bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hyperglycaemia after glucose loading is a major predictor of preclinical atherosclerosis in nondiabetic subjects
Authors: Zhang Yi‐Fei , Hong Jie , Zhan Wei‐Wei , Li Xiao‐Ying , Gu Wei‐Qiong , Yang Yi‐Sheng , Xu Min , Ning Guang 
Published: January 2006

SummaryObjective  Carotid intima–media thickness (IMT) has proved to be an independent marker of preclinical atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether carotid IMT is associated with the plasma glucose concentration in the fasting state, after loading with oral glucose, or with the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) in nondiabetic subjects with different levels of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance.Design  Cross‐sectional study.Patients  A total of 160 nondiabetic subjects (147 from our obesity‐overweight clinic and 13 healthy normal subjects) were included in the present study, among them 33 had normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 13 had impaired fasting glucose (IFG), 80 had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 34 had both IFG and IGT.Measurements  Carotid IMT was assessed in the common carotid artery by a high‐resolution B‐mode ultrasound system. Plasma glucose was measured after fasting and at 30 min, 1, 2 and 3 h after a standard 75‐g load of glucose. The ISI was calculated from the frequent sampling intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT).Results  The IMT values in the NGT group were lower than those in the IFG, IGT and IFG + IGT groups (P < 0·03). No statistical difference in IMT values was found among the latter three groups. Univariate correlation analyses showed that the IMT was positively associated with age, plasma glucose concentrations 1 and 2 h after glucose loading, and serum concentration of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (r = 0·39, 0·22, 0·25 and 0·18, respectively, P < 0·05). Multiple regression analysis showed that only age, plasma glucose concentration 2 h after glucose loading, and LDL cholesterol appeared to be significant correlates of the IMT (P < 0·0001), whereas the ISI was not.Conclusions  In nondiabetic subjects with various degrees of glucose intolerance, there was a significant increase in IMT in those with IFG and IGT. Significant determinants of IMT, an indicator of preclinical atherosclerosis, include hyperglycaemia 2 h after a glucose load, age and LDL cholesterol, whereas fasting glucose concentration and the ISI were not significantly associated with IMT.
Genetic analyses in familial isolated hyperparathyroidism: implication for clinical assessment and surgical management
Authors: Cetani Filomena , Pardi Elena , Ambrogini Elena , Lemmi Monica , Borsari Simona , Cianferotti Luisella , Vignali Edda , Viacava Paolo , Berti Piero , Mariotti Stefano , Pinchera Aldo , Marcocci Claudio 
Published: January 2006

SummaryObjective  Familial isolated primary hyperparathyroidism (FIPH) can result from either incomplete expression of a syndromic form of familial primary hyperparathyroidism [multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1), hyperparathyroidism–jaw tumour syndrome (HPT‐JT) or familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia (FHH)] or still unrecognized causes.Design  Genetic analyses of MEN1, HRPT2 and CASR genes in FIHP.Patients  Seven well‐characterized Italian kindreds with FIHP, with negative clinical features for MEN 1, HPT‐JT and FHH. The mean age (± SD) at diagnosis was 45 ± 17 years (range 18–70 years) in the probands and 42 ± 18 years (range 15–69 years) in the other affected subjects.Measurements  Direct sequencing of germline DNA of the MEN1, HRPT2 and CASR genes from probands. The region of interest was amplified in some family members.Results  Germline MEN1 mutations were detected in three kindreds. Multiglandular involvement was found in all but one affected subject belonging to the three kindreds with MEN1 mutations. In these patients persistence/relapse of the disease was observed unless an extensive parathyroidectomy (excision of 31/2 glands) had been performed, with the exception of one patient, who is currently normocalcaemic 168 months after excision of two glands. No mutations of MEN1, HRPT2 and CASR genes were identified in the remaining four families.Conclusions  MEN1 genotyping appears worthwhile in FIHP families, as the finding of mutation(s) may predict multiglandular involvement and therefore have practical surgical implications, and prompt further investigation in the family, with the possibility of identifying new cases and beginning a programme of periodic surveillance for emergence of tumours in all carriers.
Increase of interferon‐γ‐inducible CXC chemokine CXCL10 serum levels in patients with active Graves’ disease, and modulation by methimazole therapy
Authors: Antonelli Alessandro , Rotondi Mario , Fallahi Poupak , Romagnani Paola , Ferrari Silvia Martina , Barani Lucio , Ferrannini Ele , Serio Mario 
Published: January 2006

SummaryBackground  CXCL10 plays an important role in the initial phases of Graves’ disease (GD) and autoimmune thyroiditis (AT); however, until now, CXCL10 serum levels (sCXCL10) in patients with GD have never been evaluated in relation to thyroid function and treatment.Objective  To evaluate sCXCL10 in GD.Design  Cross‐sectional.Patients  One hundred and three GD, 164 AT, 20 nontoxic multinodular goitre (NTMNG), 16 toxic nodular goitre (TNG) patients and 70 healthy controls (age‐ and sex‐matched).Measurements  We measured sCXCL10 in patients and controls, to relate this parameter to the clinical phenotype.Results  Mean sCXCL10 in GD and AT patients were comparable (122 ± 81 and 133 ± 102 pg/ml) and significantly higher (P < 0·01) than in controls or NTMNG patients (73 ± 32 and 76 ± 25 pg/ml, respectively). Hyperthyroid GD had significantly higher sCXCL10 than euthyroid or hypothyroid GD (145 ± 92, 107 ± 56 and 105 ± 46 pg/ml, respectively; P = 0·01). GD patients with untreated hyperthyroidism had higher sCXCL10 than hyperthyroid or euthyroid GD patients under methimazole (MMI) treatment (166 ± 125, 124 ± 41 and 94 ± 35 pg/ml, respectively; P = 0·006). Comparable sCXCL10 levels were observed in newly diagnosed untreated hyperthyroid GD patients with respect to untreated patients with relapse of hyperthyroidism after a previous MMI course (176 ± 125, 155 ± 97 pg/ml, respectively). GD had similar sCXCL10 to AT and higher than TNG patients or controls (all age‐ and sex‐matched) (144 ± 81, 149 ± 114, 101 ± 27 and 86 ± 44 pg/ml, respectively; P = 0·02).Conclusions  sCXCL10 is associated with the active phase of GD in both newly diagnosed and relapsing hyperthyroid patients. The reduction in sCXCL10 in treated patients with GD may be related to the immunomodulatory effects of MMI.
p53 immunostaining in lichen sclerosus is related to ischaemic stress and is not a marker of differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (d‐VIN)
Authors: Liegl B , Regauer S 
Published: January 2006

Aim : To analyse p53 immunoreactivity in 207 biopsy specimens of lichen sclerosus (LS) and ‘differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia’ (d‐VIN), a postulated precursor lesion for LS‐associated vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which is characterized by atypical basal keratinocyte proliferations with p53+ basal/suprabasal keratinocyte nuclei.Methods and results : Forty early, 78 classic, 30 hypertrophic vulvar LS, 26 paediatric vulvar and penile LS, 33 vulvar LS‐associated SCC and 30 vulvar/penile control specimens were examined for p53 expression and the presence of d‐VIN. Nuclear p53 staining was observed in 175/207 LS biopsy specimems. Eighty percent of early and 69% of paediatric LS showed discontinuous/continous p53 staining in basal keratinocytes. Classic LS showed no p53 staining in 17%, discontinuous basal keratinocyte staining in 20%, continuous basal keratinocyte staining in 58%, basal/suprabasal staining in 5%. Hypertrophic LS revealed basal keratinocyte staining in 32% and basal/suprabasal staining in 61%. p53 staining was associated with sclerosis of blood vessels and dermis, lymphoid infiltrates, vasculitis and hypertrophic LS. d‐VIN was seen in 2% of LS alone and in 24% of LS‐associated SCC.Conclusion : d‐VIN in LS is rare, while p53 staining is common and best explained as an ischaemic stress response due to poor oxygenation, vasculitis and inflammation rather than as a marker of a precancerous lesion in LS.
Cell cycle regulators and apoptosis‐associated proteins in relation to proliferative activity and degree of apoptosis in HNPCC versus sporadic endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Rijcken F , van der Zee A , van der Sluis T , Boersma‐van Ek W , Kleibeuker J , Hollema H 
Published: January 2006

Aims : Mismatch repair gene malfunction occurs early in the carcinogenesis of hereditary non‐polyposis colorectal cancers (HNPCCs), leading to an accelerated accumulation of mutations and possibly to change in expression of cell cycle proteins. There is strong evidence that tumorigenesis in HNPCCs differs from sporadic ones. HNPCC‐related endometrial cancers are less well studied. Our aim was to compare expression of cell cycle and apoptosis‐related proteins in relation to proliferation and apoptosis in HNPCC‐related and sporadic endometrial cancers to identify differences in their carcinogenetic pathways.Methods and results : Eighteen HNPCC‐related endometrial cancers, each matched by tumour type, stage and grade with two sporadic endometrial cancers, were examined for proliferation, apoptosis and the expression of oestrogen and progesterone receptors, cyclin B1, D3 and E, p21, p27, bcl‐2, bax, p53 and COX‐2. No differences in proliferation or apoptotic indices were detected between HNPCC‐related and sporadic endometrial cancers. Cyclin B1 expression was significantly higher in HNPCC‐related cancers than in sporadic endometrial cancers. More HNPCC‐related endometrial cancers had total loss of bax expression.Conclusions : Apart from differences in cyclin B1 and bax expression, HNPCC‐related and sporadic endometrial cancers are comparable. The subtle differences detected are consistent with the minor clinical diversity between HNPCC‐related and sporadic endometrial cancers.
Expression of matrix metalloproteinases in benign and malignant follicular thyroid lesions
Authors: Cho Mar K , Eimoto T , Tateyama H , Arai Y , Fujiyoshi Y , Hamaguchi M 
Published: January 2006

Aims : To examine expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and related proteins in follicular thyroid lesions (FTLs) and to determine their usefulness for differential diagnosis of FTLs, particularly between minimally invasive carcinoma and adenoma.Methods and results : Six widely invasive follicular carcinomas (WIFCs), 15 minimally invasive follicular carcinomas (MIFCs), 19 follicular adenomas (FAs) and 10 adenomatous goitres (AGs) were analysed immunohistochemically for MMP‐1, MMP‐2, MMP‐7, MMP‐9, membrane‐type 1‐MMP (MT1‐MMP) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (TIMP‐2). MMP‐1 was positive in all FTLs. MMP‐2 and MMP‐7 were positive in more than 80% of WIFC and MIFC cases, whereas they were negative in all FA and AG cases except one MMP‐2+ FA (P < 0.001). MMP‐9 stained positive significantly more in MIFC than FA or AG cases (P < 0.05, respectively). The positivity of MT1‐MMP and TIMP‐2 was different among some of the FTLs, but with no significant difference between MIFC and FA cases. In‐situ hybridization of MMP‐2 and MMP‐7 mRNA in selected cases demonstrated the expression of these enzymes in the tumour cells as well as in some stromal cells.Conclusions : Our results confirm MMP expression mainly in malignant FTLs and suggest that MMP‐2 and MMP‐7 may be useful markers to distinguish MIFC from FA.
Sensitivity and specificity of immunohistochemical markers used in the diagnosis of epithelioid mesothelioma: a detailed systematic analysis using published data
Authors: King J E , Thatcher N , Pickering C A C , Hasleton P S 
Published: January 2006

Aims : Immunohistochemistry is frequently employed to aid the distinction between mesothelioma and pulmonary adenocarcinoma metastatic to the pleura, but there is uncertainty as to which antibodies are most useful. We analysed published data in order to establish sensitivity and specificity of antibodies used to distinguish between these tumours with a view to defining the most appropriate immunohistochemical panel to use when faced with this diagnostic problem.Methods and results : A systematic analysis of the results of 88 published papers comparing immunohistochemical staining of a panel of antibodies in mesothelioma with epithelioid areas, and pulmonary adenocarcinoma metastatic to the pleura. Results for a total of 15 antibodies were analysed and expressed in terms of sensitivity and specificity. The most sensitive antibodies for identifying pulmonary adenocarcinoma were MOC‐31 and BG8 (both 93%), whilst the most specific were monoclonal CEA (97%) and TTF‐1 (100%). The most sensitive antibodies to identify epithelioid mesothelioma were CK5/6 (83%) and HBME‐1 (85%). The most specific antibodies were CK5/6 (85%) and WT1 (96%).Conclusions : No single antibody is able to differentiate reliably between these two tumours. The use of a small panel of antibodies with a high combined sensitivity and specificity is recommended.
Dental abscess in a tooth with intact dens evaginatus
Authors: CHO S. Y. 
Published: January 2006

Summary.This article reports a case of dental abscess in a mandibular premolar with intact dens evaginatus. Dentists are advised to critically evaluate those teeth with dens evaginatus, both clinically and radiographically, before attempting prophylactic treatments. This is particularly important medicolegally in case the tooth develops symptoms shortly after the prophylactic treatment. Dentists practising in Western countries should also be aware of this dental anomaly because of the increasing global migration of people from Asia.
Solitary median maxillary central incisor and normal stature: a report of three cases
Authors: CHO S. Y. , DRUMMOND B. K. 
Published: January 2006

Summary.Solitary median maxillary central incisor (SMMCI) is a rare finding. Growth deficiency or other systemic abnormalities may or may not be seen in children with this anomaly. Nevertheless, the growth and development of all children with SMMCI should be closely monitored. This article reports the dental findings of three Chinese girls with SMMCI, but no growth deficiency or other systemic involvement.
Capnocytophaga in the dental plaque of immunocompromised children with cancer
Authors: SIXOU J. L. , AUBRY‐LEULIETTE A. , DE MEDEIROS‐BATTISTA O. , LEJEUNE S. , JOLIVET‐GOUGEON A. , SOLHI‐PINSARD H. , GANDEMER V. , BARBOSA‐ROGIER M. , BONNAURE‐MALLET M. 
Published: January 2006

Summary.Objectives.  (i) To compare the prevalence and levels of Capnocytophaga, a known systemic pathogen in immunocompromised patients, in the dental plaque of healthy children and children with cancer, and (ii) to determine the susceptibility of strains isolated from cancer patients to a range of antibiotics.Patients and methods.  Thirty‐one children with cancer undergoing a first course of immunosuppressive chemotherapy and 30 healthy control children were included in the study. Samples were collected on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 of the cure (and equivalent dates in controls). Susceptibility to antibiotics was tested using an agar dilution method and galleries with predefined concentrations of selected antibiotics.Results.  There was a significant drop in the total anaerobic cultivable flora on day 14 and in the prevalence of Capnocytophaga on days 14 and 21 in the children with cancer. The proportion of Capnocytophaga in the anaerobic flora, however, was high in certain cancer patients. Beta‐lactam/beta‐lactamase inhibitor combinations, imipenem, clindamycin, and tetracycline were the most effective against Capnocytophaga.Conclusion.  This study showed that Capnocytophaga decreased in prevalence and proportion in the dental plaque of cancer patients during chemotherapy but became predominant in some cases. It is recommended that imipenem or beta‐lactam/beta‐lactamase inhibitor combinations be used to treat Capnocytophaga bacteraemia.
Fluoride content of bottled waters available in Northern Greece
Authors: AHIROPOULOS V. 
Published: January 2006

Summary.Objective.  The aim of this study was to evaluate the fluoride content of bottled drinking waters commercially available in northern Greece and to report on the accuracy of the labelling of fluoride concentration.Materials and methods.  Twenty‐two randomly selected commercial brands of bottled water were obtained from three supermarkets in Thessaloniki, Greece. Three bottles of each brand were purchased. Following calibration, six tests were conducted on each bottle using a combination fluoride‐ion selective electrode (Orion, 96‐09‐00, MA, USA). The average reading for each brand was estimated and also compared with the fluoride content printed on the label.Results.  The mean (± SD) fluoride content of the bottled water samples was 0·35 (± 1·00) mg F/L with a range from 0·05 to 4·8 mg F/L. Only 18% (N = 4) of brands tested mention the fluoride concentration on the label, and 90% (N = 22) had a tested fluoride between 0·05 and 0·21 mg F/L. Of the remaining two brands, one was found to contain 0·3 mg F/L without having the fluoride concentration indicated on the label, and the other was labelled at 6 mg F/L, whereas the concentration was estimated as 4·8 mg F/L.Conclusions.  The use of bottled water may be a significant source of systemic fluoride and therefore be considered as a risk factor for dental fluorosis in young children. This article shows that bottled drinking waters contain differing concentrations of fluoride. The manufacturers’ labelling of fluoride concentrations may be inaccurate. When prescribing fluoride supplements, dentists should be aware of the fluoride content of bottled waters used by paediatric patients, especially brands with a concentration higher than 0·3 mg F/L. In view of the wide variation of fluoride concentration in the tested bottled waters, regulatory guidelines for controlling concentration in order to prevent dental fluorosis are recommended.
Did lemurs have sweepstake tickets? An exploration of Simpson's model for the colonization of Madagascar by mammals
Authors: Stankiewicz J. , Thiart C. , Masters J. C. , de Wit M. J. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractAim  To investigate the validity of Simpson's model of sweepstakes dispersal, particularly as it applies to the colonization of Madagascar by African mammals. We chose lemurs as a classic case.Location  The East African coast, the Mozambique Channel and Madagascar.Methods  First, we investigated the assumptions underlying Simpson's statistical model as it relates to dispersal events. Second, we modelled the fate of a natural raft carrying one or several migrating mammals under a range of environmental conditions: in the absence of winds or currents, in the presence of winds and currents, and with and without a sail. Finally, we investigated the possibility of an animal being transported across the Mozambique Channel by an extreme climatic event like a tornado or a cyclone.Results  Our investigations show that Simpson's assumptions are consistently violated when applied to scenarios of over‐water dispersal by mammals. We suggest that a simple binomial probability model is an inappropriate basis for extrapolating the likelihood of dispersal events. One possible alternative is to use a geometric probability model. Our estimates of current and wind trajectories show that the most likely fate for a raft emerging from an estuary on the east coast of Africa is to follow the Mozambique current and become beached back on the African coast. Given prevailing winds and currents, transport from Madagascar to Africa is very much more likely than the reverse process. Freak transport by means of a hurricane or tornado is even less likely than rafting for mammals.Main conclusions  Our models suggest that the scenario of sweepstakes dispersal that currently enjoys wide support is not valid at either the theoretical or the applied level when applied to the hypothetical invasion of Madagascar by African mammals. Alternative explanations should be sought.
Dispersal is fundamental to biogeography and the evolution of biodiversity on oceanic islands
Authors: Cowie Robert H. , Holland Brenden S. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractVicariance biogeography emerged several decades ago from the fusion of cladistics and plate tectonics, and quickly came to dominate historical biogeography. The field has since been largely constrained by the notion that only processes of vicariance and not dispersal offer testable patterns and refutable hypotheses, dispersal being a random process essentially adding only noise to a vicariant system. A consequence of this thinking seems to have been a focus on the biogeography of continents and continental islands, considering the biogeography of oceanic islands less worthy of scientific attention because, being dependent on stochastic dispersal, it was uninteresting. However, the importance of dispersal is increasingly being recognized, and here we stress its fundamental role in the generation of biodiversity on oceanic islands that have been createdin situ, never connected to larger land masses. Historical dispersal patterns resulting in modern distributions, once considered unknowable, are now being revealed in many plant and animal taxa, in large part through the analysis of polymorphic molecular markers. We emphasize the profound evolutionary insights that oceanic island biodiversity has provided, and the fact that, although small in area, oceanic islands harbour disproportionately high biodiversity and numbers of endemic taxa. We further stress the importance of continuing research on mechanisms generating oceanic island biodiversity, especially detection of general, non‐random patterns of dispersal, and hence the need to acknowledge oceanic dispersal as significant and worthy of research.
Ecosystem engineering across ecosystems: do engineer species sharing common features have generalized or idiosyncratic effects on species diversity?
Authors: Badano Ernesto I. , Cavieres Lohengrin A. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractAim  To integrate the effects of ecosystem engineers (organisms that create, maintain or destroy habitat for other species) sharing the same archetype on species diversity, and assess whether different engineer species have generalized or idiosyncratic effects across environmentally similar ecosystems.Location  High‐Andean habitats of Chile and Argentina, from 23° S to 41° S.Methods  We measured and compared the effects of eight alpine plants with cushion growth‐form on species richness, species diversity (measured as the Shannon–Wiener index) and evenness of vascular plant assemblages across four high‐Andean ecosystems of Chile and Argentina.Results  The presence of cushion plants always increased the species richness, diversity (measured as the Shannon–Wiener index) and evenness of high‐Andean plant assemblages. However, while the presence of different cushion species within the same ecosystem controlled species diversity in the same way, these effects varied between cushion species from different ecosystems.Main conclusions  Results consistently supported the idea that increases in habitat complexity due to the presence of ecosystem engineers, in this case cushion plants, would lead to higher community diversity. Results also indicate that effects of the presence of different cushion species within the same ecosystem could be generalized, while the effects of cushion species from different ecosystems should be considered idiosyncratic.