bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of markers for fetal inflammatory response syndrome: Fetal blood interleukin‐6 and neonatal urinary β2‐microglobulin
Authors: Nishimaki Shigeru , Sato Miho , An Hiromi , Shima Yoshio , Akaike Toru , Yokoyama Utako , Yokota Shumpei 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAim:  Chronic lung disease (CLD) is a major component in the morbidity of premature infants suffering from fetal inflammatory response (FIRS). The aim of the present study was to compare the value of measuring neonatal urinary β2‐microglobulin (β2‐MG) levels with fetal blood interleukin (IL)‐6 levels in premature infants at risk of developing CLD.Methods:  Premature infants (gestational age <30 weeks) without CLD (n = 19) and with CLD (n = 10) were enrolled. We measured IL‐6 levels in umbilical cord blood and β2‐MG levels in urine obtained within 48 h after birth.Results:  IL‐6 and β2‐MG levels were significantly higher in infants who developed CLD than in those who did not (median IL‐6, 54.7 vs 7.6 pg/mL; P < 0.005; β2‐MG 17.7 vs 9.3 × 104 µg/gCr; P < 0.05). The sensitivity and negative predictive value of β2‐MG at the cut‐off value at 10.0 × 104 µg/gCr (0.90 and 0.92) were comparable to IL‐6 at 16 pg/mL (0.90 and 0.94).Conclusion:  We suggest that measuring urinary β2‐MG in premature infants soon after birth can monitor FIRS and may provide information on the risk of subsequent CLD development that is as clinically important as information derived from umbilical cord blood IL‐6.
Criteria‐based audit to improve women‐friendly care in maternity units in Malawi
Authors: Kongnyuy Eugene J. , Mlava Grace , Van Den Broek Nynke 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAim:  To assess and improve women‐friendly care in maternity units in Malawi.Methods:  We interviewed 280 women about the care they received during childbirth at 29 different health centers. Results were compared with standards for women‐friendly care, developed locally and based on evidence from World Health Organization manuals. The audit results were presented, and recommendations were made and implemented. A re‐audit (involving 367 women) was conducted 3 months later.Results:  Significant improvements were recorded on greeting clients (74.6 vs 87.7%; P < 0.001), respect for clients (91.1 vs 98.6%; P < 0.001), support by a companion during labor (58.9 vs 75.6%; P < 0.001), informing clients about different birthing positions (68.6 vs 79.3%; P = 0.002), allowing clients to adopt different birthing positions (67.9 vs 83.4%; P < 0.001), cleanliness of maternity wards (89.6 vs 97.0%; P < 0.001), speaking to clients using simple language (92.1 vs 98.6%; P < 0.001), ensuring privacy with curtains or screens (86.1 vs 92.1%; P < 0.012), and client willing to recommend the health facility to a friend (94.6 vs 98.6%; P = 0.004). However, there were no significant changes in the level of self‐introduction by providers (62.5 vs 68.7%; P = 0.103) and provision of a clean bathroom and toilet (83.6 vs 80.4%; P = 0.282). Surprisingly, there was a significant deterioration in the use of linen to ensure privacy (86.4% vs 74.9%; P < 0.001). Overall, satisfaction of women increased by 9%.Conclusion:  The criteria‐based audit was associated with an improvement in the quality of women‐friendly care services in maternity units in Malawi.
Prevalence of hepatitis B and C: A Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre experience
Authors: Sami Shehla , Korejo Razia , Bhutta Shereen Z. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAim:  To determine the prevalence of carriers of hepatitis B and C viruses among the obstetrical and gynecological population, the incidence of vertical transmission in obstetrical patients and to ascertain the risk factors associated with their transmission.Methods:  We conducted a prospective study over a 1‐year period, from 1 January to 31 December 2005, comprising of an obstetrical population of 5902 deliveries and 548 major gynecology surgery patients. The study population was recruited by simple convenient sampling at Unit‐I, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan. Booked obstetrical and major gynecological surgical patients were routinely screened by Enzyme Immunoassay for hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) and anti‐hepatitis C antibodies (anti‐HCV) on venous blood samples. Liver function and carrier profile tests were performed on mothers who were positive for HBsAg. Babies of mothers with HbsAg were tested at birth for both HbsAg and HbeAg.Results:  Hepatitis B was detected in 275 pregnant women (4.6%) and in 70 (12%) gynecological patients. Hepatitis C was detected in 108 (1.8%) pregnant women and in 89 (16%) gynecological patients. Babies born to mothers with HBV or HCV infections tested negative. Four gynecological patients tested positive for both HBV and HCV infections. Unsafe surgery, injections and inadequately screened blood transfusions were the main underlying causes of infection.Conclusion:  Routine screening of the obstetrical population detected more cases of HBV infection than HCV, whereas HCV was more prevalent in the gynecological population, emphasizing the need for safe medical practices and patient education.
Abscess formation due to Mycoplasma hominis infection after cesarean section
Authors: Yamaguchi Masayuki , Kikuchi Akira , Ohkusu Kiyofumi , Akashi Mami , Sasahara Jun , Takakuwa Koichi , Tanaka Kenichi 
Published: June 2009

AbstractA 27‐year‐old female patient underwent cesarean section and a postoperative hematoma occurred at the site of the uterine incision. The patient underwent relaparotomy to remove the hematoma. Four days later she developed a fever of over 39°C and an abscess had formed at the site. Despite therapy with several antimicrobial agents, her fever persisted. Consequently, she underwent transvaginal abscess drainage, after which she promptly became afebrile. Mycoplasma hominis was considered to be the primary causative organism. There are two reasons that could explain why the wound infection became serious: (i) M. hominis is resistant to several antimicrobial agents that are usually used to treat obstetric infections; and (ii) a long time is required to identify the pathogen. In conclusion, M. hominis should be considered as a causative organism if an antimicrobial‐resistant infection occurs at the surgical site after a cesarean section.
Reproducibility of luteinizing hormone hypersecretion in different phases of the menstrual cycle in polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Iwasa Takeshi , Matsuzaki Toshiya , Murakami Masahiro , Shimizu Fumi , Kuwahara Akira , Yasui Toshiyuki , Irahara Minoru 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAim:  We evaluated the reproducibility of an elevated luteinizing hormone (LH) level or elevated LH/follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio in different phases of the menstrual cycle in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Furthermore, we evaluated the influence of cycle days and body mass index on LH levels using different days from menses or withdrawal bleeding.Methods:  Forty‐three patients with PCOS and 37 controls were enrolled. All patients with PCOS had elevated LH levels and LH/FSH ratio, polycystic ovarian morphology and chronic anovulation at diagnosis. After their diagnoses, we measured serum LH and FSH in the early period and/or late period of the follicular phase.Results:  The rate of patients with elevated LH levels and LH/FSH ratio were significantly higher in the late phase than in the early phase in PCOS. In the early phase, only 52% of patients had elevated LH levels and LH/FSH ratio. We failed to demonstrate an inverse relationship between the LH level and BMI.Conclusions:  LH levels of patients with PCOS were strongly influenced by the days from menses or withdrawal bleeding. In the early period, the reproducibility of elevated LH levels or LH/FSH ratio was poor even in patients previously diagnosed with them.
Future recovery of the normal menstrual cycle in adolescent patients with secondary amenorrhea
Authors: Morimatsu Yukako , Matsubara Shigeki , Watanabe Takashi , Hashimoto Yuko , Matsui Tomoe , Asada Kyoko , Suzuki Mitsuaki 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAims:  We attempted to determine the future recovery rate of normal menstrual cycles in adolescents with secondary amenorrhea. We also attempted to determine the difference in recovery rate between patients with and without etiological factors for amenorrhea, and between those with first‐ and second‐degree secondary amenorrhea.Methods:  We conducted questionnaire‐based analysis of 35 patients with adolescent secondary amenorrhea. When the patients were over 20 years old, we obtained information as to the present menstruation status and the history of pregnancy.Results:  Seventy‐four percent of patients recovered their normal menstrual cycles after the age of 20. The recovery rate was significantly higher in patients with etiological factors (93%) than in those without (60%: P = 0.02). There was a trend towards a higher recovery rate in those with second‐degree compared with first‐degree amenorrhea, but this was not statistically significant.Conclusions:  Three‐quarters of adolescent patients with secondary amenorrhea recovered their normal menstrual cycles. The initial presence of etiological factors for amenorrhea raised the recovery rate. This data provides useful prognostic information for health providers taking care of adolescents with secondary amenorrhea.
Epigenetic dysregulation in cognitive disorders
Authors: Gräff Johannes , Mansuy Isabelle M. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractEpigenetic mechanisms are not only essential for biological functions requiring stable molecular changes such as the establishment of cell identity and tissue formation, they also constitute dynamic intracellular processes for translating environmental stimuli into modifications in gene expression. Over the past decade it has become increasingly clear that both aspects of epigenetic mechanisms play a pivotal role in complex brain functions. Evidence from patients with neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Rett syndrome indicated that epigenetic mechanisms and chromatin remodeling need to be tightly controlled for proper cognitive functions, and their dysregulation can have devastating consequences. However, because they are dynamic, epigenetic mechanisms are also potentially reversible and may provide powerful means for pharmacological intervention. This review outlines major cognitive disorders known to be associated with epigenetic dysregulation, and discusses the potential of ‘epigenetic medicine’ as a promising cure.
Viewing the body modulates neural mechanisms underlying sustained spatial attention in touch
Authors: Sambo Chiara F. , Gillmeister Helge , Forster Bettina 
Published: June 2009

AbstractCross‐modal links between vision and touch have been extensively shown with a variety of paradigms. The present event‐related potential (ERP) study aimed to clarify whether neural mechanisms underlying sustained tactile‐spatial attention may be modulated by visual input, and the sight of the stimulated body part (i.e. hands) in particular. Participants covertly attended to one of their hands throughout a block to detect infrequent tactile target stimuli at that hand while ignoring tactile targets at the unattended hand, and all tactile non‐targets. In different blocks, participants performed this task under three viewing conditions: full vision; hands covered from view; and blindfolded. When the participants’ hands were visible attention was found to modulate somatosensory ERPs at early latencies (i.e. in the time range of the somatosensory P100 and the N140 components), as well as at later time intervals, from 200 ms after stimulus onset. By contrast, when participants were blindfolded and, crucially, even when only their hands were not visible, attentional modulations were found to arise only at later intervals (i.e. from 200 ms post‐stimulus), while earlier somatosensory components were not affected by spatial attention. The behavioural results tallied with these electrophysiological findings, showing faster response times to tactile targets under the full vision condition compared with conditions when participants’ hands were covered, and when participants were blindfolded. The results from this study provide the first evidence of the profound impact of vision on mechanisms underlying sustained tactile‐spatial attention, which is enhanced by the sight of the body parts (i.e. hands).
Incidental angiomyolipoma resected during renal surgery for an enhancing renal mass
Authors: Berglund Ryan K. , Bernstein Melanie , Manion Martin T. , Touijer Karim A. , Russo Paul 
Published: June 2009

OBJECTIVETo review the outcomes of surgery for renal angiomyolipoma (AML, a benign renal neoplasm that often appears as an enhancing renal mass on imaging) removed at a centre that manages AML conservatively, as typically the presence of tumour fat content detected on imaging leads to its diagnosis, but occasionally these tumours resemble conventional RCC, leading to their surgical extirpation.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe retrospectively report data on 44 consecutive patients who had renal surgery with a pathological diagnosis of AML at our institution from 1988 to 2008. Patient demographics, intraoperative variables and postoperative outcomes are reported.RESULTSOf the 44 patients (40 women, 91%, and four men, 9%), most were asymptomatic (36, 82%), were unsuspected on imaging (40, 91%), had a solitary lesion (38, 86%), and all had a normal contralateral kidney. Patients had either a partial nephrectomy (38, 86%) or radical nephrectomy (six, 14%). The median (range) tumour size was 2.5  (0.6–19) cm. Perioperative complications occurred in 10 patients (23%), and a total of seven renal units (16%) were lost. Ten patients (23%) had chronic kidney disease (CKD) before surgery, while new onset CKD developed in six (14%) at the last follow‐up. There were no recurrences and there was one unrelated death at a median follow‐up of 28 months.CONCLUSIONSAML is a benign renal neoplasm that should be treated conservatively. Surgical intervention should be avoided, when possible, as it can lead to perioperative complications, loss of renal units, and development of CKD.
From mindtools to social mindtools: Collaborative writing with Woven Stories
Authors: Nuutinen Jussi , Sutinen Erkki , Botha Adele , Kommers Piet 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe rapid development of computer‐supported collaborative environments has highlighted the need for collaborative knowledge construction devices. Because most available mindtools do not promote collaboration, there is a need for social mindtools that can be used in collaborative learning situations. We have used activity theory as a conceptual framework to define the requirements of social mindtools as awareness of other participants, communication and the ability to edit common objects together. We present the concept of Woven Stories and use it as an example of an effective social mindtool. We also describe a case study in which Woven Stories software was used as an online debating forum. This case study reveals the potential inherent in the concept, compared with other text‐oriented Web 2.0 tools, such as wikis.
Results of the ‘Euromelanoma Day’ screening campaign in Sweden 2008
Authors: Paoli J , Danielsson M , Wennberg AM 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground  The ‘Euromelanoma Day’ skin cancer screening campaign is organized annually in several European countries since the year 2000. The national results have not been analysed in a Scandinavian country.Objective  Our objective was to analyse the demographic characteristics and risk factors of the screened population during the ‘Euromelanoma Day’ in Sweden 2008. We also aimed to describe the clinical diagnoses found, the melanomas confirmed histopathologically and the treatments performed.Methods  A public health education campaign to promote awareness of skin cancer risk factors and warning signs was carried out. Patients with suspicious lesions were advised to attend the screening. Questionnaires were used to collect relevant demographic, epidemiological and clinical data.Results  In total, 2659 patients were screened. Women accounted for 62.3% of all patients; the median age was 57 years (range: 5–100 years); and 91.2% had skin phototypes II–III. Previous skin cancer was reported by 18.4% of all patients and 14.8% had a family history of melanoma. In total, 456 patients were diagnosed clinically with non‐melanoma skin cancer. Twenty‐four patients had histopathologically confirmed melanomas. Ten were in situ and 8 of the 14 invasive melanomas had a Breslow thickness that was less than 1 mm. Treatment or future medical care was carried out in 45.4% of all patients.Conclusion  The ‘Euromelanoma Day’ campaign attracted many individuals at risk for skin cancer. The detection rate of non‐melanoma skin cancer and melanoma was relatively high compared to similar campaigns in other European countries. Most melanomas found had a favourable prognosis.
Depression and anxiety symptoms: onset, developmental course and risk factors during early childhood
Authors: Côté Sylvana M. , Boivin Michel , Liu Xuecheng , Nagin Daniel S. , Zoccolillo Mark , Tremblay Richard E. 
Published: June 2009

Background:  Depressive and anxiety disorders are among the top ten leading causes of disabilities. We know little, however, about the onset, developmental course and early risk factors for depressive and anxiety symptoms (DAS).Objective:  Model the developmental trajectories of DAS during early childhood and to identify risk factors for atypically high DAS.Method:  Group‐based developmental trajectories of DAS conditional on risk factors were estimated from annual maternal ratings (1½ to 5 years) in a large population sample (n = 1759).Results:  DAS increased substantially in two of the three distinct trajectory groups identified: High‐Rising (14.7%); Moderate‐Rising (55.4%); and Low (29.9%). Two factors distinguished the High‐Rising group from the other two: Difficult temperament at 5 months (High‐Rising vs Moderate‐Rising: OR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.13–1.55; High‐Rising vs Low: OR = 1.31, CI = 1.12–1.54) and maternal lifetime major depression (High‐Rising vs Moderate‐Rising: OR = 1.10; CI = 1.01–1.20; High‐Rising vs Low: OR = 1.19; CI = 1.08–1.31). Two factors distinguished the High‐Rising group from the Low group: High family dysfunction (OR = 1.24; CI = 1.03–1.5) and Low parental self‐efficacy (OR = .71; CI = .54–.94).Conclusions:  DAS tend to increase in frequency over the first 5 years of life. Atypically high level can be predicted from mother and child characteristics present before 6 months of age. Preventive interventions should be experimented with at risk infants and parents.
Role of silk threads in the dispersal of larvae through stream pools
Authors: Fingerut J. , Schamel L. , Faugno A. , Mestrinaro M. , Habdas P. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe slow flow found in stream pools should lead to increased larval deposition in habitat unsuitable to many benthic invertebrates such as the larvae of the black fly Simulium tribulatum. To increase their chances of successfully transiting a pool, these larvae may use silk threads previously thought to facilitate settlement in fast‐flowing habitat. In this study, we tested two ways in which these threads can affect a larva's transport in slow flow. First, a significant decrease in the fall velocity, which should lead to increased drift distance, was found between live (with silk) and dead (without silk) larvae falling in a laboratory chamber. The reduction due to the presence of silk varied over the natural range of larval sizes from a maximum of a 36% reduction for neonates to only 14% for the largest late‐instar larvae. A second possible role of silk, that of increasing the chance of resuspension in slow flow due to increased drag forces, was tested using dynamically scaled models of neonate and late‐instar larvae. The coefficient of drag (Cd) was determined for both model types, with and without scaled silk threads, under conditions recreating a range of naturally occurring Reynolds numbers (Re). A significant increase in Cd was found due to the presence of silk for both life stages across relevant ranges in Re. The results of this study show that the presence of silk threads should significantly increase the distance larvae travel and their chances of being resuspended should they be deposited on the bed of a pool. Further, the same threads may act to both limit transport in regions of preferred fast flow, while maximizing transport through regions of unsuitably slow flow.
Transnational political action and ‘global civil society’ in practice: the case of Oxfam
Authors: BERRY CRAIG , GABAY CLIVE 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe term ‘global civil society’ has taken on increasing significance within scholarly debate over the past decade. In this article we seek to understand transnational political agency via the study of a particular transnational actor, Oxfam. We argue that various schools of thought surrounding the global civil society concept, in particular the prevailing liberal‐cosmopolitan approach, are unable to conceptualize transnational political action in practice – due largely, in the case of liberal‐cosmopolitanism, to a shared normative agenda. We also assess what contribution literature on development and civil society has made to the analysis of groups such as Oxfam. In investigating Oxfam's own perceptions of its context and the meanings of its agency, we discover an anti‐political perspective derived from an encounter between Oxfam's longstanding commitment to liberal internationalism and globalization discourse. Existing scholarship has insufficiently identified the local or parochial nature of the identities of global civil society actors.
Differential effects of γ‐secretase and BACE1 inhibition on brain Aβ levels in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Elvang Anders Brandt , Volbracht Christiane , Pedersen Lars Østergaard , Jensen Klaus Gjervig , Karlsson Jens‐Jakob , Larsen Stine Anna , Mørk Arne , Stensbøl Tine Bryan , Bastlund Jesper Frank 
Published: June 2009

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is hypothesized to result from elevated brain levels of β‐amyloid peptide (Aβ) which is the main component of plaques found in AD brains and which cause memory impairment in mice. Therefore, there has been a major focus on the development of inhibitors of the Aβ producing enzymes γ‐secretase and β‐site amyloid precursor protein‐cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1). In this study, we investigated the Aβ‐lowering effects of the BACE1 inhibitor LY2434074 in vitro and in vivo, comparing it to the well characterized γ‐secretase inhibitor LY450139. We sampled interstitial fluid Aβ from awake APPswe/PS1dE9 AD mice by in vivo Aβ microdialysis. In addition, we measured levels of endogenous brain Aβ extracted from wildtype C57BL/6 mice. In our in vitro assays both compounds showed similar Aβ‐lowering effects. However, while systemic administration of LY450139 resulted in transient reduction of Aβ in both in vivo models, we were unable to show any Aβ‐lowering effect by systemic administration of the BACE1 inhibitor LY2434074 despite brain exposure exceeding the in vitro IC50 value several fold. In contrast, significant reduction of 40–50% of interstitial fluid Aβ and wildtype cortical Aβ was observed when infusing LY2434074 directly into the brain by means of reverse microdialysis or by dosing the BACE1 inhibitor to p‐glycoprotein (p‐gp) mutant mice. The effects seen in p‐gp mutant mice and subsequent data from our cell‐based p‐gp transport assay suggested that LY2434074 is a p‐gp substrate. This may partly explain why BACE1 inhibition by LY2434074 has lower in vivo efficacy, with respect to decreased Aβ40 levels, compared with γ‐secretase inhibition by LY450139.