bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Binding characteristics and sensitivity to endogenous dopamine of [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO, a new agonist radiotracer for imaging the high‐affinity state of D2 receptors in vivo using positron emission tomography
Authors: Ginovart Nathalie , Galineau Laurent , Willeit Matthaeus , Mizrahi Romina , Bloomfield Peter M. , Seeman Philip , Houle Sylvain , Kapur Shitij , Wilson Alan A. 
Published: April 2006

Abstract[11C]‐(+)‐PHNO (4‐propyl‐9‐hydroxynaphthoxazine) is a new agonist radioligand that provides a unique opportunity to measure the high‐affinity states of the D2 receptors (D2‐high) using positron emission tomography (PET). Here we report on the distribution, displaceablity, specificity and modeling of [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO and compare it with the well characterized antagonist D2 radioligand, [11C]raclopride, in cat. [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO displayed high uptake in striatum with a mean striatal binding potential (BP) of 3.95 ± 0.85. Pre‐treatment with specific D1 (SCH23390), D2 (raclopride, haloperidol) and D3 receptor (SB‐277011) antagonists indicated that [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO binding in striatum is specific to D2 receptors. Within‐subject comparisons showed that [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO BP in striatum was almost 2.5‐fold higher than that measured with [11C]‐(–)‐NPA ([11C]‐(–)‐N‐propyl‐norapomorphine). Comparison of the dose‐effect of amphetamine (0.1, 0.5 and 2 mg/kg; i.v.) showed that [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO was more sensitive to the dopamine releasing effect of amphetamine than [11C]raclopride. Amphetamine induced up to 83 ± 4% inhibition of [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO BP and only up to 56 ± 8% inhibition of [11C]raclopride BP. Scatchard analyses of [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO and [11C]raclopride bindings in two cats showed that the Bmax obtained with the agonist (29.6 and 32.9 pmol/mL) equalled that obtained with the antagonist (30.6 and 33.4 pmol/mL). The high penetration of [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO in brain, its high signal‐to‐noise ratio, its favorable in vivo kinetics and its high sensitivity to amphetamine shows that [11C]‐(+)‐PHNO has highly suitable characteristics for probing the D2‐high with PET.
Functional analysis of a mammalian odorant receptor subfamily
Authors: Abaffy Tatjana , Matsunami Hiroaki , Luetje Charles W. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractPhylogenetic analysis groups mammalian odorant receptors into two broad classes and numerous subfamilies. These subfamilies are proposed to reflect functional organization. Testing this idea requires an assay allowing detailed functional characterization of odorant receptors. Here we show that a variety of Class I and Class II mouse odorant receptors can be functionally expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Receptor constructs included the N‐terminal 20 residues of human rhodopsin and were co‐expressed with Gαolf and the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator to allow electrophysiological measurement of receptor responses. For most mouse odorant receptors tested, these conditions were sufficient for functional expression. Co‐expression of accessory proteins was required to allow functional surface expression of some mouse odorant receptors. We used this assay to examine the receptive ranges of all members of the mouse odorant receptor 42 (MOR42) subfamily. MOR42‐1 responded to dicarboxylic acids, preferring a 10–12 carbon chain length. MOR42‐2 responded to monocarboxylic acids (7–10 carbons). MOR42‐3 responded to dicarboxylic acids (8–10 carbons) and monocarboxylic acids (10–12 carbons). Thus, the receptive range of each receptor was unique. However, overlap between the individual receptive ranges suggests that the members of this subfamily form one contiguous subfamily receptive range, suggesting that odorant receptor subfamilies do constitute functional units.
Monthly survival of African Sylvia warblers in a seasonally arid tropical environment
Authors: SCHAEFER HANS‐CHRISTIAN , ESHIAMWATA GEORGE W. , MUNYEKENYE FRED B. , GRIEBELER EVA MARIA , BÖHNING‐GAESE KATRIN 
Published: April 2006

Latitudinal gradients of life‐history traits in animals are thought to be shaped by environmental variables. For example, it has been suggested that the increase in avian clutch size from the tropics towards the northern temperate regions is caused by a reduced survival of adult birds in the north due to increasing environmental seasonality. However, the tropical savannahs of East Africa show pronounced seasonality in resources caused by distinct rainy and dry seasons. This raises the question of whether survival and other life‐history traits of birds living in these tropical savannahs are influenced by this seasonality, making them more similar to northern temperate species. We used 2‐year monthly resighting data, a multistate modelling approach and the program MARK to test whether survival, transition probabilities between breeding states and other life‐history traits of two resident Kenyan Sylvia species (Aves: Passeriformes: Sylviidae) are shaped by seasonality of rainfall in their environment. Contradicting our hypotheses, the two species showed only very slight influence of seasonality of rainfall on their survival. Survival in the dry months was hardly lower than in the rainy months. The species in the more seasonal environment (S. boehmi, annual survival 71%) survived as well as the one in the more constant environment (S. lugens, 56%). The observed survival rates correspond well to other life‐history traits of the two species and are of similar magnitude to survival rates of other tropical passerines. This implies that either seasonality is not the driving force behind the life‐history traits of the two species or the birds do not experience their environment as seasonal, as might be suggested by fluctuations in rainfall.
Endogenous anti‐oxidants in pregnancy and preeclampsia
Authors: PERKINS Anthony V. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractOxidative stress has been implicated in a wide variety of diseases and degenerative states including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease and ageing. There is now considerable evidence to suggest that pregnancy leads to the generation of an increased oxidative burden, but whether this overwhelms the anti‐oxidant capacity within the placenta and/or the peripheral circulation remains a point of conjecture. There is little doubt that oxidative stress is a significant contributor in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The use of exogenous anti‐oxidants such as vitamins C and E in the prevention of preeclampsia is the subject of several large clinical trials currently being conducted in many countries around the world. The results of these studies are eagerly awaited, but what of the endogenous anti‐oxidant systems that have evolved to combat the oxidative burden associated with living in an aerobic environment? This review will focus on several important anti‐oxidant enzyme systems, their role in pregnancy and the evidence to suggest that endogenous anti‐oxidants are important in the development of complications of pregnancy such as preeclampsia.
Hormone therapy in the WHI era
Authors: BURGER Henry G. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe announcement in July 2002 in the media of the results of the combined continuous hormone treatment arm of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) had a profound effect on perceptions about hormone therapy among the lay public and the medical profession. Careful scrutiny of the announcement and the subsequent publications leads to the conclusion that the widespread fear of hormone therapy that was generated was not supported by the facts. WHI was not designed to be, nor can it be, interpreted as a randomised controlled trial of menopausal hormone therapy – rather, it was a trial of chronic disease prevention, particularly aimed at the possible cardiovascular benefits of a specific combination hormone therapy in postmenopausal women. The results, which were consistent with existing data, did not and do not warrant any major change in the previously established guidelines for the use of hormone therapy. Tibolone has emerged as an alternative treatment for menopausal symptoms, but its long‐term benefits and risks have yet to be documented.
Subcutaneous sterile water injection for labour pain: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: BAHASADRI Shohreh , AHMADI‐ABHARI Sara , DEHGHANI‐NIK Mojghan , HABIBI Gholam Reza 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground:  About 30% of women experience severe continuous low‐back pain in labour, but limited options are available to reduce this pain especially in developing countries and remote areas.Aims:  To evaluate the efficacy of subcutaneous sterile water injection in reduction of labour pain compared with placebo.Methods:  One hundred (100) consecutive patients were enrolled in a double‐blind randomised controlled trial. During the first stage of labour with planned normal vaginal delivery, the intervention group (n = 50) received 0.5 mL sterile water injected subcutaneously and the control group (n = 50) received normal saline as a placebo. Pain score was measured before and 10 and 45 min after the injection, using the faces rating scale.Main outcome measure:  Low‐back labour pain.Results:  The two groups were not significantly different regarding maternal age and weight, gestational age, parity and gravidity and degree of effacement. The median pain score was equal in both groups prior to the injection. Pain severity was reduced in both groups after the injection. However, the median pain score in the sterile water group was significantly lower than the placebo group 10 min (P < 0.01), as well as 45 min, after the injection (P < 0.01).Conclusion:  Administering one subcutaneous injection of sterile water in a painful point of the lumbosacral area is effective in reducing low‐back pain during labour.
A medical management of interstitial ectopic pregnancy: A 5‐year clinical study
Authors: TANG Amy , BAARTZ David , KHOO Soo Keat 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground:  Medical treatment of the rare interstitial ectopic pregnancy with methotrexate has been considered an alternative to surgical resection.Aim:  To determine the treatment success rate with a single‐dose intravenous methotrexate/folinic acid regimen and to identify predictors of treatment outcome.Methods:  A 5‐year audit (April 2000–August 2005) was carried out, collecting clinical imaging data and serum beta‐human chorionic gonadotrophin (β‐hCG). Time taken for complete β‐hCG resolution was recorded, and a negative β‐hCG result was used as an endpoint of successful outcome.Results:  Of the 13 cases, two required urgent surgery for rupture on presentation. In the remaining 11 cases, intravenous methotrexate (300 mg) was used, with oral folinic acid rescue (15 mg × 4 doses). There were no side‐effects. Complete β‐hCG resolution was achieved in 10 of the 11 medically treated cases (91% success rate), requiring 21–129 days. Successful outcome was seen with initial β‐hCG level as high as 106 634 IU/L and gestation sac as large as 6 cm and a live fetus.Conclusion:  The methotrexate/folinic acid regimen used as a one‐dose treatment is safe and effective for unruptured interstitial pregnancy, with no side‐effects and the advantage of avoiding invasive surgery. Subsequent tubal patency and reproductive function are yet to be ascertained.
Guidelines following hydatidiform mole: A reappraisal
Authors: WIESMA Sabien , KERKMEIJER Linda , BEKKERS Ruud , PYMAN Jan , TAN Jeffrey , QUINN Michael 
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjective:  The aim of this study was to determine how often patients with complete hydatidiform mole (CHM) who spontaneously achieve normal human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) levels subsequently develop persistent or recurrent gestational trophoblast disease.Methods:  Four hundred and fourteen cases of CHM registered at the Hydatidiform Mole Registry of Victoria were reviewed retrospectively after molar evacuation. Maternal age, gestational age, gravidity and parity were determined for each patient, as well as the need for chemotherapy.Results:  Among the 414 patients, 55 (13.3%) required chemotherapy for persistent trophoblastic disease. None of the patients whose hCG levels spontaneously fell to normal subsequently developed persistent molar disease.Conclusion:  Weekly hCG measurements are recommended for all patients until normal levels are achieved. For patients who attain normal hCG levels within 2 months after evacuation, it seems safe to discontinue monitoring once normal levels are achieved. Patients who fail to achieve normal hCG levels by 2 months after evacuation should be monitored with monthly hCG measurements for 1 year after normalisation to assure sustained remission.
Persistent trophoblast disease following partial molar pregnancy
Authors: WIESMA Sabien , KERKMEIJER Linda , BEKKERS Ruud , PYMAN Jan , TAN Jeffrey , QUINN Michael 
Published: April 2006

AbstractObjective:  Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) follow‐up data were analysed retrospectively in all patients registered in the Hydatidiform Mole Registry at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne from January 1992 to January 2001 to determine the risk of persistent trophoblast disease following partial molar pregnancy and to review the present follow‐up protocol of patients suffering from partial hydatidiform molar pregnancy (PHM).Methods:  Demographic factors were determined for all 344 cases with a review diagnosis of PHM, included age, history of previous hydatidiform mole, gestation length, hCG levels and compliance with follow‐up.Findings:  Six of the 344 patients diagnosed with PHM required treatment with single‐agent methotrexate and folinic acid rescue. All six patients achieved and maintained a complete biochemical remission after chemotherapy. hCG regression assays were analysed for 235 patients: 225 patients had at least one normal hCG measurement during follow‐up, of whom 152 (64.7%) patients obtained normal values within 2 months after evacuation. All patients obtained normal levels within 32 weeks after evacuation of the partial hydatidiform mole. Only 63 (25.6%) patients completed the recommended follow‐up program. No patient who achieved normal hCG levels required chemotherapy because of a recurrent gestational trophoblastic tumour.Recommendations:  This study indicates that 1.7% of all partial mole pregnancy patients needed treatment for malignant sequelae. In contrast, no patient diagnosed with partial mole had a biochemical or clinical relapse after achieving normal levels of hCG, consistent with previous studies. Patients who have had a partial hydatidiform mole should be followed by hCG assays until normal levels are achieved and then follow‐up can be safely discontinued.
Vacuum‐assisted delivery: An analysis of traction force and maternal and neonatal outcomes
Authors: VACCA Aldo 
Published: April 2006

AbstractSafety recommendations for vacuum‐assisted delivery focus on limiting the number of pulls and the duration of the procedure. With the introduction of the Kiwi OmniCup vacuum extractor incorporating a Traction Force IndicatorTM, it is now possible to reliably monitor and control the amount of traction force exerted on the fetal scalp. The OmniCup was used in a prospective observational study of 119 vacuum‐assisted deliveries in nulliparous women to establish practical guidelines for safe practice in typical clinical settings.
Do women with polycystic ovary syndrome really have predisposition to atherosclerosis?
Authors: TOPCU Semra , CALISKAN Mustafa , GULLU Hakan , OZCIMEN Emel Ebru , ERDOGAN Dogan , UCKUYU Ayla , ZEYNELOGLU Hulusi , MUDERRISOGLU Haldun 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe elastic properties of the aorta were studied in 28 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and in 26 regularly menstruating healthy women. In PCOS and control groups, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, aortic systolic diameter, aortic diastolic diameter, aortic distensibility, aortic stiffness index, and aortic elastic modulus were similar. It is likely that PCOS does not have any innate adverse effects on the cardiovascular system if its undesirable metabolic consequences are successfully controlled.
Postmenopausal hormone therapy: Who now takes it and do they differ from non‐users?
Authors: TAYLOR Anne W. , MACLENNAN Alastair H. , AVERY Jodie C. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground:  Considerable changes in hormone therapy use have taken place in the last few years.Aims:  To determine current usage of postmenopausal hormone therapy and assess the trend and rate of change in hormone therapy usage over the last 13 years. Additionally, to assess differences between current users and non‐users for health‐related and risk factor variables.Methods:  Questions regarding hormone therapy use have been included in an annual face to face population health survey of South Australians eight times since 1991. In 2004, additional questions on health status and quality of life were included.Results:  In 2004, current use of hormone therapy was 15.4, 19.8 and 31.2% in all women over 40, 50 and 50–59 years, respectively. Ever use of hormone therapy among all women over 50 years was 46.5% with a mean duration of use of 7.46 years. Hormone therapy users did not differ from non‐users in chronic disease indicators, body mass index, complementary medicine or therapist use, other health service use, socioeconomic status or quality of life. Increased hormone therapy use was associated with higher income, better educated, employed and married women in their sixth decade. Current use has varied over the years, with an increase to 2000, but a drop in 2003 and 2004.Conclusion:  Apart from menopausal symptoms, there is no evidence to support differences between users and non‐users in terms of quality of life or health characteristics, requiring more appropriate selection of women for hormone therapy.
Effect of inhaled glucocorticoid treatment on placental 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 activity and neonatal birthweight in pregnancies complicated by asthma
Authors: CLIFTON Vicki L. , RENNIE Natascha , MURPHY Vanessa E. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground:  Asthma is a common disease affecting 12% of Australian women with 55% of women experiencing at least one exacerbation during pregnancy. Exacerbations during pregnancy are associated with low birthweight neonates and stillbirth. One of the main reasons for maternal exacerbations during pregnancy is non‐compliance with inhaled glucocorticoid treatment due to the misconception that inhaled glucocorticoids are harmful to the fetus.Aims and methods:  We have therefore assessed whether the commonly used inhaled glucocorticoids reduce placental glucocorticoid metabolising capacity, by measuring 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β‐HSD‐2) activity. As these treatments potentially increase the exposure of the fetus to the growth‐inhibiting effects of glucocorticoids, we also examined the question of whether inhaled glucocorticoid use was associated with reduced birthweight. Pregnant women using budesonide (n = 18), fluticasone propionate alone (n = 14) and fluticasone propionate in combination with the long‐acting β2 agonist salmeterol (n = 9) were compared to a non‐asthmatic control group (n = 20).Results:  The use of inhaled budesonide was associated with significantly increased placental 11β‐HSD‐2 activity relative to the control group. Inhaled glucocorticoid use for the treatment of asthma was associated with normal birthweight. In the small number of women using combination therapy (fluticasone and salmeterol), there was reduced birthweight compared to the control group.Conclusion:  Inhaled glucocorticoids alone do not adversely affect fetal growth and placental function.
No more surrogate end‐points in randomised trials: The PCOSMIC trial protocol for women with polycystic ovary syndrome using metformin for infertility with clomiphene
Authors: JOHNSON Neil Philip 
Published: April 2006

AbstractCurrent data supporting the effectiveness of metformin as a fertility treatment for women with polycystic ovary syndrome have been misinterpreted. Still unproven for women with polycystic ovary syndrome is, first, whether metformin adds to the standard first‐line fertility management in all women, second, whether metformin is an effective fertility treatment for overweight women, and third, the relative fertility efficacy of metformin and clomiphene citrate as a first‐line treatment in women with a lower body weight. The PCOSMIC (polycystic ovary syndrome: metformin for infertility with clomiphene) trial is an ongoing New Zealand multicentre double‐blind placebo‐controlled parallel randomised trial assessing these questions.
Activin A, hypoxia and the prediction of obstetric outcomes
Authors: TONG Stephen 
Published: April 2006

AbstractOn the back of sheep experiments showing that uterine hypoxia induces a rapid and sustained elevation of fetal activin A levels, we undertook two prospective studies to explore whether this novel observation could be exploited clinically. The first was a prospective labour ward study investigating whether umbilical arterial activin A levels at delivery correlated with either neonatal hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy or pH. Unfortunately, we were unable to demonstrate a link with either, but found that levels were significantly depressed among those who had an emergency Caesarean section, suggesting a possible role in active labour. Second, we investigated the link between activin A and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), a condition of fetoplacental hypoxia, by measuring levels in women presenting for antenatal ultrasound biometry with clinical suspicion of a small baby. We found that, compared to pregnancies with a baby that was small for gestational age (SGA) but otherwise healthy, levels were 2.4 and 8 times higher, respectively, in pregnancies complicated by IUGR, and those complicated by both IUGR and preeclampsia. However, a single blood sample of activin A was unable to distinguish between IUGR and SGA pregnancies with sufficient sensitivity to be clinically useful. Our studies were unable to demonstrate clinical utility for the experimental observation linking activin A and hypoxia.
Molecular profiling of human endometrium during the menstrual cycle
Authors: PONNAMPALAM Anna P. , WESTON Gareth C. , SUSIL Beatrice , ROGERS Peter A. W. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThis summary of the findings of investigations of the changing transcriptional profile of human endometrium during the menstrual cycle shows that it is possible to classify the menstrual cycle based on the global gene expression profile, and identifies groups of known and novel genes that may be associated with different biological processes that occur in the endometrium such as implantation and menstruation.
A possible role for progesterone metabolites in human parturition
Authors: SHEEHAN Penelope M. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThere has been a recent resurgence of interest in the role of progesterone in the maintenance of human pregnancy and the onset of labour, following recent reports of its use to prevent preterm labour in high‐risk patients. One possible mechanism by which progesterone might contribute to uterine quiescence is through the actions of its metabolites. This article provides a brief overview of progesterone in human pregnancy and an outline of progesterone metabolism in the various reproductive tract tissues as well as the evidence for actions of progesterone metabolites in pregnancy.