bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Melanocytic matricoma: case confirmation of a recently described entity
Authors: Williams Christy M. , Bozner Peter , Oliveri Cecilia V. , Horenstein Marcelo G.
Published: December 2004

Background:  In 1999, Carlson et al. reported two cases of a matrical neoplasm that recapitulates the bulb of the anagen hair follicle, which they designated as melanocytic matricoma.

Methods:  Here we report a similar case in a 78‐year‐old white male, who presented with a 0.4 cm purple‐black firm papule in the left preauricular area.

Results:  Histologically, the tumor is composed of a dual cell population including admixed epithelial matrical and supramatrical cells with “shadow” cell formation and pigmented dendritic melanocytes. Immunohistochemical studies for cytokeratin highlighted the epithelial component and studies for S‐100 protein, HMB‐45, and vimentin confirmed the melanocytic component. The differential diagnosis considered includes pigmented variants of pilomatricoma, matrical carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma.

Conclusions:  The case reported herein is the first confirmation of melanocytic matricoma, a distinctive adnexal neoplasm with characteristic clinical and pathologic features, which differentiate it from pigmented pilomatricoma.
Diagnostic imaging of melanocytic skin tumors
Authors: Gerger Armin , Smolle Josef
Published: December 2004

Background:  In tissue counter analysis, digital images are dissected into subregions (elements), and the digital information in each element is used for statistical analysis. The aim of this study was to test the applicability of tissue counter analysis and CART (Classification and Regression Tree) to the diagnostic discrimination of benign common nevi and malignant melanoma in dermatopathology.

Methods:  Two hundred cases each of benign nevi and malignant melanoma were consecutively sampled. CART analyses of background versus tissue elements, cellular versus ‘other’ tissue elements and benign versus malignant cellular elements were performed. For diagnostic assessment, only the percentage of cellular elements suggestive for malignancy in each case was used.

Results:  CART analysis led to a correct classification of 99% of background versus tissue elements, 96% of cellular versus ‘other’ tissue elements and 79.1% of benign versus malignant cellular elements. When the percentage of cellular elements suggestive for malignancy in each case was evaluated, 29.5 ± 14% (range 4.1–62.4) ‘malignant’ elements were found in benign nevi (n = 200), in contrast to 75.9 ± 13.9% (range 32.8–97.3) in melanoma (n = 200; z =−16.72, p < 0.001). It turned out that a threshold level of 52.51% provides a correct classification of 192 nevi and 186 melanoma out of 200 each (specificity 96%, sensitivity 93%, positive predictive value 95.9%).

Conclusions:  Tissue counter analysis combined with CART may be a useful method for diagnostic purposes in histopathology.
Reference values for peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotypes applicable to the healthy adult population in Switzerland
Authors: Bisset Leslie R. , Lung Thomas L. , Kaelin Matthias , Ludwig Elisabeth , Dubs Rolf W.
Published: December 2004

Objectives:  Use of domestic reference values is known to improve the accuracy of flow cytometric analysis by integrating local variation due to race, gender, and age. In the absence of previously published estimates, we now report establishment of reference values for a wide range of peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotypes applicable to the healthy adult population in Switzerland and other regions with similar demographic characteristics.

Methods:  A representative sample population was recruited from among well characterized local blood donors (n = 70) and quantitative multiparametric flow cytometry used to estimate absolute and proportional values for a range of T‐, B‐, and NK‐cell subsets, including those associated with activation and maturity. Distribution‐free methods were then applied to generate 95% reference values and to estimate the significance of gender and age‐related differences.

Results:  Reference values were obtained for the absolute and proportional levels of total CD3+ T cells (536–1787 cells/μL, 54.90–84.03%), helper CD4+ T cells (309–1139 cells/μL, 32.53–62.88%), cytotoxic CD8+ T cells (137–823 cells/μL, 11.55–38.60%), activated CD3+ T cells expressing CD25 (7–94 cells/μL, 0.50–5.95%), CD38 (102–554 cells/μL, 5.98–26.80%), HLA‐DR (18–186 cells/μL, 1.25–9.68%) or CD38/HLA‐DR (4–52 cells/μL, 0.30–2.30%), activated CD4+ T cells expressing CD25 (7–52 cells/μL, 0.33–2.80%), CD38 (69–547 cells/μL, 6.13–32.20%), HLA‐DR (11–55 cells/μL, 0.80–4.43%) or CD38/HLA‐DR (4–22 cells/μL, 0.30–1.35%), activated CD8+ T cells expressing CD25 (0–12 cells/μL, 0.00–0.69%), CD38 (13–124 cells/μL, 0.93–7.03%), HLA‐DR (6–108 cells/μL, 0.33–6.38%) or CD38/HLA‐DR (2–47 cells/μL, 0.13–2.68%), naive CD4+ T cells expressing CD45RA+/CD62L+ (84–761 cells/μL, 9.48–41.88%), naive CD8+ T cells expressing CD45RA+/CD62L+ (42–360 cells/μL, 3.68–19.23%), memory CD4+ T cells expressing CD45RO+ (247–807 cells/μL, 16.50–42.15%), memory CD8+ T cells expressing CD45RO+ (72–377 cells/μL, 3.78–22.80%), B‐cells expressing CD19 (72–460 cells/μL, 4.70–19.13%) or CD20 (66–529 cells/μL, 4.63–21.00%), total CD3−/(CD16+/CD56+) NK‐cells (77–427 cells/μL, 5.35–30.93%), and activated NK‐cells expressing CD25 (0–10 cells/μL, 0–0.50%) or HLA‐DR (3–99 cells/μL, 0.20–7.28%).

Conclusion:  It is anticipated that availability of localized reference values for an extended range of peripheral blood lymphocyte phenotypes should supplement previously published reference values and enhance the utility of flow cytometric analysis undertaken in Switzerland.
Successful treatment of oral lesions of chronic lichenoid graft‐vs.‐host disease by the addition of low‐level laser therapy to systemic immunosuppression
Authors: Chor Ana , de Azevedo Alexandre Mello , Maiolino Angelo , Nucci Marcio
Published: December 2004

We report a case of severe oral stomatitis caused by lichenoid chronic graft‐vs.‐host disease in which low‐level laser therapy applied to the oral mucosa, in addition to standard systemic immunosuppressive treatment, resulted in quick healing and symptomatic relief.
Desmoglein‐3 is a target autoantigen in spontaneous canine pemphigus vulgaris
Authors: Olivry Thierry , Joubeh Sohaila , Dunston Stanley M. , Nishiyama Takafumi , Ghohestani Reza F.
Published: December 2004

Abstract: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune blistering skin disease of humans and companion animals. In human patients, PV is associated with the production of IgG autoantibodies specific for keratinocyte desmosomal glycoproteins of the cadherin family. The purpose of this study was to determine whether antikeratinocyte IgG autoantibodies were present in the skin and serum of dogs with PV, and also to identify the canine PV autoantigen(s) targeted by circulating autoantibodies. Eleven dogs were selected because of the microscopic demonstration of suprabasal epithelial acantholysis. Direct immunofluorescence revealed the presence of IgG autoantibodies bound to the membrane of keratinocytes in skin biopsy specimens of 8/9 dogs (89%). Using indirect immunofluorescence, serum‐circulating IgG autoantibodies were found in 10/11 (91%) and 5/11 (45%) dogs, using normal canine gingiva and cultured canine oral keratinocytes, respectively. By immunoblotting using cultured canine oral keratinocyte protein lysates, IgG autoantibodies from 7/9 (78%) tested dogs recognized a 130‐kDa antigen that comigrated with that identified by rabbit polyclonal antibodies raised against desmoglein‐3. This 130 kDa antigen was confirmed to represent the canine equivalent of human desmoglein‐3 by immunoprecipitation‐immunoblotting. The results of these studies provide evidence that the canine desmoglein‐3 homologue is a major autoantigen in dogs with PV. These observations further establish spontaneous canine PV as a natural model for research on pathogenesis, etiology and novel therapeutic approaches for this disease of humans.
The heat shock‐induced cell cycle arrest is attenuated by weak electromagnetic fields
Authors: Tokalov Sergey V. , Gutzeit Herwig O.
Published: December 2004

Abstract.  Stress‐induced effects in human acute leukaemia cells (HL‐60) were studied by flow cytometry using the fluorescent dye carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester which allows the analysis of several successive cell generations for up to 10 days. Asynchronously cycling cells subjected to heat shock (30 min at 41 °C) responded in two distinct ways: while one fraction of the cell population (about 15%) re‐entered the cell cycle after a short delay, other cells became arrested at different phases of the cell cycle and remained arrested for up to several days and finally underwent apoptosis. Weak electromagnetic fields (60 µT, 50 Hz) alleviated the heat‐induced block and the fraction of arrested cells was significantly smaller.
Stromal cell‐derived factor 1α (SDF‐1α) induces gene‐expression of early growth response‐1 (Egr‐1) and VEGF in human arterial endothelial cells and enhances VEGF induced cell proliferation
Authors: Neuhaus Thomas , Stier Sebastian , Totzke Gudrun , Gruenewald Elisabeth , Fronhoffs Stefan , Sachinidis Agapios , Vetter Hans , Ko Yon D.
Published: December 2004

Abstract. Stromal cell‐derived factor‐1 (SDF‐1), mainly known as a chemotactic factor for haematopoietic progenitor cells, also provides angiogenetic potency. Since the intracellular signalling of SDF‐1‐induced neovascularization remains unclear, we studied in human umbilical arterial endothelial cells (HUAEC) the influence of SDF‐1α on induction of the genes of early growth response‐1 (Egr‐1) and VEGF, as well as the activation of extracellular regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2, which are all known to be involved in endothelial cell proliferation. We found a time‐dependent induction of Egr‐1 and VEGF mRNA expression and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 by SDF‐1α. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Egr‐1 expression is dependent on ERK 1/2 activation. Finally, we tried to confirm the relevance of the induced gene expression by detecting the [3H]thymidine incorporation as a marker for cell proliferation in HUAEC after stimulation with SDF‐1α alone or together with VEGF. This particular test showed, that SDF‐1α alone has no effect, but is able to significantly enhance VEGF induced DNA synthesis. In summary, SDF‐1α is involved in different steps of endothelial cell proliferation, but, since Egr‐1 and VEGF offer different functions, it may also play a so far undefined role on other conditions of the endothelium.
The cell cycle: a review of regulation, deregulation and therapeutic targets in cancer
Authors: Vermeulen Katrien , Van Bockstaele Dirk R. , Berneman Zwi N.
Published: December 2004

Abstract. The cell cycle is controlled by numerous mechanisms ensuring correct cell division. This review will focus on these mechanisms, i.e. regulation of cyclin‐dependent kinases (CDK) by cyclins, CDK inhibitors and phosphorylating events. The quality checkpoints activated after DNA damage are also discussed. The complexity of the regulation of the cell cycle is also reflected in the different alterations leading to aberrant cell proliferation and development of cancer. Consequently, targeting the cell cycle in general and CDK in particular presents unique opportunities for drug discovery. This review provides an overview of deregulation of the cell cycle in cancer. Different families of known CDK inhibitors acting by ATP competition are also discussed. Currently, at least three compounds with CDK inhibitory activity (flavopiridol, UCN‐01, roscovitine) have entered clinical trials.
Expression of Cathepsin D and pS2 in imprint smears of breast carcinoma
Authors: Athanassiadou P. P. , Athanassiades P. H. , Davaris P. , Petrakakou E. I. , Zerva CH. I. , Kyrkou K. A.
Published: December 2004

athanassiadou p.p., athanassiades p. h., daffaris p., petrakakou e. i., fflerffa ch. i. and kffirkou k. a. (1998) Cytopathology9, 240–247

Expression of Cathepsin D and pS2 in imprint smears of breast carcinoma

The aim of this study was to add to existing information on the effects of certain tumour markers expressed by breast cancers on tumour malignancy as evidenced by size of primary and occurrence of lymph node invasion. One hundred freshly resected breast cancers were examined by immunocytochemical staining of imprint smears for Cathepsin D and pS2. Oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) were tested for by dextrose‐coated charcoal (DCC) assay and the results correlated with tumour size, histology and presence or absence of lymph node metastases at the time of surgery using χ2 analysis. A significant positive correlation was demonstrated between Cathepsin D positivity and ER, PR and pS2 positivity. In tumours < 2 cm in diameter at surgery a positive correlation was observed between Cathepsin D positivity and the presence of lymph node metastases. The findings support the hypothesis that Cathepsin D may promote early metastasis, possibly by its proteolytic activity.
Primary malignant melanoma of uterine cervix: a rare entity diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology – report of a case
Authors: Gupta S. , Sodhani P. , Jain S.
Published: December 2004

Primary malignant melanoma of uterine cervix is a rare neoplasm. Its diagnosis on cervical fine needle aspiration cytology, a first of its kind in the literature, has been reported. Although cervix is a rare site for melanoma, cytopathologists should be familiar with it and be able to diagnose this entity on cervical cytology when pigment containing tumour cells are present. In a patient with visible growth on cervix, fine needle aspiration cytology may prove to be a useful diagnostic tool, especially when cervical smear/scrape cytology is non‐diagnostic.
Diatoms and rotifers in cytological smears
Authors: Martínez‐Girón R. , Ribas‐Barceló A. , García‐Miralles T. , López‐Cabanilles D. , Tamargo‐Peláez L. , Torre‐Bayón C. , Fernández‐Álvarez L.
Published: December 2004

We describe several uncommon contaminants presumably derived from the tap water used in the staining procedure of cytological specimens. We would like to draw attention to the occasional presence of diatoms and fragments of rotifers in cytological specimens. Whilst most of these entities are harmless curiosities, they may cause concern as to their nature and significance.
The evaluation of liquid‐based ‘Cyto‐SEDTM’ cytology of bronchioalveolar lavage specimens in the diagnosis of pulmonary neoplasia against conventional direct smears
Authors: Astall E. , Atkinson C. , Morton N. , Goddard M. J.
Published: December 2004

Historically, bronchioalveolar lavage (BAL) samples have been prepared by a direct smear (DS) technique. Recent advances in liquid‐based cytology have led to a revolution in cytological specimen preparation. Cyto‐SEDTM system (CS) is a manual liquid‐based cytology system, designed for small‐scale use. A total of 137 samples from patients with radiographically detectable lesions underwent BAL procedures at Papworth Hospital NHS Trust over a 4‐month period. After preparation for diagnostic purposes with the DS method, the remaining sample was prepared using the CS system. The slides produced were allocated a blind study number and screened by three independent screeners. The cellular morphology was well preserved and comparable between both techniques. Of the 137 patients, 38% were confirmed as malignant by cytology or histology; 71% of these malignant diagnosis were confirmed by the DS technique and 91% confirmed by the CS. The results demonstrate that the CS is a viable alternative to the DS technique. The cytological detail is clearly defined without a loss of three‐dimensional information, thus aiding the differential diagnosis of malignancy. Cyto‐SEDTM cytology system yields a higher diagnostic accuracy than the conventional direct smear technique without compromising on cytological detail.
Cytodiagnosis of neoplasms of the central nervous system in cerebrospinal fluid samples with an application of selective immunostains in differentiation
Authors: Gupta R. K. , Naran S. , Lallu S. , Fauck R.
Published: December 2004

In this study cytological findings in specimens of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of central nervous system (CNS) tumours (16 primaries, 57 metastatic and 12 suspicious) are presented, which were diagnosed over a period of 7 years in 85 patients (50 females and 35 males) with an age range of 2–76 years. The follow‐up included information from clinicians and a review of medical charts, histological correlation and/or further investigations following cytodiagnosis. The patients clinically presented with signs and symptoms of meningeal involvement. The primary tumours included six medulloblastomas, eight gliomas (four glioblastomata multiforme, two anaplastic astrocytomas, and two ependymomas) and two germinomas. The metastatic tumours were 14 melanomas, 19 breast carcinomas, four leukaemias, six B‐cell lymphomas, five adenocarcinomas of gastrointestinal origin, seven carcinomas of lung, one retinoblastoma and one neuroblastoma. Twelve cases were reported as suspicious. On further investigations, four of these were from a primary tumour (two glioblastomata multiforme and two anaplastic astrocytomas) while the other eight cases were of a metastasis (one B‐cell lymphoma, three breast carcinomas, three melanomas and one adenocarcinoma of gastrointestinal origin). Using a panel of selective immunostains in some of the cases supported the cytological diagnosis and this was considered useful in furthering cytodiagnosis. In 75 of the patients the CSF samples were obtained on a spinal tap while in 10 patients the samples were received as ventricular CSF. There were no false‐positive cases. The results of our study suggest that CSF cytology in the diagnosis of CNS tumours is quite reliable and reflects involvement of leptomeninges or the ventricles. Furthermore, the use of selective immunostains can be helpful in confirming the cytological impression and source of the tumour.
Standardization of fine needle aspiration cytology of the breast – comparison of Auto Cyto Fix and conventional smears
Authors: Yamashita Akiko , Sakuma Kanae , Shiina Yoshio
Published: December 2004

In Japan, there are some problems with fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of the breast, such as insufficient smeared cells, air‐drying artefact and excessive erythrocytes. Liquid‐based cytology has been found to solve these problems. Equipment for such preparations has been developed, but can be expensive to purchase and operate. We developed Auto Cyto Fix 1000 (ACF), which is inexpensive and automatically smears and fixes cells. The purpose of this study was to compare the various cytological features of conventional and ACF specimens. We evaluated whether the ACF method would be able to replace the conventional method. Forty‐eight FNA specimens of breast were studied. All specimens were prepared by the direct smeared (DS) and ACF methods and evaluated for unsatisfactory cell collection, air‐drying artefacts, background findings and epithelial cell findings. Although ACF specimens were prepared using the cells remaining in the needle and syringe after preparing DS specimens, the cellularity of two of the ACF specimens was better than that of the corresponding DS specimens. ACF specimens never showed air‐drying artefact. Unlike DS specimens, which have many erythrocytes in the background, erythrocytes were filtered out and the background of ACF specimens was clean. We believe that many problems attributable to conventional FNA specimen preparation have been solved in this study. Preparation using the ACF apparatus can reduce running costs and can be used to prepare FNA specimens of the breast for cytological examination as an alternative to the conventional method.
The effects of leaf deprivation on leaf‐cutting ants and their mutualistic fungus
Authors: M. BASS
Published: December 2004

1. When leaf‐cutting ants were deprived of leaves for 5 days, they increased their consumption rates of ‘staphylae’, the nutritive bodies produced by their mutualistic fungus. They also pruned their fungus garden more intensively, presumably stimulating increased staphyla production.

2. Depriving fungus gardens of leaves for 5 days led to greater rates of staphyla production compared with control gardens. The rate of substrate exhaustion also increased, possibly because of this increased staphyla production, which led to greater removal of fungal resources by the ants.

3. The availability of leaf substrate directly affected staphyla production by the fungus garden. When leaf fragments were inserted into fungus garden samples, staphyla production was depressed, suggesting that the fungus can allocate resources either to hyphal colonization of fresh substrate or to staphyla production.

4. Under conditions of leaf deprivation, food production for the ants effectively increased, due to the combined effects of increased pruning by the ants and the response of the fungus to lack of substrate. This will allow nests to survive for long periods in the field when forage availability is reduced.

5. Exposing parts of the colony to the stress of leaf deprivation showed that there is a high level of flexibility in the fungus garden’s ability to produce staphylae. This may be important during the cyclic production of broods, when demands for larval food will fluctuate widely. Under normal conditions, the optimal strategy may be for the fungus garden to have a moderate rate of production with a low rate of turnover, unless demand for staphylae increases dramatically.
Preference for protected feeding sites by larvae of the willow‐feeding leaf beetle Galerucella lineola
Authors: LARSSON STIG , HÄGGSTRÖM HÅKAN , DENNO ROBERT
Published: December 2004

1. Free‐living insects are often thought of as more vulnerable to environmental hazards than concealed insects, such as galling or mining insects. The possibility that larvae of the free‐living leaf beetle Galerucella lineola seek out existing plant structures and thereby become partly concealed was explored.

2. Neonate larvae of G. lineola frequently feed in rolled‐in margins of young leaves of their host plant, Salix viminalis. In addition to nutritional benefits from feeding on young leaves, larvae may also gain protection against adverse weather conditions and general predators by feeding in the leaf rolls. Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to test these hypotheses.

3. Artificial shelters were constructed and cohorts of neonate larvae were placed on experimental plants. In all experiments, larvae preferred to feed in shelters, even when shelters were constructed on mature leaves.

4. In one of the experiments, fewer larvae disappeared when shelters were provided. In a predator exclusion experiment, however, no differences in predator‐inflicted mortality on G. lineola were found between shelter‐containing shoots and control shoots.

5. A laboratory experiment showed increased protection from desiccation when shelters were present; growth rate was higher for larvae feeding on plants with shelters.

6. Thus, free‐living insects may not always be as exposed to environmental hazards as is often assumed. In particular, young larvae may take advantage of preformed structures on their host plant and feed in a concealed microhabitat. Because mortality, in general, is high during early instars, shelter‐seeking behaviour may increase survival significantly. The existence of preformed shelters may therefore be a plant characteristic that should be considered when exploring the environmental risks associated with the free‐living habit.
The consequences of larval aggregation in the butterfly Chlosyne lacinia
Authors: BRIAN R. CLARK  , STANLEY H. FAETH
Published: December 2004

1. Females of Chlosyne lacinia (Geyer) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Melitaenae), the bordered patch butterfly, clump eggs in a few large clusters on their host plant, Helianthus annuus. Resulting larvae form sibling aggregations to at least the third instar.

2. The effect of group size on survival and development of C. lacinia larvae was tested experimentally in the field. Larvae developed faster and survived better in larger groups.

3. The effects of various predator guilds (ground‐dwelling arthropods, aerial arthropods and avian predators) on survival of larvae was then tested while controlling group size. Ground‐dwelling arthropods, mainly fire ants Solenopsis xyloni, reduced larval survival greatly but other solitary invertebrate and avian predators did not alter survival. Group defences and aposematism of C. lacinia larvae are probably ineffective against predatory ants that attack en masse and recruit other colony members.

4. In laboratory experiments, two possible mechanisms underlying faster development of larvae in larger groups were tested: (i) overcoming the physical toughness of host plant leaves, and (ii) social stimulus to feed. Results support the physical toughness hypothesis but not the social stimulus hypothesis.

5. Feeding in large groups by C. lacinia larvae confers multiple advantages, including protection from solitary predators and increased feeding efficiency because grouped, early‐instar larvae can initiate feeding wounds on tough sunflower leaves. These advantages of larval gregariousness, coupled with reduced desiccation at the egg stage, apparently outweigh disadvantages of aggregation, such as interference and exploitative competition among larvae.
Sticking to their choice – honey bee subfamilies abandon declining food sources at a slow but uniform rate
Authors: Beekman Madeleine , Oldroyd Benjamin P. , Myerscough Mary R.
Published: December 2004

Abstract. 1. The allocation of honey bee foragers among food patches is a result of decisions made by individual bees that are based on internal and external cues.

2. Decision‐making processes are often based on internal thresholds. For example, if the quality of the food source is assessed by a forager as exceeding its internal threshold, the bee will continue foraging on that food source.

3. It is often assumed that all individuals have the same threshold and therefore use the same thresholds in decision‐making, but because the honey bee queen mates with 12–30 males, the workers within a colony are genetically heterogeneous. Thus, the thresholds used by individual bees may be genetically variable within a colony.

4. Models of colony‐level foraging behaviour of honey bees suggest that the rate of abandoning food sources is a critical parameter affecting foraging success. Moreover, these models show that variance among subfamilies in their abandonment rates may increase the colony's foraging efficiency.

5. Experimental data showing the relationship between the probability of abandoning a food source and its profitability are lacking, as is information on any variation in abandonment rates among subfamilies.

6. Abandonment rates were determined experimentally for four honey bee families for seven different sucrose concentrations. The results showed that abandonment rates appear to be invariant among (sub)families. The importance of forager fidelity to declining food sources is discussed with respect to foraging efficiency in a changing environment.
The influence of spatial scale on quantifying insect dispersal: an analysis of butterfly data
Authors: Schneider Christine
Published: December 2004

Abstract.1. A linear relationship between mean movement distances recorded and the size of the study area was found in a comparison of five mark–release–recapture studies of the meadow brown butterfly.

2. The scale impact on mean butterfly movement distances was also apparent when comparing the results for different butterfly species reported in 21 mark–release–recapture studies.
Worker demography in the ant Formica neorufibarbis
Authors: Billick Ian
Published: December 2004

Abstract. 1. Patterns of worker demography in the ant Formica neorufibarbis were documented under natural conditions.

2. Some workers lived at least 4 years.

3. In 4 of 5 years, colonies were more likely to retain older workers than new workers.

4. Workers persisted for more years in colonies lacking queens than in queenright colonies.
Homocysteine during the menstrual cycle in depressive women
Authors: Tallova J. , Bicikova M. , Hill M. , Tomandl J. , Valentova D.
Published: December 2004

Background Two possible factors that may have a causal relation with both depressive disorder and cardiovascular disease are elevated homocysteine and steroid hormones. Our previous study found significant changes in the plasma homocysteine concentration during the menstrual cycle in healthy women. The purpose of this study therefore was to test homocysteine in depressive women treated with fluoxetine during the menstrual cycle.

Materials and methods Thirteen premenopausal women suffering from mixed anxiety‐depressive disorder and a control group of 15 healthy women were enrolled in this study. The homocysteine concentration was determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection, and estradiol, progesterone and cortisol by RIA methods.

Results We found significantly higher plasma homocysteine concentrations in the follicular phase than in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in both the depressive group (P < 0·003) and the controls (P < 0·0009). Moreover, the patient values of total homocysteine were significantly higher in the follicular phase (P < 0·03) and also in the luteal phase (P < 0·007) than the values of the controls. Estradiol and cortisol were significantly higher in the follicular phase of the patients compared with the control group.

Conclusion According to our results, women suffering from mixed anxiety‐depressive disorder have not only significantly different concentrations of homocysteine in the follicular and luteal phase of the menstrual cycle but also higher plasma homocysteine compared with healthy women. More elevated homocysteine in the depressive than in the healthy premenopausal women points to the notion that psychological factors might be important when considering the homocysteine concentration.
Assessment of vitamin D and calcium status in healthy adult Austrians
Authors: Kudlacek S. , Schneider B. , Peterlik M. , Leb G. , Klaushofer K. , Weber K. , Woloszczuk W. , Willvonseder R.
Published: December 2004

Background Because there is reason to assume that also in Austria calcium and vitamin D malnutrition is wide‐spread, we initiated a comprehensive study on calcium and vitamin D status in relation to bone health in a large group of the normal adult population.

Subjects and methods We assessed dietary calcium and vitamin D intake, serum concentrations of Ca2+, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, 25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)2D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), sex hormones and bone mineral density (BMD) by double‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry at five different skeletal sites in 648 females and 400 males (age 21–76 years).

Results Mean daily intake of vitamin D (101 IU, range 0·2–320) and calcium (569 mg, range 40–2170) was significantly less than the respective recommended dietary allowances. Two hundred and seventy‐one (26%) individuals had hypovitaminosis D with serum 25(OH)D < 12 ng mL−1, while serum Ca2+ was less than normal in 82 (7·8%) subjects. Multiple regression analysis revealed significant correlations between mean calcium intake and BMD in the femoral region in the men (r = 0·13, P < 0·05) though not in the women. No consistent data could be obtained for associations between BMD and vitamin D status, except for 25(OH)D and BMD at the spine in the men (r = 0·10, P < 0·05). 25(OH)D correlated negatively (P < 0·05) with age in the women (r = −0·11) and with PTH in the women (r = −0·11) and men (r = −0·16). Inversely, a significant (P < 0·001) age‐related increase in PTH was observed in both sexes (men, r = 0·19; women, r = 0·14).

Conclusions Prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in adult Austrians is an imminent risk for development of secondary hyperparathyroidism with advancing age, and requires timely correction of nutritional deficits.
Normative data of bone mineral density in an unselected adult Austrian population
Authors: Kudlacek S. , Schneider B. , Peterlik M. , Leb G. , Klaushofer K. , Weber K. , Woloszczuk W. , Willvonseder R.
Published: December 2004

Background There is increasing evidence that correct interpretation of bone mineral density (BMD) measurements by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) requires a population‐specific reference range. We therefore collected data on age‐related BMD in a random sample of the normal adult Austrian population to establish an appropriate normative database.

Methods We measured BMD by DEXA at five different skeletal sites in 1089 subjects, i.e. 654 females and 435 males, aged between 21–76 years, who had been recruited by 17 centres across Austria.

Results Age‐related bone loss was observed until age 65 years with significant changes at the lumbar spine (r = −0·23), total hip (r = −0·07), trochanter (r = −0·10), femoral neck (r = −0·30) and Ward's triangle (r = −0·40) in the women but only at the femoral neck (r = −0·23) and at Ward's triangle (r = −0·40) in the men. When we calculated T scores from the BMD data of the young normal adult study population and used the T score set points according to the WHO classification of osteopenia and osteoporosis, we found that, depending on the skeletal site measured, 7·6–27·4% of the women and 16–41% of the men in our study group had low bone mass, whereas 0·6–2·7% of the female and 0·2–1·0% of the male study population were osteoporotic. However, osteoporosis was indicated in 4–9‐fold more females and 5–15‐fold more males when we based our estimates on the normative data provided by the manufacturers of the DEXA systems.

Conclusion Our data underscore the importance of using a population‐specific reference range for DEXA measurements to avoid overdiagnosis of osteoporosis.
Portal hypertension is associated with increased mRNA levels of vasopressor G‐protein‐coupled receptors in human hepatic arteries
Authors: Neef M. , Biecker E. , Heller J. , Schepke M. , Nischalke H. D. , Wolff M. , Spengler U. , Reichen J. , Sauerbruch T.
Published: December 2004

Background The contractile response of human splanchnic vessels to different vasoconstrictors is attenuated in cirrhosis. Functional studies indicate a cellular signalling defect upstream of the G‐protein level. The aim of the present study was to analyze expression and mRNA levels of the following most relevant vasopressor receptors in the smooth musculature of human hepatic arteries: α1 adrenoceptor (AR) subtypes a, b and d, angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1), arginine vasopressin receptor type 1a (V1a), endothelin receptor type A (ETA) and B (ETB).

Materials and methods Hepatic arteries were collected from 10 donors (noncirrhotic) and 14 recipients (cirrhotic) at liver transplantations. Real‐time‐PCR was performed to quantify steady‐state levels of receptor mRNAs.

Results α1aAR mRNA levels showed no significant difference between the cirrhotic arteries and the controls while the mRNA levels of the other vasoactive receptors were significantly higher in the cirrhotic hepatic arteries (α1bAR: 4‐fold, P = 0·013; AT1: 16‐fold, P = 0·024; V1a: 23‐fold, P = 0·001; ETA: 4‐fold, P = 0·02; ETB: 8‐fold, P = 0·008). No mRNA for the α1dAR was detected either in the donor or recipient hepatic arteries.

Conclusion We conclude that vascular hyporeactivity to the most relevant endogenous vasoconstrictors of cirrhotic hepatic arteries is not caused by a receptor down‐regulation at mRNA levels. In contrast they were up‐regulated.
Plasma phospholipid transfer protein activity and small, dense LDL in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tan K. C. B. , Shiu S. W. M. , Wong Y.
Published: December 2004

Background Phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) remodel circulating lipoproteins and play a role in the antiatherogenic reverse cholesterol transport pathway. The present study determined whether abnormalities in the LDL subfraction pattern in type 2 diabetic patients were related to changes in lipid transfer proteins.

Methods Low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) subfractions were measured by density gradient ultracentrifugation and plasma PLTP and CETP activities by radiometric assays in 240 diabetic patients and 136 controls.

Results The diabetic patients had lower LDL‐I (P < 0·001) and higher LDL‐III concentrations than the controls (P < 0·001). Plasma PLTP activity was increased (P < 0·001) whereas no significant differences were seen in CETP activity. In the diabetic patients, small, dense LDL‐III correlated with plasma triglyceride (r = 0·18, P < 0·01), HDL (r = −0·14, P < 0·05), PLTP (r = 0·29, P < 0·001) and CETP activity (r = 0·15, P < 0·05). Linear regression analysis showed that plasma PLTP activity, triglyceride and age were the major determinants of LDL‐III concentration (r2 = 28%, P < 0·001). The univariate relationship between CETP and LDL‐III was no longer significant after adjusting for PLTP activity.

Conclusions The increase in plasma PLTP activity was independently associated with small, dense LDL concentrations in type 2 diabetes. Hence, elevated PLTP activity might have both antiatherogenic and pro‐atherogenic potential in these patients.
Umbilical cord interleukin‐6 levels are elevated in term neonates with perinatal asphyxia
Authors: Chiesa C. , Pellegrini G. , Panero A. , De Luca T. , Assumma M. , Signore F. , Pacifico L.
Published: December 2004

Background A correlation between elevation of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and white matter injury or abnormal neurologic outcome has been established in the preterm infant. In the full‐term neonate, few studies exist linking elevation of cytokines with encephalopathy and poor neurodevelopmental outcome. Our aims were to investigate if serum interleukin‐6 concentrations in delivering mothers and their offspring at birth are associated with perinatal asphyxia, and to examine the relation of interleukin‐6 levels to the severity of hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy and to the neurological outcome.

Design and methods Serum interleukin‐6 levels were measured at birth, 24 and 48 h of life in 50 consecutive term uninfected newborns with perinatal asphyxia and 113 randomly selected healthy term newborns, and at delivery in their mothers.

Results The median cord interleukin‐6 concentrations in the infants who developed hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy was 376‐fold as high as the values in the normal infants (P < 0·0001) and 5·5‐fold as high as those in the infants with asphyxia who did not develop hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy (P < 0·05). There was also a significant relationship between interleukin‐6 and the degree of hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy, and between interleukin‐6 and neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of age. Regardless of outcome, in the asphyxiated infants the interleukin‐6 values were significantly lower at both 24 and 48 h of life than at birth, with a significant decline from 24 to 48 h of life. Among mothers of the asphyxiated neonates, there were no significant differences in interleukin‐6 concentrations between those delivering neonates with and without hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy.

Conclusions Measurement of IL‐6 concentrations in the umbilical cord of neonates with perinatal asphyxia may be useful to identify early, and in a relatively simple way, those who are most likely to have subsequent brain injury and adverse outcome.
Immunomodulating effects of 3‐thia fatty acids in activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: Aukrust P. , Wergedahl H. , Müller F. , Ueland T. , Dyrøy E. , Damås J. K. , Frøland S. S. , Berge R. K.
Published: December 2004

Background 3‐thia fatty acids such as tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA) are modified fatty acids that have been suggested to change the plasma profile from atherogenic to cardio protective. Because of its interaction with peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) we hypothesized that TTA also could have immunomodulatory properties. Based on the suggested role of inflammation in atherogenesis, any immunomodulating effects of TTA would be of particular interest for the potential use of this fatty acid in atherosclerotic disorders.

Materials and methods We examined if TTA could modulate proliferation and the release of cytokines from peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) taken from five healthy blood donors.

Results Our main findings were: (i) TTA had several effects on cytokine release from activated PBMCs with a marked increase in interleukin (IL)‐10 accompanied by a reduction in IL‐2 possibly favouring anti‐inflammatory net effects. (ii) These cytokine‐modifying effects were found in both T cells and monocytes when cultured separately. (iii) Tetradecylthioacetic acid increased the cytokine stimulating effects of tumour necrosis factor α with a particularly enhancing effect on IL‐10. (iv) Tetradecylthioacetic acid significantly suppressed PBMC proliferation, and this antiproliferative property did not involve enhanced apoptosis or necrosis. (v) These immunomodulatory effects of TTA were accompanied by a marked down‐regulation of PPARoad mRNA expression, the most abundant PPAR subtype in PBMCs.

Conclusions Our findings show potent immunomodulatory effects of TTA in activated PBMCs, possibly involving PPAR‐related mechanisms.
Apolipoprotein E polymorphisms and mortality in Italian Type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Boemi M. , Sirolla C. , Testa R. , Gregorio F. , Brandoni G. , Fumelli P. , James R. W.
Published: December 2004

Aims To determine if apolipoprotein E polymorphism is associated with cardiovascular or all‐cause mortality in Italian Type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods A prospective study of mortality in Type 2 diabetic patients (n = 433) as a function of apolipoprotein E phenotype, which was assessed at entry into the study. During follow up (10 years), 110 (25·4%) patients died of which 66 (15·2%) were the result of cardiovascular causes. Cause of death was established from death certificates and clinical records. The clinical status of the survivors was determined at the end of the study.

Results Apolipoprotein E polymorphisms were not associated with excess cardiovascular or all‐cause mortality in the Italian Type 2 diabetic patients either in univariate or multivariate analyses. Age, duration of diabetes and glycated haemoglobin levels at entry were the primary determinants of premature mortality in the diabetic population.

Conclusions Apolipoprotein E polymorphisms are not markers for premature mortality in Italian Type 2 diabetic patients. The impact of apolipoprotein E mutations may be attenuated by environmental factors, notably a healthier diet, in Italian patients.
Inverse relation between amylin and glucagon secretion in healthy and diabetic human subjects
Authors: Ludvik B. , Thomaseth K. , Nolan J. J. , Clodi M. , Prager R. , Pacini G.
Published: December 2004

Background The role of amylin, which is cosecreted together with insulin by the pancreatic B‐cells, in the pathogenesis of type‐2 diabetes is still unclear. To elucidate a possible relation between amylin and glucagon we directly evaluated the respective prehepatic secretions following administration of a 75‐g oral glucose load (OGL) in humans.

Materials and methods We studied six healthy controls (C), six obese, insulin resistant subjects (O) and six patients with type 2 diabetes (D). Catheters were placed in the femoral artery and hepatic vein according to the hepatic vein catheterization technique. Splanchnic blood flow was assessed by infusion of indocyanine‐green dye. The measured variables were analyzed by a general circulatory model for calculation of prehepatic secretion.

Results The total amount of released glucagon was not different between the respective groups (20·5 ± 2·3 in C, 27·7 ± 5·1 in O and 27·9 ± 5·4 µg/4 h in D). When considered as the difference from the fasting profile, however, glucagon secretion was reduced by 3·5 ± 14% in C, 25 ± 12% in O and increased by 36 ± 21% in D (P = 0·051, D vs. C). Amylin secretion was increased in O (1·10 ± 0·15) vs. C (0·63 ± 0·05, P < 0·05) and D (0·24 ± 0·10 nmol, P < 0·01). Following glucose administration, glucagon secretion significantly inversely correlated with secretion of amylin (r = −0·6, P < 0·01), but not with that of insulin (r =−0·23, P = 0·36).

Conclusions The inverse correlation between amylin and glucagon secretion suggests that amylin modulates glucagon secretion following oral glucose administration. This study proves for the first time a role of endogenous amylin in the regulation of glucose homeostasis.
Re‐adaptation of the colonic mucosa following protracted stress in rats
Authors: Rubio C. A. , Hellström P. , Sveander M.
Published: December 2004

Background We previously found that DNA synthesis of the colonic mucosa rises under protracted physical stress. At 8 stress weeks DNA values regained those of untreated animals, and was regarded as DNA adaptation to stress.

Aims To assess whether the 8 weeks’ DNA adaptation to stress could be maintained following stress‐free intervals, ending with a stress stimulus.

Methods Sixty rats were transported to the stress laboratory. Thirty were water plunged and 30 sham handled once a day, 5 days a week, for 8 weeks. After 8 stress weeks, groups of five animals were allowed to rest for 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks, ending with single water plunging or sham handling. Five additional rats were untreated. All 65 animals received an i.p. injection of 3H‐thymidine before sacrifice. The ratio radioactive DNA/total DNA reflected the DNA synthesis of the colonic mucosa.

Results Following DNA adaptation at 8 stress weeks, DNA replication in the right colon of the stressed rats significantly increased at 9, 10 and 11 weeks (P < 0·05), but at 12 weeks it had decreased to 8‐week values.

Conclusions DNA replication in the right colon of the stressed rats did not prevail: it increased considerably in the following weeks, but at 12 weeks (only 4 weeks later), re‐adaptation to DNA synthesis had occurred. The review of the literature indicates that this is the first report in which, following adaptation to protracted stress, a re‐adaptation phase to DNA replication is demonstrated in the colonic mucosa of experimental animals.
Effect of electrical stimulation‐induced cycling on bone mineral density in spinal cord‐injured patients
Authors: Eser P. , De Bruin E. D. , Telley I. , Lechner H. E. , Knecht H. , Stüssi E.
Published: December 2004

Background Bone atrophy in spinal cord‐injured people (SCI) is, among other factors, caused by immobilization and is initiated shortly after the injury. The present study measured the effect of an functional electrical stimulation (FES)‐cycling intervention on bone mineral density (BMD) of the tibia in recently injured SCI people.

Methods As soon as possible after the injury (mean 4·5 weeks), para‐ and tetraplegic patients were recruited into an intervention and control group comparable with regard to gender, age, and lesion level. The intervention consisted of 30‐min functional electrical stimulation‐cycling three times a week for the duration of their primary rehabilitation (mean = 6 months). Computed tomography (CT) scans of the right tibia diaphysis were taken at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. Bone mineral density of cortical bone was calculated from the CT scans.

Results A total of 38 subjects (19 in each group) were included in the study. Both groups showed a reduction in tibial cortical BMD of 0–10% of initial values within 3–10 months. The mean decrease in BMD was 0·3% (± 0·6) per month in the intervention group and 0·7% (± 0·8) in the control group. This difference did not reach statistical significance. Decrease of BMD was linearly correlated to initial BMD and age in the pooled data of both groups; subjects who had a high initial BMD and/or were older lost more bone. In neither group was bone loss associated with duration of immobilization nor lesion level.

Conclusions Functional electrical stimulation‐cycling applied shortly after SCI did not significantly attenuate bone loss.