Apparent autistic traits in transgender people: a prospective study of the impact of gender-affirming hormonal treatment.

PURPOSE: We evaluated differences in Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) scores between a sample of hormone-naïve transgender and cisgender people and the impact of gender-affirming hormonal treatment (GAHT) on AQ scores across time. Furthermore, we assessed alexithymia and social anxiety as possible mediators of changes in AQ scores. METHODS: A cross-sectional comparison between cisgender and transgender people before GAHT and a prospective study on the effects of GAHT over time were performed. Transgender and cisgender people completed several psychometric tests. A total sample of 789 persons (n = 229 cismen; n = 172 ciswomen; n = 206 transmen; n = 182 transwomen) referring to the Florence and Rome Gender Clinics between 2018 and 2020 was enrolled. Of these, 62 participants referring to the Florence Gender Clinic were evaluated in a prospective study at baseline and 12 months after GAHT. RESULTS: Groups showed significant differences in terms of autistic traits: ciswomen showed lower scores of AQ, while cismen reported higher scores of AQ than all other groups. Transgender individuals showed significant higher levels of Gender Dysphoria (GD), body uneasiness, alexithymia and social anxiety, compared to cisgender ones. No significant differences in general psychopathology were found between groups. Across time, transmen and transwomen showed a significant reduction in AQ scores. The decrease in alexithymia and social anxiety after GAHT did not predict the change in AQ scores. CONCLUSIONS: The autistic traits in our sample may represent an epiphenomenon of GD rather than being part of an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) condition, since they significantly decreased after 12 months of GAHT.

SIGIS-SIAMS-SIE position statement of gender affirming hormonal treatment in transgender and non-binary people.

PURPOSE: Gender Incongruence (GI) is a marked and persistent incongruence between an individual's experienced and the assigned gender at birth. In the recent years, there has been a considerable evolution and change in attitude as regards to gender nonconforming people. METHODS: According to the Italian Society of Gender, Identity and Health (SIGIS), the Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine (SIAMS) and the Italian Society of Endocrinology (SIE) rules, a team of experts on the topic has been nominated by a SIGIS-SIAMS-SIE Guideline Board on the basis of their recognized clinical and research expertise in the field, and coordinated by a senior author, has prepared this Position statement. Later on, the present manuscript has been submitted to the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation for the normal process of international peer reviewing after a first internal revision process made by the SIGIS-SIAMS-SIE Guideline Board. RESULTS: In the present document by the SIGIS-SIAMS-SIE group, we propose experts opinions concerning the psychological functioning, gender affirming hormonal treatment, safety concerns, emerging issues in transgender healthcare (sexual health, fertility issues, elderly trans people), and an Italian law overview aimed to improve gender non-conforming people care. CONCLUSION: In this Position statement, we propose experts opinions concerning the psychological functioning of transgender people, the gender-affirming hormonal treatment (full/partial masculinization in assigned female at birth trans people, full/partial feminization and de-masculinization in assigned male at birth trans people), the emerging issues in transgender health care aimed to improve patient care. We have also included an overview of Italian law about gender affirming surgery and registry rectification.

Quality of Life of Patients with Mandibular Third Molars and Mild Pericoronitis. A Comparison between Two Different Treatments: Extraction or Periodontal Approach.

Background: The extraction of the mandibular third molar is one of the most frequent intervention in oral surgery. A common indication for wisdom tooth extraction is represented by pericoronitis, which can determine discomfort and pain in patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of patients' quality of life by comparing a surgical approach with a periodontal approach. METHODS: We evaluated 82 patients diagnosed with pericoronitis that occurred at the third molar site. In total, 41 of them received a periodontal treatment and 41 were treated by extraction. The quality of life (QoL) of the patients was assessed by using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) index. RESULTS: A total of 82 patients were included in the study and were followed up for 6 months. Of the patients, 41 received a periodontal treatment and 41 underwent surgical extraction. At the baseline, the OHIP-14 scores of the surgical group were higher (19.71, SD 9.90) than the periodontal group (14.41, SD 8.71). At 1 week, there was a reduction in terms of OHIP-14 in both groups, but the periodontal group showed lower values (12.3, SD 8.11). Long-term follow-up showed a reduction of the OHIP-14 values, with a difference in favor of the surgical group (0.10, SD 0.45). However, there was a reduction in OHIP-14 scores in both groups. CONCLUSION: Although the periodontal treatment offered a rapid improvement in terms of quality of life during the first week after the treatment, after 1 month and 6 months, the extraction of the mandibular third molar extraction remained the best treatment, removing the occurrence of re-inflammation of the site.

Transition memories: experiences of trans adult women with hormone therapy and their beliefs on the usage of hormone blockers to suppress puberty.

PURPOSE: In recent years, an increasing number of specialized gender clinics have been prescribing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs to adolescents diagnosed with gender dysphoria (GD) to suppress puberty. This paper presents qualitative research on the hormone therapy (HT) experiences of older trans-people and their views on puberty suppression. The main aim of this research was to explore the psychological aspects of hormonal treatments for gender non-conforming adults, including the controversial use of puberty suppression treatments. METHODS: Using a semi-structured interview format, ten adult trans-women were interviewed (mean age: 37.4) to explore their personal histories regarding GD onset and development, their HT experiences, and their views on the use of GnRH analogs to suppress puberty in trans-children and adolescents. RESULTS: the interview transcripts were analyzed using the consensual qualitative research method from which several themes emerged: the onset of GD, childhood experiences, experiences with puberty and HT, views on the puberty suspension procedure, and the effects of this suspension on gender identity and sexuality. CONCLUSIONS: The interviews showed that overall, the participants valued the new treatment protocol due to the opportunity to prevent the severe body dysphoria and social phobia trans-people experience with puberty. It seems that the risk of social isolation and psychological suffering is increased by the general lack of acceptance and stigma toward trans-identities in the Italian society. However, during gender transitions, they highlight the need to focus more on internal and psychological aspects, rather than over-emphasize physical appearance. This study gives a voice to an under-represented group regarding the use of GnRH analogs to suppress puberty in trans-individuals, and collected firsthand insights on this controversial treatment and its recommendations in professional international guidelines.

Influence of emulsifier structure on lipid bioaccessibility in oil-water nanoemulsions.

The influence of several nonionic surfactants (Tween-20, Tween-40, Tween-60, Span-20, Span-60, or Span-80) and anionic surfactants (sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium stearoyl lactylate, and sodium stearyl fumarate) showed drastic differences in the rank order of lipase activity/lipid bioaccessibility. The biophysical composition of the oil and water interface has a clear impact on the bioaccessibility of fatty acids (FA) by altering the interactions of lipase at the oil-water interface. It was found that the bioaccessibility was positively correlated with the hydrophilic/lipophilic balance (HLB) of the surfactant and inversely correlated to the surfactant aliphatic chain length. Furthermore, the induction time in the jejunum increased as the HLB value increased and decreased with increasing aliphatic chain length. The rate of lipolysis slowed in the jejunum with increasing HLB and with increasing aliphatic chain length.

Navigated knee kinematics after cutting of the ACL and its secondary restraint.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the kinematics changes of the knee after cutting of the ACL with or without injury of the anterolateral structures. METHODS: In this study, the role of the ACL and one of the secondary restraints in controlling knee stability using a navigation system was evaluated. The kinematics of the knee was evaluated in different conditions of instability: ACL intact, after dissection of the posterolateral (PL) bundle, after dissection of the anteromedial (AM) bundle, and after lesion of the lateral capsular ligament (LCL). Anterior tibial translation and rotation were measured with a computer navigation system in 10 fresh-frozen cadaveric knees by use of a manual maximum load. Anterior translation was evaluated at 30°, 60°, and 90° of flexion; rotation at 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°. RESULTS: Cutting the PL bundle does not increase anterior translation and rotation of the knee. Cutting the AM bundle significantly increased the anteroposterior (AP) translation at 30° and 60° (P = 0.01), but does not increase rotation of the knee. Cutting the LCL increased anterior translation at 60° (P = 0.04) and rotation at 30°, 45°, and 60° (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Within the testing conditions of this study, the PL bundle does not affect anterior translation and rotation of the knee; the AM bundle is the primary restraint of the anterior translation but does not affect rotation of the knee while the lesion of the LCL increases tibial rotation and could be related to the pivot shift phenomenon, so it is more correct and biomechanical valid to assess and repair the associated lesion of the antero-lateral structure of the knee at the time of ACL surgery.

Reactive oxygen species are involved in pollen tube initiation in kiwifruit.

The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during pollen tube growth has been well established, but its involvement in the early germination stage is poorly understood. ROS production has been reported in germinating tobacco pollen, but evidence for a clear correlation between ROS and germination success remains elusive. Here, we show that ROS are involved in germination and pollen tube formation in kiwifruit. Using labelling with dihydrofluorescein diacetate (H(2) FDA) and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT), endogenous ROS were detected immediately following pollen rehydration and during the lag phase preceding pollen tube emergence. Furthermore, extracellular H(2) O(2) was found to accumulate, beginning a few minutes after pollen suspension in liquid medium. ROS production was essential for kiwifruit pollen performance, since in the presence of compounds acting as superoxide dismutase/catalase mimic (Mn-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridyl)21H,23H-porphin, Mn-TMPP) or as NADPH oxidase inhibitor (diphenyleneiodonium chloride, DPI), ROS levels were reduced and pollen tube emergence was severely or completely inhibited. Moreover, ROS production was substantially decreased in the absence of calcium, and by chromium and bisphenol A, which inhibit germination in kiwifruit. Peroxidase activity was cytochemically revealed after rehydration and during germination. In parallel, superoxide dismutase enzymes, particularly the Cu/Zn-dependent subtype - which function as superoxide radical scavengers - were detected by immunoblotting and by an in-gel activity assay in kiwifruit pollen, suggesting that ROS levels may be tightly regulated. Timing of ROS appearance, early localisation at the germination aperture and strict requirement for germination clearly suggest an important role for ROS in pollen grain activation and pollen tube initiation.

Proteomic changes and molecular effects associated with Cr(III) and Cr(VI) treatments on germinating kiwifruit pollen.

The present study is aimed at identifying molecular changes elicited by Cr(III) and Cr(VI) on germinating kiwifruit pollen. To address this question, comparative proteomic and DNA laddering analyses were performed. While no genotoxic effect was detected, a number of proteins whose accumulation levels were altered by treatments were identified. In particular, the upregulation of some proteins involved in the scavenging response, cell redox homeostasis and lipid synthesis could be interpreted as an oxidative stress response induced by Cr treatment. The strong reduction of two proteins involved in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and a decline in ATP levels were also observed. The decrease of pollen energy availability could be one of the causes of the severe inhibition of the pollen germination observed upon exposure to both Cr(III) and Cr(VI). Finally, proteomic and biochemical data indicate proteasome impairment: the consequential accumulation of misfolded/damaged proteins could be an important molecular mechanism of Cr(III) toxicity in pollen.

Surgical access and damage extent after total hip arthroplasty influence early gait pattern and guide rehabilitation treatment.

AIM: Different surgical approaches are used in total hip arthroplasty. The present study confronted two surgical techniques, analysing functional recovery in terms of activities of daily living, and ambulation using gait analysis, after a standardized rehabilitation protocol. Our hypothesis was that the increased surgical damage could modify the gait pattern and functional recovery. METHODS: Thirty patients were randomly assigned to two homogeneous groups: Group A was treated with intermuscular minimally invasive surgery (MIS); Group B was treated with standard lateral transmuscular approach. Follow up was planned at 30 and 90 days. Instrumental evaluation using gait analysis and functional evaluation using validated scales were performed at follow up. RESULTS: No differences could be found as for functional scales. At the first follow up, the MIS approach proved to be the most favourable: data showed a longer duration of the swing phase, an improved range of motion of the non-treated hip, a reduced adduction (all P<0.005) and a correct timing of activation of the gluteus medium muscle on the treated side. At the second evaluation, gait analysis demonstrated some benefits of the intermuscular approach (a better flexion of both hips, and a minor obliquity of the pelvis during the terminal stance), but also advantages in the transmuscular group (better hip extension). CONCLUSION: Gait pattern after THA seems to be strictly dependent on surgical access and on the extent and location of surgical damage. It appears important to consider these elements in order to correctly manage the rehabilitation treatment after surgery.

The environmental endocrine disruptor, bisphenol A, affects germination, elicits stress response and alters steroid hormone production in kiwifruit pollen.

In vitro toxicity of the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA) to pollen, the male haploid generation of higher plants, was studied. BPA caused significant inhibition of both tube emergence and elongation of kiwifruit pollen in a dose-dependent manner, beginning at 10 mg · l(-1); morphological changes to tubes were also detected. Despite strong inhibition of pollen tube production and growth, a large percentage of treated cells remained viable. Immunoblotting experiments indicated that levels of BiP and 14-3-3, which are proteins involved in stress response, substantially increased in BPA-treated pollen compared to controls. The increases were dose-dependent in the range 10-50 mg · l(-1) BPA, i.e. even when germination ability was completely blocked. Steroid hormones (17 ß-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone) were detected in kiwifruit pollen, and their levels increased during germination in basal medium. In a BPA treatment of 30 mg · l(-1), larger increases in both estrogen and testosterone concentrations were detected, in particular, a six-fold increase of 17 ß-estradiol over control concentration (30 min). The increased hormone levels were maintained for at least the 90 min incubation. Increasing concentrations of exogenous testosterone and 17 ß-estradiol increasingly inhibited pollen tube emergence and elongation. Current data for BPA-exposed kiwifruit pollen suggest a toxicity mechanism that is at least in part based on a dramatic imbalance of steroid hormone production during tube organisation, emergence and elongation. It may be concluded that BPA, a widespread environmental contaminant, can cause serious adverse effects to essential pollen functions. On a broader scale, this chemical poses a potential risk to the reproductive success of higher plants.

Biomechanical evaluation of different anterior cruciate ligament fixation techniques for hamstring graft.

BACKGROUND: A number of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) fixation techniques are currently in use. Slippage or failure of the graft by excessive loading or aggressive rehabilitation may result in an unstable knee. Load and slippage of the ACL graft varies according to the fixation technique used. METHODS: Graft slippage, load to failure, and stiffness were evaluated using an animal model. Six soft tissue ACL fixation techniques and bone cement as a fixation device were tested: group A, Endo Button CL-Bio RCI; group B, Swing Bridge-Evolgate; group C, Rigidfix-Intrafix; group D, Bone Mulch-Washer Lock; group E, Transfix-Retroscrew; group F, Transfix-Deltascrew; group G, Kryptonite bone cement. Maximum failure load, stiffness, and slippage at the 1st and 1000th cycles and mode of failure were evaluated. RESULTS: The maximum failure load was significantly higher in group B (1030 N) and significantly lower in group E (483 N) than in the others. The stiffness of group B (270 N/mm) was significantly higher than the others. As for the mode of failure, group C showed failure in the femoral side in all tests (four device ruptures and two tendon ruptures on the femoral side). All failures of the other groups occurred on the tibial side except one test in group A. All failures in group G were due to slippage of the tendons. CONCLUSION: Load to failure and stiffness was significantly different between the ACL fixation techniques. All but one of the fixation techniques showed sufficient properties for adequate postoperative rehabilitation. Bone cement used as a fixation device in soft tissue grafts did not seem to provide adequate initial fixation suitable for early rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction.

[MDCT in GIST evaluation.]. / Ruolo della TC Multidetettore nello studio dei tumori stromali gastrointestinali (GIST).

AIM: The aim of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of MDCT in the study of gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST), and to compare CT results with histological findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MDCT exams of 18 patients with 19 lesions, with histological proven GISTs diagnosis, were retrospectively evaluated in order to assess the localization, the size, the contours, as well as the CT pattern and enhancement of the lesions. All the tumors were recorded with Fletcher and Miettinen classification, which evaluate the risk assessment in the gastrointestinal stromal tumours. CT findings were correlated with histological results after surgery. RESULTS: MDCT properly identified the localization and the size in all cases. CT features essentially agreed with histological features. CONCLUSIONS: The immunopositivity to c-KIT (CD117) is the key to making a diagnosis of GIST. CT is the modality of choice to study these neoplasms, evaluating the tumour's site and size with high accuracy. In our experience MDCT proved to be a valid diagnostic tool, highly correlated with histological features.

The cell wall of kiwifruit pollen tubes is a target for chromium toxicity: alterations to morphology, callose pattern and arabinogalactan protein distribution.

Trivalent chromium has previously been found to effectively inhibit kiwifruit pollen tube emergence and elongation in vitro. In the present study, a photometric measure of increases in tube wall production during germination showed that 25 and 50 mum CrCl(3) treatment induced a substantial reduction in levels of polysaccharides in walls over those in controls. Moreover, chromium-treated kiwifruit pollen tubes had irregular and indented cell walls. Callose, the major tube wall polysaccharide, was deposited in an anomalous punctuate pattern. Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs), which are integral in maintaining correct tube growth and shape in kiwifruit pollen, were found to be strongly altered in their distribution after CrCl(3) treatment compared to control tube walls. Transmission electron microscopy-immunogold analysis using four monoclonal antibodies (JIM8, JIM13, JIM14 and MAC207) revealed discontinuous AGP distribution within the treated tube walls. Such clearly discernable alterations in the molecular and morphological architecture of pollen tube walls may be detrimental in vivo for the male gametophyte to accomplish its vital role in the fertilisation process.

In vitro treatment with killed Helicobacter pylori downregulates the production of RANTES by peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

The mechanisms by which Helicobacter pylori colonizes and persists within the gastric mucosa are poorly understood. The gastric immune response observed in vivo during H. pylori infection, is characterized by a polarization of Th1 cell type that seems to be responsible for gastric pathology. The purpose of this study was to test the direct effect of H. pylori cagA(+)/vacA(+ )(live and/or gentamicin-killed) on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in order to evaluate the production of regulated activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) in vitro. We also evaluated the possible relationship between RANTES release and the presence of IL-12 and IFN-gamma in supernatants of the same cells. In the present study, we show for the first time that the low amount of RANTES in supernatants of PBMC incubated with killed H. pylori is linked, at least in part, to the inhibition of IL-12 and IFN-gamma release.

In vitro toxicity towards kiwifruit pollen of the antimicrobial peptides magainins 1 and 2.

In vitro toxicity of the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) magainin 1 and 2 to a higher plant organism, i.e., the bicellular male gametophyte of Actinidia Deliciosa (kiwifruit), is investigated. Heavy damage to the plasma membrane, the primary cellular target of the peptides, was rapidly induced: in as few as 15 min, from 70 to nearly 100 % of pollen grains were rendered unviable by 20 microM magainin 1 or 2, respectively. Therefore, kiwifruit pollen sensitivity to natural magainins seemed to be higher if compared to the sensitivity of other pollen species towards magainin 2 amide or synthetic magainin analogues. Strong dose-dependent inhibitory effects on kiwifruit pollen performance were registered: as for magainin 1, the EC (50) at 120 min varied from 14.0 (germination) to 15.8 microM (tube elongation). The inhibitory effect was much greater when administering magainin 1 to elongating tubes rather than to ungerminated pollen grains. The two peptides differentially affected kiwifruit pollen, in line with the previously documented greater activity of magainin 2 in other cell systems. Furthermore, 20 microM magainin 1-treated pollen grains took on a shrivelled shape within 30 min of incubation, an increasingly widespread effect with higher peptide concentration. At the ultrastructural level, both protoplast shrinkage and striking organelle alterations were evident, including chromatin condensation, swelling and loss of mitochondrial cristae, dilation of rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae, and vacuolization of cytoplasm. To our knowledge, similar alterations in animal or plant cells treated with AMPs have not been described yet.

A lateral minimal-incision technique in total hip replacement: a prospective, randomizes, controlled trial.

Minimally invasive surgery has become a trend over the last few years in all aspects of orthopaedic surgery, including total hip arthroplasty. So-called mini-incision techniques involve limiting the length of the skin incision to 10 cm with use of either an anterior, lateral or posterior approach. Between March 2004 and December 2005 one hundred consecutive unilateral total hip replacements were performed by the same senior surgeon in our institute. All patients were randomly assigned to study group (group A) or control group (group B). In group A (50 patients) the skin incision was 8 cm; in group B (50 patients) the skin incision was standard (about 12-14 cm). Patient demographic data, including sex, age, height, weight, BMI, diagnosis and preoperative Harris hip score were recorded. Other criteria evaluated included the perioperative and postoperative complications, the surgical time, the blood loss, the length of the incision, the acetabular and stem positions, the length of hospital stay, Harris Hip Score (HHS) and the WOMAC osteoarthritis index at six months. No significant differences were found between the groups with respect to the average surgical time, the acetabular and stem position, the length of hospital stay and the Harris Hip Score (HHS) and the WOMAC osteoarthritis index at six months. A significant lower blood loss was found in the mini-incision group. A higher percentage of peri-operative complications was recorded in Group A (two stupor of sciatic nerve and one fracture of the greater trochanter). On the basis of our experience we could speculate that minimally invasive surgery should be directed to the new surgical approach with muscle sparing, instead of a shorter skin incision using standard approaches.

A novel retinoic/butyric hyaluronan ester for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia: preliminary preclinical results.

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) represents the therapy of choice for patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). However, patients often relapse due to ATRA-resistance. The molecular basis of APL alterations indicates that addition of a histone deacetylase inhibitor to ATRA may restore the sensitivity to retinoids. We explored the in vitro and in vivo effects of a novel retinoic/butyric hyaluronan ester (HBR) on a retinoic acid (RA)-sensitive human myeloid cell line, NB4, and on its RA-resistant subclone, NB4.007/6. In vitro, HBR induced growth arrest and terminal differentiation in RA-sensitive NB4 cells (as confirmed by an increased expression of CD11 family members and nitroblue tetrazolium assay), whereas it inhibited the growth of RA-resistant cells by apoptosis, paralleled by an increase in the levels of caspase 3 and 7. In vivo, HBR treatment of NB4-inoculated severe combined immunodeficient mice resulted in a statistically significant increase in survival time (P<0.0001), comparable to that induced by a maximum tolerated dose of RA alone. Also on P388-inoculated mice, HBR was active in contrast to RA that was completely ineffective. Present findings suggest that, owing to the simultaneous presence of RA and an histone deacetylases inhibitor, HBR might be useful in controlling the proliferation of RA-resistant cells and the differentiation of RA-sensitive cells.

Association between Pro12Ala polymorphism of the PPAR-gamma2 gene and insulin sensitivity in Brazilian patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus.

AIM: Peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 (PPAR-gamma2) is a nuclear receptor that plays an important role in lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association of Pro12Ala polymorphism at the PPAR-gamma2 gene in Brazilian patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2Dm) and controls (CG). METHODS: Genomic DNA was obtained from 207 unrelated white people presenting with T2Dm and from 170 controls. Anthropometric data included body mass index and waist to hip ratio. Biochemical parameters included fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glycated haemoglobin and insulin. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also measured. Screening for mutations in the entire coding region of the PPAR-gamma gene was performed by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), single-strand conformational polymorphism and sequencing. Pro12Ala polymorphism was analysed by using PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment-length polymorphism). RESULTS: One base substitution was identified - a C to G substitution in exon B of the PPAR-gamma2 gene. The frequency of the Ala12 allele in T2Dm (0.09) was similar to that found in CG (0.06, p = 0.185). In the T2Dm group, Ala12 allele was associated with lower fasting plasma insulin levels (p = 0.036) and higher insulin sensitivity (p = 0.049) by means of homeostasis model assessment. Among obese people, there was no association between any of the T2Dm or obesity-related traits and the Pro12Ala polymorphism. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that people with the Ala12 allele of the PPAR-gamma2 gene could be more sensitive to insulin than those carriers of the Pro12 allele among Brazilian Caucasians.