Effects of a quick-release form of bromocriptine (Ergoset) on fasting and postprandial plasma glucose, insulin, lipid, and lipoprotein concentrations in obese nondiabetic hyperinsulinemic women

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect on various aspects of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism of administering a quick-release formulation of bromocriptine (Ergoset) to obese, nondiabetic, hyperinsulinemic women. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Hourly concentrations of prolactin, glucose, insulin, free fatty acid (FFA), and triglyceride were measured for 24 h before and after approximately 8 weeks of treatment with Ergoset. In addition, fasting lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and the steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) concentration in response to a continuous infusion of somatostatin, insulin, and glucose were determined before and after Ergoset administration. RESULTS: Circulating prolactin concentrations were dramatically decreased (P < 0.001) following treatment, associated with a significant fall (P < 0.05) in 24-h-long plasma glucose, FFA, and triglyceride concentrations. Neither circulating plasma insulin concentrations nor the ability of insulin to mediate glucose disposal changed with treatment. Finally, fasting total cholesterol fell (P < 0.05) and the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol decreased (P = 0.06) in association with Ergoset treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The fact that significant metabolic improvement was seen in the obese nondiabetic hyperinsulinemic women studied suggests that Ergoset could be of therapeutic benefit in clinical conditions of hyperglycemia and/or dyslipidemia.     

Neuroendocrine differentiation in 32 cases of so-called sclerosing hemangioma of the lung: identified by immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study

Thirty-two cases of so-called sclerosing hemangioma of the lung observed by light microscopy were further studied by electron microscopy and/or immunohistochemistry. Three histologic patterns were seen: hemangioma-like, papillary, and solid. The only significant component representing the nature of the lesion is characteristic round cells within the stroma in all these patterns, whereas the surface cells lining the papillary projections or cystic spaces are normal or are hyperplastic bronchioloalveolar cells with a few neuroendocrine cells. Immunohistochemical findings showed that the "stromal cells" (tumor cells) were positive for neuroendocrine markers, namely, chromogranin A (19 of 22 cases), neuron-specific enolase (24 of 24), synaptophysin (six of 10), adrenocorticotropic hormone (14 of 15), growth hormone (14 of 15), calcitonin (11 of 15), and gastrin (11 of 14). Besides, some tumor cells were positive for epithelial membrane antigen (four of four), carcinoembryonic antigen (one of four), and vimentin (one of one). All tumor cells were negative for polyclonal antikeratin antibody (25 cases), AE1 (one case), and AE3 (one case). However, in contrast to the "stromal cells," the surface cells of the cystic spaces stained positively for keratin (25 of 25 cases), AE1 (one of one), AE3 (one of one), epithelial membrance antigen (four of four), and carcinoembryonic antigen (four of four); only a few of them expressed neruoendocrine markers. Both surface and tumor cells were negative for factor VIII-related antigen (25 cases), CD31 (one case), and alpha1-antitrypsin (25 cases). Ten cases further studied by electron microscopy and six examined by ultrastructural morphometry showed that the surface cells were mainly type 2 pneumocytes containing many lamellar bodies in the cytoplasm. Lying among them, neuroendocrine cells were occasionally seen. The stromal tumor cells had no lamellar body, but dense core granules (neurosecretory granules) and microtubules. In six cases, 92.3% (345 of 374) of tumor cells contained neurosecretory granules, which were pleomorphic and 73 to 1056 nm in diameter (mean, 302 nm). Two to 193 (mean, 12) neurosecretory granules were found in each tumor cell. Both immunohistochemical findings and ultrastructural evidence indicate that so-called sclerosing hemangioma of the lung is a benign lesion composed of neoplastic neuroendocrine cells with areas of sclerosis. A suggested name for this tumor is benign neuroendocrine tumor of the lung. The differentiation between this tumor and papillary adenoma, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, or carcinoid tumor of the lung is discussed.     

Late cytomegalovirus disease in marrow transplantation is predicted by virus load in plasma

Late occurrence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease after day 100 after bone marrow transplantation has become an increasing problem; whether a quantitative measurement of CMV DNA in plasma by polymerase chain reaction (P-PCR) could be predictive of such disease was investigated. In a prospective study, 117 subjects undergoing allogeneic marrow transplantation were followed for 120 days with weekly CMV blood cultures, with day 35 bronchoalveolar lavage CMV cultures, with weekly CMV P-PCR, and with clinical follow-up for an additional 1-2 years. Despite preemptive ganciclovir, CMV disease occurred in 9% of subjects, with a median time of onset of 176 days. Quantitative CMV P-PCR was associated with the late development of CMV disease (P = .01). Of 43 subjects with positive P-PCR results, 23% developed CMV disease, but no disease occurred in the 74 subjects with negative P-PCR (P < .001), despite the fact that 22% had CMV isolated from lung lavage fluid and 32% had CMV isolated from blood.     

Leptin levels do not change acutely with food administration in normal or obese subjects, but are negatively correlated with pituitary-adrenal activity

Modern liver surgery is based upon deep knowledge of the surgical anatomy of the liver and improvements with ultrasounds imaging techniques have provided multidimensional interpretations of the liver anatomy intraoperatively. The technical advances with real-time scanning combined with the pioneering efforts of the Japanese liver surgeons have permitted the dynamic adaptation of the functional liver anatomy to the real anatomy, thus intimately aiding in segment oriented anatomical resection. Intraoperative ultrasound afford several advantages such as viewing the internal anatomy in direct relationship to the surface landmarks under the probe, enabling higher frequencies resulting in greater image resolution. The utilization of intraoperative ultrasound can modify the tactics involved with resection of both primary and metastatic liver tumours. The routine use of intraoperative ultrasound is strongly advocated since more complex procedures can be performed safely since the surgeon proceeds with complete knowledge of the real liver anatomy when deciding the feasibility and extent of liver resection.     

Expression of glucocorticoid receptor gene isoforms in corticotropin-secreting tumors

The molecular basis of Cushing's disease is not known. One of the most characteristic features of such tumors is their resistance to corticosteroid feedback at the pituitary level. We have hypothesized that abnormalities of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene might play a role in the development of Cushing's disease via an increase in the relative production of the nonligand-binding splice variant of the GR, GR beta, known to exert dominant negative effects over the ligand-binding isoform, GR alpha. Alternatively, a change in overall GR expression, or mutations of some functional domains of the GR gene, might be involved in the pathogenesis of corticotroph tumors. We studied 22 tumors (17 pituitary ACTH-secreting tumors, 2 ectopic ACTH-producing tumors, 2 prolactinomas, and 1 nonfunctioning adenoma) and three normal pituitaries. RT-PCR was performed with primers specific to GR alpha and GR beta complementary DNA, followed by Southern blotting using an internal probe, and the ratio of the two bands quantitated by densitometry. We also assessed the overall expression of GR relative to the message of both the POMC gene and a housekeeping gene. Single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis of the DNA-binding domain and splice junction region of the gene was also performed. GR alpha messenger RNA was expressed at 37.3-fold +/- 5.7 (range, 32 to 46) excess, as compared with the GR beta subform. This pattern was observed both in the tumor samples and in the normal pituitaries used as controls. A majority of the ACTH-secreting tumors (16/19), including the ectopic secretors, showed variable but increased overall GR expression, whereas 3 tumors showed an expression approximately equivalent to the normal controls; however, no correlation was found between these two groups and the response to the high-dose dexamethasone test, nor was there any correlation with tumor histology. No mutations were found in any of the tumors by PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. In conclusion, although both pituitary and ectopic ACTH-secreting tumors are at least partially glucocorticoid-resistant, no significant abnormalities in the relative expression of the two main GR subforms were observed in a series of such tumors. Additionally, mutations of regions critical to normal function of the receptor do not seem to be a frequent event in these tumors.     

The effects of an abusive primary partner on the condom use and sexual negotiation practices of African-American women

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the consequences of having a physically abusive primary partner on the condom use and sexual negotiation practices of young African-American women. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 165 sexually active African-American women aged 18 through 29 in San Francisco, Calif. RESULTS: Women in abusive relationships were less likely than others to use condoms and were more likely to experience verbal abuse, emotional abuse, or threats of physical abuse when they discussed condoms. They were more fearful of asking their partners to use condoms, worried more about acquiring the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and felt more isolated than did women not in abusive relationships. CONCLUSIONS: HIV prevention programs for women should address domestic violence prevention strategies.     

Cryptic invasions of the crab Carcinus detected by molecular phylogeography

Coastal marine ecosystems world-wide are threatened by invasions of nonindigenous species. The ubiquity of marine sibling species identifiable only by genetic analysis suggests that many invasions are cryptic and therefore undetected, causing an underestimation of the actual number and impacts of invading species. We test this hypothesis with European crabs in the genus Carcinus that have invaded five regions globally. Partial 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences confirm sibling species status of morphologically similar Atlantic C. maenas and Mediterranean C. aestuarii. Based on 16S rRNA haplotypes, crabs from California, New England and Tasmania were all C. maenas. However, we report the cryptic multiple invasion of both species in Japan and South Africa, where only C. aestuarii and C. maenas, respectively, were previously recognized.     

Elastic properties of human cortical and trabecular lamellar bone measured by nanoindentation

An experimental investigation was undertaken to measure the intrinsic elastic properties of several of the microstructural components of human vertebral trabecular bone and tibial cortical bone by the nanoindentation method. Specimens from two thoracic vertebrae (T-12) and two tibiae were obtained from frozen, unembalmed human male cadavers aged 57 and 61 years. After drying and mounting in epoxy resin nanoindentation tests were conducted to measure Young's modulus and the hardness of individual trabeculae in the vertebrae and single osteons, and interstitial lamellae in the tibiae. Measurements on the vertebral trabeculae were made in the transverse direction, and the average Young's modulus was found to be 13.5 +/- 2.0 GPa. The tibial specimens were tested in the longitudinal direction, yielding moduli of 22.5 +/- 1.3 GPa for the osteons and 25.8 +/- 0.7 GPa for the interstitial lamellae. Analysis of variance showed that the differences in the measured moduli are statistically significant. Hardness differences among the various microstructural components were also observed.     

Further studies on the influence of genotype and dietary protein on the performance of broilers

An experiment was conducted to quantify genetic differences in response to dietary protein level of male vs female broilers. Broilers (1 d old) from a "high-yield" strain cross (Ross x Ross 208) and a "fast-growing" strain cross (Peterson x Arbor Acres) were placed on fresh pine shavings in floor pens. From Day 0 to 18, all birds were fed a 23% CP starter diet. During Days 18 to 53 male birds were fed either a 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, or 26% CP diet (3,200 kcal ME/kg) and female birds were fed the 16, 20, or 24% CP diet. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were noted in the performance of the different strains. Ross x Ross 208 male birds had a higher body weight (3.37 vs 3.16 kg), higher feed intake (7.08 vs 6.78 kg), higher breast yield (31.76 vs 29.25%), higher carcass yield (73.90 vs 71.85%), and a lower adjusted feed conversion ratio (FCR; 2.10 vs 2.16 g:g) than Peterson x Arbor Acres males at 53 d of age. As compared to Peterson x Arbor Acres females, Ross x Ross 208 female broilers also had a higher body weight (2.68 vs 2.55 kg), higher breast meat yield (33.61 vs 30.80%), higher carcass yield (75.31 vs 73.91%), and lower adjusted FCR (1.97 vs 2.04 g:g). Qualitative differences in the response of these strains were confirmed and better qualitative data is presented that can be used to predict the important output parameters from the import inputs in broiler production.