Mountain pygmies of Western New Guinea: a morphological and molecular approach.

The presence of "pygmy" or pygmoid groups among New Guinea populations has been the object of scientific interest since the end of the nineteenth century. Morphological and molecular data are used here to study western New Guinea population variability, focusing in particular on two pygmoid groups living in the eastern fringe highlands of Papua: the Una and the Ketengban. Various kinds of anthropometric data are examined, as well as height, weight, and body mass index, to carry out comparisons with nearby ethnic groups living in the highland and lowland regions. The Ketengban data were also compared with other data recorded 20 years before. The results of previous research on the sequencing of the mitochondrial DNA hypervariable segment 1 region and nuclear DNA nonrecombining Y-chromosome polymorphisms are presented. Both morphological and molecular studies involve adult subjects of both genders, representative of the same ethnic groups and/or geographic regions. The pygmoid groups turn out to be significantly different from all other study groups, due to their small size, as confirmed by analysis of variance, although significant height and weight increments are observed with respect to those previously recorded. However, putative neutral genetic variation estimated from mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosome markers support a recent shared common history between these pygmoid populations and the other central Papua groups (except for the Dani-Lani). These findings suggest that the short-stature phenotype is an independent secondary adaptation, possibly driven by an iodine-deficient environment, which leaves the potential for further investigations.

Assessment of the tolerance to lupine-enriched pasta in peanut-allergic children.

BACKGROUND: Reports of allergy to lupine derivatives (as de novo sensitization or cross-reactivity in subjects allergic to peanut) are increasing as their use in food products increases. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess: (1) lupine tolerance in a group of children allergic to peanut, using lupine enriched-pasta instead of raw flour as has been done in previous clinical studies; (2) whether technological treatments of lupine modify its cross-reactivity or co-sensitization with peanut; (3) the role of lupine seed proteins in sensitization, and (4) to identify the eliciting doses (EDs) by using double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges (DBPCFC). METHODS: Twelve patients with a history of clinical allergic reactions to peanut were evaluated by skin prick tests (SPTs), the ImmunoCAP test, immunoblotting, and DBPCFC. The 12 selected subjects were included in a trial where lupine-enriched pasta and placebo pasta were administered in a DBPCFC protocol. RESULTS: Positive clinical reactions were observed in two children, the EDs being 0.2 and 6.4 g of pasta, corresponding to 50 mg and 1.6 g of lupine proteins, respectively. Beta-conglutin was the protein most involved in SPT positivity. CONCLUSION: Lupine-enriched pasta can be tolerated by most subjects suffering from peanut allergy, but a sizeable minority (2/12 of them in this case) can develop potentially dangerous clinical reactions. Information about possible reactions to lupine derivatives by those allergic to peanuts must be included in the labelling of lupine-enriched products to protect consumers at risk.

Relevance of 99mTc-HYNIC-tir-octreotide scintigraphy in a patient affected by sarcoidosis with lung and joints involvement and secondary Sjogren's syndrome treated with infliximab: case report.

We report the case of a 59 years old woman affected by lung and joint sarcoidosis, secondary Sjogren's syndrome refractory to common disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) that regressed with infliximab and methotrexate. 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC scintigraphy was useful in diagnosis, choice of treatment and follow-up.

End-tidal CO2 pressure determinants during hemorrhagic shock.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between end-tidal CO2 (PETCO2) and its physiological determinants, pulmonary blood flow (cardiac output, CO) and CO2 production (VCO2), in a model of hemorrhagic shock during fixed minute ventilation. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective, observational study in a research laboratory at a university center. SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Six anesthetized, intubated, and mechanically ventilated mongrel dogs. Progressive stepwise bleeding. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: We continuously measured PETCO2 with a capnograph, pulmonary artery blood flow with an electromagnetic flow probe, arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) with a fiberoptic catheter, and oxygen consumption (VO2) and VCO2 by expired gases analysis. Oxygen delivery (DO2) was continuously calculated from pulmonary blood flow and SaO2. We studied the correlation of PETCO2 with CO and VCO2 in each individual experiment. We also calculated the critical point in the relationships PETCO2/ DO2 and VO2/DO2 by the polynomial method. As expected, PETCO2 was correlated with CO. The best fit was logarithmic in all experiments (median r2 = 0.90), showing that PETCO2 decrease is greater in lowest flow states. PETCO2 was correlated with VCO2, but the best fit was linear (median r2 = 0.77). Critical DO2 for PETCO2 and VO2 was 8.0 +/- 3.3 and 6.3 +/- 2.5 ml x min(-1) kg(-1), respectively (NS). CONCLUSIONS: Our data reconfirm the relationship between PETCO2 and CO during hemorrhagic shock. The relatively greater decrease in PETCO2 at lowest CO levels could represent diminished CO2 production during the period of VO2 supply dependency.

Nuclear shape and axillary metastases in breast cancer. Analytic morphometry of aspiration smears.

The aim of this work was to seek quantitative parameters other than dimensions to describe nuclear shape and, by this means, to determine the sum of contour irregularities and large asymmetries and seek a connection with the biologic behavior of the tumor. Nuclei of the cells obtained from 57 aspiration smears of breast cancers were studied. Dimensional parameters (area, perimeter, maximum diameter and roundness factor) and analytic parameters were computed by the Shape Analytical Morphometry software system to evaluate both contour irregularities and asymmetry of nuclear shape. All the tumors were subdivided according to their diameters into two groups: T1 tumors, the maximum diameter of which was < 2 cm (18 cases), and T2 tumors, the maximum diameter of which was > 2 cm and < 5 cm (39 cases). Among T1 tumors, both dimensional and analytic parameters were highly significant (P < .001) in distinguishing tumors with (N+) and tumors without (N-) axillary metastases, while among larger tumors (T2) only the analytic parameters showed degrees of significance, albeit variable. It could be inferred that in smaller tumors, aggressiveness is related to an increase in nuclear dimensions and shape distortions more so than in larger tumors.

A new approach to the histologic study of ovarian tumors by analytical morphometry.

In recent years, borderline epithelial tumors of the ovary have been investigated by morphometric techniques to allow for a differential diagnosis from benign and malignant neoplasms. In order to enhance this discriminant power, we have applied a new analytical procedure to the evaluation of the nuclear shape in epithelial ovarian tumors. Sixty nuclei of benign ovarian serous neoplasms, 60 nuclei of serous borderline tumors and 60 nuclei of serous carcinomas (18 cases in all) were examined using the software system SAM (Shape Analytical Morphometry). The morphometric procedure consisted of three different phases: (i) extraction of nuclear fundamental curve: this is a function curve giving the smoothing of the original contour by two parametric equations (separately for x and y values as dependent variables); (ii) evaluation of nuclear contour irregularities by Fourier analysis; (iii) evaluation of nuclear shape asymmetry by SAE (Shape Asymmetry Evaluator): this is the ratio between the length of a segment of a parabola interpolating the original curve points and a straight line joining its extremities for a 180 degrees barycentric rotation according 10 degrees steps. All the obtained independent parameters were submitted to statistical analysis. Nuclei of borderline tumors showed dimensional parameters which were intermediate between those of benign and malignant tumors. Both the asymmetry and the irregularities of nuclear contour were greatest in carcinomas.

Laryngeal intraepithelial neoplasia (LIN). An analytical morphometric approach.

Laryngeal Intraepithelial Neoplasia (LIN) is graded in 3 levels (LIN Grade I-II-III), corresponding to the classic aspects of mild, moderate and severe dysplasia-in situ carcinoma, on the basis of the number and position of mitoses and of the undifferentiated or atypical cells limited to the basal or extended to the intermediate or the superficial layers of epithelium. In order to reduce the subjective imprecision of these parameters we have applied not only traditional dimensional evaluators but also procedures of analytical morphometry to the nuclear shape. By using the software system S.A.M. (Shape Analytical Morphometry) we have examined fifty nuclei of the basal layer in LIN grade I, II and III, fifty nuclei in normal laryngeal mucosa and fifty nuclei in invasive carcinoma of the larynx (twenty-five cases in all). Normal and dysplastic nuclei did not show any dimensional differences, while the carcinomatous nuclei were significantly larger. An asymmetric distortion of the nuclear contour was noted in the moderate and severe dysplasia, but not in carcinomatous cells. Also the Fourier parameters, increased in severe dysplasia, decreased dramatically in carcinomatous cells which showed nuclei with minor contour irregularities than the normal cells. These findings outline the discriminative power of the analytical morphometry and suggest a possible correlation between nuclear shape and cell biology.

Biological image analysis for microscopical diagnosis: the work-station S.A.M. (Shape Analytical Morphometry).

The S.A.M. (Shape Analytical Morphometry) software system and its related work-station give a generalized and easy-to-handle tool to face a classic and intriguing problem in biomedical morphological diagnosis. What is the shape of an object in a microscopic image? How can we understand the relationship between size and shape? According to Holloway: "Measurements such as length, width, height, whether in chords or arcs only describe space, ... and further run into the abyss of allometric correction ... if additional information (shape?) to size is expected, some method of allometric correction must be used." The S.A.M. software system assumes a logic architecture able to separate and to parametrize independently shape characteristics in terms of allometry and local pertubation by analytical procedures (polynomials, parabolic fitting, Fourier analysis) in addition to the classic evaluations of size and density carried out by image analyzers for microscopical diagnosis.

Multiparametric discrimination of serous ovarian tumors by analytical morphometry.

In order to enhance the discrimination power in the field of serous ovarian tumors, we applied the software system SAM (Shape Analytical Morphometry) to the analytic studies of biological forms. Besides the usual dimensional evaluations (perimeter, area, maximum diameter and shape index), this procedure permits the description of the nuclear form using analytical parameters: 1) extraction of nucleus fundamental curve; that is a functional curve giving the "smoothing" of the original contour by two parametric equations (separately for x and y values as independent variables); 2) evaluation of nuclei contour irregularities by Fourier analysis; 3) evaluation of shape asymmetry by SAE (Shape Asymmetry Evaluator); that is the ratio between the length of a segment of a parabola interpolating the original curve points, and a straight line joining its extremities for a 180 degrees barycentric rotation according 10 degrees steps. All parameters resulted to be independent and were submitted to multivariate discriminant analysis. We studied 180 nuclei from 18 cases of serous ovarian tumors, (6 benign, 6 borderline and 6 malignant tumors). With respect to the dimensional parameters, the application of analytical morphometry permitted us to reduce the minimum percentage error in the discrimination of the different classes. In fact, in the distinctions of benign and malignant nuclei, the minimum percentage error was 13.30%, against the 18.3% error when using dimensional morphometry. Furthermore, in the comparison of malignant and borderline nuclei there was a reduction of error from 23.3% to 22.5%, and in the comparison of benign and borderline nuclei, the error was reduced from 37.5% to 30%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analytical morphies on mid-sagittal craniograms glabella-opisthocranion of Homo erectus and Homo sapiens neanderthalensis: Fourier parameters and synthesis of mean craniograms.

Among mathematic procedures used in morphological description, Fourier analysis was indicated as extremely effective in obtaining numerical representations of shape. In order to fully exploit its potentiality in morphology the worked data have to be referred exclusively to the shape of the investigated object and the application of suitable procedures of dimensional normalization are necessary, moreover the significance of the parameters obtained from the analysis must be referable univocally to the morphological datum. In these conditions the numerical characterization of shapes and the relations detectable from different parameters obtained from the description assume the significance of real "analytical morphies". These statements were verified by performing morphological description and comparison, by means of the Fourier harmonic analysis on two groups of mid-sagittal glabella-opisthocranIon craniograms to point out their possible distinctive analytical characteristics: the first group relates to classical neanderthalian group, the second one is made up of asiatic samples of Homo erectus. Some typical patterns of the obtained parameters were discussed and explained in terms of analytical morphies characterizing the given specimens, the traditional morphological classifications were verified and, above all, a numerical description of these samples was obtained.

Analytical morphies on mid-sagittal craniograms glabella-opisthocranion of Homo erectus and Homo sapiens neanderthalensis: Fourier parameters and multivariate discriminant analysis.

The analytical description of complicated morphologies offers the possibility to define patterns of parameters characterizing the investigated groups. These patterns must be considered as morphies useful in performing classification and comparison. Fourier parameters are extremely effective in describing and comparing complex irregular forms and since they are statistically independent we can use them in performing multivariate discriminant analysis. Two groups of mid-sagittal craniograms glabella-opisthocranion of asiatic samples of Homo erectus and of Homo sapiens neanderthalensis were described by means of Fourier harmonic analysis. The discriminatory power of all the obtained parameters (coefficients, amplitudes and phases) was tested. A discriminant function (error % = 0) was obtained using as parameters the first 4 sine/cosine coefficients, the 5th sine, the 6th and the 7th cosine components (11 parameters in all). When the information contained in the coefficient values is being subdivided into the two components of amplitude and phase, the amplitude component is not able to discriminate between the two groups (error % = 25), while the phase values of the first 7 harmonics are able to discriminate them (error % = 0 and distance between centroids = 47).

[Vectorial description of the horizontal craniogram]. / Descrizione vettoriale della forma di craniogrammi orizzontali.

After the polynomial approximation we used Bezier's algorithm to obtain a vectorial description and to compare the horizontal craniogram morphology of hominid skulls. A minimum number of determinant points chosen on the original curves constitutes the vertices of a closed polygonal. By these points Bezier's interpolation gives new curves very similar to the polynomial curves obtained by the original ones. Each pair of consecutive segments was used to construct a parallelogram and so to have a vector. We applied the procedure on horizontal craniograms of Sts V. Pithecanthropus (erectus) VIII (Sartono), Circeo I (after S. Sergi) and a modern human female skull. Ten vectors for each skull were detected and compared. Some similarities in frontal and posterior regions of P VIII and Circeo I were explained in terms of common morphological solution to the problem of mechanical stability in the skulls with pronounced platycrany under chewing load.

[Quantitative evaluation of the allometric transformation of of biological structures]. / Valutazione quantitativa delle transformazioni allometriche delle strutture biologiche.

Detection and quantification of allometry is a crucial problem in understanding morphological changes, both for systematic and morphogenetic purposes. A section of S.A.M. (Shape Analytical Morphometry) software system was used for this attempt. It consists of the following steps: a) boundary detection; b) starting point detection; c) size normalization; d) extraction of the fundamental shape by Kth order polynomials; e) finding of symmetry evaluator (S.A.E.) by means of a second degree equation. This last procedure gives an arc-chord complex that expresses a vector for allometry where intercept value was for application point, first degree coefficient was for direction and second degree coefficient was for modulus and versus. The main parameters, isometry fraction and allometry fraction may be understood referring them to morphogenetic models.

[Nuclear morphometry and estrogen receptors in infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast]. / Morfometria nucleare e recettori estrogenici (RE) nel carcinoma duttale infiltrante della mammella.

In this study ten cases of breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma have been considered. In all of them the content of ER has been evaluated by using monoclonal antibodies. Five of them were ER positive and five were ER negative. For the morphometric study ten nuclei of each case have been considered. By using the S.A.M. (Shape Analytical Morphometry) work-station an analytical study of the nuclear shape was performed. The first step was the extraction of fundamental shape which describes the basic shape of original contour without its irregularities. It was obtained by using two parametric equations. The second step was the evaluation of shape asymmetry by S.A.E. (Shape Asymmetry Evaluator). Finally the contour irregularities were evaluated by Fourier analysis. Along with analytical parameters, dimensions (area, perimeter and maximum diameter) were considered too. All obtained data were submitted to univariate statistical analysis (Student's T test) to compare the two groups (ER positive and ER negative tumors). Area, perimeter and maximum diameter were significatively greater in ER negative cases while analytical parameters were not discriminant between the two groups.

Differential diagnosis between thyroid follicular adenoma and carcinoma. Analytic morphometric approach.

In this study some nuclear dimensional and analytical parameters were evaluated in order to distinguish follicular atypical adenoma from follicular carcinoma of the thyroid. Eighty nuclei from carcinomas, 80 from adenomas and 80 from normal thyroid were studied. Analytical parameters obtained by the nuclear shape study (by S.A.M. system) as well as dimensional parameters were submitted to univariate statistical analysis. On the ground of our results atypical adenoma could be considered as an intermediate aspect of a progressive change from benign to malignant even if they are closer to normal thyroid than to carcinoma.

Computer-aided skull/face superimposition.

By use of a special optical device coupled with a TV camera to match a skull and a photograph of a face, superimposition for the purpose of personal identification was performed in controlled situations. A computer-aided method to evaluate the fit of the superimposition has been outlined by means of an original Shape Analytical Morphometry (SAM) software package yielding analytical descriptions by kth-order poly-nominal equations and Fourier harmonic analysis. The match was carried out by using point-cross error and sum of differences for the Fourier set amplitude. A final comprehensive evaluation exhibited marked differences between congruent and noncongruent superimpositions.