bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The medical value of examining tissue from therapeutic abortions: an analysis of 13 477 cases
Authors: KIEL FRANK W.
Published: August 2005

Summary. In 1983 the United States Supreme Court ruled that therapeutic abortion tissue must be examined by a pathologist. A review of 13 477 specimens indicated that 98.7% had routine confirmation of the intrauterine pregnancy. Of the remainder, 60% had a deciduoid appearance, suggestive of but not diagnostic of pregnancy, 39% were not diagnostic of pregnancy, and 1% showed hydatidiform mole. In a subgroup of patients with non‐routine reports, 28% had a problem warranting further care for ectopic pregnancy or trophoblastic disease or intrauterine retained placental tissue. It is concluded that a small percentage of patients receive benefit from this additional study because real or potential complications are identified early in the post–abortion period.
Racial variations in the incidence of Trisomy 21
Authors: ROGERS MICHAEL S.
Published: August 2005

Summary. A retrospective study compared the incidence of Trisomy 21 in immigrant Asians and indigenous Europeans, aged 40 years and over and delivered in the South Birmingham Health District over a 10 year period. A significantly lower (P<O·01) incidence of Trisomy 21 was observed in the Asian group than was expected, whereas the indigenous Europeans showed no significanl difference from other European studies.
Pulsatile secretion of pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A) in non‐pregnant women
Authors: BISCHOF P. , HERRMANN W. L. , SIZONENKO P. C.
Published: August 2005

Summary. No changes in PAPP‐A levels could be detected when plasma samples were obtained every second day throughout the entire menstrual cycle in three healthy women. But when measured every 30 min throughout 12 consecutive hours, in four healthy women, PAPP‐A followed a pulsatile pattern which may originate in the endometrium since no PAPP‐A pulses were detected in a long‐term hysterectomized woman, or in two men. The pulses were not related to levels of oestradiol, progesterone, FSH or LH.
Place of delivery: a review
Authors: CAMPBELL RONA , MACFARLANE ALISON
Published: August 2005

Summary. Policies about place of delivery have tended to be formulated without either looking at existing evidence or doing new research into the relative safety for women and babies of delivery in different settings. This article reviews published research on the subject, and finds that many of the data required have not been collected. Furthermore, many analyses fail to take account of selection biases or differences in the birth weight distribution and the incidence of congenital malformations among babies born in different settings. Nevertheless, some tentative conclusions can be drawn. The available evidence does not support claims that, for the baby, the iatrogenic risks of obstetric intervention outweigh the possible benefits. At the same time, there is no evidence to support the claim that the shift to hospital delivery is responsible for the decline in perinatal mortality in England and Wales nor the claim that the safest policy is for all women to be delivered in hospital.
Analysis of impedance cardiography longitudinally applied in pregnancy
Authors: DAVIES P. , FRANCIS R. I. , DOCKER M. F. , CRAWFORD J. SELWYN , WATTS J. M.
Published: August 2005

Summary. Data gathered during a longitudinal study of cardiac output throughout pregnancy, measured by application of impedance cardiography, have been reassessed in respect to individual items of measurement. Examination of the pattern of change in these values did not reveal any flaw in the proposition that impedance cardiography, with the invocation of the Kubicek equation, can confidently be applied in such a study.
Pregnancy in Jamaican women with homozygous sickle cell disease. Fetal and maternal outcome
Authors: PODDAR D. , MAUDE G. H. , PLANT M. J. , SCORER H. , SERJEANT G. R.
Published: August 2005

Summary. The outcome of 664 pregnancies in 297 Jamaican women with homozygous sickle cell (SS) disease over the period 1959–1984 was reviewed. Overall, the spontaneous abortion rate was 118 per 1000 pregnancies, the stillbirth rate 128 per 1000 births, and perinatal mortality 171 per 1000 births. There was a striking secular increase in both spontaneous abortions and stillbirths which was accounted for, in part, by a trend for abortions to increase with maternal age up to the age of 30 years, a greater proportion of patients in the high‐risk 25–29 year age group occurring in the 1980–1984 period. Another factor contributing to the poor obstetric performance in the 1980–1984 period was probably an increased survival and pregnancy rate in high‐risk patients. Seven women had pregnancy‐related deaths giving a pregnancy mortality rate of 1.1%.
The aetiology of preterm labour
Authors: WHITE DAVID R. , HALL MARION H. , CAMPBELL DORIS M.
Published: August 2005

Summary. Factors associated with spontaneous preterm birth were analysed in 254 primigravidae who gave birth to singleton infants between 28 and 36 completed weeks gestation in Aberdeen City District between 1978 and 1982. In 144 women labour followed premature rupture of the membranes and in 110 the membranes were intact and labour began with contractions. Among those with intact membranes, unmarried women and teenagers were over represented to a significant extent compared with all primigravidae. Among those with premature rupture of the membranes, the distribution of age and marital state was similar to that in all primigravidae, but the birthweight centile distribution showed a significant shift towards light‐for‐dates babies. It is argued that there may be two distinct categories of pregnancies that end in spontaneous preterm labour.
Absorption of menstrual discharge by tampons inserted during menstruation: quantitative assessment of blood and total fluid content
Authors: LEVIN ROY J. , WAGNER GORM
Published: August 2005

Summary. The simultaneous absorption of genital secretions and blood was assessed in 61 intravaginal tampons from eight young, healthy, nulliparous volunteers during menstruation. The tampons were selfinserted over the first 3 days of menstruation according to the habit of each subject. Wide variations in the amount of blood and fluid absorbed were noted within and between subjects. The mean amount of genital secretion absorbed was 0.31 g/h and that of menstrual blood was 0.76 g/h. The average tampon absorbed 65% blood and 35% genital secretion.
Ultrasound study of ovarian cysts in pregnancy: prevalence and significance
Authors: HOGSTON P. , LILFORD R. J.
Published: August 2005

. Previous surveys of the prevalence and natural history of ovarian cysts have been based on those ascertained by clinical examination. This study examines the fate of 137 adnexal cysts discovered during the course of 26 110 ultrasound scans in early pregnancy. Of these 10% were operated on in the first instance, and a further 2% required operation during pregnancy for painful complications. In 3% cysts were removed at caesarean section or in the puerperium. Half the removed cysts were neoplastic including one low grade carcinoma. Of the 120 cysts treated conservatively, 89% could not be detected on ultrasound examination later in pregnancy. All cysts >8 cm should be removed, as should smaller cysts that are multilocular, thick‐walled or semi‐solid.
Do obstetric intranatal interventions make birth safer?
Authors: Tew Marjorie
Published: August 2005

Summary. Impartial analyses of the evidence from official statistics, national surveys and specific studies consistently find that perinatal mortality is much higher, when obstetric intranatal interventions are used, as in consultant hospitals, than when they are little used, as in unattached general practitioner maternity units and at home. The conclusion holds even after allowance has been made for the higher predelivery risk status of hospital births as a result of the booking and transfer policies. It holds even more strongly for births at high than at low predicted risk. It follows that the increased use of interventions, implied by increased hospitalization, could not have been the cause of the decline in the national perinatal mortality rate over the last 50 years and analysis of results by different methods confirms that the latter would have declined more in the absence of the former. Data are presented which point to the deleterious effect of interventions on the incidence of low birthweight and short gestation and their associated mortality. Also presented are data supporting the alternative explanation of the decline in perinatal mortality, namely the improvement in the health status of mothers built up over several generations. The organization of the maternity service stands indicted by the evidence. Despite the beliefs of those responsible, it has not promoted, and cannot promote, the objective of reducing perinatal mortality.
Place of delivery: a review
Authors: Campbell Rona , Macfarlane Alison
Published: August 2005

Summary. Policies about place of delivery have tended to be formulated without either looking at existing evidence or doing new research into the relative safety for women and babies of delivery in different settings. This article reviews published research on the subject, and finds that many of the data required have not been collected. Furthermore, many analyses fail to take account of selection biases or differences in the birth weight distribution and the incidence of congenital malformations among babies born in different settings. Nevertheless, some tentative conclusions can be drawn. The available evidence does not support claims that, for the baby, the iatrogenic risks of obstetric intervention outweigh the possible benefits. At the same time, there is no evidence to support the claim that the shift to hospital delivery is responsible for the decline in perinatal mortality in England and Wales nor the claim that the safest policy is for all women to be delivered in hospital.
A comparison between the organization of obstetrics in Denmark and The Netherlands
Authors: Scherjon Sicco
Published: August 2005

Summary. A comparison was made between two types of obstetric organization: total hospitalization as in Denmark, and a system that allows a choice between hospital and home delivery, provided there are no medical contra‐indications, as in The Netherlands. Until the end of the 1950s, the current Dutch view prevailed in Denmark; Denmark changed its organization in the late 1960s and followed the international preference for total hospitalization. This change was not caused by disappointing obstetric results, nor was it the result of strong pressure from pregnant women. The change was associated with a considerable increase in instrumental deliveries. In both countries the perinatal mortality rate decreased continuously but in Denmark the improvement in early neonatal mortality was slightly faster. This difference may have occurred because of insufficient referral in The Netherlands of high‐risk pregnancies and deliveries to the fully equipped obstetric departments. The Dutch acceptance of a high proportion of home‐confinements is unlikely to be the explanation.
Pregnancy in Jamaican women with homozygous sickle cell disease. Fetal and maternal outcome
Authors: PODDAR D. , MAUDE G. H. , PLANT M. J. , SCORER H. , SERJEANT G. R.
Published: August 2005

Summary. The outcome of 664 pregnancies in 297 Jamaican women with homozygous sickle cell (SS) disease over the period 1959–1984 was reviewed. Overall, the spontaneous abortion rate was 118 per 1000 pregnancies, the stillbirth rate 128 per 1000 births, and perinatal mortality 171 per 1000 births. There was a striking secular increase in both spontaneous abortions and stillbirths which was accounted for, in part, by a trend for abortions to increase with maternal age up to the age of 30 years, a greater proportion of patients in the high‐risk 25–29 year age group occurring in the 1980–1984 period. Another factor contributing to the poor obstetric performance in the 1980–1984 period was probably an increased survival and pregnancy rate in high‐risk patients. Seven women had pregnancy‐related deaths giving a pregnancy mortality rate of 1·1%.
The duration of lochia
Authors: OPPENHEIMER L. W. , SHERRIFF ELIZABETH A. , GOODMAN J. D. S. , SHAH DINA , JAMES CATHERINE E.
Published: August 2005

Summary. The duration of lochia and its association with a number of obstetric variables was studied in 236 women. Each woman completed a diary sheet describing the colour and duration of her lochia for up to 60 days post partum. The phases of lochia were divided according to the classical description; lochia rubra, serosa and alba. The median total duration of lochia was 33 days, lochia rubra 4 days and lochia serosa 22 days. Lochia persisted to 60 days in 13% of women. The duration of lochia was shorter in parous women and women with smaller babies.
Mast cells in the tubal wall in women using an intrauterine contraceptive device
Authors: SANDVEI ROAR , WOLLEN ANNE‐LONE , FLOOD PER R. , ANKER CARSTEN
Published: August 2005

Summary. The number of mast cells in the tubal wall of 33 healthy non‐pregnant women, 17 of whom had an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD), was investigated. Light microscopy showed that both the muscularis externa and the lamina propria of the tubal wall contained more mast cells in the 17 IUCD users than in the 16 non‐users (control group). In both patient groups the mast cell concentration was higher in the muscularis externa than in the lamina propria. Most mast cells of the muscularis externa were more closely related to smooth muscle cells than to blood vessels. The increased number of mast cells in IUCD users may be a factor in the pathogenesis of pelvic inflammatory disease and the ectopic pregnancies that occur in IUCD users.
Interval from rupture of the membranes to delivery and neonatal respiratory adaptation
Authors: WENNERGREN M. , KRANTZ M. , HJALMARSON O. , KARLSSON K.
Published: August 2005

Summary. The influence of the time interval from rupture of the membranes to delivery on neonatal respiratory adaptation was analysed in a prospective study of all infants born in Goteborg, Sweden in one year. The correlation between the incidence of respiratory disorders and the rupture‐delivery interval was analysed in all preterm infants (≤36 weeks, n=240) and in all term infants born by caesarean section (n=452). A uniform pattern was found for all preterm infants, irrespective of mode of delivery, and for the term infants born by caesarean section. The curve was ‘U‐shape’ with higher incidence of respiratory diseases in infants born immediately after rupture of the membranes than in those born 3–36 h after membrane. rupture. The incidence increased again in infants born >36 h after membrane rupture. The same pattern was found for all kinds of respiratory diseases including idiopatic respiratory distress syndrome. Therefore, there seems to be no advantage in postponing delivery >36h after rupture of the membranes.
Chronic corticotropin‐releasing factor type 1 receptor antagonism with antalarmin regulates the dopaminergic system of Fawn‐Hooded rats
Authors: Lawrence A. J. , Parish C. L. , Chen F. , Lodge D. J. , Krstew E. V. , Card K. , Finkelstein D. I. , Horne M. K.
Published: August 2005

Corticotropin‐releasing factor is a neuropeptide associated with the integration of physiological and behavioural responses to stress and also in the modulation of affective state and drug reward. The selective, centrally acting corticotropin‐releasing factor type 1 receptor antagonist, antalarmin, is a potent anxiolytic and reduces volitional ethanol consumption in Fawn‐Hooded rats. The efficacy of antalarmin to reduce ethanol consumption increased with time, suggestive of adaptation to reinforcement processes and goal‐directed behaviour. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of chronic antalarmin treatment on reward‐related regions of Fawn‐Hooded rat brain. Bi‐daily antalarmin treatment (20 mg/kg, i.p.) for 10 days increased tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA expression throughout the ventral mesencephalon. Following chronic antalarmin the density of dopaminergic terminals within the basal ganglia and amygdaloid complex were reduced, as was dopamine transporter binding within the striatum. Receptor autoradiography indicated an up‐regulation of dopamine D2, but no change in D1, binding in striatum, and Golgi‐Cox analysis of striatal medium spiny neurones indicated that chronic antalarmin treatment increased spine density. Thus, chronic antalarmin treatment modulates dopaminergic pathways and implies that chronic treatment with drugs of this class may ultimately alter postsynaptic signaling mechanisms within the basal ganglia.
Sixty polymorphic microsatellite markers for the oldfield mouse developed in Peromyscus polionotus and Peromyscus maniculatus
Authors: MULLEN LYNNE M. , HIRSCHMANN RACHEL J. , PRINCE KELLY L. , GLENN TRAVIS C. , DEWEY MICHAEL J. , HOEKSTRA HOPI E.
Published: August 2005

We isolated and characterized 60 novel microsatellite markers from the closely related oldfield mouse (Peromyscus polionotus) and deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) for studies of conservation, ecological, quantitative and population genetics. We assessed all 60 markers in a wild population of Peromyscus polionotus rhoadsi (N = 20) from central Florida and found an average of nine alleles per marker and an observed heterozygosity (HO) of 0.66 (range = 0.00–1.00). These polymorphic markers contribute to the growing number of genomic resources for Peromyscus, an emerging model system for ecological and evolutionary research.
coalface: a graphical user interface program for the simulation of coalescence
Authors: DELPORT W.
Published: August 2005

In this manuscript, I describe a computer program that simulates the coalescent process and provides visual outputs of coalescent genealogies to the screen. coalface is a user‐friendly program for teaching the principles of coalescence to both undergraduates and postgraduates in population genetics. In addition, coalface can generate data for distributions of the time to the most recent common ancestor, number of segregating sites and common diversity indices, from multiple simulations. Windows and Linux (Intel) executables are available at http://www.up.ac.za/academic/genetics/staff/Bloomer/Research/software.htm.
Modelling of mineral equilibria in ultrahigh‐temperature metamorphic rocks from the Anápolis–Itauçu Complex, central Brazil
Authors: BALDWIN J. A. , POWELL R. , BROWN M. , MORAES R. , FUCK R. A.
Published: August 2005

A new quantitative approach to constraining mineral equilibria in sapphirine‐bearing ultrahigh‐temperature (UHT) granulites through the use of pseudosections and compatibility diagrams is presented, using a recently published thermodynamic model for sapphirine. The approach is illustrated with an example from an UHT locality in the Anápolis–Itauçu Complex, central Brazil, where modelling of mineral equilibria indicates peak metamorphic conditions of about 9 kbar and 1000 °C. The early formed, coarse‐grained assemblage is garnet–orthopyroxene–sillimanite–quartz, which was subsequently modified following peak conditions. The retrograde pressure–temperature (P–T) path of this locality involves decompression across the FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 (FMAS) univariant reaction orthopyroxene + sillimanite = garnet + sapphirine + quartz, resulting in the growth of sapphirine–quartz, followed by cooling and recrossing of this reaction. The resulting microstructures are modelled using compatibility diagrams, and pseudosections calculated for specific grain boundaries considered as chemical domains. The sequence of microstructures preserved in the rocks constrains a two‐stage isothermal decompression–isobaric cooling path. The stability of cordierite along the retrograde path is examined using a domainal approach and pseudosections for orthopyroxene–quartz and garnet–quartz grain boundaries. This analysis indicates that the presence or absence of cordierite may be explained by local variation in aH2O. This study has important implications for thermobarometric studies of UHT granulites, mainly through showing that traditional FMAS petrogenetic grids based on experiments alone may overestimate P–T conditions. Such grids are effectively constant aH2O sections in FMAS‐H2O (FMASH), for which the corresponding aH2O is commonly higher than that experienced by UHT granulites. A corollary of this dependence of mineral equilibria on aH2O is that local variations in aH2O may explain the formation of cordierite without significant changes in P–T conditions, particularly without marked decompression.
Low Back Pain: From Algorithm to Cost‐Effectiveness?
Authors: Van Zundert Jan , Van Kleef Maarten
Published: August 2005

Abstract:  Low back pain is one of the most important burdens for the patient, the health‐care provider, and society. Treatment selection should target the appropriate use of the available health‐care resources with the highest probability of success. When conventional treatment fails to provide satisfactory pain reduction and improvement of the quality of life, more interventional techniques can be envisioned. The degree of invasiveness of the different treatment modalities varies as well as the costs. A stepwise approach to chronic low back pain may reduce the economic burden with optimal use of the less invasive treatments. In this review, we discuss the treatment algorithm with special attention to the interventional pain management techniques. We also describe the results of a cost evaluation for the management of low back pain in Belgium compared with that in the Netherlands, two neighboring countries with different social security systems.
Correlation of Adverse Neurological Outcomes with Increasing Volumes and Delayed Administration of Autologous Epidural Blood Patches for Postdural Puncture Headaches
Authors: Diaz James H. , Weed Jonathan T.
Published: August 2005

Introduction:  Epidural blood patches (EBPs) usually afford rapid and successful treatment outcomes for postdural puncture headaches (PDPH) with few adverse sequelae.

Patients and Methods:  In order to identify potential risk factors for any adverse outcomes of EBP, a Medline search, 1966 to the present, of case reports and series of any adverse outcomes following EBP for PDPH was conducted. The literature search identified 26 patient cases with 21 cases defined as adverse neurological outcomes, and further stratified as compression or noncompression syndromes, and five cases defined as persistent cranial nerve (CN) palsies. Cases were also stratified by age, sex, and blood volumes of EBP or delays in administration, and compared for statistically significant differences in continuous variables by unpaired, two‐tailed t‐tests and for significant correlations between predictor variables, including EBP volumes and delays in administration, and adverse neurological outcomes, by simple linear regression analysis.

Results:  There were no statistically significant sex differences in the mean ages or weights of the study population, or in the total volumes of autologous blood injected in EBPs. When the study population was compared for adverse neurological outcomes by compression or noncompression syndromes, patients experiencing compression syndromes received significantly more EBP volumes (35.36 mL) than patients experiencing noncompression (17.46 mL) syndromes (P = 0.025). Regression analysis confirmed a significant direct linear relationship between increasing EBP volumes and worsening adverse neurological outcomes (P = 0.008). In patients with CN palsies associated with PDPH and unrelieved by EBP, regression analysis again confirmed significant direct linear relationships between increasing days waited to perform EBP and increasing duration of CN palsies in months (P = 0.001).

Conclusions:  Epidural blood patches for the management of PDPH, especially PDPH associated with CN palsies, should be administered as soon as the diagnosis of PDPH is made with lower volumes of autologous blood (≤20 mL) to assure the best treatment outcomes.
Physiotherapy, Steroid Injections, or Rest for Lateral Epicondylosis? What the Evidence Suggests
Authors: Nimgade Ashok , Sullivan Meaghan , Goldman Rose
Published: August 2005

Objective:  To identify effective lateral epicondylosis interventions and assess the quality of research over time.

Methods:  Relevant MEDLINE and EMBASE searches respectively yielded 226 and 187 potential studies. Additional citations were extracted from bibliographies. Thirty controlled trials met inclusion criteria. The Cochrane Collaboration guidelines “quality score” served to rate studies.

Results:  In the short term (<2 to 3 months) steroid injections and physiotherapy outperformed relative rest. Physiotherapy appears efficacious regardless of time frame. After 3 months, active physiotherapy outperforms injections, but does not appear significantly better than rest. Evidence was neutral or insufficient regarding ultrasound, splinting, or manipulation. Nonsignificant correlations between publication year and study quality score were found.

Conclusions:  Overall research quality has not improved with time. Steroid injections appear the most successful short‐term intervention for pain relief. Active physiotherapy appears efficacious regardless of time frame.
Sphenopalatine Ganglion Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment in 30 Patients Suffering from Chronic Face and Head Pain
Authors: Bayer Erin , Racz Gabor B. , Miles Day , Heavner James
Published: August 2005

Abstract:  This study evaluated the efficacy of sphenopalatine ganglion pulsed radiofrequency (SPG‐PRF) treatment in patients suffering from chronic head and face pain. Thirty patients were observed from 4 to 52 months after PRF treatment. The primary efficacy measures were the reduction in oral medication use, including opioids, time‐to‐next‐treatment modality for presenting symptoms, duration of pain relief, and the presence of residual symptoms. Secondary objectives included the evaluation of adverse effects and complications. All data were derived from patient charts, phone conversations, and clinical follow‐up visits. Fourteen percent of respondents reported no pain relief, 21% had complete pain relief, and 65% of the patients reported mild to moderate pain relief from SPG‐PRF treatment. Sixty‐five percent of the respondents reported mild to moderate reduction in oral opioids. None of the patients developed significant infection, bleeding, hematoma formation, dysesthesia, or numbness of palate, maxilla, or posterior pharynx. A large‐scale study of SPG‐PRF for the treatment of face and head pain has not been previously reported. Our results suggest that a prospective, randomized, controlled trial study to confirm efficacy and safety of this novel treatment for chronic head and face pain is justified.
Poverty, Partnerships, and Privilege: Elite Institutions and Community Empowerment
Authors: Boyle Mary‐Ellen , Silver Ira
Published: August 2005

During the 1990s, universities and foundations separately entered into community partnerships with the intent of revitalizing poor urban neighborhoods. We describe the historical context that preceded their involvement in these partnerships, outline the evolution in ideas about “community empowerment” integral to such partnerships, and explain the partnership model's attractiveness. We then analyze how and why these partnerships embraced the rhetoric of community empowerment and discuss the paradox of elites attempting to empower poor people. Our analysis suggests that these partnerships allowed for the appearance of an inclusive solution to community problems, while maintaining the legitimacy and privilege of their elite sponsors.
T‐Communities: Pedestrian Street Networks and Residential Segregation in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
Authors: Grannis Rick
Published: August 2005

In this article, I build on Grannis' (1998) analysis and examine the entire metropolitan regions of the three most populous U.S. Primary Metropolitan Statistical Areas (PMSAs). I find that t‐communities, communities defined by their internal access via pedestrian streets, powerfully account for the racial patterning of households in all three metropolitan areas. Racial variation occurs between t‐communities not within them, even when both distances between block groups or, in the case of households with children, racial variation between elementary schools is accounted for. While Grannis (1998) examined how similar t‐communities connected by pedestrian streets were to each other, this study examines how internally homogeneous t‐communities themselves are. Further, this study's analysis of households with children finds that they have settled in such a way as to assure a racially homogeneous t‐community more than a racially homogeneous school. By analyzing the entire metropolitan areas of PMSAs in different regions, this study also discovered very large t‐communities, hundreds of times larger than a typical t‐community, in which pedestrian streets no longer have an important influence.
In vitro cell‐type specific biological response of human periodontally related cells to platelet‐rich plasma
Authors: Annunziata M. , Oliva A. , Buonaiuto C. , Di Feo A. , Di Pasquale R. , Passaro I. , Guida L.
Published: August 2005

Objectives:  Platelet‐rich plasma is a blood‐derived fraction containing high concentrations of platelets and growth factors. Applied in the form of a gel on surgical wounds, it is able to stimulate hard and soft tissue repair and has been proposed for use in the field of periodontal regeneration. However to date, little is known about the biological interactions between platelet‐rich plasma and periodontally related cells. In this study, we investigated the effects between platelet‐rich plasma and cell populations involved in periodontal regeneration, namely primary human periodontal ligament cells, gingival fibroblasts and keratinocytes.

Material and methods:  The proliferation of human periodontal ligament cells, gingival fibroblasts and keratinocytes by [3H]thymidine incorporation was assessed. The alkaline phosphatase activity and type I collagen levels of human periodontal ligament cells were also evaluated by a spectrophotometric assay and western blot analysis, respectively.

Results:  Incubation of human periodontal ligament cells with platelet‐rich plasma resulted in time‐dependent growth stimulation (up to fourfold of control at 72 h). Likewise, an increase in the specific activity of alkaline phosphatase (fourfold at 6 days) and collagen (twofold at 7 days) was observed. Platelet‐rich plasma also enhanced human gingival fibroblasts proliferation by twofold, whereas it inhibited human keratinocytes growth by 40%, with respect to their own controls at 72 h.

Conclusion:  Cell populations related to periodontal tissue were differently affected by platelet‐rich plasma. In fact, a strong stimulation of human periodontal ligament cells proliferation, a minor increase in the growth rate of human gingival fibroblasts and a marked decrease of human keratinocytes proliferation were evident. In addition, in human periodontal ligament cells increased collagen and alkaline phosphatase activity levels were observed. These findings appear interesting in view of platelet‐rich plasma utilization in periodontal regeneration.
Dynamic soft tissue mobilisation increases hamstring flexibility in healthy male subjects
Authors: Hopper D , Deacon S , Das S , Jain A , Riddell D , Hall T , Briffa K
Published: August 2005

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dynamic soft tissue mobilisation (STM) on hamstring flexibility in healthy male subjects.

Methods:Forty five males volunteered to participate in a randomised, controlled single blind design study. Volunteers were randomised to either control, classic STM, or dynamic STM intervention. The control group was positioned prone for 5 min. The classic STM group received standard STM techniques performed in a neutral prone position for 5 min. The dynamic STM group received all elements of classic STM followed by distal to proximal longitudinal strokes performed during passive, active, and eccentric loading of the hamstring. Only specific areas of tissue tightness were treated during the dynamic phase. Hamstring flexibility was quantified as hip flexion angle (HFA) which was the difference between the total range of straight leg raise and the range of pelvic rotation. Pre- and post-testing was conducted for the subjects in each group. A one-way ANCOVA followed by pairwise post-hoc comparisons was used to determine whether change in HFA differed between groups. The α level was set at 0.05.

Results:Increase in hamstring flexibility was significantly greater in the dynamic STM group than either the control or classic STM groups with mean (standard deviation) increase in degrees in the HFA measures of 4.7 (4.8), −0.04 (4.8), and 1.3 (3.8), respectively.

Conclusions:Dynamic soft tissue mobilisation (STM) significantly increased hamstring flexibility in healthy male subjects.
Results of compartment decompression in chronic forearm compartment syndrome: six case presentations
Authors: Zandi H , Bell S
Published: August 2005

Background:There are few reports concerning chronic compartment syndrome producing symptoms in the forearm, although in the lower limb this is a well recognised condition. The objective was to demonstrate that chronic compartment syndrome is a cause of exercise induced forearm pain and transient upper limb dysfunction and that forearm compartment decompression can reliably relieve the associated symptoms.

Methods:Six patients with a flexor compartment chronic compartment syndrome, documented by pressure studies, had forearm compartment decompression.

Results:All patients had good relief of their exercise associated forearm pain following the decompression. Widening of the incisional scar was frequently reported.

Conclusion:Forearm compartment decompression is effective in relieving the symptoms related to chronic forearm compartment syndrome.
IGFBP-3, a sensitive marker of physical training and overtraining
Authors: Elloumi M , El Elj N , Zaouali M , Maso F , Filaire E , Tabka Z , Lac G
Published: August 2005

Objective:To investigate the response of the somatotrope axis (insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3)) to intense exercise in relation to tiredness.

Methods:The study involved 11 rugby players who completed a questionnaire intended to evaluate fitness or, conversely, overtraining and who agreed to plasma samples being taken before and after an international rugby match.

Results:The main finding of our study is that we observed strong negative correlations between IGF-1 (r = 0.652) and IGFBP-3 (r = 0.824) levels and the overtraining state estimated using the French Society of Sport Medicine questionnaire. In particular, there was a fall (of up to 25%) in IGFBP-3 levels after the match in the more fatigued subjects compared to an increase (of up to 40%) in fit subjects.

Conclusions:A fall in IGFBP-3 in response to an intense bout of exercise may represent an index of tiredness in highly trained sportsmen, as indicated by the scores obtained from the overtraining questionnaire.
Pseudo compartment syndrome of the calf in an athlete secondary to cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery: Figure 1
Authors: Ni Mhuircheartaigh N , Kavanagh E , O’Donohoe M , Eustace S
Published: August 2005

We report a patient with calf pain induced by sport and exercise, initially thought to represent compartment syndrome, in whom MRI and duplex ultrasound ultimately revealed cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery. Surgical de-roofing of the popliteal artery resulted in complete resolution of symptoms with return to sporting activities.
Nutritional supplement practices in UK junior national track and field athletes
Authors: Nieper A
Published: August 2005

Methods:The nutritional supplementation practices of 32 national track and field athletes competing at the 2004 World Junior Championships were studied using an anonymous questionnaire. Information was sought on the prevalence and type of supplement used, the reasons for use, knowledge of supplements, and sources of information.

Results:Use of supplements was widespread with 62% of respondents declaring supplement use. Prevalence in female athletes (75%) was higher than in males (55%) but was not statistically significant. No differences were found for age, training volume, or type of event. Seventeen different supplements were taken, with each athlete using an average of 2.4 products, multivitamins and minerals being the most popular. Reasons for using supplements were for health (45%), to enhance the immune system (40%), and to improve performance (25%). Of all respondents 48% believed they had an average knowledge of supplements, but three quarters felt that they required further information. Those not using supplements were more likely to think supplements were associated with health risks than those taking them (p = 0.03). Most athletes (72%) have access to a sports dietician but underutilise this resource. Coaches (65%) had the greatest influence on supplementation practices, with doctors (25%) and sports dieticians (30%) being less important.

Conclusions:Supplementation practices were widespread among the population studied. The findings of this investigation could be used to enable the sports dietician and physician to identify common misconceptions held by adolescent athletes regarding nutritional supplements and to implement educational programs, which should include members of the non-medical support team.
An evaluation of mouthguard requirements and dental injuries in New Zealand rugby union
Authors: Quarrie K L , Gianotti S M , Chalmers D J , Hopkins W G
Published: August 2005

Objectives:To document the effects of compulsory mouthguard wearing on rugby related dental injury claims made to ACC, the administrator of New Zealand’s accident compensation scheme.

Methods:An ecological study was conducted. Estimates of mouthguard wearing rates were available from prospective studies conducted in 1993, 2002, and 2003. Rugby related dental injury claims were available for the period 1995–2003. Player numbers were available from 1998. Mouthguard wearing was made compulsory during match play for rugby players at under 19 level and below at the beginning of the 1997 season, and for all grades of domestic rugby at the beginning of the 1998 season. Greater powers of enforcement were provided to referees at the beginning of the 2003 season.

Results:The self reported rate of mouthguard use was 67% of player-weeks in 1993 and 93% in 2003. A total of 2644 claims was reported in 1995. There was a 43% (90% confidence interval 39% to 46%) reduction in dental claims from 1995 to 2003. On the reasonable assumption that the number of players and player-matches remained constant throughout the study period, the relative rate of injury claims for non-wearers versus wearers was 4.6 (90% confidence interval 3.8 to 5.6). The cumulative savings in claim costs compared with the cost per year if claim numbers had remained constant from 1995 is $1.87 million NZD.

Conclusion:Although ecological studies have acknowledged weaknesses, the findings provide evidence that mouthguard use is a simple and effective injury prevention strategy for rugby players. The use of mouthguards for all players in both matches and contact practice situations is strongly recommended.
Elucidating determinants of the plateau in oxygen consumption at o2max
Authors: Astorino T A , Willey J , Kinnahan J , Larsson S M , Welch H , Dalleck L C
Published: August 2005

Background:A plateau in oxygen consumption (o2) is the primary means of confirming that maximal oxygen uptake (o2max) is attained during incremental exercise to fatigue. However, it is still unresolved what causes expression of a plateau ino2at the end of incremental exercise.

Objectives:To elucidate incidence and identify determinants of theo2plateau in subjects of varying fitness.

Methods:Thirty subjects (mean (SD) age ando2max26.9 (9.8) years and 3.4 (0.8) litre/min respectively) were separated into three groups: endurance trained (ET; n  =  9), recreationally active (Rec; n  =  11), and strength/sprint trained (STR; n  =  10). During three separate visits, subjects completed incremental treadmill exercise during which breath by breath gas exchange data were obtained. Body composition was measured using a three site skinfolds model. Force production of the knee extensors and flexors was assessed using isokinetic dynamometry.

Results:o2maxwas significantly higher (p<0.05) in the ET group vs STR and Rec. The change ino2(Δo2) ato2maxwas not different (p>0.05) in the ET group (33.0 (27.3) ml/min) compared with the Rec group (30.3 (24.1) ml/min) and the STR group (44.4 (23.8) ml/min). No correlations (p>0.05) were evident between Δo2ato2maxando2max(r =  0.05), fat-free mass (r =  0.12), and muscular strength (r =  −0.12).

Conclusions:The incidence of a plateau ino2ato2max(from correlation data) is not due to factors related to training status or physical fitness of subjects, but is altered by analysis and interpretation of gas exchange data.
Influence of ultra-endurance exercise on immunoglobulin isotypes and subclasses
Authors: McKune A J , Smith L L , Semple S J , Wadee A A
Published: August 2005

Background:Strenuous exercise is associated with tissue damage. This activates the innate immune system and local inflammation. Interaction between innate and adaptive immunity is essential for maintaining health, suggesting that the adaptive immune system may also be altered by exercise.

Objectives:To determine exercise induced changes in the adaptive immune system by measuring the immunoglobulin isotype and subclass response to an ultra-marathon.

Methods:Venepuncture was performed on 11 experienced volunteers (six men, five women; mean (SD) age 43 (9.8) years) 24 hours before the projected finishing time and immediately after and 3, 24, and 72 hours after an ultra-marathon (90 km). Serum was stored at −80°C. IgM, IgD, IgA, IgG, IgG1, 2, 3, and 4, and total IgE were measured.

Results:The following immunoglobulins were significantly (p⩽0.05) altered after the race: IgD, immediately (−51%) and 24 hours (−41%) after; IgM 24 hours after (−23%); total IgG immediately after (+12%). There were no reports of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections after the ultra-marathon.

Conclusions:In experienced ultra-endurance runners, alterations in immunoglobulin concentrations after a race suggest an enhanced immune response, including isotype switching, interactions with the innate immune system, and a secondary antibody response. These alterations may have a role in the maintenance of subject health after an ultra-marathon.
Does living in urban or rural settings affect aspects of physical fitness in children? An allometric approach
Authors: Tsimeas P D , Tsiokanos A L , Koutedakis Y , Tsigilis N , Kellis S
Published: August 2005

Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate physical fitness in relation to fatness in urban and rural Greek children by means of allometric scaling.

Methods:The sample consisted of 360 (189 urban and 171 rural; age 12.3±0.42 years) boys and 247 (125 urban and 122 rural; age 12.3±0.43 years) girls. The sample was highly representative (32–64%) of all 12 year old children registered in the prefecture of Trikala, Greece. All volunteers were assessed for BMI and % body fat, as well as sit and reach, basketball throw (BT), vertical jump (VJ), handgrip strength (HG), 40 m sprint, agility run, and 20 m shuttle run. To correct for possible associations between fatness and fitness, a single cause allometric scaling was employed using the natural logarithms (ln) of fitness parameters that were significantly correlated with the ln body fat.

Results:Independent-samplesttests revealed that VJ (p<0.05) was significantly higher in boys living in urban settings compared to their rural counterparts. Similarly, BT was found to be significantly better (p<0.05) in urban girls, whereas HG was significantly higher (p<0.05) in rural girls.

Conclusion:Considering that (a) only three out of the 14 possible cases (seven fitness parameters for boys and seven for girls) were significantly different between urban and rural children, and (b) these differences were not uniformly distributed in children living in either urban or rural environments, it is concluded that the place of residence has no clear impact on physical fitness as studied herein.
NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF DOPING PROFILES ON THE HIGH FREQUENCY PERFORMANCE OF InP/InGaAs SUPER SCALED HBTs
Authors: VEKSLER DMITRY , SHUR MICHAEL S. , HOUTSMA V. E. , WEIMANN N. G. , CHEN Y. K.
Published: August 2005

Our simulations show that the emitter and collector doping profile engineering is very important for the transistor optimization, in particular, adjusting the low doped emitter section to the depletion length resulted in the decrease of the emitter series resistance and increased ft and fmax; decreasing of the collector doping concentration and shrinking the collector thickness reduced the collector transit time. Accounting for the lateral diffusion of hot electrons in the device with submicron emitter was found to be important in the transistor optimization process. This effect determines the effective thickness of the emitter finger and the value of the push-out current.
SIMULATION STUDY ON BREAKDOWN BEHAVIOR OF FIELD-PLATE SiC MESFETs
Authors: CHA HO-YOUNG , CHOI Y. C. , EASTMAN LESTER F. , SPENCER MICHAEL G.
Published: August 2005

The effects of field-plate structures on SiC MESFETs were investigated using two-dimensional simulations. The simulation results without a field-plate were in good agreement with the characteristics of fabricated SiC MESFETs. The breakdown voltage was increased by 80 % when the optimum field-plate was applied to the device with a 0.5 μm long gate and a 1 μm spacing between gate and drain; a breakdown voltage of 240 – 250 V was obtained from a 0.35 μm field-plate, while 140 V was obtained without a field-plate.
DEVELOPMENT OF LONG LIFETIME AND HIGH INTENSITY NANOCLUSTER ION SOURCE BY PLASMA-GAS-AGGREGATION
Authors: IMANAKA MASASHI , ARAI HIDEYUKI , NAKAGAWA TAKAHIDE , OHSHIRO YUKIMITSU , WATANABE SHIN-ICHI
Published: August 2005

We have constructed a magnetron nanocluster ion source by plasma-gas-aggregations. Using the magnetron type nanocluster ion source and TOF mass spectrometer, we measured the mass distribution of boron nanoclusters. In these experiments, we detected nanocluster of [Formula: see text] while the peaks around these masses cannot be resolved. Although magnetron type nanocluster source is useful tool, it has a weak beam intensity and short lifetime for using as an ion source of nanocluster ion implantation, which is one of the important applications for the nanocluster ion source. For this reason, we are constructing and developing a new nanocluster ion source (waveguide-surfatron nanocluster ion source). The new nanocluster ion source consists a large area plasma ion source and gas aggregation cell instead of present nanocluster ion source configuration (magnetron type nanocluster ion source).
CLUSTER-SIMULATED DISLOCATION CORE: MOTION AND TRAP FOR IMPURITY ATOMS
Authors: FENG YAN-QUAN , SHI FENG-LIANG , WANG CHONG-YU
Published: August 2005

The electronic structures of a cluster-simulated edge dislocation core in bcc iron were computed using the discrete variational method of density functional theory Energy calculations show that the iron lattice and the impurity atoms trapped in the core have resistance to the dislocation motion. The ubiquitous P -embrittlement of iron can be explained electronically.
ISOMERS OF COPPER CLUSTERS OBTAINED BY A MOLECULAR DYNAMICS MODEL
Authors: WANG LING , NING XI-JING
Published: August 2005

A molecular dynamics model was developed to search for stable copper clusters with up to 60 atoms by Gupts empirical potential based on the second-moment approximation to tight-binding model (TB-SMA). We found that isomers do not emerge until the clusters have more than 7 atoms, getting more for clusters with 30~52 atoms, and the magic number, 13, 19, 23, 26, 28, 32, 38, 43, 46, 49, and 55 have ground clusters with higher symmetry and have few isomers.