bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐term follow up of peginterferon‐α‐2a treatment of hepatitis B e‐antigen (HBeAg) positive and HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B patients in phase II and III studies
Authors: Okanoue Takeshi , Shima Toshihide , Hasebe Chitomi , Karino Yoshiyasu , Imazeki Fumio , Kumada Takashi , Minami Masahito , Imai Yasuharu , Yoshihara Harumasa , Mita Eiji , Morikawa Teruhisa , Nishiguchi Shuhei , Kawakami Yoshiiku , Nomura Hideyuki , Sakisaka Shotaro , Kurosaki Masayuki , Yatsuhashi Hiroshi , Oketani Makoto , Kohno Hiroshi , Masumoto Akihide , Ikeda Kenji , Kumada Hiromitsu
Published: December 2015

Aim

We analyzed the 5‐year post‐treatment response to peginterferon α‐2a (PEG IFN‐α‐2a) in hepatitis B e‐antigen (HBeAg) positive and negative chronic hepatitis B patients.

Methods

One hundred and thirty‐seven chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients receiving 90 μg or 180 μg of PEG IFN‐α‐2a for 24 or 48 weeks in phase II or III studies were enrolled in the study, including 100 HBeAg positive patients and 37 HBeAg negative patients; 121 patients (88.4%) had genotype C.

Results

Of the 137 patients, 94 received additional antiviral therapy because of viral reactivation and 43 did not receive any additional antiviral treatment during follow up. Five years upon PEG IFN‐α‐2a treatment, 32 patients (23.4%) who did not receive any additional antiviral agent after PEG IFN‐α‐2a therapy achieved a good response (normal serum alanine aminotransferase, low‐level hepatitis B virus [HBV] DNA, and HBeAg negativity). Female sex and low HBV DNA levels by the end of treatment were independently associated with favorable 5‐year post‐treatment responses. Forty‐eight‐week administration of PEG IFN‐α‐2a showed a better response (26.4%) than 24‐week administration (18.0%). Six patients (4.3%), four males and two females, cleared hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) during the 5‐year follow‐up period.

Conclusion

The 48‐week administration of PEG IFN‐α‐2a achieved better biochemical and virological responses than the 24‐week administration, particularly in younger females. The 5‐year post‐treatment response rate was 23.4%; however, more than two‐thirds of the patients received additional antiviral therapy because of viral reactivation after PEG IFN‐α‐2a treatment. HBsAg clearance was noted in six patients (4.3%). PEG IFN‐α‐2a is effective in young female patients.
Incidence and prevalence of autoimmune hepatitis in the Ueda area, Japan
Authors: Yoshizawa Kaname , Joshita Satoru , Matsumoto Akihiro , Umemura Takeji , Tanaka Eiji , Morita Susumu , Maejima Toshitaka , Ota Masao
Published: December 2015

Aim

Although autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is considered to be rare in Japan, precise data on the incidence and prevalence of this disease are scarce due to the lack of a nationwide registry. We therefore conducted a study of these factors over a secondary medical care area.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated the medical records of AIH patients seen during 2004–2009 and prospectively recruited subjects from 2010 to 2014 at our hospital. We surveyed via written questionnaires to all family doctors and hospitals in our secondary medical care area of Ueda, with a population 187 205 individuals over 14 years of age. We also surveyed several core liver disease hospitals in the areas neighboring Ueda.

Results

Forty‐eight patients with AIH were diagnosed between 2004 and 2014. AIH with histological features of acute hepatitis was increased. The average annual incidence of AIH in the area was 2.23 (age‐standardized to the Japanese population). Forty‐eight patients (37 patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2014, and 11 patients before 2003) were followed to the study end‐point. The prevalence was 23.4 (age‐standardized to the Japanese population) on 31 December 2014. After age‐standardization to the World Health Organization world standard population, the incidence and prevalence of AIH decreased to 1.52 and 15.0, respectively, likely due to the high proportion of elderly patients in Japan.

Conclusion

The incidence and prevalence of AIH in Japan may be higher than previously believed due to increased awareness among family doctors, and a rise in the diagnosis of mild or atypical AIH.
Pharmacist and physician perspectives on diabetes service delivery within community pharmacies in Indonesia: a qualitative study
Authors: Wibowo Yosi , Sunderland Bruce , Hughes Jeffery
Published: December 2015

Objective

To explore perspectives of physicians and pharmacists on diabetes service delivery within community pharmacies in Indonesia.

Methods

In depth interviews were conducted with 10 physicians and 10 community pharmacists in Surabaya, Indonesia, using a semi-structured interview guide. Nvivo version 9 was used to facilitate thematic content analysis to identify barriers/facilitators for community pharmacists to provide diabetes services.

Key findings

The identified themes indicating barriers/facilitators for diabetes service delivery within Indonesian community pharmacies included: (1) pharmacist factors − i.e. positive views (facilitator) and perceived lack of competence (barrier); (2) pharmacist–physician relationships – i.e. physicians' lack of support and accessibility (barriers); (3) pharmacist–patient relationships – i.e. perceived patients' lack of support and accessibility (barriers); (4) pharmacy environment − i.e. business orientation (barrier), lack of staff and poor pharmacist availability (barriers), and availability of supporting resources, such as counselling areas/rooms, procedures/protocols and IT systems for labelling and patient records (facilitators); and (5) external environment − i.e. a health system to support pharmacist roles, remuneration, marketing and professional assistance (facilitators).

Conclusion

Issues related to the pharmacist–physician–patient relationships, pharmacy environment and external environment need to be addressed before Indonesian community pharmacists can provide additional pharmacy services for type 2 diabetes patients. Collaboration between the Government, Ikatan Apoteker Indonesia (Indonesian Pharmacists Association) and Ikatan Dokter Indonesia (Indonesian Medical Association) is required to improve the pharmacy professional environment and facilities.
Community pharmacy-based A1c screening: a Canadian model for diabetes care
Authors: Papastergiou John , Folkins Chris , Li Wilson
Published: December 2015

Objectives

Point-of-care HbA1c screening devices are a valuable tool that community pharmacists can use to monitor patients with diabetes and improve their overall management. We previously reported our experiences using these devices to assess glycaemic control in diabetic patients at three community pharmacy locations in Toronto, Ontario. Here, we report data from screening of over 1000 patients at clinics held across Canada.

Methods

Community pharmacies across Canada offering A1c screening as part of their professional programmes were invited to upload screening data to a central database. A1c analysis was performed using the Bayer A1c Now. Patient recruitment and approach to A1c screening were at the discretion of the participating pharmacies and were not standardized. Data collection took place over a period of 8 months.

Key findings

The majority of patients screened (59.1%) had A1c values above target, indicating inadequate glycaemic control. Glycaemic control was generally poorer among patients on more intensive treatment regimens. A total of 1711 clinical interventions were performed by pharmacists. An average of two interventions were performed per patient, and we observed a trend towards increased numbers of interventions in patients with poorer glycaemic control. The prevalence of specific types of interventions showed an apparent shift from predominantly pharmacist-directed interventions in patients with better glycaemic control towards an increased prevalence of physician-directed interventions in patients with poorer glycaemic control.

Conclusions

These results illustrate the prevalence of suboptimal glycaemic control among diabetic patients in the community, which represents a significant opportunity for pharmacists to use point-of-care screening to detect hyperglycaemia and intervene to improve disease management when warranted.
New roles in pharmacy – learning from the All Wales Common Ailments Scheme†
Authors: Mantzourani Efi , Richards Thomas Gwyn , Hughes Mary Louise
Published: December 2015

Objectives

The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of stakeholders on a national pilot of a new service, the ‘Choose Pharmacy’ Common Ailments Service (CAS) in Wales.

Methods

Methods used were semi-structured interviews with stakeholders involved in development and delivery of the CAS. Snowball sampling was employed and invites were extended to eight of 13 pharmacies offering CAS in Cwm Taf LHB, the practice managers at two associated general practitioner surgeries and two local and national level commissioners.

Key findings

The benefits of encouraging self-care by patients were widely recognised in terms of their impact on patients, health professionals and wider society. Although some challenges of introducing a new service were identified, these did not appear to be insurmountable.

Conclusions

CAS was welcomed by stakeholders in terms of its potential benefits. Results are therefore encouraging for policy makers involved in the implementation of other new roles within community pharmacy in the UK and beyond.
Lignocaine and indocyanine green kinetics in patients following myocardial infarction.
Authors: Bax ND , Tucker GT , Woods HF
Published: December 2015

1. Blood clearances of lignocaine and indocyanine green together with indocyanine green half‐lives were measured in 17 post‐myocardial infarct patients (one patient was studied twice) between 8 h and 36 h after starting intravenous lignocaine infusions for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. 2. Mean +/‐ s.d. values of lignocaine clearance (ml min‐1 kg‐1) were higher in patients without heart failure (11.8 +/‐ 2.6, n = 9) than in those with heart failure (7.2 +/‐ 1.9, n = 9) (P < 0002). 3. Clearances of lignocaine and indocyanine green were not correlated but lignocaine clearance was directly related to the reciprocal of indocyanine green half‐life (rs = 0.67, P < 0.01). 4. In eight patients who received both lignocaine and indocyanine green and in a further five patients received only lignocaine and whose lignocaine infusions lasted 24h or more, a 25% rise in lignocaine concentrations was observed between 8‐12h and 24‐28h. 5. The mean +/‐ s.d. post‐infusion terminal half‐life of lignocaine in four patients whose lignocaine infusions lasted 30h or longer was 7.2 +/‐ 2.1 h. 6. Heart failure was associated with greater changes in lignocaine kinetics than in indocyanine green kinetics. 72% of the variance between observed and predicted lignocaine clearances could be accounted for by multiple linear regression analysis incorporating indocyanine green half‐life and the presence or absence of heart failure. Indocyanine green half‐life contributed only 17% of the variance indicating that by itself it is of limited value in predicting lignocaine requirements. 7. Lignocaine kinetics during and after prolonged intravenous infusion were not predicted by data obtained after intravenous bolus injection. 8. A lowering of lignocaine dosage may be clinically desirable in the presence of heart failure and if an infusion lasts longer than 24 h.
An evaluation of the potential use of isoniazid, acetylisoniazid and isonicotinic acid for monitoring the self‐administration of drugs.
Authors: Ellard GA , Jenner PJ , Downs PA
Published: December 2015

1. The possibility of using minute doses of the antituberculosis drug isoniazid (INH) or of its metabolites acetylisoniazid (AcINH) or isonicotinic acid (INA) as innocuous markers for monitoring patient compliance has been investigated. 2. The ingestion of these colourless and tasteless compounds can readily be demonstrated using a sensitive and specific colorimetric method for detecting INA and its metabolite isonicotinylglycine (INAG) in the urine that is rapid and simple to perform. 3. Studies on the kinetics of the urinary elimination of INA and INAG after the ingestion of 6 mg doses of either INH, AcINH or INA by small groups of volunteers indicated the potential suitability of INH or AcINH for monitoring daily or twice‐daily self‐medication and the appropriateness of INA as a marker for investigating the compliance of drugs prescribed for thrice‐daily ingestion. 4. More extensive studies showed that over 99% of the urine samples collected within 18h of dosage with 6 mg INH would give positive results when tested for the presence of INA and INAG, and that doses of 2‐6 mg INH could readily by incorporated into capsules or tablets and used as markers for monitoring the ingestion of the antituberculosis or antileprosy drugs dapsone, thiacetazone, ethionamide or prothionamide, or the antihypertensive oxprenolol. Such doses are less than a fiftieth of the normal therapeutic INH dose used in the treatment of tuberculosis. 5. Evidence is presented that INH, AcINH and INA possess most of the characteristics that one would hope to find in a marker for monitoring compliance including very limited inter‐individual variability in the rates at which they are converted to the compounds being detected in the urine.
Benzodiazepines: a summary of pharmacokinetic properties.
Authors: Greenblatt DJ , Shader RI , Divoll M , Harmatz JS
Published: December 2015

1 The onset and duration of action of benzodiazepines after single oral doses depend largely on absorption rate and extent of distribution, respectively. 2 The rate and extent of accumulation during multiple dosage depend on elimination half‐life and clearance. A framework is proposed for classification of benzodiazepines according to elimination half‐life. 3 Long‐acting benzodiazepines have half‐life values usually exceeding 24 hours. Drugs in this category have long‐acting pharmacologically active metabolites (often desmethyldiazepam), accumulate extensively during multiple dosage, and may have impaired clearance in the elderly and those with liver disease. 4 Intermediate and short‐acting benzodiazepines have half‐life values from 5‐24 hours. Active metabolites are uncommon. Accumulation during multiple dosage is less extensive than with the long‐acting group, and diminishes as the half‐life becomes shorter. Age and liver disease have a small influence on metabolic clearance. 5 The half‐life of ultrashort acting benzodiazepines is less than 5 hours. These drugs are essentially non‐ accumulating. 6 Pharmacokinetic classification may assist in understanding of differences among benzodiazepines, but does not explain all of their clinical actions.
Factors influencing the activity and fate of benzodiazepines in the body.
Authors: van der Kleijn E , Vree TB , Baars AM , Wijsman R , Edmunds LC , Knop HJ
Published: December 2015

1 The clinical pharmacokinetics of the many benzodiazepines used to treat numerous and varied clinical conditions can be influenced by many factors. 2 Combinations of drugs efficacious in the central nervous system can change the onset, intensity and duration of effect as a result of pharmacological, physiological and pharmacokinetic actions. 3 Pharmacokinetic considerations indicate that short to medium long‐ acting benzodiazepines that depend on only glucuronidation for their major metabolic pathway are the drugs of choice in this category.
The relationship between individual dietary constituents and antipyrine metabolism in Indo‐Pakistani immigrants to Britain.
Authors: Mucklow JC , Caraher MT , Henderson DB , Chapman PH , Roberts DF , Rawlins MD
Published: December 2015

1 Antipyrine clearance has been measured from serial saliva samples in 36 healthy adult Indo‐Pakistani immigrants to Britain, to assess the effect of dietary differences within this population. 2 Clearance (mean +/‐ s.e. mean) was significantly slower in 16 lactovegetarians (0.54 +/‐ 0.06 ml min −1 kg −1) than in the subjects who ate meat regularly (0.91 +/‐0.07 ml min −1 kg −1). 3 The absence of meat from the diet was associated with a significantly smaller daily intake of dietary protein, which was abnormally low by Western standards. 4 It is likely that the contrast in daily protein intake between the dietary subgroups was largely responsible for the differences observed in antipyrine clearance.
A comparative study of intramuscular buprenorphine and morphine in the treatment of chronic pain of malignant origin.
Authors: Kjaer M , Henriksen H , Knudsen J
Published: December 2015

1 Twenty‐seven patients with moderate to severe chronic pain of malignant origin received buprenorphine (0.3 mg) and morphine (10 mg) intramuscularly in a double‐blind, single dose within patient study. 2 Efficacy analysis demonstrated no significant differences in the peak analgesic effects or in the time to reach these effects. However, buprenorphine had a significantly longer duration of action than morphine. 3 Sedation was the most frequent unwanted effect with a similar incidence following each treatment. Buprenorphine was associated with a significantly higher incidence, greater severity, earlier onset, and longer duration of dizziness, nausea and vomiting than morphine. 4 Following both treatments there were small but significant decreases in pulse rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.
Weitere Vergleichsversuche mit Wolf und Hund
Authors: Grzimek Bernhard
Published: December 2015

Es soil geprüft werden, ob die Domestikation die psychischen Leistungen verbessert oder nicht. Frühere Versuche hatten gezeigt, daß zwei Hunde ein besseres Gedächtnis als ein Wolf aufwiesen. Drei andere Wölfe und einer dieser Hunde, die in den vorstehenden Versuchen Fleischköder an Schnüren oder Latten in den Zwinger zu Ziehen hatten, überblickten den „verständlichen Zusamraenhang”. Die Hündin Furba war den beiden Wölfinnen und dem Wolfsrüden an Zahl der richtigen Lösungen eindeutig überlegen.

Der Ruf einer Wölfin, frauenfeindlich zu sein, bewahrheitete sich bei Nachprüfung nicht.
Die Balz des Samtfalters, Eumenis (=Satyrus) semele (L.)
Authors: Tinbergen N. , Meeuse B. J. D. , Varossieau L. K. Boerema u. W. W.
Published: December 2015

Der Hauptteil der Arbeit befaßt sich mit einer Analyse der Balz von Eumenis semele (L.). Die erste Reaktion des ♂ auf ein vorüberfliegendes ♀ hat ein sehr merkmalarmes auslösendes Schema. Untersueht wurde die Wirksamkeit von Farbe, Form, Größe, Entfernung und Bewegungsweise.

Die Farbe des ♀ ist nur von Bedeutung in dem Sinne, daß das dunkelste ♀ (‐Modell) am intensivsten beflogen wird. Schwarz und Rot haben einen höheren auslösenden Wert als die natürliche Farbe; sie sind „überoptimal”. Daß semele nicht einfach farbenblind ist, beweist das Verbalten beim Blütenbesuch, wobei gelbe und blaue Blumen auf Grand ihrer Farbqualitäten bevorzugt werden.

Die Form des ♀ ist von sehr geringer Bedeutung: Falterform, Kreis und Rechteck werden ungefähr gleich bäufig beflogen. Oberflächengleiche Rechtecke mit verschiedenem Längen‐Breite‐Verhältnis haben nicht alle denselben auslösenden Wert; es sind hier also Beziehungen und nicht einfach Reizmengen wirksam.

Eine Attrappe von natürlicher Größe ist wirksamer alskleinere Attrappen, bleibt aber hinter größeren Attrappen bedeutend zurück. Auch in dieser Hinsicht gibt es also „überoptimale” Attrappen.

Alle Attrappen sind um so wirksamer, je näher sie sind. Dies beruht nicht nur auf der Größe des gesehenen Bildes, sondern auch auf einem noch nicht weiter analysierten räumlichen Unterscheidungsvermögen.

Die Bewegungsweise ist ein sehr wichtiges Merkmal: eine glatt bewegte Attrappe ist viel weniger wirksam als eine „tanzende” oder eine solche, die durch fortwährendes Drehen abwechselnd breit und schmal erscheint.

Die Koordination dieser „Merkmale” ist rein summativ, das heißt, das Fehlen eines jeden Merkmals kann durch beliebige andere Merkmale kompensiert werden. Es muß also zwischen Rezeptor und Effektor eine sammelnde Station eingeschaltet sein, welche die urgleichartigen Erregungen, wie die Merkmale sie hervorrufen, in gleichartige, summierbare Erregung umsetzt und als Gauzes wieder aussendet. Durch die Wirksamkeit dieser sammelnden Station, sowie durch die Gestalt‐Eigenschaften der rezeptorischen und der Bewegungsprozesse unterscheidet sich die untersuchte Reaktion von einer einfachen Reflexbewegung.

Es wurde weiter durch Ausschaltungsversuche die Funktion des Duftfeldes auf dem männlichen Vorderflügel untersueht. Es sendet Geruchsreize aus, durch die das balzende ♂ sein ♀ zur Begattung bereitmacht. Die Bewegungsform der männlichen Flügel und die der weiblichen Fühler während der Balz dienen dazu, den männlichen Reizduft dem weiblichen Gerucbsorgan so intensiv wie möglich rechtzeitig zuzuführen. Ausschaltversuche beweisen die Richtigkeit der Deutung.

Ein vergleichendes Studium verwandter Arten, bei denen ähnliche Duftfelder in wechselnder Anordnung vorkommen, steht noch aus.
The Role of Urine in Parent‐Offspring Communication in a Cichlid Fish
Authors: BARNETT COLIN
Published: December 2015

The fry of the Midas cichlid,Cichlasoma citrinellum, preferred over blank water, a urine solution from either parent or from a nonparental adult of either sex. They failed to show a preference for the urine of a predator,C. managuense, or for the mucus from the mother. It is possible that steroid titers in urine could provide information on sex, and that peptide chains in urine could indicate species. The chemosensory acuity of fry is high, as they were able to detect a “concentration” of pheromone as low as one sibling per 2 1 of water. This high acuity implies that olfaction rather than gustation mediated the chemosensory responses described above.
Duets, Greetings and Triumph Ceremonies: Analogous Displays in the Parrot Genus Trichoglossus
Authors: SERPELL JAMES
Published: December 2015

This paper describes a range of cooperative displays in the loriine parrot genus Trichoglossus. The displays tend to be performed jointly by the members of established monogamous pairs, and have evolved specialised characteristics which distinguish them from solo performances. The possible functions of these displays are discussed with reference to observations of apparently analogous performances in other monogamous avian and mammalian groups.
Corticosterone and Body Temperature During Acquisition of Social Hierarchy in the Captive Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus I. lagopus)1
Authors: Myhre Grete , Ursin Holger , Hanssen Ingolf
Published: December 2015

The establishment of a social order in a flock of Arctic birds is important for their survival. It also has effects on the internal state of each individual bird. Submissive birds have higher levels of body temperature and of plasma corticosterone than the dominant birds following establishment of a stable hierarchy. This is explained as being due to psychological effects of success (coping) in the situation rather than indicating any primary physiological differences between dominating and submissive birds.

An 21 Moorschneehühnern, die in Gefangenschaft in zwei Gruppen gehalten waren, wurden während der Ausbildung einer Rangordnung Körper‐temperatur und Corticosteron‐Spiegel im Blut gemessen. Beide Maße lieferten — wie auch die Aktivität der Tiere — hohe Werte während der Ordnungs‐phase und tiefere Werte, als die Rangordnung feststand. In beiden Gruppen waren die Körpertemperatur und der Corticosteron‐Spiegel beim dominanten Tier geringer als bei den rangunterlegenen Tieren.
On the Social Organisation, Alarm and Fighting in the Primitive Cockroach Cryptocercus punctulatus Scudder
Authors: SEELINGER GÜNTER , SEELINGER UTE
Published: December 2015

The wood‐feeding cockroach Cryptocercus is usually believed to live in aggregations. Field observations, however, gave evidence for the existence of distinct family groups living in different gallery systems. This study investigates intraspecific behavioural interactions with respect to the social structure. The interactions among family members were observed in artificial burrows in the laboratory. Individuals from different families were brought together experimentally and the resulting alarm and fighting behaviour was studied. The importance of Cryptocercus for the evolution of termite sociality is discussed.
Stimulus Control of Feeding Behavior in the Grasshopper Mouse
Authors: LANGLEY WILLIAM M.
Published: December 2015

Abstract and Summary

This study examined the stimulus control of feeding in the carnivorous grasshopper mouse, Onychomys leucogaster. Quantitative analysis of the actions involved in feeding showed that overall feeding behaviors of lab‐reared and field‐caught mice resembled one another but that the sequence of specific actions was variable. Responses by mice to cotton swabs dipped in solutions showed that after eating several crickets, the presence of prey odor more readily elicited a feeding response. The odor and moisture cues associated with exposed viscera were shown by the use of modified prey to strongly affect the orientation of feeding. Using modified prey without exposed viscera, tactile cues associated with the head and thorax proved to be important guides in the feeding response. Feeding orientation towards the head was independent of that towards the thorax. Together these data showed that the feeding sequence resembled a reaction chain and that much of the stereotypy of the mouse's feeding response resulted from the position and alignment of the cues that orient the feeding response.
The Form of Combative Strategy in Interactions among Wolf Pups (Canis lupus)
Authors: Havkin Zvika , Fentress John C.
Published: December 2015

Abstract and Summary

This study concerns the form of combative interactions between wolf pups and how this form relates to strategy. Filmed records were analysed for dyadic interactions among three pups between the ages of two weeks and five months. By isolating and recombining the variables of body pitch, snout contact placement, and mutual orientation, combative strategies leading to unbalancing (falling) of one partner were evaluated. It was found that consistent dyadic configurations, bite locations and patterns of leg sweeps could be related to three distinct styles of falling (side, back and forward falls). Forward falls developed last, and represent a controlled strategy of active defense. “Top” and “bottom” pups can switch roles but show position–dependent regularities in behavior. These biomechanically defined regularities clarify some problems associated with the constructs of play and dominance–submission.

Untersucht wurden die aggressiven Handlungen von jungen Wölfen und ihre Kampfstrategie. Die Analyse basiert auf Filmaufnahmen von 2 Wochen bis 5 Monate alten Wolfsjungen. Näher analysiert wurden Interaktionen von Zweiergruppen (dyadic interactions), sofern hierbei eines der Jungen zu Fall gekommen war. Registriert wurden drei Variable: 1. der Vertikalanteil der Körperposition jedes Jungen (body level), 2. die Position der Schnauze auf dem Körper des Gegenübers (snout contact), 3. der Horizontalanteil der Körperposition jedes Jungen in bezug auf seinen Partner (mutual orientation). Aus 62 Interaktionen wird jeweils beschrieben: 1. die Position der Beteiligten vor dem Fall, 2. auf welche Weise eines der beiden Jungen aus dem Gleichgewicht kam, 3. die Reaktion des aus dem Gleichgewicht gekommenen Jungen.

Nach der Bildung einer T–ähnlichen Stellung blieb in 90% aller Fälle dasjenige Junge stehen (top pup), das die Basis des T bildete, während das andere Junge zu Boden fiel (bottom pup). Das „top pup” und das „bottom pup” zeigten zudem unterschiedliches Beißverhalten. Mit Hilfe dieser Verhaltensweisen wurden Angriff und Verteidigung definiert. Es gibt drei verschiedene Formen des Fallens, je nachdem, welche(r) Körperteil(e) zuerst den Boden berührt. Nach der Mechanik des Vorganges zu urteilen ist das Fallen, das mit dem Körpervorderteil beginnt, die am weitesten entwickelte schützende Falltechnik. Sie trat als letzte während der Entwicklung auf.

Es wurde der Versuch gemacht, biomechanische Grundlagen des beobachteten Verhaltens zu beschreiben, weil wir glauben, daß für jede Kampfsituation zunächst die mechanischen Anforderungen untersucht werden sollten, bevor z. B. soziale Zwänge als Grund für ein bestimmtes Verhalten postuliert werden.

Es werden keinerlei Annahmen über „Ernst” oder „Vergnugen” bei diesem Verhalten gemacht, doch sind die Ergebnisse von Bedeutung für Untersuchungen von Kampf und Spiel. Die Ergebnisse werden in bezug auf die Hypothese diskutiert, daß Spiel sich als Übung für adulte Aggression entwickelte.
First Birth Stories of Student Midwives: Keys to Professional Affective Socialization
Authors: Ulrich Suzan
Published: December 2015

The purpose of this article was to examine the professional affective socialization of midwifery students. Students from the Community‐Based Nurse‐Midwifery Education Program (CNEP) tell about their first births in their Lost My Hat stories posted on the electronic bulletin board of the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing. Qualitative analysis of 38 of these stories showed internalization of the values and beliefs of the midwifery model of care by students. Themes of the Lost My Hat stories were congruent with some of the aspects of the Model of Exemplary Midwifery Practice developed by Kennedy. Major themes included the circle of safety provided by the preceptor and a woman‐centered approach to care. These findings can help midwifery educators promote socialization of students in the profession.
Pregnancy Outcomes of Adolescents Enrolled in a CenteringPregnancy Program
Authors: Grady Mary Alice , Bloom Kathaleen C.
Published: December 2015

Adolescent pregnancy remains a significant social, economic, and health issue in the United States. The unique developmental needs of the pregnant adolescent require attention when designing prenatal care services. The CenteringPregnancy model of group prenatal care provides education and support for young women in an active and developmentally appropriate environment. Thirteen groups of adolescents (N = 124) have completed the Centering program at the Teen Pregnancy Center at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Evaluation data suggest that the model has encouraged excellent health care compliance, satisfaction with prenatal care, and low rates of preterm birth and low birth weight infants.
Mating Is Random
Authors: BISCHOF P. , JEANNET M. , BOURRIT B. , VUAGNAT P. , HERRMANN W.L. , SIZONENKO P.C.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing was undertaken in 151 unrelated blood donors and in 35 normal couples having at least two living children. We compared observed and expected sharing of HLA antigens at four loci in normal couples. We also compared the observed sharing in couples with the expected sharing in unrelated blood donors if taken two by two and with the sharing observed after 1000 “synthetic matings” of normal couples. No statistically significant difference in HLA sharing appeared between these groups. Furthermore no differences were observed in the probabilities of sharing individual HLA antigens among the different groups. We thus conclude that the observed HLA sharing in normal couples is governed by chance alone and that mating is random in our population.
Cytochemical Characterization and Localization of Oligomannosidic Oligosaccharide Receptors on the Normal Human Spermatozoa Using Fluorescent Lectins: Comparison of Different Fixation Procedures
Authors: NARDONE PABLO , CEREZO ALBERTO S. , DE CEREZO JOSEFINA M.S.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: Similar localizations of the Con A and wheat germ lectin receptors were obtained by using fluorescent lectins, in nonfixed spermatozoa and in spermatozoa fixed with formaldehyde and methanol, showing that in samples with the same previous treatment, worked out by the same operator, in which enough determinations have been performed to eliminate individual variations, the different procedures of fixation produced similar results.

The localizations obtained with fluorescent lectins confirm previous results, produced with the peroxidase technique, indicating that the lectins interact with oligomannosidic oligosaccharide receptors situated mainly in the equatorial segment of the acrosome and postnu‐clear cap. They also indicate the presence of similar receptors that were not detected previously on the neck and intermediate segment. The larger size of the lectin‐peroxidase‐diaminebenzidine reagent compared to that of the fluorescent lectins suggests that the new receptors are semicriptic and were not detected by steric effects in the first case, but were able to interact with lower volume, fluorescent probes.

It is suggested that these oligomannosidic chains could be recognition signals for the elimination of incompetent sperm during their passage through the female reproductive track. Also these oligosaccharides and its possible metabolic variations could be involved in the interaction between the acrosome‐reacted spermatozoa with the zone pellucida.
An Improved Indirect Enzyme‐linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for the Detection of Antisperm Antibodies
Authors: Ing Raymond M.Y. , Wang Shi‐Xian , Brennecke Angela M. , Jones Warren R.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: An indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the detection of antisperm antibodies which provides a sensitivity and ease of quantitation that is not available with conventional bioassay systems.

A standardized protocol was developed in which washed whole sperm were coated onto polystyrene microelisa plates at a density of 1 × 105 sperm per well using a commercially available spray fixative. Urease was employed in the enzyme—antiimmunoglobulin conjugate to minimize nonspecific background reactions. Diluted positive and negative human sera were incubated at 37°C and the results were read on an ELISA auto reader.

Using mouse antihuman sperm antisera and sera from selected infertile patients, it was found that the ELISA method was significantly more sensitive than the sperm microimmobilization test and the microtray agglutination test. The results also confirmed that the ELISA detected a different spectrum of sperm antibodies compared with the other two techniques.
Qualitative and Quantitative Changes of the Vaginal Microbial Flora During the Menstrual Cycle
Authors: JOHNSON S.R. , PETZOLD C.R. , GALASK R.P.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: Knowledge of the normal vaginal microbial flora is essential in understanding the etiology of female genital tract infections. This study was done to investigate both qualitative and quantitative differences that occur during the menstrual cycle. We studied 34 reproductive age women Iongitudinally. Quantitative cultures were obtained during menses and following the cessation of menses. A greater variety of organisms were found during menstruation. The effect was not selective with respect to aerobes or anaerobes. The total number of bacteria between the two culture periods did not change significantly.
The Mechanism of the Inhibitory Effect of Progesterone on Lymphocyte Cytotoxicity: II. Relationship Between Cytotoxicity and the Cyclooxygenase Pathway of Arachidonic Acid Metabolism
Authors: SZEKERES‐BARTHO JULIA , FALKAY G. , TÖRÖK A. , PACSA A.S.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: In the previous paper we have demonstrated that progesterone‐treated lymphocytes of healthy pregnant women produce a 34,000 MW protein that inhibits cytotoxic activity and prostaglandin F2α synthesis. Since recently it has been shown that certain leukotrienes have a stimulatory effect on natural killer activity, in this study an attempt was made to determine whether there is a relationship between cytotoxicity and PGF2α synthesis or if alterations in the values of these parameters are independent.

Arachidonic acid increased cytotoxic activity of healthy pregnant women's peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in a concentration‐dependent manner. Exogenous arachidonic acid was able to counteract the blocking effect of the above‐mentioned protein produced by progesterone‐treated lymphocytes. To determine whether the products of the cyclooxygenase or the lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism are responsible for increased cytotoxicity, both enzyme systems were blocked separately. Both indomethacin and the lipoxygenase inhibitor BW 755C reduced cytotoxicity in a dose‐dependent fashion. However, the lipoxygenase inhibitor prevented prostaglandin synthesis to the same extent, or even more than indomethacin, in all concentrations used; so, its blocking effect cannot be considered as supportive evidence for the role of leukotrienes in cytotoxicity. On the other hand, lipopolysaccharide, with a selective stimulatory effect on prostaglandin synthesis, increased cytotoxicity. Lipopolysaccharide had no effect on progesterone‐pretreated PBMC. The above data allow the assumption that besides leukotrienes, cyclooxygenase products may also increase cytotoxicity.
Adoptive Transfer of Suppression of Autoimmune Response to Rat Male Accessory Glands With Spleen Mononuclear Cells From Antigen‐Pretreated Rats
Authors: FERRO MARÍA ELENA , GALMARINI MIRIAN , RIERA CLELIA M.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: The injection of the spleen mononuclear (SpM) cells, obtained from rats rendered unresponsive to autoantigen of rat male accessory glands (RAG) by pretreatment with low doses of purified fraction of RAG (containing the autoantigen), into normal syngeneic recipients markedly prevented the development of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction to the autoantigen (suppression of the induction) (p < 0.001). The humoral response was not altered. The control animals were rat receptors of spleen mononuclear cells from donor rats pretreated with rat lung saline extract or 0.15 M NaCl. In contrast, the transference of SpM cells from donor rats pretreated with low doses of autoantigen prior to the immunization to rats previously immunized, did not modify the expression of the immune response against the autoantigen when compared with control rats. The suppression of the induction of DTH response was also obtained when prior to the immunization, the recipients received T‐cell‐enriched SpM cell population from unresponsive animals (p < 0.001), but not when they were injected with B‐cell‐enriched SpM cells. These results suggest that suppressor T cells capable of controlling induction of the autoimmune response against RAG autoantigen might be one of the immunoregulatory mechanisms that are activated when soluble autoantigen of RAG enter into circulation.
Bacteriology of Cervix in Cases of Infertility: Effect on Human Sperm
Authors: KAUR MOHINDER , TRIPATHI K.K. , BANSAL M.R. , JAIN P.K. , GUPTA K.G.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: Microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis isolated from cervices of infertile females possessed spermicidal activity. They also agglutinated the human spermatozoa in vitro and showed tail‐to‐tail agglutination. Cell‐free supernatant of these organisms was found to be spermicidal but did not agglutinate spermatozoa in vitro. Spermicidal activity was increased with increase in age of the culture.
In Vitro Cell‐Mediated and Complement‐Mediated Cytotoxicity to Murine Testicular Cells
Authors: BEN KUNLONG , ALEXANDER NANCY J. , HUSO NANCY
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: Male BALB/c mice at 8 to 14 weeks of age were divided into three groups: group 1 was immunized with an emulsion of testicular cells (TCs) (107/mouse), complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), and extract of Bordetella pertussis (BP); group 2 was given CFA and BP injections; and group 3 was given sterile saline injections. Suspensions of TCs and spleen cells (SCs) from each mouse were prepared 4 weeks after the first immunization for a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) assay. For the antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody‐dependent complement‐mediated cytotoxicity (ACC) assays, TCs and SCs were prepared from normal male and female mice, respectively. Targets were labeled with Na251 CrO4. The interactions of targets (TCs) and effectors (SCs) were conducted at 32.5°C (for CTL, ADCC, and ACC assays) or 37°C (for ACC assay). In the CTL assay, SCs from group 1 and group 2 caused significantly more killing than those from group 3. Specific cytotoxicity in the ADCC assay was only detected in the serum (maximum specific lysis 47.6%) of one mouse. No other cytotoxicity was detectable in 61 serum samples from group 1 (n = 25), group 2 (n = 17), and group 3 (n = 19). In the ACC assay, no significant specific cytolysis was found at different incubation temperatures (32.5 and 37.0°C) in 44 serum samples from the three groups. These results suggest that CTLs are important in the pathogenesis of experimental allergic orchitis (EAO). Adjuvant alone, probably because of breakdown of the blood‐testis barrier, causes significant T lymphocyte cytotoxicity to TCs. ADCC and ACC are not important mechanisms in the immunopathogenesis of murine EAO.
Immunotherapy of Primary Immunological Aborters: Rationale for the Use of Pooled Cryopreserved Purified Normal Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Authors: DENEGRI JORGE F. , ALTIN MUZAFFER , McCONNACHIE PETER , PETERSON JEANNE , BENNY W. BARRET , ZOUVES CHRISTO G. , WILSON DOUGLAS
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: Patients with recurrent spontaneous abortions have been sucessfully treated in many centers with third‐party immunization directed to a putative TLX antigen system. This immunotherapy requires the screening of a large number of donors to match the patients' red blood cell (RBC) phenotype and has the potential risks associated with transfusions from 30 to 50 donors. Our modified approach to third‐party immunization is to use irradiated frozen‐stored purified lymphocytes pooled from five normal donors. Mononuclear cells from normal donors are obtained in a cell separator. After sedimentation and Ficoll‐Hypaque separation, the cells are stored in liquid N2. The RBC depletion of the final preparation is of the order of 5 to 6 logs, theoretically decreasing the need for RBC phenotyping except for the Rh system. Using a highly sensitive fluorescence‐activated cell sorter technique and an ADCC assay, we found that ABH, Rh, Fya Fyb, JkaJkb, MNS, and Kell antigens are either not expressed by cryopreserved human mononuclear cells, or, if so, they are below the level of detection of these highly sensitive assays. We conclude that the use of pooled frozen mononuclear cells is an adequate alternative for immunotherapy. It decreases the transfusion risks associated with exposure to a large number of donors and the need for RBC phenotyping, making this modality of treatment more accessible.
Placental Lesions in Maternal Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: LABARRERE CARLOS A. , CATOGGIO LUIS J. , MULLEN EDUARDO G. , ALTHABE OMAR H.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: We have investigated the presence and clinical implications of maternal vascular lesions and chronic villitis of unknown etiology (CVUE) in 18 placentas of 15 mothers with several autoimmune diseases (AD), including, for the first time, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, autoimmune thyroid diseases, and multiple sclerosis. The group with AD had significantly more maternal vascular lesions and CVUE than the control group. We did not find lesions that could be attributed to any of the diseases in particular. The histopathologic picture was similar in these diseases, although there appears to be a spectrum in severity. Placental vascular damage with deposits of IgM, C3, and C1q was more prominent in systemic lupus erythematosus and in a patient with systemic sclerosis. In both of these diseases but not in the other conditions, these lesions were related to poor fetal outcome. Although the precise role of each of these autoimmune diseases in pregnancy and fetal outcome remains to be established, there appears to be at least one link between them represented by the presence of severe acute atherosis and heavy granular vascular deposits of IgM, C3, and C1q associated in some with poor fetal outcome. The role of CVUE remains speculative.
Phosphate Content of Human Amniotic Fluid and Its Relationship to Bacterial Growth Inhibition
Authors: TOMBLIN JAMES , DAVIS B. , LARSEN B.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: A sensitive method for assay of phosphate has been adapted for use with human amniotic fluid. The presence of an antibacterial factor in amniotic fluid inactivated by phosphate suggested that measurement of free phosphate may predict antibacterial activity and hence susceptibility to intrapartum infection. The intrinsic antibacterial activity of amniotic fluid was altered by addition of large amounts of phosphate, but the intrinsic concentration of free phosphate correlated poorly with antibacterial activity and organically combined phosphates did not appear to be related to the antibacterial property.
Antibody Binding Specificity to Donor Sperm in Sera From Infertile Patients
Authors: LYNCH DONA M. , HOWE STEPHEN E.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: Indirect testing for elevated sera levels of antisperm antibody assumes that all relevant antigens are present on the target sperm utilized. In the present study, the heterogeneity of reactivity of positive sera with sperm from different donors was addressed. When 68 sera that previously tested positive by either sperm immobilization test (SIT) or ELISA or both were tested for antisperm antibody levels by a quantitative ELISA using nine different sperm donors, the frequency of positive reactions was 51% for men and 81% for women. A 50% correlation of SIT‐ and ELISA‐positive results could be improved to 85% using the same sperm specimen. This would improve the overall correlation of functional and ELISA test results from 95% to 99% in the infertile population studied. The data suggest that individual sperm may vary in their antigenic expression and that comparison of methods between laboratories could be improved if equivalent target sperm were used.
Suppression of Lymphocyte Activation by a High‐Molecular‐Weight Glycoprotein Released From Preimplantation Ovine and Porcine Conceptuses
Authors: MURRAY MARY K. , SEGERSON EDWARD C. , HANSEN PETER J. , BAZER FULLER W. , ROBERTS R. MICHAEL
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: A high‐molecular‐weight (MW > 660,000), acidic glycoprotein (HMWGP) was purified from incubation medium of preimplantation, elongating ovine (day 16 and 17) and porcine (day 16) conceptuses. HMWGP was tested for its ability to inhibit [3H‐methyl]thymidine incorporation into lymphocytes stimulated by phytohemagglutinin or two‐way mixed lymphocyte cultures. Ovine and porcine HMWGP inhibited the incorporation of [3H‐methyl]thymidine into lymphocytes in a dose‐dependent manner. An approximately 50% inhibition was detected at the lowest dose tested (ovine, 25 μg/ml; porcine, 5 μg/ml). Complete suppression of thymidine incorporation occurred at the highest doses evaluated (ovine, 200 μg/ml; porcine, 40 μg/ml). This immunosuppressive effect was not the result of an overall cytotoxic effect on lymphocytes as evaluated by trypan blue exclusion. In conclusion, an ovine and porcine conceptus glycoprotein, HMWGP, has potent in vitro immunosuppressive activity in both phytohemagglutinin and mixed lymphocyte cultures. In vivo, HMWGP may have an immunoregulatory role during early pregnancy in the sheep and pig by providing a local immunosuppressive environment within the uterus to prevent conceptus rejection.