bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CAG repeat length in the androgen receptor gene and gonadotrophin suppression influence the effectiveness of hormonal male contraception
Authors: Eckardstein Sigrid v. , Schmidt Anja , Kamischke Axel , Simoni Manuela , Gromoll Jörg , Nieschlag Eberhard 
Published: March 2003

Summaryobjective Nonuniformity in suppression of spermatogenesis induced by various hormones or hormone combinations has impeded the development of an effective hormonal male contraceptive. The basis for this heterogeneity in response remained unresolved to date; however, the presence of ethnic differences points to an involvement of genetic factors.patients and measurements In a retrospective analysis we investigated the impact of a CAG repeat polymorphism in the androgen receptor and polymorphic sites in the oestrogen and FSH receptor genes on spermatogenic suppression in 85 Caucasian men treated with different regimens of hormonal contraception.results Failure to reduce sperm concentrations below 3 million/ml was significantly associated with insufficient suppression of gonadotrophins. The extent of gonadotrophin suppression was not explained by any polymorphism but was primarily pharmacological, resulting from addition of gestagens to testosterone. When LH and FSH suppression was rapid and persistent none of the polymorphisms studied explained why some men failed to achieve azoospermia. In cases with incomplete gonadotrophin suppression the chances of becoming azoospermic were 2·5 times higher in men having more than 22 CAG repeats.conclusions In summary, our analysis shows that in a subset of men, effective hormonal male contraception can be achieved even in the absence of complete gonadotrophin suppression.
Leptin measurement in urine in children and its relationship to other growth peptides in serum and urine
Authors: Zaman Nasra , Hall Catherine M. , Gill Matthew S. , Jones Julie , Tillmann Vallo , Westwood Melissa , Whatmore Andrew J. , Clayton Peter E. 
Published: March 2003

Summaryobjective Leptin has been implicated in the interaction between nutrition, energy balance and sexual maturation in humans. A non‐invasive method of measuring leptin would greatly facilitate longitudinal studies of changes in leptin in normal children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of urinary leptin as a surrogate for serum leptin measurements.design We have modified and validated a serum immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) kit for the measurement of leptin in urine, and subsequently investigated the relationship between urinary leptin and other growth‐related proteins.methods Cross‐sectional study: urinary leptin, measured in the first morning urine voided and expressed as ng excreted overnight, and serum concentrations of leptin, IGF‐I, IGF‐II, IGFBP‐3 and IGFBP‐1 were determined in a cohort of 188 healthy schoolchildren aged 5–19 years (88 males, 100 females). Height, weight and pubertal status were assessed in all children. Longitudinal study: urinary levels of leptin, IGF‐I and GH were measured daily in two adults (one male, one female) over a period of 6 weeks.results The detection limit of this modified assay was 0·59 ng/L. The intra‐ and interassay coefficients of variation range was 4–8% and 4–9%, respectively. The recovery of recombinant leptin added to urine was 98–108%, and the assay had a recovery rate for serial dilution in the range of 106–112%. Urinary leptin correlated significantly with serum leptin (r = +0·65, P < 0·01). Urinary leptin showed similar changes through puberty to those of serum leptin, with levels rising in females throughout puberty, whereas in males levels peaked at G2/G3 then decreased. BMI SDS was the main determinant of urinary leptin, as it was for serum leptin. In the cross‐sectional study urinary leptin correlated significantly with serum IGF‐I (r = +0·41, P = 0·001), IGF‐II (r = +0·19, P = 0·05), IGFBP‐3 (r = +0·29, P = 0.001) and IGFBP‐1 (r = −0·25, P = 0·001). In the adult study, leptin was also detected in urine with similar night‐to‐night variability to that found for IGF‐I and GH.conclusion Urinary leptin is a valid marker of serum leptin concentrations, and therefore this non‐invasive assay would be a useful tool for longitudinal assessment of changes in leptin in children.
The insulin‐like growth factor‐I generation test: peripheral responsiveness to growth hormone is not decreased with ageing
Authors: Lissett Catherine A. , Shalet Stephen M. 
Published: March 2003

Summaryobjective Ageing is accompanied by a reduction in GH secretion, and a decrease in circulating IGF‐I. Few data are available on whether the responsiveness of IGF‐I to GH stimulation changes with age.subjects and methods Therefore we carried out multiple IGF‐I generation tests in 26 healthy volunteers (16 male) of normal body mass index (BMI); nine aged 20–40 years, six aged 41–60 years, and 11 aged > 61 years. Each subject received three single doses of GH: 0·8, 2·0 and 21 IU in random order at least 4 weeks apart. Serum samples were taken 0, 18, 24, 48, 72 and 120 h following each dose of GH.results Basal serum levels of IGF‐I (P < 0·0001) and IGFBP‐3 (P < 0·01) declined with age, but serum acid‐labile subunit (ALS) levels did not (P = 0·2). Peak IGF‐I levels (P < 0·01 for 0·8 IU and P < 0·05 for the 2 IU dose) and area under curve (AUC) IGF‐I (P < 0·01 for the 0·8 IU and 2·0 IU doses of GH and P < 0·05 for the 21 IU dose) after GH administration continued to demonstrate a significant trend towards lower values with increasing age. However, the increment in IGF‐I, IGFBP‐3 and ALS in response to GH did not decline with age. Indeed, the increment in IGF‐I after 2 IU of GH, judged by the increase from basal to peak levels, increased with advancing age (P = 0·05), and a positive relationship was seen between the increment in the area under the IGF‐I curve following the 21 IU dose of GH and age (P < 0·02).conclusion These data illustrate that although activity of the GH/IGF‐I axis declines with age, peripheral responsiveness to GH is not attenuated. This suggests that a decrease in GH responsiveness does not contribute to the age‐related fall in circulating GH‐dependent peptides. Thus, for those embarking on trials of GH therapy or GH secretagogues in the elderly, the capacity to generate IGF‐I will not limit potential efficacy. Furthermore, the dose of GH replacement required for patients with organic GH deficiency is likely to be lower in the elderly compared with young adults.
Peritoneal fluid cytology in serous borderline tumours of the ovary
Authors: STEWART  , KENNEDY  
Published: March 2003

stewart c. j. r. and kennedy j. h. (1998) Cytopathology9, 38–45Peritoneal fluid cytology in serous borderline tumours of the ovaryPeritoneal fluid cytology findings in three patients with serous borderline tumours of the ovary and peritoneal serous implants are presented. The specimens were characterized by papillary groups, acinar clusters and single neoplastic cells exhibiting cytoplasmic vacuolation and nuclear atypia of variable degree. The cytological appearances were initially considered consistent with ovarian adenocarcinoma in all cases. Histological correlation is required to avoid this diagnostic pitfall.
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of Rosai Dorfman disease
Authors: Deshpande V. , Verma K. 
Published: March 2003

deshpande v and verma k. (1998) Cytopathology9, 329–335Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of Rosai Dorfman diseaseRosai Dorfman disease (sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML)) is a benign self‐limiting disorder that commonly involves the lymph nodes. We reviewed eight cases of this entity aiming to document the cytomorphological features. Of the eight cases, a preoperative diagnosis was suggested in seven cases. Pertinent features included: numerous large histiocytes with prominent emperipolesis (documented by a halo around the cell), fine vacuoles in the cytoplasm and lymphocytes and plasma cells in the background. In some cases the histiocytes showed atypia. In one biopsy‐proven case a diagnosis of Hodgkin's was suggested, emphasizing the pitfalls associated with the FNA diagnosis of this lesion.
Metaplastic carcinomas of the breast—fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology findings
Authors: NOGUEIRA M. , MENDONÇA S. ANDRÉ AND E. 
Published: March 2003

nogueira m., andré s. and mendonça e.. (1998) Cytopathology9, 291–300Metaplastic carcinomas of the breast—fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology findingsMetaplastic carcinomas of the breast are defined by mesenchymal and/or squamous cell components associated with ductal carcinoma and may raise diagnostic problems in FNA cytology. We reviewed FNA smears of a series of nine cases; seven were compared with histological sections and two with cell‐block sections. The cytological pattern was diagnostic of carcinoma in six cases; in two cases a diagnosis of sarcoma/phyllodes tumour was considered, as cells were predominantly spindle‐shaped. One case had a pleomorphic adenoma type pattern. The cytological findings suggesting a diagnosis of metaplastic carcinoma include a liquid aspirate, a proteinaceous or chondromyxoid background and a poorly differentiated tumour with multinucleated giant cells, neoplastic or histiocytic. A definite diagnosis requires the presence of both carcinomatous and metaplastic (squamous/mesenchymal) components.
Reactivity of six antibodies in effusions of mesothelioma, adenocarcinoma and mesotheliosis: stepwise logistic regression analysis
Authors: Dejmek A. , Hjerpe A. 
Published: March 2003

Reactivity of six antibodies in effusions of mesothelioma, adenocarcinoma and mesotheliosis: stepwise logistic regression analysisAnti‐CEA, anti‐vimentin, CAM5.2, BerEp4, Leu‐M1 and anti‐EMA were applied to effusions from 36 mesotheliomas, 53 adenocarcinomas and 24 reactive mesothelial proliferations. Stepwise logistic regression analysis selected three criteria of major importance for distinguishing between adenocarcinoma and mesothelioma: BerEp4, CEA and EMA accentuated at the cell membrane (mEMA), these three being of similar diagnostic value. The pattern BerEp4−, CEA− and mEMA+ was fully predictive for mesothelioma (sensitivity 47%), whereas the opposite pattern was fully predictive for adenocarcinoma (sensitivity 80%). Only EMA seemed to distinguish between mesotheliosis and mesothelioma. Comparison of reactivity in cytological and histological material from the same mesotheliomas showed similar staining frequencies for CEA and CAM5.2, with some random variation for Leu‐M1 and EMA, whereas vimentin and BerEp4 reactivity was more frequent in cytological specimens.
Significance of high‐risk human papillomavirus detection by polymerase chain reaction in primary cervical cancer screening
Authors: Oh Y. L. , Shin K. J. , Han J. , Kim D. S. 
Published: March 2003

Significance of high‐risk human papillomavirus detection by polymerase chain reaction in primary cervical cancer screening The purposes of this study were to evaluate the incidence of high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and to assess its diagnostic usefulness in primary cervical screening. PCR testing for HPV type 16, 18, 31 and 33 was performed on 1305 specimens obtained during routine cervical cancer screening. We analysed the concurrent cervical smears and biopsy, and correlated them with the HPV infection status. We also evaluated histologically‐proven cases with ASCUS smears according to HPV infection. HPV DNA was identified in eight (0.7%) of 1144 cytologically normal patients; nine (10.5%) of 86 ASCUS; seven (25.0%) of 28 LSIL; 26 (78.8%) of 33 HSIL; and in all of three squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). HPV positivity was significantly associated with cytohistological diagnosis for HSIL of more. In addition, HPV‐positive ASCUS cases were found to be associated with histological abnormality rather than HPV‐negative. The results indicate that high‐risk HPV testing by PCR could be a useful adjunct tool for Pap smear in primary cervical screening. The combination of Pap smear and high‐risk HPV testing by PCR might reduce unnecessary colposcopy‐guided biopsy of women with cytological diagnosis of ASCUS.
p53 protein expression and oestrogen and progesterone receptor status in invasive ductal breast carcinomas
Authors: Ioakim‐Liossi A. , Karakitsos P. , Markopoulos C. , Aroni K. , Athanassiadou P. , Delivelioti K. , Athanassiades P. , Vaiopoulos G. 
Published: March 2003

p53 protein expression and oestrogen and progesterone receptor status in invasive ductal breast carcinomas The p53 protein expression and oestrogen and progesterone receptors status was investigated in correlation to the grade of malignancy of primary breast carcinomas. Our material constituted imprints from surgical biopsies of 75 invasive ductal breast cancer cases. The p53 protein expression was investigated immunocytologically using the monoclonal antibody p53 DO‐7 (DAKO). A biochemical DCC method was applied for the detection of oestrogen and progesterone receptors for all tumours. Fifty‐one percent of breast cancer cases were p53 protein positive. A statistically significant association of p53 protein expression and high tumour grade was found (χ2=23.72, d.f.=2, P < 0.001). A statistically significant association was also found between oestrogen and progesterone receptor positive cases and the grade of malignancy (P < 0.001). A negative association between p53 protein expression and oestrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PgR) positivity was found. From our results it appears that it is possible to distinguish from grade II tumours two subgroups of cases, one with low malignancy potential and p53 (–), ER (+), PgR (+), and another subgroup with high malignancy potential and phenotype p53 (+), ER (–), PgR (–). The last subset of patients could actually benefit from adjuvant therapy.
Evidence for direct learning curve for technique on change of cervical sampling device
Authors: CROSS P. A. , JONES M. R. , BUTLER C. R. , CHARLTON C. R. 
Published: March 2003

Evidence for direct learning curve for technique on change of cervical sampling device The recommended sampling device within the NHS Cervical Screening Programme is the Aylesbury spatula. A local decision was taken to decrease brush usage (either alone or in combination) by 50% from an initial level of 41.8%, with an initial inadequate smear rate of 9.93%. This was managed by controlling smear taking equipment through provision of smear taking kits. The monthly inadequate rate unexpectedly rose to 17.8% before dropping back to previous levels. Brush usage overall fell to 35.2%, with a corresponding increase in spatula use. The possible reasons for this are discussed. The facts suggest that these changes were directly linked, and that there is a learning curve with change of sampling device and that a rise in the inadequate rate should be expected under these circumstances.
An audit of the accuracy of fine needle aspiration using a liquid‐based cytology system in the setting of a rapid access breast clinic
Authors: Joseph L. , Edwards J. M. , Nicholson C. M. , Pitt M. A. , Howat A. J. 
Published: March 2003

We have assessed the effectiveness and accuracy of reporting fine needle aspirates of the breast (FNAB) using a liquid‐based cytology (LBC) system (the Cytospin® method) in the pressure situation of a rapid access clinic (RAC). We have reviewed every case from the RAC from June 1997 to February 2001 inclusive. There were 1322 cases, which accounted for 26% of the total FNAB received in our department over the period. There were 323 cancers and 999 benign cases in the group. The inadequate/nondiagnostic rate (C1) was 18%. The absolute sensitivity, including C1 cases, was 73% with the complete sensitivity being 90%. The groups of ‘atypical, probably benign’ (C3) and ‘suspicious, probably malignant’ (C4) accounted for a total of 6.2%. There were 28 false negative cases and 1 false positive case (a borderline phyllodes tumour).Comparing our results with the standards recommended by the NHSBSP has shown that the diagnosis of FNAB using this LBC method is feasible, accurate and reliable even in the pressure situation of a RAC.
Impact of diet quality on demographic attributes in adult grasshoppers and the nitrogen limitation hypothesis
Authors: JOERN ANTHONY , BEHMER SPENCER T. 
Published: March 2003

1. Various formulations of the nutrient stress hypothesis predict that insect herbivore populations will respond positively to increased nutrient quality of host plants, especially dietary nitrogen. Survival and reproduction by adult females of two grasshopper species [Acrididae;Melanoplus sanguinipes (Fabricius) and Phoetaliotes nebrascensis (Thomas)] were evaluated in response to defined diets that varied factorially in both total nitrogen (1–7%) and total soluble carbohydrate (4.3–26.7%). These grasshopper species coexist naturally but are typically shifted phenologically so that specific developmental stages normally encounter host plants of different nutritional quality under natural conditions.2. Demographic responses by adult females of both species varied according to diet quality, but not in the same fashion. Diet quality affected survival significantly in P. nebrascensis but not in M. sanguinipes. Survival in P. nebrascensis was greatest on diets containing the lowest nitrogen concentrations; carbohydrate level had no effect.3. Diet quality influenced reproduction significantly in both species. Egg production rate (eggs/day) in M. sanguinipes exhibited a negative linear response to increased carbohydrate, coupled with a significant quadratic response to nitrogen that reached a maximum at an intermediate level of about 4% total N. A significant quadratic response to total N for pod production rate (indicating the timing of reproduction) was also observed. Clutch size in M. sanguinipes exhibited a negative relationship with total carbohydrate in the diet, but no response to nitrogen. No interaction was observed between nitrogen and carbohydrate levels. For P. nebrascensis, response to diet quality was much weaker, with only a suggestive maximum at 4% total‐N for both egg production rate (eggs/day) and clutch size (eggs/pod) and a suggestive linear response for pod production rate as carbohydrate level increased. Female body weight did not contribute to any reproductive response as a covariate variable.4. Combined with a similar, previous analysis of demographic responses by the grass‐feeding grasshopper, Ageneotettix deorum, these results challenge the ability to draw generalizations about host plant nutritional quality and grasshopper demographic responses. These three grasshopper species respond quite differently to defined diets that vary in total nitrogen and carbohydrate levels. Thus, although host plant quality can contribute significantly to grasshopper population responses, a uniform explanation is not likely.
Feeding strategies in drosophilid parasitoids: the impact of natural food resources on energy reserves in females
Authors: EIJS IRENE E. M. , ELLERS JACINTHA , VAN DUINEN GERT‐JAN 
Published: March 2003

1. Adult feeding strongly increases longevity and fecundity in parasitic wasps. Searching for food resources involves costs; therefore, it is advantageous to be able to feed on the breeding substrate.2. Cohorts of females of four drosophilid parasitoid species were assigned to different food treatments including starvation. Fat contents were measured and compared after 5 days. In this way the nutritional value of breeding substrates to females could be expressed in terms of energy reserves.3. Three of the four species tested fed on natural breeding substrates. A fourth species did not produce evidence of such feeding. However, this species fed on honey when fat reserves were low.4. Feeding is related to: (i) the species’ natural breeding substrate, (ii) the energy allocation and lifetime expectancy of the female, and (iii) time of the season.5. Because feeding strongly influences longevity and fecundity, it is argued that the different feeding strategies found may affect competitive relationships between these drosophilid parasitoid species.
Effect of food plant switching by a herbivore on its parasitoid: Cotesia melanoscela development in Lymantria dispar exposed to reciprocal dietary crosses
Authors: Kruse James J. , Raffa Kenneth F. 
Published: March 2003

Summary1. Host plant switching by dispersing early instar lepidopterans could have implications for parasitoid performance, but this possibility has not been evaluated thoroughly.2. The relative growth rates ofLymantria disparparasitized byCotesia melanoscela, and the weight of larvae at the time of parasitoid emergence, were affected most by the second larval food plant consumed.3. The relative growth rates, pupal weights, weight of larva at the time of parasitoid emergence, and development times ofL. disparwere affected significantly by the second larval food plant consumed.4. Development time and size ofCotesia melanoscelawere affected most by the second larval food plant consumed.5. Parasitoid performance was affected most by the larval host’s relative growth rate and the final weight of the host larva at the time of parasitoid emergence.6. Host plant switching affected the weight ofL. disparlarvae at the time of parasitoid emergence, but the effect of switchingper sewas not a significant factor inC. melanoscelasize or development.7.Lymantria disparlarvae that fed onPopulusas their second host outperformed larvae that fed ultimately onAcer.8. Parasitoids yielded fromL. disparlarvae that fed ultimately onPopulusoutperformed parasitoids yielded from larvae that fed ultimately onAcer.9. Per cent mortality ofL. dispardue to parasitism and percentage adultC. melanoscelaemergence were highest in parasitized larvae fedPopulus, poor in hosts fedAcer, and intermediate in switching larvae.
Variation in herbivory by Yponomeuta mahalebella on its only host plant Prunus mahaleb along an elevational gradient
Authors: Alonso Conchita 
Published: March 2003

Summary1. The effect of natural variation in abiotic conditions on the herbivory interaction between Prunus mahaleb (Rosaceae) and its monophagous folivore, larvae of Yponomeuta mahalebella (Lepidoptera, Yponomeutidae), was analysed for 2 consecutive years along an elevational gradient in Sierra de Cazorla, south‐east Spain.2. There was a negative correlation between site elevation and mean population herbivory level measured at the end of the growing period of Y. mahalebella. Mortality during larval development was higher at higher elevation sites, and mean adult body mass was higher in lower elevation populations.3. Variation in temperatures recorded during the larval growth period at different altitudes was the only study factor related to abundance of Y. mahalebella larvae; neither differences in parasitisation rates nor plant features covaried significantly with herbivore abundance.4. These results support the existence of geographical variation in plant–animal interactions in relation to environmental heterogeneity.