Reproducible and Predictable Yearly Pattern in the Incidence of Uterine Cervical Cancer

A yearly pattern in the occurrence of uterine cervical cancer (UCC), obtained from cytological examinations reported as type V (cases concluding a malignant alteration), has been previously shown for data obtained in the Monterrey Metropolitan Area (state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico) for a span of 10 years (1978-1987), with a peak of relative incidence in the month of February being highly stable for consecutive years. With the aim of extending and validating those results, we analyzed the monthly totals of positive detected cases of UCC in the states of Nuevo Leon, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Tamaulipas (covering most of Northern Mexico) during the same period. To eliminate bias due to the seasonal variation in the number of screening smears, data were first expressed in relation to the number of cytological examinations done the same month. The least-squares fit of a 1 -year cosine curve to the data of relative incidence in the four states reveals a statistically significant yearly pattern (p = .008), with a maximum of relative incidence in February almost double that during the rest of the year. Results indicate that the relative incidence of UCC is higher than the yearly average during the winter, with secondary peaks in May and October. In view of the nonsi-nusoidal waveform in the incidence of UCC, we undertook a multiple-component analysis, allowing several cosine functions to be simultaneously fitted to the data. Results indicate that the yearly pattern in the relative incidence of UCC can be represented by a model that includes two components with periods of 12 and 4 months (p = .004). The same model can be documented as statistically significant independently for each of the four states. These results, summarizing over 2200 positive cases of UCC detected in more than 1,100,000 screening smears, are in full agreement with those found previously for part of the state of Nuevo Leon and reveal a highly stable and predictable yearly pattern of variation in the relative incidence of UCC in Northern Mexico. (Chronobiology International, 13(4), 305-316, 1996)     

Circannual Incidence of Giardia Lamblia

A circannual rhythm of Giardia lamblia positive stools was found by examination of records from three clinical laboratories in central Arkansas for the period 1980-1986. Cosinor analysis of monthly Giardia incidence based on stool specimen records from approximately 12,000 patients over the 7-year period revealed a circannual rhythm (P< 0.001) on the basis of percent positive patients/month, with a computive acrophase occurring in late summer and minimum values in the winter. Patients involved in the study were primarily from the central Arkansas metropolitan areas, southern delta regions and northern mountainous regions of the state. Analysis of the data on the basis of total positive Giardia patients/month also revealed a circannual rhythm with the acrophase again occurring in late summer. The overall mean for percent positive stool specimens for the 7-year period was 5.3%, compared with the national average of 3.8% for G. lamblia positive stools. The data indicate that there may be a “Giardia season” in Arkansas since they could not be explained on the basis of day-care age distribution, or geographic origin. Awareness by epidemiologists, public health officials and other health care professionals of this circannual incidence of giardiasis is important for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this infectious disorder.     

Circannual Variations of the Bleeding Time in the Rat

This study was carried out to determine the annual fluctuations of the tail bleeding time in the rat. Bleeding time was determined by transection of the tail of pentobarbital-anesthetized rats. Over a 6-year period, monthly measurement of the tail bleeding time revealed highly reproducible circannual fluctuations. Bleeding times were shortened in the summer (414 ± 18 s in July), being almost half that observed during the winter span (886 ± 32 s in January). The difference between these two time points was highly significant (p > 0.001). This study reports for the first time circannual variations of the bleeding time in the rat.     

Circannual Growth Rhythm in a Brown Alga,Pterygophora californica

A circannual rhythm was found in the kelp Pterygophora californica which forms a new blade with a free running period of 7 ? 8 months under constant conditions. Individual plants exposed to cycles of daylength with T = 12, 6, or 3 months performed 1, 2, or 4 growth cycles, respectively, in one calendar year showing the entrainment of the endogenous circannual rhythm. The annual growth cycle also followed a phase shift of the annual cycle of daylength (T = 12 months) by 3 or 6 months.     

Malacoplakia of the Uterine Cervix and Endometrium

A rare case of malacoplakia involving the female genital tract is presented. The characteristic granular histiocytes with intracytoplasmic Michaelis-Gutmann bodies were identified in a cervical smear. The cytological preparation also showed prominent capillary vessels and differed from biopsy material in that cytoplasmic bacteria were easily identified.     

Circannual distribution of glioblastoma and anaplastic astrocytoma diagnoses in men and women

Background: circannual variations of incidence may influence human tumors. For example, seasonal distribution of breast cancers suggests an influence of circannual hormonal rhythms. Periodicity of brain tumors has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the seasonal variation in glioblastomas and anaplastic astrocytomas. Methods: a large dataset of high-grade gliomas (n = 697) was evaluated with the month of diagnosis as key criterion for time series and seasonal analysis. Circannual and ultra-annual cosinor models were calculated. Results: women suffering from glioblastoma show a peak incidence in fall. No suitable circannual or ultra-annual cosinor model months could be fitted to the data. In women with anaplastic astrocytoma, a peak incidence was detected in summer and fall with a nadir in spring. Here, a significant cosinor model with a period of 8.5 months could be calculated. Conclusion: our data strongly suggest seasonality of diagnosis of high-grade gliomas in women. As gliomas express hormonal receptors, an underlying endocrinal or cell proliferation rhythms may be a possible explanation.     

Pinealectomy and LL Abolished Circadian Perching Rhythms but Did Not Alter Circannual Reproductive or Fattening Rhythms in Finches

In the subtropical finch, spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata) circannual rhythms (of gonads, fattening, feeding) have been demonstrated in an information-free environment of continuous illumination (LL), rendering it an ideal model for research on the physiology of the circannual clock. In an attempt to understand the involvement, if any, of the circadian system in the genesis of circannual rhythms, we studied the effect of pinealectomy (LL 15 lux) and strong continuous illumination (LL 300 lux), both known to abolish circadian rhythms, on the circadian perch-hopping rhythm and on the circannual rhythm of reproduction and fattening in the same birds. While both pinealectomy and LL 300 lux treatments abolished the circadian rhythm of motor activity, they had no effect on the circannual rhythms of gonadal size and fattening. If the endogenous circadian rhythm in perch-hopping can be taken to reflect the circadian clock mechanism associated with gonadal functioning, present results suggest that circannual rhythm of reproduction in spotted munia is independent of circadian events.     

Pinealectomy and LL Abolished Circadian Perching Rhythms but Did Not Alter Circannual Reproductive or Fattening Rhythms in Finches

In the subtropical finch, spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata) circannual rhythms (of gonads, fattening, feeding) have been demonstrated in an information-free environment of continuous illumination (LL), rendering it an ideal model for research on the physiology of the circannual clock. In an attempt to understand the involvement, if any, of the circadian system in the genesis of circannual rhythms, we studied the effect of pinealectomy (LL 15 lux) and strong continuous illumination (LL 300 lux), both known to abolish circadian rhythms, on the circadian perch-hopping rhythm and on the circannual rhythm of reproduction and fattening in the same birds. While both pinealectomy and LL 300 lux treatments abolished the circadian rhythm of motor activity, they had no effect on the circannual rhythms of gonadal size and fattening. If the endogenous circadian rhythm in perch-hopping can be taken to reflect the circadian clock mechanism associated with gonadal functioning, present results suggest that circannual rhythm of reproduction in spotted munia is independent of circadian events.     

piwi基因在宫颈癌组织中的表达

目的本研究旨在探讨piwill、piwil3和piwil4在宫颈癌组织与宫颈正常组织中的差异性表达,为进一步确定其在肿瘤发生发展中的作用奠定基础。方法根据已知的3条基因序列设计合成3对特异性引物,利用RTPCR检测9对宫颈癌组织及癌旁正常组织的piwill、piwil3和piwil4 mRNA水平,并以β-actin基因为标准进行对比。结果宫颈癌组织piwill、piwil3和piwil4的表达水平明显高于正常组织。结论piwill、piwil3和piwil4在宫颈癌中的表达提示其可能参与了宫颈癌的发生发展过程。     

Circannual Rhythm of Insulin Release and Hypoglycemic Effect of Tolbutamide Stimulus in Healthy Man

Four healthy non obese young volunteers were observed for a 24-hr period, every other month, over the course of one year. Tolbutamide was injected i.v. each day of the experiment every four hours. Tolbutamide-induced insulin secretion (T.I.I.S.) was evaluated by planimetrically measuring insulin areas above basal levels. Tolbutamide-induced hypoglycemic effect was evaluated by measuring the blood glucose difference between the Sth and 25th minute after the drug injection (δG 5′-25′). The macroscopic evaluation of T.I.I.S. and δG 5′-2S′(mean chronograms) permitted the detection of the existence of a circannual variation of both variables. In particular the maximum level of the blood glucose drop (δG 5-25) was registered in February.

Subsequently the quantification of the rhythm of T.I.I.S. was obtained by fitting a sine curve, according to the Cosinor method. The highest insulin release was confirmed in winter.

As previously documented, the existence of a statistically significant circadian rhythm of T.I.I.S. was confirmed in the morning, i.e. the same period of the day in which insulin-induced hypoglycemia occurs.     

Spore classification in the genera Bangia and Porphyra

Prior to the presentation by Drew (1956) of a system of classification for spores involved in the life histories of members of the Bangiophyceae, there was no uniform scheme. With the increased attention given to field and culture studies, particularly within the Bangiaceae, it is essential that a more comprehensive terminology be developed that considers experimental data on spore production. Drew's definition of Type II spores is re-examined and a system of classification based on cell fate and cell function as defined by studies on the photobiology of the Bangiaceae is proposed.     

Circannual Variations in Baseline Blood Values of Dogs

Forty-two hematological and biochemical variables routinely measured in dogs as part of a preoperative protocol have been analyzed for circannual changes by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and single cosinor procedures. Data were available from up to 489 adult mongrel dogs of both sexes studied on weekdays over a 5-year span (January 5, 1987 to December 18, 1991). Dogs were housed in individual cages at 24 ± 1 °C with dog chow and tap water available ad libitum and lights on between 06:00 and 18:00 h. A single blood sample/dog was collected by jugular venipuncture between 08:00 and 09:00 h and sent to a commercial laboratory for hematological and biochemical determinations. Data were assigned to date and time of sampling and analyzed for the effect of time of year by ANOVA (across 12 months and 4 seasons), and by the least-squares fit of a precise 1-year cosine. ANOVA and single cosinor described a significant circannual time effect and rhythm for the following: total leukocytes, lymphocytes, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), MCH concentration, red cell distribution width, mean platelet volume, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), BUN/crea-tinine ratio, amylase, glucose, chloride, uric acid, direct bilirubin, total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phos-phatase, γ-glutamyltransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/ALT ratio. A significant effect of season by ANOVA only was found for: Ca, Na, phosphorus, total bilirubin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and neutrophils. No significant time effect could be found at p n%ge 0.05 by either statistical method for: K, Mg, Fe, cholesterol, triglycerides, ASP, red blood cells, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, or platelets. Acrophases occurred for the most part in either the winter or summer.     

Circannual Variations in Baseline Blood Values of Dogs

Forty-two hematological and biochemical variables routinely measured in dogs as part of a preoperative protocol have been analyzed for circannual changes by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and single cosinor procedures. Data were available from up to 489 adult mongrel dogs of both sexes studied on weekdays over a 5-year span (January 5, 1987 to December 18, 1991). Dogs were housed in individual cages at 24 ± 1 °C with dog chow and tap water available ad libitum and lights on between 06:00 and 18:00 h. A single blood sample/dog was collected by jugular venipuncture between 08:00 and 09:00 h and sent to a commercial laboratory for hematological and biochemical determinations. Data were assigned to date and time of sampling and analyzed for the effect of time of year by ANOVA (across 12 months and 4 seasons), and by the least-squares fit of a precise 1-year cosine. ANOVA and single cosinor described a significant circannual time effect and rhythm for the following: total leukocytes, lymphocytes, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), MCH concentration, red cell distribution width, mean platelet volume, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), BUN/crea-tinine ratio, amylase, glucose, chloride, uric acid, direct bilirubin, total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phos-phatase, γ-glutamyltransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/ALT ratio. A significant effect of season by ANOVA only was found for: Ca, Na, phosphorus, total bilirubin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and neutrophils. No significant time effect could be found at p n%ge 0.05 by either statistical method for: K, Mg, Fe, cholesterol, triglycerides, ASP, red blood cells, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, or platelets. Acrophases occurred for the most part in either the winter or summer.     

Expression of GSDML Associates with Tumor Progression in Uterine Cervix Cancer

Gasdermin-like (GSDML) belongs to the gasdermin-domain-containing protein family (GSDMDC family) that is involved in carcinogenesis and hearing impairment. However, the role of GSDML in carcinogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we identified four isoforms of GSDML gene. The primary and longest isoform GSDML1 is widely expressed in human cancer cell lines. GFP-GSDML1 fusion protein was localized predominantly in the nucleus of human breast cancer MCF7 and cervical cancer HeLa cells but exclusively in the cytoplasm of hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Importantly, immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the GSDML protein in the nuclei is expressed at a higher level in uterine cervix cancer tissues than in the adjacent cancer tissues and corresponding nonneoplastic tissues. Such significance was not observed in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. Ectopic expression of GSDML1 enhanced the growth of cultured cells, whereas inhibition of its endogenous expression decreased proliferation. Furthermore, GSDML1 had significant effects on promoting bromodeoxyuridine incorporation in cells. However, GSDML1 could neither promote malignant transformation nor gain the ability of colony formation or carcinogenicity on nude mice. Collectively, these results suggest that GSDML can promote cell proliferation, and it might be correlated with carcinogenesis and progression of uterine cervix cancer.     

Photoperiodic Variation in CD45-Positive Cells and Cell Proliferation in the Mediobasal Hypothalamus of the Soay Sheep

The Earth's solar orbit induces annual climatic changes challenging to survival. Many animals have evolved to cope with seasonal variability through compensatory annual changes in their physiology and behavior, which involve innate long-term timing and photoperiodic synchronization to anticipate the environmental seasonal cycles. Here we considered the potential involvement of cyclical histogenesis in seasonal timing mechanisms in the sheep. Adult Soay rams were established in three distinctive seasonal states by controlled photoperiod exposure. A first group, representing the condition in late spring (long-photoperiod [LP] group), was taken indoors in May and exposed to 4 wks of 16?h light/day (LP). A second group was exposed to 20 wks of LP to establish a late-summer/long-day refractory condition (LPR group). A third group of animals was brought indoors in August and exposed to 4 wks of LP followed by 4 wks of 8?h light/day (short photoperiod [SP]) to establish an autumn-like condition (SP group). At the end of these regimes, we injected 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU), and animals were killed 24?h or 4 wks later. When BrdU was administered 24?h before death, more BrdU-immunopositive cells were detected in the hilus of the hippocampus in LP compared with SP animals, indicative of a higher proliferation rate. When BrdU was administered 4 wks before death, more BrdU-positive cells were detected in the hippocampus under LP, compared with SP, indicating increased cell survival. These mitotic cells were occasionally seen to adopt a neuronal phenotype in the hippocampus, but not in the hypothalamus. Approximately 10% of BrdU-positive cells in the basal hypothalamus coexpressed the pan-leukocytic marker CD45, and showed morphological features and regional distribution consistent with ameboid microglia. Increased numbers of these cells were detected in the region of the median eminence and tuberoinfundibular sulcus of animals kept in SP compared with LP or LPR. These data suggest that neuroimmune mechanisms may be involved in photoperiod-dependent seasonal remodeling of the adult brain. (Author correspondence: d.hazlerigg@abdn.ac.uk)     

The rate of spontaneous epistaxis is not linked to the lunar cycle but shows seasonal variations

Since 50–60% of the human body consists of water, the physiology of blood circulation might be affected by a full moon differently than during other days of the month. This study analyzed a potential association among lunar phases, seasonal variations, and the rate of spontaneous epistaxis. Consecutive admissions solely for spontaneous epistaxis to an otolaryngology emergency room of a single medical center during 1 year were evaluated. The applied tests failed to show changes of admissions during different lunar phases. According to multiple comparisons, admissions were significantly less frequent during the summer months, similar to findings from other countries of the northern hemisphere with varying climates, suggesting an influence of circannual rhythms rather than of environmental conditions.     

Photoperiodic requirements for timing onset and duration of the breeding season of the ewe: Synchronization of an endogenous rhythm of reproduction

Summary A study was conducted to test the hypothesis that different portions of the annual photoperiodic cycle play different roles in timing the breeding season of the ewe, Ovis aries, an animal in which an endogenous rhythm generates the seasonal reproductive transitions. Adult female sheep were pinealectomized to disrupt transduction of photoperiodic cues at 4 times of the year (summer and winter solstices, vernal and autumnal equinoxes), and the effects on seasonal reproductive neuroendocrine activity were evaluated. Time of pinealectomy greatly influenced the subsequent seasonal reproductive cycle such that the following inferences are possible. Lengthening days between the winter and summer solstices synchronize reproductive onset to the appropriate time of year. The relatively long days around the summer solstice act to suppress reproductive activity and forestall the start of the breeding season until late summer/early autumn. The shortening days between the summer solstice and autumnal equinox maintain a normal intensity and duration of reproductive neuroendocrine induction during the impending breeding season. However, the shortening days between the autumnal equinox and winter solstice (i.e., after breeding season onset) do not appear to play a critical role in maintaining the breeding season of that year, but may provide important cues for timing the breeding season of the following year.Abbreviations LH luteinizing hormonePresented in preliminary form at the 21st Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, 1988, Biol Reprod 38 (Suppl. 1): 184 (Abstract 408). This work was performed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Ph.D. at The University of Michigan (to N.L.W.), and was funded by NIH-HD-18337 and NIH-HD-18258, T-32-HD-07048, the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (France) and the Office of the Vice President for Research of The University of Michigan.