bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Analysis of Factor IX Gene in an Iranian Female with Severe Hemophilia B
Authors: Karimipoor Morteza , Kokabee Leila , Kamali Esmat , Karizi Shohreh Zare , Zeinali Sirous
Published: April 2008

Hemophilia B, a recessive X-linked coagulopathy, is rare in females, and only a few cases have been reported so far. In this report, we describe a 9-year-old female, offspring of a consanguineous marriage, with a clinically severe course of hemophilia B and a normal 46,XX karyotype. Polymerase chain reaction and conformation sensitive gel electrophoresis techniques have been applied to the important regions of the factor IX gene,and an abnormal conformation sensitive gel electrophoresis profile was identified in exon 5 of the gene. After sequencing, the mutation was found to be C17761T (R116X) in homozygous form. Then, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism using the EcoRV restriction enzyme was applied for confirmation of the homozygous mutation in the proband and for carrier testing in the relatives. In addition, haplotype analysis was informative at the HhaIpolymorphic site for the female patient.
Vascular Disease among Hospitalized Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Authors: Allen Norrina B. , Lichtman Judith H. , Cohen Hillel W. , Fang Jing , Brass Lawrence M. , Alderman Michael H.
Published: April 2008

Background: We examined the prevalence of cardiac and cerebrovascular disease among hospitalized patients with and without multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: This study used the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperate System data set of over 15 million hospitalizations in New York City from 1988 through 2002. We identified MS patients 40–84 years of age who were hospitalized for reasons other than MS or related complications. MS patients were matched 1:2 on age, gender, race/ethnicity, and insurance. Outcomes included a principal discharge diagnosis of ischemic heart disease [International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) 410–414], myocardial infarction (ICD-9 410), and ischemic stroke (ICD-9 434, 436). Multivariate logistic regression was used to compare vascular disease outcomes in MS and non-MS patients controlling for demographic and clinical factors. Results: Our studyincluded 9,949 hospitalizations among MS patients and 19,898 hospitalizations for matched non-MS controls. MS patients were less likely to be hospitalized for ischemic heart disease (OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.51–0.66) or myocardial infarction (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.64–0.96), but more likely to be hospitalized for ischemic stroke (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.33–2.09) than matched non-MS controls. Conclusion: MS patients have decreased rates of hospital admission for ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction, but increased rates of hospitalization for ischemic stroke as compared to the general non-MS population.
Solitary Necrotic Nodule of the Liver: Different Pathological Findings Express a Different Histogenesis
Authors: Patti Rosalia , Cabibi Daniela , Sparacello Massimiliano , Di Vita Gaetano , Montalto Giuseppe
Published: April 2008

Solitary necrotic nodule of the liver is a rare benign lesion the histogenesis of which is still debated. We here report the case of a patient who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstones and who was accidentally found to have a solitary necrotic nodule of 2 cm in the fifth segment of the liver. On the basis of the histological findings, the hypothesis that different pathogenetic mechanisms could be involved in the histogenesis of this lesion is discussed.
Hearing Aid Low Frequency Cut: Effect on Mandarin Tone and Vowel Perception in Normal-Hearing Listeners
Authors: Zhang Jianxing , McPherson Bradley
Published: April 2008

Objective: To investigate the impact of low frequency cuts (LCs) in hearing aid frequency response on Mandarin tone and vowel perception at varying signal-to-noise ratios (S/N ratios). Patients and Methods: Four LC conditions were reviewed, using a programmable, behind-the-ear hearing aid: no LC (NoLC), a 6-dB/octave LC (LC6), a 12-dB/octave LC (LC12), and an 18-dB/octave LC (LC18). Five S/N ratios for speech to white noise were selected: +10 dB, +5 dB, 0 dB, –5 dB and –10 dB. Speech and noise stimuli were presented to 25 normal-hearing, native Mandarin-speaking listeners monaurally. Results: Tone and vowel recognition scores were high for subjects in all experimental conditions except for LC18 and S/N –10 dB. The LCs had minimal impact on tone perception in the positive S/N and S/N 0 conditions. Significant differences for tone recognition were found between the NoLC and LC6, and the LC6 and LC18 conditions with negative S/N ratios. Significant differences in vowel recognition were observed between the LC12 and LC18 settings, at all S/N conditions. Conclusion: LC hearing aid settings may negatively impact on vowel recognition, and may adversely affect Mandarin tone recognition in adverse noise conditions, in normal-hearing listeners.
Relationship between Nanohardness and Mineral Content of Artificial Carious Enamel Lesions
Authors: Buchalla W. , Imfeld T. , Attin T. , Swain M.V. , Schmidlin P.R.
Published: April 2008

The aim of this study was to compare cross-sectional nanohardness, measured using an ultra-microindentation system, with mineral content, from transversal microradiography, of artificial enamel caries lesions. Sections (85 ± 10 µm) from 16 bovine enamel samples with artificial caries were prepared. The mineral content and cross-sectional nanohardness at known depths from the surface were compared. Both methods showed lesion profiles with a surface layer. The determination of nanohardness seems limited to lesions with a mineral content >45 vol%. There was a moderate linear relationship between mineral content and the square root of nanohardness (R2 = 0.81). It was concluded that the conversion of cross-sectional hardness into mineral content remains questionable and cannot be recommended.
Randomized Controlled Comparison of Two Cognitive Behavioral Therapies for Obese Children: Mother versus Mother-Child Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Authors: Munsch Simone , Roth Binia , Michael Tanja , Meyer Andrea Hans , Biedert Esther , Roth Sandra , Speck Vanessa , Zumsteg Urs , Isler Emanuel , Margraf Jürgen
Published: April 2008

Background: Parent-child treatments have been shown to be superior to child-focused treatments of childhood obesity. Yet until now, the comparative effectiveness of parent-only and parent-child approaches has been little studied. Method: Fifty-six obese children and their families were randomly assigned to a 16-session cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for the parents only or for a combined treatment of parents and children. Children’s percent overweight, the body mass index of their mothers, and behavioral and psychological problems of children and mothers were assessed. Results: Both treatments reduced children’s percent overweight significantly and equally by 6-month follow-up. Also both treatments provided similar results in reducing general behavior problems (externalizing and internalizing behavior problems), global and social anxiety, and depression. Conclusions: Our results point to a comparable efficacy of the two treatments. Further, psychological well-being of both mothers and children can be improved in a CBT for obese children and their parents. Future studies should focus on finding ways to improve the adherence of families to long-term treatment of obesity in childhood.
Endovascular Repair of Thoracoabdominal Aneurysms
Authors: Greenberg Roy K. , Lytle Bruce
Published: April 2008

Background—

Morbidity and mortality after conventional repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms remain high. Alternative techniques have been proposed and are the subject of this report.

Methods and Results—

Endovascular grafts that have a means of incorporating the visceral vessels into the aortic repair were divided into devices with fenestrations and those with formal branches. Hybrid procedures whereby an extra-anatomic bypass procedure is used to provide inflow to the renal and mesenteric arteries followed by aortic relining with stent grafts were reviewed and tabulated. A description of the techniques and review of the current results are provided. Only 4 series with >10 cases of hybrid procedures have been published. The experience with such a procedure suggests feasibility, but most reports describe a persistently high risk of mortality (up to 25%). Larger series of fenestrated stent grafts to treat juxtarenal aneurysms have been published, and intermediate-term results confirm the safety and efficacy of the procedure. A larger multicenter trial is under way. Other pure endovascular methods have been used to treat thoracoabdominal aneurysms with both reinforced fenestrations and directional branches. Without counting small series (<10 cases), 2 series exist with ≈100 cases that noted perioperative mortality rates between 3% and 6%, without evidence of late ruptures.

Conclusions—

Endovascular repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms is feasible and is associated with relatively low perioperative mortality. Several methods of visceral vessel incorporation have been described. Because of persistently high mortality, hybrid procedures will likely be relegated to nonsurgical and nonendovascular patients with sizable aneurysms. Endografts with branches continue to evolve and will be assessed in the context of clinical trials.
Does Size Matter?
Authors: Dewey Frederick E. , Rosenthal David , Murphy Daniel J. , Froelicher Victor F. , Ashley Euan A.
Published: April 2008

Extensive evidence is available that cardiovascular structure and function, along with other biological properties that span the range of organism size and speciation, scale with body size. Although appreciation of such factors is commonplace in pediatrics, cardiovascular measurements in the adult population, with similarly wide variation in body size, are rarely corrected for body size. In this review, we describe the critical role of body size measurements in cardiovascular medicine. Using examples, we illustrate the confounding effects of body size. Current cardiovascular scaling practices are reviewed, as are limitations and alternative relationships between body and cardiovascular dimensions. The experimental evidence, theoretical basis, and clinical application of scaling of various functional parameters are presented. Appropriately scaled parameters aid diagnostic and therapeutic decision making in specific disease states such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. Large-scale studies in clinical populations are needed to define normative relationships for this purpose. Lack of appropriate consideration of body size in the evaluation of cardiovascular structure and function may adversely affect recognition and treatment of cardiovascular disease states in the adult patient.
The Erosion of Democracy
Authors: de Beistegui Miguel
Published: April 2008

This paper analyzes the reasons behind what it calls the erosion of democracy under George W. Bush's presidency since September 11, 2001, and claims that they are twofold: first, the erosion in question can be attributed to a crisis of the state and the belief that security is its only genuine function. In other words, the erosion of democracy is an erosion of the very idea of the public sphere (which, following Hegel, I call "ethical life") beyond security and war. Secondly, the erosion of the ethical sphere goes hand in hand with an extraordinary resurgence of what, still following Hegel, I call "morality," and which privileges the subjective over the objective, or moral (and even religious) feeling over institutions and the law.
Dynamical Balances and Tropical Stratospheric Upwelling
Authors: Randel William J. , Garcia Rolando , Wu Fei
Published: April 2008

The dynamical balances associated with upwelling in the tropical lower stratosphere are investigated based on climatological 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) and NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data. Zonal mean upwelling is calculated from momentum balance and continuity (“downward control”), and these estimates in the deep tropics are found to be in reasonable agreement with stratospheric upwelling calculated from thermodynamic balance (and also with vertical velocity obtained from ERA-40). The detailed momentum balances associated with the dynamical upwelling are investigated, particularly the contributions to climatological Eliassen–Palm (EP) flux divergence in the subtropics. Results show that the equatorward extension of extratropical waves (baroclinic eddies and, in the NH, quasi-stationary planetary waves) contribute a large component of the subtropical wave driving at 100 hPa. Additionally, there is a significant contribution to subtropical forcing from equatorial planetary waves, which exhibit a strong seasonal cycle (a reversal in phase) in response to latitudinal migration of tropical convection. The observed balances suggest that the strong annual cycle in upwelling across the tropical tropopause is forced by subtropical horizontal eddy momentum flux convergence associated with waves originating in both the tropics and extratropics.
Southern Hemisphere Synoptic Behavior in Extreme Phases of SAM, ENSO, Sea Ice Extent, and Southern Australia Rainfall
Authors: Pezza Alexandre Bernardes , Durrant Tom , Simmonds Ian , Smith Ian
Published: April 2008

The association between Southern Hemisphere cyclones and anticyclones and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), southern annular mode (SAM), Antarctic sea ice extent (SIE), and rainfall in Perth and Melbourne is explored. Those cities are, respectively, located in the southwestern and southeastern corners of Australia, where substantial decreasing rainfall trends have been observed over the last decades. The need for a more unified understanding of large-scale anomalies in storm indicators associated with the climate features itemized above has motivated this study. The main aim is to identify cyclone-anomalous areas that are potentially important in characterizing continental rainfall anomalies from a hemispheric perspective, focusing on midlatitude Australia. The study covers the “satellite era” from 1979 to 2003 and was conducted for the southern winter when midlatitude rainfall is predominantly baroclinic.

The results indicate a well-organized hemispheric cyclone pattern associated with ENSO, SAM, SIE, and rainfall anomalies. There is a moderate large-scale, high-latitude resemblance between La Niña, negative SAM, and reduced SIE in some sectors. In particular, there is a suggestion that SIE anomalies over the Indian Ocean and Western Australia sectors are associated with a large-scale pattern of cyclone/anticyclone anomalies that is more pronounced over the longitudes of Australia and New Zealand. Spatial correlation analysis suggests a robust link between cyclone density over the sectors mentioned above and rainfall in Perth and Melbourne. Statistical analyses of rainfall and SIE show modest correlations for Perth and weak correlations for Melbourne, generally corroborating the above.

It is proposed that SAM and SIE are part of a complex physical system that is best understood as a coupled mechanism, and that their impacts on the circulation can be seen as partially independent of ENSO. While SAM and SIE have greater influence on the circulation affecting rainfall in the western side of Australia, ENSO is the dominant influence on the eastern half of the country. A contraction of the sea ice seems to be accompanied by a southward shift of high-latitude cyclones, which is also hypothesized to increase downstream cyclone density at midlatitudes via conservation of mass, similarly to what is observed during the extreme positive phase of the SAM. These associations build on previous developments in the literature. They bring a more unified view on high-latitude climate features, and may also help to explain the declining trends in Australian rainfall.
Observed Changes in Return Values of Annual Temperature Extremes over Argentina
Authors: Rusticucci Matilde , Tencer Bárbara
Published: April 2008

Extreme temperature events are one of the most studied extreme events since their occurrence has a huge impact on society. In this study, the frequency of occurrence of absolute extreme temperature events in Argentina is analyzed. Four annual extremes are defined based on minimum and maximum daily data: the highest maximum (minimum) temperature of the year, and the lowest maximum (minimum) temperature of the year. Applying the extreme value theory (EVT), a generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution is fitted to these extreme indices and return values are calculated for the period 1956–2003. Its spatial distribution indicates that, for warm extremes, maximum temperature (Tx) is expected to be greater than 32°C at least once every 100 yr throughout the country (reaching values even higher than 46°C in the central region), while minimum temperature (Tn) is expected to exceed 16°C (reaching 30°C in the central and northern regions). Cold annual extremes show larger gradients across the country, with Tx being lower than 8°C at least once every 100 yr, and Tn lower than 0°C every 2 yr, with values even less than −10°C in the southwestern part of the country.

However, the frequency of occurrence of climatic extremes has changed throughout the globe during the twentieth century. Changes in return values of annual temperature extremes due to the 1976–77 climatic shift at six long-term datasets are then analyzed. The lowest Tx of the year is the variable in which the 1976–77 shift is less noticeable. At all the stations studied there is a decrease in the probability of occurrence of the highest Tx if the study is based on more recent records, while the frequency of occurrence of the highest Tn increases at some stations and decreases at others. This implies that in the “present climate” (after 1977) there is a greater frequency of occurrence of high values of Tn at Observatorio Central Buenos Aires and Río Gallegos together with a lower frequency of occurrence of high values of Tx, leading to a decrease in the annual temperature range.

The most noticeable change in return values due to the 1976–77 shift is seen in Patagonia where the 10-yr return value for the highest Tn increases from 13.7°C before 1976 to 18.6°C after 1977. That is, values of the highest Tn that occurred at least once every 10 yr in the “past climate” (before 1976) now happened more than once every 2 yr.
Evaluating the Performance of Land Surface Models
Authors: Abramowitz Gab , Leuning Ray , Clark Martyn , Pitman Andy
Published: April 2008

This paper presents a set of analytical tools to evaluate the performance of three land surface models (LSMs) that are used in global climate models (GCMs). Predictions of the fluxes of sensible heat, latent heat, and net CO2 exchange obtained using process-based LSMs are benchmarked against two statistical models that only use incoming solar radiation, air temperature, and specific humidity as inputs to predict the fluxes. Both are then compared to measured fluxes at several flux stations located on three continents. Parameter sets used for the LSMs include default values used in GCMs for the plant functional type and soil type surrounding each flux station, locally calibrated values, and ensemble sets encompassing combinations of parameters within their respective uncertainty ranges. Performance of the LSMs is found to be generally inferior to that of the statistical models across a wide variety of performance metrics, suggesting that the LSMs underutilize the meteorological information used in their inputs and that model complexity may be hindering accurate prediction. The authors show that model evaluation is purpose specific; good performance in one metric does not guarantee good performance in others. Self-organizing maps are used to divide meteorological “‘forcing space” into distinct regions as a mechanism to identify the conditions under which model bias is greatest. These new techniques will aid modelers to identify the areas of model structure responsible for poor performance.
The Depth-Dependent Current and Wave Interaction Equations: A Revision
Authors: Mellor George L.
Published: April 2008

This is a revision of a previous paper dealing with three-dimensional wave-current interactions. It is shown that the continuity and momentum equations in the absence of surface waves can include waves after the addition of three-dimensional radiation stress terms, a fairly simple alteration for numerical ocean circulation models. The velocity that varies on time and space scales, which are large compared to inverse wave frequency and wavenumber, is denoted by ûα and, by convention, is called the “current.” The Stokes drift is labeled uSα and the mean velocity is Uα ≡ ûα + uSα. When vertically integrated, the results here are in agreement with past literature.

Surface wind stress is empirical, but transfer of the stress into the water column is a function derived in this paper. The wave energy equation is derived, and terms such as the advective wave velocity are weighted vertical integrals of the mean velocity. The wave action equation is not an appropriate substitute for the wave energy equation when the mean velocity is depth dependent.
Empirical Correction of a Coupled Land–Atmosphere Model
Authors: DelSole Timothy , Zhao Mei , Dirmeyer Paul A. , Kirtman Ben P.
Published: April 2008

This paper investigates empirical strategies for correcting the bias of a coupled land–atmosphere model and tests the hypothesis that a bias correction can improve the skill of such models. The correction strategies investigated include 1) relaxation methods, 2) nudging based on long-term biases, and 3) nudging based on tendency errors. The last method involves estimating the tendency errors of prognostic variables based on short forecasts—say lead times of 24 h or less—and then subtracting the climatological mean value of the tendency errors at every time step. By almost any measure, the best correction strategy is found to be nudging based on tendency errors. This method significantly reduces biases in the long-term forecasts of temperature and soil moisture, and preserves the variance of the forecast field, unlike relaxation methods. Tendency errors estimated from ten 1-day forecasts produced just as effective corrections as tendency errors estimated from all days in a month, implying that the method is trivial to implement by modern standards. Disappointingly, none of the methods investigated consistently improved the random error variance of the model, although this finding may be model dependent. Nevertheless, the empirical correction method is argued to be worthwhile even if it improves only the bias, because the method has only marginal impacts on the numerical speed and represents forecast error in the form of a tendency error that can be compared directly to other terms in the tendency equations, which in turn provides clues as to the source of the forecast error.
Binary Interaction between Typhoons Fengshen (2002) and Fungwong (2002) Based on the Potential Vorticity Diagnosis
Authors: Yang Chung-Chuan , Wu Chun-Chieh , Chou Kun-Hsuan , Lee Chia-Ying
Published: April 2008

A cyclonic loop was observed in the track of Typhoon Fungwong (2002) when it was about 765 n mi from Supertyphoon Fengshen (2002). It is shown that Fungwong’s special path is associated with the circulation of Fengshen, and such an association is regarded as an indication of binary interaction. In this paper, the binary interaction between Fengshen and Fungwong is studied based on the potential vorticity diagnosis. The impacts of large-scale flow fields on their motions are also investigated. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the storm characteristics to the binary interaction is demonstrated by the mesoscale numerical model simulations with different sizes and intensities for the initial bogused storms. Results of the study show that before Fungwong and Fengshen interacted with each other, their motions were governed by the large-scale environmental flow, that is, mainly associated with the subtropical high. During this binary interaction, Fungwong’s looping is partly attributed to Fengshen’s steering flow. This pattern shows up first as a case of one-way interaction in the early period, and then develops into a mutual interaction during the later stages. The numerical experiments show the sensitivity of the storm size and intensity to the binary interaction, implicating that a good representation of the initial storm vortex is important for the prediction of binary storms. Further analyses also indicate the influence of the monsoon trough and subtropical high systems on the binary interaction. These results provide some new insights into the motions of nearby typhoons embedded in the monsoon circulation.
Atmospheric Moisture and Cloud Cover Characteristics Forecast by AMPS*
Authors: Fogt Ryan L. , Bromwich David H.
Published: April 2008

Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS) forecasts of atmospheric moisture and cloud fraction (CF) are compared with observations at McMurdo and Amundsen–Scott South Pole station (hereafter, South Pole station) in Antarctica. Overall, it is found that the model produces excessive moisture at both sites in the mid- to upper troposphere because of a weaker vertical decrease of moisture in AMPS than observed. Correlations with observations suggest AMPS does a reasonable job of capturing the low-level moisture variability at McMurdo and the upper-level moisture variability at South Pole station. The model underpredicts the cloud cover at both locations, but changes to the AMPS empirical CF algorithm remove this negative bias by more than doubling the weight given to the cloud ice path.

A “pseudosatellite” product based on the microphysical quantities of cloud ice and cloud liquid water within AMPS is preliminarily evaluated against Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) imagery during summer to examine the broader performance of cloud variability in AMPS. These comparisons reveal that the model predicts high-level cloud cover and movement with fidelity, which explains the good agreement between the modified CF algorithm and the observed CF. However, this product also demonstrates deficiencies in capturing low-level cloudiness over cold ice surfaces primarily related to insufficient supercooled liquid water produced by the microphysics scheme, which also reduces the CF correlation with observations.

The results suggest that AMPS predicts the overall CF amount and high cloud variability notably well, making it a reliable tool for longer-term climate studies of these fields in Antarctica.
Treatment of Early Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 by A Combination of Mannitol and Dexamethasone
Authors: ZYLUK A. , PUCHALSKI P.
Published: April 2008

A total of 75 patients, 68 women (91%) and seven men (9%), with a mean age of 58 (range 38–82) years with early Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 (CRPS Type 1), present for less than 4 months, were given in-patient treatment with 10% mannitol 2 × 250 ml per day and 8 mg dexamethasone per day for 1 week. Measurements assessed included the pain, the range of finger movements, grip strength and our own clinical severity scoring system for CRPS Type 1 (CRPS score). The results were assessed at 1 week and, finally, at a mean of 9 (range 8–12) months. At 1-week assessment, all variables decreased significantly: pain from a mean Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of 6.7 to 2.3, loss of finger flexion (6–0.3 cm) and the CRPS score (7.6–2.2 points). Total grip strength did not improve. At the final assessment of 70 patients, the VAS score was a mean of 1.8, loss of finger flexion a mean of 0.1 cm, the CRPS score was a mean of 1.6 and grip strength a mean of 34% of the strength of the unaffected hand. All these variables showed statistically significant improvement.
Epidemiology of myelodysplastic syndromes and chronic myeloproliferative disorders in the United States, 2001-2004, using data from the NAACCR and SEER programs
Authors: Rollison Dana E. , Howlader Nadia , Smith Martyn T. , Strom Sara S. , Merritt William D. , Ries Lynn A. , Edwards Brenda K. , List Alan F.
Published: April 2008

Reporting of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) and chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMDs) to population-based cancer registries in the United States was initiated in 2001. In this first analysis of data from the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR), encompassing 82% of the US population, we evaluated trends in MDS and CMD incidence, estimated case numbers for the entire United States, and assessed trends in diagnostic recognition and reporting. Based on more than 40 000 observations, average annual age-adjusted incidence rates of MDS and CMD for 2001 through 2003 were 3.3 and 2.1 per 100 000, respectively. Incidence rates increased with age for both MDS and CMD (P < .05) and were highest among whites and non-Hispanics. Based on follow-up data through 2004 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, overall relative 3-year survival rates for MDS and CMD were 45% and 80%, respectively, with males experiencing poorer survival than females. Applying the observed age-specific incidence rates to US Census population estimates, approximately 9700 patients with MDS and 6300 patients with CMD were estimated for the entire United States in 2004. MDS incidence rates significantly increased with calendar year in 2001 through 2004, and only 4% of patients were reported to registries by physicians' offices. Thus, MDS disease burden in the United States may be underestimated.
The Medical Management of Menopause
Authors: Barlow David H.
Published: April 2008

The evidence concerning the effects of hormone therapy (HT) has been greatly expanded by the publication of very large randomized controlled trials. A consequence has been concern among women about the risks of HT such that the number of menopausal women using HT for relief of menopausal symptoms has declined. It is now appropriate to look at the best evidence available and to consider current policies. Women in the early postmenopausal phase, generally younger than 60 years of age, who are troubled by menopausal symptoms should be reassured that, for their circumstances, medical management of menopause in the form of HT is appropriate. If they go on to use HT for several years, it is possible that they will experience skeletal and coronary health benefits, but the evidence for such benefits is a matter of ongoing debate.
Pretreatments before the Induction of Ovulation in Assisted Reproduction Technologies: Evidence‐based Medicine in 2007
Authors: Bromer Jason Gabriel , Cetinkaya Mehmet Bilge , Arici Aydin
Published: April 2008

Many pretreatment modalities used prior to ovulation induction have been proposed to increase the success rate in women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies. However, no clear evidence from well‐designed clinical trials has shown a benefit of these treatments. We conducted a systematic review to explore the effect of different pretreatment therapies on outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Studies were limited to women treated prior to undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in IVF cycles with low‐dose aspirin, metformin, growth hormone, oral contraceptives, or corticosteroid supplementation versus placebo or no supplementation. Searches were conducted in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ISI Proceedings, and all randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of those therapies compared with placebo or no treatment in women before IVF were included. The main outcome measures considered were clinical pregnancy and live birth rates, miscarriage rate, number of oocytes retrieved, cycle cancellations, and the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. We conclude that, currently, no clear evidence indicates that using any of these pretreatment modalities is superior to no treatment in IVF cycles. Even when the studies are pooled, small sample size and low power preclude a complete assessment of adjuvant treatment modalities before ovulation stimulation in IVF cycles.
Inflammation and Pregnancy
Authors: Mor Gil
Published: April 2008

During normal pregnancy, the decidua is populated by a variety of leucocytes; however, cells of the innate immune system seem to dominate this tissue. Their presence suggests that the innate immune system is not indifferent to the fetus and has been associated with a response of the maternal immune system to the “semi‐allograft fetus.” New evidences, however, indicates that these immune cells are critical for decidual and trophoblast development, rather than induction of tolerance. We hypothesized that, during implantation, an inflammatory environment is necessary for the attachment and invasion of the blastocyst. Therefore, we propose the existence of an “inflammatory‐mediated embryo implantation” condition that is dependent on the proper “education” of the innate immune system by the trophoblast. Here we postulate that trophoblast cells successfully orchestrate their inflammatory environment and regulate immune cell differentiation and activation.
Endometriosis and Tissue Factor
Authors: Krikun Graciela , Schatz Frederick , Taylor Hugh , Lockwood Charles J.
Published: April 2008

Tissue factor (TF), is a cellular receptor that binds the ligand factor VII/VIIa to initiate the blood coagulation cascade. In addition to its role as the initiator of the hemostatic cascade, TF is known to be involved in angiogenesis via an interaction with factor VIIa and protease‐activated receptor‐2 (PAR‐2). In this article we review previous studies from our laboratory demonstrating that the pattern and level of TF expression is altered in multiple cell types derived from eutopic and ectopic endometrium from women with endometriosis compared with normal endometrium. We posit that the inflammatory environment that occurs in ectopic and eutopic endometrium from patients with disease results in high TF expression that in turn, signals via PAR‐2 to further produce inflammatory cytokine or chemokine production and macrophage recruitment. Thus, our studies suggest that TF might be an ideal target for therapeutic intervention in endometriosis.
Stem Cells
Authors: Oktem Ozgur , Oktay Kutluk
Published: April 2008

Stem cells, with their unlimited self‐renewal feature and their ability to differentiate into almost every mature cell type in the body, have enormous potential for research and therapeutic application. In this article, we review the formation of primordial germ cells, the precursors of adult gametocytes, from their specification to their migration to prospective gonads. We discuss recent studies that obtained germ cells from stem cells in vitro. We place special emphasis on studies that challenge the current dogma in reproductive biology that female mammals are born with a set number of nonrenewable germ cells in the ovary by showing germ cell renewal in the adult ovary.
Clinical Efficiency of Oocyte and Embryo Cryopreservation
Authors: Borini Andrea , Cattoli Monica , Bulletti Carlo , Coticchio Giovanni
Published: April 2008

The assessment of the standard for success of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment is an arduous task. Clinical efficiency and safety of a given procedure should represent fundamental tools for objective comparison. However, differences in patient populations, laboratory protocols, and expression of clinical data make the analysis of different studies and strategies very difficult. Formulation of the standard for success through the cumulative delivery rate per cycle of stimulation is a very attractive option because it includes the essential contribution of frozen embryos, which can represent 30–40% of all deliveries, while taking into account the need to minimize the proportion of pharmacological and surgical treatments. Embryo cryopreservation may be applied at different postinsemination stages. Larger and more detailed sets of data are available for day 2 embryo freezing, which allows cumulative delivery rates of 50–60% in good prognosis patients. In the last few years, novel freezing methods have improved the overall efficiency of oocyte cryopreservation. Especially in contexts afflicted by legal restrictions to embryo cryo‐ preservation, this form of preservation has started to have an impact on the IVF standard of success, generating cumulative pregnancy rates approaching 50%. Despite having been applied systematically by some IVF programs for only a few years, oocyte freezing already competes in efficiency with pronuclear‐stage cryopreservation, and it does not appear unrealistic to predict that in the future it will challenge the dominance of embryo cryopreservation as the preferred form of conservation.
Stem Cells and the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis
Authors: Sasson Isaac E. , Taylor Hugh S.
Published: April 2008

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disorder that is defined by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. This disease often results in extensive morbidity, including chronic pelvic pain and infertility. The pathogenesis of endometriosis is likely multifactorial, and extensive investigation has explored the role of genetics, environmental factors, and the immune system in predisposing patients to developing endometriosis. A series of recent publications have described the identification of endometrial stem/progenitor cells. Such cells have long been speculated to function in the cyclic regeneration of the endometrium during the menstrual cycle and in the pathogenesis of several gynecological disorders. This narrative review will (i) examine the evidence for endometrial stem cells, (ii) examine their potential role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, and (iii) identify important unanswered questions with suggestions for future investigation.
An Update of Assisted Reproductive Technologies Results in the United States
Authors: Neri Queenie V. , Takeuchi Takumi , Palermo Gianpiero D.
Published: April 2008

The etiology of compromised spermatogenesis is often genetic. Because male subfertility has been associated with a higher incidence of genomic defects, ranging from aneuploidy to Yq microdeletions, concerns have been raised as to the risk of transmitting genetic defects to the offspring. Thus, screening for such defects can be important for appropriate counseling prior to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. However, only a few reports of father–son cohorts have evaluated the heritability of mutations associated with male factor infertility, as well as the well‐being of the children. Because of their invasiveness and their ability to treat severely infertile men known to carry genetic defects, assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), and ICSI in particular, have generated concerns as to the normality of the offspring. Although early studies on neonatal outcomes failed to reveal any differences between ICSI and in vitro fertilization babies, some recent reports claim a greater incidence of abnormalities in ART children compared with those conceived normally. Anxieties have been voiced also in regard to rare imprinting disorders, as well as cancer following ART. Here we assess the genetic profiles of infertile men treated by ICSI and the profiles of the pregnancies they generated, including obstetrical and perinatal outcomes and developmental milestones in children born from ART. These children were also subjected to genetic and epigenetic analysis as well as to pediatric and psychological examinations.
Implementation of a community liaison pharmacy service: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Vuong Tam , Marriott Jennifer L , Kong David C M , Siderov Jim
Published: April 2008

Objective

The aim of this study was to provide a pharmacy service to improve continuity of patient care across the primary-secondary care interface.

Setting

The study involved patients discharged from two acute-care tertiary teaching hospitals in Melbourne, Australia, returning to independent living.

Methods

Consecutive patients admitted to both hospitals who met the study criteria and provided consent were recruited. Recruited patients were randomised to receive either standard care (discharge counselling, provision of compliance aids and communication with primary healthcare providers when necessary) or the intervention (standard care and a home visit from a community liaison pharmacist (CLP) within 5 days of discharge). Participant medication was reviewed during the visit according to set protocols and compliance and medication understanding was measured. All participants were telephoned 8–12weeks after discharge to assess the impact of the intervention on adherence and medication knowledge.

Key findings

The CLP visited 142 patients with a mean time of 4.2 days following hospital discharge (range = 1–14 days). Consultations lasted 15–105 min (mean, 49 min; SD, ± 21 min). The CLPs retrospectively coded 766 activities and interventions that occurred during home visits, subsequently categorised into three groups: counselling and education, therapeutic interventions and other interventions. No statistical difference was detected in the number of medications patients reported taking at follow-up: the mean value was 7.72 (SD, ± 3.27) for intervention patients and 7.55 (SD, ± 3.27) for standard-care patients (P = 0.662). At follow-up self-perceived medication understanding was found to have improved in intervention patients (P < 0.001) and significant improvements from baseline in medication adherence were found in both standard-care (P < 0.022) and intervention (P < 0.005) groups; however, adherence had improved more in intervention patients.

Conclusion

The community liaison pharmacy service provided critical and useful interventions and support to patients, minimising the risk of medication misadventure when patients were discharged from hospital to home.
Antenatal oral glucose-tolerance test values and pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Elnour Asim Ahmed , McElnay James C
Published: April 2008

Objective

The aim of the present study was to explore the impact of individual blood glucose values (n = 4; i.e. fasting and 1, 2 and 3 h following oral glucose administration) obtained during antenatal oral glucose-tolerance testing, together with two different sets of criteria used for diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) — Carpenter and Coustan Criteria (CCC) and National Diabetes Data Group (NDDG) criteria — in predicting pregnancy outcomes and maternal insulin need.

Setting

Al Ain Hospital, United Arab Emirates.

Method

This observational uncontrolled cohort study gained its study subjects from a randomised, controlled, longitudinal, prospective clinical trial performed at Al Ain Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. The eligible population was made up of all women (n = 720) who participated in an early screening programme for GDM. Those who had a positive oral glucose-tolerance test (OGTT) based on CCC were included in the study (n = 165). All recruited women with GDM were followed from time of recruitment to 6months postpartum. The sources of information used were maternal and neonatal medical records and laboratory findings for women both antenatally and postnatally.

Results

The maternal and neonatal outcomes indicated that the number of abnormally elevated antenatal OGTT values obtained during the diagnosis of GDM was significantly correlated with development of a number of pregnancy complications. Data analysis also indicated that the number of abnormal diagnostic antenatal OGTT values using CCC was significantly correlated with development of postpartum diabetes mellitus (P = 0.044) within 6months of delivery. The number of abnormal OGTT values significantly contributed to insulin need during the index pregnancy (P < 0.05). The CCC approach was more sensitive than the NDDG methodology for predicting the onset of GDM and a number of the associated complications.

Conclusions

The study highlighted the importance of abnormal values for antenatal OGTT in identifying the need for insulin management in women with GDM.
Synthesis and Properties of 1-(4-Aminophenyl)-2,4-dicyano-3-diethylamino-9,9-diethylfluorenes: Potential Fluorescent Material
Authors: Chen Xiao-Hang , Zhao Zujin , Liu Yang , Lu Ping , Wang Yan-Guang
Published: April 2008

Four new fluorenes bearing two electron donors and two electron acceptors were synthesized and found to emit blue fluorescence in both solution and solid states.
Angular Dependence of Rotational and Vibrational Energy of Desorbing CO2 in CO Oxidation on Pd Polycrystalline and Pd(111) Surfaces
Authors: Yamanaka Toshiro
Published: April 2008

Angular dependence of rotational and vibrational temperatures of product CO2 were studied in CO oxidation on a Pd polycrystalline surface by means of chemiluminescence measurements. Rotational temperature (Trot) and vibrational temperature (Tvib) showed minimum values at the surface normal and significantly increased as the desorption angle increased. Trot and Tvib became higher when the ratio of exposure of O2 to that of CO increased. These angular dependences are quite different from those on Pd(111).
Spontaneous Rapid Growth of Triruthenium Cluster Multilayers on Gold Surface. Cyclic Voltammetric In Situ Monitoring and AFM Characterization
Authors: Michi Takayuki , Abe Masaaki , Takakusagi Satoru , Kato Masako , Uosaki Kohei , Sasaki Yoichi
Published: April 2008

An in situ approach for rapid growth of multilayers of redox-active triruthenium cluster complexes has been developed under electrochemical potential control of the gold electrode, the formation process being successfully probed by cyclic voltammetry and AFM images.
Hydrophilicity-controllable Microporous Hybrid Materials by Anion Exchange
Authors: Miyake Junpei , Chujo Yoshiki
Published: April 2008

Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)/silica hybrids having imidazolium chloride [IL(Cl−)] moieties could be prepared by utilizing ionic interactions between anionic carboxylic acid groups of PAA and cationic imidazolium groups of silica phase. By removing PAA from the obtained hybrids, we could obtain hydrophilicity-controllable microporous hybrids by means of anion-exchange reaction of imidazolium moieties.
Glucose Responsive Two-step Release of Hydrogel-immobilized Protein
Authors: Murota Kazutoshi , Sakamoto Seiji , Kudo Kazuaki
Published: April 2008

We designed a two-step-release system that enables protein release from hydrogel in response to glucose. In the system, one of the heterodimeric coiled-coil forming peptides was initially fixed to a hydrogel via a boronate–diol interaction. The peptide was specifically released from the hydrogel by externally incoming glucose. As a result, a protein immobilized in another hydrogel was librated owing to the displacement by the peptide at its hydrogel-bound coiled-coil moiety.
Liposome Immobilization on Peptide-modified Quartz Crystal Microbalance Electrodes for Kinetic Analysis of Interactions on Membrane Surfaces
Authors: Kasuya Yuzo , Ohtaka Megumi , Tsukamoto Kei , Ikeda Yasuyuki , Matsumura Kazunari
Published: April 2008

In order to facilitate biosensor analyses of interactions on membrane surfaces, a method of immobilizing liposome using anchoring amphiphilic peptides was developed. Intact liposomes were immobilized stably on a quartz crystal microbalance electrode and were applied to a quantitative study of glycolipids–protein interactions.
Preparation of Alkyl Aryl Sulfides from Alcohols and 2-Sulfanylbenzothiazole by a New Type of Oxidation–Reduction Condensation Using Aryl Diphenylphosphinite and Benzoquinone Derivatives
Authors: Kuroda Kiichi , Hayashi Yujiro , Mukaiyama Teruaki
Published: April 2008

A method for the preparation of alkyl aryl sulfides from alcohols and 2-sulfanylbenzothiazole by a new type of oxidation–reduction condensation using phenyl diphenylphosphinite and 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone is described. In this reaction, the chiral alcohols are converted into the corresponding chiral sulfides with almost complete inversion of configurations under mild and neutral conditions.