bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of alendronate treatment in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: relationship with BsmI vitamin D receptor genotypes
Authors: Palomba Stefano , Numis Fabio Giuliano , Mossetti Giuseppe , Rendina Domenico , Vuotto Pietro , Russo Tiziana , Zullo Fulvio , Nappi Carmine , Nunziata Vincenzo 
Published: March 2003

Summaryobjective To assess whether there is a relationship between the effectiveness of alendronate treatment in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and BsmI vitamin D receptor (VDR) genotypes.design Prospective baseline‐controlled clinical trial.patients Sixty‐eight Italian osteoporotic women were enrolled and treated with alendronate at a dose of 10 mg/day for 12 months.measurements At entry and after treatment, lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) and serum osteocalcin (OC) and urinary deoxypyridinoline/creatinine ratio (DPD‐Cr) levels were evaluated. DNA was extracted from blood and analysed for the BsmI polymorphism of the VDR gene.results The mean percentage (% ± SD) change from baseline in lumbar BMD was significantly higher (P < 0·01) in bb than in BB BsmI VDR genotypes (7·92 ± 4·31 vs. 3·40 ± 1·81). No significant difference in lumbar BMD was observed in Bb VDR patients (6·01 ± 3·89) in comparison with other groups. The mean percentage of change in serum OC and urinary DPD‐Cr levels was significantly (P < 0·01) lower in individuals with bb than in those with BB BsmI VDR genotypes (−14·34 ± 2·87 vs.−10·39 ± 1·43 and −9·61 ± 5·56 vs.−4·61 ± 2·31). No significant difference in serum OC and urinary DPD‐Cr levels was observed in Bb VDR patients (−12·31 ± 2·11 and −6·52 ± 2·65) in comparison with other groups.conclusion The different BsmI vitamin D receptor genotypes modify the pharmacological response to alendronate treatment in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
Polymorphisms in the renin–angiotensin system and endothelium‐dependent vasodilation in normotensive subjects
Authors: Kurland Lisa , Melhus Håkan , Sarabi Mahziar , Millgård Jonas , Ljunghall Sverker , Lind Lars 
Published: March 2003

Background Our aim was to test the hypothesis that genes encoding components in the renin–angiotensin system influence endothelial vasodilatory function. Methods In 59 apparently healthy, normotensive individuals, endothelium‐dependent vasodilation (EDV) and endothelial‐independent vasodilation (EIDV) was evaluated by infusing metacholine and sodium nitroprusside into the brachial artery. Forearm blood flow was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography. The ACE insertion (I)/deletion (D) polymorphism, the T174M and M235T angiotensinogen restriction fragments length polymorphisms, the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1R) A1166C, and the aldosterone synthase gene (CYP11B2) C‐344T polymorphisms were analysed. Results When analysing the ACE, the two angiotensinogen and the aldosterone synthase CYP11B2 genotypes independently, no significant association with endothelial vasodilatory function was found. However, a significant reduction in endothelium‐dependent vasodilation was observed in the subjects (n=9) with the ACE D allele and the angiotensinogen T174M genotype (P<0·05). Subjects with the AT1R genotype AC showed a reduction in both EDV (P=0·05) and EIDV (P=0·04) when compared with those with the AA genotype. Conclusions The subjects with the ACE D allele in combination with the angiotensinogen T174M genotype are associated with a reduced EDV. This together with the observation that the AC AT1R genotype is associated with a reduction in both EDV and EIDV, supports the hypothesis that endothelial vasodilatory function is influenced by genes in the renin–angiotensinogen system.
Behaviour of vaginal epithelial maturation and sex hormone binding globulin in post‐menopausal breast cancer patients during the first year of tamoxifen therapy
Authors: BERTOLISSI  , CARTEI  , TURRIN  , CIOSCHI  , RIZZI  
Published: March 2003

bertolissi a., cartei g., turrin d., cioschi b. and rizzi v. (1998) Cytopathology9, 263–270Behaviour of vaginal epithelial maturation and sex hormone binding globulin in post‐menopausal breast cancer patients during the first year of tamoxifen therapyTo evaluate the effect of tamoxifen on vaginal epithelial maturation and on oestrogen‐related hepatic synthesis, we prospectively studied the karyopyknotic index (KPI), the maturation index (MI), expressed as a percentage of parabasal (MI‐1), intermediate (MI‐2) and superficial (MI‐3) cells, as well as the serum levels of the oestrogen‐dependent sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Tests were performed at baseline, after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months of therapy in 64 post‐menopausal breast cancer patients. Basal KPI ranged from 0 to 9 (mean 1.5 ± 0.3) and rose 13.5‐fold to 21 ± 2.5 (P = 0.000) after the first 30 days of tamoxifen. Absence of KPI rise was observed in 23% of patients. Pretreatment MI figures 1, 2 and 3 were 56.9 ± 5.6, 41.7 ± 5.4 and 1.4 ± 0.3, respectively, and sharply shifted to the right (P = 0.000) after 1 month of therapy, indicating an increase of vaginal epithelial maturation. At baselines the SHBG mean value was 62.1 ± 3.3 nmol/l and underwent an increase of 44% (P = 0.000) after 30 days of tamoxifen. All of these observed 1‐month modifications remained stable up to the studied 12 months of therapy. Present findings indicate an early and persistent oestrogenic effect of tamoxifen on the vaginal epithelium and the hepatic synthesis of SHBG.
Value of radiologically guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis: a study of 29 cases
Authors: Francis I. M. , Das D. K. , Luthra U. K. , Sheikh Z. , Sheikh M. , Bashir M. 
Published: March 2003

Value of radiologically guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis: a study of 29 casesFNAC is a simple diagnostic tool for the initial evaluation of various deep seated pathological lesions. This study describes the applicability and practical aspects of the technique in establishing the diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis (TB) with the aid of radiographic guidance. The study was conducted in a major teaching hospital in Kuwait between the years 1985 and 1994. Twenty‐nine patients (M:F = 18:11 and age range 8–72 years) with clinically and/or radiologically suspected spinal TB were seen in the Department of Cytology, Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital. The patients were re‐examined by either computed tomography (CT) scanning (n = 19) or fluoroscopy (n = 10) to localize the lesion for FNAC. FNAC smears were routinely stained with Papanicolaou and Diff Quik stains and one smear of each case was stained with Ziehl–Neelsen (Z‐N) stain for acid‐fast bacilli (AFB). Aspirated purulent material or syringe washings of dry aspirates were also submitted for microbiological cultures including AFB. Radiological and cytological findings were recorded in each case. Radiological findings included: bony rarefaction and destruction (93.1%), narrowed disc space (89.7%), soft tissue calcification (65.5%) and para‐vertebral abscess formation (51.7%). Cytological findings included: epithelioid cell granulomas (89.7%), granular necrotic background (82.8%) and lymphocytic infiltration (75.9%). Smears were positive for AFB in 51.7% of cases. A positive AFB culture was obtained in 82.8% of cases, including all cases with positive AFB on smear by Z‐N stain. Radiologically guided FNAC with AFB culture is a simple, reliable and practical approach to diagnosing spinal TB lesions. With a high diagnostic yield, it allows immediate initiation of specific treatment, helps to avoid invasive diagnostic procedures, and decreases hospitalization time.
Thin layer compared to direct smear in thyroid fine needle aspiration
Authors: Scurry J. P. , Duggan M. A. 
Published: March 2003

Thin layer compared to direct smear in thyroid fine needle aspirationThe efficacy of preparing thyroid fine needle aspirations (FNAs) by the thin layer as opposed to the direct smear method has not been evaluated sufficiently in a regional laboratory setting. At the Foothills Hospital (Calgary, Canada), the method of processing thyroid FNAs was changed from direct smear to thin layer in January 1996. The results of 327 patients who had direct smear from 1994 to 1995 were compared to 401 who had thin layer between 1996 and 1997. While there were no significant differences across a broad range of quality indicators, thin layer showed a trend towards a higher proportion of true benign diagnoses (31%vs 24%), a lower proportion of inadequate specimens (41%vs 50%) and, most importantly, a lower false negative rate (3%vs 9%). In conclusion, the changeover to thin layer did not compromise the interpretation of thyroid FNAs.
Aspiration cytodiagnosis of small cell malignancies found in fine needle aspirate (FNA) of the liver: an immunocytochemical study
Authors: Gupta R. K. , Kenwright D. N. , Naran S. , Lallu S. , Fauck R. 
Published: March 2003

Aspiration cytodiagnosis of small cell malignancies found in fine needle aspirate (FNA) of the liver: an immunocytochemical studyIn this study the features of small cell malignancies found in the liver by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and immunostains required for a diagnosis and differential diagnosis are presented. The material consisted of 197 fine needle aspirates which were performed under image guidance between January 1982 to October 1999. Of these, 30 were diagnosed as small cell malignancies. The age of patients ranged between 46 and 68 years. The aspirated material was examined using Papanicolaou‐stained filter preparations and cell blocks, the latter stained with hematoxylin and eosin and a panel of immunoperoxidase stains. The diagnoses based on a correlation of relevant clinical history, cytohistological findings and immunostaining were: metastatic small cell anaplastic carcinoma of lung (n = 6); neuroendocrine tumour (n = 9); non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 4); well‐differentiated cholangiocarcinoma (n = 2); metastatic carcinoma of the prostate (n = 2); metastatic adenocarcinoma (n = 4) and metastatic carcinoma breast (n = 3). This study emphasizes the wide range of neoplasms that enter into the differential diagnosis of small cell malignancies found in the liver and a correlation of clinical, cytohistological and immunostaining findings which seem to be useful in suggesting a diagnosis.
Aspiration cytology from the pouch of Douglas at hysteroscopy
Authors: Kobilková J. , Kužel D. , Tóth D. , Lojda Z. 
Published: March 2003

Aspiration cytology from the pouch of Douglas at hysteroscopy Eighty‐seven fine needle aspiration cytological samples from 29 patients suffering from irregular perimenopausal uterine bleeding were evaluated. Aspiration cytology was performed prior to hysteroscopy, after distension of the uterine cavity and finally after uterine curettage.In this paper, cytological examination of fluid from the pelvic content in women with benign endometrial findings is compared with that of patients with adenocarcinoma. Endometrial curettage influenced the cell content of the cytological specimens.
Benign phyllodes tumour vs fibroadenoma: FNA cytological differentiation
Authors: Veneti S. , Manek S. 
Published: March 2003

Benign phyllodes tumour vs fibroadenoma: FNA cytological differentiation The differential diagnosis of fibroadenomas vs phyllodes tumours by fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology is not possible in the majority of cases. The present study aims to look at common and dissimilar features to allow differentiation, if possible. We reviewed the FNA findings of 18 histologically proven phyllodes tumours and 18 fibroadenomas, checking in each case the epithelial features, the stromal features, and any atypia. Using a semi‐quantitative score assessed by two observers we were able in most cases to distinguish a phyllodes tumour from a fibroadenoma. The most important criteria were larger stromal fragments, numerous plump stromal bare nuclei, and the higher ratio of stromal bare nuclei to epithelial bare nuclei in phyllodes tumours. In the present study, an original diagnosis of phyllodes tumour was made in 7/18 (38.9%) cases but with our criteria this could be improved to 15/18 (83.3%) cases. Therefore, the presence of specific stromal features in a dimorphic cellular pattern should suggest the correct diagnosis and differentiate its appearance from a cellular fibroadenoma.
The escape response of pea aphids to foliar‐foraging predators: factors affecting dropping behaviour
Authors: LOSEY JOHN E. , DENNO ROBERT F. 
Published: March 2003

1. The effects of predator species, aphid density, aphid age, diel period, and habitat complexity on the dropping behaviour of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum were assessed in a series of laboratory and field‐cage experiments.2. The presence of foliar‐foraging predators significantly increased the proportion of aphids that dropped from alfalfa plants. In the absence of predators, less than 7% of the aphids dropped. Dropping more than doubled (14%) when one of three hemipteran predators, N. americoferus, G. punctipes or O. insidiosus, was present. Nearly 60% of the aphids dropped when the ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata, was present.3. Adult aphids showed a significantly higher propensity to drop than immature aphids, regardless of the presence or absence of predators. Aphid density had no effect on dropping behaviour.4. Neither diel period nor habitat complexity had an effect on aphid dropping behaviour. Aphids were significantly more likely to drop in the presence of predators during either the day or night and from either early or late regrowth alfalfa.5. A review of the factors affecting dropping behaviour, including those elucidated in this study, indicates that the propensity to drop from a plant is influenced by three factors: the risk of predation on the plant, the quality of the resource to be abandoned, and the risk of mortality in the new microhabitat.
Interactions between Operophtera brumata and Tortrix viridana on oak: new evidence from time‐series analysis
Authors: HUNTER MARK D. 
Published: March 2003

1. Yearly population estimates of the green oak leaf roller moth, Tortrix viridana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), and the winter moth, Operophtera brumata (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), were taken from the pedunculate oak, Quercus robur, from 1951 to 1966 in Wytham Woods, Oxfordshire, U.K. Larval mortality from parasitoids was recorded for both species over the same period.2. Operophtera brumata population density fluctuated around a constant mean, whereas T. viridana population density exhibited a linear decline over the sampling period. Population counts were subjected to time‐series analysis after the linear decline was removed from the T. viridana data by detrending. Multiple regression models were built so that variation in the per capita rate of increase of each population could be partitioned among (a) current and previous population density, (b) current and previous population density of the second moth species, and (c) rates of larval parasitism.3. Multiple regression analysis suggested that variation in the per capita rate of increase of O. brumata could be explained by negative feedback from O. brumata density at T–2 (32%), a negative relationship with T. viridana density at T–1 (18%), and a positive relationship with parasitism suffered by T. viridana at T–1 (24%).4. The T. viridana population time‐series was dominated by a rapid feedback process such that per capita rate of increase at time T was negatively related to population density at time T–1, explaining 53% of variance in population growth rate. Per capita rate of increase was unrelated to larval parasitism or densities of O. brumata.5. In light of previous life‐table and experimental studies on O. brumata and T. viridana, the current analyses suggest that pupal predation (data not presented) and interspecific competition are significant determinants of O. brumata population growth rates in Wytham Woods. In contrast, T. viridana population growth rates appear to be dominated by rapid negative feedback consistent with intraspecific competition.
Influence of the predatory backswimmer, Notonecta maculata, on invertebrate community structure
Authors: LEON BLAUSTEIN 
Published: March 2003

1. The impact of the predator, Notonecta maculata, on invertebrate community structure was investigated by a combination of a natural pool survey, an outdoor artificial pool experiment, and a laboratory prey preference experiment.2. In a survey of forty natural pools in the Negev Desert, Israel, pelagic/neustonic species richness and overall species richness, but not benthic species richness, were negatively associated with N. maculata density.3. In the artificial pool experiment, in which the presence or absence of Notonecta was manipulated, Notonecta caused a reduction in the richness of species colonizing the pools. Notonecta strongly reduced densities of the pelagic dipterans, Culiseta longiareolata (often 100% reduction of later‐instar larvae and pupae) and ephydrids. Fewer Culiseta egg rafts were found in Notonecta pools, indicating that part of the observed reduction of Culiseta is not due to consumption of Culiseta larvae by Notonecta, but to habitat selection by ovipositing Culiseta females in response to risk of predation by Notonecta. Notonecta did not affect densities of (benthic) chironomids or the small cladoceran, Ceriodaphnia cf. quadrangula. Laboratory assessments of selectivity by Notonecta for the various prey matched patterns found in the field experiment.4. This work provides strong evidence that N. maculata is an important organizer of community structure: it strongly reduces or even eliminates larger pelagic or neustonic species, but does not affect densities of small or benthic species.
Critical appraisals allow the analytical review of existing knowledge on current topics of significance in ecological entomology. They should assess the worth or quality of the work in the field and suggest areas for investigation.
Authors: CORNELL HOWARD , HAWKINS BRADFORD , HOCHBERG MICHAEL 
Published: March 2003

Summary. Previous studies have synthesized life‐table data from herbivore species to identify general trends in the demography of herbivorous insects. Frequency‐based analyses were used to ascertain which of five mortality sources (enemies, plant factors, competition, weather, intrinsic developmental failure) and which of five ecological characteristics of herbivores (feeding biology, invasion status of the herbivore, latitude, cultivation, and successional status of the habitat) had important influences on mortality patterns.Here these results are reinforced with a quantitative analysis that relies on actual numbers of herbivores killed at different developmental stages by each of the five mortality sources in different ecological settings. We also examine the relationship between taxonomic category (Coleoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, and Hymenoptera) and mortality.The analysis identified developmental changes of herbivores as having an important influence on sources of mortality; feeding biology, latitude, and cultivation status also influenced the distribution of mortality sources. Other aspects of the herbivores’ ecology and taxonomy had limited effects.Natural enemies were identified as the most important mortality source overall, and their importance increased from the early larval stages to the pupal stages. They also kill more exophytic insects than endophytic insects, and kill a higher proportion of insects in cultivated habitats than in natural habitats.Weather kills more temperate‐zone immatures than tropical/subtropical immatures.The results of the quantitative analysis generally confirm the earlier frequency‐based tests.Several predictions that can serve as the foundation of an empirically‐based theory of herbivore demography are offered: (1) natural enemies are the dominant cause of mortality in exophytic herbivore populations and may compete more intensely than on endophytics; (2) plant factors and enemies play a more balanced role in endophytic populations; (3) exophytic species should be particularly susceptible to top‐down effects, especially in agroecosystems; (4) plant defences will often have sublethal effects, but when they are lethal they will be most important as the hatchling larva is just getting established on the plant.These predictions should be viewed as a challenge to engage in a broader way of thinking about herbivore demography.
Mate preference for novel partners in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus
Authors: Bateman Philip W. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract.1. To benefit from the putative genetic advantages of multiple mating with multiple partners, female insects would be expected to select against mating with the same male twice when another potential partner is present.2. This paper examined whether female Gryllus bimaculatus (Gryllidae) preferred to mate with a novel partner over a partner with which they had mated previously.3. Females presented with a choice preferred significantly to mate with novel males over previously mated males, and preferred to do so even when the potentially confounding influence of male–male competition was controlled for.4. The potential advantages of such a mate choice pattern and possible ways in which the choice is mediated are discussed.
Evidence for host‐associated races in a gall‐forming midge: trade‐offs in potential fecundity
Authors: Rossi Anthony M. , Stiling Peter , Cattell Maria V. , Bowdish TodD. I. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract.1. The gall midge,Asphondylia borrichiae, attacks the terminals of three plants in the aster family:Borrichia frutescens,Iva frutescens, andI. imbricata.2. In the field,Borrichiasuffers the highest rate of galling andI. imbricatathe lowest. Common garden experiments also revealed highly significant differences in the attack rates of the three host species byAsphondylia. However, these differences depended on the source of the attacking midge population.3. Midges collected fromBorrichiaandI. frutescensattacked the host in which they developed almost exclusively, whereas those fromI. imbricataattacked bothIvaspp.4. EachAsphondylialarva develops in its own chamber within a gall.Borrichiagalls were 2.5–3.5‐fold less crowded than those fromI. imbricataandI. frutescens, respectively. Consequently, midges that developed inBorrichiawere significantly larger and eclosed with 30–40% more eggs than those that developed inI. imbricataandI. frutescens, respectively.5. Although performance ofAsphondylialarvae was lowest on the twoIvaspp., especiallyI. frutescens, these hosts may provide an escape from natural enemies as a trade‐off for reduced offspring performance.6. Differences in host‐plant species phenology may reduce gene flow among host‐associated populations ofAsphondylia, thereby favouring the formation of races at the level of plant genus.
Endophagous insects and structural niches on plants: ecology and evolutionary consequences
Authors: Eber Sabine , Knoll Steffi , Brandl Roland 
Published: March 2003

Summary1. The endophagous weevil Lixus elongatus was studied on two Carduus species in order to look for the impact of a structural gradient in host plant stem diameter on the life cycle and the genetic structure of this species.2. Body size of L. elongatus females was correlated positively with their fecundity and the stem diameter at the location of oviposition.3. Emerging individuals showed a significantly positive relationship of body size with the stem diameter at their pupation and emergence site. Mating behaviour was positively size‐assortative.4. Allozyme analyses indicated a gradient of genetic differentiation along body size classes and a decreasing heterozygosity with decreasing body size.5. The results led to the conclusion that a structural gradient in plants can promote body size variability in an endophagous herbivore through phenotypic constraints of the host plant and the herbivore. As size‐assortative mating translates this variability into differential gene flow between individuals of different body size, this could provide the raw material for speciation processes. Within a single host plant patch, however, further processes are necessary to split the existing genetic gradient into separate gene pools.