bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of childbirth in the aetiology of rectocele
Authors: Dietz HP , Steensma AB 
Published: February 2006

Objective  Clinically, rectocele is common in parous women and assumed to be due to distension or tearing of the rectovaginal septum in labour. In a prospective study, we examined the prevalence of such defects in primiparae before and after childbearing in order to define the role of childbearing in the aetiology of rectocele.Design  Prospective observational study.Setting  Tertiary urogynaecological clinic.Population  A total of 68 nulliparous women between 35 + 6 and 40 + 1 weeks of gestation.Methods  Participants underwent a standardised interview and were assessed by translabial ultrasound. Presence and depth of a rectocele was determined on maximal Valsalva, as was descent of the rectal ampulla. Fifty‐two women were reassessed 2–6 months postpartum.Main outcome measures  Presence of a true rectocele, rectal descent.Results  True rectoceles were identified in 2 of the 68 women before childbirth and in 8 of the 52 women after childbirth (P= 0.02). After childbirth, the ampulla descended >22 mm further than before (P < 0.0001 on paired t test). Symptoms such as digitation (n= 2), straining at stool (n= 10) and incomplete emptying (n= 11) were not uncommon 2–6 months postpartum; but out of eight rectoceles, four were asymptomatic.Conclusions  True rectoceles occur in young nulliparae. However, childbirth is associated with an increase in prevalence and size of such defects.
Post‐traumatic stress disorder after childbirth in Nigerian women: prevalence and risk factors
Authors: Adewuya AO , Ologun YA , Ibigbami OS 
Published: February 2006

Objective  To estimate the prevalence of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after childbirth in a group of postpartum Nigerian women and to examine any associated factors.Design  A cross‐sectional survey.Setting  Postnatal clinics and infant immunisation clinics of the five health centres in Ilesa Township, Nigeria.Population  A total of 876 women at 6 weeks postpartum.Methods  The postpartum women were assessed for PTSD at 6 weeks. Other data collected were demographic characteristics, details of pregnancy and delivery and neonatal outcome. Additionally, the following measures were used: the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview to assess PTSD, the Index of Marital Satisfaction to measure the degree of problem a spouse encounters in the marital relationship, the Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey to measure social support, the Life Events Scale to measure the life stress covering the preceding 12 months and the Labour Agentry Scale that measures the maternal experiences of control during childbirth.Main outcome measures  Prevalence of PTSD in this population of postpartum Nigerian women, and how this prevalence related to other maternal and neonatal characteristics.Results  The prevalence of PTSD was 5.9%. The factors independently associated with PTSD after childbirth include hospital admission due to pregnancy complications (OR 11.86, 95% CI 6.36–22.10), instrumental delivery (OR 7.94, 95% CI 3.91–16.15), emergency caesarean section (OR 7.31, 95% CI 3.53–15.10), manual removal of placenta (OR 4.96, 95% CI 2.43–10.14) and poor maternal experience of control during childbirth (OR 5.05, 95% CI 2.69–9.48).Conclusions  The prevalence of PTSD after childbirth in Nigerian women is slightly higher than those found in western culture. An effective model for the prediction of the development of PTSD after childbirth needs to be developed and evaluated, and interventions aimed at reducing the incidence of PTSD after childbirth need further research.
A randomised trial comparing the levonorgestrel intrauterine system and thermal balloon ablation for heavy menstrual bleeding
Authors: Busfield RA , Farquhar CM , Sowter MC , Lethaby A , Sprecher M , Yu Y , Sadler LC , Brown P , Johnson N 
Published: February 2006

Objective  To compare the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG‐IUS) (Mirena®; Schering Co., Turku, Finland) and thermal balloon ablation (Thermachoice™; Gynecare Inc., Menlo Park, CA, USA) for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding.Design  An open, pragmatic, prospective randomised trial.Setting  A menstrual disorders clinic at National Women's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.Population  Seventy‐nine women with heavy menstrual bleeding randomised to the LNG‐IUS (40 women) or the thermal balloon ablation (39 women).Methods  Women were randomised to treatment with the LNG‐IUS or thermal balloon ablation and followed up by a postal and telephone questionnaire.Main outcome measures  Menstrual loss measured by a pictorial bleeding assessment chart (PBAC) at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Patient satisfaction, quality of life and menstrual symptoms were assessed by questionnaire administered at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Treatment side effects and treatment failures were also recorded.Results  Both the treatments resulted in a significant reduction in PBAC scores. At 12 and 24 months, median PBAC scores were significantly lower in women treated with the LNG‐IUS compared with women treated by thermal balloon ablation (11.5 versus 60.0 at 12 months [P= 0.002]; 12.0 versus 56.5 [P= 0.002] at 24 months). At 24 months, nine (35%) women still using the LNG‐IUS had amenorrhoea compared with one (5%) woman successfully treated by thermal balloon ablation (P= 0.025). There were no significant differences in patient satisfaction between two treatments during follow up. Treatment failed in 11 (28%) women using the LNG‐IUS and in 10 (26%) women treated with thermal balloon ablation. Overall, women in both groups showed an increased quality of life as a result of the treatment, with Short Form‐36 scores increasing from 63.7 at randomisation to 76.1 at 24 months.Conclusions  At 12 and 24 months of follow up, women with heavy menstrual bleeding treated with the LNG‐IUS have significantly lower PBAC scores than women treated with thermal balloon ablation. Both the treatments resulted in a significant increase in overall quality of life, but there were no significant differences between either treatment in quality of life, patient satisfaction or the number of women requesting an alternative treatment during 24 months of follow up.
Nine polymorphic microsatellite loci for the parasitic wasp Neotypus melanocephalus (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae)
Authors: ANTON CHRISTIAN , SETTELE JOSEF , DURKA WALTER 
Published: February 2006

AbstractNine polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from Neotypus melanocephalus (Gmelin), a parasitoid of the parasitic large blue butterfly Maculinea nausithous. Allelic diversity and heterozygosity were quantified in samples from the Upper Rhine valley in Southwest Germany.
Microsatellite loci for population and behavioural studies of grey‐crowned babblers (Pomatostomus temporalis: Aves)
Authors: BLACKMORE C. J. , ADCOCK G. J. , EBERT D. , HEINSOHN R. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractSixteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated in the cooperatively breeding grey‐crowned babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis). The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to eight, and observed heterozygosity from 0.07 to 0.88. Two loci showed a significant heterozygote deficiency, one of which appears to be sex‐linked. The exclusion probability for eight unlinked loci was 0.9996 with the other parent known. These loci will be used to analyse population genetic structure and the mating system of this vulnerable species.
Fast fuelling but light flight in Broad‐billed Sandpipers Limicola falcinellus: stopover ecology at a final take‐off site in spring (Sivash, Ukraine)
Authors: VERKUIL YVONNE , VAN DER HAVE TOM M. , VAN DER WINDEN JAN , KEIJL GUIDO O. , RUITERS PAUL S. , KOOLHAAS ANITA , DEKINGA ANNE , CHERNICHKO IOSIF I. 
Published: February 2006

We studied phenology, staging time and refuelling in Broad‐billed Sandpipers Limicola falcinellus stopping over during spring migration in the Sivash (Black Sea, Ukraine) in May 1991–94. In the study area, peak staging numbers of 2000–2500 individuals occurred in the third week of May. In May 1993, 460 birds were marked with a yellow dye and 126 of these were colour‐ringed. Before 28 May no departure of birds dyed yellow could be detected; by 3 June all birds had departed. Colour‐ringed adults in mid May 1993 staged for a minimum of 8.2 days. After the observed departure of large flocks (24 May and later) the staging time of colour‐ringed birds decreased significantly with body mass at the time of capture. Of birds mist‐netted in 1991–94, 99.3% were in full summer plumage and 89% were adults. In second‐year birds, fuel deposition rate (measured between individuals) was 0.44 g/day. In adults caught from early May to 24 May, overall fuel deposition rate was 1.04 g/day (3.4% of lean body mass). Mean adult body mass in early May was 34.8 g, increasing to 45.5 g after 24 May. Estimated body mass at departure was 51 g. Departure body mass and flight range estimates suggest that although birds refuelled quickly, fuel loads are only just sufficient for an unbroken flight to Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula. We suggest that Broad‐billed Sandpipers use the Sivash as a crucial final take‐off stopover site, and that they follow a ‘jumping’ migration strategy, performed under narrow time constraints.
Acetaminophen, Aspirin, and Caffeine in Combination Versus Ibuprofen for Acute Migraine: Results From a Multicenter, Double‐Blind, Randomized, Parallel‐Group, Single‐Dose, Placebo‐Controlled Study
Authors: Goldstein Jerome , Silberstein Stephen D. , Saper Joel R. , Ryan Robert E. , Lipton Richard B. 
Published: February 2006

Objective.—Compare the effectiveness of a combination analgesic containing acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine to that of ibuprofen in the treatment of migraine.Methods.—Multicenter, double‐blind, randomized, parallel‐group, placebo‐controlled, single‐dose study. A total of 1555 migraineurs were included in the analysis. No patients were excluded solely because of severity of symptoms or degree of disability. A single 2‐tablet dose for each of the 3 treatment groups: a combination product containing acetaminophen 250 mg, aspirin 250 mg, and caffeine 65 mg per tablet (AAC); ibuprofen 200 mg per tablet (IB); or matching placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was the weighted sum of pain relief (PAR) scores at 2 hours postdose (TOTPAR2) and an important secondary endpoint was the time to onset of meaningful relief.Results.—There were 669 patients in the AAC group, 666 patients in the IB group, and 220 patients in the placebo group. The 3 treatment groups had similar demographic profiles, migraine histories, and baseline symptom profiles. While both active treatments were significantly better than placebo in relieving the pain and associated symptoms of migraine, AAC was superior to IB for TOTPAR2, as well as for PAR, time to onset of meaningful PAR, pain intensity reduction, headache response, and pain free. The mean TOTPAR2 scores for AAC, IB, and placebo were 2.7, 2.4, and 2.0, respectively (AAC vs. IB, P < .03). The median time to meaningful PAR for AAC was 20 minutes earlier than that of IB (P < .036).Conclusion.—AAC and IB are safe, cost‐effective treatments for migraine; AAC provides significantly superior efficacy and speed of onset compared with IB.
Whole‐blood leukoreduction filters are a source for cryopreserved cells for phenotypic and functional investigations on peripheral blood lymphocytes
Authors: Néron Sonia , Dussault Nathalie , Racine Claudia 
Published: February 2006

BACKGROUND:  Leukoreduction of blood is now widely performed by blood banks, and the possibility of recovering 108 to 109 white blood cells (WBCs) from leukoreduction filters, which are usually discarded, represents a promising source for normal human cells. Previous studies with these filters to prepare WBCs have performed their experimentation with fresh cells only. Whether these filter‐derived cells could also be used to prepare frozen cell banks to facilitate work organization and open new avenues for their utilization as references in physiological studies and clinical investigations was investigated.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Blood samples or whole‐blood leukoreduction filters were obtained, after informed consent, from volunteers or blood donors, respectively. The proportions of CD3+, CD14+, CD16+, CD19+, and CD45+ cells within peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) were determined by flow cytometry from all samples. B cells were isolated and their functional responses were evaluated in vitro.RESULTS:  The yield of PBMNCs recovered from whole‐blood leukoreduction filters was lower (50%) than the one with fresh blood samples but still provided 2 × 108 to 4 × 108 PBMNCs per unit. After one cycle of freezing‐thawing, the proportions of B‐ and T‐cell populations were similar to normal blood values. Purified B cells issued from whole‐blood leukoreduction filters displayed normal phenotypes and functions.CONCLUSION:  Leukoreduction filters represent a valuable source of PBMNCs. These cells could be easily recovered to prepare frozen cell banks useful in basic phenotypic and functional analyses involving the main subsets of B cells and the global T‐cell population.
Colour Doppler examination of early and late orbital haemodynamic changes in eyes with eyelid oedema due to blunt trauma
Authors: Alp Mehmet Numan , Aksay Sevinç , Tola Muharrem , Ataseven Musa , Ölçer Tülay , Kural Gülcan 
Published: February 2006

Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate the early and late alterations in orbital blood flow parameters in eyes with severe eyelid swelling due to blunt trauma by using colour Doppler ultrasonography (CDU). Methods:  Blood flow parameters in the ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA), short posterior ciliary arteries (SPCAs) and central retinal vein (CRV) were examined by CDU in 62 eyes of 31 patients with unilateral blunt trauma and in 32 eyes of 32 normal subjects. Patients were examined within the first 5 days and at least 1 month after trauma. The traumatized eyes of patients were designated ‘trauma eyes’, non‐traumatized fellow eyes were designated ‘fellow eyes’, and randomly chosen eyes of control subjects ‘control eyes’. Results:  In the early phase, peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) in the OA in trauma eyes were statistically significantly higher than in both fellow eyes and control eyes: the p‐values for the differences in PSV and EDV between trauma eyes and fellow eyes were p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively, while the p‐values for the differences in PSV and EDV between trauma eyes and control eyes were p = 0.002 and p = 0.019, respectively). No other blood flow parameters obtained at the first examination in all groups were statistically different. In the late phase, PSV in the OA in trauma eyes was found to be higher than that in both fellow eyes and control eyes, but the difference was significant only between trauma eyes and fellow eyes (p = 0.028). End diastolic velocity in the CRA was statistically significantly lower in fellow eyes than in control eyes (p = 0.046). No other blood flow parameters in any vessels examined in fellow eyes and control eyes were statistically significantly different during the study period. Conclusion:  Blood flow velocities detected by CDU are increased in the OA in eyes with eyelid oedema due to blunt trauma and some of these changes may persist for up to 1 month. This effect seems to be a consequence of trauma‐induced hyperaemia in the orbital soft tissues rather than an expression of traumatic choroidal vasculopathy.
Correction of involutional lower eyelid medial ectropion with transconjunctival approach retractor plication and lateral tarsal strip
Authors: Fong Kenneth C. S. , Mavrikakis Ioannis , Sagili Suresh , Malhotra Raman 
Published: February 2006

Abstract.Aim:  We describe the technique and our results in managing lower eyelid involutional medial ectropion using a combination of lateral tarsal strip to address horizontal eyelid laxity, and transconjunctival inferior retractor plication to address inferior retractor dehiscence. Methods:  Patients with symptoms of epiphora or signs of medial ectropion were offered this procedure. All had the following characteristics: medial lower eyelid eversion, punctal eversion >3 mm, medial canthal tendon laxity <4 mm, significant horizontal eyelid laxity and lacrimal systems that were patent to syringing. Results:  A total of 24 eyelids of 17 patients underwent this procedure over a 12‐month period. The mean age of the patients was 79.7 years; 11 were male and six were female. The mean follow‐up time was 18 months. Two eyes had undergone previous surgery. All patients had restoration of the eyelid margin to the globe and relief of symptoms. No complications were noted. Discussion:  These results suggest that excision of posterior lamellar tissue is not necessary for correction of involutional medial ectropion. Transconjunctival plication or reattachment of retractors is easy to perform and allows for the repair of more than the medial portion of the retractors if required.
Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia
Authors: GHAEMMAGHAMI Fatemeh , ASHRAF‐GANJOOIE Tahereh 
Published: February 2006

AbstractGestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is one of the most curable malignancies because of the intrinsic sensitivity of the tumor to certain antineoplastic agents, effective sensitive assays for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and identification of high‐risk factors that permit individualized treatment. Chemotherapy is the main modality of treatment in patients with GTN. The cure rate in patients with low‐risk GTN is 100%, and is estimated to exceed 80% in patients with high‐risk GTN. Management of GTN is based on staging (anatomical involvement staging) and scoring. Patients with persistent GTN and stage I or score ≤ 6 (low risk) should be managed with single agent chemotherapy (methotraxate or actinomycin), but patients with stage IV or score ≥ 7 (high risk) need combination chemotherapy. Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia is radiosensitive, because radiation has hemostatic and tumorocidal effect on GTN. Therefore, radiotherapy can be used in treatment of some patients with brain hepatic metastasis or in patients where chemotherapy is not possible due to medical problems. Surgery can be used in patients who are resistant to chemotherapy or in hemorrhagic cases. Surgical resection of the tumor is the main form of therapy for placental site trophoblastic tumor. This surgery consists of a hysterectomy for the majority of patients as the disease is confined to the uterus.
Carcinosarcoma of the uterus: A comparison of adjuvant therapy and outcome
Authors: WONG Lisa , SEE Hui Ti , KHOO‐TAN Hoon Seng , LOW John , FOOK‐CHONG Stephanie , LOW Jeffrey , TAY Sun Kuie 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground:  Uterine carcinosarcoma are rare and aggressive tumors. There is no consensus on the appropriate adjuvant therapy. Our aim is to compare the clinical outcome and role of adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy in women with uterine carcinosarcoma.Methods:  A retrospective review was carried out from 1995 to 2004 to obtain data on overall and disease‐free survival. The Kaplan‐Meier method and the log rank test was used to compare the survival by treatment given and the Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to adjust for age and stage.Results:  Sixty‐six patients were identified. The median age was 60 years. 4 women did not undergo surgical staging and they were excluded. 32 (52%) patients received adjuvant chemotherapy with a combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin or cisplatin and ifosfamide. 36 (58%) patients received adjuvant radiotherapy. 23 patients (35%) had combined adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Using the Cox regression model to adjust for age and stage of disease, patients who received multimodality treatment had improved survival compared to patients who had surgery only. (P = 0.001, HR = 9.0, 90% C.I. = 3.2, 25.4). Tumour recurrence occurred in 23 patients at a median duration of 10 months. The median survival was 53 months. The overall 5‐year survival was 53.2%.Conclusion:  Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for carcinosarcoma of the uterus. Our results suggest that patients who had multimodality adjuvant therapy with chemotherapy and radiotherapy had improved survival. Future treatment strategies should incorporate multimodality adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy to provide local as well as distant control.
Experimental studies on air entrainment and oxygen content downstream of sharp‐crested weirs
Authors: Baylar Ahmet , Bagatur Tamer 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) is an important indicator of water quality because aquatic life survives on the DO in water. A free overfall jet from a weir plunging into downstream water causes entrainment of air bubbles if the free overfall jet velocity exceeds a certain critical value and hence aeration occurs. This paper investigates the free overfall jets from sharp‐crested weirs and their effect on air entrainment and aeration efficiency. The results indicate that the air entrainment and aeration efficiency of triangular sharp‐crested weirs are significantly better than those for the other sharp‐crested weir types. Therefore, the triangular sharp‐crested weirs can be used as highly effective aerators in streams, rivers, constructed channels, fish hatcheries, water treatment plants, etc. Regression equations were obtained for the triangular sharp‐crested weirs relating air entrainment rate and aeration efficiency to drop height, discharge and angle in the triangular sharp‐crested weir. There was good agreement between the measured values and the values computed from the predictive equations.
GRW: A Case Study in Quantum Ontology
Authors: Lewis Peter J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThis article provides an overview of the philosophical literature on the GRW theory of quantum mechanics, and argues for a particular position regarding that literature. Much of the literature is ontological; it attempts to defend a conception of what the world is like according to the GRW theory against perceived competitors. I argue that there is no real debate here, since these supposedly conflicting positions are better regarded as alternative and compatible ways of describing the world of the GRW theory.