Evaluation of total adiponectin, adipocyte fatty acid binding protein and fibroblast growth factor 21 levels in individuals with metabolic syndrome.

Although many studies have investigated the relationships of several adipokines to metabolic syndrome (MetS), the interrelationships of adiponectin (ADP), adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF 21) have not been described in detail. We examined 209 asymptomatic dyslipidemic patients divided into MetS+ (n=73) and MetS- (n=136) groups. The aim of study was to evaluate the relationships between observed adipokines, to compare the levels of total ADP, A-FABP and FGF 21 in individuals with and without MetS, and to elucidate the relationships of individual adipokines to lipid parameters, markers of insulin resistance and endothelial hemostatic markers in these groups. In MetS+ group, we found the independent positive association ADP with A-FABP (beta=0.4888, p=0.0382), A-FABP with FGF 21 (beta=0.3811, p=0.0002) and von Willebrand factor (beta=0.4502, p=0.0013), and FGF 21 with A-FABP (beta=0.4422, p=0.0002). Our study has confirmed the well-established risk profile of subjects with MetS, although clinically asymptomatic. MetS+ patients had also lower levels of ADP and higher levels of A-FABP and FGF 21. Our study evaluated the interrelationships of ADP, A-FABP and FGF 21 in asymptomatic dyslipidemic subjects with diagnosis of MetS. Especially strong association between A-FABP and FGF 21 needs to be clarified in further studies.

[Senate's project at the University of Vienna, "Studies in anatomical science in Vienna from 1938-1945"]. / Das Senatsprojekt der Universität Wien "Untersuchungen zur Anatomischen Wissenschaft in Wien 1938-1945".

SUMMARY: Since much criticism was expressed by the public concerning an association between the Anatomical Atlas of Pernkopf and National Socialism, the Senate of the University of Vienna decided in 1997 to establish a Commission composed of medical professionals and historians who were assigned with the task of clarifying the issue and investigating the reproaches. The aim of the research project was defined as follows: to provide a thorough and comprehensive clarification for the suspicion that bodies of victims of the National Socialist regime were misused for the purpose of producing anatomical preparations for research and education. In a laborious procedure, the Commission investigated the supply of cadavers to the Institute of Anatomy and their application, documented the persons executed at the Provincial Court of Vienna, and the use of these cadavers by the Institute of Anatomy. Both, at the Institute of Anatomy as well as in all departments of the Medical Faculty of University of Vienna, the Commission looked for remains of victims of National Socialistic judicature. In order to document the historical context of the Pernkopf atlas, a biography of Pernkopf, his association with Nazism, the emergence of his atlas, and the way Austrians deal with the mortal remains of humans since 1945, were included in the study. One outcome of the work of the Commission is a complete list of those persons who were executed from 1938 to 1945 and were handed over to the Institute of Anatomy either completely or partially. It is a list that has never existed in this form until now. Neither did the Commission find evidence of the use of corpses from concentration camps, nor were they able to identify (name) the individuals used for the illustrations in Pernkopf's atlas. The Commission suggested that all preparations whose origin could not be determined with certainty, which definitely did not belong to the National Socialist period, and which could not be clearly assigned to a particular category, should be buried.