bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Subclinical adenomas in postmortem pituitaries: classification and correlations to clinical data
Authors: Buurman Hilke , Saeger Wolfgang 
Published: April 2006

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine pituitary adenomas in a series of postmortem pituitaries by use of modern technologies of immunostaining, to classify the adenomas according to the current WHO classification and to analyse the possible associations to the available clinical data.
Methods: In this study, pituitaries of 3048 autopsy cases obtained from autopsy series of the years 1991–2004 were examined.
Results: A total of 334 pituitary adenomas were found in 316 pituitaries. One hundred and thirty-two sparsely granulated prolactin cell adenomas (39.5%), 75 null cell adenomas (22.5%) and 31 oncocytomas were diagnosed. Forty-six ACTH cell adenomas (13.8%, 27 densely granulated, 19 sparsely granulated) and one adenoma composed of Crooke’s cells were detected. Twenty-two gonadotroph cell adenomas (6.6%), seven GH cell adenomas (four sparsely granulated, three densely granulated), one mixed GH cell–PRL cell adenoma, two TSH cell adenomas, five plurihormonal adenoma type I, four plurihormonal adenoma type II and two α-subunit-only adenomas were seen. Six adenomas remained unclassified because the tissue was not contained in all sections for immunohistochemistry. Seventeen pituitaries included multiple tumours. The overall tumour size ranged from 0.1 to 20 mm in diameter. Among 76 adenomas (22.7%), which had a tumour size of ≥ 3 mm, only three tumours were macroadenomas corresponding to a tumour size of more than 10 mm. The evaluation of the available clinical data showed 99 cases of hypertension, 65 cases of diabetes mellitus, six patients with hyperthyroidism and four with hypothyroidism. No symptoms of adenohypophyseal hormone hypersecretion were reported. The statistical correlations to clinical data were discussed.
Conclusions: Adenomas in postmortem pituitaries differ from those in surgical series in proportion of adenoma types and biological behaviour.
Thyroid autoimmunity in patients with malignant and benign breast diseases before surgery
Authors: Giustarini E , Pinchera A , Fierabracci P , Roncella M , Fustaino L , Mammoli C , Giani C 
Published: April 2006

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and autoimmune hypothyroidism in breast cancer (BC). These studies have been performed in BC patients generally 20–30 days after mastectomy. It is known that stress may have an influence on the immune system and a relation between stressful events and the onset or worsening of autoimmune thyroid disorders has been reported by several authors. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease in patients with nodular breast disease selected for surgery before any treatment. Our hypothesis was that the high prevalence of thyroid autoimmune disorders in BC is independent of stressful events represented by surgery and/or anaesthetic procedures.
Methods: Our series included 61 consecutive women aged 52.8 ± 10.2 yrs (mean age ± s.d.) with nodular breast disease selected for breast surgery: 36 out of 61 of them (59%) had BC and 25 out of 61 had benign breast disease (BBD). Controls included 100 healthy age-matched women. All patients and control subjects were submitted to clinical, ultrasound thyroid evaluation and serum-free thyroxine (FT4), serum-free tri-iodothyronine (FT3), TSH, TPOAb and thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) determination.
Results: Mean FT3, FT4 and TSH concentration showed no differences between BC patients, BBD patients and controls. The prevalence of TPOAb in BC patients (12/36: 33.33%) was significantly higher than in BBD patients (5/25: 20%) (P < 0.01) and in controls (8/100: 8%) (P < 0.01). Similarly, the prevalence of TgAb in BC patients was 12 out of 36 (33.33%) significantly higher than that detected in BBD patients (4/25: 16%) (P < 0.01) and in controls (12/100: 12%) (P < 0.01). Of the 36 BC patients, 20 showed a diffuse hypoechogenicity of the thyroid gland to ultrasound evaluation, significantly higher than in BBD (7/25: 28%) (P = 0.03). Of the 20 BC patients who showed a hypoechogenic pattern of thyroid gland, 10 (50%) were associated with antithyroid antibodies positivity (TAb). This finding was present in two of seven BBD (28.57%) (P < 0.0001). Only two controls showed focal hypoechogenicity of the thyroid gland. Generally, 24 out of 36 (66.7%) of BC and 9 out of 25 (36%) of BBD (P = 0.02) had signs of thyroid autoimmunity consistent with the hypoechogenic pattern of thyroid gland associated or not with TAb; 2 out of 36 (5.55%) of BC and 1 out of 25 (4%) of BBD patients had autoimmune hypothyroidism and no hypothyroidism was found in controls.
Conclusions: The results of this study confirm the strong relation between thyroid autoimmunity and BC. This finding is independent of stressful events represented by surgery or anaesthetic procedures. The present data call attention to the usefulness of screening for autoimmune thyroid disorders in patients with nodular breast disease selected for surgery.
Are serum leptin and the Gln223Arg polymorphism of the leptin receptor determinants of bone homeostasis in elderly men?
Authors: Crabbe Patricia , Goemaere Stefan , Zmierczak Hans , Van Pottelbergh Inge , De Bacquer Dirk , Kaufman Jean-Marc 
Published: April 2006

Objective: Across studies it has been suggested that leptin intervenes as a regulator of bone metabolism. This study assesses the contribution in elderly men of leptin and the Gln223Arg leptin receptor gene (LEPR) polymorphism to the variation in bone homeostasis, in relation to body composition and free estradiol as major confounders.
Design: We performed cross-sectional (n = 270) and longitudinal (mean follow-up 3.4 years, n = 214) evaluations in elderly men.
Methods: Serum leptin, LEPR genotype, baseline bone mineral density (BMD), longitudinal BMD changes at the hip and forearm, and biochemical markers of bone turnover were determined.
Results: In cross-sectional analyses absolute fat mass was the index of body composition most strongly associated with leptin (r = 0.74; P < 0.001). LEPR genotypes and serum leptin were not associated. Serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (S-BAP) was associated with LEPR genotypes (P = 0.05) and urinary C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (U-CTX) were associated with leptin levels (P = 0.03), independently from age, fat mass and free estradiol. Baseline BMD at the hip and forearm was neither associated with leptin nor with LEPR genotypes. Prospectively assessed BMD loss was not associated with serum leptin at the hip, whereas BMD loss was positively associated with leptin at the forearm (P = 0.01), independently from age, fat mass and free estradiol. Longitudinal changes in hip or forearm BMD were not associated with LEPR genotypes.
Conclusion: The findings suggest a possible role for leptin as determinant of bone homeostasis in elderly men, but with only modest impact independently from body composition and free estradiol.
Transsphenoidal pituitary surgery via the endoscopic technique: results in 35 consecutive patients with Cushing’s disease
Authors: Netea-Maier R T , van Lindert E J , den Heijer M , van der Eerden A , Pieters G F F M , Sweep C G J , Grotenhuis J A , Hermus A R M M 
Published: April 2006

Objective and design: The endoscopic technique has been recently introduced in the field of transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. This technique allows inspection of sellar, supra- and parasellar structures and removal of the tumor under direct visualization, is minimally traumatic and permits easier reoperations. This is the first report on the results of endoscopic surgery for patients with Cushing’s disease. Our aim was to retrospectively analyze the results of pituitary surgery in 35 consecutive patients with Cushing’s disease operated in our hospital after the introduction of the endoscopic technique (1998–2004).
Methods: Remission was defined as suppression of plasma cortisol (≤50 nmol/L) after 1 mg dexamethasone overnight determined in the first 3 months after surgery and disappearance of clinical signs and symptoms of hypercortisolism. The patients were followed for an average of 27 months (range 4 to 81 months, median 20 months).
Results: Pituitary MRI showed a macroadenoma in 6 patients, a microadenoma in 17 patients and no adenoma in 12 patients. After the initial surgery 27 patients (77%) were in remission. None of the patients had a relapse during follow-up. In the remaining 8 patients hypercortisolemia persisted after surgery. Three of them had a second endoscopic pituitary surgery resulting in remission in two patients. In one patient a second endoscopic pituitary surgery will soon follow. The remaining four patients were treated with radiotherapy postoperatively. Two of them were at the time of data collection in remission. One patient from the remission group had a serious epistaxis and three patients had cerebrospinal fluid leakage, one requiring an external lumbar drain, shortly after surgery. No complications were recorded in the failure group. Postoperatively 34% of all patients required substitution with levothyroxine, 40% required substitution with glucocorticoids, 17% received estrogens or testosterone and 6% still required desmopressin.
Conclusions: Endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery resulted in our series of patients with Cushings disease in an excellent postoperative remission rate. A randomized clinical trial, comparing endoscopic and conventional pituitary surgery in patients with Cushings disease, is needed to determine the pros and cons of both techniques.
Increased serum CXCL10 in Graves’ disease or autoimmune thyroiditis is not associated with hyper- or hypothyroidism per se, but is specifically sustained by the autoimmune, inflammatory process
Authors: Antonelli Alessandro , Fallahi Poupak , Rotondi Mario , Ferrari Silvia Martina , Romagnani Paola , Grosso Mariano , Ferrannini Ele , Serio Mario 
Published: April 2006

Objective: Serum CXCL10 (an interferon-γ-inducible chemokine) levels (sCXCL10) are increased in several autoimmune conditions, including Graves’ disease (GD) and autoimmune thyroiditis (AT). Longitudinal assessment of sCXCL10 in autoimmune hypo- or hyperthyroidism has not yet been performed.
Design and methods: We longitudinally assayed sCXCL10 in the following groups:

thirty-three GD and 11 toxic nodular goiter (TNG) patients when hyperthyroid (Hyper) and when reaching euthyroidism (Eu) with methimazole therapy (MMI)

sixty-six AT (33 hypothyroid (Hypo) and 33 Eu) patients, basally and after reaching EU (for Hypo) with levothyroxine (L-T4) therapy

twenty-two patients with thyroid cancer (CA) under L-T4-suppressive treatment, of whom 11 were re-evaluated after L-T4 withdrawal for diagnostic WBS, and 11 after recombinant TSH (rhTSH) administration

thirty-three healthy controls.

Results: At initial evaluation, Hyper GD and AT (Hypo significantly higher than Eu) showed significantly higher mean sCXCL10 than all other groups. MMI treatment led to a significant decrease in sCXCL10 only in GD (not in TNG), while restoration of Eu, in Hypo AT, by L-T4 was not accompanied by significant sCXCL10 change. CA showed sCXCL10 comparable to controls, and both Hypo after L-T4 withdrawal and rhTSH injection had no effect on sCXCL10.
Conclusions: Treatment of Hyper leads to a significant decrease in sCXCL10 only in GD, and this probably depends upon the MMI immunomodulatory effect. L-T4 correction of Hypo is not accompanied by significant modification of sCXCL10 in AT. Increased sCXCL10 is not associated with Hyper or Hypo per se, but is specifically sustained by the autoimmune inflammatory event occurring in both GD and AT.
Increased T-helper interferon-γ-secreting cells in obese children
Authors: Pacifico Lucia , Di Renzo Livia , Anania Caterina , Osborn John F , Ippoliti Flora , Schiavo Elisa , Chiesa Claudio 
Published: April 2006

Objective: Leptin, an adipocyte-secreted hormone, has emerged as a potential candidate for the link between obesity and the proinflammatory state. Specifically, leptin modulates T-helper (Th) cells toward a Th1 phenotype, with the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Th1/Th2 balance in obese children and its relation with hormonal and metabolic features.
Study design: In 50 obese children and 20 control children, we measured the CD4-positive Th cells that secrete interferon (IFN)-γ or interleukin (IL)-2 (taken as an index of Th1 cells), and IL-4 (taken as an index of Th2 cells) as well as serum glucose, insulin, insulin resistance (IR) index (as homeostasis model assessment model (HOMA)), lipid profile, aminotransferases, leptin and ghrelin. Obese children also underwent dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan measurements, and liver ultrasound scanning.
Results: Geometric mean percentages of IL-2- and IL-4-CD4 secreting cells in obese children were not significantly different from those found in control children. However, the geometric mean percentage of CD4-positive T cells secreting IFN-γ was significantly higher in the obese than in the control (P < 0.0001, t-test) group. Within the entire group of study children, the percentage of IFN-γ-positive cells was positively associated with leptin (P = 0.002), insulin (P < 0.00 005), and HOMA-IR values (P < 0.00 005). However, when these associations were restricted to the group of obese subjects, insulin and HOMA-IR values, but not leptin, retained statistical significance. Yet, in the obese group, the percentage of IFN-γ-positive cells was associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (P = 0.001), but not with body mass index-standard deviation score and total body fat mass. Conclusions: In obese children, a shift to Th1-cytokine profile dominated by the production of IFN-γ is related to insulin resistance as well as to NASH independently of anthropometric features and other metabolic characteristics. The prevalent Th1 pattern of secreted cytokines may be regarded as a mechanism contributing to inflammation in obesity.
Effects of free fatty acids on ACTH and cortisol secretion in anorexia nervosa
Authors: Lanfranco Fabio , Gianotti Laura , Picu Andreea , Giordano Roberta , Daga Giovanni Abbate , Mondelli Valeria , Malfi Giuseppe , Fassino Secondo , Ghigo Ezio , Arvat Emanuela 
Published: April 2006

Objective: Free fatty acids (FFAs) exert a stimulatory effect on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis in animals and inhibit spontaneous ACTH and cortisol secretion in humans. Patients with anorexia nervosa display concomitant HPA axis hyperactivity and increased lipolysis. We studied the effects of a lipid load on ACTH and cortisol secretion in patients with anorexia nervosa in comparison with normal subjects.
Design: Eight women with anorexia nervosa (ANW; means ± s.e.m.: 23.9 ± 2.3 years of age; body mass index (BMI): 14.9 ± 0.6 kg/m2) and seven normal women (NW; 25.6 ± 2.3 years of age; BMI: 22.8 ± 1.9 kg/m2) had FFA, ACTH, cortisol, glucose and insulin levels measured in the morning every 30 min for 180 min during i.v. saline or lipid-heparin emulsion (LHE) infusion.
Results: During saline infusion, ACTH and cortisol levels decreased spontaneously in both groups, ACTH and cortisol levels in ANW being higher than in NW. LHE infusion led to increased FFA levels in both groups (P < 0.005). The ACTH and cortisol decrease in NW was more marked than during saline infusion (P < 0.05). LHE infusion in ANW was associated with a more pronounced decrease in ACTH levels than during saline infusion (P < 0.05), while cortisol levels were unchanged. At the end of the LHE infusion, a progressive decrease in FFA levels was associated with an increase in ACTH and cortisol concentrations in NW (P < 0.05) but not in ANW in whom FFA levels decreased to a lesser extent (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: This study showed that corticotroph sensitivity to the inhibitory effect of an FFA load is preserved in patients with anorexia nervosa, in spite of persistent adrenal hyperactivity.
UV Radiation as a Potential Driving Force for Zooplankton Community Structure in Patagonian Lakes
Authors: Marinone María Cristina , Marque Silvina Menu , Suárez Diego Añón , Diéguez María del Carmen , Pérez Patricia , De Los Ríos Patricio , Soto Doris , Zagarese Horacio E. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTThis article explores the potential role of UV radiation (UVR) as an influence on zooplankton communities. In the first section we provide a general overview of UVR effects on freshwater zooplankton, with an emphasis on Argentine and Chilean environments. In the second section we present the results of a survey involving 53 temperate lakes across a gradient of UVR exposure to determine patterns of species richness and specific diversity. These community characteristics decreased at high potential UVR exposure (i.e. high mean water column irradiance or low lake optical density). A threshold value of mean water column irradiance of approximately 10% of the surface level seems to limit both richness and diversity to minimum values. On the basis of the collected evidence it is not possible to definitely conclude that UVR rather than another covarying factor is responsible for the decrease in specific diversity observed at the lowest end of lake optical depth. However, lakes with values above the previous threshold are likely to exhibit highly depauperate zooplankton communities regardless of the mechanism. As a cautionary note we suggest that changes in the optical characteristics (i.e. changes due to atmospheric conditions, precipitation patterns or vertical displacement of the tree line) may result in sudden shifts in zooplankton community structure.
Application of Time‐Resolved Polarization Fluorescence Spectroscopy in the Femtosecond Range to Photosynthetic Systems†
Authors: Akimoto Seiji , Mimuro Mamoru 
Published: April 2006

AbstractTime‐resolved polarization fluorescence spectroscopy in the femtosecond range was applied to a photosynthetic antenna system. Specific signals of excited states were obtained by simultaneous measurements of fluorescence rise and decay curves and polarized spectroscopy. Relaxation processes of carotenoids, energy transfer from carotenoids to chlorophyll (Chl) a, and energy migration among pigment pools of Chl a and Chl b were clearly resolved. Two new characteristics of carotenoid molecules were revealed only by anisotropy measurements. A new singlet excited state between the well known S2 and S1 states was resolved by an intermediary anisotropy (r(t) = 0.30) for siphonaxanthin in chloroplasts of Codium fragile. Time‐dependent changes in anisotropy with an initial value of 0.52 (r(0) = 0.52) were recorded during the relaxation of lutein molecules in the light‐harvesting complexes II of Arabidopsis thaliana, and this was interpreted as a strong interaction between two lutein molecules in the pigment–protein complexes. Other examples of the application of this method were also discussed.
Assessment of the Spatial Distribution of Soil Properties in a Northern Everglades Marsh
Authors: Corstanje R. , Grunwald S. , Reddy K. R. , Osborne T. Z. , Newman S. 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTFlorida Everglades restoration plans are aimed at maintaining and restoring characteristic landscape features such as soil, vegetation, and hydrologic patterns. This study presents the results from an exhaustive spatial sampling of key soil properties in Water Conservation Area 1 (WCA 1), which is part of the northern Everglades. Three soil strata were sampled: floc, upper 0‐ to 10‐cm soil layer, and 10‐ to 20‐cm soil layer. A variety of properties were measured including bulk density (BD), loss on ignition (LOI), total phosphorus (TP), total inorganic phosphorus (TIP), total nitrogen (TN), total carbon (TC), total iron (TFe), total magnesium (TMg), total aluminum (TAl), and total calcium (TCa). Interpolated maps and model prediction uncertainties of properties were generated using geostatistical methods. We found that the uncertainty associated with spatial predictions of floc, particularly floc BD, was highest, whereas spatial predictions of soil chemical properties such as soil Ca were more accurate. The resultant spatial patterns for these soil properties identified three predominant features in WCA 1: (i) a north to south gradient in soil properties associated with the predominant hydrological gradient, (ii) areas of considerable soil nutrient enrichment along the western canal of WCA 1, and (iii) areas of considerable Fe enrichment along the eastern canal. By using geostatistical techniques we were able to describe the spatial dynamics of soil variables and express these predictions with an acceptable level of uncertainty.
A Novel Extractant for Removal of Hazardous Metals from Preservative‐Treated Wood Waste
Authors: Kakitani Tomo , Hata Toshimitsu , Kajimoto Takeshi , Imamura Yuji 
Published: April 2006

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to develop a one‐step metal extraction process that would effectively remove hazardous elements from wood powder or chips of western hemlock [Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.] treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) preservative. In addition, we tested this method for wood treated with other copper‐based preservatives such as ammoniacal copper quaternary (ACQ) and copper, boron, and azole (CuAz). A bioxalate solution consisting of 0.125 M oxalic acid adjusted to pH 3.2 with sodium hydroxide was tested for its ability to extract chromium, copper, and arsenic from wood treated with CCA and copper from ACQ, CuAz, or a mixture of CCA‐, ACQ‐, and CuAz‐treated wood in single step. The extraction proceeded efficiently with 6 h of treatment, and was insensitive to the differences in chemical characteristics, including solubility of individual elements. After 6 h of treatment, approximately 90% of chromium, copper, and arsenic were effectively removed from wood treated with CCA or a mixture of CCA, ACQ, and CuAz and 90% of copper from ACQ‐ and CuAz‐treated wood. These results demonstrate that the solvent extraction technique using pH‐adjusted bioxalate solution with sodium hydroxide is a promising method for pollution minimization by various types of wastes contaminated with heavy metals and arsenic.