignant melanoma of soft parts: a case report and literature review
Authors: Hombal S. M.
Published: March 2003

Introduction
Cervical disease in women referred to colposcopy following inadequate smears
Authors: Hollingworth J. , Kotecha K. , Dobbs S. P. , Shaw P. A. V. , Ireland D.
Published: March 2003

The aim of this audit was to determine if inadequate cervical smears are associated with significant cervical pathology. Case records for 52 women with three consecutive inadequate smears referred for colposcopy to the Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI) were retrieved. Sixteen women underwent large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was identified in six cases. There were no cases of inadequate smears initiating the diagnosis in 100 consecutive women with invasive cervical cancer. Inadequate smears are associated with high rates of treatment for a low yield of CIN. To reduce morbidity associated with colposcopy it may be acceptable to repeat an inadequate smear after 6 months rather than arranging immediate recall.
Amoebiasis: diagnosis by aspiration and exfoliative cytology
Authors: Bhambhani S. , Kashyap V.
Published: March 2003

Amoebiasis: diagnosis by aspiration and exfoliative cytology

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the use of fine needle aspiration and exfoliative cytology in the identification of amoebic cysts/trophozoites, and to characterize amoebiasis. The subjects consisted of 15 patients, 11 diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) as amoebic abscesses (14 liver and one pulmonary) and four women whose cervical smears contained Entamoeba histolytica cysts or trophozoites. Of 128 ultrasonographically guided FNAC of hepatic lesions over a four year period, 17 were abscesses of which 10 were diagnosed as amoebic. A single case of pulmonary amoebiasis was detected in an 18‐year‐old male. The case was initially diagnosed as tubercular due to deceptive symptomatology. Three cases of amoebic cysts and one trophozoite were reported on routine cervical smear screening. All four cases were unsuspected for amoebic infection. The disease may easily go undetected unless meticulous screening is exercised, and the search for cysts or trophozoites is made with clear concepts of the morphological characteristics of E. histolytica in mind.
Variation in the assessment of adequacy in cervical smears
Authors: MIGLIORE GIOVANNA , ROSSI EMILIA , ALDOVINI ANDREA , MUDU PIERPAOLO , ALDERISIO MAURO , GIOVAGNOLI M. ROSARIA , FABIANO ALFREDO , MOROSINI PIER LUIGI , BRANCA MARGHERITA
Published: March 2003

Variation in the assessment of adequacy in cervical smears

Objective: To assess the interobserver reproducibility of the diagnosis of `adequacy' of cervical smears according to the Bethesda System criteria in cervical smears.

Study design:    358 cervical smears were obtained from three Italian cytopathological centres in 1998–99. All centres provided consecutively collected smears. The cervical smears were independently and blindly assessed by four cytologists.

The screening was performed using a 10x objective and an additional evaluation of the percentage of cellularity was performed using a 4x objective.

Results: The proportion of smears assessed by the four cytologists as `adequate' ranged from 60% to 70%, the proportion of `satisfactory for evaluation but limited by' ranged from 27% to 38%, and the proportion of `inadequate smears' ranged from 2% to 4%. Full agreement in the assessment of smear adequacy was observed in 311 slides and disagreement was observed only in 47.

The category `inadequate smear' was less reliable than the other two; however, the kappa value observed was acceptable.

Conclusion: The present study shows that it is possible to achieve a high reproducibility in the assessment of smear adequacy, at least among expert cytologists who follow the Bethesda System criteria strictly.
Peripheral endothelial cells are not reliable in differentiating primary benign and malignant hepatocellular lesions in fine needle aspirates of the liver
Authors: YU GORDON H. , GUSTAFSON KAREN S. , PAN SHIEN‐TUNG , WETHERINGTON R. WESLEY
Published: March 2003

The distinction of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from benign lesions of the liver in fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimens can be problematic. In an attempt to separate well‐differentiated HCC from benign hepatocellular lesions, the presence of tissue fragments displaying peripheral endothelial cells (PE) has been proposed in a previous study as a useful feature in favour of malignancy. In this study, we evaluated slides from 59 cases of liver masses undergoing FNA (19 HCC, 40 benign) and evaluated them for the presence of tissue fragments containing PE. We found that 90% of cases of HCC contained tissue fragments in which PE were either focally present or abundant. However, 68% of cases containing only benign hepatocytes also contained tissue fragments in which PE were at least focally present. In addition, it appears that within the group of benign lesions, the presence of PE was related to the overall cellularity of the specimen rather than the specific nature of the lesion. Thus, the presence of PE in tissue fragments does not, in isolation, appear to be a useful morphological feature for the separation of benign and malignant hepatocellular lesions in FNA material.
Optimal patch use by foraging workers of Lasius fuliginosus, L. niger and Myrmica ruginodis
Authors: BONSER ROB , WRIGHT PHILIP J. , BAMENT SIMON , CHUKWU UCHEGBU O.
Published: March 2003

1. The predictions of the marginal value theorem, that foragers should spend more time in both better quality patches and more distant patches, were tested with three European ant species, Lasius fuliginosus, L. niger and Myrmica ruginodis.

2. As the quality of patches of sucrose solution increased, the feeding time of foraging workers of L. niger also increased.

3. At constant patch quality, feeding times of L. niger and M. ruginodis increased with increasing distance of the patch from the nest entrance.

4. Foraging workers of L. fuliginosus showed a similar response to patch distance in the field, but feeding times were also significantly influenced by air temperature, decreasing as temperature increased.

5. These results show qualitative agreement with the predictions of the marginal value theorem.
Differential dispersal and female‐biased sex allocation in a parasitic wasp
Authors: ODE PAUL , ANTOLIN MICHAEL , STRAND MICHAEL
Published: March 2003

1. Differential dispersal of males and females from a population is predicted to result in biased sex‐allocation decisions, even in the absence of sibmating.

2. Mated Bracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) females produce distinctly female‐biased sex ratios (≈ 30% male), yet sibmating is not a feature of the mating biology of this species. Therefore the dispersal behaviour of male and female B. hebetor from caged subpopulations was examined.

3. A higher proportion of females than males dispersed from the caged subpopulations. Furthermore, females dispersed earlier than males. This suggests that the level of competition for mates experienced by males is higher than the level of competition for hosts experienced by sisters.

4. Roughly half of the dispersing females left after they had mated. Females generally mate once in their lifetimes, suggesting that competition between brothers for mates may be high.
Monogamy in the bark beetle Ips latidens: ecological correlates of an unusual mating system
Authors: Reid MarY. L.
Published: March 2003

Abstract. 1. The diversity of mating systems in bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) is poorly understood. Ips latidens (LeConte) is a small‐bodied species of a harem polygynous genus whose mating system in nature had not been established previously. This study examines the breeding biology of I. latidens breeding in recently dead ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) in California. It was expected that both the heterogeneous habitat quality inherent in dead trees and small body size would favour polygyny.

2. Contrary to expectations, I. latidens was found to be monogamous on the basis of excavations of 131 galleries conducted throughout the oviposition period at two wind‐felled trees and at four sites composed of freshly‐cut logs. Males left the galleries much sooner than females (50% gone by 24 and 36 days, respectively).

3. Individual females made up to four egg gallery arms extending from the male nuptial chamber, with the number of arms and the length of individual arms increasing with the age of the gallery. The relationship between total gallery length and gallery age was consistent among the trees and log sites, and did not depend on the presence of the male.

4. Ips latidens bred in a wide range of tree diameters (10–24 cm), and occurred in both pure aggregations and in aggregations with two other bark beetle species, Dendroctonus brevicomis and I. paraconfusus. The presence of the other species did not appear to influence negatively the density of I. latidens.

5. Monogamy in I. latidens may be due to lower male mortality during dispersal associated with a greater range of suitable breeding habitat than occurs for other Ips species, resulting in an even sex ratio at breeding sites.
Diel vertical movements by lotic mayfly nymphs under variable predation risk
Authors: Muotka TimO. , Huhta ArtO. , Tikkanen Pertti
Published: March 2003

1. The diel foraging periodicities of two grazing mayfly (Ephemeroptera) nymphs, Heptagenia dalecarlica and Baetis rhodani, under variable fish (European minnow) predation risk were examined in a series of laboratory experiments.

2. Heptagenia dalecarlica were almost exclusively nocturnal in their use of feeding areas on stone tops. There was a sharp increase in the proportion of nymphs out of refuge at nightfall, both in the control and fish‐odour treatments. In a treatment with freely moving fish, H. dalecarlica decreased their activity during both the day and night. In feeding trials with three freely foraging minnows, nymphs were completely safe when they had access to refuges beneath stones, whereas almost half the nymphs were consumed when no refuges were available.

3. Baetis rhodani nymphs reduced their use of stone tops when exposed to four caged minnows or a freely moving fish, but this occurred both day and night. In feeding trials, B. rhodani were captured only while in the water column, and their mortality risk was independent of refuge availability.

4. It is suggested that because H. dalecarlica lack efficient post‐encounter defences, they must rely on pre‐encounter mechanisms to reduce the threat of fish predation. It appears that in order to dwell sympatrically with fish, H. dalecarlica have evolved a coexistence by hiding strategy. In contrast, Baetis are vulnerable to fish attacks only if they enter drift in daylight, and are thus able to remain on stone tops both during the day and at night.
Salinity and shade preferences result in ovipositional differences between sympatric tiger beetle species
Authors: Hoback W. Wyatt , Golick Douglas A. , Svatos Tina M. , Spomer Stephen M. , Higley Leon G.
Published: March 2003

1. Adult tiger beetles of the genus Cicindela often co‐occur within a habitat but larvae do not. Larvae are sedentary and form usually permanent burrows at the site of oviposition where they require 1–3 years for development.

2. To test niche partitioning based on ovipositional preference, the behaviour of two sympatric salt marsh tiger beetles, Cicindela circumpicta and C. togata (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae), were examined.

3. In laboratory studies, female C. circumpicta and C. togata distinguished between experimental salinities, with the former preferring 4 parts per thousand (ppt) and the latter preferring 12 ppt. In the field, C. circumpicta larvae were associated with lower salinities (1–3 ppt) and vegetation along the edges of salt flats while C. togata larvae were found on open salt flats often near halophytes (average salinity = 7.8 ppt).

4. In the field, females chose sites for oviposition in response to shade but not vertical landmarks. In a direct test, 53 of 56 new larval burrows occurred in shaded treatments, three in nonshaded controls.

5. Compared with nonshaded controls, shade increased survival of eggs that were collected in the laboratory and placed in the field. For C. circumpicta eggs, 78% placed in shaded treatments hatched, while significantly fewer (22%) hatched in exposed treatments. For C. togata, 43% of eggs placed in the shade hatched, while no eggs placed in exposed treatments hatched.

6. These results support the hypothesis of niche partitioning between C. circumpicta and C. togata based on ovipositional choice and resulting larval habitat.
Insect–plant interactions among gall size determinants of adelgids
Authors: Ozaki Kenichi
Published: March 2003

1. The adelgid Adelges japonicus induces shoot galls in ezo‐spruce Picea jezoensis. The relative importance of shoot characteristics and the number of adelgids that induce a gall in determining resource availability on a shoot was examined. Gall volume, which is highly correlated with the number of larvae that mature in a gall, was used as a measure of resources available for adelgids on a shoot. Gall volume was partitioned into two components: the number of chambers and the chamber volume.

2. Path analysis revealed that the number of chambers in a gall was not affected by the number of leaves (which is an indirect measure of shoot length), the whorl where the gall was attached, or the number of surrounding shoots arising from the 1‐year‐old parent shoot. Each of these shoot characteristics, however, affected chamber volume: chamber volume increased with increasing numbers of leaves and surrounding shoots and with increasing heights of the whorls.

3. Two generations of adelgids contributed to gall enlargement in different ways: the number of gall founders affected the number of chambers, and the number of gall inhabitants affected chamber volume.

4. In a path diagram that incorporated the effects of both shoot characteristics and the numbers of adelgids, the numbers of adelgids in the two generations together accounted for 30% of the variance in gall volume, whereas the three shoot characteristics explained only 3.7% of the variance. This suggests that the amount of resources available in a gall is affected mainly by the numbers of adelgids but only slightly by shoot characteristics.
Response of Cydia pomonella to selection on mobility: laboratory evaluation and field verification
Authors: Keil Sabine , Gu Hainan , Dorn Silvia
Published: March 2003

1. The codling moth Cydia pomonella (L.), largely regarded as a sedentary species, shows great variation in flight capacity among individuals in the laboratory, as has been reported for tethered flight. The occurrence of individuals with the ability to fly over long distances is considered ecologically significant for the colonisation of new habitats in response to deteriorating environmental conditions. The work reported here was designed to investigate the importance of the genetic component in regulating dispersal in C. pomonella.

2. Bi‐directional selection on mobility measured by actograph was carried out in the laboratory. Both male and female codling moths responded significantly to the upward and downward selections. Divergence between the two selected strains occurred after one generation of selection and increased as further selections continued. The realised heritabilities for mobility were estimated as 0.43 in males and 0.29 in females when averaged from the two selection directions.

3. The dispersal capacity of the selected mobile and sedentary strains was verified by mark–release–recapture experiments in the field, though only the released male moths were captured effectively. Flight distances by males differed significantly between the two strains, with the mobile strain showing a greater dispersal capacity than the sedentary strain.

4. This study demonstrated a positive correlation between mobility measured by actograph and field dispersal capacity in the codling moth. Furthermore, it provides the first experimental data to show field performances of different genotypes in insect dispersal.