bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Active versus expectant management for preterm prelabor rupture of membranes at 34‐36 weeks of completed gestation: comparison of maternal and neonatal outcomes
Authors: KAYEM GILLES , BERNIER‐DUPREELLE AURÉLIE , GOFFINET FRANÇOIS , CABROL DOMINIQUE , HADDAD BASSAM 
Published: March 2010

AbstractObjective. To compare maternal and neonatal outcomes in deliveries managed by a policy of expectant management and active management of women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (pPROM), at 34‐36 completed weeks of gestation. Design. Retrospective multicenter cohort study. Setting. Three tertiary care teaching hospitals in France. Population. Women with pPROM were identified from the databases of three perinatal centers. Methods. Maternal and neonatal complications were compared according to the hospital policy in effect at pPROM – expectant or active management. Main outcome measures. Clinical chorioamnionitis, neonatal morbidity including neonatal infection, respiratory problems, and metabolic disorders. Results. During the seven‐year study period, 634 women were admitted for pPROM at 34‐36 completed weeks of gestation, 241 of whom were included in the study: 126 in the group with a policy of expectant management and 115 in the active management group. The incidence of clinical chorioamnionitis was 4.8% in the former and 0.9% in the latter (p = 0.07). Neonatal oxygen was still needed at 24 hours significantly more often in the active than in the expectant management group (7.0 vs. 1.6%, p = 0.05). However, after adjustment for gestational age at birth, only delivery at 34 weeks of gestation remained associated with the need for neonatal oxygen at 24 hours. The rate of hypoglycemia or hypocalcemia was 5.6% in the expectant management group versus 12.3% in the active management group (p = 0.07). There were no neonatal deaths. Conclusion. A policy of active management, especially at 34 weeks of gestation, was associated with greater neonatal morbidity, whereas an expectant management policy tended to be associated with an increased rate of clinical chorioamnionitis.
Psychoprophylaxis during labor: associations with labor‐related outcomes and experience of childbirth
Authors: BERGSTRÖM MALIN , KIELER HELLE , WALDENSTRÖM ULLA 
Published: March 2010

AbstractObjective. To study whether use of psychoprophylaxis during labor affects course of labor and experience of childbirth in nulliparous women. Design. Cohort study. Setting. Women were recruited from 15 antenatal clinics in Sweden between October 2005 and January 2007. Sample. A total of 857 nulliparous women with a planned vaginal delivery. Methods. Using data from a randomized controlled trial of antenatal education where the allocated groups were merged, we compared course of labor and experience of childbirth between women who used psychoprophylaxis during labor and those who did not. Data were collected by questionnaires in mid‐pregnancy and three months after birth, and from the Swedish Medical Birth Register. Logistic regression was used to assess associations. Main outcome measures. Mode of delivery, augmentation of labor, length of labor, Apgar score, pain relief and experience of childbirth as measured by the Wijma Delivery Experience Questionnaire. Results. Use of psychoprophylaxis during labor was associated with a lower risk of emergency cesarean section (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.57; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37–0.88), but an increased risk of augmentation of labor (adjusted OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.23–2.28). No statistical differences were found in length of labor (adjusted OR 1.32; 95% CI 0.95–1.83), Apgar score < 7 at five minutes (adjusted OR 0.82; 95% CI 0.33–2.01), epidural analgesia (adjusted OR 1.13; 95% CI 0.84–1.53) or fearful childbirth experience (adjusted OR 1.04; 95% CI 0.62–1.74). Conclusion. Psychoprophylaxis may reduce the rate of emergency cesarean section but may not affect the experience of childbirth.
Cytokine Profiles of Macrophage Activation Syndrome Associated with Rheumatic Diseases
Authors: MARUYAMA JUNKO , INOKUMA SHIGEKO 
Published: March 2010

Objective.To elucidate the cytokine profiles of macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) in relation to underlying rheumatic diseases and prognosis.Methods.The clinical features and laboratory data of 18 patients with MAS and rheumatic diseases were retrospectively analyzed. Serum levels of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), interleukin 18 (IL-18), tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin 6, interferon-γ, ferritin, and ß2-microglobulin (ß2m) were measured. These data were compared between underlying diseases and between those who died and those who recovered.Results.Of the 18 patients with MAS, 9 had underlying systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 7 had adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD), 1 had rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and 1 had antiphospholipid syndrome. Three patients with SLE and 1 patient with RA died. The serum M-CSF and IL-18 levels were substantially elevated in all the patients. In the patients with SLE, the M-CSF level was higher than the IL-18 level (median: 4879 vs 1341 pg/ml, p = 0.0054), and it was the reverse in the patients with AOSD (5883 vs 228,350 pg/ml, p = 0.0017). The serum M-CSF and ß2m levels were significantly higher in the patients who died than in those who recovered (M-CSF: 18,245 vs 3404 pg/ml, p = 0.019; ß2m: 18.8 vs 5.4 mg/dl, p = 0.0058).Conclusion.The cytokine profiles associated with MAS differed between patients with SLE and patients with AOSD. The patients with SLE showed a prominent increase in serum M-CSF levels, as did the patients with AOSD in serum IL-18 level. Patients who died had higher serum M-CSF and ß2m levels, and this suggests that aggressive treatment for patients with MAS and these profiles should be promptly started.
A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial of Low Dose Infliximab in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: INMAN ROBERT D. , MAKSYMOWYCH WALTER P. 
Published: March 2010

Objective.The tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitor infliximab (IFX) has been proven effective for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The primary objective of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to assess the safety and efficacy of low-dose (3 mg/kg q8w) IFX therapy in AS.Methods.In the 12-week double-blind phase of the study, patients (N = 76) were randomized to infusions of placebo or IFX (3 mg/kg) at Weeks 0, 2, and 6. The primary endpoint was 20% improvement in ASsessments in Ankylosing Spondylitis criteria (ASAS20) at 12 weeks. In the open-label extension phase, all patients received scheduled IFX infusions (q 8 weeks) up to 46 weeks. Patients who did not meet target response criteria (i.e., BASDAI score did not improve by at least 50% and was > 3) at Weeks 22 or 38 had a dose increase to IFX 5 mg/kg.Results.At 12 weeks, 53.8% of IFX-treated patients achieved ASAS20, compared with 30.6% of placebo-treated patients (p = 0.042). IFX-treated patients showed significant improvement in measures of disease activity, spinal mobility, and quality of life over the course of the study. During the extension phase, 68% of patients in the IFX group did not meet the clinical target and had an increase in the dose of IFX to 5 mg/kg by 38 weeks. In general, IFX was safe and well tolerated. Ten patients withdrew from the study for various reasons, with only 2 (2.6%) attributed to adverse events.Conclusion.IFX 3 mg/kg was effective in reducing the signs and symptoms of active AS, and was generally safe and well tolerated. Dose escalation to 5 mg/kg every 8 weeks was warranted in most patients to achieve the target clinical response of the study.
Refractive Surgery Trends and Practice Style Changes in Germany Over a 3-year Period
Authors: Schmack Ingo , Auffarth Gerd U. , Epstein Daniel , Holzer Mike P. 
Published: March 2010

PURPOSE:To study the current practice styles and preferences of refractive surgeons in Germany.METHODS:In February 2008, a seven-item questionnaire regarding the practice of refractive surgery was mailed to 282 members of the German Society of Intraocular Lens Implantation, Interventional, and Refractive Surgery (DGII) and the Commission of Refractive Surgery (KRC). Most questions were identical to our 2005 German refractive surgery survey. All data were analyzed in a masked fashion.RESULTS:The response rate was 42.2%. The majority (68%) of respondents reported that they perform refractive surgery in laser centers (exclusively or partially) followed by general hospitals (19.4%) and universities (12.6%). Although LASIK was the predominant type of refractive surgery performed (80.6%), other refractive procedures included refractive lens exchange (60.2%), photorefractive keratectomy (47.6%), phakic intraocular lens implants (45.6%), laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (36.9%), epithelial laser in situ keratomileusis (15.5%), intracorneal rings (5.8%), and limbal relaxing incisions (2.9%). The volume of refractive surgery procedures and the preferred type of excimer laser systems, microkeratomes, and diagnostic devices varied at different institutions. Most respondents performed either wavefront-guided custom ablation or wavefront-optimized ablation (63.1%) compared with conventional excimer laser correction (36.9%).CONCLUSIONS:Refractive surgery practice styles and preferences in Germany are comparable to trends in other European countries. Although LASIK is the most commonly performed refractive procedure, the numbers of various surface ablation techniques and refractive intraocular lens procedures are increasing. [J Refract Surg.2010;26:202–208.]
Comparison of LASIK and Photorefractive Keratectomy for Myopia From −10.00 to −18.00 Diopters 10 Years After Surgery
Authors: Rosman Mohamad , Alió Jorge L. , Ortiz Dolores , Perez-Santonja Juan J. 
Published: March 2010

PURPOSE:
To compare the long-term outcomes of LASIK and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for high myopia (⩾−10.00 diopters [D]).

METHODS:
This retrospective study included eyes with high myopia that underwent PRK (51 eyes) and LASIK (141 eyes) at the Instituto Oftalmologico de Alicante, Spain, and returned for 10-year follow-up.

RESULTS:

Ten years after surgery, 45.5% of eyes in the LASIK group achieved uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of 20/40 or better compared to 31.3% in the PRK group. Mean efficacy indices after 10 years in both groups were similar (0.87 in the LASIK group and 0.82 in the PRK group,
P
=.51). Twenty-one (41%) eyes in the PRK group were within ±1.00 D whereas 60 (42.5%) eyes from the LASIK group were within ±1.00 D 10 years after surgery. Six (14%) eyes from the PRK group lost 2 or more lines of BSCVA compared to 7 (6%) eyes from the LASIK group.

CONCLUSIONS:

LASIK and PRK have been shown to have similar visual acuity efficacy in the treatment of eyes with high myopia in the long-term, with LASIK having superior visual acuity efficacy and safety over PRK within the first 2 years after surgery. However, treatment of myopia ⩾−10.00 D by LASIK is no longer routinely advocated whereas the treatment of high myopia by PRK is no longer performed due to potential complications associated with the treatment. Haze in postoperative PRK eyes was a significant long-term problem in our study. [
J Refract Surg
. 2010;26:168–176.]
An Inter-eye Comparison of Refractive Outcomes Following Cataract Surgery
Authors: Landers John , Goggin Michael 
Published: March 2010

PURPOSE:
To investigate how the refractive outcomes of pairs of eyes are related. Previous evidence suggests altering intraocular lens (IOL) power for the second eye based on the refractive outcomes of the first eye following cataract surgery, which may not be the correct approach to improve second-eye outcome.

METHODS:
Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent bilateral cataract surgery during the preceding 12 months was performed, from which 81 patients were recruited. The difference between postoperative refractive error and preoperative target refraction for both eyes was established. The relationship between pairs of eyes was analyzed.

RESULTS:

The difference from target refraction and postoperative refractive error was statistically significantly correlated between pairs of eyes (t=3.02;
P
=.003); however, only 10% of the variability in the difference from target refraction for the second eye could be accounted for by the first eye. Even if only the direction of this difference was considered (more myopic or hypermetropic than target refraction), there was concordance between pairs of eyes 63% of the time. This relationship was not modified by age, sex, keratometry, biometry (anterior chamber depth or axial length), or IOL type.

CONCLUSIONS:

The data suggest that each eye of an individual patient be considered independently when selecting IOL power as part of cataract surgery. [
J Refract Surg.
2010;26:197–200.]
Microbial Keratitis After LASIK
Authors: Garg Prashant , Chaurasia Sunita , Vaddavalli Pravin K. , R Muralidhar , Mittal Vikas , Gopinathan Usha 
Published: March 2010

PURPOSE:
To report cases of microbial keratitis after LASIK from a tropical climatic zone.

METHODS:
This retrospective case series included 17 eyes of 15 patients managed at our center from January 1999 to December 2007. All patients had a detailed clinical evaluation followed by corneal scrapings. The material obtained on scraping was subjected to detailed microbiology evaluation. Initial medical treatment was based on microbiology results and included irrigation of the interface with appropriate antimicrobial solutions. The flap was amputated in patients who developed flap necrosis. N-butyl cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive was applied for gross thinning and penetrating keratoplasty (PK) was performed for advanced cases of keratitis.

RESULTS:

Mean patient age was 25.8 years (range: 18 to 44 years). Two patients had undergone unilateral surgery. Thirteen patients presented with infection in 1 eye and 2 patients had bilateral infection. The microorganisms isolated were filamentous fungi (4 eyes),
Nocardia asteroides
(5 eyes), atypical mycobacteria (4 eyes),
Acanthamoeba
(2 eyes),
Corynebacterium
(1 eye), and
Staphylococcus epidermidis
(1 eye). The infection resolved with medical treatment in 6 eyes, medical treatment and flap amputation in 4 eyes, and PK in 4 eyes. Two patients were lost to follow-up. Five eyes of 4 patients referred to us within 10 days of symptom onset resolved on medical treatment with final visual acuity ranging from 20/20 to 20/80.

CONCLUSIONS:

In a tropical region, it is important to consider uncommon organisms such as fungi,
Nocardia
, and
Acanthamoeba
as possible etiological agents in keratitis after LASIK. A detailed microbiology work-up will help in definitive diagnosis and appropriate treatment. [
J Refract Surg
. 2010;26:209–216.]
Acidophiles
Authors: Oren Aharon 
Published: March 2010

Abstract

Microorganisms growing in highly acidic environments (pH values below 3) are found in all three domains of life: Archaea, Bacteria and Eucarya. Such organisms thrive in acidic sulfur springs and in association with mining activities where microbial oxidation of pyrite and other reduced sulfur compounds lead to the formation of sulfuric acid. Acidophilic prokaryotes are also involved in the industrial leaching of copper and other metals from ores. Some acidophiles grow at high temperatures. Physiologically, the acidophiles are very diverse: there are aerobic and facultative anaerobic chemolithotrophs and different types of heterotrophic prokaryotes, photoautotrophic eukaryotes, predatory protozoa and others. Acidophilic microorganisms maintain their intracellular pH close to neutrality and their cytoplasmic membrane may support proton gradients up to five orders of magnitude; their membrane potential is often reversed in comparison with neutrophiles and alkaliphiles, with an intracellular positive charge.

Key concepts:

Microbial life is possible in strongly acidic environments and even at pH values below zero.

The low pH of highly acidic environments in volcanic areas and environments associated with metal ore mining is caused by the activities of acidophilic microorganisms that oxidize reduced sulfur compounds to sulfuric acid.

Acidophilic microorganisms are found in all three domains of life: Archaea, Bacteria and Eucarya.

Unicellular eukaryotic green algae such as
Dunaliella acidophila
and
Chlamydomonas acidophila
perform photosynthesis at pH values down to 0–1 and the red alga
Cyanidium caldarium
grows as a photoautotroph in acidic hot springs up to 57°C and at pH<2–4.

Some thermoacidophilic Archaea thrive at low pH up to very high temperatures.
Sulfolobus
and
Acidanus
spp. grow up to 96°C at pH 1–5;
Picrophilus oshimae
tolerates pH<0 and grows up to 65°C.

Acidophilic microorganisms keep their intracellular pH at values close to neutrality and maintain a proton gradient over their cytoplasmic membranes of up to five orders of magnitude.

In contrast to neutrophilic and alkaliphilic microorganisms that maintain an outside‐positive membrane potential, the membrane potential over the cytoplasmic membrane can be reversed, positive‐inside, in acidophilic microorganisms.

Extracellular enzymes of acidophilic microorganisms are optimally active at low pH.

Acid mine drainage is caused by the chemolithotrophic oxidation of pyrite and other reduced sulfur compounds in the ores by acidophilic prokaryotes such as
Acidithiobacillus
,
Leptospirillum
and
Ferroplasma
.

The activities of the same types of organisms that cause acid mine drainage are exploited industrially for the bioleaching of copper and other metals from ores.
Terpenoids: Lower
Authors: Phillips Michael A , Rodríguez Concepción Manuel 
Published: March 2010

Abstract

Lower terpenoids (monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes) are volatile components of the scents and fragrances of aromatic plants. They are frequently found in glandular hairs on leaves, in the scent glands of flowers or in specialized resin ducts in conifers. They are synthesized through stepwise condensations of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP), the universal intermediates of isoprenoid metabolism. The precursors of monoterpenes are mainly supplied by the 2‐methylerythritol 4‐phosphate (MEP) pathway in plastids, whereas most sesquiterpenes are produced from acetate via the cytosolic mevalonate pathway. Subtle variations of basic terpene carbon skeletons have resulted in the appearance of tens of thousands of unique structures in nature, most of whose functions are currently unknown. As volatile, organic compounds, many participate in plant–plant or plant–insect chemical communications, as pollination vector attractants, feeding deterrents or in direct plant defence. Many have potent biological activities and are used in pharmaceutical and industrial applications.

Key concepts

Lower terpenoids (monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes) are volatile C
10
and C
15
compounds frequently present in floral emissions. Lower terpenoids emitted from flowers may attract symbiotic insects which assist the plant in pollination.

When some plants are attacked by insects or nematodes, they release volatile terpenoids which summon parasitic wasps who indirectly provide plants with protection by preying on their attackers.

Most plants have highly specialized structures such as trichomes where terpenoid biosynthesis and storage take place.

Lower terpenoids share a common biosynthetic origin with all other terpenoids through IPP and DMAPP, the universal C
5
metabolic precursors of all isoprenoids.

Two parallel pathways exist for the formation of IPP and DMAPP in plants, the methylerythritol phosphate pathway in plastids and the mevalonate pathway in the cytosol.

Lower terpenoids are frequently chemically modified after their initial biosynthesis to give them highly specific biological activities.

In a limited number of plant families, the monoterpene geraniol is used in the biosynthesis of monoterpene indole alkalkoids, a highly specialized family of natural products with potent pharmacological properties in humans.

C
15
sesquiterpenes are structurally diverse and are often modified through the addition of a lactone ring, which generally makes them extremely toxic to animals.
Xenopus
as an Experimental Organism
Authors: Tadjuidje Emmanuel , Heasman Janet 
Published: March 2010

Abstract

The South African clawed frog,

Xenopus laevis

, is used extensively as a model system to study development. It is easy to maintain a breeding colony of frogs, females can be induced to lay eggs all year round and hundreds of embryos can be generated that grow synchronously from a single fertilization. Embryos are easily amenable to microsurgery at any stage of development and adult frogs survive surgeries performed under limited aseptic conditions. The ease of injecting oligonucleotides or
messenger ribonucleic acid
(mRNA) into

Xenopus leavis

embryos has contributed to the discovery of genes with key functions in development. Another singularity of

Xenopus leavis

is the ease to manipulate its oocytes before fertilization; this has been a powerful tool to identify the function of maternally deposited mRNAs in development. Transgenic procedures are being developed using the related species

Xenopus tropicalis

and this will broaden the contribution of

Xenopus

to the understanding of early development.

Key concepts:

Xenopus laevis
is easy to raise and feed in large colonies in the laboratory.

The female
Xenopus
can be induced to spawn repeatedly at any season, making it possible to obtain embryos all year round.

Xenopus leavis
eggs are quite large, and are usually laid in large numbers that are fertilized
in vitro
.

Xenopus leavis
oocytes can easily be obtained and manipulated before fertilization, making it possible to study the function of maternally deposited mRNAs.

The
Xenopus
embryos develop outside the female and are amenable to manipulation at any stage of development.

The mechanism of tissue formation has been elucidated from research carried out on
Xenopus leavis
embryos.

Xenopus leavis
is an excellent model for studying body axis formation.

The early development of
Xenopus
is very fast, making it possible to study a full developmental programme in about three days.

The sequencing of the diploid genome, the ease of obtaining and injecting large numbers of eggs and the relatively short lifespan makes
Xenopus tropicalis
a very promising model for transgenic studies of organogenesis.

Eggs of
Xenopus leavis
provide a model of choice for studying the regulation of the cell cycle.