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Longitudinal variability of lipoprotein(a) in youth-onset type 1 diabetes: implications for cardiovascular risk stratification.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a genetically determined and independent cardiovascular risk factor, traditionally considered stable across the lifespan, supporting a single lifetime measurement strategy. However, its longitudinal behaviour during childhood and adolescence remains poorly characterised, particularly in individuals with type 1 diabetes who face a markedly increased lifetime risk of coronary artery disease. We therefore aimed to characterise intra- and inter-individual trajectories of Lp(a) in a paediatric type 1 diabetes cohort and to assess the implications of Lp(a) variability for cardiovascular risk classification. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective single-centre cohort study of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes attending Geneva University Hospitals between 2012 and 2023. Annual fasting Lp(a) concentrations were analysed longitudinally. Variability was assessed in participants with&#x2009;&#x2265;&#x2009;2 measurements. Clinically relevant thresholds were used to evaluate cardiovascular risk reclassification. Paired Wilcoxon tests, Pearson and Kendall correlations, and Holm-adjusted p-values (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05) were applied. Analyses were conducted in R. RESULTS: A total of 286 participants contributed 1403 Lp(a) measurements, with observation periods varying across individuals (median 6.2&#xa0;years, IQR 2.9-9.6) and between 1 and 13 measurements per participant. At baseline, 26% had elevated Lp(a) (&#x2265;&#x2009;300&#xa0;mg/l). Among participants with serial measurements, 32% showed intraindividual fluctuations exceeding 50% of their individual maximum value. Reclassification across the 300&#xa0;mg/l cardiovascular risk threshold occurred in 11.9% of participants. Lp(a) concentrations peaked between ages 10 and 13&#xa0;years and declined thereafter. Modest seasonal variation was observed, with higher concentrations in autumn and winter (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In youth with type 1 diabetes, Lp(a) is not as stable as previously assumed, exhibiting clinically relevant variability over time. These findings challenge the current paradigm of a single lifetime Lp(a) measurement and suggest that repeated assessment, particularly during adolescence, may improve early cardiovascular risk stratification.

Humans↗

Complete nucleotide sequence of the cytochrome b gene of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and comparison of sequence homology among channel catfish and other fishes.

To clarify the phylogenic relationship of channel catfish with other fishes, the cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene of the catfish was cloned and sequenced. Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) belonging to the family Ictaluridae in the order Siluriformes showed a 78.4-87.4% similarity to all but one fish of the family Cyprinidae and river loach Crossostoma lacustre of the family Balitoridae in the order Cypriniformes in which genes had already been sequenced, and a 97.2% similarity to the goldfish (Carassius auratus) belonging to the family Cyprinidae. Within the family Cyprinidae, a 78.8-89.2% similarity to one another was recorded. In addition, the similarity rate between the family Cyprinidae and the family Balitoridae reached a value of 77.8-79.9% in the order Cypriniformes. Furthermore, in an unrooted phylogenetic tree consisting of four branches among eight fishes, channel catfish and goldfish appeared in the same branch. These results suggested that the Cyt b gene of the channel catfish in the order Siluriformes was closely related to that of a goldfish in the order Cypriniformes. The results were not agreement with the morphological classification. Genetic reclassification of the fishes may be necessary to identify the ancestor. This is the first report on the cloning and complete sequencing the Cyt b gene of the channel catfish which may contribute to the genetic reclassification of catfishes belonging to the order Siluriformes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Day-to-day variability of electrocardiographic diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients. Influence of electrode placement.

OBJECTIVE: Although electrocardiography (ECG) is recommended in all subjects with hypertension, no information is available on the influence exerted by random changes in the placement of electrodes on the day-to-day variability of ECG criteria for diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). METHODS: In a multicentre, randomized study, two standard 12-lead ECG were recorded, 24 h apart, from 276 consecutive hypertensive patients (mean age 65 +/- 12 years, 49.6% men). Overall, 142 patients were randomized to ECG with the position of electrodes marked on the skin using a dermographic pen and 134 to traditional ECG without marking the position of electrodes. Day-to-day variability of ECG criteria for LVH was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Coefficients of variation (SD of the difference between paired voltage measurements divided by the mean value) varied consistently among subjects randomized to ECG without dermographic pen, ranging from 30% (R wave in lead I) to 81% (R wave in lead V5). Dermographic pen led to a lesser variability of ECG voltages with consequent reduction in the coefficients of variation, which ranged from 26% (R-wave amplitude in lead I) to 43% (R-wave amplitude in lead V5). The proportion of subjects who changed classification status for LVH ('reclassification rate') from the first to the second ECG session (LVH present in session 1 and absent in session 2, or vice versa) decreased for effect of dermographic pen from 11 to 4% (P = 0.040) with the Cornell voltage, from 19 to 11% (P = 0.029) with the Sokolow-Lyon voltage, and from 18 to 7% with the Romhilt-Estes criterion (P = 0.018), but not with other criteria. In particular, the typical strain and the Cornell strain were associated with the lowest reclassification rates regardless of dermographic pen. CONCLUSIONS: Random changes in the position of ECG electrodes strongly impair the day-to-day reproducibility of Cornell voltage, Sokolow-Lyon and Romhilt-Estes criteria for LVH. The typical strain and Cornell strain criteria showed a lesser spontaneous day-to-day variability.

Aged↗

Computer aided diagnosis of jaundice. A comparison of two data bases.

A computer system for probabilistic diagnosis of jaundice was tested on a patient sample from a geographical area different from that for which it was first constructed. 144 consecutive patients with jaundice seen in two Stockholm hospitals were interviewed and examined to record a total of 82 indicants from history, demographic details, physical findings and laboratory tests. Data were compared with those of 319 jaundiced patients previously interviewed and examined at different London hospitals. It was found that disease incidences were different in the two patient samples. There were more patients with acute viral hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis in the London data base whereas the Stockholm data base included significantly more patients with Gilbert's syndrome and alcoholic cirrhosis. Indicant frequencies, standardised for disease incidence, differed with respect to age (Stockholm patients were on average six years older), time from onset of first symptom to hospital admission (Stockholm patients had on average a two-week shorter history of disease) and a number of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, anorexia, weight loss, itching, pale stools and dark urine which were more frequent among the London patients. Differences in hospital admission policy was regarded as an important reason for the differences in indicant frequency. The results of probabilistic diagnosis were poor. Only 49% of the cases were correctly classified into twelve diagnostic groups. In particular the computer model was poor at separating different causes of malignant bile duct obstruction and at differentiating between malignant and benign bile duct obstruction. However, all cases of acute viral hepatitis were correctly classified and the computer model was 87% accurate in differentiating between medical and surgical jaundice. Reclassification of the 144 patients on their own data showed the computer system to be well calibrated and 97% of the cases were correctly classified according to this procedure. In conclusion, the computer system could not be directly transferred for use in a Swedish hospital but the results of reclassification were sufficiently encouraging to warrant prospective studies.

Adult↗

Extent of resection as an independent predictor of survival for patients with glioblastoma as defined by the new WHO 2021 classification.

OBJECTIVE: Extent of resection (EOR) has previously been demonstrated to have an impact on survival in patients with glioblastoma (GBM). However, with the World Health Organization (WHO) 2021 reclassification of GBMs based on IDH-mutation status, patients with "IDH-mutant GBMs," who typically survive long term, were reclassified as WHO grade 4 IDH-mutant astrocytomas and removed from the GBM taxonomy. Therefore, it is unknown whether the previously reported impact of resection on survival was a false-positive result due to the inclusion of the less aggressive IDH-mutant tumors in previous datasets. This study aimed to determine the extent to which EOR remains an independent predictor of survival in patients with WHO 2021 GBM after the reclassification of IDH-mutant grade 4 astrocytomas. METHODS: All cases of GBM tumors (based on the pre-2021 GBM classification) that were newly diagnosed between 2005 and 2021 were identified in our institutional database and subsequently reclassified based on the updated WHO 2021 criteria using IDH status. Multivariable statistical analyses of demographic information, survival time, and EOR based on volumetric MRI were performed to determine the independent predictors of survival for the whole group of patients and for IDH-wildtype GBM patients exclusively. Additional analyses were performed to identify an EOR threshold for improvement in survival. RESULTS: Of the 523 tumors classified as GBM based on the pre-2021 taxonomy, 52 (9.9%) cases were reclassified as WHO grade 4 IDH-mutant astrocytomas, and the median survival of patients in this group was 7.9 years, whereas median survival of the IDH-wildtype GBM patients was 1.4 years. Multivariate analyses of the whole group demonstrated that IDH-mutant astrocytomas were associated with reduced hazard of death. In both the whole group (n = 523) and in IDH-wildtype GBMs (n = 471), higher EOR of the contrast-enhancing (CE) tumor was associated with reduced hazard of death, whereas older age or male sex was associated with increased hazard of death. Because most patients (90%) had high EOR values (> 81%), a statistically meaningful EOR threshold could not be established. CONCLUSIONS: These analyses demonstrated that EOR of the CE tumor is an independent predictor of survival and that greater EOR is associated with improved survival in WHO 2021 IDH-wildtype GBMs even after excluding grade 4 IDH-mutant astrocytomas. However, an absolute EOR threshold below which resection did not improve survival could not be established, raising concerns about prior cutoff assessments.

Humans↗

MIF Promoter Variant rs755622 (-173G/C) in Younger and Older Turkish Adults: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Genetic and in Silico Analysis.

Age-associated immune-inflammatory remodeling may be influenced by regulatory variation in the macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene (MIF). We conducted an exploratory cross-sectional comparison to assess whether MIF rs755622 (-173G/C) genotype distributions differ between predefined younger and older age groups in a Turkish population and to characterize the observed pattern using genetic-model and in silico analyses. We evaluated 368 individuals: 245 older adults aged 65-102 years and 123 younger controls aged 20-46 years. None of the 26 main association tests remained statistically significant after global multiplicity correction (minimum FDR q = 0.062; minimum Bonferroni-adjusted p = 0.108). Before correction, GC frequency was higher in the older group and increased across the ordered age categories, and sex-adjusted analyses yielded concordant nominal estimates. However, these nominal patterns were sensitive to younger-control genotype reclassification and were not supported by an allele-level or additive association. Younger controls showed Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium (p < 0.001), without sequencing confirmation, and deterministic and scenario-based Monte Carlo genotype-reclassification analyses indicated sensitivity of the nominal signal to uncertainty in control genotype classification. GTEx data provide C-allele-oriented expression context but do not validate function in this cohort. These preliminary findings warrant independent genotype verification, ancestry-matched replication, and direct functional investigation in future studies.

Humans↗

Medicare program; changes to the hospital inpatient prospective payment systems and fiscal year 1993 rates--HCFA. Final rule.

We are revising the Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment systems for operating costs and capital-related costs to implement necessary changes arising from our continuing experience with the systems. In addition, in the addendum to this final rule, we are describing changes in the amounts and factors necessary to determine prospective payment rates for Medicare hospital inpatient services for operating costs and capital-related costs. These changes will be applicable to discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1992. We are also setting forth rate-of-increase limits for hospitals and hospital units excluded from the prospective payment systems. Finally, we are changing and clarifying the criteria and procedures concerning the reclassification of hospitals by the Medicare Geographic Classification Review Board (MGCRB). These changes result from public comment and our analysis of hospital reclassifications for Federal fiscal year (FY) 1992.

Capital Expenditures↗

Evaluation and classification of pediatric ocular trauma.

PURPOSE: To offer to the pediatric emergency physician consistent and unambiguous terms for the description of pediatric ocular trauma, based upon an adapted version of a standardized classification system. To show the potential effect of this reclassification system in a tertiary care emergency department. METHODS: The authors reviewed a new classification system of ocular trauma and adapted it for use by pediatric emergency physicians. In addition, a retrospective analysis of the records of pediatric patients presenting over a 2-year period to a tertiary emergency department with ocular complaints was performed. The diagnoses related to ocular trauma were reclassified according to the new classification system. RESULTS: Over a 2-year period, 117 pediatric patients were evaluated for ophthalmic complaints. Sixty-seven (57%) of these cases involved an ocular contusion or ruptured globe; however, six disparate diagnoses were given. The cases were reclassified into an adapted, unambiguous, classification system. In some cases, the reclassification altered the indication for immediate ophthalmologic referral. CONCLUSION: There is currently no standardized system of terminology to describe pediatric ocular trauma. This may lead to confusion in communication among the pediatric emergency physician, the pediatrician, and the ophthalmologist. Consistent, unambiguous, terminology will assist in this communication, facilitate the writing of peer-reviewed articles and case reports, and increase the level of accurate documentation in the medical record.

Child↗

Contributions of plant molecular systematics to studies of molecular evolution.

Dobzhansky stated that nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution. A close corollary, and the central theme of this paper, is that everything makes a lot more sense in the light of phylogeny. Systematics is in the midst of a renaissance, heralded by the widespread application of new analytical approaches and the introduction of molecular techniques. Molecular phylogenetic analyses are now commonplace, and they have provided unparalleled insights into relationships at all levels of plant phylogeny. At deep levels, molecular studies have revealed that charophyte green algae are the closest relatives of the land plants and suggested that liverworts are sister to all other extant land plants. Other studies have suggested that lycopods are sister to all other vascular plants and clarified relationships among the ferns. The impact of molecular phylogenetics on the angiosperms has been particularly dramatic--some of the largest phylogenetic analyses yet conducted have involved the angiosperms. Inferences from three genes (rbcL, atpB, 18S rDNA) agree in the major features of angiosperm phylogeny and have resulted in a reclassification of the angiosperms. This ordinal-level reclassification is perhaps the most dramatic and important change in higher-level angiosperm taxonomy in the past 200 years. At lower taxonomic levels, phylogenetic analyses have revealed the closest relatives of many crops and 'model organisms' for studies of molecular genetics, concomitantly pointing to possible relatives for use in comparative studies and plant breeding. Furthermore, phylogenetic information has contributed to new perspectives on the evolution of polyploid genomes. The phylogenetic trees now available at all levels of the taxonomic hierarchy for angiosperms and other green plants should play a pivotal role in comparative studies in diverse fields from ecology to molecular evolution and comparative genetics.

Evolution, Molecular↗

Medicare program; provisions of the Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999; hospital inpatient payments and rates and costs of graduate medical education. Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS. Interim final rule with comment period.

This interim final rule with comment period implements, or conforms the regulations to, certain statutory provisions relating to Medicare payments to hospitals for inpatient services that are contained in the Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Program Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-113). These provisions relate to reclassification of hospitals from urban to rural status, reclassification of certain hospitals for purposes of payment during Federal fiscal year 2000, critical access hospitals, payments to hospitals excluded from the hospital inpatient prospective payment system, and payments for indirect and direct graduate medical education costs. Many of the provisions of Public Law 106-113 modify changes to the Social Security Act made by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (P.L. 105-33). These provisions are already in effect in accordance with Public Law 106-113.

Economics, Hospital↗

Shape analysis of tumor cell nuclei in ependymomas by means of Fourier analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prognostic significance of nuclear shape analysis in ependymomas. STUDY DESIGN: Tumor cell nuclei in surgical specimens of primary resected ependymomas from 30 patients were evaluated by means of Fourier analysis of nuclear contours, conventional morphometric features (nuclear area, shape factor) and the Ki-67 proliferation index. Fourier analysis can be used for decomposing an irregular nuclear contour by calculating "Fourier amplitudes." Tumors with different tumor grades according to the World Health Organization were compared, as were patients with and without recurrence of ependymomas. Planimetric data were further correlated with the Ki-67 index. RESULTS: t Test and multivariate analysis showed distinct differences between ependymomas with tumor grade 3 and the other tumor grades. Cross-validated, stepwise discriminant analysis with the event of recurrence as grouping variable revealed correct reclassification in 16/18 cases without recurrence and of 10/12 cases with recurrence. When considering just intracranial ependymomas with total surgical removal, Fourier amplitudes provided 100% correct reclassification concerning recurrence. Proliferation index, in contrast, showed considerable overlap between all tumor grades and between cases with and without recurrence. CONCLUSION: Quantification of the shape of tumor cell nuclei in ependymomas by means of Fourier analysis has prognostic significance and seems to be superior to the Ki-67 index.

Brain Neoplasms↗

The application of high-resolution CT to diagnosis in diffuse parenchymal lung disease.

High resolution computed tomography (CT) now has a central role in the evaluation of diffuse lung disease. It is of particular use in the formulation of a differential diagnosis. Whilst CT often conveys sufficient information to allow non-invasive diagnosis, it sometimes reveals atypical appearances, contributing to the continuing reclassification of diffuse lung disease and justifying histological evaluation in some patients. Thus, CT as a new technology does not always replace conventional diagnostic methods, but is best integrated with clinical assessment, other non-invasive investigations and surgical lung biopsy: this applies equally to clinical diagnosis and to the definition and reclassification of disease entities. In this article, we explore the optimal diagnostic use of CT. The limitations of CT series in simulating the clinical application of CT in the management of diffuse parenchymal lung disease highlight the need for an integrated approach to diagnosis, including corroborative data drawn from many sources. High-resolution computed tomography, when interpreted in the context of the pre-test probability, obviates invasive investigation in many cases. As descriptions of the CT appearances of individual diffuse lung diseases are refined, ongoing re-evaluation is required to establish which features can be regarded as pathognomonic, for diagnostic purposes, and how CT can be integrated into revised disease definitions so that the most clinically relevant diagnostic criteria are formulated.

Female↗

Medicare program; changes to the hospital inpatient prospective payment systems and rates and costs of graduate medical education: fiscal year 2002 rates; provisions of the Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999; and provisions of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000. Final rules.

We are revising the Medicare hospital inpatient prospective payment systems for operating and capital costs to: implement applicable statutory requirements, including a number of provisions of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP [State Children's Health Insurance Program] Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-554); and implement changes arising from our continuing experience with these systems. In addition, in the Addendum to this final rule, we describe changes to the amounts and factors used to determine the rates for Medicare hospital inpatient services for operating costs and capital-related costs. These changes apply to discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2001. We also set forth the rate-of-increase limits as well as policy changes for hospitals and hospital units excluded from the prospective payment systems. We are making changes to the policies governing payments to hospitals for the direct costs of graduate medical education and critical access hospitals. Lastly, we are responding to public comments received on the following two related interim final rules that we published in the Federal Register and finalizing those interim rules: An August 1, 2000 interim final rule with comment period (65 FR 47026, HCFA-1131-IFC) that implemented, or conformed the regulations to, certain statutory provisions relating to Medicare payments to hospitals for inpatient services that were contained in the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-113), and that were effective during FY 2000. These provisions related to reclassification of hospitals from urban to rural status, reclassification of certain hospitals for purposes of payment during fiscal year 2000, critical access hospitals, payments to hospitals excluded from the prospective payment system, and payments for indirect and direct graduate medical education costs. A June 13, 2001 interim final rule with comment period (66 FR 32172, HCFA-1178-IFC) that implemented, or conformed the regulations to, certain statutory provisions relating to Medicare payments to hospitals for inpatient services that were contained in Public Law 106- 554, and that were effective prior to passage of Public Law 106-554 on December 21, 2000; on April 1, 2001; or on July 1, 2001. Many of the provisions of Public Law 106-554 modified changes to the Social Security Act made by Public Law 106-113 or the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-33), or both.

Education, Medical, Graduate↗

All pathological T4 esophageal carcinomas should be categorized as stage IV.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The prognosis of pathological T4 (pT4) esophageal carcinoma is still dismal, however, the current TNM classification categorizes some pT4 cancers (pT4M0) as stage III. The purpose of this study was to evaluate of the relevance of this classification. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and thirty-five patients who underwent esophagectomy for pathological stage III (n = 85) and IV (n = 50) esophageal tumors were enrolled in the study. The outcomes and prognostic factors for these patients were examined. After the reclassification that pT4M0 tumors were categorized as stage IV, the two survival curves were compared between new stage III and IV. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rates for stage III and IV were 14.6%, 19.1%, respectively (P = 0.9). The 5-year survival rates for pT3N1M0 and pT4M0 were 21.1%, 0%, respectively (P < 0.0001). After the reclassification, the overall 5-year survival rates for new stage III and IV were 24.0%, 14.2%, respectively (P = 0.004). Curative resection (P = 0.002), radiotherapy (P = 0.001), depth of tumor invasion (pT3; P = 0.0004, pT1; P = 0.04) were the significant prognostic factors for stage III and IV carcinomas. Thirty-one (83.8%) of 37 patients with pT4 tumor had received non-curative esophagectomy. CONCLUSIONS: All pathological T4 esophageal carcinomas should be categorized as stage IV in the TNM classification.

Adult↗

General practitioners' views on the role of the community pharmacist.

AIM: to determine the views of general practitioners on the roles and activities of community pharmacists. METHOD: the views of 137 general practitioners in Otago and Southland were canvassed by postal questionnaire. RESULTS: one hundred and three completed questionnaires were returned. All of the general practitioners reported that their professional contact with pharmacists was useful. Seventy-five percent expressed a desire for greater cooperation. Nearly all respondents (99%) accepted that pharmacists have a role in screening prescriptions for possible problems and preparing and dispensing medicines. They also accepted that pharmacists were capable of treating and advising in the management of minor illnesses. Providing drug information to general practitioners, information about previously diagnosed conditions to patients, and advice on personal and home hygiene were less widely accepted activities. The majority indicated that they considered it inappropriate for pharmacists to undertake screening programmes (blood pressure (70.6%), cholesterol (70.6%), glucose (60.8%), haemoglobin (72.5%)). Younger general practitioners objected more often than older general practitioners to reclassification of Acetopt eye drops from prescription only to availability through pharmacies (p < 0.05). Female general practitioners were more often in favour of reclassification of Gyno-Daktarin than their male colleagues (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: this study shows that general practitioners accept several aspects of the current role of pharmacists in providing primary health care. However, there is room for improved communication between general practitioners and pharmacists to ensure optimum patient care.

Adult↗

[Consistency of the histologic diagnosis of Lauren's classification of gastric cancer].

BACKGROUND: Lauren's classification of gastric cancer is usually followed in epidemiological studies thus requiring evaluation of its reproducibility. This classification defines 2 principal histological types: intestinal and diffuse with different proportions in high and low risk areas possibly being associated to different causal factors. METHODS: The concordance diagnosis in an aleatory sample of 81 gastric carcinomas stratified according to the participation of 14 hospitals in an epidemiological study of 354 cases and 354 controls was analyzed. The initial diagnosis carried out was compared by more than 20 pathologists with the reclassification diagnosis by consensus of 2 pathologists by the proportion of agreement or concordance observed in the kappa index. Keeping the final reclassification by consensus as a reference, sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were also calculated. RESULTS: The proportion of concordance observed was of 78% for the intestinal and 90% for the diffuse with a kappa index of 0.55 and 0.74, respectively. Sensitivity for the intestinal type was of 88% and for the diffuse 81% with specificity being of 67% in the intestinal and 93% in the diffuse. CONCLUSIONS: Subjectivity in the interpretation of certain parameters necessary for histological diagnosis may be reduced by the elaboration of protocols in which the principal histological criteria to follow are detailed. Nonetheless, the distinction made between the two principal types, intestinal and diffuse, is valid enough to be used in multicenter epidemiological studies and in comparative studies.

Case-Control Studies↗

[A glucose tolerance study in the 12 months postpartum in patients with gestational diabetes].

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that patients with gestational diabetes have a considerable long term risk of developing diabetes mellitus. METHOD: Glucose tolerance was studied in the 12 months following birth in 155 patients diagnosed by the authors as having gestational diabetes and followed during pregnancy. RESULTS: It was observed that in 48% of the patients alterations persisted (33% glucose intolerance and 15% diabetes mellitus). Glucose tolerance during gestation and the perinatal results were retrospectively analyzed with a relation with the postpartum reclassification being observed. CONCLUSIONS: It was estimated that the percentage of alterations in glucose tolerance persisting postpartum is extremely high, suggesting the need for this test with a double objective: the reclassification of gestational diabetes and the early detection of glucose intolerance and diabetes mellitus.

Adult↗

Application of different methods for nuclear shape analysis with special reference to the differentiation of brain tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To study the discriminatory power of different methods designed for nuclear shape analysis with reference to the differentiation and grading of brain tumors and the differentiation between proliferating and nonproliferating nuclei. STUDY DESIGN: At least 300 tumor cell nuclei per case were measured by means of a digital image analysis system. Fourier amplitudes no. 1 to 15, moments no. 1 to 7 according to Hu, roundness factor, ellipse shape factor, concavity factor, Feret ratio, fractal dimension and bending energy were determined for each nucleus. The discriminatory power of these parameters was tested in three pairwise comparisons: (1) oligodendrogliomas WHO grade II (n = 13) vs. grade III (n = 11), (2) medulloblastomas WHO grade IV (n = 14) vs. anaplastic ependymomas WHO grade III (n = 12), (3) Ki-67-positive vs. Ki-67-negative tumor cell nuclei in the 14 medulloblastomas. RESULTS: When data from Fourier analysis were included in statistical analysis, cross-validated discriminant analysis led to a 100% correct reclassification for the first and for the second pairwise comparison and to a 75% correct reclassification when comparing Ki-67-positive and Ki-67-negative nucleifrom medulloblastomas. Different combinations of the other shape parameters led to a lower percentage of correctly reclassified cases for all three pairwise comparisons, especially when Fourier analysis was not included in the analysis. CONCLUSION: Fourier analysis provided an optimal statistical discrimination between different brain tumor entities and between data sets from proliferating and nonproliferating tumor cell nuclei. Since nuclear shape is an important criterion for the investigation of tumors, the application of Fourier analysis is therefore recommended for quantitative histologic investigations in neuro-oncology.

Brain Neoplasms↗