bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary intake, physical activity and nutritional status in adults: the French nutrition and health survey (ENNS, 2006–2007)
Authors: Castetbon Katia , Vernay Michel , Malon Aurélie , Salanave Benoit , Deschamps Valérie , Roudier Candice , Oleko Amivi , Szego Emmanuelle , Hercberg Serge
Published: March 2009

The French National Programme on Nutrition and Health (Programme national nutrition santé (PNNS)), the aim of which is to reduce nutrition-related chronic diseases, necessitates monitoring of nutritional characteristics. Our objective was to describe dietary intake, physical activity and nutritional status in a national sample of adults, especially according to current French recommendations. The study is based on a cross-sectional population-based survey using a multistage sampling design (Etude nationale nutrition santé (ENNS)). Between February 2006 and March 2007, 3115 18–74-year-old adults were included (participation rate 59·7 %). Energy, macronutrient and food consumption were estimated through three randomly distributed 24 h recalls, and compared to PNNS recommendations; physical activity was described using International Physical Activity Questionnaire guidelines; anthropometry, blood pressure and biochemical measurements were assessed according to national and international references. When compared to current recommendations, intake of carbohydrates (>50 % energy intake without alcohol: 26·4 %), SFA ( < 35 % total lipids: 18·5 %) and total fibre (>25 g/d: 13·7 %) was frequently unsatisfactory. While overall consumption of ‘meat, seafood and eggs’ was satisfactory, that of fruits and vegetables ( ≥ 400 g/d: 43·8 %) and seafood (two or more servings per week: 29·9 %) was frequently too low. The physical activity level was satisfactory at 63·2 %. Overweight was observed in 49·3 % of adults, while 30·9 % were hypertensive and 44·1 % had dyslipidaemia. Vitamin and iron-poor status was found to affect less than 10 % of the population. Based on the ENNS survey, overall nutrition remains a problem in France. Comparison of these data with those of other countries could contribute to a better understanding of variations in nutrition-related diseases.
What Research, to What End? The Rockefeller Foundation and the Max Planck Gesellschaft in the Early Cold War
Authors: Sachse Carola
Published: March 2009

Between 1946 and 1948, the Rockefeller Foundation (RF) sent four representatives to Germany for extended visits to investigate how it could become involved in reconstructing the country. They were particularly interested in reorganizing the educational and science systems in a democratic manner and in reintegrating the conquered aggressor into the “family of nations.” They held numerous meetings with leading representatives of the Max Planck Gesellschaft (MPG), the successor to the world-famous Kaiser Wilhelm Gesellschaft (KWG), which had received considerable amounts of funding from the RF until the late 1930s, even after the Nazis came to power. As a result of its evaluation, the RF declined to provide the same level of support for the postwar MPG as it had for the prewar KWG. Although an obvious reason for the RF to distance itself from the KWG would be the latter's involvement in the crimes of the Nazi regime, as suggested by Paul Weindling in his analysis of the RF's funding policy for biomedical research in Germany in general, neither the RF interviews nor the evaluation reports mentioned the involvement of KWG scientists in biomedical crimes during the Third Reich. The reports did not even mention the Nuremberg medical trial, which took place between December 1946 and August 1947.
FACTORS INFLUENCING UNION FORMATION IN NAIROBI, KENYA
Authors: BOCQUIER PHILIPPE , KHASAKHALA ANNE
Published: March 2009

Using retrospective data from the Urban Integration Survey conducted in 2001 in Nairobi, Kenya, on a sample of 955 women and men aged 25–54, this paper compares factors influencing entry into union formation for men and women. The analysis uses event history methods, specifically Cox Proportional Hazards regression, stratified by age cohort and run separately by sex. The results indicate that delay in union formation is more pronounced for women than for men. Cohabitation without formal marriage is the prominent form of union, especially among the younger generation, and appears to have increased. For men, the timing of union is more dependent upon human capital acquisition than on cultural factors. These findings show that the marriage search model, which was first applied in Western countries, can also hold in cities of developing countries. Nonetheless, neither the search model nor the integration or the independence models apply to women's union formation, which very few exogenous factors can explain.
UTILIZATION OF SKILLED BIRTH ATTENDANTS IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS IN VIETNAM
Authors: DO MAI
Published: March 2009

The private sector in health care in Vietnam has been increasingly competing with the government in primary health care services. However, little is known about the use of skilled birth attendance or about choice of public and private sectors among those who opt for skilled attendants. Using data from the Vietnam 2002 Demographic and Health Survey, this study examines factors related to women’s decision-making of whether to have a skilled birth attendant at a recent childbirth, and if they did, whether it was a public or private sector provider. The study indicates that the use of the private sector for delivery services was significant. Women’s household wealth, education, antenatal care and community’s wealth were positively related to skilled birth attendance, while ethnicity and order of childbirth were negatively related. Order of childbirth was positively associated with skilled birth attendance in the private sector. Among service environment factors, increased access to public sector health centres was associated with an increased likelihood of skilled birth attendance in general, but a lowered chance of that in the private sector. Further studies are needed to assess the current situation in the private sector, the demand for delivery services in the private sector, and its readiness to provide quality services.
Reliability of perceptions of voice quality: evidence from a problem asthma clinic population
Authors: Sellars C , Stanton A E , McConnachie A , Dunnet C P , Chapman L M , Bucknall C E , MacKenzie K
Published: March 2009

Introduction:

Methods of perceptual voice evaluation have yet to achieve satisfactory consistency; complete acceptance of a recognised clinical protocol is still some way off.

Materials and methods:

Three speech and language therapists rated the voices of 43 patients attending the problem asthma clinic of a teaching hospital, according to the grade-roughness-breathiness-asthenicity-strain (GRBAS) scale and other perceptual categories.

Results and analysis:

Use of the GRBAS scale achieved only a 64.7 per cent inter-rater reliability and a 69.6 per cent intra-rater reliability for the grade component. One rater achieved a higher degree of consistency. Improved concordance on the GRBAS scale was observed for subjects with laryngeal abnormalities. Raters failed to reach any useful level of agreement in the other categories employed, except for perceived gender.

Discussion:

These results should sound a note of caution regarding routine adoption of the GRBAS scale for characterising voice quality for clinical purposes. The importance of training and the use of perceptual anchors for reliable perceptual rating need to be further investigated.
Early results for treatment of unilateral vocal fold palsy with injection medialisation under local anaesthetic
Authors: Pratap R , Mehta P , Blagnys B , Montgomery P Q
Published: March 2009

Background:

The diagnosis and treatment of unilateral vocal fold palsy is a common part of otolaryngology practice. In those patients in whom resolution of symptoms is slow, the resulting dysphonia can have a dramatic effect on the patient's quality of voice and life. We have previously described the procedure of direct phonoplasty under local anaesthesia using the transnasal laryngoesophagoscope.

Objective:

To examine the subjective and objective data for the first five patients to undergo this procedure, in the form of laryngographic speech analysis, perceptual assessment and therapy outcome measures.

Results:

Analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in voice quality, in all the above assessment categories, following local anaesthetic direct phonoplasty using the transnasal laryngoesophagoscope.

Conclusion:

Collagen injection via transnasal flexible laryngoesophagoscopy is a particularly useful technique for treating vocal fold medialisation, especially in palliative care patients and those with shortened life expectancy.
Night emergency cover for ENT in England: a national survey
Authors: Biswas D , Rafferty A , Jassar P
Published: March 2009

Objectives:

To evaluate the quality of out-of-hours ENT on-call cover by junior doctors, in view of the European Working Time Directive and the recent changes in the National Health Service workforce due to the ‘Modernising Medical Careers’ initiative, in England.

Methods:

We performed a national survey of first-on-call doctors for ENT, using a telephone questionnaire. Hospital contact details were sourced from the National Health Service website. The inclusion criterion was hospitals providing acute ENT facilities overnight in England.

Results:

One hundred and nineteen hospitals were contacted; 91 were eligible, and 83 interviews were conducted. The grade of the first-on-call ENT doctor ranged from foundation year two (19 per cent) to registrar level or above (13 per cent). Forty-nine respondents (68 per cent) reported having no previous ENT experience. Fifty-three respondents (74 per cent) covered more than one speciality at night, with seven (10 per cent) covering four or more specialities. The second-on-call doctor was non-resident in 63 cases (88 per cent). Thirty respondents (42 per cent) stated that they did not feel comfortable managing common ENT emergencies as the first doctor on call. Otorhinolaryngology induction courses were offered in 37 of the respondents’ hospitals (51 per cent), these courses were of varying duration.

Conclusion:

Night-time ENT care is often provided by junior doctors with little experience of the speciality, who are often also responsible for covering multiple specialities. Many reported not feeling comfortable managing common ENT emergencies. Structured induction programmes would help to provide basic knowledge and should be mandatory for all doctors covering ENT.
Parotid duct ligation for treatment of drooling in children with neurological impairment
Authors: Heywood R L , Cochrane L A , Hartley B E J
Published: March 2009

Objective:

Multiple surgical procedures have been advocated for the management of problematic drooling in neurologically impaired children. Parotid duct ligation is a quick and simple operation conducted via an intra-oral approach and usually performed simultaneously with other procedures. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of parotid duct ligation as a discrete procedure.

Methods:

All children who underwent bilateral parotid duct ligation as the solitary operative intervention at that time, between February 2003 and September 2006, were included in the study.

Results:

Ten children were studied. Surgery was successful in 80 per cent of cases. One patient (10 per cent) had a post-operative wound infection.

Conclusions:

Bilateral parotid duct ligation is an effective yet conservative operation for drooling in neurologically impaired children. It requires minimal surgical dissection and has a low morbidity rate. It should be considered as a potential first-line procedure in children who aspirate, and as a further surgical option in anterior droolers or those who continue to drool unacceptably following prior surgical intervention.
Reflux and sleeping disorders: a systematic review
Authors: Karkos P D , Leong S C , Benton J , Sastry A , Assimakopoulos D A , Issing W J
Published: March 2009

Introduction:

Laryngopharyngeal reflux is perhaps the most extensively researched laryngology topic of the last decade. It has been suggested that some supraoesophageal symptoms, most notably asthma and laryngospasm, may be associated with night-time, or supine, reflux. The aim of this review was to assess the levels of evidence regarding a correlation between night-time reflux, snoring and apnoea.

Methods:

A Medline search was performed using the terms ‘reflux’, ‘night-time’, ‘larynx’, ‘gastroesophageal’, ‘laryngopharyngeal’, ‘sleep’, ‘apnoea’, ‘snoring’ and ‘ear nose throat’. The retrieved literature was reviewed, focusing on randomised and non-randomised, controlled, prospective trials. Papers on both paediatric and adult populations were included. Non-English language papers were excluded.

Results:

We found no randomised, controlled trials or meta-analyses addressing the possible correlation between reflux and snoring and/or apnoea.

Conclusions:

The role of night-time reflux in paediatric and adult snoring and apnoea is well described in the literature, but is based on poor levels of evidence from uncontrolled studies and case reports.
Arrested growth ofTrypanosoma cruziby the calpain inhibitor MDL28170 and detection of calpain homologues in epimastigote forms
Authors: SANGENITO L. S. , ENNES-VIDAL V. , MARINHO F. A. , MOTA F. F. DA , SANTOS A. L. S. , D'AVILA-LEVY C. M. , BRANQUINHA M. H.
Published: March 2009

In this paper, we aimed to explore the effects of the calpain inhibitor III (MDL28170) and to detect calpain-like molecules (CALPs) in epimastigote forms ofTrypanosoma cruziisolate Dm28c. MDL28170 at 70 μMpromoted a powerful reduction in the growth rate after 48 h. The IC50value was calculated to be 31·7 μM. This inhibitor promoted an increase in the cellular volume, but not cell lysis, resulting in a trypanostatic effect.T. cruziCALPs presented a strong cross-reactivity with anti-Drosophila melanogastercalpain and anti-cytoskeleton-associated protein fromTrypanosoma bruceiantibodies, and labelling was found mainly intracellularly. Furthermore, an 80 kDa reactive protein was detected by Western blotting assays. No significant cross-reactivity was found with anti-human brain calpain antibody. The expression of CALPs was decreased in cells kept for long periods in axenic cultures in comparison to a strain recently isolated from mice, as well as in MDL28170-treated cells, the latter being paralleled by an increased expression of cruzipain. Different levels of CALPs expression were also detected in distinct phylogenetic lineages, like Y strain (lineage TCI), Dm28c (TCII) and INPA6147 strain (Z3 zymodeme). These results may contribute for the investigation of the functions of CALPs in trypanosomatids.
Equicontinuous geodesic flows
Authors: PRIES CHRISTIAN
Published: March 2009

This article is about the interplay between topological dynamics and differential geometry. One could ask how much information about the geometry is carried in the dynamics of the geodesic flow. It was proved in Paternain [Expansive geodesic flows on surfaces. Ergod. Th. & Dynam. Sys.13 (1993), 153–165] that an expansive geodesic flow on a surface implies that there exist no conjugate points. Instead of considering concepts that relate to chaotic behavior (such as expansiveness), we focus on notions for describing the stability of orbits in dynamical systems, specifically, equicontinuity and distality. In this paper we give a new sufficient and necessary condition for a compact Riemannian surface to have all geodesics closed; this is the idea of a P-manifold: (M,g) is a P-manifold if and only if the geodesic flow SM×ℝ→SM is equicontinuous. We also prove a weaker theorem for flows on manifolds of dimension three. Finally, we discuss some properties of equicontinuous geodesic flows on non-compact surfaces and on higher-dimensional manifolds.
Rigidity of measures invariant under the action of a multiplicative semigroup of polynomial growth on 𝕋
Authors: EINSIEDLER MANFRED , FISH ALEXANDER
Published: March 2009

We prove that if a Borel probability measure on the circle group is invariant under the action of a ‘large’ multiplicative semigroup (lower logarithmic density is positive) and the action of the whole semigroup is ergodic then the measure is either Lebesgue or has finite support.
Franz Bauer: the painted record of nature. H. W. Lack.
Authors: Noltie H. J.
Published: March 2009

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MOLECULAR SYSTEMATICS OF RHODODENDRON SUBGENUS TSUTSUSI (RHODOREAE, ERICOIDEAE, ERICACEAE)
Authors: Kron K. A. , Powell E. A.
Published: March 2009

Rhododendron subgenus Tsutsusi (Rhodoreae, Ericoideae, Ericaceae), commonly known as evergreen azaleas, includes approximately 117 deciduous and evergreen species from Japan, China and northeastern Asia. Subgenus Tsutsusi has been divided into two sections, Brachycalyx and Tsutsusi, based on characteristics of the leaves, young twigs and corolla. We obtained molecular data from three chloroplast (matK, ndhF and trnS-trnG) and two nuclear (nrITS and the third intron of rpb2) regions for 30 species of Rhododendron subgenus Tsutsusi and five species of Menziesia. Parsimony, Bayesian and likelihood analyses based on total evidence were used to assess the monophyly of the sections within Rhododendron subgenus Tsutsusi and relationships among the species sampled. In particular, the placement of the problematic Rhododendron tashiroi was addressed. Results support Rhododendron tashiroi as a member of the Rhododendron section Brachycalyx clade. Molecular evidence also supports a clade within Rhododendron section Tsutsusi containing R. indicum, R. tsusiophyllum, R. tschonoskii and R. serpyllifolium, species which were not previously considered closely related.
POUZOLZIA RUGULOSA TRANSFERRED FROM BOEHMERIA, AND THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN BOEHMERIA AND POUZOLZIA (URTICACEAE)
Authors: Wilmot-Dear C. M. , Acharya N. , Kravtsova T. I. , Friis I.
Published: March 2009

Pouzolzia rugulosa (Wedd.) Acharya & Kravtsova, comb. nov., is transferred from the genus Boehmeria on the grounds of the anatomy and morphology of the fruit, correlated with molecular data. A revised set of anatomical and morphological characters is provided to distinguish between Boehmeria and Pouzolzia. Pouzolzia rugulosa shares morphological similarities with a group of serrate-leaved taxa in that genus known from Asia and Oceania. It is a shrub or small tree and is found along the southern slopes of the Himalayas from Himachal Pradesh in northern India to the mountains of northern Burma. It occurs in forest at elevations of up to 1900 m, mainly at forest edges and in clearings. A full description of Pouzolzia rugulosa, including drawings and SEM images of the fruit, is provided, together with a key.
BELLEVALIA PELAGICA (HYACINTHACEAE), A NEW SPECIES FROM THE ISLET OF LAMPIONE (PELAGIAN ARCHIPELAGO, SICILY)
Authors: Brullo C. , Brullo S. , Pasta S.
Published: March 2009

A new species, Bellevalia pelagica C.Brullo, Brullo & Pasta (Hyacinthaceae), growing in the limestone rocks of the Islet of Lampione in the Pelagian Archipelago (Sicily), is described and illustrated. It is a tetraploid with 2n = 16. It belongs to the Bellevalia romana group and shows a close relationship with B. dolichophylla and B. galitensis, both rare endemics from Tunisia.
LECTOTYPIFICATION OF SOME ARABIAN APOCYNACEAE
Authors: Bruyns P. V. , Miller A. G.
Published: March 2009

Lectotypes are selected for the following names in the Apocynaceae from the Arabian Peninsula: Adenium arabicum Balf.f., Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schultes, Caralluma adenensis (Deflers) A.Berger, Cryptolepis intricata (Balf.f.) Venter, Cryptolepis volubilis (Balf.f.) O.Schwartz, Kanahia laniflora (Forssk.) R.Br., Leptadenia arborea (Forssk.) Schweinf., Marsdenia robusta Balf.f., Rhazya stricta Decne. and Tylophora yemensis Deflers. For Secamone socotrana Balf.f., it is noted that a previous citation of a holotype is rather an effective designation of a lectotype. Neotypes are selected for Caralluma hexagona var. septentrionalis Lavranos & L.E.Newton, Glossonema boveanum (Decne.) Decne., Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forssk.) Decne. and Orbea chrysostephana (Deflers) Bruyns.
TWO NEW SPECIES OF BEGONIA (BEGONIACEAE) FROM CENTRAL SULAWESI, INDONESIA
Authors: Thomas D. C. , Ardi W. H. , Hughes M.
Published: March 2009

Two new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae), Begonia ozotothrix and Begonia hekensis, are described from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Both species belong to Begonia section Petermannia. Begonia ozotothrix is unusual amongst Asian Begonia in having branched trichomes on the stems, petioles and the abaxial lamina surfaces, and it is unusual amongst species of Begonia section Petermannia in having extremely compressed cymose-subumbellate male partial inflorescences.
PHYLOGENY AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE MARCHANTIOPHYTA
Authors: Crandall-Stotler B. , Stotler R. E. , Long D. G.
Published: March 2009

Input from molecular phylogenetics in the past five years has substantially altered concepts of systematic relationships among liverworts. While these studies have confirmed the monophyly of phylum Marchantiophyta, they have demonstrated that many previously recognised ranks within the hierarchy are unnatural and in need of modification. Changes in the ranks of suborder and above have been proposed by various workers, but modifications in the circumscription of genera and families are still required. A comprehensive, phylogenetic classification scheme that integrates morphological data with molecular hypotheses is presented. The scheme includes diagnoses and publication citations for all names above the rank of genus. All currently recognised genera are listed alphabetically in their respective families; subfamilies are not indicated. Major modifications and novel alignments of taxa are thoroughly discussed, with pertinent references provided. Jungermanniaceae is redefined and Solenostomataceae fam. nov. is formally described to accommodate some of the genera excluded from it.
BRIAN LAURENCE BURTT
Authors: Middleton D. J.
Published: March 2009

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Inhibin
Authors: Burger Henry G
Published: March 2009

Inhibin is a glycoprotein hormone, consisting of two dissimilar, disulphide-linked subunits, termed α (MW 20kD) and β (MW 3-15kD), which inhibits the production and/or secretion of pituitary gonadotrophins, preferentially follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The most widely studied inhibin molecule has a molecular weight of 31-32kD, as purified and cloned from bovine, porcine, ovine, rat and human sources. Higher molecular weight forms have been identified in ovarian follicular fluids and in culture media of granulosa and Sertoli cells, and generally differ from the 31kD form in having larger α-subunits, designated by their molecular weights, e.g. α44 in 58kD inhibin. There are two forms of the β-subunit, named βA and βB and the corresponding inhibin dimers have been named inhibin A and inhibin B. Dimers of the β-subunit, which have been shown to have FSH stimulating activity, are termed activins and are designated activin A, B or AB depending on whether the dimer is a homodimer of βA or βB or a heterodimer of βA and βB (Figure 1). The major gonadal source of inhibin is the granulosa cell in the female and the Sertoli cell in the male. Other potential cellular sites of origin will be discussed below.
Peptides and proteins in the human endometrium
Authors: Seppälä Markku , Angervo Maarit , Riittinen Leena , Yajima Masazumi , Julkunen Mervi , Koistinen Riitta
Published: March 2009

Human endometrium is composed of three layers: stratum compactum, stratum spongiosum and stratum basale. Stratum compactum is the superficial layer made up of openings of the uterine glands and some stromal cells. Stratum spongiosum is the middle layer containing mainly dilated glands and little stroma. Stratum basale is the deepest layer adjoining the muscularis. It consists of primordial glands and compact stroma. Stratum compactum and stratum spongiosum form stratum functionale which is subject to cyclic changes and is removed during menstruation.
Diagnostic significance of sperm-zona pellucida interaction
Authors: Oehninger Sergio
Published: March 2009

Spermatozoa binding to the zona pellucida is an early, critical event leading to fertilization and early pre-embryo development. Fertilization involves a complex and orderly sequence of events that is completed at syngamy, which is defined as the union of the two sets of haploid chromosomes to form a new diploid fertilized ovum (zygote). In order to be able to fertilize an oocyte, spermatozoa need to undergo a process called ‘capacitation’, which is usually defined as a series of changes that renders the sperm cells capable of undergoing the acrosome reaction. This process that naturally occurs within the female genital tract is possible underin vitroconditions. However, capacitation is not the only process spermatozoa must undergo to fertilize the oocytes successfully. To fertilize an oocyte, spermatozoa must also be at least highly motile, as well as being capable of undergoing the acrosome reaction timely, penetrating through the oocyte investments and fusing with the oocyte plasma membrane properly.
Colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) in pregnancy
Authors: Daiter Eric , Pollard Jeffrey W
Published: March 2009

Uterine growth factors appear to play a role in the regulation of pregnancy. One of these, colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1), synthesized by the uterine epithelium under the control of female sex steroids, has been shown to have important functions both before implantation and during the formation of the placenta. In the female reproductive tract the CSF-1 receptor, the product of the c-fms proto-oncogene, is expressed in decidual cells, trophoblasts and macrophages, indicating that these cells are the primary targets for CSF-1. This article reviews the biology of CSF-1 during gestation as well as the possible involvement of CSF-1 and its receptor in the aetiology of gynaecological tumours.
Endothelins in reproduction
Authors: Cameron IT , Davenport AP
Published: March 2009

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a 21 amino acid peptide, first isolated in 1988 from porcine aortic endothelial cells in tissue culture (Figure 1). The peptide was shown to be the most potent known vasoconstrictor of porcine coronary arteries. A powerful endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor had been predicted for some time, but it was when Yanagisawa and his colleagues elucidated the structure, and provided information about the molecular biology and mode of action of the peptide that an unprecedented interest was stimulated in the endothelins.
Androgen insensitivity syndrome
Authors: Batch Jennifer A , Patterson Mark N , Hughes Leuan A
Published: March 2009

Over the past four years, major advances in the understanding of the aetiology and pathogenesis of the androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) have occurred. This review aims to summarize current information on clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic and molecular aspects of AIS.
IVF and male infertility
Authors: Avery Susan M
Published: March 2009

Male infertility, while having a variety of causes, is generally discussed in terms of semen parameters. While the World Health Organization (WHO) have been able io set limits for semen parameters below which a male can be considered subfertile (20 million/ml; >50% motility; >50% morphologically normal forms), it is well documented thatin vivoconceptions have been achieved where semen quality falls well outside these limits, and that infertile men may have normal semen parameters. Macleod and Gold in comparing 1000 fertile men and 1000 infertile men, found that significantly more infertile men had sperm densities below 20 million/ml, but also that 60% of infertile men had sperm densities of 60 million or more. Jouannet and Feneaux have shown that the conception ratein vivoonly apparently falls significantly at sperm concentrations of less than five million/ml. Although the cause of subnormal semen analysis is unknown in the majority of cases, there is no reason to suppose that abnormal semen parameters on their own are the cause of infertility. Rather the problem may be caused by failure of sufficient numbers of sperm traversing the female tract and reaching the oocyte. Unfortunately, lack of defined diagnoses lead to a lack of direct treatment for subnormal semen parameters. The development ofin vitrofertilization (IVF) resulted in a method that could be used to circumvent the problem since it requires relatively low numbers of sperm and these are placed in the immediate vicinity of the oocyte. It should also be pointed out that normal semen parameters do not imply fertility, since these parameters cannot directly identify dysfunction. IVF offers the advantage that sperm-oocyte interractions can be observed, and in cases of fertilization failure, the point at which sperm dysfunction manifests itself may potentially be identified – if not the nature of the dysfunction. Techniques have now been developed that may overcome certain types of dysfunction, using both biochemical and mechanical means.
Embryo cryopreservation
Authors: Trounson AO , Shaw JM
Published: March 2009

Embryo cryopreservation is a well established technique and is used widely for embryo banking of genetically valuable strains of mice, the transport and proliferation of farm animals and as a valuable adjunct to human in vitro fertilization (IVF). The range of methods presently used to cryopreserve human embryos has been recently reviewed. This article examines the results obtained by the established freezing techniques and developments in the new rapid cooling methods. There is a dramatic contrast in the simplicity, ease and cost between these new rapid techniques and the conventional slow cooling or equilibrium freezing methods and it is likely that the rapid freezing will replace conventional freezing by slow cooling which is presently in widespread use in IVF clinics.
Will GNRH antagonists be worth the wait?
Authors: Gordon Keith , Hodgen Gary D
Published: March 2009

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is also known as luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH), formerly luteinizing hormone releasing factor (LRF). Since this hormone regulates the secretion of both FSH and LH, we prefer to call it GnRH. GnRH antagonists, as the name implies, are a class of compounds that actively compete with GnRH for the GnRH receptor, thereby neutralizing the effects of GnRH by competitive receptor occupancy. In order to fully appreciate their potential clinical utility, it is first important to comprehend the critical role of GnRH in the regulation of the pituitary-gonadal axis and secondly to familiarize ourselves with the mechanisms of action of GnRH, GnRH agonists and GnRH antagonists.
Postcoital contraception
Authors: Glasier Anna
Published: March 2009

As early as 1500 BC, history records women using a variety of drugs, devices and manoeuvres in an attempt to prevent pregnancy after intercourse has taken place. It was not until the 1960s however that scientific efforts were made to develop effective postcoital contraception (PCC). Whilst it had been known for over thirty years that a variety of compounds would inhibit implantation and embryonic development and interrupt pregnancy in the rabbit and the rat, experiments with primates had been less successful. In 1966 however, Morris and Van Wagenen reported the prevention of pregnancy in 28 macaque monkeys treated with oestradiol, diethylstilboestrol or a synthetic compound (ORF 3858), administered after mating. In the same paper – and confessing that they embarked upon human experimentation ‘with some trepidation’ – the authors reported that 50 mg diethylstilboestrol (DES) given for four to six days appeared to be effective in preventing pregnancy after intercourse had taken place in an undisclosed number of women who were the victims of rape.
Antifertility effects of antigestogens
Authors: Baird David T , Norman Jane E
Published: March 2009

Since the discovery of the structure and function of steroids over 60 years ago, it has long been recognized that synthetic antagonists of the natural hormones would have potential therapeutic uses. Antagonists of mineralocorticoids, androgens and oestrogens, for example spironolactine, cyproterone, flutamide and tamoxifen, have already found a place in the management of hormone dependent conditions. In 1982, chemists at Roussel UCLAF announced that they had synthesized mifepristone (RU486) 17β-hydroxy-11(p-(dimethylamino)phenyl)-17-(1-propynyl) estra-411, 9-dien-3-one) a derivative of norethindrone which had potent antiprogestogenic as well as antiglucocorticoid activity. Although it was immediately realised that this compound would potentially have wide clinical application, its development in the last 10 years has been dominated by its abortifacient action. In the original clinical report by Herrman and colleagues it was shown that bleeding occurred when it was given to female volunteers in the second half of the menstrual cycle. In addition, complete abortion occurred in eight of 11 women who took the drug in the early weeks of pregnancy. These findings, which demonstrated that mifepristone could be used as the basis of a medical method of inducing abortion, were immediately made the focus of groups opposed to abortion on moral grounds. Experience over the last 10 years has confirmed the promise of these early studies and mifepristone, in combination with a suitable prostaglandin, is now licensed in France, UK and Sweden for use as a medical method of inducing abortion in early pregnancy.
Human relaxin
Authors: Bell Robin , Tregear Geoffrey , Eddie Lawrence , Healy David
Published: March 2009

The aim of this article is to review our knowledge of the status of human relaxin in reproductive medicine.

Relaxin has a particular interest for obstetricians and gynaecologists for its potential to ripen the uterine cervix in order to promote effective labour. Despite research activity over approximately sixty years in the relaxin field since the original observation of Hisaw, there is still a considerable gap in our understanding of the role of relaxin in reproductive medicine. As pointed out by Sherwood in a comprehensive review of the relaxin literature, the accumulation of knowledge concerning the hormone is in its infancy.
The biology and technology of follicular oocyte developmentin vitro
Authors: Gosden RG , Boland NI , Spears N , Murray AA , Chapman M , Wade JC , Zohdy NI , Brown N
Published: March 2009

Fully mature oocytes are the rarest cells in the body. A premenopausal woman produces only one during each menstrual cycle and that survives for just a single day. Ovarian productivity is parsimonious in order that the ovulation rate matches the optimal capacity of the uterus for carrying conceptuses to full-term. But, in this new era of assisted reproductive medicine, there are many applications for which spare oocytes are needed (Table 1), and it is desirable to obtain more cells than are routinely available during superstimulated cycles. Since the great majority of ovarian oocytes undergo atresia (> 99.9%), the possibility of tapping the store of immature oocytes before they degenerate and maturing themin vitrois very attractive.
Laboratory standards in routine clinical andrology
Authors: Mortimer David
Published: March 2009

It is a fundamental principle of laboratory tests that they are never entirely free from error. However, understanding the source and extent of such errors is a prerequisite for correct appreciation and interpretation of test results in the diagnostic process. In order to evaluate these errors, quality control (QC) has been introduced into clinical laboratory tests and has become routine practice.
Heterosexual spread of HIV infection
Authors: Stratton Pamela , Alexander Nancy J
Published: March 2009

Sexual transmission is the most common route of spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with heterosexual transmission of HIV infection accounting for 90% of those infected in 1992 and over 75% of the 10–12 million of those infected to date worldwide. Yet, heterosexual transmission is poorly understood. Since HIV can be transmitted from HIV-infected people who are asymptomatic as well as from those who have the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), we must better define the potential for transmission of HIV from HIV-infected individuals as well as the factors which influence the susceptibility of HIV-uninfected individuals.
Trophoblast infiltration
Authors: Kliman Harvey J
Published: March 2009

Sexual reproduction in the ocean necessitates only the combination of gametes, followed by absorption of nutrients and oxygen from the surrounding watery medium. As life moved from the sea to the land, reproductive strategies required compensation for the loss of this aquatic environment. For the mammals, and scattered other animals, the solution to this problem was the development of the placenta, the means by which the fetus extracts nutrients from its environment. As the animals that utilized the placenta evolved from small rodent-like creatures with short gestations to larger animals with prolonged gestations, the demands of the developing fetus grew. Whereas the placenta of the fetal pig, with a gestational period of a little less than four months, can extract sufficient nutrients from the mother by simple diffusion across the uterus to the placenta, the human fetus needs a far more complex uteroplacental relationship.
The diagnostic significance of the induced acrosome reaction
Authors: De Jonge Christopher J
Published: March 2009

In trying to discern potential causes of male infertility, little investigation has been done to determine if there is predictive value in assessing acrosome reaction inducibility of human spermatozoa for clinical interpretation and application. The purpose of this review is to outline what is currently known in terms of the diagnostic significance of the induced acrosome reaction and to discuss what might be anticipated for the future. In constructing this review, every effort has been made to provide a comprehensive literature review for the reader and a number of review articles have been cited to serve as sources for additional related material. Regarding the aforementioned, it is essential to qualify that, with the exception of the Section entitled: ‘General characteristics of capacitation and the acrosome reaction’, only characteristics, properties and areas relevant to human spermatozoa will be addressed. Thus, in total, this review will: (1) provide a general description of capacitation and the acrosome reaction; (2) briefly characterize the acrosome and its properties; (3) address the signalling mechanism(s) by which the acrosome reaction occurs; (4) outline various methods for detecting the acrosome reaction; (5) definein vitroculture conditions that facilitate the acrosome reaction; (6) define agents, i.e., biological and chemical, that induce the reaction; (7) discuss the association of the acrosome reaction with fertilization; (8) discuss the clinical implications of the induced acrosome reaction; (9) discuss the relevance of sperm function assays in general; and lastly, (10) discuss future application of acrosome reaction assessment for the clinical diagnosis of male infertility.
Evidence of long‐term weakness on seismogenic faults in western North America from dynamic modeling
Authors: Klein Elliot C. , Flesch Lucy M. , Holt William E. , Haines A. John
Published: March 2009

We investigate the long‐term strength of faults within the plate boundary zone of western North America by quantifying the depth‐integrated deviatoric stress field acting within the seismogenic portion of the crust. Forcings in the depth‐integrated force balance equations are the horizontal gradients in gravitational potential energy per unit area (GPE). Seismic velocity data define the densities we use to determine GPE. We also solve for stress field boundary conditions that, when added to the contribution from GPE differences, provides a best fit to stress indicators. We estimate that the long‐term depth‐integrated total stress differences within the approximately 20 km thick seismogenic layer are of the order of 0.1–1.4 × 1012 N m−1. Using these stress differences as a proxy for depth integrals of fault strength within the actively deforming regions, we infer that the long‐term values of coefficients of friction on faults within the Basin and Range of Nevada and Utah, and most of California, are 0.1–0.2 under long‐term hydrostatic pore pressure conditions. We test the sensitivity of these results by considering a range of maximum depths of integration. We show that for depths of integration in excess of 20 km below sea level, there is diminishing contribution to the depth‐integrated stress differences, and by proxy depth‐integrated fault strength. This is consistent with a brittle‐ductile transition in the plate boundary zone at depths less than 20 km below sea level, and with a weaker lower crust.
Isolating coccoliths from sediment for geochemical analysis
Authors: Halloran Paul R. , Rust Nigel , Rickaby Rosalind E. M.
Published: March 2009

Trace element analysis of open‐marine sedimentary carbonates provides a wealth of paleoclimate data. At present, the majority of this data is obtained from foraminifera tests. Complications regarding the variability of conditions experienced by foraminifera throughout test formation and the influence of diagenetic processes on sample chemistry limit the value of foraminifera samples in certain situations. Coccoliths, the calcium carbonate plates produced by coccolithophores, represent a second major pelagic open‐marine carbonate source with the potential to provide a wide range of valuable trace element proxy data but which have, until now, been unavailable for analysis of many trace elements because of clay contamination. Here we describe a novel technique, which utilizes fast sorting flow cytometry, to enable the production of clay‐free sedimentary coccolith samples.
Two associated upward lightning flashes that produced opposite polarity electric field changes
Authors: Lu W. , Wang D. , Zhang Y. , Takagi N.
Published: March 2009

We have performed a study of two associated upward lightning flashes that involved two adjoining tall grounded objects with a time difference of about 45.8 ms. These two associated lightning are found to have opposite polarity, the first one being negative and the second one, positive. Their occurrence appears to be direct evidence that one upward lightning flash can trigger other upward lightning of opposite polarity from nearby tall grounded objects.
Quiet variability of equatorial E × B drifts during a sudden stratospheric warming event
Authors: Chau J. L. , Fejer B. G. , Goncharenko L. P.
Published: March 2009

We present strong evidence that during the January 2008 minor sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event, the equatorial vertical E × B drifts exhibit a unique and distinctive daytime pattern. We do not think one event causes the other, however both events might be related through the global effects of planetary waves. The drifts were measured by the Jicamarca Incoherent scatter radar located under the magnetic equator. We have observed an anomalous temporal variation of the vertical E × B drifts during the minor SSW event, showing a semidiurnal variation with very large amplitudes lasting for several days. Large differences in the E × B drifts were observed during a period of large increase of temperature and a large decrease of mean zonal wind, in the high latitude stratosphere (60°–90°N). This high correlation is an unexpected finding which might shed new light on sources and mechanisms of quiet‐time ionospheric variability.
Inferring interplanetary flux rope orientation with the minimum residue method
Authors: Li H. J. , Feng X. S. , Zuo P. B. , Xie Y. Q.
Published: March 2009

There are many 2‐D models that can be used to describe the structure of the interplanetary flux rope (IFR), such as the force‐free model, the nonforce‐free model, and the inertial model. For each model, one or multiple field line invariants exist. In this study, we introduce a new definition of the quantity, residue, based on all field line invariants of a specified flux rope model to measure the deflection between the assumed axis and the true flux rope axis. Then, a new minimum residue (MR) method is proposed to infer the axial orientation of IFR with the observational data from a single spacecraft. For an arbitrarily assumed flux rope axis, the natural coordinate system can be constructed, then a magnetic flux function, A, and each invariant of the specified flux rope model can also be concurrently calculated under this coordinate system. The direction corresponding to the minimum residue is expected to be the real axial orientation. In previous study, the residue was first defined with A and a single invariant Pt of a static equilibrium flux rope model. Here, the new MR method is tested with simulated magnetic cloud data sets constructed from the analytical model outputs of two different flux rope models with “trend noise” added. It shows that the new MR method is applicable in real case analysis and the inferring results are acceptable for cases with small closest approach distance and proper noise level. Compared with results from traditional methods, accuracy of the inferred axial orientation is improved by the new method. The new MR method is also applied to a typical in situ event observed by Wind spacecraft. The comparison of the inferring results from different models indicate that application of a more accurate flux rope model is useful for inferring techniques.
Removal of nonconstant daily variation by means of wavelet and functional data analysis
Authors: Maslova I. , Kokoszka P. , Sojka J. , Zhu L.
Published: March 2009

We propose a novel approach based on wavelet and functional principal component analysis to produce a cleaner index of the intensity of the symmetric ring current. We use functional canonical correlations to show that the new approach more effectively extracts symmetric global features. The main result of our work is the construction of a new index, which is an improved version of the existing wavelet‐based index (WISA) and the old Dst index, in which a constant daily variation is removed. Here, we address the fact that the daily component varies from day to day and construct a “cleaner” index by removing nonconstant daily variations.
Volcano load control on dyke propagation and vent distribution: Insights from analogue modeling
Authors: Kervyn M. , Ernst G. G. J. , van Wyk de Vries B. , Mathieu L. , Jacobs P.
Published: March 2009

The spatial distribution of eruptive vents around volcanoes can be complex and evolve as a volcano grows. Observations of vent distribution at contrasting volcanoes, from scoria cones to large shields, show that peripheral eruptive vents concentrate close to the volcano base. We use analogue experiments to explore the control of volcano load on magma ascent and on vent location. Results show that the local loading stress field favors eruption of rising magma away from the volcano summit if a central conduit is not established or is blocked. Two sets of scaled experiments are developed with contrasting rheological properties to analyze similarities and differences in simulated magma rise below a volcano: (1) Golden syrup (magma analogue) is injected into a sand‐plaster mixed layer (crust analogue) under a cone; (2) water or air (magma analogues) is injected into gelatin under a sand cone. Rising dykes approaching the cone stress field are stopped by the load compressive stress. With continued intrusion, dyke overpressure builds up; dykes extend laterally until their tips are able to rise vertically again and to erupt in the flank or at the base of the volcano. Lateral offset of the extrusion point relative to the edifice summit depends on substratum thickness, volcano slope, and dyke overpressure. The 3D geometry of Golden syrup intrusions varies with experimental parameters from cylindrical conduits to dyke and sill complexes. Experimental results are compared with illustrative field cases and with previously published numerical models. This comparison enables applications and limitations of the analogue models to be highlighted and allows us to propose a conceptual model for the evolution of vent distribution with volcano growth.