bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potentiation of the uterus‐relaxing effects of β‐adrenergic agonists with nifedipine: studies on rats and the human myometrium
Authors: Hajagos‐Tóth Judit , Kormányos Zsolt , Falkay George , Pál Attila , Gáspár Róbert 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjective. We investigated how progesterone and salmeterol modify the effect of nifedipine in an in vivo preterm birth model in rats, and how terbutaline and nifedipine modify the contractions of the isolated human myometrium. Design. Experimental animal and human myometrial studies. Sample. Twenty‐four female Sprague–Dawley rats and 13 human uterine tissues sampled from cesarean section. Methods. Preterm birth was induced in Sprague–Dawley rats with a combination of mifepristone and prostaglandin‐E2. The animals were treated with nifedipine or its combination with salmeterol and progesterone. Additionally, isolated human myometrial strips from cesarean sections were stimulated with oxytocin, and the inhibitory effects of nifedipine and terbutaline were studied. Results. Nifedipine delayed the preterm delivery in the rats, but its effect was tripled by the addition of β2‐mimetics, or abolished after progesterone pretreatment. Synergism was observed in the relaxing effects of nifedipine and terbutaline on the isolated human myometrium. Conclusion. The action of nifedipine in delaying labor is impeded by progesterone. A combination of nifedipine and β2‐agonists should be considered for the treatment or prevention of preterm birth.
Economic analysis of human papillomavirus triage, repeat cytology, and immediate colposcopy in management of women with minor cytological abnormalities in Sweden
Authors: Östensson Ellinor , Fröberg Maria , Hjerpe Anders , Zethraeus Niklas , Andersson Sonia 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjective. To assess the cost‐effectiveness of using human papillomavirus testing (HPV triage) in the management of women with minor cytological abnormalities in Sweden. Design. An economic analysis based on a clinical trial, complemented with data from published meta‐analyses on accuracy of HPV triage. The study takes perspective of the Swedish healthcare system. Setting. The Swedish population‐based cervical cancer screening program. Methods. A decision analytic model was constructed to evaluate cost‐effectiveness of HPV triage compared to repeat cytology and immediate colposcopy with biopsy, stratifying by index cytology (ASCUS = atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, and LSIL = low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) and age (23–60 years, <30 years and ≥30 years). Main outcome measures. Costs, incremental cost, incremental effectiveness and incremental cost per additional high‐grade lesion (CIN2+) detected. Results. For women with ASCUS ≥30 years, HPV triage is the least costly alternative, whereas immediate colposcopy with biopsy provides the most effective option at an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) of SEK 2,056 per additional case of CIN2+ detected. For LSIL (all age groups) and ASCUS (23–60 years and <30 years), HPV triage is dominated by immediate colposcopy and biopsy. Model results were sensitive to HPV test cost changes. Conclusion. With improved HPV testing techniques at lower costs, HPV triage can become a cost‐effective alternative for follow‐up of minor cytological abnormalities. Today, immediate colposcopy with biopsy is a cost‐effective alternative compared to HPV triage and repeat cytology.
Pharmacokinetics of chemotherapeutic agents in pregnancy: a preclinical and clinical study
Authors: Van Calsteren Kristel , Verbesselt René , Ottevanger Nelleke , Halaska Michael , Heyns Liesbeth , Van Bree Rieta , de Bruijn Ernst , Chai Daniel , Delforge Michel , Noens Lucien , Renard Vincent , Witteveen Els , Rob Lukas , de Hoon Jan , Amant Frédéric 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjective. To determine the impact of physiologic changes of pregnancy on pharmacokinetics of chemotherapeutic agents. Design. A preclinical and a clinical case–control trial. Setting. Institute of Primate Research Nairobi and collaborating hospitals in Belgium, the Netherlands and Czech Republic. Population. Pregnant and nonpregnant women and baboons receiving chemotherapy. Methods. Chemotherapy pharmacokinetics was compared between the pregnant and nonpregnant state. Standard‐dosed chemotherapy regimens were administered in pregnant and nonpregnant baboons/women, followed by serial blood samplings. Drug plasma levels were determined using high performance liquid chromatography and atomic absorption spectrometry. Main outcome measures. Area under the curve (AUC), maximal plasma concentration, terminal elimination half‐life, clearance and distribution volume of each drug in pregnant and nonpregnant state. Results. Intraindividual comparative pharmacokinetic data were obtained for doxorubicin and paclitaxel/platinum in three and two baboons, respectively. In the clinical trial, two patients were exposed to doxorubicin and one patient was exposed to paclitaxel/platinum during and after pregnancy. Furthermore, a pooled analysis was performed based on 16 cycles of pregnant and 11 cycles of nonpregnant women. Numbers of pregnant/nonpregnant patients were 5/2, 7/5, 4/4 and 2/2 for paclitaxel, doxorubicin, epirubicin and platinum, respectively. For all drugs tested in the preclinical and clinical study, a decreased AUC and maximal plasma concentration and an increased distribution volume and clearance were observed in pregnancy. Conclusions. Although numbers were too small for statistical significance, pregnancy‐associated physiologic alterations appear to lead to a decrease in plasma exposure of chemotherapeutic drugs. The importance of long‐term follow‐up of women treated with chemotherapy during pregnancy is underscored.
Relation between umbilical cord blood pH, base deficit, lactate, 5‐minute Apgar score and development of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
Authors: Wiberg Nana , Källén Karin , Herbst Andreas , Olofsson Per 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjective. Umbilical cord acid–base analysis is fundamental for assessing intrapartum hypoxia. The accuracy of arterial umbilical cord blood lactate, pH and base deficit to reflect a low 5‐minute Apgar score and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) stage 2–3 was assessed, and new gestational age‐adjusted reference standards were compared with traditional stationary reference values. Design and sample. A total of 13,735 pH‐validated routine cord acid–base values from singleton deliveries were tested with stationary and gestational age‐adjusted reference values using receiver operating characteristic curves and calculation of area under curve. Setting. University hospital. Main outcome measures. Accuracy of low pH, high base deficit and high lactate, alone or in combination, to imply 5‐minute Apgar score < 7 or < 4 or HIE. Results. Gestational age‐adjusted values were for all parameters significantly better than crude values to indicate Apgar score < 7. For Apgar score < 4, the differences were not significant. The frequency of HIE was 0.046%, making statistical analyses pointless. Gestational age‐adjusted lactate had the overall best accuracy and among combinations; a low age‐adjusted pH plus high age‐adjusted lactate was slightly better than a low age‐adjusted pH plus high age‐adjusted base deficit. The sensitivity and positive predictive value were low for all parameters. Conclusions. Lactate in cord arterial blood at birth is at least as good as base deficit to reflect an impaired condition at birth, and best when gestational age‐adjusted values are used. Due to methodological confounding involved in calculation of base deficit, lactate may replace base deficit as an acid–base outcome parameter at birth.
Probable Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's Syndrome associated with tonic pupils
Authors: Narang S , Sood S 
Published: September 2010

Background: Pupillary abnormalities with complete or incomplete form of VKH have rarely been reported. We report a case of "probable" Vogt- Koyanagi-Haradas (VKH) disease associated with tonic pupils. Case: A young healthy male presented with 15 days' history of bilateral decrease in vision. The patient had bilateral panuveitis with exudative retinal detachment associated with tonic pupils. There were no other systemic associations. The ultrasonography and fluorescein angiography findings were consistent with VKH disease. Conclusion: Pupillary reaction abnormalities though uncommon could be seen in association with "probable" VKH disease. Keywords: probable Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada's disease; pupillary abnormalities DOI: 10.3126/nepjoph.v2i2.3723 Nep J Oph 2010;2(2) 154-156
A closer look at unilateral versus bilateral deep brain stimulation: results of the National Institutes of Health COMPARE cohort
Authors: Taba Houtan A. , Wu Samuel S. , Foote Kelly D. , Hass Chris J. , Fernandez Hubert H. , Malaty Irene A. , Rodriguez Ramon L. , Dai Yunfeng , Zeilman Pamela R. , Jacobson Charles E. , Okun Michael S. 
Published: September 2010

Object
In this paper, the authors' aim was to examine reasons underpinning decisions to undergo, or alternatively forgo, a second-sided deep brain stimulation (DBS) implantation in patients with Parkinson disease (PD).

Methods
Fifty-two patients with Parkinson disease (PD) were randomized to receive DBS to the subthalamic nucleus or globus pallidus internus (GPi) as part of the COMPARE trial. Forty-four patients had complete data sets. All patients were offered a choice at 6 months after unilateral implantation whether to receive a contralateral DBS implant. All patients had advanced PD. The mean patient age was 59.8 years (range 43–76 years), and the mean duration of disease was 12.2 years (range 5–21 years). The mean baseline Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)–III motor score was 42.7. The main outcome measures used in this study were the UPDRS-III Motor Scale and the UPDRS-IV Dyskinesia Scale.

Results
Twenty-one (48%) of the 44 patients in the cohort did not undergo bilateral implantation and have been successfully treated for an average of 3.5 years; of these, 14 (67%) had a GPi target. The most common reason for adding a second side was inadequacy to address motor symptoms. Patient satisfaction with motor outcomes after unilateral DBS implantation was the most common reason for not undergoing bilateral implantation. Those who chose a second DBS procedure had significantly higher baseline UPDRS-III motor and ipsilateral UPDRS-III scores, and a significantly lower asymmetrical index. The logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of proceeding to bilateral DBS was 5.2 times higher for STN than for GPi DBS. For every 1% increase in asymmetry, the odds of bilateral DBS decreased by 0.96.

Conclusions
Unilateral DBS is an effective treatment for a subset of patients with PD. Baseline asymmetry is an important factor in the effectiveness and decision-making process between unilateral and bilateral DBS. Patients with GPi DBS in this cohort were more likely to choose to remain with unilateral implantation.
Change in floral orientation inAnisodus luridus(Solanaceae) protects pollen grains and facilitates development of fertilized ovules
Authors: Wang Yun , Meng Li‐Hua , Yang Yong‐Ping , Duan Yuan‐Wen 
Published: September 2010

•Premise of the study: Some floral traits could be selected by pollinators and nonpollinator agents, and studying the floral traits shaped by physical agents could reveal adaptive mechanisms to the environment. We explored the adaptive significance of the change in floral orientation, from pendulous flowers to erect fruits that have a persistent calyx, inAnisodus luridus, a perennial native to the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau (QTP).•Methods: We examined the effect of flower orientation on pollinator visitation rates, pollen deposition efficiency, pollen quantity, and pollen viability to estimate whether pendulous flowers have improved male fitness. We then measured seed production and seed germination rate to assess whether erect fruits have enhanced female fitness.•Key results: Pendulous flowers did not have any preferred pollinators or increased pollen deposition. In artificially erected flowers, the number of pollen grains greatly decreased after rainwash. Pollen germination experiments indicated that pollen damage by water and exposure to solar radiation is serious. In the persistent calyx that holds water within it, the temperature inside the calyx changed slower than in the calyx that had the water removed. After supplemental pollination, the seed number, seed set, and seed mass of fruits that had water removed from the calyx were reduced greatly in both years.•Conclusions: We conclude that the change in floral orientation could enhance male and female fitness ofA. luridusand is effectively adaptive to the alpine environments, indicating a strong selection by the combined pressure from various abiotic nonpollinator agents in shaping the floral traits of this alpine plant.
The seed dispersal catapult of Cardamine parviflora (Brassicaceae) is efficient but unreliable
Authors: Hayashi Marika , Gerry Shannon P. , Ellerby David J. 
Published: September 2010

• Premise of the study: Seed dispersal performance is an essential component of plant fitness. Despite their significance in shaping performance, the mechanical processes that drive dispersal are poorly understood. We have quantified seed dispersal mechanics in Cardamine parviflora (Brassicaceae), a ballistic disperser that launches seeds with specialized catapult‐like structures. To determine which aspects of catapult function dictate interspecific dispersal differences, we compared this disperser with other ballistic dispersers. Comparison with brassicas that lack ballistic dispersal may also provide insight into the evolution of this mechanism.• Methods: Catapult performance was quantified using high‐speed video analysis of dehiscence, ballistic modeling of seed trajectories, and measuring the mechanical energy storage capacity of the spring‐like siliqua valve tissue that launched the seeds.• Key results: The siliquae valves coiled rapidly outward, launching the seeds in 4.7 ± 1.3 ms (mean ± SD, N = 11). Coiling was likely driven by the bilayered valve structure. The catapult was 21.3 ± 10.3% efficient (mean ± SD, N = 11) at transferring stored elastic energy to the seeds as kinetic energy. The majority of seeds (71.4%) were not launched effectively.• Conclusions: The efficiency of the C. parviflora catapult was high in comparison to that of a ballistic diplochore, a dispersal mode associated with poor ballistic performance, although the unreliability of the launch mechanism limited dispersal distance. Effective launching requires temporary seed‐valve adhesion. The adhesion mechanism may be the source of the unreliability. Valve curvature is likely driven by the bilayered valve structure, a feature absent in nonballistic brassicas.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in Santalum lanceolatum and Santalum leptocladum (Santalaceae)
Authors: Jones Brendan L. , Waycott Michelle , Robson Heather L. A. , Calladine Ainsley , Page Tony 
Published: September 2010

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed for the first time in the native Australian sandalwood species Santalum lanceolatum.• Methods and Results: Using an enrichment cloning protocol, five novel polymorphic codominant loci were developed and characterized in S. lanceolatum and S. leptocladum. In addition to these, three existing microsatellite loci from other sandalwood species were successfully amplified and characterized for S. lanceolatum and S. leptocladum. Among the eight loci, allelic diversity ranged from 4 to 29.• Conclusions: Primers will be useful for studies of clonality, genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure in wild populations. When coupled with other molecular techniques will help investigate the relationship between S. lanceolatum and S. leptocladum, species of commercial and conservation interest.
L'ouverture sociale des grandes écoles : diversification des élites ou renouveau des politiques publiques d'éducation ?
Authors: van Zanten Agnès 
Published: September 2010

Résumé Les politiques que l'on désigne comme participant de l'« ouverture sociale des grandes écoles » accordent divers avantages à de jeunes issus de groupes défavorisés afin de faciliter leur accès aux filières d'excellence de l'enseignement supérieur. Cet article s'intéresse plus particulièrement aux programmes « Conventions Éducation Prioritaire » de Sciences Po et « Pourquoi Pas Moi ? » de l'ESSEC. Dans le but de mieux cerner les visées et les effets globaux de ces dispositifs, le mode d'analyse adopté combine deux perspectives complémentaires. La première consiste à rapporter les phénomènes observés au problème public auquel ces politiques cherchent explicitement à répondre, celui de la diversification des établissements d'élite. La seconde, à les analyser en tant qu'innovations managériales susceptibles de transformer les instruments de la discrimination positive et les modes de gouvernance du système éducatif.
A Least-Squares/Fictitious Domain Method for Linear Elliptic Problems with Robin Boundary Conditions
Authors: Glowinski Roland , He Qiaolin 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIn this article, we discuss a least-squares/fictitious domain method for the solution of linear elliptic boundary value problems with Robin boundary conditions. Let Ω and ω be two bounded domains of Rd such that ω̅⊂Ω. For a linear elliptic problem in Ω\ω̅ with Robin boundary condition on the boundary ϒ of ω, our goal here is to develop a fictitious domain method where one solves a variant of the original problem on the full Ω, followed by a well-chosen correction over ω. This method is of the virtual control type and relies on a least-squares formulation making the problem solvable by a conjugate gradient algorithm operating in a well chosen control space. Numerical results obtained when applying our method to the solution of two-dimensional elliptic and parabolic problems are given; they suggest optimal order of convergence.
Adaptive Conservative Cell Average Spectral Element Methods for Transient Wigner Equation in Quantum Transport
Authors: Shao Sihong , Lu Tiao , Cai Wei 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA new adaptive cell average spectral element method (SEM) is proposed to solve the time-dependent Wigner equation for transport in quantum devices. The proposed cell average SEM allows adaptive non-uniform meshes in phase spaces to reduce the high-dimensional computational cost of Wigner functions while preserving exactly the mass conservation for the numerical solutions. The key feature of the proposed method is an analytical relation between the cell averages of the Wigner function in the k-space (local electron density for finite range velocity) and the point values of the distribution, resulting in fast transforms between the local electron density and local fluxes of the discretized Wigner equation via the fast sine and cosine transforms. Numerical results with the proposed method are provided to demonstrate its high accuracy, conservation, convergence and a reduction of the cost using adaptive meshes.
A Well-Conditioned Hierarchical Basis for Triangular H(curl)-Conforming Elements
Authors: Xin Jianguo , Cai Wei 
Published: September 2010

AbstractWe construct a well-conditioned hierarchical basis for triangular H(curl)-conforming elements with selected orthogonality. The basis functions are grouped into edge and interior functions, and the later is further grouped into normal and bubble functions. In our construction, the trace of the edge shape functions are orthonormal on the associated edge. The interior normal functions, which are perpendicular to an edge, and the bubble functions are both orthonormal among themselves over the reference element. The construction is made possible with classic orthogonal polynomials, viz., Legendre and Jacobi polynomials. For both the mass matrix and the quasi-stiffness matrix, better conditioning of the new basis is shown by a comparison with the basis previously proposed by Ainsworth and Coyle [Comput. Methods. Appl. Mech. Engrg., 190 (2001), 6709-6733].
A Hybrid FETD-FDTD Method with Nonconforming Meshes
Authors: Zhu Bao , Chen Jiefu , Zhong Wanxie , Liu Qing Huo 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA quasi non-overlapping hybrid scheme that combines the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method and the finite-element time-domain (FETD) method with nonconforming meshes is developed for time-domain solutions of Maxwell’s equations. The FETD method uses mixed-order basis functions for electric and magnetic fields, while the FDTD method uses the traditional Yee’s grid; the two methods are joined by a buffer zone with the FETD method and the discontinuous Galerkin method is used for the domain decomposition in the FETD subdomains. The main features of this technique is that it allows non-conforming meshes and an arbitrary numbers of FETD and FDTD subdomains. The hybrid method is completely stable for the time steps up to the stability limit for the FDTD method and FETD method. Numerical results demonstrate the validity of this technique.
On the Order of Accuracy and Numerical Performance of Two Classes of Finite Volume WENO Schemes
Authors: Zhang Rui , Zhang Mengping , Shu Chi-Wang 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIn this paper we consider two commonly used classes of finite volume weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) schemes in two dimensional Cartesian meshes. We compare them in terms of accuracy, performance for smooth and shocked solutions, and efficiency in CPU timing. For linear systems both schemes are high order accurate, however for nonlinear systems, analysis and numerical simulation results verify that one of them (Class A) is only second order accurate, while the other (Class B) is high order accurate. The WENO scheme in Class A is easier to implement and costs less than that in Class B. Numerical experiments indicate that the resolution for shocked problems is often comparable for schemes in both classes for the same building blocks and meshes, despite of the difference in their formal order of accuracy. The results in this paper may give some guidance in the application of high order finite volume schemes for simulating shocked flows.
A Pressure-Correction Scheme for Rotational Navier-Stokes Equations and Its Application to Rotating Turbulent Flows
Authors: Shetty Dinesh A. , Shen Jie , Chandy Abhilash J. , Frankel Steven H. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe rotational incremental pressure-correction (RIPC) scheme, described in Timmermans et al. [Int. J. Numer. Methods. Fluids., 22 (1996)] and Shen et al. [Math. Comput., 73 (2003)] for non-rotational Navier-Stokes equations, is extended to rotating incompressible flows. The method is implemented in the context of a pseudo Fourier-spectral code and applied to several rotating laminar and turbulent flows. The performance of the scheme and the computational results are compared to the so-called diagonalization method (DM) developed by Morinishi et al. [Int. J. Heat. Fluid. Flow., 22 (2001)]. The RIPC predictions are in excellent agreement with the DM predictions, while being simpler to implement and computationally more efficient. The RIPC scheme is not in anyway limited to implementation in a pseudo-spectral code or periodic boundary conditions, and can be used in complex geometries and with other suitable boundary conditions.