bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hormone replacement therapy may improve hepatic function in women with Turner's syndrome
Authors: Elsheikh M. , Hodgson H. J. F. , Wass J. A. H. , Conway G. S. 
Published: March 2003

OBJECTIVE Women with Turner's syndrome (TS) have recently been shown to be at an increased risk of developing chronic liver disease. There has been some concern that oestrogen replacement therapy may exacerbate hepatic dysfunction. The aim of this study was to assess hepatic function in women with TS and to determine the effect of oral oestradiol valerate on liver enzymes.DESIGN AND PATIENTS A retrospective review of liver enzymes of 80 women with TS, followed by a prospective study looking at serum liver enzyme concentrations in 20 women with TS following 3 months on and off hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (oestradiol valerate, 2 mg/levonorgestril 75 µg).MEASUREMENTS Liver enzymes (gamma glutamyl transferase, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase), albumin and bilirubin were measured on and off HRT. Viral hepatitis serology and liver autoantibodies were tested in patients with abnormal liver function.RESULTS Thirty‐five out of 80 women (44%) had elevated serum liver enzyme concentrations. Two women (2·5%) had a mildly raised serum bilirubin, but protein synthesis was normal in all subjects. HRT resulted in a significant fall in all liver enzymes (P < 0·05) but did not affect serum protein concentrationsCONCLUSIONS Women with Turner's syndrome often have elevated liver enzymes. Oestrogen/progestagen therapy using oestradiol valerate improves liver function in this group of patients. The mechanisms behind this are unclear.
The atherogenic plasma remnant‐like particle cholesterol concentration is increased in the fasting and postprandial state in active acromegalic patients
Authors: Twickler TH. B. , Dallinga‐Thie G. M. , Zelissen P. M. J. , Koppeschaar H. P. F. , Erkelens D. W. 
Published: March 2003

BACKGROUND Premature atherosclerosis is a clinical feature in untreated acromegaly. Increased postprandial lipoprotein remnant levels are associated with premature atherosclerosis. In most studies, remnants have been measured indirectly using retinyl esters (RE) as a chylomicron core label. Remnants can also be directly quantified by immunoseparation using monoclonal antibodies to apolipoprotein (apo) AI and apo B100 to remove nonremnant lipoproteins. Cholesterol is quantified in the remaining apo E‐rich remnant fraction (RLP‐C).OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of postprandial lipaemia in patients with acromegaly to further define abnormalities leading to increased susceptibility for atherosclerosis.PATIENTS In a case–control study, the plasma postprandial lipoprotein remnant fraction (RLP‐C and RE) were analysed in six patients with active acromegaly [two females, four males; aged 53 ± 9 years; body mass index (BMI), 29 ± 4 kg/m2] and in six normolipidaemic control subjects (matched for age, gender, BMI and apo E genotype). They underwent an oral vitamin A fat loading test.RESULTS Baseline plasma triglycerides (TG) were not significantly different in patients (1·75 ± 0·71 mm) and controls (1·15 ± 0·46 mm). Lipoprotein lipase activity was significantly lower in patients than in controls (108 ± 21 vs. 141 ± 19 U/l, respectively; P < 0·05). Baseline plasma apo E levels were higher in patients (60·8 ± 7·9 mg/l) than in controls (48·3 ± 5·9 mg/l; P < 0·05). No differences were found in the area under the postprandial TG curve (AUC–TG), the incremental AUC–TG (ΔAUC–TG) and AUC–RE in the Sf < 1000 remnant fraction. However, fasting plasma RLP‐C concentrations, isolated by immunoseparation, were increased in patients with active acromegaly (0·41 ± 0·13 mm) compared to control subjects (0·20 ± 0·07 mm; P < 0·05). Incremental postprandial RLP‐C response (corrected for fasting values) was also significantly elevated in patients (2·14 ± 1·19 mm&sol;h/l) compared to controls (0·86 ± 0·34 mm&sol;h/l; P < 0·05). In both groups, the maximal RLP‐C concentration was reached between 2 and 4 h.CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the atherogenic postprandial remnants, represented by RLP‐C, were significantly elevated at baseline and in the postprandial period, whereas the larger‐sized remnants, represented by retinyl esters (Sf < 1000), were not different from controls. The disturbances in the postprandial RLP‐C response increased the susceptibility for premature atherosclerosis as observed in patients with acromegaly.
Mechanisms of aneuploidy in thyroid cancer cell lines and tissues: evidence for mitotic checkpoint dysfunction without mutations in BUB1 and BUBR1
Authors: Ouyang Bin , Knauf Jeffrey A. , Ain Kenneth , Nacev Benjamin , Fagin James A. 
Published: March 2003

Summaryobjective Thyroid follicular adenomas (FA) and carcinomas (FC) have a high prevalence of aneuploidy. We examined the contribution of mitotic checkpoint dysfunction and mutations of BUB1 or BUBR1, components of the spindle assembly checkpoint pathway, to chromosomal instability in thyroid cancer.design The integrity of the mitotic checkpoint was studied in 8 aneuploid thyroid tumour cell lines. All cell lines as well as 9 FA, 9 FC, and 1 aneuploid papillary carcinoma were screened for mutations of BUB1 by SSCP and direct sequencing. Cell lines were also examined for mutations of BUBR1.results Neither FRO, NPA nor WRO cells arrested in mitosis after treatment with nocodazole, whereas other aneuploid cell lines paused appropriately following microtubule disruption. One FC had a 2‐bp somatic deletion (G2480/A2481) of BUB1 leading to a frameshift, and one FC had a silent polymorphism at nucleotide 1049 (TGT‐TGC). There was a silent polymorphism of BUBR1 (G1271A) in one sample.conclusion Some, but not all thyroid cancer cell lines with aneuploidy have an abnormal mitotic checkpoint, indicating that chromosomal instability may arise through alternative cell cycle defects. Moreover, mutations of BUB1 or BUBR1 are infrequent in follicular neoplasms, and do not account for aneuploidy in thyroid cancer.
Effect of low‐ and high‐dose levothyroxine on thyroid nodule volume: a crossover placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Koc Mehmet , Ersoz H. Onder , Akpinar Ihsan , Gogas‐Yavuz Dilek , Deyneli Oguzhan , Akalin Sema 
Published: March 2003

Summaryobjective The efficacy and the effective dose of levothyroxine suppressive therapy in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules are controversial. In this study, we aimed to determine the response of solitary thyroid nodules to low‐ or high‐level TSH suppression in a placebo‐controlled, randomized crossover trial.design Forty‐nine patients with solitary thyroid nodules on palpation were randomized to high‐level and low‐level TSH suppression groups. In each group, patients were further randomized to placebo and active levothyroxine subgroups. Patients in each subgroup were crossed over to placebo or active levothyroxine at the end of the first year and were then followed up for an additional year.methods TSH levels were suppressed to 0·4–0·6 mIU/ml and ≤ 0·01 mIU/ml in the low‐level and high‐level TSH suppression groups, respectively. Nodule volumes were measured at baseline and every 6 months after the desired level of TSH was reached if the patients were in the active levothyroxine treatment group or every 6 months if they were in the placebo group.results In high‐level TSH suppression groups, nodule volume decreased significantly at the end of the active treatment periods (4·99 ± 2·02 ml vs. 3·20 ± 1·50 ml, P < 0·01, in Group 1; and 3·72 ± 1·79 ml to 2·05 ± 0·64 ml, P < 0·001, in Group 2). In the low‐level TSH suppression groups, nodule volume also decreased significantly at the end of the active treatment periods (4·43 ± 1·76 ml vs. 3·04 ± 1·32, P < 0·05, in Group 3; and 3·59 ± 0·89 ml to 2·22 ± 0·59 ml, P < 0·01, in Group 4). Nodule volumes regained their original volumes during the placebo treatment periods. The percentage decline in clinically relevant nodule volume reduction (≥ 50%) was similar in the low‐level and high‐level TSH suppression groups.conclusion Low‐ and high‐level TSH suppression were equally effective in reducing nodule volume and thus, considering the complications of high‐level TSH suppression, low‐level TSH suppression should be used if one considers levothyroxine suppressive therapy to reduce thyroid nodule size.
Immunocytochemical staining of ovarian cyst aspirates with monoclonal antibody against inhibin
Authors: McCLUGGAGE W. G. , PATTERSON A. , WHITE J. , ANDERSON N. H. 
Published: March 2003

mccluggage w. g., patterson a., white j. and anderson n. h. (1998) Cytopathology9, 336–342Immunocytochemical staining of ovarian cyst aspirates with monoclonal antibody against inhibinInhibin is a peptide hormone which is produced by ovarian granulosa cells during normal follicular development. It is important that granulosa cells are recognized in fine needle aspirates (FNAs) of ovarian cystic lesions, as this allows definite recognition of a functional cyst and exclusion of a potentially neoplastic epithelial lined cyst. Occasionally the distinction between granulosa and epithelial cells may be difficult, especially when aspirates from functional cysts are unusually cellular. In the present study, FNAs from 33 ovarian cystic lesions were immunostained with a monoclonal antibody against inhibin. Nine cases of peritoneal fluid containing malignant cells in patients subsequently confirmed to have ovarian adenocarcinoma were also stained. Where possible the cytological and immunocytochemical findings were correlated with subsequent biopsy. In most cases in which cytology suggested a functional cyst there was a strong positive staining with anti‐inhibin, although occasional cases were negative. One case originally thought to contain epithelial cells stained strongly positive with anti‐inhibin and on review was felt to represent a cellular functional cyst. In all other cases where cells were considered to be epithelial there was no staining with anti‐inhibin. The study shows that immunocytochemical staining with anti‐inhibin may be of value in confirming the presence of granulosa cells, thus establishing a diagnosis of functional cyst. Although negative staining does not exclude a functional cyst, positive staining with anti‐inhibin allows exclusion of an epithelial lined cyst and may avoid unnecessary surgical intervention.
Cytologic diagnosis and subtyping of rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: ATAHAN  , AKSU Ö. , EKINCI  
Published: March 2003

atahan s,., aksu ö. and ekinci c. (1998) Cytopathology9, 389–397Cytologic diagnosis and subtyping of rhabdomyosarcomaWe reviewed the cytological findings of 38 cases of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) with histological confirmation performed during a period of 15 years and proposed a morphological subtyping based on the most prominent cytologic features. Seventeen of these cases were alveolar, 14 cases embryonal, and seven botryoid subtypes. From these cases, a total of 43 samples, of which 37 were fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies and six were touch imprints, were evaluated. Detailed cellular features were identified which enabled differentiation into histological subtypes. In the alveolar RMSs, most tumour cells were small and lymphocyte‐like, having finely granular chromatin. The finding of cells with more abundant cytoplasm, eccentrically located nuclei and bi/multinucleated tumour cells in a background of mucosubstance helped in the differential diagnosis. Two cell types, including large, tadpole or ribbon‐shaped tumour cells and small, round cells with scant cytoplasm, were seen in embryonal RMSs. In botryoid RMSs, a cell type with tightly grouped nuclei within elongated cytoplasm similar to a myotubular structure was observed in addition to the two cell types of embryonal RMSs. We conclude that with experience it will be possible to subtype these tumours by cytologic examination alone.
Inadequate cervical cytology—the need to audit individual smear takers' inadequate rates
Authors: Wilson J. D. , French R. , Branch T. , Sutton J. 
Published: March 2003

Inadequate cervical cytology—the need to audit individual smear takers' inadequate ratesIn order to assess the performance of individual smear takers, their rates of inadequate smears, due to insufficient material, were monitored between 1992 and 1996. Although the yearly average clinic inadequate rates were all at acceptable levels, there was great variation of rates between smear takers, ranging from 0% to 19.5%. Identification of individuals with unacceptably high inadequate rates allowed them to undergo further training. Continuous monitoring of these inadequate rates can be used to measure levels of performance amongst all smear takers, but is particularly useful for new smear takers, or those who have required retraining.
The role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the investigation of superficial lymphadenopathy; uses and limitations of the technique
Authors: Lioe T. F. , Elliott H. , Allen D. C. , Spence R. A. J. 
Published: March 2003

The role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the investigation of superficial lymphadenopathy; uses and limitations of the techniqueAspirates (n = 163) from 157 patients with enlarged superficial lymph nodes were obtained over a 5‐year period in a combined surgical/FNAC clinic. A definitive diagnosis was achieved in over 77% of the cases: benign 52.7%, malignant 25.1%. The diagnostic accuracy was 94.4%, sensitivity 85.4% and specificity 100%. The false‐negative rate was 12.5% but decreased to 3.5% when lymphoma cases were excluded. There were 36 cases of metastatic disease, the majority of which were from a primary breast carcinoma. The main diagnostic difficulty was in distinguishing low‐grade lymphoma from reactive hyperplasia. An added advantage was that aspirated material could be used in ancillary tests to help with the differential diagnosis. FNAC has a well‐defined role in the investigation of superficial lymphadenopathy. Used in the proper setting it will provide a definitive diagnosis in the majority of cases, especially relating to recurrent malignancy or metastatic disease. Patients with a reactive cytological picture and no clinically suspicious symptoms could be spared unnecessary surgery and reviewed through follow up. This technique is cost‐effective, of high diagnostic accuracy, and results in considerable resource savings.
Outcome of women referred to colposcopy for persistently inadequate smears
Authors: Sen C. , Brett M. T. 
Published: March 2003

Outcome of women referred to colposcopy for persistently inadequate smearsThe outcome of referral to colposcopy of 240 women who had persistently inadequate smears was investigated. Of 232 women who attended colposcopy, 214 (92.2%) had a normal outcome, 12 (5.2%) had low grade abnormalities, and six (2.6%) had high grade abnormalities. This group of women therefore has a negligibly increased risk of harbouring cervical neoplasia. Although not directly comparable, women with a history of previous abnormal cytology did not have a higher risk than those without such a history. Unnecessary colposcopy could have been avoided in the majority of cases if a good quality repeat smear had been taken. Improved smear taker training could decrease the number of referrals. A hospital cytology clinic is proposed as a cost‐effective alternative to colposcopy at the first attendance.
Fine needle aspiration cytology of suspected tuberculous lymphadenitis
Authors: Bezabih M. , Mariam D.W. , Selassie S.G. 
Published: March 2003

Fine needle aspiration cytology of suspected tuberculous lymphadenitis The aims of this cross‐sectional study were to describe the distributional patterns of tuberculous lymphadenitis and to assess the correlation between fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and the Ziehl Neelsen staining technique in diagnosing tuberculous lymphadenitis. Romanowsky's method (Wright's stain) for cytological diagnosis and Ziehl Neelsen (hot method) for the identification of acid‐fast bacilli were utilized. Out of one hundred and twenty‐eight consecutive patients attending the cytological diagnostic service of the Department of Pathology within Jimma University, 89 (69.6%) of the patients were younger than 30 years of age. The male to female ratio was 1.3 : 1. The cervical region was the most common site and involved 95 cases (74.2%), followed by the axillary and inguinal lymph node regions (20.3% and 4.3%, respectively). The Wright's‐stained cytology smears were grouped into three categories: epithelioid granulomas without necrosis, epithelioid granulomas with caseous necrosis and necrosis without epithelioid granulomas. The Ziehl Neelsen stains were undertaken on separate slides: 20.0% of the cases showing epithelioid granulomas without necrosis, 61.9% of those with epithelioid granulomas with necrosis/abscesses and 69.7% of those with necrosis without granulomas were found to be positive for acid‐fast bacilli. The overall positivity for the ZiehlNeelsen stained cases was 59.4%. It can therefore be concluded that FNAC is a reliable diagnostic tool in helping to avert the more invasive surgical procedures undertaken in the diagnosis of tuberculous adenitis. The ZiehlNeelsen stain for identification of acid‐fast bacilli should be incorporated as an adjunct to increase the diagnostic accuracy of tuberculous lymphadenitis.
Cycles in insect populations: delayed density dependence or exogenous driving variables?
Authors: HUNTER MARK D. , PRICE PETER W. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryDelayed density dependence, and the cycles in insect populations that it can generate, are often investigated using time‐series analysis. Recently, several authors have raised concerns about the validity of using time‐series analysis to detect density dependence. One particular concern is the suggestion that exogenous driving variables, such as cyclic weather patterns, can lead to the spurious detection of density dependence in natural populations.Using non‐biological data (the electricity bills of one of the authors), we show how easy it is to be misled by the results of time‐series analysis. We then present 16 years’ data on the gall‐forming sawfly, Euura lasiolepis (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), and show that cycles in weather, specifically winter precipitation, lead to the spurious detection of density dependence in time‐series analysis. We conclude that time‐series analysis cannot stand alone as a method for inferring the action of density dependence, and urge further investigation of the effects of apparent cycles in abiotic forces on insect populations.
Learning pays off: influence of experience on host finding and parasitism in Lariophagus distinguendus
Authors: Steidle Johannes L. M. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract.1. The influence of experience on egg maturation, parasitism rate, and behaviour during host searching was investigated for Lariophagus distinguendus (Först.) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) parasitizing larvae of the granary weevil Sitophilus granarius (L.) in grains of wheat Triticum aestivum L.2. Dissection of female parasitoids and parasitism bioassays at high host density revealed that experience with hosts (e.g. by oviposition or by host feeding) is not required either for triggering oogenesis or for oviposition.3. In parasitism experiments at low host density, when single host‐infested grains were offered within a bulk of healthy grains, host finding and parasitism rate were increased by experience.4. Behavioural observations revealed that searching time required for finding an infested grain was shorter for experienced parasitoids than for naive parasitoids, because travel time from grain to grain is shorter for experienced parasitoids, and because experienced parasitoids spend less time than naive parasitoids on non‐infested grains.5. In conclusion, experience due to host exposure increases parasitism and thereby the fitness of the parasitoids. It is discussed that this increase is more likely due to learning than to different egg load dynamics of experienced parasitoids.
Higher productivity at the cost of increased host‐specificity when Maculinea butterfly larvae exploit ant colonies through trophallaxis rather than by predation
Authors: Thomas J. A. , Elmes G. W. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract.1. Field studies were made of the benefits and costs of two feeding strategies in the genus Maculinea, whose final‐instar larvae parasitise Myrmica ant colonies. Maculinea arion is an obligate predator of ant brood, whereas M. rebeli and M. alcon mimic ant larvae and are fed (like cuckoos) directly by the workers.2. Samples of > 1500 Myrmica nests confirmed laboratory‐based predictions that, by feeding at a lower trophic level, many (4.7‐fold) more individuals of M. rebeli and M. alcon are supported per ant colony than M. arion.3. Because of their efficient feeding, cuckoo species often occupied sites where their phytophagous early larval populations coincided to only a small extent (> 10%) with host Myrmica colonies, whereas all sites supporting M. arion had 50–100% of the phytophagous stages within foraging range of the host Myrmica species.4. Greater host‐specificity was identified as another consequence of cuckoo‐feeding. The ecological cost of this is discussed.5. The feeding of other Maculinea species had not been fully described: the data suggest that M. nausithous is a predator of ant brood and confirm that M. teleius is predacious.
Nutrients, diversity, and community structure of two phytotelm systems in a lower montane forest, Puerto Rico
Authors: Richardson Barbara A. , Rogers Carol , Richardson M. J. 
Published: March 2003

Summary1. Bromeliad and heliconia phytotelmata in the same forest area were compared in terms of their animal assemblages, nutrient inputs, and plant architecture.2. For all major elements, nutrient inputs from canopy‐derived debris and rainfall in bromeliads were significantly lower than those derived from decaying flower parts and plant secretions in heliconia bracts. Bromeliads contained significantly fewer organisms per unit volume of water and unit dry weight of organic matter than did heliconia inflorescences. They also contained a significantly lower animal biomass (199 mg DW from 15 bromeliads, 527 mg DW from 15 heliconia inflorescences).3. Species richness was independent of abundance, demonstrating that, at least for small container habitats, higher abundance does not necessarily lead to a greater species richness. Communities were remarkably similar in patterns of relative abundance and species richness (23 spp. in bromeliads, 21 spp. in heliconia), probably due to functional similarities in plant architecture, with the two most abundant species comprising 60–62% of the total community. Coefficients of similarity were low because of marked differences in species assemblages.4. Some taxa were phytotelm generalists but most showed a preference for one particular habitat, indicating differential selection in the choice of oviposition sites and larval development within the forest ecosystem. In common with many island communities, species richness was lower than that reported for these phytotelm habitats in mainland central and south America.