bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Upregulation of Bcl‐2 at the Foetal—Maternal Interface from Mice Undergoing Abortion
Authors: Bertoja A. Zambon , Zenclussen M. L. , Wollenberg I. , Paeschke S. , Sollwedel A. , Gerlof K. , Woiciechowsky C. , Volk H.‐D. , Zenclussen A. C.
Published: June 2005

Several burning questions remain unanswered in pregnancy‐related research. Pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines orchestrate an intriguing interaction leading either to the development of a normal individual or to its rejection. Augmented Th1 cytokines' production is involved in immunological rejection of the foetus. Excessive production of Th1 cytokines, particularly of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, also triggers apoptosis. Thus, in the present work we investigated the incidence of apoptosis in a well‐known experimental model of Th1‐induced abortion, characterized by increased local TNF‐α levels. Apoptosis of lymphocytes as well as their Th1 and Th2 cytokine production were analysed by flow cytometry. TNF‐α mRNA levels were additionally analysed by real time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) in placental and decidual samples. Total placental apoptosis activity was investigated by measuring caspase‐3 activity and by TdT‐mediated dUTP nick end label staining. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and real time RT‐PCR were used to localize and quantify several anti‐ and pro‐apoptotic molecules at the foetal–maternal interface. Despite elevated Th1 levels at the foetal–maternal interface, mice undergoing abortion presented comparable apoptotic rates. Interestingly, we found a significant upregulation of the anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 protein at the foetal–maternal interface from abortion‐prone mice, while no changes could be observed for pro‐apoptotic molecules. In the light of our results, we conclude that there is no evidence of increased apoptosis in mice undergoing immunological abortion in spite of elevated TNF‐α levels. This is probably due to a selective upregulation of anti‐apoptotic pathways (i.e. Bcl‐2) at the foetal–maternal interface as a compensatory and/or protective mechanism.
Bioactivation of Latent Transforming Growth Factor β1 by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Human Mononuclear Phagocytes
Authors: Aung H. , Wu M. , Johnson J. L. , Hirsch C. S. , Toossi Z.
Published: June 2005

Biologically active transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) has been identified at sites of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection in the lung; however, the underlying mechanism(s) for its activation is not clear. Here using an enzyme‐linked immunospot assay for TGFβ1, we show that human blood monocytes (MN) and alveolar macrophages (AM) produce bioactive TGFβ1 upon stimulation by MTB. However, only MTB‐stimulated MN increased TGFβ1 production on a per cell basis. The frequency of TGFβ1‐producing MN was reduced by an inhibitor of plasmin, bdellin, indicating a role for plasmin pathways in the bioactivation of cytokine. The expression of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) mRNA and both surface and soluble uPAR (CD87) was increased in MTB‐activated MN. However, antibody neutralization of uPAR suppressed bioactive TGFβ1 in MN alone. Thus, the more immature MN, which are continuously recruited to the lung during tuberculosis (TB), have a higher capacity to bioactivate TGFβ1 by expression of components of the plasmin pathway. Excess production and bioactivation of TGFβ1 at sites of MTB infection may undermine host immune responses during TB.
Immunoglobulin‐A antibodies in Upper Airway Secretions may Inhibit Intranasal Influenza Virus Replication in Mice but not Protect Against Clinical Illness
Authors: Bižanov G. , Janakova L. , Knapstad S.‐E. , Karlstad T. , Bakke H. , Haugen I. L. , Haugan A. , Samdal H. H. , Haneberg B.
Published: June 2005

Mice immunized intranasally with a formalin‐inactivated A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) influenza whole virus vaccine adjuvanted with cholera toxin, outer membrane vesicles from group B meningococci or formalin‐inactivated whole cell Bordetella pertussis were protected against replication of the homologous virus in the nasal cavity. Only some mice were protected against clinical illness measured as weight loss and lowered body temperature. All mice immunized subcutaneously with one‐tenth the intranasal vaccine dose without adjuvant were protected against clinical illness but not against local mucosal viral replication. Replicating virus was primarily found in animals with low concentrations of immunoglobulin (Ig)‐A antibodies in saliva regardless of concentrations of IgG antibodies in serum. Clinical illness was seen only in those with low serum antibodies regardless of antibody levels in saliva. Nonreplicating nasal vaccines may not be sufficiently protective unless they also have a substantial influence on systemic immunity.
Submarine‐spring controlled calcification and growth of large Rivularia bioherms, Late Pleistocene (MIS 5e), Gulf of Corinth, Greece
Authors: PORTMAN CLIVE , ANDREWS JULIAN E. , ROWE PETER J. , LEEDER MICHAEL R. , HOOGEWERFF JURIAN
Published: June 2005

The cyanobacterium Rivularia haematites has calcified to form unusually large (up to 10 m high) bioherms in the Pleistocene Gulf of Corinth. Today R. haematites calcifies only in freshwater environments but these Gulf of Corinth bioherms have a brackish affinity, limited areal extent, and occur within marine deposits. Field relations and preliminary U‐series dating suggest a marine isotope stage (MIS) 5e age for the bioherms. This age is compatible with published MIS 5e ages for corals in the marine sediments above the bioherms and is consistent with their current elevation based on average uplift rates. Bioherm growth during MIS 5e constrains their formation during a time of near sea‐level highstand when the Gulf of Corinth was marine. Growth cavities in the bioherms are encrusted by brackish tolerant coralline algae. Field mapping of the MIS 5e highstand palaeoshoreline shows the bioherms grew in water <16 m deep. Mg contents of the bioherm calcites, and associated coralline algal skeletons, are both much lower than expected for marine MIS 5e carbonates. They are best explained if the calcites precipitated from brackish fluids with Mg/Ca ratios below 2, implying at least 60% input of freshwater with low Mg/Ca ratio. Sr isotopes confirm a strong input of groundwater that had partially equilibrated with Mesozoic limestones. The limited areal extent of the bioherms and their close association with karstified fault scarps suggest that they formed in shallow sea water where freshwater submarine springs delivered CaCO3 saturated water that promoted rapid calcification of cyanobacteria. Rapid calcification and strong degassing of CO2 from the spring water resulted in disequilibrium stable isotope compositions for the calcites.
ARL1, a LOB‐domain protein required for adventitious root formation in rice
Authors: Liu Hongjia , Wang Shoufeng , Yu Xiaobo , Yu Jie , He Xiaowei , Zhang Shelong , Shou Huixia , Wu Ping
Published: June 2005

Adventitious roots constitute the bulk of the fibrous root system in cereals. Compared with the current understanding of shoot development, knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of development of the adventitious roots of cereals is limited. We have isolated and characterized a novel gene controlling the initiation of adventitious root primordia in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The gene, designated Adventitious rootless1 (ARL1), encodes a protein with a LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES (LOB) domain. It is expressed in lateral and adventitious root primordia, tiller primordia, vascular tissues, scutellum, and young pedicels. ARL1 is a nuclear protein and can form homodimers. ARL1 is an auxin‐ and ethylene‐responsive gene, and the expression pattern of ARL1 in roots parallels auxin distribution. Our findings suggest that ARL1 is an auxin‐responsive factor involved in auxin‐mediated cell dedifferentiation, and that it promotes the initial cell division in the pericycle cells adjacent to the peripheral vascular cylinder in the stem.
Canine serum immunoreactivity toM. pachydermatis in vitrois influenced by the phase of yeast growth
Authors: HABIBAH A. , CATCHPOLE B. , BOND R.
Published: June 2005

Abstract In western immunoblotting studies of canine sera usingMalassezia pachydermatisextracts, the reported patterns of immunoreactivity vary between different laboratories. Because the duration of culture influences the antigenic composition of lipid‐dependentMalasseziaspp. when probed with human sera, we investigated whether thein vitrogrowth phase ofM. pachydermatisinfluences immunoreactivity using canine sera. Extracts ofM. pachydermatisCBS 1879 grown in Sabouraud's liquid medium at 37 °C for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days were prepared by mechanical disruption, centrifugation, dialysis and lyophilization. Yeast growth phase was assessed by sequential colony counts and optical density measurements. Patterns of IgG immunoreactivity in high (n = 3) and low (n = 3) titre sera were compared using extracts prepared at each time point by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western immunoblotting. Protein bands of 62 and 49 kDa were recognized by all sera, and 98 and 68 kDa bands were recognized by five sera. Proteins of 188, 66, 58, 57, 38, 28 and 17 kDa were only recognized by high titre sera. All high titre sera used recognized more bands in exponential phase (d2) extracts when compared with decline phase (d8‐d10) extracts, and two of these sera showed most bands in stationary phase (d4‐d6) extracts. Bands of 62 and 57 kDa were primarily detected in exponential and early stationary phase extracts. There is variation in antigenic expression in different growth phases ofM. pachydermatis, which might explain discrepancies between previous laboratory studies of canine immunity to this yeast.
Long‐term potentiation in the rat dentate gyrus is associated with enhanced Arc/Arg3.1 protein expression in spines, dendrites and glia
Authors: Rodríguez J. J. , Davies H. A. , Silva A. T. , De Souza I. E. J. , Peddie C. J. , Colyer F. M. , Lancashire C. L. , Fine A. , Errington M. L. , Bliss T. V. P. , Stewart M. G.
Published: June 2005

Electron microscopic immunocytochemical methods were used to determine the localization, subcellular distribution and expression of activity‐regulated cytoskeletal protein (Arc/Arg3.1) in dentate gyrus after unilateral induction of long‐term potentiation (LTP) in the perforant pathway of anaesthetized rats. At 2 h post‐induction, immunoreaction product was visible in the dentate gyrus in both the granule cell and molecular layers. Arc expression was higher in the potentiated than the unstimulated contralateral hemisphere. Single‐section electron microscopy analysis in unstimulated tissue and in tissue prepared 2 and 4 h after LTP induction showed Arc immunoreactivity (Arc‐IR) in dendrites, dendritic spines and glia. Arc‐IR was associated with synaptic and non‐synaptic plasma membrane apposed to axon terminals and with cytoplasmic organelles, including the cytoskeleton. Arc‐IR was also present in neuronal perikarya and there was occasional labelling of nuclei and axons. At 2 h post‐LTP induction, there were significant increases in Arc‐IR within the granule cell and molecular layers of the dentate gyrus and particularly within the middle molecular layer relative to the inner and outer molecular layers. This increase in Arc expression 2 h after LTP induction was blocked by the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor antagonist (RS)‐3‐2‐carboxypiperazin‐4‐yl‐propyl‐1‐phosphonic acid. In animals killed 4 h after LTP induction, Arc expression had declined and differences between the potentiated and unpotentiated hemispheres were no longer significant. Our data provide ultrastructural evidence for a transient LTP‐associated increase in the expression of Arc protein in the middle molecular layer of the dentate gyrus, with preferential targeting to dendrites, dendritic spines and glia.
Changes in cutaneous and body temperature during and after conditioned fear to context in the rat
Authors: Vianna Daniel M. L. , Carrive Pascal
Published: June 2005

Infrared thermography was used to image changes in cutaneous temperature during a conditioned fear response to context. Changes in heart rate, arterial pressure, activity and body (i.p.) temperature were recorded at the same time by radio‐telemetry, in addition to freezing immobility. A marked drop in tail and paws temperature (−5.3 and −7.5 °C, respectively, down to room temperature), which lasted for the entire duration of the response (30 min), was observed in fear‐conditioned rats. In sham‐conditioned rats, the drop was on average half the magnitude and duration. In contrast, temperature of the eye, head and back increased (between + 0.8 and + 1.5 °C), with no difference between the two groups of rats. There was a similar increase in body temperature although it was slightly higher and delayed in the fear‐conditioned animals. Finally, ending of the fear response was associated with a gradual decrease in body temperature and a rebound increase in the temperature of the tail (+ 3.3 °C above baseline). This study shows that fear, and to some extent arousal, evokes a strong cutaneous vasoconstriction that is restricted to the tail and paws. This regionally specific reduction in blood flow may be part of a preparatory response to a possible fight and flight to reduce blood loss in the most exposed parts of the rat's body in case of injury. The data also show that the tail is the main part of the body used for dissipating internal heat accumulated during fear once the animal has returned to a safe environment.
Different basal levels of CaMKII phosphorylated at Thr286/287 at nociceptive and low‐threshold primary afferent synapses
Authors: Larsson Max , Broman Jonas
Published: June 2005

Postsynaptic autophosphorylation of Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) at Thr286/287 is crucial for the induction of long‐term potentiation at many glutamatergic synapses, and has also been implicated in the persistence of synaptic potentiation. However, the availability of CaMKII phosphorylated at Thr286/287 at individual glutamatergic synapses in vivo is unclear. We used post‐embedding immunogold labelling to quantitatively analyse the ultrastructural localization of CaMKII phosphorylated at Thr286/287 (pCaMKII) at synapses formed by presumed nociceptive and low‐threshold mechanosensitive primary afferent nerve endings in laminae I–IV of rat spinal cord. Immunogold labelling was enriched in the postsynaptic densities of such synapses, consistent with observations in pre‐embedding immunoperoxidase‐stained dorsal horn. Presynaptic axoplasm also exhibited sparse immunogold labelling, in peptidergic terminals partly associated with dense core vesicles. Analysis of single or serial pCaMKII‐immunolabelled sections indicated that the large majority of synapses formed either by presumed peptidergic or non‐peptidergic nociceptive primary afferent terminals in laminae I–II of the spinal cord, or by presumed low‐threshold mechanosensitive primary afferent terminals in laminae IIi–IV, contained pCaMKII in their postsynaptic density. However, the postsynaptic levels of pCaMKII immunolabelling at low‐threshold primary afferent synapses were only ∼ 50% of those at nociceptive synapses. These results suggest that constitutively autophosphorylated CaMKII in the postsynaptic density is a common characteristic of glutamatergic synapses, thus potentially contributing to maintenance of synaptic efficacy. Furthermore, pCaMKII appears to be differentially regulated between high‐ and low‐threshold primary afferent synapses, possibly reflecting different susceptibility to synaptic plasticity between these afferent pathways.
Use of non‐limiting substrates to increase size; a generic strategy to simultaneously optimize uptake and minimize predation in pelagic osmotrophs?
Authors: Thingstad T. Frede , Øvreås Lise , Egge Jorun K. , Løvdal Trond , Heldal Mikal
Published: June 2005

Coexistence of two organisms competing for the same nutrient is possible if one is an ‘uptake’, and the other a ‘predation defence’ specialist. In pelagic food webs this principle has been linked to cell size. Small osmotroph cells, with their high surface : volume ratio, have been argued to be uptake specialists, while larger osmotrophs avoiding the intense grazing pressure from small protozoan predators might represent ‘predation defence’ specialists. This may seem like an obligatory trade‐off situation that necessitates a choice of either being small or being large, and thus being potentially dominant in oligotrophic or in eutrophic environments, respectively. However, in a more precise form, the theory for nutrient diffusion states that it is the ‘surface : cell requirement of limiting element’ ratio, rather than the ‘surface : volume’ ratio, that is important. The distinction is crucial, since it opens up the possibility of there being life strategies that use a non‐limiting element to increase size. Hypothesized to maximize uptake and predator defence simultaneously, such strategies should be particularly successful. We suggest that this strategy is exploited by osmotrophs with different size and physiology, such as heterotrophic bacteria, unicellular cyanobacteria and diatoms. Since the strategy implies a shift in organism stoichiometry, the biogeochemical implications are strong, illustrating the tight relationships between physical micro‐scale processes, organism life strategies, biodiversity, food web structure, and biogeochemistry.
Models of cooperation based on the Prisoner's Dilemma and the Snowdrift game
Authors: Doebeli Michael , Hauert Christoph
Published: June 2005

Understanding the mechanisms that can lead to the evolution of cooperation through natural selection is a core problem in biology. Among the various attempts at constructing a theory of cooperation, game theory has played a central role. Here, we review models of cooperation that are based on two simple games: the Prisoner's Dilemma, and the Snowdrift game. Both games are two‐person games with two strategies, to cooperate and to defect, and both games are social dilemmas. In social dilemmas, cooperation is prone to exploitation by defectors, and the average payoff in populations at evolutionary equilibrium is lower than it would be in populations consisting of only cooperators. The difference between the games is that cooperation is not maintained in the Prisoner's Dilemma, but persists in the Snowdrift game at an intermediate frequency. As a consequence, insights gained from studying extensions of the two games differ substantially. We review the most salient results obtained from extensions such as iteration, spatial structure, continuously variable cooperative investments, and multi‐person interactions. Bridging the gap between theoretical and empirical research is one of the main challenges for future studies of cooperation, and we conclude by pointing out a number of promising natural systems in which the theory can be tested experimentally.
Experience‐induced preference for oviposition repellents derived from a non‐host plant by a specialist herbivore
Authors: Liu Shu‐Sheng , Li Yue‐Hong , Liu Yin‐quan , Zalucki Myron P.
Published: June 2005

Foraging adults of phytophagous insects are attracted by host‐plant volatiles and supposedly repelled by volatiles from non‐host plants. In behavioural control of pest insects, chemicals derived from non‐host plants applied to crops are expected to repel searching adults and thereby reduce egg laying. How experience by searching adults of non‐host volatiles affects their subsequent searching and oviposition behaviour has been rarely tested. In laboratory experiments, we examined the effect of experience of a non‐host‐plant extract on the oviposition behaviour of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, a specialist herbivore of cruciferous plants. Naive ovipositing DBM females were repelled by an extract of dried leaves of Chrysanthemum morifolium, a non‐host plant of DBM, but experienced females were not repelled. Instead they were attracted by host plants treated with the non‐host‐plant extract and laid a higher proportion of eggs on treated than on untreated host plants. Such behavioural changes induced by experience could lead to host‐plant range expansion in phytophagous insects and play an important role in determining outcome for pest management of some behavioural manipulation methods.
The combined effects of energy and disturbance on species richness in protist microcosms
Authors: Scholes Lianna , Warren Philip H. , Beckerman Andrew P.
Published: June 2005

The supply of energy, and the frequency of disturbance can both affect species diversity, often, although not always, producing unimodal diversity patterns along an energy or disturbance gradient. However, it has been suggested that diversity is a combined function of both factors, and the dynamic equilibrium model proposed by Huston (1979) is one formalization of this suggestion. This idea has received little direct testing. Here we carry out such a test using protist microcosms, in a factorial manipulation of six levels of energy (quantity of organic resource) and five levels of disturbance (frequency of temperature shock). Species richness responded to both energy supply and disturbance frequency, although not always unimodally. Patterns of response changed over time, and there was some evidence of an interaction between energy and disturbance at two of six time intervals. However, the specific form of this interaction differs from that predicted by the dynamic equilibrium model, and overall, the results provide little support for the model.
Species–energy relationship in the deep sea: a test using the Quaternary fossil record
Authors: Hunt Gene , Cronin Thomas M. , Roy Kaustuv
Published: June 2005

Little is known about the processes regulating species richness in deep‐sea communities. Here we take advantage of natural experiments involving climate change to test whether predictions of the species–energy hypothesis hold in the deep sea. In addition, we test for the relationship between temperature and species richness predicted by a recent model based on biochemical kinetics of metabolism. Using the deep‐sea fossil record of benthic foraminifera and statistical meta‐analyses of temperature‐richness and productivity‐richness relationships in 10 deep‐sea cores, we show that temperature but not productivity is a significant predictor of species richness over the past c. 130 000 years. Our results not only show that the temperature‐richness relationship in the deep‐sea is remarkably similar to that found in terrestrial and shallow marine habitats, but also that species richness tracks temperature change over geological time, at least on scales of c. 100 000 years. Thus, predicting biotic response to global climate change in the deep sea would require better understanding of how temperature regulates the occurrences and geographical ranges of species.
Aggression and Self‐Esteem: A Diary Study of Children's Reactivity to Negative Interpersonal Events
Authors: Esposito Alison J. , Kobak Roger , Little Michelle
Published: June 2005

Abstract
The study employs a daily diary design to assess self‐esteem reactivity and its association with children's aggressive behavior. We test the hypothesis that the self‐esteem of aggressive children will be more reactive to negative interpersonal events than the self‐esteem of nonaggressive children. Results provide partial support for the aggression/reactivity hypothesis. Aggressive children's self‐esteem was more reactive to negative peer events but less reactive to negative adult events than the self‐esteem of less aggressive children. These findings are discussed in relation to the experimental literature relating self‐esteem instability and ego‐threat to aggression and in relation to the extensive body of research on childhood aggression. Intervention implications are also considered.
From Sacred Mystery to Divine Deception: Robert Holkot, John Wyclif and the Transformation of Fourteenth‐Century Eucharistic Discourse
Authors: DENERY DALLAS G.
Published: June 2005

In his extremely popular preaching handbook the Summa praedicantium, in a chapter devoted to the Eucharist, the fourteenth‐century Dominican John Bromyard relates an exemplum about a certain holy man. This man's “faith towards the sacrament was so great,” Bromyard writes, that it was often said that were Christ himself to enter “the church during the elevation of the host, the man would not go to look at him, and in so doing lose sight of the host.”1 While it lacks the spectacular firepower that characterizes so many Eucharistic miracle stories, that characterize so many of Bromyard's own stories — like the one about the bees who construct a honeycomb tabernacle and buzz chants to honour a hive‐hidden host — in many ways it does more than most to move us to the very centre of the medieval Eucharistic experience.2 It is, when all is said and done, a story about belief and about the miracle of the Eucharist. This unnamed holy man does not need to get up, does not need to hurry over to greet Christ at the door. He does not need to do any of these things because he already sees Christ right there in the upraised hands of the priest, in the consecrated host.
The Singing of Laude and Musical Sensibilities in Early Seventeenth‐Century Confraternity Devotion: Part II*
Authors: ØSTREM EYOLF , PETERSEN NILS HOLGER
Published: June 2005

In Part I of this article, we gave an outline of the devotional and musical life in the confraternity of the Archangel Raphael emphasizing how the most recent developments in areas such as poetics and music theory were absorbed and brought into a synthesis both with the current musical practices and with the understanding of the religious ceremonies as they are manifested in the preserved ricordi of the confraternity. In Part II, a laude manuscript (arch. mus. II, 55) of unknown provenance that was introduced in Part I will be discussed with respect to its relevance to the musical, aesthetic and religious sensibilities of the Archangel Raphael confraternity in the seventeenth century.
Myasthenia gravis accompanied by alopecia areata: clinical and immunogenetic aspects
Authors: Suzuki S. , Shimoda M. , Kawamura M. , Sato H. , Nogawa S. , Tanaka K. , Suzuki N. , Kuwana M.
Published: June 2005

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients who had both myasthenia gravis (MG) and alopecia areata (AA). Clinical information was retrospectively collected for 159 Japanese patients with MG. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DQB1 and DRB1 alleles were determined by genotyping. Of 159 MG patients, six (3.7%) developed AA after the onset of MG and thymectomy. The prevalence of AA in MG patients was higher than that reported in Caucasians. The frequencies of bulbar involvement, myasthenic crisis, and thymoma were significantly higher in MG patients with AA than in those without (P = 0.007, 0.004, and 0.006, respectively). All but one patient with AA had advanced stage thymoma. Three patients with a severe form of AA (alopecia totalis) had additional autoimmune diseases: myocarditis, myositis, and pure red cell aplasia. DRB1*0901 and DQB1*0303 tended to be more frequently detected in the six MG patients with AA than in the 82 patients without it. In conclusion, a subset of MG patients who have severe neuromuscular symptoms and thymoma develop AA several years after thymectomy.
Increased muscular and cutaneous pain sensitivity in cephalic region in patients with chronic tension‐type headache
Authors: Ashina S. , Babenko L. , Jensen R. , Ashina M. , Magerl W. , Bendtsen L.
Published: June 2005

Increased excitability of the central nervous system generated by repetitive and sustained pericranial myofascial nociception may be responsible for transformation of episodic tension‐type headache into chronic form. We aimed to compare mechanical and electrical (intramuscular and cutaneous) pain thresholds in trapezius and anterior tibial regions between 20 patients with chronic tension type headache and 20 healthy controls. Pain thresholds to three types of electrical stimulation (single pulse, 2 and 100 Hz) were significantly lower in patients than in controls in trapezius muscle (P < 0.02) and in skin overlying the trapezius muscle (P < 0.05), whilst electrical pain thresholds did not differ between groups in anterior tibial muscle and skin. Quantitative sensory testing revealed increased pain sensitivity in patients as assessed by pressure‐controlled manual palpation (local tenderness score, LTS; P < 0.01) and by pressure algometry (mechanical pain thresholds; P < 0.05) in test areas over the trapezius muscle, but not the anterior tibial muscle. In summary, this study demonstrates lower pain thresholds in muscle and skin of the cephalic region but not in lower limb muscle and skin in patients with chronic tension‐type headache than in healthy controls. Increased sensitivity in nociceptive pathways from cephalic region may be of importance in the pathophysiology of chronic tension type headache.
Multiple attack study on the available triptans in Italy versus placebo
Authors: Vollono C. , Capuano A. , Mei D. , Ferraro D. , Pierguidi L. , Evangelista M. , Di Trapani G.
Published: June 2005

The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the five triptans that are commercially available in Italy (zolmitriptan 2.5 mg, rizatriptan 10 mg, sumatriptan 100 mg, almotriptan 12.5 mg and eletriptan 40 mg). The study was conducted in single‐blind versus placebo and its duration was 18 months. At the Headache Centre of the ‘Agostino Gemelli’ Hospital in Rome we selected 42 patients, suffering from headache with and without aura (International Headache Society Committee on Headache Classification, 1988 Cephalalgia 8:1–96), whose headache frequency ranged between 1‐ and 4‐monthly crises. For a total of 25 crises, for every five consecutive crises, a different triptan was taken. The end‐points of the study were as follows: response at 2 h, ‘pain free’ at 2 h and ‘sustained pain free’ (at 24 h). The intra‐patient consistency and the tolerability were also evaluated. Thirty patients completed the study and the statistical analysis was only applied to these patients. No substantial difference in terms of the efficacy of the triptans was noted; all triptans were well tolerated. These results suggest the possibility of testing different triptans in the same patient in order to identify the ideal drug for every patient.
Risk factors from brain tumors in children and adolescents: a case–control study in Belgrade, Serbia
Authors: Pavlovic M. V. , Jarebinski M. S. , Pekmezovic T. D. , Janicijevic M. A.
Published: June 2005

The objective of the present study was to test the different hypotheses about factors related to the occurrence of brain tumors in children and adolescents. The case–control study of brain tumors was conducted in Belgrade (Serbia) from 1998 through 2000. The study group consisted of 60 newly diagnosed brain tumor patients and the same number of hospital controls. In the analysis conditional univariate and multivariate logistic regression were applied. According to the final model of multivariate analysis the following factors were significantly related to brain tumors: schooling of father <14 years (OR = 11.05, 95% CI 2.41–50.63, P = 0.002), mothers – housewives or workers versus clerks (OR = 2.62, 95% CI 1.06–6.57, P = 0.036), number of brothers and sisters greater than one (OR = 3.02, 95% CI 1.50–7.22, P = 0.001), and more frequent presence of malignant diseases, including brain tumors, in family history (OR = 3.54, 95% CI 1.30–9.60, P = 0.001). This case–control study was made to investigate different factors of possible importance for brain tumors in children and adolescents. Lower family social status, and more frequent occurrence of malignant tumors amongst relatives seem to be the factors that contribute the most to the higher risk of brain tumors.
Outpatient hysteroscopy: traditional versus the ‘no‐touch’ technique
Authors: Sharma M. , Taylor A. , di Spiezio Sardo A. , Buck L. , Mastrogamvrakis G. , Kosmas I. , Tsirkas P. , Magos A.
Published: June 2005

Objective  To assess whether outpatient hysteroscopy using the ‘no‐touch’ technique confers any advantages in terms of patient discomfort over the traditional technique.

Design  Prospective randomised controlled study.

Setting  Outpatient hysteroscopy clinic in a large university undergraduate teaching hospital.

Population  All women referred for outpatient hysteroscopy in a 12‐month period.

Interventions  Women were randomised to undergo either traditional saline hysteroscopy requiring the use of a speculum and tenaculum, or a ‘no‐touch’ vaginoscopic hysteroscopy which does not require a speculum or tenaculum. Each group was further subdivided to have hysteroscopy with either a 2.9‐mm or 4‐mm hysteroscope. Patients were asked to complete pre‐ and postprocedure questionnaires ranking pain scores.

Main outcome measures  The relative success of each of these techniques, requirement for local anaesthetic and pain scores at different times during the hysteroscopy were recorded at the end of the procedure. The time taken to carry out each procedure was also measured.

Results  One hundred and twenty women were recruited in this study: 60 were randomised to traditional hysteroscopy and 60 to ‘no‐touch’ hysteroscopy. The overall success rate for hysteroscopy was 99%. There was no significant difference in the requirement for local anaesthetic between the two groups, but those who underwent ‘no‐touch’ hysteroscopy with a 2.9‐mm hysteroscope had the lowest requirement of local anaesthetic (10% compared with 27% in the no‐touch hysteroscopy with a 4‐mm hysteroscope group). The time taken to perform hysteroscopy and biopsy was significantly shorter with ‘no‐touch’ hysteroscopy (5.9 vs 7.8 min; difference 1.9, 95% CI 0.7–3.1). There were no differences in pain scores between the groups at different times during hysteroscopy.

Conclusions  ‘No‐touch’ or vaginoscopic hysteroscopy is significantly faster to perform than the traditional technique. Although there was no difference in pain scores between the two techniques, local anaesthetic requirements were least in those who underwent ‘no‐touch’ hysteroscopy with a narrow bore hysteroscope.
Shoulder dystocia training using a new birth training mannequin
Authors: Crofts Joanna F. , Attilakos Georgios , Read Mike , Sibanda Thabani , Draycott Timothy J.
Published: June 2005

Shoulder dystocia ‘skill drills’ are a requirement for the Maternity CNST standards. However, there is, as yet, no evidence that training in the management of shoulder dystocia improves outcome. We developed a mannequin for training and investigated its effectiveness. The management of shoulder dystocia improved following training with the mannequin. There was a reduction in the head‐to‐body delivery duration, and the maximum applied delivery force, following training; however, these did not reach statistical significance. After training no subject applied a delivery force of greater than 100 N, a level above which fetal injury has been shown to occur.
The arterial system in pre‐eclampsia and chronic hypertension with superimposed pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Hibbard Judith U. , Korcarz Claudia E. , Girardet Nendaz Genevieve , Lindheimer Marshall D. , Lang Roberto M. , Shroff Sanjeev G.
Published: June 2005

Objectives  To determine if the normal gestational changes in mechanical properties of the arterial system are altered in pre‐eclampsia.

Design  Prospective controlled observational study.

Setting  University urban tertiary medical centre.

Population  Eleven pre‐eclamptics and 10 chronic hypertensives with superimposed pre‐eclampsia were compared with 14 normotensive gravidas experiencing preterm labour, all receiving MgSO4. Two additional control groups were studied as well: (A) nine normal pregnant women receiving neither magnesium nor epidural, for baseline comparisons; and (B) eight normotensive gravidas receiving epidural anaesthesia.

Methods  Two‐dimensional targeted M‐mode echocardiograms and continuous wave Doppler velocity were used to obtain instantaneous pressure and flow data. Total vascular resistance (TVR) quantified the steady component of systemic arterial load; pulsatile arterial load was characterised by global arterial compliance (AC), aortic input impedance spectrum (Z1) and characteristic impedance (Z0).

Main outcome measures  TVR, AC, Z1, Z0.

Results  Controls, pre‐eclamptics and chronic hypertensives with superimposed pre‐eclampsia, respectively: TVR index 1328 [299], 1973 [609]*, 2428 [562]*,# dyn second cm−5 m2; AC area index 1.69 [0.46], 1.19 [0.46]*, 0.93 [0.38]* mL mmHg−1 m−2; Z0 index 253.2 [61.3], 327.0 [135.1], 307.5 [130.9] dyn second cm−5 m2; and Z1 index 184.2 [56.5], 283.6 [81.6]*, 357.1 [119.5]* dyn second cm−5 m2 (*P < 0.05 vs control;#P < 0.05 vs pre‐eclampsia). Normal gravidas (in secondary controls group A) had decreased mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and increased AC and cardiac indices, compared with women receiving magnesium tocolysis, verifying the need for these primary controls. No differences were noted between normotensive gravidas receiving epidural anaesthesia (secondary controls group B) and the non‐anesthetised controls (group A), eliminating epidural as a confounder.

Conclusions  The normal gestational changes in systemic arterial mechanical properties are significantly altered in pre‐eclampsia and these alterations are more marked with superimposed hypertensive disease.
Elevated levels of CRP in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: an unrecognised potential hazard?
Authors: Levin Ishai , Gamzu Ronni , Pauzner David , Rogowski Ori , Shapira Itzhak , Maslovitz Sharon , Almog Benny
Published: June 2005

Objective  Elevated levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP) were found recently to be a crucial marker for cardiovascular disease. This protein might have a role in endothelial cell activation, vascular damage and a thrombotic tendency. We sought to determine whether concentrations of CRP are altered in women with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) or hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

Design  A prospective cohort study.

Setting  The gynecology department and IVF unit of the Lis maternity hospital.

Population  Twenty women with OHSS, 20 women undergoing COH and 20 women who participated as controls were included in the study.

Methods  Venous blood was withdrawn for analysis of high sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) using the Boering BN‐II nephelometer.

Main outcome measures  hs‐CRP levels were determined.

Results  There was a significant (P < 0.05) difference in the hs‐CRP concentrations in women with OHSS compared with women with COH and controls. The respective values for hs‐CRP were 19.0 [4.0], 7.0 [1.7] and 4.6 [1.1] mg/L.

Conclusions  Women with OHSS have elevated concentrations of hs‐CRP. This finding, previously believed to merely represent an acute phase response, may actually represent a yet unrecognised pathophysiological factor of this syndrome and pave the way for new investigational directions of this potentially hazardous condition.
Morbidity and development in childhood of infants born after temporising treatment of early onset pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Withagen M.I.J. , Wallenburg H.C.S. , Steegers E.A.P. , Hop W.C.J. , Visser W.
Published: June 2005

Objective  To assess morbidity and development in childhood of infants born after temporising management of severe early onset pre‐eclampsia.

Design  Cohort study with matched controls.

Setting  University centre for high risk obstetrics.

Samples  Three groups of neonates matched for gender and year of birth: one born after temporising treatment of severe early onset (<32 weeks) pre‐eclampsia with an average delay of delivery of two weeks (n= 193); one born at the duration of pregnancy [1 week] of the pre‐eclamptic mother on admission (control group I, n = 192); and one born at the same gestational age [1 week] as the infant of the pre‐eclamptic mother (control group II, n= 189).

Method  Follow up at four years of age or more using medical records and questionnaires.

Main outcome measures  The presence of various morbidities including mental retardation, cerebral palsy, motor skill problems, visual handicap, hearing loss, speech and language problems, education level and acute or chronic respiratory problems.

Results  Median follow up of seven years (range 4–12) was achieved in 159 infants in the study group (83%), 122 in control group I (64%) and 110 in control group II (58%). Missing data analysis showed no differences in neonatal characteristics and morbidity between infants with and without follow up in the study group. All major and minor handicaps were less frequent in the study group than in control group I but statistical significance was reached only for acute and chronic respiratory disorders in the study group (13.8%) compared with control group I (27%).

Conclusion  Average delay of delivery of two weeks with temporising management in severe early onset pre‐eclampsia is associated with a reduced risk of respiratory disorders in childhood.
Maternal and perinatal morbidity of caesarean delivery at full cervical dilatation compared with caesarean delivery in the first stage of labour
Authors: Allen Victoria M. , O'Connell Colleen M. , Baskett Thomas F.
Published: June 2005

To estimate maternal and perinatal morbidity associated with caesarean delivery at full cervical dilatation, a population‐based cohort study from 1997 to 2002 was used, which included 1623 nullipara with singleton pregnancies at 37–42 weeks of gestation requiring caesarean delivery in labour. Compared to caesarean delivery at less than full dilatation, women undergoing caesarean delivery at full dilatation were more likely to have complications of intraoperative trauma (RR 2.6, P < 0.001) and infants with perinatal asphyxia (RR 1.5, P < 0.05). There was no difference in maternal or perinatal morbidity when duration of the second stage of labour or when failed assisted vaginal delivery was considered.
An accurate automated blood pressure device for use in pregnancy and pre‐eclampsia: the Microlife 3BTO‐A
Authors: Reinders A , Cuckson A.C. , Lee J.T.M , Shennan A.H.
Published: June 2005

Objective  To assess the accuracy of an automated blood pressure device (Microlife 3BTO‐A) in pregnancy and pre‐eclampsia according to the British Hypertension Society (BHS) protocol.

Design  Prospective observational study.

Setting  Antenatal ward and clinics at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.

Population  One hundred and five pregnant women including 35 women with non‐proteinuric hypertension and 35 with pre‐eclampsia.

Methods  Two trained observers took nine sequential same‐arm measurements from each woman. Measurements alternated between a mercury sphygmomanometer and the device.

Main outcome measures  Grading criteria of the BHS protocol (A/B grade = pass; C/D grade = fail).

Results  The device passed the BHS protocol by achieving an A/B grade. It also achieved criteria of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation for systolic and diastolic pressures respectively, in normotensive [−0.5 (5.7) mmHg; −0.07 (7.7) mmHg], non‐proteinuric hypertensive [−3.3 (6.9) mmHg; −2.4 (6.6) mmHg] and pre‐eclamptic pregnancy [−4.1 (6.4) mmHg; −1.3 (7.9) mmHg].

Conclusion  The Microlife 3BTO‐A can be recommended for use in a pregnant population, including pre‐eclampsia, according to the BHS protocol.
Transvaginal biopsy in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer
Authors: Faulkner Rebecca L. , Mohiyiddeen Lamiya , McVey Rhona , Kitchener Henry Charles
Published: June 2005

Laparotomy and debulking surgery followed by chemotherapy have been the treatment of choice in late stage ovarian carcinoma. Developments in the chemotherapeutic management of ovarian cancer have resulted in a change in opinion as to the optimal management of this disease. Many patients are now receiving initial chemotherapy and trials are in place to compare up front and adjuvant surgery. Tissue diagnosis is required prior to commencing chemotherapy. This article describes one method for accurately obtaining a tumour biopsy. A retrospective case note review of 14 women with a provisional diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma who underwent transvaginal biopsy of their pelvic disease is described. Only 7/12 cases with a positive biopsy had a definite diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The procedure was found to be safe and well tolerated.
Stress responses at birth: determinants of cord arterial cortisol and links with cortisol response in infancy
Authors: Miller N.M. , Fisk N.M. , Modi N. , Glover V.
Published: June 2005

Objective  To investigate (A) the determinants of infant stress response at delivery and (B) test the hypothesis that stress at birth, as reflected by cord arterial cortisol, influences cortisol response to vaccination at two months.

Design  Prospective observational study.

Setting  Tertiary referral maternity hospital.

Population  One hundred and seventy‐two primiparous women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies.

Methods  Women were recruited antenatally. At birth, cord arterial blood and obstetric data were collected. Saliva was collected from infants immediately before and after vaccination at two months. Cortisol was analysed from cord blood and saliva by radio‐immunoassay.

Main outcome measures  Stress response at birth, as demonstrated by cord arterial cortisol; association with saliva cortisol response to vaccination at two months.

Results  Cord arterial cortisol varied with mode of delivery, combined spinal/epidural use and pH. Salivary cortisol response at two months correlated with cord arterial cortisol (r= 0.24, P < 0.05). Infants with the highest and lowest cord arterial cortisol had markedly different cortisol responses at two months (P= 0.017). These groups had different modes of delivery with caesarean rates of <8% in the high cortisol response group and 83% in the low cortisol response group (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion  Babies born vaginally mount greater cortisol responses at birth than those delivered by caesarean section. Stress at delivery may influence the infant HPA axis response for up to two months.
Effects of Bt maize on Frankliniella tenuicornis and exposure of thrips predators to prey‐mediated Bt toxin
Authors: Obrist L.B. , Klein H. , Dutton A. , Bigler F.
Published: June 2005

As a part of a risk assessment procedure, the impact of Bt maize expressing Cry1Ab toxin on the thrips Frankliniella tenuicornis (Uzel) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) was investigated, and the potential risks for predators feeding on thrips on Bt maize were evaluated. The effects of Bt maize on F. tenuicornis were assessed by measuring life‐table parameters when reared on Bt and non‐Bt maize. The content of Cry1Ab toxin in different stages of F. tenuicornis reared on Bt maize and the persistence of the toxin in adults where determined in order to evaluate the possible exposure of predators when feeding on thrips. In addition, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) was used as a model predator to assess how the behaviour of prey and predator may influence the exposure of a natural enemy to the Bt toxin. Life‐table parameter results showed that F. tenuicornis was not affected when it was reared on Bt maize. This indicates that the potential for prey quality‐mediated effects on predators is low. Bt content was highest in thrips larvae and adults, and negligible in the non‐feeding prepupal and pupal stages. The persistence of the Cry1Ab toxin in adult F. tenuicornis was short, resulting in a decrease of 97% within the first 24 h. Predation success by young C. carnea larvae varied among the thrips stages, indicating that exposure of predators to Bt toxin can additionally depend on the prey stage. When combining the current knowledge of the susceptibility of major thrips predators with our findings showing no potential for prey quality‐mediated effects, relatively low toxin content in thrips as well as short persistence, it can be concluded that the risks for predators when feeding on thrips in or next to Bt maize fields are negligible.