bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fasting plasma free fatty acid concentrations and Pro12Ala polymorphism of the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) γ2 gene in healthy individuals
Authors: Vaccaro O. , Mancini F. P. , Ruffa G. , Sabatino L. , Iovine C. , Masulli M. , Colantuoni V. , Riccardi G. 
Published: March 2003

Summarybackground The Pro12Ala polymorphism of the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) γ gene has been associated in some, but not all, studies with lower body mass index (BMI) and improved insulin sensitivity; how an altered transcriptional activity of PPARγ2 could influence insulin sensitivity is currently unclear. The free fatty acids (FFAs) released from adipose tissue triglycerides via lipolysis are key mediators of impaired insulin sensitivity; however, no study has described the relationship of the Pro12Ala mutation with circulating levels of FFAs under physiological conditions.objective To investigate in a population‐based sample of Caucasians the relation of the Pro12Ala polymorphism with plasma concentrations of FFAs and other markers of lipid and glucose metabolism described as components of the insulin resistance syndrome.subjects Four hundred and thirty‐eight nondiabetic employees of the Italian Telephone Company, aged 35–65 years, randomly selected from a total population of 3900 participants in a company‐sponsored health screening.measurements The Pro12Ala polymorphism of the PPARγ was studied together with plasma FFAs, insulin, glucose, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, blood pressure and anthropometry. The Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) index was calculated as a measure of insulin resistance.results Carriers and noncarriers of the Pro12Ala polymorphism showed very similar circulating levels of FFA (0·46 ± 0·2 vs. 0·47 ± 0·2, NS); plasma glucose, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol and blood pressure were also similar in the two groups with or without the polymorphism. To allow for the possible confounding effect of obesity, a separate analysis was conducted in overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and normal‐weight people (BMI < 25 kg/m2). Circulating plasma FFA concentrations, as well as triglycerides, blood pressure and HOMA, were significantly higher in overweight than normal‐weight, as expected, but no significant differences were detected between carriers and noncarriers of the Pro12Ala polymorphism within each BMI group (0·49 ± 0·2 vs. 0·48 ± 0·2, NS, and 0·44 ± 0·2 vs. 0·47 ± 0·2, NS, in overweight and normal‐weight, respectively). The Pro12Ala polymorphism was also analysed across increasing quartiles of FFA concentrations and no relationship was observed between the frequency of the polymorphism and FFA values (overall χ2 = 0·48, NS).conclusion This study does not show any relationship between the Pro12Ala polymorphism of the PPARγ gene and fasting FFAs in the general population. The possibility of a different handling of FFAs under different conditions (i.e. postprandial) cannot be excluded and remains to be explored.
A mortality prediction model in diabetic ketoacidosis
Authors: Efstathiou Stamatis P. , Tsiakou Aphrodite G. , Tsioulos Dimitrios I. , Zacharos Ioannis D. , Mitromaras Athanasios G. , Mastorantonakis Stylianos E. , Panagiotou Themistoklis N. , Mountokalakis Theodore D. 
Published: March 2003

Summaryaim To assess the value of clinical and laboratory parameters in predicting mortality in patients presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).methods The records of all DKA admissions within 10 years were reviewed. Eighteen variables were evaluated at initial presentation and 20 variables at 4, 12 and 24 h from admission. A scoring system derived from these variables was compared to the APACHE III scoring system.results Among 154 patients (52 males, mean age 58 ± 12 years), 20 (13%) died in hospital. Multivariate analysis yielded six variables as significant independent predictors (P < 0·05) of mortality: severe coexisting diseases (SCD) and pH < 7·0, at presentation; units of regular insulin required in the first 12 h > 50 and serum glucose > 16·7 mmo/l, after 12 h; depressed mental state and fever, after 24 h. An integer‐based scoring system was derived, as follows: number of points = 6 (SCD at presentation) + 4 (pH < 7·0 at presentation) + 4 (regular insulin required > 50 IU after 12 h) + 4 (serum glucose > 16·7 mmo/l after 12 h) + 4 (depressed mental state after 24 h) + 3 (fever after 24 h). Patients with 0–14 points had 0·86% risk of death, whereas for those with 19–25 points the risk was 93·3%. Median APACHE III scores differed significantly (P < 0·001) among groups of patients stratified according to the above scoring system.conclusions Risk stratification of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis is possible from simple clinical and laboratory variables available during the first day of hospitalization.
The sodium iodide symporter: its pathophysiological and therapeutic implications
Authors: Spitzweg Christine , Morris John C. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe sodium iodide symporter (NIS) is an intrinsic plasma membrane protein that mediates the active transport of iodide in the thyroid gland and a number of extrathyroidal tissues, in particular lactating mammary gland. Because of its crucial role in the ability of thyroid follicular cells to trap iodide, cloning of NIS opened an exciting and extensive new field of thyroid‐related research. Cloning and molecular characterization of NIS allowed investigation of its expression and regulation in thyroidal and nonthyroidal tissues, and its potential pathophysiological and therapeutic implications in benign and malignant thyroid disease. In addition to its key function in thyroid physiology, NIS‐mediated iodide accumulation allows diagnostic thyroid scintigraphy as well as effective therapeutic application of radioiodine in benign and malignant thyroid disease. Characterization and application of NIS as a novel therapeutic gene and the presence of high native NIS expression in the majority of breast cancers further suggest a promising role of NIS in diagnosis and therapy of cancer outside the thyroid gland.
Immune function during GH treatment in GH‐deficient adults: an 18‐month randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded trial
Authors: Sneppen S. B. , Mersebach H. , Ullum H. , Feldt‐Rasmussen U. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryObjective The aim of the present study was to investigate natural killer (NK) cell function and lymphocyte subsets in GH‐deficient (GHD) adults, before and during long‐term GH treatment.Study Design We investigated immune function in 19 adults with severe GHD, before and during 18 months of randomized treatment with GH or placebo. Measurement of lymphocyte subsets and NK cell activity was performed. Data obtained from 110 healthy adults served as reference values.Results NK cell activity, both unstimulated and stimulated by interferon‐a or interleukin‐2, was significantly impaired in GHD patients. Similarly, NK cell concentration and the proportion of NK cells (CD16+) were reduced in GHD patients compared to controls. Both total and proportional CD4 + cells were increased in patients compared with controls. IGF‐I increased significantly during treatment, but the immune functions investigated were unaltered.Conclusions GH deficiency was associated with changes in lymphocyte subsets and impaired unstimulated and stimulated natural killer cell activity, but these remained abnormal during 18 months of GH replacement therapy. Extra‐pituitary GH gene expression in, e.g. lymphoid tissues may serve as an autocrine/paracrine factor in immunomodulation and explain the clinical normal immune function in adult GH‐deficient patients.
Differential expression of galectin‐3 in medullary thyroid carcinoma and C‐cell hyperplasia
Authors: Faggiano Antongiulio , Talbot Monique , Lacroix Ludovic , Bidart Jean Michel , Baudin Eric , Schlumberger Martin , Caillou Bernard 
Published: March 2003

SummaryObjective and Design Galectin‐3 is a β‐galactoside‐binding protein that plays a role in cell adhesion and tumour progression. It was shown recently to diagnose malignant follicular thyroid lesions accurately. The reliability of this marker in the differential diagnosis between medullary thyroid carcinoma and C‐cell hyperplasia was studied by immunohistochemistry.Patients Tissue specimens were obtained from 34 patients belonging to families with medullary thyroid carcinoma who underwent prophylactic thyroidectomy for RET gene mutation and/or abnormally increased plasma calcitonin levels.Results Galectin‐3 was expressed in 23 of 25 cases of medullary thyroid carcinoma and in none of the nine cases of C‐cell hyperplasia only, giving a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 100% for the diagnosis of carcinoma. A significant association was found between higher galectin‐3 expression and occurrence of lymph node metastases (P < 0·05).Conclusions Galectin‐3 is a reliable diagnostic marker of medullary thyroid carcinoma, and its use may provide relevant information for prognosis and therapy.
Hyperadiponectinaemia in anorexia nervosa
Authors: Delporte M. L. , Brichard S. M. , Hermans M. P. , Beguin C. , Lambert M. 
Published: March 2003

Summaryobjective Adiponectin (ApN) is a fat‐derived hormone that enhances insulin sensitivity, controls body weight, prevents atherosclerosis and negatively regulates haematopoiesis and immune functions. In contrast to many proteins secreted by adipose tissue, the circulating level of ApN falls in obesity and insulin resistance states. The influence of starvation‐induced depletion of fat stores on ApN concentrations is yet unknown. We therefore investigated plasma ApN in anorexia nervosa (AN).patients and design We measured plasma ApN in 26 female anorectic patients and examined its relationships to several anthropometric or metabolic parameters. Twenty‐four age‐matched healthy female controls (C) were also studied.results Body mass index (BMI) and fat mass were markedly decreased in AN. However, plasma ApN levels were 30% higher in anorectic than in control subjects (P < 0·01), while a reverse pattern was observed for leptin concentrations. When normalized for fatness, ApN values almost doubled in AN. ApN levels were negatively correlated with BMI and fat mass (P < 0·05 in the combined population, AN + C). Insulin sensitivity tended to be 40% higher in AN (n = 7) than in C (n = 12) subjects, and plasma ApN levels were positively correlated with insulin sensitivity (P < 0·05 in AN + C subgroups). Total and low density lipoprotein (LDL)‐cholesterol were higher, or tended to be higher, in AN, but there were no correlations between plasma ApN and plasma lipids. By contrast, ApN was related to the lipid profile, in a manner consistent with its antiatherogenic role, in healthy controls [i.e. negatively correlated with triglycerides, total and LDL‐cholesterol and total/high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol; P < 0·05 or less for each parameter]. In a multiple regression analysis, BMI and insulin sensitivity in AN were independent determinants for ApN levels, explaining up to approximately 80% of the variance in this measure.conclusions Plasma adiponectin levels are increased in anorexia nervosa. This may, at least in part, be due to the lack of negative feedback exerted by fat mass on adiponectin production and/or to enhanced insulin sensitivity. We speculate that hyperadiponectinaemia could, in turn, contribute to maintain a state of enhanced insulin sensitivity and possibly exacerbate haematological and infectious complications of anorexia nervosa.
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of testicular germ cell tumours; a 10‐year experience in a community hospital
Authors: GarcÍa‐Solano  , Sánchez‐Sánchez  , Montalbán‐Romero  , Sola‐Pérez  , Pérez‐Guillermo  
Published: March 2003

garcía‐solano j., sánchez‐sánchez c., montalbán‐romero s., sola‐pérez j. and pérez‐guillermo m. (1998) Cytopathology9, 248–262Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of testicular germ cell tumours; a 10‐year experience in a community hospitalA retrospective reappraisal is made of the smears of 29 testicular germ cell tumours (TGCT) studied by FNA in which both orchiectomy specimens and histologic diagnoses were available. In 22 cases (75.86%) the yield was sufficient and contained cells suitable for cytologic diagnosis; in these 22 cases a diagnosis of malignancy was reached. In four cases (13.79%) the yield was sparse and diagnostic cells were partially obscured by haemorrhage and necrosis; these cases were categorized as suspicious of malignancy. In three cases (10.34%) the yield was not suitable for cytologic evaluation because haemorrhage and necrosis hampered evaluation of diagnostic cells. The cytologic findings that enable a reliable diagnosis of TGCT are described and those cytologic features that may lead the less experienced cytopathologist into an erroneous diagnosis are discussed. Pure TGCT can be confidently diagnosed with FNA and mixed TGCT can be successfully diagnosed, although it is difficult to recognize every cytologic subtype observed in the histologic sections. Despite the advantages of FNA for the prompt diagnosis of TGCT, FNA can not fully replace the histologic diagnosis and should rather be considered as a helpful tool in the work‐up of testicular tumours.
Diagnostic utility of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology in HIV‐infected patients with lymphadenopathy
Authors: Reid A. J. C. , Miller R. F. , Kocjan G. I. 
Published: March 2003

reid a. j. c., miller r. f. and kocjan g. i. (1998) Cytopathology9, 230–239Diagnostic utility of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology in HIV‐infected patients with lymphadenopathySixty‐five FNA cytology procedures were performed on lymph nodes in 52 HIV+ patients. Cervical lymph nodes were the commonest site of FNA cytology investigation (54%). The diagnoses were persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (38%), infection (17%), and malignancy (11%). Diagnosis could not be rendered in 25% of FNA cytology due to inadequate sampling. Of those with infection, mycobacterial disease was the commonest cause (91%), the diagnosis of which was enhanced by concurrent microbiological examination. Non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma was the commonest malignancy. Sixteen lymph node FNA cytologies had subsequent tissue biopsy. There were two false‐positive and four false‐negative FNA cytologies. FNA cytology in HIV+ patients is most useful in the diagnosis of infection, obviating the need for tissue biopsy and allowing prompt initiation of treatment.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) in high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) detected by morphology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)—a cytohistologic correlation of 277 cases treated by laser conization
Authors: Lie A. K. , Isaksen C. V. , Skarsvåg S. , Haugen O. A. 
Published: March 2003

Human papillomavirus (HPV) in high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) detected by morphology and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)—a cytohistologic correlation of 277 cases treated by laser conizationThe aims of this study were to evaluate the cytohistologic correlation in women treated for high‐grade lesions of the cervix uteri (HG CIN), to assess the distribution of HPV features and finally to test the validity of the morphological criteria of HPV infection. The smears and biopsy specimens from 277 women treated for HG CIN by laser conization were re‐evaluated blindly. Tissue blocks (n= 188) and 52 archival smears were examined for HPV DNA using PCR. HPV changes were detected with equal frequency in the smears and biopsy specimens by light microscopy; 63% and 65%, respectively. The prevalence of HPV DNA in biopsies was 88% and in archival smears 85%; agreement was found in 89% of the cases. Using PCR as the gold standard, we found a sensitivity of 63% for cytology and 70% for histology; the specificity was 41% and 37%, respectively. The positive predictive value was > 80%, but the negative predictive value was < 20%. Our study confirms that HPV features are frequently associated with HG CIN and that morphology is a non‐specific method of identifying HPV infection and should be followed by PCR, also allowing detection of oncogenic HPV types and latent infections.
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade III (CIN III) and invasive cervical carcinoma: the yawning gap revisited and the treatment of risk
Authors: Herbert A. , Smith J. A. E. 
Published: March 2003

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade III (CINIII) and invasive cervical carcinoma: the yawning gap revisited and the treatment of riskIn a 3‐year study of the population of Southampton and south‐west Hampshire there were 10 times as many cases of CIN III compared with invasive squamous carcinoma (700 compared with 70). The peak incidence of CIN III per 1000 screened women years was in those aged 25–29 years, which was 20 years earlier than the peak incidence of invasive cervical cancer per 1000 women years at risk. Ninety percent of CIN III was diagnosed in women under 50 years. There were 14 cases of cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia grade III (CGIN III), three coexisting with CIN III, all in women aged under 50 years: the gap between intraepithelial and invasive lesions was not seen for glandular neoplasia. Although referral was for at least moderate dyskaryosis in 86.8% of women with CIN III or CGIN III, most had been screened previously, either having had mild abnormalities requiring repeat cytology (39.8%) or negative cytology (34.5%). Only 12 women aged ≥ 50 years had previous negative cytology: 21.4% compared with 35.6% of women aged < 50 years (P = 0.034). The results of this study suggest that the best opportunity for preventing invasive squamous cell carcinoma lies in screening women aged 20–39 years when the incidence of CIN III in the screened population is highest and before the peak incidence of invasive disease. The results also indicate the importance of repeated screening and follow up of minor cytological abnormalities in the detection of CIN III. The benefit of screening must be regarded as a treatment of risk, since it is almost certain that a high proportion of CIN III regresses or persists unchanged.
Cervical disease in women referred to colposcopy following inadequate smears
Authors: Hollingworth J. , Kotecha K. , Dobbs S. P. , Shaw P. A. V. , Ireland D. 
Published: March 2003

The aim of this audit was to determine if inadequate cervical smears are associated with significant cervical pathology. Case records for 52 women with three consecutive inadequate smears referred for colposcopy to the Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI) were retrieved. Sixteen women underwent large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was identified in six cases. There were no cases of inadequate smears initiating the diagnosis in 100 consecutive women with invasive cervical cancer. Inadequate smears are associated with high rates of treatment for a low yield of CIN. To reduce morbidity associated with colposcopy it may be acceptable to repeat an inadequate smear after 6 months rather than arranging immediate recall.
Amoebiasis: diagnosis by aspiration and exfoliative cytology
Authors: Bhambhani S. , Kashyap V. 
Published: March 2003

Amoebiasis: diagnosis by aspiration and exfoliative cytology The present study was undertaken to evaluate the use of fine needle aspiration and exfoliative cytology in the identification of amoebic cysts/trophozoites, and to characterize amoebiasis. The subjects consisted of 15 patients, 11 diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) as amoebic abscesses (14 liver and one pulmonary) and four women whose cervical smears contained Entamoeba histolytica cysts or trophozoites. Of 128 ultrasonographically guided FNAC of hepatic lesions over a four year period, 17 were abscesses of which 10 were diagnosed as amoebic. A single case of pulmonary amoebiasis was detected in an 18‐year‐old male. The case was initially diagnosed as tubercular due to deceptive symptomatology. Three cases of amoebic cysts and one trophozoite were reported on routine cervical smear screening. All four cases were unsuspected for amoebic infection. The disease may easily go undetected unless meticulous screening is exercised, and the search for cysts or trophozoites is made with clear concepts of the morphological characteristics of E. histolytica in mind.
Variation in the assessment of adequacy in cervical smears
Authors: MIGLIORE GIOVANNA , ROSSI EMILIA , ALDOVINI ANDREA , MUDU PIERPAOLO , ALDERISIO MAURO , GIOVAGNOLI M. ROSARIA , FABIANO ALFREDO , MOROSINI PIER LUIGI , BRANCA MARGHERITA 
Published: March 2003

Variation in the assessment of adequacy in cervical smears Objective: To assess the interobserver reproducibility of the diagnosis of `adequacy' of cervical smears according to the Bethesda System criteria in cervical smears.Study design:    358 cervical smears were obtained from three Italian cytopathological centres in 1998–99. All centres provided consecutively collected smears. The cervical smears were independently and blindly assessed by four cytologists.The screening was performed using a 10x objective and an additional evaluation of the percentage of cellularity was performed using a 4x objective.Results: The proportion of smears assessed by the four cytologists as `adequate' ranged from 60% to 70%, the proportion of `satisfactory for evaluation but limited by' ranged from 27% to 38%, and the proportion of `inadequate smears' ranged from 2% to 4%. Full agreement in the assessment of smear adequacy was observed in 311 slides and disagreement was observed only in 47.The category `inadequate smear' was less reliable than the other two; however, the kappa value observed was acceptable.Conclusion: The present study shows that it is possible to achieve a high reproducibility in the assessment of smear adequacy, at least among expert cytologists who follow the Bethesda System criteria strictly.
Optimal patch use by foraging workers of Lasius fuliginosus, L. niger and Myrmica ruginodis
Authors: BONSER ROB , WRIGHT PHILIP J. , BAMENT SIMON , CHUKWU UCHEGBU O. 
Published: March 2003

1. The predictions of the marginal value theorem, that foragers should spend more time in both better quality patches and more distant patches, were tested with three European ant species, Lasius fuliginosus, L. niger and Myrmica ruginodis.2. As the quality of patches of sucrose solution increased, the feeding time of foraging workers of L. niger also increased.3. At constant patch quality, feeding times of L. niger and M. ruginodis increased with increasing distance of the patch from the nest entrance.4. Foraging workers of L. fuliginosus showed a similar response to patch distance in the field, but feeding times were also significantly influenced by air temperature, decreasing as temperature increased.5. These results show qualitative agreement with the predictions of the marginal value theorem.
Differential dispersal and female‐biased sex allocation in a parasitic wasp
Authors: ODE PAUL , ANTOLIN MICHAEL , STRAND MICHAEL 
Published: March 2003

1. Differential dispersal of males and females from a population is predicted to result in biased sex‐allocation decisions, even in the absence of sibmating.2. Mated Bracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) females produce distinctly female‐biased sex ratios (≈ 30% male), yet sibmating is not a feature of the mating biology of this species. Therefore the dispersal behaviour of male and female B. hebetor from caged subpopulations was examined.3. A higher proportion of females than males dispersed from the caged subpopulations. Furthermore, females dispersed earlier than males. This suggests that the level of competition for mates experienced by males is higher than the level of competition for hosts experienced by sisters.4. Roughly half of the dispersing females left after they had mated. Females generally mate once in their lifetimes, suggesting that competition between brothers for mates may be high.