bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of aromatase inhibitor in ovulation induction in patients with poor response to clomiphene citrate
Authors: Begum Mosammat R. , Quadir Ehsan , Begum Anowara , Begum Rowsan A. , Begum Momtaz 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAim:  To examine the efficacy of aromatase inhibitor in the induction of ovulation.Methods:  This prospective clinical trial in patients with infertility and poor response to clomiphene citrate (CC) was undertaken in a tertiary referral infertility clinic. Thirty‐five infertile patients, who were treated by clomiphene citrate for several cycles and referred to the infertility clinic, were the target population. Initially, the response of CC was assessed by same dose of CC that the patient had in her last cycle. The patients who did not respond adequately were treated by aromatase inhibitor 2.5–5 mg/day from day 3–7 of the menstrual cycle. The main outcome measures were the number of mature follicles, ovulation rate, endometrial thickness and pregnancy rate.Results:  Twenty‐seven (90%) patients developed mature follicles by day 12. The majority (77.77%) developed single follicle. Except for one cycle of one patient, the follicles of all patients were ruptured in all cycles and seven (25.94%) got pregnant.Conclusion:  The aromatase inhibitor letrozole is effective for ovulation induction in anovulatory infertility in patients that failed to ovulate by CC.
Precedence of the shift of body‐fat distribution over the change in body composition after menopause
Authors: Morita Youichiro , Iwamoto Ichiro , Mizuma Nobuhisa , Kuwahata Tomoki , Matsuo Takashi , Yoshinaga Mitsuhiro , Douchi Tsutomu 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAim:  This study investigated the sequence of certain phenomena after menopause: decrease in bone mineral density (BMD), change in body composition (lean and fat components), and the shift toward upper body fat distribution.Methods:  Subjects were 188 postmenopausal women aged 50–65 years old. They were divided into four subgroups based on 4‐year increments in age. Regularly menstruating women (n = 51) aged 50–53 years old served as controls. Age, height, weight, and years since menopause were recorded. Body fat mass, percentage of body fat (%fat), lean body mass (LBM), lumbar spine (L2‐4), total body BMD, and the trunk‐leg fat mass ratio were measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry.Results:  In postmenopausal women (n = 42) aged 50–53 years, BMD was lower compared to age‐matched controls (P < 0.05), while other variables did not differ. Trunk‐leg fat mass ratio in women aged 54–57 years or more was significantly higher than that in control. LBM was significantly lower while percentage fat was significantly higher in women aged 58–61 years old or more.Conclusion:  An initial event during the menopausal process is BMD loss, which is followed by body fat distribution shift, then LBM loss and reciprocal increase in body fat mass.
Loss of hMLH1 expression is associated with less aggressive clinicopathological features in sporadic endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ju Woong , Park Han Moie , Lee Shi Nae , Sung Sun Hee , Kim Seung Cheol 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAim:  To assess the incidence and clinicopathological significance of microsatellite instability (MSI) and the protein expression of hMLH1 and hMSH2 in sporadic endometrioid endometrial adenocarcinoma (SEEA).Methods:  A total of 50 patients with pure endometrioid sporadic endometrial adenocarcinoma were enrolled in the study. MSI analysis was done using five polymorphic markers (BAT26, D5S346, BAT25, D17S250, D2S123) and the protein expression of the hMLH1 and hMSH2 genes was determined by immunohistochemical staining. MSI was detected in 24% (12/50) of SEEA cases.Results:  There was a significant correlation between MSI status and loss of hMLH1, hMSH2 expression, respectively. No significant association was found between MSI status and clinicopathological parameters, including age, grade, stage, depth of myometrial invasion, lymph‐vascular space invasion (LVI), lymph node involvement or peritoneal cytology. However, significant correlations were found between loss of hMLH1 and a lower histological grade and the absence of LVI in patients with SEEA.Conclusions:  According to these results, MSI and a loss of protein expression of hMLH1 and hMSH2 may be associated with the pathogenesis of SEEA. In addition, hMLH1 immunostaining might have a role as a prognostic parameter. Further research using a large number of cases is needed to confirm our observations.
Delivery of a healthy twin after intrauterine demise and expulsion of a first twin
Authors: Zeck Willibald , Bjelic Vesna , Petru Edgar , Lang Uwe 
Published: September 2006

AbstractWe report on a diamniotic–dichorionic twin pregnancy after in vitro fertilization. The first twin was diagnosed with Down syndrome and spontaneously aborted at 24 weeks of gestation after intrauterine death at week 18. The second healthy twin was delivered by cesarean section 11 weeks later. We discuss management aspects and review the literature.
Association between serum tumor necrosis factor‐α and corticotropin‐releasing hormone levels in women with preterm labor
Authors: Vitoratos Nicolaos , Papadias Konstantinos , Makrakis Evangelos , Christodoulakos George , Panoulis Konstantinos , Creatsas George 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAim:  To evaluate the association of serum corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in preterm labor.Methods:  Forty‐nine primigravidas with a singleton viable pregnancy between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation were studied. They were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of 30 pregnant women (mean gestational age: 30.6 week) who presented with preterm labor and group B consisted of 19 pregnant women (mean gestational age: 29.8 week) with normal pregnancies.Results:  Women of group A had significantly higher serum CRH levels compared to those of group B (P < 0.01). Similarly, serum TNF‐α levels were significantly higher in women of group A when compared to women of group B (7.8 ± 3.72 pg/mL and 5.1 ± 3.72 pg/mL, respectively). Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between serum CRH and TNF‐α levels in both groups, which was stronger in women of group A.Conclusions:  Our findings suggest that the increased levels of TNF‐α and CRH found in pregnant women presenting with preterm labor may be involved in the pathophysiological mechanism of the latter. Furthermore, a positive interaction may exist between TNF‐α and placental CRH, which may lead to enhanced production of the second and, therefore, facilitate the onset of labor.
Rubella outbreak on Tokunoshima Island in 2004: Serological and epidemiological analysis of pregnant women with rubella
Authors: Kaneko Masatoki , Sameshima Hiroshi , Ikenoue Tsuyomu , Minematsu Toshio , Kusumoto Kazumi , Ibara Satoshi , Kamitomo Masato , Maruyama Yuko 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAim:  This paper presents the serological and epidemiological background of the rubella‐infected pregnant women following the rubella outbreak throughout Tokunoshima Island that occurred after the revision of the immunization law in Japan.Methods:  Twelve of 149 pregnant women managed in Miyagami Hospital were enrolled as having a high risk for congenital rubella infection. They were interviewed about their immunization history with rubella vaccine, the presence of rash, onset of rash, and the presence and timing of contact with rubella‐infected patients. The obstetric histories were investigated for past rubella HI antibody titer. Nine of 12 women continued their pregnancy and delivered a baby. A serological test for rubella IgM antibody and a reversed transcription‐nested PCR assay using umbilical cord blood and the newborn urine for virus genome detection were performed for all babies. We also enrolled all 309 mothers who delivered during the last 2 years in Miyagami Hospital, and retrospectively collected their rubella HI titers.Results:  Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) and congenitally infected babies were born from 12 high‐risk mothers. In our study, six pregnant women to be immunized by a catch‐up program showed a lack of immunity to rubella. The remaining six women had low rubella immunity. Nine acquired rubella from members of their family, including their husband. The incidence of negative HI titer was 25% in women less than 25 years old who delivered during the last 2 years in this hospital.Conclusions:  More intensive immunization should be considered to eradicate CRS completely in Japan.
A large‐scale field study of transgene flow from cultivated rice (Oryza sativa) to common wild rice (O. rufipogon) and barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli)
Authors: Wang Feng , Yuan Qian‐Hua , Shi Lei , Qian Qian , Liu Wu‐Ge , Kuang Ba‐Geng , Zeng Da‐Li , Liao Yi‐Long , Cao Bin , Jia Shi‐Rong 
Published: September 2006

SummaryThe introgression of transgenes into wild relatives or weeds through pollen‐mediated gene flow is a major concern in environmental risk assessment of transgenic crops. A large‐scale (1.3–1.8 ha) rice gene flow study was conducted using transgenic rice containing the bar gene as a pollen donor and Oryza rufipogon as a recipient. There was a high frequency of transgene flow (11%−18%) at 0–1 m, with a steep decline with increasing distance to a detection limit of 0.01% by 250 m. To our knowledge, this is the highest frequency and longest distance of gene flow from transgenic rice to O. rufipogon reported so far. On the basis of these data, an adequate isolation distance from both conventional and transgenic rice should be taken for in situ conservation of common wild rice. Meanwhile, there is no evidence of transgene introgression into barnyard grass, even when it has coexisted with transgenic rice containing the bar gene for five successive years. Thus, the environmental risk of gene flow to this weedy species is of little concern.
Increasing morphinan alkaloid production by over‐expressing codeinone reductase in transgenic Papaver somniferum
Authors: Larkin Philip J. , Miller James A. C. , Allen Robert S. , Chitty Julie A. , Gerlach Wayne L. , Frick Susanne , Kutchan Toni M. , Fist Anthony J. 
Published: September 2006

SummaryOnly plants of the Papaver genus (poppies) are able to synthesize morphinan alkaloids, and cultivation of P. somniferum, opium poppy, remains critical for the production and supply of morphine, codeine and various semi‐synthetic analgesics. Opium poppy was transformed with constitutively expressed cDNA of codeinone reductase (PsCor1.1), the penultimate step in morphine synthesis. Most transgenic lines showed significant increases in capsule alkaloid content in replicated glasshouse and field trials over 4 years. The morphinan alkaloid contents on a dry weight basis were between 15% and 30% greater than those in control high‐yielding genotypes and control non‐transgenic segregants. Transgenic leaves had approximately 10‐fold greater levels of Cor transcript compared with non‐transgenic controls. Two cycles of crossing of the best transgenic line into an elite high‐morphine genotype resulted in significant increases in morphine and total alkaloids relative to the elite recurrent parent. No significant changes in alkaloid profiles or quantities were observed in leaf, roots, pollen and seed.
Microarray analysis of Fusarium graminearum‐induced wheat genes: identification of organ‐specific and differentially expressed genes
Authors: Golkari Saber , Gilbert Jeannie , Prashar Suvira , Procunier J. Douglas 
Published: September 2006

SummaryA wheat cDNA microarray consisting of 5739 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) was used to investigate the transcriptome patterns of the glume, lemma, palea, anther, ovary and rachis dissected from infected wheat spikes after inoculation with the fungus Fusarium graminearum, the causal agent of fusarium head blight (FHB) disease. Stringent conditions were employed to reduce the false discovery rate. The significance analysis of microarrays (SAM) was used to identify transcripts that showed a differential response between fungal‐challenged vs. control plants. To verify the microarray data, Northern blot analysis was carried out on randomly selected up‐regulated clones. We observed 185 (3.2%) up‐regulated and 16 (0.28%) down‐regulated ESTs in the six organs constituting the wheat spike. Many up‐regulated ESTs (46.67%) showed no homology with sequences of known functions, whereas others showed homology with genes involved in defence and stress responses, the oxidative burst of H2O2, regulatory functions, protein synthesis and the phenylpropanoid pathway. The monitoring of genes in specific organs avoided the averaging of expression values over multiple organs that occurs when using data from the whole spike. Our data allowed us to uncover new up‐regulated genes expressed in specific organs. The study revealed that each organ had a defined and distinctive transcriptome pattern in response to F. graminearum infection.
ADJUSTED ESTIMATES OF UNITED STATES–CHINA BILATERAL TRADE BALANCES: AN UPDATE
Authors: Fung K. C. , Lau Lawrence J. , Xiong Yanyan 
Published: September 2006

Abstract.  Large differences exist between the official United States and Chinese data on trade balances between the two countries. In this paper, four adjustments are made to the export and import data of the two governments: (i) freight along side (f.a.s.)‐free on board (f.o.b.) and cost, insurance and freight (c.i.f.)‐f.o.b. conversions; (ii) re‐exports through Hong Kong (and elsewhere); (iii) re‐export markups; and (iv) trade in services. After adjustments, our best estimate for the 2005 bilateral trade balance is $US170.7 billion, in China's favour, which is much larger than the official Chinese balance of $US114.2 billion but also much smaller than the official US balance of $US201.6 billion.
Eosinophilic folliculitis in a Caucasian patient: association with toxocariasis?
Authors: Gesierich A , Herzog S , Grunewald SM , Tappe D , Bröcker E‐B , Schön MP 
Published: September 2006

AbstractSterile eosinophilic folliculitis, a clinical entity first described by Ofuji in 1970, is a rather rare skin disorder, in particular in the non‐Asian population. We report the first case of eosinophilic folliculitis associated with toxocariasis in a Caucasian patient. Topical and systemic anti‐inflammatory and antiphlogistic therapy along with systemic antihelminthic treatment resulted in complete remission of the skin lesions. In addition, there was a marked decrease of antibodies to Toxocara antigens in the patient's serum following antihelminthic therapy. Given that (I) some cases of eosinophilic folliculitis have been reported which were associated with infestation with metazoan parasites; (2) infestations with the roundworm Toxocara canis are known to induce eosinophilic reactions in some tissues; and (3) therapy‐induced remission of eosinophilic folliculitis was accompanied by a decrease of Toxocara‐directed antibodies in the patient's serum, we propose that there is an aetiopathogenic link between toxocariasis and eosinophilic folliculitis in this patient.
Six polymorphic microsatellite markers for Plantago maritima
Authors: NILSSON EMIL , GYLLENSTRAND NICLAS , WOLFF KIRSTEN 
Published: September 2006

Abstract Plantago maritima displays an extraordinary variation in breeding system. In northern Europe, the species occurs as either self‐incompatible or self‐compatible, and as unisexual females or co‐sexual hermaphrodites. The isolation of polymorphic codominant markers will provide the necessary tools to investigate the proportion of self‐fertilized seeds and levels of inbreeding depression in natural populations of this species. Isolation of microsatellite loci was achieved using a membrane‐enrichment method for four loci, and a streptavidin‐coated‐beads method for two loci. Primers were designed in microsatellite flanking sequences and were analysed using fluorescent labels.
Trade and Environmental Policy: A Race to the Bottom?
Authors: Sheldon Ian 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe focus of this paper is the issue of regulatory chill and a race to the bottom in environmental standards and policies. In particular, it explores the possibility that resolution of this problem may lie in a more flexible application of the existing General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade/World Trade Organization (GATT/WTO) rules. The structure of the discussion is divided into four parts: (i) the standard analysis of trade and environmental policy is laid out; (ii) the theoretical analysis of and empirical evidence for the existence of pollution havens is reviewed; (iii) the main arguments as to why governments may weaken domestic environmental policy with greater trade liberalisation is outlined; and (iv) some recent analysis of border tax adjustments for environmental taxes is laid out, leading to the basic conclusion of the paper: a method for countering any tendency for regulatory chill and a race to the bottom in environmental policies is already embedded in existing GATT/WTO rules.
Rural–Urban Impacts of CAP Measures in Greece: An Inter‐regional SAM Approach
Authors: Psaltopoulos Demetrios , Balamou Eudokia , Thomson Kenneth J. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis paper evaluates the inter‐regional impacts of CAP measures implemented in the rural town of Archanes (Crete, Greece), an area which received considerable EU Agricultural Guarantee and rural development funds during the 1990s. A hybrid, three‐area Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) with three groups of households defined by income level is constructed to describe inter‐linkages between three rural–urban localities, namely the rural area of Archanes, the less‐developed, agriculturally dependent, neighbouring rural area of N. Kazantzakis, and the adjacent urban centre of Heraklion. Results are reported on the diffusion patterns of economic impacts generated by three types of CAP measure: farm income support; aids to increased agricultural productivity; aids to economic diversification. These show that the diffusion of policy‐induced economic impacts from Archanes is lower than might be expected for a small open local economy, and that benefits leak primarily to Heraklion and marginally to rural N. Kazantzakis. Finally, generated income benefits seem to accrue mostly in favour of high‐income households, especially in the case of Guarantee subsidies.
The Effectiveness of Antidumping Measures: Some Evidence for Farmed Atlantic Salmon
Authors: Kinnucan Henry W. , Myrland Øystein 
Published: September 2006

AbstractCounterfactual simulations of a partial equilibrium model of the world salmon market suggest safeguard tariffs imposed by the European Commission on salmon imports from Norway, Chile, and the Faroe Islands would do more to punish producers in the named exporting countries than to reward United Kingdom producers. The reason is that export supply is less elastic than import demand on a bilateral basis, which means that most of the tariff's incidence is borne by the targeted producers rather than EU consumers. The incidence problem is exacerbated by the feed quota (now biomass limit) that Norway uses to limit its production. A marketing fee that expands market demand is shown to be less distortionary than its tariff equivalent, and thus may be preferred from a second‐best perspective.
Productivity and Environmental Performance in Marketing Cooperatives: An Analysis of the Spanish Horticultural Sector
Authors: Galdeano‐Gómez Emilio , Céspedes‐Lorente José , Rodríguez‐Rodríguez Manuel 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe paper analyses the productivity of marketing cooperatives incorporating environmental inputs/outputs. In the European agriculture, expectations for attaining sustainable and competitive agriculture rely to a great extent on the cooperative sector's ability to adapt to new market conditions. These challenges have led marketing cooperatives in the fruit and vegetables sector to consider improvements in productivity and sound environmental performance. The study analyses the total factor productivity related to environmental variables in this sector using a parametric‐stochastic approach and panel data on Spanish cooperatives over the period 1994–2002. Additionally, the determinants of environmental productivity are examined econometrically. The estimates obtained show an increase in efficiency for the period under study and a relationship between productivity changes and management factors, such as labour quality, capital intensity and environmental spillover.
Access to a Telephone and Factor Market Participation of Rural Households in Bangladesh
Authors: Chowdhury Shyamal K. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis paper assesses the impact of access to a telephone on rural households’ factor market opportunities. It answers two questions. First, does the use of a telephone have any impact on rural households’ factor market participation? Second, correcting for market participation, does the use of a telephone have any impact on the type of factor market participation? For the first question, the paper uses a bivariate probit to correct for omitted variable bias and for the second question, the paper uses a two‐stage probit. The empirical findings suggest that access to a telephone has a significant positive impact on factor market participation. The difference in market participation between telephone users and non‐users is around 14%. However, once a household participates in the market, the use of a telephone does not have any impact on specific factor market participation.
Identification of a Novel Locus for Febrile Seizures and Epilepsy on Chromosome 21q22
Authors: Hedera Peter , Ma Shaochun , Blair Marcia A. , Taylor Kelly A. , Hamati Aline , Bradford Yuki , Abou‐Khalil Bassel , Haines Jonathan L. 
Published: September 2006

Summary:  Purpose: To report results of linkage analysis in a large family with autosomal dominant (AD) febrile seizures (FS) and epilepsy. Background:AD FS and epilepsy is clinically and genetically a heterogeneous group of epilepsies, frequently inherited. The most notable, generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+), is characterized by heterogeneous phenotypes including FS persisting beyond the usual age of remission or coexisting with afebrile seizures. Mutations in three subunits of sodium channel genes and one GABAA‐receptor subunit gene have been identified in some GEFS+ pedigrees. Six genetic loci for FS have been reported so far, but the molecular basis of FS remains unknown. Methods: We identified a five‐generation family with 13 individuals affected by FS. Evidence was found for coexisting afebrile seizures in some affected individuals. Evaluation included a detailed history and neurologic examination, as well as collection of DNA. After excluding previously identified loci associated with FS and epilepsy, a genome‐wide search was performed. Results: Two affected individuals reported only a single FS, whereas the other affected individuals had a history of repeated FS. Coexisting afebrile seizures developed in three individuals. The mode of inheritance was consistent with AD inheritance with an incomplete penetrance. Tight linkage to a group of markers on chromosome 21q22 was identified with flanking markers D21S1909 and D21S1444, and maximum 2‐point lod score 3.35 for markers D21S1910 and D21S1894. We excluded four ion‐channel genes within this 6.5‐cM locus as a cause of FS and epilepsy in this family. Conclusions: We report a novel locus on chromosome 21q22 for AD FS. Identification of the gene causing epilepsy on chromosome 21q22 will advance our understanding of inherited epilepsy and FS, and possibly other types of epilepsies.