bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complications of laparoscopic hysterectomy: the Monash experience
Authors: Tsaltas J , Lawrence A , Michael M , Pearce S
Published: October 2004

A retrospective review of medical records was performed to assess the incidence and type of significant complications encountered during laparoscopic hysterectomy. Two hundred and sixty‐five consecutive patients were reviewed between the years 1994 and August 2001. Two hundred and thirty‐two laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomies and 33 total laparoscopic hysterectomies were performed.

The operations were performed at Monash Medical Centre, a Melbourne tertiary public hospital, and two Melbourne private hospitals, by three surgeons. Ten significant complications occurred. There were two cases of ureteric fistula, two bladder injuries, two bowel obstructions, two postoperative haematomas, one case of a bladder fistula and one superficial epigastric artery injury. In‐patient stay ranged from two to six days. Our complication and in‐patient stay rates are consistent with previously reported rates.
Early‐onset group B Streptococcus prevention protocols in New Zealand public hospitals
Authors: Gosling Isobelle A , Stone Peter R , Grimwood Keith
Published: October 2004

Objective

Determine group B streptococcus (GBS) prevention protocols.

Methods

Questionnaire survey of 19 hospitals accounting for 73% of New Zealand births.

Results

Prevention policies were reported by 16 (84%) hospitals (bacteriological‐screening n = 4, risk‐factor determination n = 8, both strategies n = 4). Only five out of 12 (42%) centres using risk‐assessment administered antibiotics for all high‐risk criteria. Inadequate specimen collection and culture methods meant no hospital maximised culture‐based strategies. Nevertheless, hospitals with prevention policies had lower early‐onset GBS disease rates (0.46 versus 1.44 per 1,000 births; OR 0.32; (95% CI 0.12, 0.98)).

Conclusions

Prevention strategies can be further improved by hospitals fully implementing nationally agreed guidelines.
A survey of practice preferences and attitudes to the New Zealand Guidelines for the Management of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Authors: Park Serena , Farquhar CM
Published: October 2004

Objective

To survey the practice preferences and the attitudes of New Zealand gynaecologists, general practitioners and family planning doctors to Guidelines for the Management of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding.

Study design

A postal survey collected information on the following: demographics, practice preferences, knowledge of, usage of and attitudes toward the Guidelines for the Management of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding. The survey was sent to randomly selected practising general practitioners (n = 531), all specialist gynaecologists (n = 194) and all Family Planning Association doctors (n = 69) in New Zealand. Replies were received from 441 (56%).

Results

The preferred first choice for the management of heavy menstrual bleeding by general practitioners and family planning doctors was nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory medications (23%). Tranexamic acid was the preferred first choice medication for the management of heavy menstrual bleeding by specialists (57%), and preferred second choice (as well as levonorgestrel intrauterine system) by general practitioners and family planning doctors (34%). Barriers identified by general practitioners and family planning doctors to implementing the guideline included inability to access ultrasound scanning and specialist services, and a lack of subsidy for tranexamic acid and the levonorgestrel intrauterine system.

Conclusions

There has been a change in prescribing patterns since 1995 among specialist and general practitioners and family planning doctors in New Zealand in accordance with the Guidelines for the Management of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding. Further attention to reducing barriers should focus on increasing access to ultrasound scanning, specialist services and subsidising the levonorgestrel intrauterine system.
Clinical relevance of urokinase‐type plasminogen activator and its inhibitor type 1 (PAI‐1) in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix
Authors: Horn LC , Pippig S , Raptis G , Fischer U , Köhler U , Hentschel B , Martin R
Published: October 2004

Objective

The expression of uPA and PAI‐1 as parameters of tumour‐associated proteolysis has been implicated in the process of tumour cell invasion and the metastatic process. However, there is limited information on the impact of these parameters in cervical carcinoma.

Methods

Quantitative levels for uPA (n = 114) and PAI‐1 (n = 103) were researched in operatively treated, surgically staged squamous cell cancer of the uterine cervix, using an ELISA‐technique. Results were assessed regarding their impact in predicting pelvic lymph nodes metastases, tumour recurrence rate and recurrence free survival (RFS) using uni‐ and multivariate analysis.

Results

Median levels of both parameters were significantly higher in tumour tissue than in normal cervical tissue (p < 0.001). Detection of uPA gave no useful prognostic information. PAI‐1 concentration showed a positive correlation with advanced tumour stage (p = 0.008), but no significant correlation with nodal status (pN0: 2.6 vs. pN1: 4.0 ng/mg protein; p = 0.092). Using a cut‐off level of 2.4 ng/mg protein, patients with elevated PAI‐1 levels demonstrated reduced RFS (45.9 versus 52.9 months; p = 0.1). Multivariate analysis, including nodal status, tumour stage, lymphovascular space involvement and grading failed to demonstrate any prognostic impact of uPA and PAI‐1.

Conclusions

The results indicate, that PAI‐1 expression is of some prognostic impact in cervical cancer, indicating an association of elevated PAI levels with local tumour progression and reduced recurrence‐free survival.
The pre‐operative identification of low‐risk endometrial cancer: an audit of women treated in the South Island of New Zealand 1998–2000
Authors: Sykes P , Nam S , Wynne C , Anderson N , North J , Hunter L , Laney M , Fentiman G
Published: October 2004

Objective

To assess if determine whether pre‐operative investigations identify a group of patients with low‐risk endometrial cancer, that who do not require tertiary referral for surgical staging or pelvic radiotherapy.

Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

South Island of New Zealand gynaecological oncology services.

Sample

One hundred and forty consecutive patients with newly diagnosed endometrial cancer from 1988 to 2000.

Methods

The results of preoperative investigations were compared with the final pathology.

Main outcome measures

Correlation of preoperative investigations with low risk disease. For the purpose of the study, women with grade 1 or 2 endometrioid tumours confined to the uterine body and less than 50% myometrial invasion were considered to have low risk disease.

Results

In total, 50 women had low risk disease. Only 53% of patients with grade 1 tumours on initial biopsy had‘Llow risk disease. Women who had a grade 1 tumour at biopsy and, an ultrasound report with an endometrial thickness of less than 20 mm, and no evidence of myometrial invasion, cervical involvement or adnexal metastasis had a 76% chance of having low risk disease.

Conclusion

We were unable to accurately define the low risk group from pre‐operative assessment.
High grade abnormalities following an‘inconclusive’ smear
Authors: Valmadre S , Atkinson K , Houghton R , Carter J , McKenzie P , Russell P , Dalrymple C
Published: October 2004

Objective

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommends a report of ‘inconclusive ‐ possible high grade epithelial abnormality’, but many laboratories only report ‘inconclusive’ with reference to any possible high grade disease elsewhere in the report. This study was performed to determine possible reasons for cytological difficulties resulting in this category of report and to determine the rate of significant disease within this category.

Design

Retrospective record review. Clinical details were extracted without patient‐identifying data.

Setting

Gynaecological Oncology Department, King George V/Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Population

Two hundred patients referred with the cytological abnormality.

Materials and methods

An adequate colposcopic diagram documenting size, distribution and grade of lesion was required. All patients had colposcopy with management according to colposcopic and histological results as appropriate to their disease.

Outcome measures

Colposcopic features, topography and size of any lesion, histological results, treatments performed and subsequent review of untreated patients.

Results

Colposcopy found high‐grade lesions in 43% and carcinoma in 1%. Histopathology found 49% and 4% respectively. Treatment was performed in 124 patients. Inflammation was found in 27%, a small lesion in 43% and endocervical disease in 21%.

Conclusions

The high rate of endocervical disease, inflammation and small lesions may explain the cytological difficulties leading to an ‘inconclusive’ result. The authors believe that the term ‘inconclusive’ alone does not adequately convey the high level of risk faced by these patients.
Randomised trial of an integrated educational strategy to reduce investigation rates in young women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding
Authors: Searle Judith , Grover Sonia , Santin Anita , Weideman Prue
Published: October 2004

Objectives

To assess the effectiveness of an integrated educational strategy to change clinician behaviour and reduce the number of hysteroscopies and/or dilatation and curettages for women 40 years or less with dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB).

Design

Randomised controlled trial with six‐month followup.

Setting

Public teaching hospital gynaecology units with 12,000‐13,000 relevant procedures per year.

Participants

Six public gynaecology units made up of 62 gynaecologists or trainees allocated at random to intervention group ‐ three, or control group ‐ 3.

Intervention

An educational strategy that included dissemination of evidence‐based guidelines via a problembased interactive workshop facilitated by an opinion leader and a laminated algorithm and guidelines.

Main outcome measures

The number of hysteroscopies and/or dilatation and curettages performed for DUB on women 40 years or less, clinician behaviour change and perceived booking rates of the procedure.

Results

At six months, there was no significant effect on the number of hysteroscopies and/or dilatation and curettages performed but there was an increase in evidence‐based behaviour.
Medical and midwifery students: how do they view their respective roles on the labour ward?
Authors: Quinlivan Julie A , Thompson Christine M , Black Kirsten I , Kornman Louise H , McDonald Susan J
Published: October 2004

Background

It has been suggested that much of the medical and midwifery student curricula on normal pregnancy and birth could be taught as a co‐operative effort between obstetric and midwifery staff. One important element of a successful combined teaching strategy would involve a determination of the extent to which the students themselves identify common learning objectives.

Aim

The aim of the present study was to survey medical and midwifery students about how they perceived their respective learning roles on the delivery suite.

Methods

A descriptive cross‐sectional survey study was undertaken. The study venue was an Australian teaching and tertiary referral hospital in obstetrics and gynaecology. Survey participants were medical students who had just completed a 10 week clinical attachment in obstetrics and gynaecology during the 5th year of a six year undergraduate medical curriculum and midwifery students undertaking a one year full‐time (or two year part‐time) postgraduate diploma in midwifery.

Results

Of 130 and 52 questionnaires distributed to medical and midwifery students, response rates of 72% and 52% were achieved respectively. The key finding was that students reported a lesser role for their professional colleagues than they identified for themselves. Some medical students lacked an understanding of the role of midwives as 8%, 10%, and 23% did not feel that student midwives should observe or perform a normal birth or neonatal assessment respectively. Of equal concern, 7%, 22%, 26% and 85% of student midwives did not identify a role for medical students to observe or perform a normal birth, neonatal assessment or provide advice on breastfeeding respectively.

Medical and midwifery students are placed in a competitive framework and some students may not understand the complementary role of their future colleagues. Interdisciplinary teaching may facilitate co‐operation between the professions and improve working relationships.
How Oestrogen or Progesterone might Change a woman's susceptibility to HIV‐1 infection
Authors: Mingjia Li , Short Roger
Published: October 2004

Worldwide, 18.5 million women are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV‐1). At least 80% of these HIV infections have occurred as a result of sexual intercourse with an infected male partner. This review focuses on how HIV‐1 enters the human female reproductive tract, and how oestrogen or progesterone, by altering the cervicovaginal epithelium, might change a woman's susceptibility to HIV infection.

Experiments on hysterectomised Rhesus monkeys suggest that the vagina, rather than the cervix or uterus, is the main site of viral entry. If ovariectomised monkeys are given systemic oestrogen treatment, this makes them completely resistant to infection by intravaginally administered simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), whereas progesteronetreated animals, like the untreated controls, are extremely susceptible.

Some studies have also shown that women on systemic long‐acting gestagen‐only contraceptives have a thinner vaginal epithelium and hence might be more susceptible to HIV infection; this is certainly true of post‐menopausal women. The beneficial effects of oestrogen are thought to be due to increased thickness and cornification of the cervicovaginal epithelium, which prevents the virus from coming into contact with the target Langerhans cells (LCs).

Topical vaginal oestrogen treatment is widely used as a safe and effective way of thickening and keratinising the vaginal epithelium in post‐menopausal women. Perhaps this could be an exciting new way of protecting women from HIV infection.
Outcome of pregnancy complicated by pre‐gestational diabetes – improvement in outcomes
Authors: Gunton Jenny E , Morris Jonathan , Boyce Stewart , Kelso Ian , McElduff A
Published: October 2004

Pre‐gestational diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with adverse fetal and maternal outcomes. We have previously reported outcomes for women with DM. To determine whether review, and discussion of the results, affected outcomes, pregnancies in women with DM from July 1998 to July 2001 were examined in a prospective cohort study. The results were then compared to the results from the previous review.

Methods

Thirty‐five pregnancies were included (24 in 20 women with Type 1 DM, 11 in 11 with Type 2 DM). Type 1 women were more likely to be Caucasian (100% versus 22.2%, p < 0.0001), and had a longer duration of diabetes (13 ± 6 versus 3 ± 2 years, p < 0.0001).

Results

Pregnancy planning rates improved significantly for Type 1 DM (62.5% planned versus 18.9% in original inal study p = 0.01), and did not change for Type 2 DM. Caesarean section (LSCS) rate was high in the original study, particularly in Type 1 DM (77%), and was lower after review (47.6% in Type 1 DM p < 0.05 compared to original study, and 44.4% in Type2 DM, p = ns).

Planning was associated with lower HbA1c before and during pregnancy (6.0 ± 1.4% versus 8.1 ± 1.8% (p = 0.0035), and 5.5 ± 1 versus 6.5 ± 1.5%(p < 0.001)), greater gestational age at delivery (38.2 versus 36.2 weeks p = 0.0318) and lower rate of LSCS (31.6% versus 72.7% (p = 0.0295)).

Conclusions

It is important to continue improving pre‐pregnancy planning. Extensive discussions involving a multi‐disciplinary team improved planning rates and decreased the LSCS rate while maintaining outcomes.
Prenatal diagnosis of mosaic trisomy 20 in New Zealand
Authors: James Paul A , Gibson Kate , McGaughran Julie
Published: October 2004

Objective

Mosaic trisomy 20 is not an uncommon finding on amniocentesis or CVS. Unlike other mosaic aneuploidies it is a relatively benign abnormality which, along with a lack of long‐term follow‐up of cases, has led to uncertainty when counselling parents. We aimed to identify known mosaic trisomy 20 pregnancies in New Zealand in the last 10 years and document their outcome.

Design

Retrospective database review with prospective clinical follow‐up.

Methods

Cases were identified from the databases of the two clinical genetic services, as well as the four regional cytogenetics laboratories. Medical records were reviewed and where patients were available they were offered follow‐up.

Results: Fourteen cases were identified (13 on amniocentesis, one on CVS), all with low levels of mosaicism (8–50%). In 12 cases, the children were physically and developmentally normal, with the longest follow‐up being 10 years. Minor anomalies were noted in two cases. There were no major malformations noted in any of the cases and where repeat karyotypes were performed on blood or urine cytology these were normal.

Conclusions

This series confirms a much lower incidence of phenotypic abnormalities associated with mosaic trisomy 20 compared to other forms of mosaic aneuploidy. Attempts to predict which of these pregnancies will have poor outcomes have not proven to be reliable. We recommend that, if a detailed anatomy scan is normal, parents be counselled that the risk of abnormality is less than 10%. Further tests should be performed only on the basis of a clinical indication.
Patterns of vitamin, mineral and herbal supplement use prior to and during pregnancy
Authors: Maats FH , Crowther CA
Published: October 2004

At the antenatal clinic, 211 women were interviewed to assess vitamin, mineral and herbal use pre‐conceptually and in the three trimesters of pregnancy.

The majority of women (62%) used both a vitamin or mineral supplement and a herbal preparation during the course of pregnancy. Folate (70%), iron (38%) and multivitamins (27%) were the vitamin and mineral supplements most frequently taken by pregnant women. Ginger (20%) and raspberry leaf (9%) were the most frequently used herbal preparations. Women relied on advice from friends and relatives in deciding to use herbal preparations.
Women's preferences for reporting of Down syndrome screening results
Authors: Mulvey Sheila , Pham Trang , Tyzack Katrina , Wallace Euan M
Published: October 2004

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine whether women prefer the results of screening for Down syndrome tests to be reported as the risk of Down syndrome in early pregnancy at the time of the screening test or the risk at delivery (which takes into account the number of Down syndrome pregnancies that will be spontaneously lost before birth).

Design

A structured questionnaire.

Setting

A tertiary hospital antenatal clinic.

Sample

One hundred and fifteen English‐speaking women who expressed an interest in having screening tests for Down syndrome performed.

Methods

A structured questionnaire exploring women's preferences for risk reporting was self administered by women attending for their first antenatal visit.

Main outcome measures

Women's preference for reporting of screening test results as risk at time of test, risk at birth or both, and the reasons for this preference.

Results

The majority (n = 82) of women preferred to have both the risk of Down syndrome at the time of screening and at the time of birth reported. The most common reason (n = 60) given for this preference was a desire to have as much information available as possible so that an informed decision regarding further investigations could be made.

Conclusions

The majority of women prefer to receive Down syndrome screening results as both the risk at the time of the test and the risk at birth.
Risk factors for strong regret and subsequent IVF request after having tubal ligation
Authors: Kariminia Azar , Saunders Douglas M , Chamberlain Marie
Published: October 2004

Objectives

To identify and describe pre‐sterilisation characteristics most consistently associated with intensive poststerilisation regret and subsequent request for IVF.

Design

Case control study.

Setting

Fertility clinic in a tertiary referral urban hospital, Sydney, Australia.

Sample cases

Ninety‐seven sterilised women who underwent evaluation for IVF during the period 1986–1996; Controls: 101 sterilised women who remained satisfied with their tubal ligation.

Main outcome measures

Variables known at the time of sterilisation including age, number of living children, history of abortion, underlying medical diseases, marital status, race, education, and timing of sterilisation.

Results

In the multivariate analysis of data, age at the time of sterilisation had the most pronounced effect on strong regret. Women younger than 30 years old at the time of sterilisation were more likely to request IVF treatment than women 30 to 34 years old. A concurrent caesarean section was associated with a threefold risk (95% CI, 1.05–10.03) relative to an interval procedure. A strong protective effect (OR = 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01–0.65) was found for women with more than two children compared to childless women. The overwhelming reason stated by women requesting IVF was change in marital status, and the desire to have a child with the new partner.

Conclusions

Women with such characteristics who are considering tubal ligation need further caution and counselling.
A six‐year audit of the management of ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Cooray Hashira , Harilall Mahesh , Farquhar CM
Published: October 2004

Objective

To audit the management of ectopic pregnancy at National Women's Hospital over a six‐year period to monitor changes in practice and assess adherence to hospital protocols.

Study design

A retrospective audit of the management of women with a discharge diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy from 1996–2001 at National Women's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand. Information was collected regarding the demographics, risk factors for ectopic pregnancy, delay in diagnosis, management undertaken and failure and complications of initial treatment.

Results

Over a six‐year period a total of 673 women had a discharge diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. Surgery was the most frequent method of management but there was increasing utilisation of systemic methotrexate. The proportion of women who met the criteria for methotrexate varied from 27–54% over the six year period although the highest proportion who received methotrexate in any given year was only 24% (2001). The proportion of women who met the criteria for receiving methotrexate and had the option of methotrexate discussed with them increased from 12% in 1996 to 91% in 2001. Over the six year period 74 women received methotrexate and 14 (18.9%) failed and required surgical management. Surgical management was performed in 537 women and 30 (5.6%) required either further surgery or methotrexate or a combination of both. A laparoscopic procedure was performed in 86.5% (465/533) and 10.9% (51/465) converted to laparotomy.

Conclusions

Although there is evidence that methotrexate is an effective and safe option for a proportion of women with ectopic pregnancy, the majority of women still undergo surgical management.
Is penicillin and/or erythromycin resistance present in clinical isolates of group B streptococcus in our community?
Authors: Stylianopoulos Anastasia , Kelly Nigel , Garland Suzanne
Published: October 2004

Traditionally group B streptococcus (GBS) has not exhibited resistance to the antibiotics penicillin and erythromycin. Recently there are reports from North America whereby some GBS isolates have exhibited resistance to erythromycin. There have been no studies reported to date to determine whether this resistance trend is also occurring in the Australian population.

Over a period of six months from January to June 1999, 250 GBS isolates were collected at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne. Sensitivity to penicillin, erythromycin and vancomycin was determined by disk diffusion. Any isolates that had reduced zones to penicillin, vancomycin or erythromycin had minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) determined. No isolates had reduced susceptibility to penicillin or vancomycin. Of the 250 isolates, seven (2.8%, 95% CI = 1.1–5.6%) had resistant MICs to erythromycin of > 1.0 μg/mL. These preliminary data suggest that penicillin therapy is still an effective first‐line antibiotic for intrapartum chemoprophylaxis and that erythromycin resistance is low in our population.
Laparoscopic‐assisted Vecchietti procedure for creation of a neovagina: an analysis of five cases
Authors: Kaloo Philip , Cooper Michael
Published: October 2004

The aim of this study was to review the functional and psychological outcomes of subjects with vaginal aplasia undergoing a laparoscopic creation of a neovagina (Vecchietti procedure). A semi‐structured telephone interview was undertaken of five consecutive subjects who underwent the procedure in the preceding three years. Information was obtained with regard to the operation, immediate post‐operative period, complications experienced, sexual function and improvements in general and psychological well‐being.

A functioning neovagina was formed in all subjects. All sexually active women noted satisfactory intercourse with significant improvements in self‐confidence, self‐esteem and general well‐being up to three years post‐operatively.
Using naltrexone implants in the management of the pregnant heroin user
Authors: Hulse G , O'Neil G
Published: October 2004

Objectives

To describe the case history and associated obstetric and neonatal outcomes of eight women who had their heroin dependency managed over pregnancy by naltrexone implant (two × 1.8 g of naltrexone embedded in poly‐DL‐lactide acid) treatment.

Method

Case data on maternal management associated with naltrexone implant were collected at the Australian Medical Procedures Research Foundation, Perth, Australia and three Perth hospitals.

Results

Despite earlier instability on oral naltrexone and repeated relapses back to dependent heroin use these women, following treatment with naltrexone implant, remained heroin free throughout their pregnancies. Neonatal and obstetric outcomes were unremarkable.

Conclusions

This case series provides preliminary evidence that the pregnant heroin user can be managed by naltrexone implant without obvious risk to the mother or developing foetus.

Importantly, the current case series suggests that the pregnant woman who finds it difficult to stabilise on oral naltrexone maintenance and returns to dependent heroin use may be managed using implantable naltrexone, thereby removing from her the onus for daily naltrexone medication compliance.

The authors conclude that naltrexone implant may represent an important procedure for managing the pregnant heroin dependent patient who finds it difficult to shift away from her heroin use patterns.

These preliminary findings require confirmation using a much larger controlled study.
Teratoma of the placenta
Authors: Chandy RG , Korula A , Seshadri L
Published: October 2004

Primary non‐trophoblastic tumours of the placenta reported to date are chorioangioma and teratoma, both of which are extremely rare. A case of teratoma in a term placenta is reported.
Crystal orientation mapping of NiO grown on cube textured Ni tapes
Authors: WOODCOCK T. G. , ABELL J. S. , EICKEMEYER J. , HOLZAPFEL B.
Published: October 2004

Samples of cube textured Ni tapes were oxidized in flowing oxygen at different temperatures. Crystal orientation maps (COMs) of the resulting oxide layers were produced by electron backscatter diffraction. The oxide layers were also analysed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The oxide grain size of a sample oxidized at 600 °C was similar to that of the substrate and the oxide was highly textured, both indicating epitaxial growth. The orientation relationship between the substrate and the oxide was directly observed from XRD to be (111)NiO//(001)Ni, [01]NiO//[110]Ni with four, equivalent, in‐plane variants. In each variant, the oxide has both <110>‐ and <211>‐type directions parallel to the Ni <110> directions. Differences in oxide thickness and surface roughness on neighbouring grains were revealed by AFM and these were attributed to the existence of a range of oxide growth conditions resulting from small differences in the orientation of each substrate grain. Similar macrotexture and microstructure were observed on a sample oxidized at 1300 °C, but additional, facetted oxide crystals had formed at the oxide grain boundaries. COMs showed that these crystals were either cube or 45° rotated cube orientated, a texture different to that of the large oxide grains. The grain boundary crystals were thought to form by inward diffusion of oxygen at defects in the growing oxide scale.
Index for spatial heterogeneity in breast cancer
Authors: SHARIFI‐SALAMATIAN V. , PESQUET‐POPESCU B. , SIMONY‐LAFONTAINE J. , RIGAUT J. P.
Published: October 2004

Histopathological heterogeneity in cancer is a general concern. Breast carcinoma heterogeneity is now widely admitted as a source of histological grading imprecision and reproducibility problems. Classically, homogeneity is defined as equivalent to stationarity. A measure of heterogeneity based on asymptotic properties of spatial statistics is developed. Long‐range dependences in heterogeneous spatial processes make estimation of the proposed heterogeneity measure unreliable. A robust estimator based on the wavelet transform is presented; this bypasses long‐range dependences. The estimator extends previous works on one‐dimensional stochastic processes to two dimensions as appropriate for histopathological analysis. As a side result, the estimator gives confidence intervals for the heterogeneity measure that enables the formulation and validation of testable hypothesis on the observed histopathological samples. This approach is applied to the characterization of breast cancer tumours. We show that the heterogeneity measure for various blocks of a single tumour is invariable, even when various blocks differ in size and in number of marked nuclei.
Second‐order stereology of spatial fibre systems
Authors: KRASNOPEROV R. A. , STOYAN D.
Published: October 2004

This paper describes methods for second‐order stereology of spatial fibre systems. For stationary and isotropic fibre processes it gives practicable estimators of the K‐function and the pair correlation function, which are based on planar sections. The second‐order methods are applied in transmission electron microscopy analysis of blood capillaries in the rat thyroid. They lead to the result that the capillaries show an inhibitory pattern of their spatial arrangement, with a hard‐core distance of about 2.6 µm. There is a close relationship to three‐dimensional size characteristics estimated recently for these elliptical capillaries.
A COMPARISON OF AIR AND WATER AS ENVIRONMENTS FOR PHOTOSYNTHESIS BY THE INTERTIDAL ALGA FUCUS SPIRALIS (PHAEOPHYTA)1
Authors: Madsen Tom V. , Maberly Stephen C.
Published: October 2004

The response of photosynthesis and respiration of the intertidal brown alga Fucus spiralis L. to light and temperature at ambient and elevated concentrations of inorganic carbon was investigated. The light‐saturated rate of photosynthesis was greater in air at 15° C and 20° C, but greater in water at 10° C. Light compensation point and Ik was about 50% lower under submerged relative to emerged conditions, whereas the initial slope of photosynthesis versus irradiance was higher, except at 20° C. Under both submerged and emerged conditions light‐saturated photosynthesis was limited to a similar degree (78%, and 65%, respectively) by the availability of inorganic carbon at naturally occuring concentrations. In air, slight desiccation at tissue water contents of about 96% to 92% caused a stimulation in the rate of net photosynthesis to 110–148% of fully hydrated fronds. At lower water contents the rate of net photosynthesis declined linearly with decreasing water content and became zero at a water content of about 15%. Dark respiration declined linearly with tissue water content and remained positive to a water content of 8%. Upon reimmersion the fronds showed a complete recovery within 35 min following desiccation to a water content of 20–30%. Thus F. spiralis seems to be very tolerant to desiccation. Since F. spiralis photosynthesizes effectively in air, even at a higher rate than in water as long as it has not lost a large proportion of its water in desiccation, the alternating exposure to air may be beneficial by increasing the daily carbon gain compared to a fully submerged situation.
LIGHT‐DEPENDENT DECLINE OF NH4+ ASSIMILATION UNDER CO2 DEPRIVATION IN N‐LIMITED CHLORELLA SOROKINIANA (CHLOROPHYCEAE)1
Authors: Rigano Vittoria Di Martino , Vona Vincenza , Esposito Sergio , Di Martino Catello , Rigano Carmelo
Published: October 2004

Cells of Chlorella sorokiniana Shihira & Krauss 211/8k, grown in a chemostat under conditions of nitrate limitation, assimilated ammonium in light (307 ± 12 μmol · mL packed cell volume (pcv)−1· h−1) and darkness (305 ± 30 μmol · mL pcv−1· h−1) at similar rates when supplied with air containing 5% CO2. Ammonium assimilation in cell suspensions flushed with pure nitrogen to establish anaerobic conditions was almost totally prevented both in darkness and in light. Cell suspensions flushed with CO2−‐free air and grown in the dark assimilated ammonium at a rate of 314 ± 23 μmol · mL pcv−1· h−1. Light assimilation was 128 ± 10 μmol · mL pcv−1· h−1, a rate which was only 41% of that in darkness. Resupply of ammonium to N‐limited chemostat cells resulted in a 3.5‐fold stimulation of dark respiration and a suppression of photosynthetic O2 evolution. We hypothesize that the partial decline of ammonium assimilation in Chlorella 211/8k in the light under conditions of limited CO2 supply is due to the fact that the photosynthetic carboxylation reaction competes with the dark carboxylation reaction for the available CO2, and that the production of C4 and C5 precursors foramina acid biosynthesis will be slower than in the dark. Alternatively we suggest that an increase in the concentration of photogenerated compound(s) not used for CO2 assimilation attains an intracellular level suitable to trigger a control mechanism operating at the level of starch break‐down or glycolysis.
TRIGLYCERIDE ACCUMULATION AND FATTY ACID PROFILE CHANGES IN CHLORELLA (CHLOROPHYTA) DURING HIGH pH‐INDUCED CELL CYCLE INHIBITION1
Authors: Guckert James B. , Cooksey Keith E.
Published: October 2004

Alkaline pH stress resulted in triglyceride (TG) accumulation in Chlorella CHLOR1 and was independent of medium nitrogen or carbon levels. Based on morphological observations, alkaline pH inhibited autospore release, thus increasing the time for cell cycle completion. Autospore release has been postulated to coincide with TG utilization within the microalgal cell division cycle. The alkaline pH stress affected lipid accumulation by inhibiting the cell division cycle prior to autospore release and, therefore, prior to TG utilization. Cells inhibited in this manner showed an increase in TG accumulation but a decrease in both membrane lipid classes (glycolipid and polar lipid). Unlike TG fatty acid profiles, membrane lipid fatty acid profiles were not stable during TG accumulation. The membrane profiles became similar to the TG, i.e. less unsaturated than in the membrane lipids of unstressed control cells.
ULTRASTRUCTURF OF FERTILIZATION IN LAMINARIA ANGUSTATA (PHAEOPHYTA, LAMINARIALES) WITH EMPHASIS ON THE BEHAVIOR OF CENTRIOLES, MITOCHONDRIA AND CHLOROPLASTS OF THE SPERM1
Authors: Motomura Taizo
Published: October 2004

Fertilization and zygote development in Laminaria angustata Kjellman were observed ultrastructurally. Cell wall formation of the zygote is initiated immediately after plasmogamy. The zygote begins to elongate, chloroplasts move from the renter to the periphery, and the sperm nucleus moves toward the egg nucleus. Karyogamy occurs with both euchromatin‐rich female nucleus and hetero‐chromatin‐rich male nucleus in interphase. Cytoplasmic inheritance of centrioles, mitochondria and chloroplasts was examined, especially during zygote development of L. angustata. Two pairs of centrioles originating from the egg and sperm exist in the early zygote. Later, egg centrioles disappear and only sperm centrioles remain resulting in one pair of centrioles in the zygote. When mitosis of the zygote is initiated, the centrioles of the pair separate and are duplicated as they migrate to the poles, in a manner similar to that in brown algal mitosis. Sperm mitochondria are enclosed with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi vesicles. The vesicles finally become single‐membrane vesicles, and enclosed mitochondria are digested. Small sperm chloroplasts do not fuse with egg chloroplasts, increase in size, or divide and can be detected even at the stage of two‐celled sporophytes. Therefore, almost all chloroplasts of the zygote and sporophyte originate from the egg.
DIRECT OBSERVATIONS ON FLAGFLLAR TRANSFORMATION IN MALLOMONAS SPLENDENS (SYNUROPHYCEAE)1
Authors: Beech Peter L. , Wetherbree Richard
Published: October 2004

Interphase cells of Mallomonas splendens (G. S. West) Playfair have two basal bodies: BB1 bears no flagellum, and BB2 produces a mastigoneme‐bearing, anteriorly directed flagellum (F2). Light microscopy of live cells undergoing mitosis and cytokinesis showed that two small flagella arise adjacent to F2 at preprophase. These new flagella commenced beating soon after their emergence and elongated as F2 shortened. By metaphase the new flagella were en. 12 μm long, and their bases had moved to either side of the metaphase plate. The shortening F2 segregated with one of the new flagella. At early cytokinesis the new flagella were ca. 15 μm long and the parental F2 had completely retracted so that its basal body (BB2) was transformed into a BB1. A similar pattern of events is described for Mallomonas papillosa Harris & Bradley. We conclude that the mastigoneme‐bearing flagellum in Mallomonas spp. is produced from first generation basal bodies. This flagellum entirely retracts during the next mitosis so that its basal body becomes a BB1. BB1 remains as such for subsequent generations.
THE FLAGELLAR APPARATUS OF MALLOMONAS SPLENDENS (SYNUROPHYCEAE) AT INTERPHASE AND ITS DEVELOPMENT DURING THE CELL CYCLE1
Authors: Beech Peter L. , Wetherbee Richard
Published: October 2004

The interphase configuration of the flagellar apparatus of Mallomonas splendens (G. S. West) Playfair displays several features that are novel in the Synurophyceae. One of the two basal bodies usually has no flagellum, and two fibrous bands connect the basal bodies. Surrounding the basal bodies is a distinctive, fibrous capsule which is continuous with a thick, fibrous band that constitutes the anterior portion of the rhizoplast. The remainder of the rhizoplast spreads over the nuclear apex as numerous, prominently striated straps. A single, three‐membered, mi‐crotubular root (R1) forms a loop at the cell anterior and then descends from the loop to abutt on the rhizoplast near the nuclear apex. The descending portion of R1 displays at least two orientations with respect to the basal bodies.

Two new basal bodies appear before mitosis and bear the rudiments of new Ills. At preprophase these new roots are 2–3 μm long, and new rhizoplasts, which organize (nucleate?) microtubules of the incipient mitotic spindle, arise from the proximal end of the new basal bodies. The latter produce new fiagella as the parental flagellum shortens. Simultaneous to these developments is the disassembly of the parental rhizoplast and the descending portion of the parental RI. At metaphase the two pairs of basal bodies have separated so that each pair consists of a parental and a daughter basal body. The parental R1 loop is absent and the new R1s form semi‐loops around each pair of basal bodies. The rhizoplasts extend down either side of the nuclear material as the spindle becomes fully formed. The new loops are completed at mid‐cytokinesis. At the end of cytokinesis the roots elongate towards the nuclear apex, and each rhizoplast takes on the interphase appearance. Mitosis in M. splendens is compared to that in the Chrysophyceae.
FINE STRUCTURE OF THE FLAGELLAR APPARATUS OF UROGLENA AMERICANA (CHRYSOPHYCEAE)1
Authors: Owen Heather A. , Stewart Kenneth D. , Mattox Karl R.
Published: October 2004

The three‐dimensional structure of the flagellar apparatus of Uroglena americana Calkins (Uroglenopsis americana [Calkins] Lemmerman) was determined using serial section reconstruction. The three microtubular rootlet systems (R2, R3, and R4) follow the general pattern found in other chrysophytes. The R2 rootlet originates between the basal bodies of the mastigoneme‐bearing long flagellum (F1) and the short smooth flagellum (F2) and is attached to the former by a fibrous connection. The R3 rootlet system originates as a trough‐shaped band of six microtubules spanning the distance between the proximal ends of the F1 and F2 basal bodies. The six‐membered rootlet splits into two parts (designated R3 and R3) which circle the depression from which the F2 flagellum emerges in counter‐clockwise direction. These two rootlets pass beneath the F2 basal body and descend into the cell alongside the chloroplast. The R4 rootlet originates in fibrous material which passes diagonally over the F2 basal body, forms a clockwise loop about three‐quarters of the way around the depression, and ends in the cytoplasm.

In place of a typical chrysophyte R1 rootlet, U. americana has a different array of microtubules attached to the F1 basal body which we have designated the descending rootlet (DR). This rootlet is a hairpin‐shaped structure lying just below the surface of the cell; its longitudinal axis is predominantly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cell. The DR resembles the bypassing rootlet which occurs in phaeophyte zoospores. Other chrysophytes may possess rootlets which are similar to the DR found in Uroglena.
SEXUAL REPRODUCTION IN THE FRESHWATER DINOFLAGELLATEGLOEODINIUM MONTANUM1
Authors: Kelley Ingrid , Pfiester Lois A.
Published: October 2004

The sexual life cycle ofGloeodinium montanumKlebs was examined with light and scanning electron microscopy. In unialgal culturesG. montanumdivided predominantly by simple division, giving rise to two nonmotile cells. When placed in fresh medium, 2–4 biflagellated swarmers were formed from the vegetative cells. Swarmers developed directly into vegetative cells or acted as gametes. Both isogamy and anisogamy were observed.Gloeodinium montanumis homothallic. Fusion occurred in the non‐motile state producing a large aplanozygote, which germinated after approximately two months to a year or more. Zygote germination liberated four aplanospores. Budding of the zygote, resulting from unequal division of the protoplast and multiple fusion attempts also were observed.
LIGHT‐HARVESTING PIGMENT‐PROTEIN COMPLEXES OF THE ULVOPHYCEAE (CHLOROPHYTA):CHARACTERIZATION AND PHYLOGENETIC SIGNIFICANCE1
Authors: Fawley Marvin W. , Douglas Cheryl A. , Stewart Kenneth D. , Mattox Karl R.
Published: October 2004

Photosystem II light‐harvesting complexes were isolated from a number of ulvophycean algae. Some of these light‐harvesting complexes displayed unusual features, most notably a high apparent molecular weight (ca. 58,000) when isolated by lithium doderyl sulfate polyarrylamide gel electrophoresis. Other ulvophycean light‐harvesting complexes had a low‐molecular weight (ca. 30,000). The distribution of the high‐molecular weight complex was limited to certain members of the Caulerpales and Blastophysa rhizopus (Siphanocladales). Within the Caulerpales, there were also spectral differences between the high‐molecular weight and low‐molecular weight light‐harvesting complex types. The differences in light‐harvesting complexes in the Ulvophyceae suggest that there are two lines of evolution in the Caulerpales and that Blastophysa may be an intermediate between the Siphon‐ocladales and the Caulerpales.
A SEX DETERMINING MECHANISM IN THE CLOSTERIUM EHRENBERGII (CHLOROPHYTA) SPECIES COMPLEX1
Authors: Kasai Fumie , Ichimura Terunobu
Published: October 2004

Homozygous mt−/mt− diploid clones of the Closterium ehrenbergii Menegh. ex Ralfs species complex were obtained by hypertonic treatment from minus vegetative cells, and mating type segregation ratios in the F1 progeny of “triploid” zygospores between wild type mt+ haploid and mt−/mt− homozygous diploui were analyzed. The ratio of plus to minus individuals was 1:4.8, and the ratio of the pairs of opposite mating types to those of minus mating type was 1:2.1. The results clearly show that mt− is dominant to mt+ and that the mating type inheritance in these zygospores follows the triploid‐like pattern. The validity of our assumption that the two mating types are determined by one genetic factor (mt− allele dominant) was confirmed in B1 progeny analyses as well. The results suggest that this sex determining mechanism is working effectively in the C. ehrenbergii species complex, in which several biological species have evolved through polyploidization.
SEASONAL PRIMARY PRODUCTION OF UNDERSTORY RHODOPHYTA IN AN UPWELLING SYSTEM1
Authors: Levitt Graham J. , Bolton John J.
Published: October 2004

The in situ primary production of three common under‐story members of the Rhodophyta in South African west coast kelp beds was determined monthly for a year using dissolved oxygen techniques. Strong seasonal patterns of photosynthesis and respiration were evident in all three species. Net photosynthesis of all three species was greatest in spring (October) and lowest in winter (June). Increasing photosynthesis in late winter coincided with increasing ambient irradiance and photoperiod, whereas decreasing photosynthesis in summer was not explained by changes in the environmental parameters measured. We suggest that this may he due to an innate pattern related to some other seasonal plant activity such as reproduction. Seasonal Pmaxand Ikvalues reveal that the obligate understory species,B. proliferaandE. obtusa,are shade‐adapted whereasG. radula,a low intertidal and shallow subtidal dominant, is sun‐adapted. Low C: X ratios consistent with a high nutrient environment and high rates of productivity were found in all three species. Net photosynthesis to respiration (Pn:R) ratios were fairly constant forB. proliferaandE. obtusa,implying that then photosynthetic processes were governed more by seasonal variations in irradiance than by instantaneous light availability. The Pn: R ratio ofG. radulawas variable, suggesting that this species is more responsive to rapid fluctuations in irradiance and may therefore be adapted for rapid growth during periods of high irradiance.