bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ein „Integrierter“ Fürstenspiegel im Prooimion der Επιτομη Λογικησ des Nikephoros Blemmydes
Authors: Carelos Pantelis
Published: February 2008

Zwischen 1258 und 1264 verfaßte Nikephoros Blemmydes eine Einführung in die Philosophie. Diese εἰσαγωγιϰὴ ἐπιτομὴ ist eine als Doppelhandbuch verfaßte Abhandlung, bestehend aus der ἐπιτομὴ λογιϰης und ἐπιτομὴ фυσιϰης. Während ersteres Werk mit einem Prooimion beginnt, verfügt der zweite Teil über keines. Dies bestätigt, in Verbindung mit weiteren Argumenten, die anderswo dargelegt werden, die These vom Doppelhandbuch, denn das Physiklehrbuch sollte gar nicht als selbständig gelten, sondern eine Fortsetzung der Logik sein. In historischen oder rhetorischen Werken sollte das Prooimion über die Ziele des Werkes belehren, Spannung erzeugen, das Wohlwollen für den Verfasser erwecken (captatio benevolentiae) sowie als Ort für eine direkte oder indirekte Widmung dienen.
Studien zu den Palimpsestfragmenten des sogenannten „Zeremonienbuches“ I. Prolegomena
Authors: Featherstone Michael , Grusková Jana , Kresten Otto
Published: February 2008

Daß einer der zentralsten Texte, mit denen sich die Byzantinistik zu beschäftigen hat, das unter dem Namen des Kaisers Konstantinos VII. Porphyrogennetos laufende „Zeremonienbuch“, nicht nur von einem codex unicus, dem Cod. Lips. Univ. Rep. I 17 (gr. 28) (im folgenden: L), repräsentiert wird, sondern daß es daneben auch einen Überlieferungszweig in Palimpsesten gibt, ist der Wissenschaft seit geraumer Zeit bekannt: 1960 veröffentlichten Cyril Mango und Ihor Ševčenko eine erste Studie zu den von ihnen im Cod. Chalc. S. Trinitatis 133 (125) aufgefundenen Palimpsestfragmenten (im folgenden: C), und in den siebziger Jahren des vergangenen Jahrhunderts entdeckten bzw. identifizierten Wolfgang Waldstein und Otto Kresten weitere palimpsestierte Bruchstücke im Cod. Athous Vatop. 1003 (im folgenden: V) und stellten fest, daß die palimpsestierten Folien des Vatopedinus aus dem nämlichen „Muttercodex“ stammen, der auch bei der Anfertigung des Chalcensis palimpsestiert und ausgebeutet wurde.
Pletho's date of death and the burning of his Laws
Authors: Monfasani John
Published: February 2008

I Pletho's Date of Death

In 1976 I denied the correctness of the commonly held date of 1452 for Pletho's death. I argued instead for 1454. The difference of two years meant not only that Pletho lived to see the fall of Constantinople in 1453, but also that a whole series of works in the Plato-Aristotle controversy had to be redated. The basis for the 1452 date is a notice found amid other notes by an unknown hand on the last folio of the fifteenth-century manuscript M. 15 in the University Library in Salamanca and in another series of notes in the hand of Pletho's disciple and admirer Demetrius Raoul Kabakes on f. 50v of Gr. 495 of the Bayerisches Staatsbibliothek, Munich. With only trivial variation, both notes state that Master Gemistus died on the first hour of Monday, 26 June in the fifteenth Indiction. Since the only year in this period in which 26 June falls on a Monday in the fifteenth Indiction is 1452, Pletho's date of death seems well established. Though Kabakes was a bizarre character whose trademark was, in Bidez's phrase, an orthographe fantasiste, the fact that he wrote the notice in Munich Gr. 495 might be viewed as strenghtening its credibility. Futhermore, since Dositheus, Metropolitan of Monembasia seems to have died on 1 September 1452 and on blank folios (ff. 7v–8r) in MS Venice, Bibl. Marc., Zan. Gr. 333 (= 644) Bessarion wrote his memorial verses on Pletho and then his memorial verses on Dositheus, one can argue that in the summer of 1452 Bessarion first heard of Pletho's death and then a few months later of Dositheus'. Nonetheless, the death notice is certainly wrong.
Der Mensch als Selbstaufgabe. Psychologie Gregors von Nyssa in de Perfectione auf dem Hintergrund der Seelenlehre Platos
Authors: Pochoshajew Igor
Published: February 2008

Die neuste Ausgabe von Beierwaltes' grundlegender Studie zur Frage nach dem Verhältnis von Platonismus und Christentum, die die Forschungsdebatte seit Harnacks These von einer im zweiten Jahrhundert erfolgten Hellenisierung des Christentums beschäftigt, intendiert bereits in der Formulierung des Titels eine differenzierte Sicht ihres Untersuchungsgegenstands, wobei das Anliegen dann in der Einleitung ausführlich verdeutlicht wird: Die Absicht der Untersuchung ist es, einer unangemessenen Vereinfachung eines komplexen Sachverhaltes durch eine detaillierte Erörterung der Bedeutung der platonischen Denkformen bei den christlichen Theologen entgegenzuwirken. Dieser Zielsetzung wird die überzeugende Abhandlung von Beierwaltes gerecht, indem sie die Bandbreite und Facettenfülle der geistigen Anleihen der christlichen Theologen beim platonischen Geistesgut aufzeigt und erörtert.
Leon (* um 939; † vor 6. April 945): der zweite Sohn Konstantins VII. Porphyrogennetos
Authors: Pratsch Thomas
Published: February 2008

Konstantin VII. Porphyrogennetos hatte neben seinem bekannten Sohn Romanos (dem späteren Kaiser Romanos II.) noch einen weiteren Sohn namens Leon. Dieser Leon erblickte um 939 das Licht der Welt. Es ist möglich und sogar wahrscheinlich, läßt sich aber nicht mit absoluter Sicherheit sagen, ob er der ältere und damit erstgeborene der beiden Brüder war. Der Altersunterschied der beiden Brüder war jedenfalls nicht allzu groß. Aus einem Brief ihres Vaters geht hervor, daß beide Brüder in ihrer frühen Kindheit anscheinend relativ schwer erkrankt waren. Es ist möglich, aber doch eher unwahrscheinlich, daß gerade diese, in dem Brief erwähnte Erkrankung zum Tode Leons führte. Leon war möglicherweise noch gegen Ende der Herrschaft des Kaisers Romanos I. Lakapenos, im Jahre 944 am Leben. Er starb aber vermutlich in diesem Jahr oder zu Beginn des nächsten Jahres. Am 6. April 945, zum Zeitpunkt der Mitkaiserkrönung seines Bruders Romanos, weilte er jedenfalls nicht mehr unter den Lebenden. Es ist möglich, aber nicht zu beweisen, daß er in dem im Zeremonienbuch erwähnten kleinen Larnakion im Heroon Konstantins des Großen in der Apostelkirche zu Konstantinopel, der Begräbnisstätte seiner Familie, beigesetzt war.
Mediaeval Bulgarian and Serbian theological literature: an essential Vademecum
Authors: Thomson Francis J.
Published: February 2008

The name of Gerhard PODSKALSKY is well known to all Byzantinists and his works on Russian Christianity and theology (988–1237) and Greek theology (1453–1821) published by Beck in 1982 and 1988 respectively have become classic works of reference. Since both Bulgaria and Serbia were the Empire's immediate neighbours and at various times integral parts of the Byzantine Empire this book is of greater importance for the Byzantinist than the previous two and without any doubt it will find a place in every scholar's library. In his preface the author stresses (p. VII) that the book has been written with Western scholars in mind and for this reason he not only gives brief summaries of the contents of all original Slav works but also lists translations in Western languages of the works discussed, which makes the book invaluable for scholars who do not have a working knowledge of Slavonic and modern Slav languages.
Zu Genese und Kompositionsvorgang der Συνοψισ Χρονικη des Theodoros Skutariotes
Authors: Tocci Raimondo
Published: February 2008

Unser Wissen über Theodoros Skutariotes, den Autor der Σύνοψις χϱονιϰή und Metropoliten von Kyzikos (1277–1283), stützt sich im wesentlichen auf sein literarisches Werk, überliefertes Urkundenmaterial und wenige Erwähnungen des Geschichtsschreibers Georgios Pachymeres. Aus diesen Quellen erhalten wir neben biographischen Informationen zu seiner Person auch Anhaltspunkte, die eine Charakterisierung des Kirchenpolitikers Theodoros ermöglicht haben.
Erica CRUIKSHANK DODD, Medieval painting in the Lebanon. Sprachen und Kulturen des Christlichen Orients, 8
Authors: Jolivet-Lévy Catherine
Published: February 2008

Après sa remarquable étude des peintures de Mar Musa al-Habashi, en Syrie, E. CRUIKSHANK DODD (C. D.) nous livre enfin le résultat de longues années d'exploration et de recherches sur les peintures médiévales du Liban, ouvrage depuis longtemps annoncé et impatiemment attendu. S'il s'inscrit dans la continuité des travaux menés par l'A., cet ouvrage témoigne aussi, avec d'autres, du renouveau de l'étude du patrimoine archéologique libanais, antique et médiéval, après la longue interruption de la recherche scientifique consécutive aux événements douloureux de la seconde moitié du XXe s. L'ouvrage récent et magnifiquement illustré de L. NORDIGUIAN et J.-C. VOISIN, Châteaux et Églises du Moyen Âge au Liban (Éditions Terre du Liban/ Éditions Trans-Orient 1999), nous avait déjà familiarisés avec les ensembles picturaux présentés par C. D., mais ceux-ci n'avaient pas fait l'objet d'une étude d'ensemble approfondie, qui les replace à la fois dans l'histoire du Liban médiéval, et, plus généralement, dans celle des régions de la Méditerranée orientale à l'époque des croisades. En effet, bien que la tradition picturale au Liban soit évidemment antérieure à l'arrivée des Francs, les peintures conservées, qui se trouvent principalement dans des zones montagneuses et reculées, au nord du pays – dans l'ancien Comté de Tripoli – remontent, pour la majorité d'entre elles, à la période prospère de l'occupation croisée (XIIe–XIIIe s.), une seule inscription étant précisément datée (Mar Saba d'Eddé, 1261/2). Les ensembles antérieurs, attestés par les source textuelles, ont disparu, tandis que d'autres, encore conservés au siècle dernier, ont fait les frais de restaurations intempestives ou de la guerre du Liban.
Giuseppe FLAMMINI (ed.), Hermeneumata Pseudodositheana Leidensia. Bibliotheca Scriptorum Graecorum et Romanorum Teubneriana
Authors: Rochette Bruno
Published: February 2008

Méthode d'étude du latin – et plus tard aussi du grec – pour grands débutants, les Hermeneumata Pseudodositheana (HP) – ainsi improprement appelés parce qu'ils sont placés, dans le Codex Sangallensis 902, immédiatement après l'Ars Dosithei magistri – étaient destinés à des Grecs de l'Empire romain qui voulaient apprendre le latin. La connaissance de la langue de Rome était en effet indispensable pour accéder à des postes importants dans l'administration, l'armée ou la justice, surtout après les réformes dioclétiennes. Composés sans doute au IIIe s. – la 4e section de la recension de Leyde date du 11 septembre 207 (CGL, III, 56, 30–34), ces manuels bilingues très diffusés dans l'Europe carolingienne font penser à notre méthode moderne Assimil. Sorte de Lehrbuch à finalité pratique, ils nous sont parvenus non dans un texte unique, mais dans neuf recensions différentes, conservées par une cinquantaine de manuscrits occidentaux: Hygini Herm. (HH), Herm. Montepessulana (HMp), Herm. Bruxellensia (HB), Herm. Stephani (HS), Herm. Leidensia (HL), Herm. Monacensia (HM), Herm. Einsidlensia (HE), Herm. Vaticana (HV), réédités récemment par G. Brugnoli et M. Buonocore, dont l'auteur est sans doute chrétien, et Hermeneumata Celtis (HC). Vu l'impossibilité de reconstituer les rapports de dépendance entres ces diverses recensions, elles ont été éditées séparément dans le troisième volume du Corpus Glossariorum Latinorum de G. GOETZ (Leipzig 1892). Ce n'est que tout récemment que FLAMMINI (F.) a tenté un examen de la recensio plenior Leidensis en vue d'établir le texte critique des HP. Après avoir présenté les résultats de cette enquête dans un article intitulé Prolegomena alla recensio plenior degli ‘Hermeneumata Pseudodositheana’, dans Giornale Italiano di Filologia 42, 1990, p. 3–43, il publie maintenant le texte dans la Bibliotheca Teubneriana.
Christopher S. LIGHTFOOT (ed.), Amorium Reports II. Research papers and technical reports. BAR International Series, 1170
Authors: Böhlendorf-Arslan Beate
Published: February 2008

Nach der ersten Publikation der Ergebnisse der Ausgrabungen von Amorium (M. GILL u. a., Amorium Reports, Finds I: The Glass (1987-1997). BAR Int. Series, 1070), Oxford 2002) liegt nun der zweite Band vor, der neben Forschungsberichten (Teil A) auch technische Untersuchungen (Teil B) verschiedener Bearbeiter umfaßt.
Maria G. PARANI, Reconstructing the reality of images. Byzantine material culture and religious iconography (11th to 15th centuries). The Medieval Mediterranean, 41
Authors: Piltz Elisabeth
Published: February 2008

In the last decades an increasing interest in everyday life in Byzantium has been manifested, not the least stimulated by the Birmingham Spring Symposia. Official and private collections have been brought to light. Maria PARANI (P.) has ventured to write a study not only about official and everyday furniture and implements but in the same work about the transmission of imperial insignia to the ecclesiastical realm. This work is an impressive scholarly accomplishment, written with much enthusiasm with beautiful layout and excellent quality of the illustrations.
Anastasios K. SINAKOS, Άνθϱωπος ϰαι πεϱιβάλλον στην πϱωτοβυζαντινή εποχή (4ος–6ος αι.). Вιβλιοθήϰη Ιστοϱιϰών Мελετών, 3
Authors: Telelis Ioannis
Published: February 2008

Although environmental history has emerged as a distinct historical field only since the late 1960s, it has a long ancestry. The idea that human society (and hence history) is affected by physical environment can be traced back as far as ancient Greece; ideas of climatic and geographical determinism were also widespread in the eighteenth and nineteenth century Europe. Modern environmental history has, however, been shaped by the development of historical geography and agrarian history, by attempts to establish a more scientific basis for history, and, more recently, by growing concern about environmental degradation. Modern environmental history can also be understood as part of a wider reaction against an older history of nations, states and “great men and women”. Byzantine studies too, have not avoided this “environmentalism”. Since the early 1980s various studies concerning aspects of historical geography of the Byzantine period have appeared.
Prediction of Effective Porosity of Contaminated Fine Grained Soils Using Electrical Properties
Authors: Meegoda Jay N. , Ratnaweera Prasanna
Published: February 2008

The effective porosity is a required parameter for mass flow rate calculations in groundwater hydrogeology and movement of contaminants through clay liners. It is also an important soil parameter in geotechnical engineering. In this manuscript, a laboratory methodology based on electrical properties of soils is proposed to estimate the effective porosity of contaminated soils. Based on the cluster model proposed by Olsen 1962 and the three possible electrical current paths through soils, a three-element electrical model is proposed. Bulk electrical properties of a soil element were mathematically derived for input frequencies of 1–100 MHz. The bulk electrical properties of three soils at different confining pressures in both horizontal and vertical directions were measured for the said frequency range. The measured and the predicted bulk electrical properties of soil were compared; the predictions were used to establish effective porosity of the soil element. The predicted effective porosity values for three soils under different chemical environments were compared with those measured using tracer test. The comparisons show that electrical measurements could predict effective porosities of contaminated fine grained soils. These measurements can then be used to estimate in situ effective porosities, to be used in contaminant transport models.
IGF-I increases the recruitment of GLUT4 and GLUT3 glucose transporters on cell surface in hyperthyroidism
Authors: Dimitriadis George , Maratou Eirini , Boutati Eleni , Kollias Anastasios , Tsegka Katerina , Alevizaki Maria , Peppa Melpomeni , Raptis Sotirios A , Hadjidakis Dimitrios J
Published: February 2008

Objective

In hyperthyroidism, tissue glucose disposal is increased to adapt to high energy demand. Our aim was to examine the regulation of glucose transporter (GLUT) isoforms by IGF-I in monocytes from patients with hyperthyroidism.

Design and methods

Blood (20 ml) was drawn from 21 healthy and 10 hyperthyroid subjects. The abundance of GLUT isoforms on the monocyte plasma membrane was determined in the absence and presence of IGF-I (0.07, 0.14, and 0.7 nM) using flow cytometry. Anti-CD14-phycoerythrin monocional antibody was used for monocyte gating. GLUT isoforms were determined after staining the cells with specific antisera to GLUT3 and GLUT4.

Results

In monocytes from the euthyroid subjects, IGF-I increased the abundance of GLUT3 and GLUT4 on the monocyte surface by 25 and 21% respectively (P<0.0005 with repeated measures ANOVA). Hyperthyroidism increased the basal monocyte surface GLUT3 and GLUT4; in these cells, IGF-I had a marginal but highly significant effect (P=0.003, with repeated measures ANOVA) on GLUT3 (11%) and GLUT4 (10%) translocation on the plasma membrane.

Conclusions

In hyperthyroidism: 1) basal abundance of GLUT3 and GLUT4 on the plasma membrane is increased and 2) the sensitivity of the recruitment of GLUT3 and GLUT4 transporters on the plasma membrane in response to IGF-I is increased. These findings may contribute to the understanding of the mechanism by which hyperthyroidism increases glucose disposal in peripheral tissues.
Serum concentrations and expressions of serum amyloid A and leptin in adipose tissue are interrelated: the Genobin Study
Authors: Lappalainen T , Kolehmainen M , Schwab U , Pulkkinen L , Laaksonen D E , Rauramaa R , Uusitupa M , Gylling H
Published: February 2008

Objective

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a novel link between increased adipose tissue mass and low-grade inflammation in obesity. Little is known about the factors regulating its serum concentration and mRNA levels. We investigated the association between SAA and leptin in obese and normal weight subjects and analyzed the effect of weight reduction on serum SAA concentration and gene expression in adipose tissue of the obese subjects.

Methods

Seventy-five obese subjects (60±7 years, body mass index (BMI) 32.9±2.8 kg/m2, mean±s.d.) with impaired fasting plasma glucose or impaired glucose tolerance and other features of metabolic syndrome, and 11 normal weight control subjects (48±9 years, BMI 23.7±1.9 kg/m2) were studied at the baseline. Twenty-eight obese subjects underwent a 12-week intensive weight reduction program followed by 5 months of weight maintenance. Blood samples and abdominal s.c. adipose tissue biopsies were taken at the baseline and after the follow-up. Gene expression was studied using real-time quantitative PCR.

Results

The gene expressions in women and serum concentrations of leptin and SAA were interrelated independently of body fat mass in the obese subjects (r=0.54, P=0.001; r=0.24, P=0.039 respectively). In multiple linear regression analyses, leptin mRNA explained 38% of the variance in SAA mRNA (P=0.002) in the obese women. Weight loss of at least 5% increased SAA mRNA expression by 48 and 36% in men and women, but serum SAA concentrations did not change.

Conclusions

The association between SAA and leptin suggests an interaction between these two adipokines, which may have implications in inflammatory processes related to obesity and the metabolic syndrome.
Leptin and adiponectin concentrations in intrauterine growth restricted and appropriate for gestational age fetuses, neonates, and their mothers
Authors: Kyriakakou Marialena , Malamitsi-Puchner Ariadne , Militsi Helen , Boutsikou Theodora , Margeli Alexandra , Hassiakos Demetrios , Kanaka-Gantenbein Christina , Papassotiriou Ioannis , Mastorakos George
Published: February 2008

Objective

Leptin and adiponectin are two adipocytokines that play a critical role in the control of energy balance and metabolism as well as in conditions, such as insulin resistance, inflammation, and the development of the metabolic syndrome in adult life. Leptin has been associated with asymmetric intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The aim of this study was to investigate the perinatal implication of leptin and adiponectin in IUGR.

Design

Leptin and adiponectin were measured in the plasma of 40 mothers, in the umbilical cord (UC) blood of their 20 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and 20 IUGR singleton, full-term fetuses, and neonates on day 1 (d1) and day 4 (d4) of life postnatally.

Methods

Serum leptin and adiponectin levels were measured by RIA. Serum cortisol levels were measured with an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay.

Results

Leptin and adiponectin serum levels were higher and lower respectively in IUGR (mean±s.e.m., 32.5±3.8 and 5.4±0.9 μg/l respectively) compared with AGA (20.4±2.1 and 11.8±1.3 μg/l respectively) mothers (P<0.05), although body mass index did not differ between these two groups. Leptin levels positively correlated with adiponectin levels in the AGA (r=0.547, P<0.05) but not in the IUGR mothers. UC, d1, and d4 leptin and adiponectin levels did not differ between IUGR and AGA groups. UC were significantly higher than d1 leptin levels (P<0.05) in the IUGR group but not in the AGA group.

Conclusions

The increased UC leptin levels compared with d1 in IUGR fetuses might be directly and/or indirectly related to the subsequent development of insulin resistance in these neonates. This pathologic situation seems to be related to a specific profile of increased leptin and decreased adiponectin levels in IUGR mothers indicating a genetic predisposition for the development of insulin resistance.
Pheochromocytoma crisis induced by glucocorticoids: a report of four cases and review of the literature
Authors: Rosas Alejandro L , Kasperlik-Zaluska Anna A , Papierska Lucyna , Bass Barbara Lee , Pacak Karel , Eisenhofer Graeme
Published: February 2008

Context

Pheochromocytoma crisis (PC) is a rare life-threatening endocrine emergency that may present spontaneously or can be unmasked by ‘triggers’, including certain medications that provoke the release of catecholamines by tumors. Several isolated cases of PC have been reported after administration of exogenous glucocorticoids; evidence that these drugs cause adverse events in patients with pheochromocytoma is mainly anecdotal.

Patients

We report four cases of PC most likely induced by glucocorticoids and review seven previous reports in the literature linking steroid administration to the development of PC.

Results

In four new cases reported here, glucocorticoid administration was associated with a fatal outcome in one case, a pheochromocytoma multisystem crisis in another, and serious hypertensive crises in two others. Two patients had incidental adrenal masses and were undergoing high-dose dexamethasone suppression tests (DST).

Conclusions

Exogenous glucocorticoids may unpredictably trigger PC. Pheochromocytoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of any patient who develops a hypertensive crisis, cardiac failure, tachycardia, headache, and abdominal or chest pain after receiving exogenous glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoid induced PC is frequently associated with hemorrhagic pheochromocytoma. Although exogenous glucocorticoids cause serious complications unpredictably, they should be avoided or administered only if necessary and with caution in patients with known or suspected pheochromocytoma. During the investigation of incidental adrenal masses, pheochromocytoma should ideally be ruled out before administering glucocorticoids. However, no cases have been reported with 1 mg of dexamethasone when given as a DST in patients with pheochromocytoma; larger doses, as low as 2 mg of dexamethasone, may trigger a PC. A patient with pheochromocytoma presenting as an adrenal incidentaloma may also be at risk if exposed to glucocorticoids given as pre-treatment in case of allergy to contrast media.
Tumor producing fibroblast growth factor 23 localized by two-staged venous sampling
Authors: van Boekel Gerben , Ruinemans-Koerts Janneke , Joosten Frank , Dijkhuizen Paul , van Sorge Adriaan , de Boer Hans
Published: February 2008

Background

Tumor-induced osteomalacia is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by hypophosphatemia, renal phosphate wasting, suppressed 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D production, and osteomalacia. It is caused by a usually benign mesenchymal tumor producing fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23). Surgical excision of the tumor is the first choice of treatment because complete resection is curative. Unfortunately, localization often fails due to the small size of these neoplasms. According to the current standards, supportive care with oral phosphate and calcitriol is the only feasible option in such cases.

Case

In this report, we describe the diagnostic value of two-staged venous sampling to localize the FGF-23 secreting tumor in a case where conventional imaging failed. In addition, we examined the effect of dipyridamole on renal phosphate excretion, explored the efficacy of octreotide and calcitonin to suppress the FGF-23 production, and closely evaluated the hormonal changes following successful removal of the tumor. The latter observations indicate that calcitonin may be useful to suppress tumor-FGF-23 production and that FGF-23 may be a clinically relevant inhibitor of parathyroid hormone secretion in man.
Osteoprotegerin in relation to body weight, lipid parameters insulin sensitivity, adipocytokines, and C-reactive protein in obese and non-obese young individuals: results from both cross-sectional and interventional study
Authors: Gannagé-Yared Marie-Hélène , Yaghi Cesar , Habre Bassem , Khalife Simon , Noun Roger , Germanos-Haddad Myrna , Trak-Smayra Viviane
Published: February 2008

Objective

We analyzed the relation of osteoprotegerin (OPG) with insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), adipocytokines, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in obese and non-obese subjects.

Methods

In the study, 170 subjects (106 obese and 64 non-obese, sex ratio female/male=2.03) were included. Thirty-two obese subjects were reevaluated 6 months after the weight loss induced by bariatric surgery.

Results

OPG did not differ between obese and non-obese subjects (respective mean values 5.17 and 4.96 pmol/l) or according to gender, but was positively correlated with age (P<0.0001 for both groups). OPG was statistically higher in 18 obese diabetic subjects compared with non-diabetics (P=0.03). After adjustment for age, no significant correlation was found between OPG and body mass index (BMI), waist, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, leptin, and adiponectin in both the obese and non-obese subjects. However, OPG was positively correlated with homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index and SGPT levels in obese subjects at baseline (r=0.295, r=0.20, P<0.05) and after adjustment for age (r=0.28, r=0.20, P<0.05). OPG was also significantly correlated with CRP; this correlation persisted after adjustment for age in obese subjects (r=0.30, P<0.01). In a multivariate analysis in the obese group, HOMA index and CRP were independent predictors of OPG while SGPT was not. Six months post-surgery, OPG did not change, despite a significant reduction in glucose, SGPT, cholesterol, triglycerides, CRP, and leptin values (P=0.02, P=0.006, P=0.007, P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001 respectively) and a significant increase in adiponectin and HDL values (P<0.001 for both variables).

Conclusion

Our results show that in obese subjects, OPG is not related to BMI. However, we describe new relationships between OPG and both HOMA index and CRP.
Women gain weight and fat mass despite lipectomy at abdominoplasty and breast reduction
Authors: Rinomhota A S , Bulugahapitiya D U S , French S J , Caddy C M , Griffiths R W , Ross R J M
Published: February 2008

Objectives

In animal models, fat removal results in compensatory weight gain. No study has reported measurement of weight following lipectomy in humans. We have examined changes in weight in patients who underwent lipectomy.

Methods

In a retrospective analysis, 16 patients who had abdominoplasty and 17 patients who underwent bilateral breast reduction were compared with 16 patients who had carpal tunnel syndrome release. Following this, a prospective study was carried out on 7 subjects awaiting abdominoplasty and 12 subjects awaiting bilateral breast reduction surgery.

Results

In the retrospective study, all three patient groups gained weight following surgery. The abdominoplasty group was heavier before surgery and showed greatest weight gain but there was no statistically significant difference in weight gain between the groups. In the prospective study, the abdominoplasty group had a mean fat removal of 1.77 kg and breast reduction group had a mean of 3.22 kg. Eighteen months following surgery the abdominoplasty group showed a significant mean increase in body weight (mean increase: 4.82 kg) and body mass index (BMI) (mean increase: 1.66 kg/m2). In the bilateral breast reduction group, there was a non-significant mean gain in weight (mean increase: 0.67 kg) and BMI (mean increase: 0.21 kg/m2).

Conclusions

Patients undergoing lipectomy during abdominoplasty and bilateral breast reduction will gain weight in the long term. This weight gain probably reflects the expected gain in weight without surgery as a similar finding is observed in patients who have undergone surgery without lipectomy. These results highlight the limitation of lipectomy as a weight control measure.
Dickkopf-1 secreted by decidual cells promotes trophoblast cell invasion during murine placentation
Authors: Peng Sha , Li Jing , Miao Chenglin , Jia Liwei , Hu Zeng , Zhao Ping , Li Juxue , Zhang Ying , Chen Qi , Duan Enkui
Published: February 2008

Dickkopf-1 (Dkk1) is one of the secreted antagonists in the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. It plays important roles in diverse developmental processes. However, the role of Dkk1 in trophoblast cell invasion during placentation remains unclear. In this study, we found that Dkk1 was mainly expressed in maternal decidual tissue but trivially in ectoplacental cones (EPCs) in day 8post coitum(p.c.) pregnant mouse uterus and that the efficiency of EPC attachment and outgrowth was increased when co-cultured with decidual cells, which secreted Dkk1, and this enhancement was abolished by pretreating decidual cells with Dkk1 blocking antibody before co-culture experiment. This indicates that Dkk1 secreted by decidual cells plays an important role in trophoblast cell invasion. Indeed, when recombinant mouse Dkk1 was added to EPCsin vitro, the efficiency of attachment and outgrowth was increased. Migration of EPCs toward the decidua was retarded when antisense Dkk1 oligonucleotide (ODN) was administered via intrauterine injectionin vivo. Furthermore, the active β-catenin nuclear location was lost when we treated cultured EPCs with recombinant mouse Dkk1, and the efficiency of EPCs attachment and outgrowth was obviously increased when we treated cultured EPCs with antisense β-catenin ODN. Taken together, Dkk1 secreted by decidual cells may induce trophoblast cell invasion in the mouse and β-catenin may be involved in such functions of Dkk1.
Murine SPAM1 is secreted by the estrous uterus and oviduct in a form that can bind to sperm during capacitation: acquisition enhances hyaluronic acid-binding ability and cumulus dispersal efficiency
Authors: Griffiths Genevieve S , Miller Kimberly A , Galileo Deni S , Martin-DeLeon Patricia A
Published: February 2008

Sperm uptake of epididymal sperm adhesion molecule 1 (SPAM1)in vitrohas recently been shown to be a marker of sperm maturation, since acquisition of this surface hyaluronidase increases cumulus dispersal efficiency. Here, we demonstrate that this glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-linked sperm antigen, previously shown to be expressed during estrous in the female reproductive tract, is secreted in the uterine and oviductal fluids (ULF and OF respectively) in a 67 kDa form, which can bind to sperm. We show that it can be acquired by caudal sperm fromSpam1null,Spam1-deficient mutant, and wild-type (WT) micein vitroduring incubation in ULF or OF at 37 °C, as detected by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. SPAM1 binding after ULF incubation was localized predominantly to the acrosome and the mid-piece of the flagella ofSpam1null sperm in a pattern identical to that of WT sperm. After ULF incubation, WT sperm demonstrated a significantly (P<0.001) enhanced hyaluronic acid-binding ability, and the involvement of SPAM1 in this activity was shown by a significant (P<0.001) decrease in binding when sperm were exposed to SPAM1 antiserum-inhibited ULF. Importantly, whenSpam1null sperm were exposed to ULF with SPAM1 accessible (in the presence of pre-immune serum) or inaccessible (in the presence of SPAM1 antiserum) for uptake, there was a significant difference in cumulus dispersal efficiency. Taken together, these results suggest that in the sperm surface remodeling that occurs prior to and during capacitation, the fertilizing competence of sperm is increased via acquisition of SPAM1, and likely other hyaluronidases, from the female tract.
Spermatotoxic effect of aflatoxin B1 in rat: extrusion of outer dense fibres and associated axonemal microtubule doublets of sperm flagellum
Authors: Faisal K , Periasamy V S , Sahabudeen S , Radha A , Anandhi R , Akbarsha M A
Published: February 2008

Male Wistar rats were treated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Live as well as methanol-fixed cauda epididymal spermatozoa were stained with acridine orange (AO) and ethidium bromide (EB) and observed under a fluorescence microscope. Giemsa-stained smears were observed in a bright field microscope. Unstained smears were observed with phase contrast illumination. The axoneme of more than 10% of the spermatozoa of treated rats had the outer dense fibres (ODFs), in varying numbers, and the associated axonemal microtubule doublets of the flagellum extruded either at midpiece–principal piece junction or connecting piece. This could be perceived in all light microscopic preparations, but AO–EB staining offered an advantage of the assessment of the viability as well. TEM observation of sections of the testis and cauda epididymidis also revealed ODF extrusion, as seen in the transverse sections of sperm flagella missing one or more ODFs and the associated axonemal microtubule doublets. In a few such sections, the extruded elements were seen in the cytoplasm, outside the mitochondrial sheath or peripheral sheath. Marginal to severe mitochondrial pathologies were observed in the spermatozoa and elongated spermatids, suggesting a link between AFB1-induced sperm mitochondrial pathology and extrusion of ODFs. However, the possibility that AFB1 treatment would disrupt the cytoskeletal proteins of the flagellum, resulting in the extrusion of ODFs, cannot be excluded. This sperm abnormality is reported for the first time as produced by a dietary toxin. Dietary aflatoxins, therefore, could also be contributory factors for the deterioration of the reproductive health of men.
A novel physiological culture system that mimics luteal angiogenesis
Authors: Robinson R S , Hammond A J , Mann G E , Hunter M G
Published: February 2008

Luteal inadequacy is a major cause of poor embryo development and infertility. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is an essential process underpinning corpus luteum (CL) development and progesterone production. Thus, understanding the factors that regulate angiogenesis during this critical time is essential for the development of novel strategies to alleviate luteal inadequacy and infertility. This study demonstrates the development of a physiologically relevant primary culture system that mimics luteal angiogenesis. This system incorporates all luteal cell types (e.g. endothelial, steroidogenic cells, fibroblasts and pericytes). Using this approach, endothelial cells, identified by the specific marker von Willebrand factor (VWF), start to form clusters on day 2, which then proliferate and develop thread-like structures. After 9 days in culture, these tubule-like structures lengthen, thicken and form highly organized intricate networks resembling a capillary bed. Development of the vasculature was promoted by coating wells with fibronectin, as determined by image analysis (P<0.001). Progesterone production increased with time and was stimulated by LH re-enforcing the physiological relevance of the model in mimickingin vivoluteal function. LH also increased the area stained positively for VWF by twofold (P<0.05). Development of this endothelial cell network was stimulated by fibroblast growth factor 2 and vascular endothelial growth factor A, which increased total area of VWF positive staining on day 9, both independently (three- to fourfold;P<0.01) and in combination (tenfold;P<0.001). In conclusion, the successful development of endothelial cell networksin vitroprovides a new opportunity to elucidate the physiological control of the angiogenic process in the developing CL.
Molecular characterization and bioinformatics analysis of Ncoa7B, a novel ovulation-associated and reproduction system-specific Ncoa7 isoform
Authors: Shkolnik Ketty , Ben-Dor Shifra , Galiani Dalia , Hourvitz Ariel , Dekel Nava
Published: February 2008

In the present work, we employed bioinformatics search tools to select ovulation-associated cDNA clones with a preference for those representing putative novel genes. Detailed characterization of one of these transcripts, 6C3, by real-time PCR and RACE analyses led to identification of a novel ovulation-associated gene, designatedNcoa7B. This gene was found to exhibit a significant homology to theNcoa7gene that encodes a conserved tissue-specific nuclear receptor coactivator. UnlikeNcoa7,Ncoa7Bpossesses a unique and highly conserved exon at the 5′ end and encodes a protein with a unique N-terminal sequence. Extensive bioinformatics analysis has revealed thatNcoa7Bhas one identifiable domain, TLDc, which has recently been suggested to be involved in protection from oxidative DNA damage. An alignment of TLDc domain containing proteins was performed, and the closest relative identified wasOXR1, which also has a corresponding, highly related short isoform, with just a TLDc domain. Moreover,Ncoa7Bexpression, as seen to date, seems to be restricted to mammals, while other TLDc family members have no such restriction. Multiple tissue analysis revealed that unlikeNcoa7, which was abundant in a variety of tissues with the highest expression in the brain,Ncoa7BmRNA expression is restricted to the reproductive system organs, particularly the uterus and the ovary. The ovarian expression ofNcoa7Bwas stimulated by human chorionic gonadotropin. Additionally, using real-time PCR, we demonstrated the involvement of multiple signaling pathways forNcoa7Bexpression on preovulatory follicles.
Photoperiod-dependent modulation of anti-Müllerian hormone in female Siberian hamsters, Phodopus sungorus
Authors: Kabithe Esther W , Place Ned J
Published: February 2008

Fertility and fecundity decline with advancing age in female mammals, but reproductive aging was decelerated in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) raised in a short-day (SD) photoperiod. Litter success was significantly improved in older hamsters when reared in SD and the number of primordial follicles was twice that of females held in long days (LD). Because anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) appears to inhibit the recruitment of primordial follicles in mice, we sought to determine whether the expression patterns of AMH differ in the ovaries and serum of hamsters raised in SD versus LD. Ovaries of SD female hamsters are characterized by a paucity of follicular development beyond the secondary stage and are endowed with an abundance of large eosinophilic cells, which may derive from granulosa cells of oocyte-depleted follicles. In ovaries from 10-week-old SD hamsters, we found that the so-called ‘hypertrophied granulosa cells’ were immunoreactive for AMH, as were granulosa cells within healthy-appearing primary and secondary follicles. Conversely, ovaries from age-matched LD animals lack the highly eosinophilic cells present in SD ovaries. Therefore, AMH staining in LD was limited to primary and secondary follicles that are comparable in number to those found in SD ovaries. The substantially greater AMH expression in SD ovaries probably reflects the abundance of hypertrophied granulosa cells in SD ovaries and their relative absence in LD ovaries. The modulation of ovarian AMH by day length is a strong mechanistic candidate for the preservation of primordial follicles in female hamsters raised in a SD photoperiod.
Dihydrotestosterone influenced numbers of healthy follicles and follicular amounts of LH receptor mRNA during the follicular phase of the estrous cycle in gilts
Authors: Cárdenas H , Jiménez E , Pope W F
Published: February 2008

The present experiments were conducted to determine androgenic effects on numbers, health, and amounts of gonadotropin receptor mRNA in late developing follicles of gilts. Gilts (n=5 per group) received daily injections of one of the following treatments on days 13–16 or days 13–18 of the estrous cycle: corn oil, 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT, 10 mg), flutamide (1.5 g, an androgen receptor inhibitor), DHT (10 mg) plus flutamide (1.5 g), testosterone (10 mg), and testosterone (10 mg) plus flutamide (1.5 g). Ovarian follicles ≥5 mm in diameter were evaluated on day 17 or 19, 24 h after receiving the last treatment dose. Follicles were classified as healthy (H), moderately atretic (MA), or very atretic (VA). Treatment with DHT increased (P<0.05) the numbers of H follicles relative to control gilts on days 17 and 19. DHT administration from days 13 to 16 diminished (P<0.05) the amounts of LH receptor (LHR) mRNA in H follicles from day 17 (relative amounts: 1.45±0.33 and 2.72±0.33 for DHT- and vehicle-treated gilts respectively). The effects of DHT on numbers of H follicles and LHR mRNA were not observed in gilts receiving DHT plus flutamide. Androgens did not influence numbers of MA, VA, and total follicles, or follicular estradiol-17β concentrations and amounts of FSHR mRNA. Treating gilts with DHT during follicular recruitment and selection did not induce changes in the numbers of total follicles ≥5 mm, but rather increased the numbers of healthy follicles in this follicular population in association with decreased amounts of LHR mRNA.
Short‐term Safety and Tolerability of a Once‐Daily Fixed‐Dose Abacavir‐Lamivudine Combination versus Twice‐Daily Dosing of Abacavir and Lamivudine as Separate Components: Findings from the ALOHA Study
Authors: Cohen Calvin J. , Kubota Marshall , Brachman Philip S. , Harley William B. , Schneider Stefan , Williams Vanessa C. , Sutherland‐Phillips Denise H. , Lim Michael L. , Balu Rukmini B. , Shaefer Mark S.
Published: February 2008

Study Objective. To evaluate the short‐term (12 wks) safety and tolerability of a once‐daily, fixed‐dose abacavir‐lamivudine combination versus twice‐daily dosing of the separate components, both with background antiretroviral therapy.

Design. Phase IIIB, randomized, open‐label, parallel‐group, multicenter study.

Setting. One hundred forty‐six human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinics.

Patients. Six hundred eighty antiretroviral therapy‐naive patients with HIV type 1 RNA greater than 1000 copies/ml at baseline.

Intervention. Patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 manner to receive either abacavir 600 mg‐lamivudine 300 mg once/day or abacavir 300 mg twice/day and lamivudine 150 mg twice/day. Subjects were stratified based on choice of third or fourth antiretroviral drug (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor [NRTI], NNRTI, or protease inhibitor), assigned before randomization.

Measurements and Main Results. The primary end point was occurrence of grades 2–4 adverse events and serious adverse events; abacavir hypersensitivity reactions were considered serious adverse events. Baseline characteristics were similar between the once‐daily (455 patients) and twice‐daily (225 patients) groups. The rates of all grades 2–4 adverse events were similar: once‐daily 33% (150 patients), twice‐daily 31% (69). A slightly larger proportion of patients in the twice‐daily group experienced drug‐related grades 2–4 adverse events: once‐daily 10% (47), twice‐daily 16% (36). Rates of all serious adverse events (once‐daily 11% [49], twice‐daily 10% [22]) and drug‐related serious adverse events (once‐daily 5% [21], twice‐daily 8% [17]) were similar. The rate of suspected abacavir hypersensitivity reaction was 5.3% (once‐daily 4.4% [20], twice‐daily 7.1% [16]), with a higher rate for the NNRTI stratum of the twice‐daily group (8.6% [10]) than in any other stratum (once‐daily, NNRTI 4.3% [10]; twice‐daily, protease inhibitor 5.6% [6]; once‐daily, protease inhibitor 4.6% [10]).

Conclusion. In the short‐term, the rates of adverse events in the once‐daily and twice‐daily groups appeared to be similar. The rate of suspected abacavir hypersensitivity reaction in the once‐daily group was lower than the rate in the twice‐daily group.
Iron Overload Disorders: Treatment Options for Patients Refractory to or Intolerant of Phlebotomy
Authors: Bring Penny , Partovi Nilufar , Ford Jo‐Ann E. , Yoshida Eric M.
Published: February 2008

Iron overload disorders involve excess accumulation of iron in body tissues as a result of hereditary and nonhereditary diseases. If left untreated, tissue iron deposition can result in organ damage. Treatment options such as phlebotomy, chelating agents, and erythrocytapheresis can prevent complications and target organ damage. Although phlebotomy is the gold standard for iron overload treatment in the setting of hereditary hemochromatosis, this procedure is usually not feasible for other iron overload conditions, especially those associated with anemia. With the introduction of newer, oral chelating agents, more options are available for patients refractory to or intolerant of parenteral chelating agents.
Anticholinergic Therapy for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: Gallegos Patrick J. , Frazee Lawrence A.
Published: February 2008

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are commonly associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The LUTS‐BPH complex consists of both voiding and storage symptoms that may overlap with overactive bladder symptoms. Drug therapy for men with LUTS may include α1‐antagonists, 5‐α‐reductase inhibitors, combination therapy, and over‐the‐counter phytotherapy. Anticholinergic agents are effective in relieving overactive bladder symptoms in patients without bladder outlet obstruction. However, anticholinergic therapy has historically been contraindicated in patients with LUTS associated with BPH because of concerns for developing acute urinary retention. To assess the safety and efficacy of anticholinergic therapies for LUTS associated with BPH, a MEDLINE search and a bibliographic search of the English‐language literature were conducted. Two nonrandomized, open‐label studies; two randomized trials that assessed anticholinergic therapy alone; and eight trials that assessed anticholinergic therapy in combination with an α1‐antagonist were identified. Trials were of short duration (6–12 wks) and included only men with low postvoid residual volumes at baseline. Small nonsignificant changes were seen in objective measures of urinary function. Several trials demonstrated an increase in postvoid residual with anticholinergic therapy, which was statistically significant in two trials. Despite the increase in postvoid residual, rates of acute urinary retention were low and the drugs were well tolerated. Of the five trials that used a validated symptom scoring scale, two demonstrated subjective improvement in urinary function. Men with symptomatic overactive bladder and BPH who are not adequately relieved with α1‐antagonists may benefit from the addition of an anticholinergic agent. Before starting therapy, however, a postvoid residual volume should be measured to measure to rule out baseline urinary retention.