Identifying Predictors of Anal HPV Status in HPV-Vaccinated MSM: A Machine Learning Approach

Anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has a high prevalence in men who have sex with men (MSM), resulting in an increased risk for anal cancer. The present work aimed to identify factors associated with HPV in a prospective cohort of HPV-vaccinated MSM using a random forest (RF) approach. This observational study enrolled MSM patients admitted to an Italian (sexually transmitted infection) STI-AIDS Unit. For each patient, rectal swabs for 28 different HPV genotype detection were collected. Two RF algorithms were applied to evaluate predictors that were most associated with HPV. The cohort included 135 MSM, 49% of whom were HIV-positive with a median age of 39 years. In model 1 (baseline information), age, age sexual debut, HIV, number of lifetime sex partners, STIs, were most associated with the HPV. In model 2 (follow-up information), age, age sexual debut, HIV, STI class, and follow-up. The RF algorithm exhibited good performances with 61% and 83% accuracy for models 1 and 2, respectively. Traditional risk factors for anal HPV infection, such as drug use, receptive anal intercourse, and multiple sexual partner, were found to have low importance in predicting HPV status. The present results suggest the need to focus on HPV prevention campaigns.

A urokinase-associated outbreak of Ralstonia mannitolilytica bloodstream infections in haemodialysis patients in north-eastern Italy, January to April 2023

An outbreak of Ralstonia mannitolilytica bloodstream infections occurred in four hospitals in north-eastern Italy, involving 20 haemodialysis patients with tunnelled central vascular catheter access. We identified as the outbreak source a batch of urokinase vials imported from India contaminated with R. mannitolilytica. Whole genome sequences of the clinical and urokinase strains were highly related, and only urokinase-treated patients were reported with R. mannitolilytica infections (attack rate = 34%; 95% confidence interval: 22.1-47.4). Discontinuation of the contaminated urokinase terminated the outbreak.

Advances in Catchment Science, Hydrochemistry, and Aquatic Ecology Enabled by High-Frequency Water Quality Measurements

High-frequency water quality measurements in streams and rivers have expanded in scope and sophistication during the last two decades. Existing technology allows in situ automated measurements of water quality constituents, including both solutes and particulates, at unprecedented frequencies from seconds to subdaily sampling intervals. This detailed chemical information can be combined with measurements of hydrological and biogeochemical processes, bringing new insights into the sources, transport pathways, and transformation processes of solutes and particulates in complex catchments and along the aquatic continuum. Here, we summarize established and emerging high-frequency water quality technologies, outline key high-frequency hydrochemical data sets, and review scientific advances in key focus areas enabled by the rapid development of high-frequency water quality measurements in streams and rivers. Finally, we discuss future directions and challenges for using high-frequency water quality measurements to bridge scientific and management gaps by promoting a holistic understanding of freshwater systems and catchment status, health, and function.

Accuracy of CGM Systems During Continuous and Interval Exercise in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes

BACKGROUND

continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMs) play an important role in the management of T1D, but their accuracy may reduce during rapid glucose excursions. The aim of study was to assess the accuracy of recent rt-CGMs available in Italy, in subjects with T1D during 2 sessions of physical activity: moderate continuous (CON) and interval exercise (IE).

METHOD

we recruited 22 patients with T1D, on CSII associated or integrated with a CGM, to which a second different sensor was applied. Data recorded by CGMs were compared with the corresponding plasma glucose (PG) values, measured every 5 minutes with the glucose analyzer. To assess the accuracy of the CGMs, we evaluated the Sensor Bias (SB), the Mean Absolute Relative Difference (MARD) and the Clarke error grid (CEG).

RESULTS

a total of 2355 plasma-sensor glucose paired points were collected. Both average plasma and interstitial glucose concentrations did not significantly differ during CON and IE. During CON: 1. PG change at the end of exercise was greater than during IE (P = .034); 2. all sensors overestimated PG more than during IE, as shown by SB (P < .001) and MARD (P < .001) comparisons. Classifying the performance according to the CEG, significant differences were found between the 2 sessions in distribution of points in A and B zones.

CONCLUSIONS

the exercise affects the accuracy of currently available CGMs, especially during CON, suggesting, in this circumstance, the need to maintain blood glucose in a "prudent" range, above that generally recommended. Further studies are needed to investigate additional types of activities.

In vivo silencing of miR-125a-3p promotes myelin repair in models of white matter demyelination

In the last decade, microRNAs have been increasingly recognized as key modulators of glial development. Recently, we identified miR-125a-3p as a new player in oligodendrocyte physiology, regulating in vitro differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). Here, we show that miR-125a-3p is upregulated in active lesions of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and in OPCs isolated from the spinal cord of chronic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice, but not in those isolated from the spontaneously remyelinating corpus callosum of lysolecithin-treated mice. To test whether a sustained expression of miR-125a-3p in OPCs contribute to defective remyelination, we modulated miR-125a-3p expression in vivo and ex vivo after lysolecithin-induced demyelination. We found that lentiviral over-expression of miR-125a-3p impaired OPC maturation, whereas its downregulation accelerated remyelination. Transcriptome analysis and luciferase reporter assay revealed that these effects are partly mediated by the direct interaction of miR-125a-3p with Slc8a3, a sodium-calcium membrane transporter, and identified novel candidate targets, such as Gas7, that we demonstrated necessary to correctly address oligodendrocytes to terminal maturation. These findings show that miR-125a-3p upregulation negatively affects OPC maturation in vivo, suggest its role in the pathogenesis of demyelinating diseases and unveil new targets for future promyelinating protective interventions.

Enhancing hyper-thermophilic hydrolysis pre-treatment of chicken manure for biogas production by in-situ gas phase ammonia stripping

Hydrolysis is normally the rate limiting step for anaerobic digestion (AD). In this study, hyper-thermophilic (70 °C) pre-treatment of chicken manure under HRTs of 10, 5, 3, 2 and 1 d(s) was investigated to enhance the hydrolysis efficiency for biogas production. In-situ phase gas stripping was integrated into the pre-treatment reactor to remove ammonia-N and to enhance the hydrolysis performance. The results showed that in-situ gas stripping removed 18%-31% of ammonia-N and improved hydrolysis by 2.6%-31.1%. The methane yield of pre-hydrolyzed chicken manure reached 518 mL g-VS^-1 under optimal HRT 3 days, which was 54.6% higher than that obtained from the control reactor. However, shortening HRTs below 3 days resulted in a significant reduction in hydrolysis efficiency. The percent of hydrolysis and acidogenesis bacteria reduced to 40.6% at HRT 1 d. 16sRNA results indicated existence of methanogens in pre-hydrolysis reactor. Further optimizing of ammonia stripping was thus needed for hydrolysis pre-treatment.

Lessons from the Past: Some Histories of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Before Its Discovery

A1AT deficiency- a genetically inherited autosomal codominant disease with more than 120 identified alleles- was first identified by Laurell and Eriksson in 1963. The most common hereditary disorder in adults, A1AT causes an increased risk of developing pulmonary emphysema and liver disease. In A1AT patients, lung disease generally presents at a younger age than "usual" chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and it may be misdiagnosed as asthma. Because A1AT deficiency patients can show the same clinical features as non-deficient COPD (including increased evidence of bronchiectasis, frequent exacerbations, impaired health status and a degree of reversibility of airflow obstruction), the World Health Organization recommend to test every patient with a diagnosis of COPD or adult-onset asthma for A1AT deficiency. Despite these recommendations, the epidemiology of A1AT deficiency remains uncertain. Although recently discovered A1AT deficiency has affected human populations since antiquity. By using scientific data and recently studied skeletons and historical cases, we show that it is now possible to reconstruct the natural history of pathological processes, whether due to genetic, infectious or environmental factors. We believe that the evolution of disease in patients and research to elucidate the relationship between social science and environmental are pertinent contemporaneous subjects.

Association of free-living physical activity measures with metabolic phenotypes in type 2 diabetes at the time of diagnosis. The Verona Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Study (VNDS)

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Lifestyle is considered a major determinant of risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). We investigated whether daily physical activity (DPA) is associated with beta-cell function (BF) and/or insulin sensitivity (IS) in patients with T2D at the time of diagnosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In 41 subjects enrolled in the Verona Newly-Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Study we assessed: (1) IS, by euglycaemic insulin clamp; (2) BF, estimated by prolonged-OGTT minimal modeling and expressed as derivative and proportional control; (3) DPA and energy expenditure (EE), assessed over 48-h monitoring by a validated wearable armband system. Study participants (median [IQR]; age: 62 [53-67] years, BMI: 30.8 [26.5-34.3] Kg m^-2, HbA1c: 6.7 [6.3-7.3]%; 49.7 [45.4-56.3] mmol/mol) were moderately active (footsteps/day: 7773 [5748-10,927]; DPA_≥3MET: 70 [38-125] min/day), but none of them exercised above 6 metabolic equivalents (MET). EE, expressed as EE_TOT (total daily-EE) and EE_≥3MET (EE due to DPA_≥3MET) were 2398 [2226-2801] and 364 [238-617] Kcal/day, respectively. IS (M-clamp 630 [371-878] μmol/min/m²) was positively associated with DPA and EE, independent of age, sex and BMI (p < 0.05). Among the DPA and EE parameters assessed, DPA_≥3MET and EE_TOT were independent predictors of IS in multivariable regression analyses, adjusted for age, sex, BMI (R² = 16%, R² = 19%, respectively; p < 0.01). None of model-derived components of BF was significantly associated with DPA or accompanying EE.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study highlighted moderate levels of DPA and total EE as potential determinants of IS, but not BF, in T2D at the time of diagnosis. Intervention studies are needed to conclusively elucidate the effect of DPA on these features.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.

UNIQUE IDENTIFIER

NCT01526720.

Metabolic control and complications in Italian people with diabetes treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the degree of glycaemic control and the frequency of diabetic complications in Italian people with diabetes who were treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Questionnaires investigating the organisation of diabetes care centres, individuals' clinical and metabolic features and pump technology and its management were sent to adult and paediatric diabetes centres that use CSII for treatment in Italy. Information on standard clinical variables, demographic data and acute and chronic diabetic complications was derived from local clinical management systems. The sample consisted of 6623 people with diabetes, which was obtained from 93 centres. Of them, 98.8% had type 1 diabetes mellitus, 57.2% were female, 64% used a conventional insulin pump and 36% used a sensor-augmented insulin pump. The median glycated haemoglobin (HbA_1c) level was 60 mmol/mol (7.6%). The HbA_1c target (i.e. <58 mmol/mol for age <18 years and <53 mmol/mol for age >18 years) was achieved in 43.4% of paediatric and 23% of adult participants. Factors such as advanced pump functions, higher rate of sensor use, pregnancy in the year before the study and longer duration of diabetes were associated with lower HbA_1c levels. The most common chronic complications occurring in diabetes were retinopathy, microalbuminuria and hypertension. In the year before the study, 5% of participants reported ≥1 episode of severe hypoglycaemic (SH) episodes (SH) and 2.6% reported ≥1 episode of ketoacidosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Advanced personal skills and use of sensor-based pump are associated with better metabolic control outcomes in Italian people with diabetes who were treated with CSII. The reduction in SH episodes confirms the positive effect of CSII on hypoglycaemia.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT 02620917 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Effects of aerobic or resistance exercise training on cardiovascular autonomic function of subjects with type 2 diabetes: A pilot study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Both aerobic (AER) and resistance (RES) training improve metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, information on the effects of these training modalities on cardiovascular autonomic control is limited. Our aim was to compare the effects of AER and RES training on cardiovascular autonomic function in these subjects.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Cardiovascular autonomic control was assessed by Power Spectral Analysis (PSA) of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and baroreceptors function indexes in 30 subjects with T2DM, randomly assigned to aerobic or resistance training for 4 months. In particular, PSA of HRV measured the Low Frequency (LF) and High Frequency (HF) bands of RR variations, expression of prevalent sympathetic and parasympathetic drive, respectively. Furthermore, we measured the correlation occurring between systolic blood pressure and heart rate during a standardized Valsalva maneuver using two indexes, b2 and b4, considered an expression of baroreceptor sensitivity and peripheral vasoactive adaptations during predominant sympathetic and parasympathetic drive, respectively. After training, the LF/HF ratio, which summarizes the sympatho-vagal balance in HRV control, was similarly decreased in the AER and RES groups. After AER, b2 and b4 significantly improved. After RES, changes of b2 were of borderline significance, whereas changes of b4 did not reach statistical significance. However, comparison of changes in baroreceptor sensitivity indexes between groups did not show statistically significant differences.

CONCLUSION

Both aerobic and resistance training improve several indices of the autonomic control of the cardiovascular system in patients with T2DM. Although these improvements seem to occur to a similar extent in both training modalities, some differences cannot be ruled out.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT01182948, clinicaltrials.gov.

Differential local tissue permissiveness influences the final fate of GPR17-expressing oligodendrocyte precursors in two distinct models of demyelination

Promoting remyelination is recognized as a novel strategy to foster repair in neurodegenerative demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. In this respect, the receptor GPR17, recently emerged as a new target for remyelination, is expressed by early oligodendrocyte precursors (OPCs) and after a certain differentiation stage it has to be downregulated to allow progression to mature myelinating oligodendrocytes. Here, we took advantage of the first inducible GPR17 reporter mouse line (GPR17‐iCreER^T2xCAG‐eGFP mice) allowing to follow the final fate of GPR17⁺ cells by tamoxifen‐induced GFP‐labeling to unveil the destiny of these cells in two demyelination models: experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), characterized by marked immune cell activation and inflammation, and cuprizone induced demyelination, where myelin dysfunction is achieved by a toxic insult. In both models, demyelination induced a strong increase of fluorescent GFP⁺ cells at damaged areas. However, only in the cuprizone model reacting GFP⁺ cells terminally differentiated to mature oligodendrocytes, thus contributing to remyelination. In EAE, GFP⁺ cells were blocked at immature stages and never became myelinating oligodendrocytes. We suggest these strikingly distinct fates be due to different permissiveness of the local CNS environment. Based on previously reported GPR17 activation by emergency signals (e.g., Stromal Derived Factor‐1), we propose that a marked inflammatory milieu, such as that reproduced in EAE, induces GPR17 overactivation resulting in impaired downregulation, untimely and prolonged permanence in OPCs, leading, in turn, to differentiation blockade. Combined treatments with remyelinating agents and anti‐inflammatory drugs may represent new potential adequate strategies to halt neurodegeneration and foster recovery.

Was Ugo Foscolo (1778-1827) affected by alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency?

Niccolò Ugo Foscolo (1778-1827), known as Ugo, is one of the masters of the Italian poetry. A writer and a revolutionary, he embraced the ideals of the French Revolution and took part in the stormy political discussions, which the fall of the Republic of Venice had provoked. Despite his poor health, Foscolo lived an adventurous life serving as a volunteer in the Guardia Nazionale and in the Napoleonic army. Following Napoleon's fall (1814), he went into voluntary exile in early 1815. He reached London in Sept. 1816 and lived in poverty at Turnham Green (Chiswick) until his premature death. Foscolo's medical history has been poorly investigated and the cause of his death remains unclear. In an attempt to shed light on his clinical history, we analyzed his Correspondence (Epistolario), a series of more than 3000 letters written between 1794 and 1827. From the age of 26 (1808), Foscolo had frequent episodes of cough and dyspnea that progressively worsened. Four acute respiratory exacerbations occurred in 1812. Between September 1812 and April 1813, he had breathlessness as that of asthma. Frail and ailing, he developed a chronic liver disease in 1826. In August 1827, weakness, dyspepsia and drowsiness further increased and dropsy became manifest. He went into coma on September 7, 1827 and died aged 49 three days later. Based on a brief history of urethritis and urinary obstructions (1811-1812), previous scholars have suggested that Foscolo had urethral stenosis that caused a chronic bladder outlet obstruction and led to consequent renal failure. This hypothesis, however, does not mention the respiratory symptomatology present since 1804, which is a pivotal feature of Foscolo's illness. We surmise that Foscolo suffered from alpha-1 anti trypsin (AAT) deficiency, a rare genetic disease, which caused his premature death and support our interpretation with documental evidence.

Composition-driven Cu-speciation and reducibility in Cu-CHA zeolite catalysts: a multivariate XAS/FTIR approach to complexity

The small pore Cu-CHA zeolite is attracting increasing attention as a versatile platform to design novel single-site catalysts for deNO _x applications and for the direct conversion of methane to methanol. Understanding at the atomic scale how the catalyst composition influences the Cu-species formed during thermal activation is a key step to unveil the relevant composition-activity relationships. Herein, we explore by in situ XAS the impact of Cu-CHA catalyst composition on temperature-dependent Cu-speciation and reducibility. Advanced multivariate analysis of in situ XANES in combination with DFT-assisted simulation of XANES spectra and multi-component EXAFS fits as well as in situ FTIR spectroscopy of adsorbed N₂ allow us to obtain unprecedented quantitative structural information on the complex dynamics during the speciation of Cu-sites inside the framework of the CHA zeolite.

Influence of health locus of control and fear of hypoglycaemia on glycaemic control and treatment satisfaction in people with Type 1 diabetes on insulin pump therapy

AIM

To assess the influence of health locus of control and fear of hypoglycaemia on metabolic control and treatment satisfaction in people with Type 1 diabetes mellitus on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion.

METHODS

People with Type 1 diabetes on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion for at least 1 year, sub-classified as an 'acceptable glucose control' group [HbA_1c ≤ 58 mmol/mol (7.5%)] and a 'suboptimum glucose control' group [HbA_1c > 58 mmol/mol (7.5%)], were consecutively enrolled in a multicentre cross-sectional study. Questionnaires were administered to assess health locus of control [Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) scale, with internal and external subscales], fear of hypoglycaemia [Hypoglycaemia Fear Survey II (HFS-II)] and treatment satisfaction [Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ)].

RESULTS

We enrolled 214 participants (mean ± sd age 43.4 ± 12.1 years). The suboptimum glucose control group (n = 127) had lower mean ± sd internal MHLC and DTSQ scores than the acceptable glucose control group (19.6 ± 5.2 vs 21.0 ± 5.0, P = 0.04 and 28.8 ± 4.8 vs 30.9 ± 4.5, P < 0.001). HFS-II scores did not differ between the two groups. Internal MHLC score was negatively associated with HbA_1c (r = -0.15, P < 0.05) and positively associated with the number of mild and severe hypoglycaemic episodes (r = 0.16, P < 0.05 and r = 0.18, P < 0.001, respectively) and with DTSQ score (r = 0.17, P < 0.05). HFS-II score was negatively associated with DTSQ score (r = -0.18, P < 0.05) and positively with number of severe hypoglycaemic episodes (r = 0.16, P < 0.5).

CONCLUSIONS

In adults with Type 1 diabetes receiving continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, high internal locus represents the most important locus of control pattern for achieving good metabolic control.

Psychological distress, self-efficacy and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes

AIM

To investigate the association of glycemic control with depression, anxiety, self-efficacy and other diabetes-specific psychological measures in a cohort of adult patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) free of severe chronic diabetes-related complications.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In 172 T2D outpatients consecutively recruited at the Diabetes Center of Verona City Hospital, we performed a standard medical assessment and completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Multidimensional Diabetes Questionnaire (MDQ) Age, body mass index (BMI) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were (median [IQR]): 64.0 [58.0-69.0] years, 31.0 [28.0-34.4] kg/m², and 7.3 [6.7-8.0] %, respectively. The overall prevalence of anxiety and depression was 14.5% and 18.6%, respectively. Higher levels of HbA1c were significantly (p < 0.001) associated with a number of MDQ dimensions, such as higher perceived interference with daily activities (Spearman's rho coefficient = 0.33), higher perceived diabetes severity (rho = 0.28) and lower self-efficacy (rho = -0.27), but not with depression or anxiety. These three variables were also independent predictors of higher HbA1c levels, when entered in a multivariable stepwise-forward regression model that also included age, BMI, diabetes duration and diabetes-specific social support as covariates.

CONCLUSION

Lower self-efficacy and higher diabetes distress were closely associated with poorer glycemic control. No direct association between HbA1c and clinical psychological symptoms was detected. These results highlight that a number of diabetes-specific psychological variables may play a role amidst psychological distress and glycemic control. Further studies are needed to elucidate the relevance of diabetes distress and self-efficacy to the achievement of individual glycemic targets.

A solvable model for a finite-capacity queueing system

Single–server–single-queue–FIFO-discipline queueing systems are considered in which at most a finite number of customers N can be present in the system. Service and arrival rates are taken to be dependent upon that state of the system. Interarrival intervals, service intervals, waiting times and busy periods are studied, and the results obtained are used to investigate the features of a special queueing model characterized by parameters (λ (Ν –n), μn). This model retains the qualitative features of the C-model proposed by Conolly [2] and Chan and Conolly [1]. However, quite unlike the latter, it also leads to closed-form expressions for the transient probabilities, the interarrival and service probability density functions and their moments, as well as the effective interarrival and service densities and their moments. Finally, some computational results are given to compare the model discussed in this paper with the C-model.

Crossover from adiabatic to antiadiabatic quantum pumping with dissipation

Quantum pumping, in its different forms, is attracting attention from different fields, from fundamental quantum mechanics, to nanotechnology, to superconductivity. We investigate the crossover of quantum pumping from the adiabatic to the antiadiabatic regime in the presence of dissipation, and find general and explicit analytical expressions for the pumped current in a minimal model describing a system with the topology of a ring forced by a periodic modulation of frequency ω. The solution allows following in a transparent way the evolution of pumped dc current from much smaller to much larger ω values than the other relevant energy scale, the energy splitting introduced by the modulation. We find and characterize a temperature-dependent optimal value of the frequency for which the pumped current is maximal.

Glomerular filtration rate, albuminuria and risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetic individuals

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

To assess all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in type 2 diabetic individuals according to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albuminuria.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We followed 2823 type 2 diabetic outpatients for a median period of 6 years for the occurrence of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. eGFR was estimated using the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation. At baseline, an eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m² and abnormal albuminuria were present in 22.5% and 26.0% of participants, respectively. During follow-up, a total of 309 patients died, 53% of deaths were secondary to cardiovascular causes. Risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality increased progressively with decreasing eGFR and increasing albuminuria. After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, hypertension, diabetes duration, hemoglobin A1c, plasma lipids, medications use (hypoglycemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-platelet or lipid-lowering drugs) and albuminuria, the hazard ratios of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality per 1-SD decrease in eGFR were 1.53 (95%CI 1.2-2.0; p < 0.0001) and 1.51 (95%CI 1.05-2.2; p=0.023), respectively. A similar pattern in the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality was seen for albuminuria (1.14, 1.01-1.3, p=0.028 and 1.19, 1.01-1.4, p=0.043 per 1-SD increase in albuminuria, respectively) after adjustment for eGFR and other potential confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that both decreasing eGFR and rising albuminuria are associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in type 2 diabetic individuals, independently of traditional risk factors and diabetes-related variables.

Variants and haplotypes of TCF7L2 are associated with β-cell function in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: the Verona Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Study (VNDS) 1

CONTEXT

Intronic variants of TCF7L2 are confirmed genetic risk factors for type 2 diabetes and are associated to alterations in beta cell function in nondiabetic individuals.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to test whether TCF7L2 variability may affect β-cell function also in patients with type 2 diabetes.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional association study.

SETTING

The study was conducted at a university hospital referral center for diabetes.

PATIENTS

Patients included 464 (315 males and 149 females) glutamic acid decarboxylase-negative patients [age: median 59 yr (interquartile range: 52-65); body mass index: 29.3 kg/m(2) (26.5-32.9); fasting plasma glucose: 7.0 mmol/liter (6.1-8.0)] with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

INTERVENTION(S)

Interventions included frequently sampled oral glucose tolerance test and euglycemic insulin clamp.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

β-Cell function (derivative control and proportional control); insulin sensitivity; genotypes of the following TCF7L2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms: rs7901695, rs7903146, rs11196205, and rs12255372.

RESULTS

Both rs7901695 and rs7903146 diabetes risk alleles were associated with reduced proportional control of β-cell function (P = 0.019 and P = 0.022, respectively). Two low-frequency haplotypes were associated with extreme (best and worst) phenotypes of β-cell function (P < 0.01). No associations between TCF7L2 genotypes and insulin sensitivity were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

TCF7L2 diabetes risk variants, either as single-nucleotide polymorphisms or as haplotypes, detrimentally influence β-cell function and might play a role in determining the metabolic phenotype of patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Human granulocytic anaplasmosis in northeastern Italy

Sporadic cases of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) have been reported in areas with a high prevalence of tick-borne diseases (TBDs) in Europe. We aimed at estimating the sero-prevalence of A. phagocytophilum and other TBDs in northeastern Italy in outpatients with a history of recent tick bite or suspected TBD. In the 1-year study, 79 patients were enrolled and 30 (38%) received a diagnosis of TBD: 24 (30%) with Lyme disease and 5 (6%) with HGE. Our findings indicate the presence of HGA in northeastern Italy; so, since co-infection with Lyme disease appeared to be frequent, physicians assessing patients after a tick bite should consider HGA in the diagnosis.

Familial adenomatous polyposis. Surgical treatment: when and how

Familial adenomatous polyposis is an autosomal dominated inherited disease, caused by the mutation of the tumour suppressor gene adenomatous polyposis coli on chromosome 5. Despite being a rare disorder, accounting for some 1% of colorectal cancers, it represents an interesting model of hereditary disease, because of its intrinsic characteristics, conventionally defined by the presence of more than 100 colorectal polyps, as well as extra-colon manifestations, the attenuated form of the disease, genetic aspects, the inevitable progression to colorectal cancer and hence the correct therapy to treat or prevent the fatal evolution of the disease. Surgical treatment is based above all on two techniques: ileorectal anastomosis, which requires careful surveillance of rectal remnant, and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, which totally eradicates the disease. The suitability of using these two techniques is discussed in view of new genetic and clinical findings, acquired from personal experience and from the literature.

Different effects of methotrexate on DNA mismatch repair proficient and deficient cells

Antifolates exert their antiproliferative activity through the inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase and, as a consequence, of thymidylate synthesis, thereby inducing nucleotide misincorporation and impairment of DNA synthesis. We investigated the processes involved in the repair of antifolate-induced damage and their relationship with cell death. Since misincorporated bases may be removed by DNA mismatch repair (MMR), the study was carried out on the MMR-proficient human cell lines HeLa and HCT116+chr3, and, in parallel, on the MMR-deficient cell lines HeLa cell-clone12, defective in the protein hPMS2, and HCT116, with an inactive hMLH1. After treatment with methotrexate (MTX), we observed that DNA repair synthesis occurs independently of the cellular MMR function. Clear signs of apoptosis such as nuclear shrinkage, chromatin condensation and degradation, DNA laddering, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) proteolysis, were visible in both MMR(+) and MMR(-) cells. Remarkably, cell viability was lower and the apoptotic process was triggered more efficiently in the MMR-competent cells.

Effects of topoisomerase II inhibitors on gastric cancer cells characterized by different genetic lesions

Gastric cancer is poorly-responsive to widely used antitumour drugs, the efficacy of which is thought to be related to the capacity of triggering apoptosis. This process requires a series of gene products including a functional p53 protein. We tested the effects of two DNA topoisomerase II poisons, etoposide and doxorubicin, on gastric cancer cell lines with different genetic lesions. We characterised MKN74 and MKN28 cells for p53 gene status and for the expression of p53 and p21 proteins, as well as of topoisomerase II alpha and beta isoforms. After drug treatments, the cells were analysed for drug cytotoxicity, colony forming ability, cell cycle distribution and presence of apoptotic features. Our findings demonstrated that both etoposide and doxorubicin have a potent anti-proliferative effect on gastric cancer cells. Cell death kinetics was different in the two cell lines, MKN74 cells being more sensitive than MKN28 to the drugs. MKN74 cells, although harboring a wt p53 gene, were unable to undergo a massive apoptosis following etoposide treatment. The response of this cell line might be related to the topoisomerase II beta isozyme, the expression of which proved to be undetectable.

Molecular scanning for mutations in the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) gene in Mexican Americans with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) is an endogenous substrate for the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase, which plays an important role in insulin signaling. Mutations in the IRS-1 gene are associated in some populations with obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

To determine whether variation in the IRS-1 gene contributes to genetic susceptibility to insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes in Mexican Americans, the entire coding region of the IRS-1 gene was screened for variation in 31 unrelated subjects with Type 2 diabetes using single-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis (SSCP) and dideoxy sequence analysis. Variants encoding amino acid substitutions were genotyped in 27 unrelated nondiabetic Mexican Americans and in all family members of subjects containing these variants, and association analyses were performed. To trace the ancestral origins of the variants, Iberian Caucasians and Pima Indians were also genotyped.

RESULTS

Eight single base changes were found: four silent polymorphisms and four missense mutations (Ala94Thr, Ala512Pro, Ser892Gly and Gly971Arg). Allele frequencies were 0.009, 0.017, 0.017 and 0.043, respectively. There were no significant associations of any of these variants with diabetes, glucose or insulin levels during an oral glucose tolerance test, or with body mass index (BMI) in Mexican American families except for a modest association between the Ala94Thr variant and decreased BMI (30.4 kg/m(2) vs 24.0 kg/m(2); p=0.035). None of these four missense mutations were detected in Pima Indians. In Iberian Caucasians, neither Ala94Thr nor Ser892Gly were detected, and Ala512Pro was detected in only 0/60 diabetic patients and 1/60 nondiabetic controls. Gly971Arg was relatively more common in Iberian Caucasians with 12/58 diabetic patients and 7/60 nondiabetic controls being heterozygous for this variant (p=0.21 for comparison between diabetic and nondiabetic subjects).

CONCLUSIONS

Ala94Thr, Ala512Pro and Ser892Gly mutation are rare in the populations studied. Gly971Arg, is more common in Mexican Americans and Caucasians, but is not a major contributor to genetic susceptibility to Type 2 diabetes.

Antiandrogen drugs lower serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in hirsute subjects: evidence that serum PSA is a marker of androgen action in women

Assay by ultrasensitive methods of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recently demonstrated that many women have detectable levels of this molecule. Interestingly, serum PSA concentrations were higher in hirsute than in nonhirsute subjects, suggesting that, also in females, PSA may be regulated by androgens. To establish the potential for this assay as a biochemical marker of androgen action in women, we studied 40 hirsute subjects recruited in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-month trial assessing the effects of 3 different antiandrogen drugs: spironolactone, flutamide, or finasteride. In each subject, serum PSA, free testosterone, and 3alpha-androstanediol glucuronide were determined at baseline and at the end of treatments. At baseline, PSA concentrations were higher in these 40 women than in 19 nonhirsute healthy controls (12.9+/-1.5 vs. 4.9+/-0.7 pg/mL, P = 0.03) and significantly correlated with serum free testosterone (r = 0.37, P<0.005). After treatments, the 29 hirsute subjects given active drugs showed significant reduction of serum PSA levels (7.2+/-1.4 vs. 14.7+/-3.0 pg/mL, P = 0.002). This phenomenon was correlated to baseline PSA values. No change was found in the placebo group. In conclusion, serum PSA is increased in many hirsute women. A 6-month course of antiandrogen treatments with spironolactone, flutamide, or finasteride determines a reduction of PSA levels in these subjects. These results suggest that serum PSA is a biochemical marker of androgen action in tissues of female subjects.

Comparison of spironolactone, flutamide, and finasteride efficacy in the treatment of hirsutism: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial

To compare objectively the efficacies of spironolactone (100 mg/day), flutamide (250 mg/day), and finasteride (5 mg/day) in the treatment of hirsutism, 40 hirsute women were randomly assigned to double blind treatments with 1 of these 3 drugs or placebo for 6 months. Before and at the end of treatment, hirsutism was quantitatively measured in each subject by determination, by computer-assisted light microscopy, of the largest diameter of 5 hairs plucked from the linea alba. These measurements were averaged to produce a mean hair shaft diameter. For each subject, baseline and posttreatment assessments were carried out at the same time by an investigator blinded to both time and type of therapy. In addition, a semi-quantitative clinical evaluation was carried out by a modification of the Ferriman-Gallwey (F-G) scoring method, performed by a single investigator. At baseline the 4 groups of women had similar hair diameters and F-G scores. After 6 months of therapy all groups of subjects given active drugs showed reductions of their hair diameters, without statistically significant differences among groups (mean change +/- SEM, -11.7+/-5.6%, -18.0+/-6.1%, and -12.6+/-6.7%, respectively, in the spironolactone, flutamide, and finasteride groups). F-G scores were also significantly reduced in women receiving antiandrogen drugs, again without differences among groups (mean change, -41.0+/-5.5%, -38.9+/-7.2%, and -31.6+/-3.7%, respectively). No significant changes from baseline values were recorded by either hair diameter (-1.4+/-5.2%) or F-G score (+5.4+/-3.7%) assessment in the placebo group. In conclusion, spironolactone, flutamide, and finasteride are all effective in the treatment of hirsutism. After a 6-month course of therapy, the clinical efficacies of these drugs, at least at the doses used, are similar.

Metformin effects on clinical features, endocrine and metabolic profiles, and insulin sensitivity in polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 6-month trial, followed by open, long-term clinical evaluation

In the last few years some studies assessed the effects of attenuation of hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, obtained by insulin sensitizing agents, in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), suggesting potential scope for these drugs in treating the whole spectrum of reproductive, endocrine, and metabolic abnormalities found in such subjects. However, the results of these studies, mostly uncontrolled and short-term, are still inconclusive, and there is no long-term follow-up. In the present study, 23 PCOS subjects [mean (+/- SE) body mass index 30.0+/-1.1 kg/m2] were randomly assigned to double-blind treatment with metformin (500 mg tid) or placebo for 6 months, while maintaining their usual eating habits. Before and after treatment, menstrual history, endocrine and metabolic profiles, serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone response to GnRH-agonist testing, and insulin sensitivity measured by the glucose clamp technique were assessed. Eighteen of these women, as well as 14 additional PCOS patients, were subsequently given metformin in an open trial for 11.0+/-1.3 months (range 4-26), to assess long-term effects of treatment and baseline predictors of metformin efficacy on reproductive abnormalities. After metformin treatment, mean frequency of menstruation improved (P = 0.002), due to striking amelioration of menstrual abnormalities in about 50% of subjects. Women given metformin showed reduced plasma insulin (at fasting: P = 0.057; during the clamp studies: P<0.01) and increased insulin sensitivity (P<0.05). Concurrently, ovarian hyperandrogenism was attenuated, as indicated by significant reductions in serum free testosterone (P<0.05) and in the 17-hydroxyprogesterone response to GnRH-agonist testing (P<0.05). No changes were found in the placebo group. Only comparable minor changes in body mass index were found both in the metformin group and in the placebo group. In the open, long-term trial 17 women (54.8%) showed striking improvements of their menstrual abnormalities and were considered as responders. Logistic regression analysis of baseline characteristics in responders and nonresponders showed that plasma insulin, serum androstenedione, and menstrual history were independent predictors of the treatment's clinical efficacy. In 10 subjects whose menses proved regular after treatment, the great majority of cycles became ovulatory (32 out of 39 assessed, 79%). In conclusion, in women with PCOS metformin treatment reduced hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenemia, independently of changes in body weight. In a large number of subjects these changes were associated with striking, sustained improvements in menstrual abnormalities and resumption of ovulation. Higher plasma insulin, lower serum androstenedione, and less severe menstrual abnormalities are baseline predictors of clinical response to metformin.

The replication factory targeting sequence/PCNA-binding site is required in G(1) to control the phosphorylation status of DNA ligase I

The recruitment of DNA ligase I to replication foci in S phase depends on a replication factory targeting sequence that also mediates the interaction with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in vitro. By exploiting a monoclonal antibody directed at a phospho-epitope, we demonstrate that Ser66 of DNA ligase I, which is part of a strong CKII consensus site, is phosphorylated in a cell cycle-dependent manner. After dephosphorylation in early G(1), the level of Ser66 phosphorylation is minimal in G(1), increases progressively in S and peaks in G(2)/M phase. The analysis of epitope-tagged DNA ligase I mutants demonstrates that dephosphorylation of Ser66 requires both the nuclear localization and the PCNA-binding site of the enzyme. Finally, we show that DNA ligase I and PCNA interact in vivo in G(1) and S phase but not in G(2)/M. We propose that dephosphorylation of Ser66 is part of a novel control mechanism to establish the pre-replicative form of DNA ligase I.

Spironolactone, but not flutamide, administration prevents bone loss in hyperandrogenic women treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist

GnRH agonists (GnRHa) have recently been proposed for the treatment of hirsutism in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). As most of these subjects have increased androgen secretion from both ovaries and adrenal glands, the association of GnRHa with antiandrogen drugs might enhance the clinical response to treatment. On the other hand, this association might also potentiate the adverse effects of GnRHa on bone metabolism, generating a potentially harmful situation at the skeletal level. In this study we investigated in 41 PCOS patients the skeletal effects of a 6-month course of GnRHa (tryptorelin, 3.75 mg, i.m., monthly), either alone (n = 12) or associated with the antiandrogen drugs spironolactone (100 mg, orally, once daily; n = 14) or flutamide (250 mg, once daily; n = 15). In all subjects bone mineral density was measured before and after treatment by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and at the femoral neck and Ward's triangle. In addition, at baseline and after 6 months of therapy, bone metabolism markers (serum and urinary calcium, serum phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase, plasma osteocalcin, and urinary hydroxyproline) and endocrine parameters (serum gonadotropins, estradiol, and free testosterone) were assayed. Women given either GnRHa alone or associated with spironolactone or flutamide were similar for age and body mass index. At baseline, the 3 groups of PCOS women were also similar for endocrine and bone parameters. After 6 months, all treatments determined similar striking suppressions of serum gonadotropins and sex steroids. Concurrently, bone mineral density was significantly reduced at all examined sites in subjects receiving either GnRHa alone or GnRHa plus flutamide. Conversely, women given GnRHa plus spironolactone did not show any change in skeletal mass from baseline values (P < 0.05-0.01 among groups). Biochemical parameters of bone metabolism were consistent with densitometric assessments. In conclusion, after a 6-month course of therapy, bone mineral density is reduced in PCOS women given either GnRHa alone or GnRHa plus flutamide, but not in those receiving GnRHa plus spironolactone. The mechanisms of the bone-sparing effect of spironolactone remain to be determined. Nevertheless, this drug could represent a useful tool to prevent skeletal loss in women given GnRHa as well as in other hypoestrogenic conditions, in particular when estrogens are not recommended.

Differential involvement of DNases in HeLa cell apoptosis induced by etoposide and long term-culture

We have applied to human HeLa cells two different stimuli of apoptosis: the antitumoral drug etoposide, and a more 'physiological' death condition, obtained by growing cells in the same medium for long time periods, for up to 10 days. Analysis of different parameters demonstrated that in both experimental systems the same apoptotic features are visible. However, the DNA degradation pattern appeared to be different, suggesting the involvement of different DNases. In this view, we have analyzed the activity and expression of Ca2+-Mg2+-dependent and acid DNases. We have observed that DNase I is not modulated during apoptosis. In contrast, the acid L-DNase II (derived from Leukocyte Elastase Inhibitor by post-translational modification), recently identified in our laboratory, is mainly active in the apoptotic pathway induced by long term-culture. Furthermore, we have provided evidence that while caspase 3 is activated by both inducers, caspase 1 is essential only for the etoposide-induced apoptosis.

Apoptosis-prone phenotype of human colon carcinoma cells with a high level amplification of the c-myc gene

Although apoptosis can be induced by the enforced expression of exogenously introduced c-myc genes, it is not clear whether overexpression resulting from the amplification of the resident c-myc gene in tumor cells is sufficient to induce apoptosis. We have investigated the relationship between c-myc gene amplification and the propensity of tumor cells to undergo apoptosis, using the SW613-12A1 and SW613-B3 cell lines, which are representatives, respectively, of tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic clones isolated from the SW613-S human colon carcinoma cell line. Tumorigenic clones are characterized by a high level of amplification and expression of the c-myc gene, whereas cells of non-tumorigenic clones have a small number of copies and a lower level of expression of this gene. Analysis of c-myc mRNA level in cells cultured under low serum conditions indicated that the expression of the gene is tightly regulated by serum growth factors in non-tumorigenic B3 cells, whereas it is poorly regulated in tumorigenic 12A1 cells, the level of mRNAs remaining relatively high in serum-starved 12A1 cells. Under these conditions, 12A1 cells showed clear evidence of apoptosis, whereas B3 cells were completely refractory to the induction of apoptosis. Moreover, the study of cell lines derived from non-tumorigenic apoptosis-resistant clones following the introduction by transfection of exogenous c-myc gene copies showed that they have acquired an apoptosisprone phenotype. Altogether, our results strongly suggest that deregulated c-myc expression due to high-level amplification confers an apoptosis-prone phenotype to tumor cells. The possible consequences of these observations for cancer therapy are discussed.

A case of Austrian's syndrome with ocular involvement

A man with a history of alcohol abuse was admitted to hospital with pneumonia and meningitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Because of the worsening of respiratory function and the persistence of fever, an echocardiographic examination was made, which showed endocarditis with destruction of the aortic valve. The patient underwent surgical valve replacement. In addition, he showed a choroiditis in the left eye which improved after antibiotic therapy. The interest of this case lies in the rarity of the triad described as Austrian's syndrome and in the coexistent fourth septic localization, namely in the left eye.

Inter-rater reliability of a modified Karnofsky Scale of Performance Status for HIV-infected individuals

The Karnofsky Scale of Performance Status (KPS) is a measure of health status that is widely used for HIV-infected persons, although few studies have documented its reliability and validity for HIV. We developed a modified KPS in an attempt to make it more appropriate for use in HIV-infected persons and evaluated its inter-rater reliability in a multicenter study. Patients (N = 657) were recruited from five hospitals in three Italian cities; responses were scored using the modified scale by three different raters in each hospital: one experienced physician, one young physician, and one nurse. Kendall's correlation test showed a strong inter-rater agreement for the total of observations: 0.82 between the two physicians, 0.77 between the experienced physician and the nurse, and 0.76 between the young physician and the nurse. The analysis of variance showed a strong effect of the stage of the disease on the KPS score. The specific hospital had little effect, whereas the effect of the type of rater disappeared when the nurse was excluded from the analysis. This modified scale demonstrated a good reliability, although training of raters could help to eliminate differences among raters and among hospitals.

Molecular scanning of the human peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (hPPAR gamma) gene in diabetic Caucasians: identification of a Pro12Ala PPAR gamma 2 missense mutation

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR gamma) is a nuclear receptor that regulates adipocyte differentiation, and possibly lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity. As such, PPAR gamma is a promising candidate gene for several human disorders including obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Screening for mutations in the entire coding region of the PPAR gamma gene (both gamma 1 and gamma 2 isoforms) was performed with DNA of 26 diabetic Caucasians with or without obesity. Two base substitutions were identified: a silent mutation at nucleotide 1431 (CACHis-->CATHis) and a missense mutation (CCGPro-->GCGAla) at codon 12 of PPAR gamma 2. The allele frequency of the Pro12Ala PPAR gamma 2 variant was 0.12 in Caucasian Americans, 0.10 in Mexican Americans, 0.08 in Samoans, 0.03 in African Americans, 0.02 in Nauruans, and 0.01 in Chinese. We conclude that the Pro12Ala PPAR gamma 2 gene variant is present in diverse populations. Further studies of the Pro12Ala variant will determine its relevance to obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.

Poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis: a useful parameter for identifying apoptotic cells

Cell death by apoptosis was analysed in HeLa cells either treated with the antitumoral drug bleomycin or depleted of growth factors by long-term culture without medium change. The interference of apoptosis with normal cell cycle progression was followed by flow cytometry in cells stained with propidium iodide and with antibody to S-phase-related PCNA protein. Bleomycin-treated cells showed a net accumulation in G2/M phase paralleled by the appearance of material with a subdiploid DNA content. Cells with a subdiploid DNA content were also present in growth factor-depleted cultures and were shown to derive from all the cell cycle phases. To identify apoptotic features in HeLa cell cultures, we applied a recently developed assay based on the simultaneous analysis in the single cell of three parameters, namely chromatin condensation, DNA degradation and poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis. Apoptotic cells were visualized by sequential reactions: Hoechst staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labelling assay and immunoreaction with anti-poly(ADP-ribose) monoclonal antibody. Positive reactions were obtained for cells at different stages of the apoptotic programme showing condensed nuclei, fragmented chromatin and apoptotic bodies.

Multiparametric staining to identify apoptotic human cells

To analyze relevant features of HeLa and HL60 cells driven into apoptosis by etoposide, we have developed a new "tricolor" assay, based on the simultaneous analysis in the single cell of chromatin condensation, DNA degradation, and cellular poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis. The latter reaction is catalyzed by poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (E.C. 2.4.2.30), an enzyme which is activated by the presence of DNA free ends. The protocol consists in the visualization of apoptotic cells by Hoechst staining, TUNEL assay, and immunoreaction with anti-poly(ADP-ribose) antibody. We thus provide the first evidence that endogenous poly(ADP-ribose) production is indeed stimulated in cells undergoing apoptosis after treatment with antitumoral drugs, and that the monitoring of this endogenous enzymatic reaction, combined with morphological and other biochemical parameters, should facilitate the detection of apoptotic cells.

Chromosomal localization and partial genomic structure of the human peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (hPPAR gamma) gene

We determined the chromosomal localization and partial genomic structure of the coding region of the human PPAR gamma gene (hPPAR gamma), a nuclear receptor important for adipocyte differentiation and function. Sequence analysis and long PCR of human genomic DNA with primers that span putative introns revealed that intron positions and sizes of hPPAR gamma are similar to those previously determined for the mouse PPAR gamma gene[13]. Fluorescent in situ hybridization localized hPPAR gamma to chromosome 3, band 3p25. Radiation hybrid mapping with two independent primer pairs was consistent with hPPAR gamma being within 1.5 Mb of marker D3S1263 on 3p25-p24.2. These sequences of the intron/exon junctions of the 6 coding exons shared by hPPAR gamma 1 and hPPAR gamma 2 will facilitate screening for possible mutations. Furthermore, D3S1263 is a suitable polymorphic marker for linkage analysis to evaluate PPAR gamma's potential contribution to genetic susceptibility to obesity, lipoatrophy, insulin resistance, and diabetes.