bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trends in mode of delivery during 1984–2003: can they be explained by pregnancy and delivery complications?
Authors: O’Leary CM , De Klerk N , Keogh J , Pennell C , De Groot J , York L , Mulroy S , Stanley FJ 
Published: May 2007

Objectives  To describe trends in mode of delivery, to identify significant factors which affected mode of delivery, and to describe how these factors and their impact have changed over time.Design  Total population birth cohort.Setting  Western Australia 1984–2003.Participants  The analysis was restricted to all singleton infants delivered at 37–42 weeks of gestation with a cephalic presentation (n= 432 327).Methods  Logistic regression analyses were undertaken to estimate significant independent risk factors separately for elective and emergency caesarean sections compared with vaginal delivery (spontaneous and instrumental), adjusting for potential confounding variables.Main outcome measures  Trends in mode of delivery, demographic factors, and pregnancy and delivery complications. Estimated likelihood of elective caesarean section compared with vaginal delivery and emergency caesarean section compared with vaginal delivery.Results  Between 1984–88 and 1999–2003, the likelihood of women having an elective caesarean section increased by a factor of 2.35 times (95% CI 2.28–2.42) and the likelihood of an emergency caesarean section increased 1.89 times (95% CI 1.83–1.96). These caesarean section rate increases remained even after adjustment for their strong associations with many sociodemographic factors, obstetric risk factors, and obstetric complications. Rates of caesarean section were higher in older mothers, especially those older than 40 years of age (elective caesarean section, OR 5.42 [95% CI 4.88–6.01]; emergency caesarean section, OR 2.67 [95% CI 2.39–2.97]), and in nulliparous women (elective caesarean section, OR 1.54 [95% CI 1.47–1.61]; emergency caesarean section, OR 3.61 [95% CI 3.47–3.76]).Conclusions  Our data show significant changes in mode of delivery in Western Australia from 1984–2003, with an increasing trend in both elective and emergency caesarean section rates that do not appear to be explained by increased risk or indication.
Direct imaging of the pelvic floor muscles using two‐dimensional ultrasound: a comparison of women with urogenital prolapse versus controls
Authors: Athanasiou S , Chaliha C , Toozs‐Hobson P , Salvatore S , Khullar V , Cardozo L 
Published: May 2007

Objective  To evaluate the anatomy of the levator ani muscle in women with urogenital prolapse versus matched controls without prolapse using real‐time two‐dimensional (2‐D) ultrasound.Design  Prospective observational study.Setting  Tertiary referral urogynaecology unit.Population  Forty‐three women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and 24 women (controls) attending a gynaecology clinic without prolapse.Methods  All participants completed a standardised symptom questionnaire.Main outcome measures  The morphology of the vagina and paravaginal tissue was recorded at different levels. The thickness of the levator ani and the hiatal area were measured at rest. Reproducibility of the method was assessed by repeated measurements to assess intra‐observer variability and inter‐observer variability.Results  This method showed good intra‐observer and inter‐observer reproducibility and reliability. In controls, the pubococcygeus muscle showed more regular echogenicity with no evidence of trauma, whereas in women with prolapse the muscle had mixed echogenicity. (P= 0.002). The mean thickness of the pubococcygeus did not differ between groups. The levator hiatal area was significantly larger in women with pelvic floor prolapse versus controls (17.8 cm2 versus 13.5 cm2, P < 0.001). This increase in hiatal area positively and significantly correlated with prolapse severity (P < 0.001).Conclusions  Morphology and hiatal area can be reliably imaged using 2‐D ultrasound. Prolapse was related to changes in pelvic floor morphology and increased levator hiatal area. The use of 2‐D ultrasound provides an important insight into the pathophysiology of prolapse.
Yeast apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease Apn1 protects mammalian neuronal cell line from oxidative stress
Authors: Ho Renee , Rachek Lyudmila I. , Xu Yi , Kelley Mark R. , LeDoux Susan P. , Wilson Glenn L. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractReactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated as one of the agents responsible for many neurodegenerative diseases. A critical target for ROS is DNA. Most oxidative stress‐induced DNA damage in the nucleus and mitochondria is removed by the base excision repair pathway. Apn1 is a yeast enzyme in this pathway which possesses a wider substrate specificity and greater enzyme activity than its mammalian counterpart for removing DNA damage, making it a good therapeutic candidate. For this study we targeted Apn1 to mitochondria in a neuronal cell line derived from the substantia nigra by using a mitochondrial targeting signal (MTS) in an effort to hasten the removal of DNA damage and thereby protect these cells. We found that following oxidative stress, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was repaired more efficiently in cells containing Apn1 with the MTS than controls. There was no difference in nuclear repair. However, cells that expressed Apn1 without the MTS showed enhanced repair of both nuclear and mtDNA. Both Apn1‐expressing cells were more resistant to cell death following oxidative stress compared with controls. Therefore, these results reveal that the expression of Apn1 in neurons may be of potential therapeutic benefit for treating patients with specific neurodegenerative diseases.
Plasma serotonin levels and the platelet serotonin transporter
Authors: Brenner B. , Harney J. T. , Ahmed B. A. , Jeffus B. C. , Unal R. , Mehta J. L. , Kilic F. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractSerotonin (5HT) is a platelet‐stored vasoconstrictor. Altered concentrations of circulating 5HT are implicated in several pathologic conditions, including hypertension. The actions of 5HT are mediated by different types of receptors and terminated by a single 5HT transporter (SERT). Therefore, SERT is a major mechanism that regulates plasma 5HT levels to prevent vasoconstriction and thereby secure a stable blood flow. In this study, the response of platelet SERT to the plasma 5HT levels was examined within two models: (i) in subjects with chronic hypertension or normotension; (ii) on platelets isolated from normotensive subjects and pretreated with 5HT at various concentrations. The platelet 5HT uptake rates were lower during hypertension due to a decrease in Vmax with a similar Km; also, the decrease in Vmax was primarily due to a decrease in the density of SERT on the platelet membrane, with no change in whole cell expression. Additionally, while the platelet 5HT content decreased 33%, the plasma 5HT content increased 33%. Furthermore, exogenous 5HT altered the 5HT uptake rates by changing the density of SERT molecules on the plasma membrane in a biphasic manner. Therefore, we hypothesize that in a hypertensive state, the elevated plasma 5HT levels induces a loss in 5HT uptake function in platelets via a decrease in the density of SERT molecules on the plasma membrane. Through the feedback effect of this proposed mechanism, plasma 5HT controls its own concentration levels by modulating the uptake properties of platelet SERT.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in Dendrobium officinale, an endangered herb endemic to China
Authors: GU S. , DING X. Y. , WANG Y. , ZHOU Q. , DING G. , LI X. X. , QIAN L. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAs an invaluable herb, Dendrobium officinale has been in severe danger since 1950 because of human exploitation and habitat deterioration. In order to investigate the genetic diversity and structure of this species, we isolated and characterized 12 microsatellite loci derived from two microsatellite‐enriched libraries. Twenty‐two individuals from Leye population were analysed. These loci were polymorphic and displayed three to 12 alleles per locus. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.150 to 0.624 and from 0.162 to 0.605, respectively. These are the first microsatellite loci characterized from D. officinale that will contribute to research on the conservation, genetic diversity, population structure and individual authentication.
Eight microsatellite loci in Clark's anemonefish, Amphiprion clarkii
Authors: LIU SHANG‐YIN VANSON , YU HON‐TSEN , DAI CHANG‐FENG 
Published: May 2007

AbstractTo determine the genetic relationship between different colour morphs (orange and black morphs) of Clark's anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii) in Taiwan, we isolated eight polymorphic microsatellite loci. A large number of alleles (range, 6–30), and high levels of observed heterozygosity (range, 0.1231–0.8358) were resolved in 71 individuals from two populations, indicating that these markers should be useful in assessing the relationship between the two colour morphs of A. clarkii.
Real‐time PCR quantification of Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) B‐biotype remains in predator guts
Authors: ZHANG GUI‐FEN , LÜ ZHI‐CHUANG , WAN FANG‐HAO , LÖVEI GÁBOR L. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) B‐biotype, is fed on by a wide variety of generalist predators, but there is little information on these predator–prey interactions, especially under field conditions. In this study, a real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed to quantify B. tabaci B‐biotype remains in predator gut. The B. tabaci B‐biotype genomic DNA copy number was referred to the actual amount of BT1 isolate, the B. tabaci B‐biotype specific DNA fragment. The numbers of BT1 isolate in one B. tabaci B‐biotype egg, individual adult and a single red‐eyed nymph were 2.56 × 103, 2.56 × 104, and 1.29 × 104 copies, respectively. When Propylaea japonica adults fed on one, two, four, eight or 16 red‐eyed nymphs, the detected numbers of BT1 isolate ranged from 2.77 × 104 to 4.05 × 105 copies, forming a strong linear relationship (R2 = 0.9899). Following the consumption of two red‐eyed nymphs, prey DNA was detectable in 100% of P. japonica at t = 0, decreasing to 80.0% and 60.0% after 1–4 h and 8 h of digestion, respectively, with 3.36 × 104–1.25 × 103 BT1 isolate copies. The predation by field‐collected predators, 26 larvae of P. japonica, and of Harmonia axyridis each, Chrysopa spp. larvae (Chrysopa pallens and C. formosa, 18 individuals in total), and a single adult of Scymnus hoffmanni, 19 adults of Orius sauteri and nine adult spiders (Erigonnidium graminicolum and Neoscona doenitzi), on B. tabaci B‐biotype were quantified. Of the 99 analysed predator individuals, 3.65 × 102–4.60 × 105 copies of BT1 isolate, equivalent to 0.8–18.8 red‐eyed nymphs were detected. These results suggest that TaqMan real‐time PCR technology may provide a rapid and sensitive method for quantifying B. tabaci B‐biotype remains in predator guts and will be invaluable in assessing the food web relationship between prey and arthropod predators.
Development of polymorphic microsatellite from RAPD bands of black sea bream Acanthopagrus schlegeli
Authors: LIU Y. G. , LIU L. X. , LI Z. X. , GAO A. Y. , LIN H. , LI B. F. , WANG D. F. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractEight pairs of simple sequence repeat markers were developed from random amplified polymorphic DNA product in black sea bream Acanthopagrus schlegeli. Twenty microsatellites were selected for designing microsatellite primers, of which eight gave working primer pairs. They had between three and seven alleles. Observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.65 to 0.90, and from 0.58 to 0.82, respectively. Eight additional fish species assessed for cross‐species amplification revealed between two and five positive amplifications and between zero and three polymorphic loci per species.
Microalgal mediation of ripple mobility
Authors: FRIEND P. L. , LUCAS C. H. , HOLLIGAN P. M. , COLLINS M. B. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThe interaction between physical and biological factors responsible for the cessation of ripple migration on a sandy intertidal flat was examined during a microalgal bloom period in late winter/early spring, as part of a wider study into the biostabilisation of intertidal sediments. Ripple positions and ripple geometry were monitored, and surface sediment was sampled, at weekly intervals over a 5‐week period. Ripples remained in the same position for at least 4 weeks, during which time there was a progressive reduction in bedform height (smoothing) and deposition of some 1.5 cm sediment, mainly in the ripple troughs (surface levelling). The mean chlorophyll a (chl a) sediment content was 6.0 µg gDW−1 (DW: dry weight) (0–1 mm depth fraction), with a maximum value of 7.4 µg gDW−1 half way through the bloom. Mean colloidal‐S carbohydrate (S: saline extraction) content was 131 µg GE gDW−1 (GE: glucose equivalent) (0–1 mm), with a maximum of 261 µg GE gDW−1 towards the end of the bloom. Important accessory pigments were peridinin (indicative of dinophytes) and fucoxanthin (diatoms). Stepwise multiple regression showed that peridinin was the best predictor of chl a. For the first time, in situ evidence for the mediation of (wave) ripple migration by microalgae is provided. Results indicate that diatoms, and quite possibly dinophytes, can have a significant effect on intertidal flat ripple mobility on a temporal scale of weeks. In addition, microalgal effects appear capable of effecting a reduction in bed roughness on a spatial scale of up to 10−2 m, with a subsequent reduction in bottom stress and bed erodability. It is suggested that a unique combination of environmental conditions, in conjunction with the microalgal bloom(s), promoted the initial cessation of ripple movement, and that stationary‐phase, diatom‐derived extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) (and possibly dinophyte‐derived EPS) may have prolonged the condition. It is reasonable to suppose that ripple stabilisation by similar processes may have contributed to ripple mark preservation in the geological record. A conceptual model of sandy intertidal flat processes is presented, illustrating two conditions: (i) a low EPS/microalgae sediment content with low ripple stabilisation and preservation potential; and (ii) a high EPS/microalgae content with higher preservation potential.
Dehydration does not influence cardiovascular reactivity to behavioural stress in young healthy humans
Authors: Schwabe Lars , Szinnai Gabor , Keller Ulrich , Schachinger Hartmut 
Published: May 2007

SummaryEnhanced hydration increases the human cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress. If reduced water intake has the opposite effect, this would suggest controlling for water deprivation when studying such responses. Blood pressure, heart rate and parasympathetically dominated beat‐to‐beat heart rate fluctuations were assessed during resting baseline and mental stress. Two challenging cognitive‐motor tasks, a 5‐Choice Reaction Time Task (CRTT) and a Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT), served as mental stress tests. Eight female and eight male volunteers were examined twice, after 24 h of water deprivation and after normal water intake (counterbalanced order, 7‐day interval). Water deprivation resulted in moderate dehydration with a mean 2·6% decrease of total body weight. Dehydration did neither affect baseline blood pressure, heart rate, nor blood pressure reactivity to mental stress. However, dehydration slightly (−1·2 bpm) diminished heart rate reactivity to the PASAT (P = 0·03) and increased beat‐to‐beat heart rate fluctuations in response to the CRTT (P = 0·05). Dehydration intensified CRTT‐ and PASAT‐induced reductions of beat‐to‐beat heart rate fluctuations in females (gender × dehydration interactions: P = 0·04–0·05). Moderate dehydration induced by water restriction has no effect on blood pressure reactivity to mental stress. The effects on heart rate reactivity are small. However, stress‐induced parasympathetic withdrawal may be fortified during dehydration in females, which suggests controlling for water intake when studying such responses.
High‐resolution CT pulmonary findings in idiopathic ankylosing spondylitis: correlations with clinical assessment, plain chest X‐ray and pulmonary function tests
Authors: ZAKI Samia , EL‐HADIDI Khaled , SAMI Hani , EMAD Yasser 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim:  The aim of this study is to evaluate pulmonary manifestations of ankylosing spondylitis on high‐resolution computed tomography (CT) scan and to correlate these findings with clinical assessment, plain chest X‐ray and pulmonary function tests.Methods:  The study comprised 32 patients (26 males [81.3%], 6 females [18.8%]) who met the modified New York criteria for diagnosis of idiopathic ankylosing spondylitis; in addition 10 normal subjects not complaining of any respiratory symptoms and matched for age and sex served as a control group. All patients were subjected to full history‐taking, full clinical examination, chest X‐ray, high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) chest and pulmonary function tests.Results:  The abnormalities on HRCT included evidence of apical lung fibrosis in two patients (6.3%), interstitial lung disease in six (18.8%), minor interstitial abnormalities in eight (25%), bronchiectasis in four (12.5%), lung nodules in three (6.3%) and pleural thickening in five patients (6.3%). Nine patients (28.1%) showed negative findings by chest X‐ray which revealed positive findings on HRCT. Five patients (15.6%) showed positive findings on both HRCT and plain chest X‐ray, and 18 patients (56.3%) showed no findings on both HRCT and chest X‐ray. Four patients (12.5%) showed normal pulmonary function tests, 25 (78.13%) showed restrictive pattern, 17 (53.13%) had obstructive pattern and 26 patients (81.3%) had diffusion defects.Conclsuion:  The identification of non‐apical minor basal interstitial lung disease in our study which was previously reported in other studies, raises a possible association to ankylosing spondylitis. High‐resolution CT scan is more sensitive than chest X‐rays in detection of such minor interstitial lung disease (ILD), and other parenchymal lung changes.
Aggressive autoimmune hepatitis in a case of mixed connective tissue disease
Authors: EMAD Y. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe association of autoimmune hepatitis and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) has rarely been described in the literature. We report a 16‐year‐old female patient with established diagnosis of MCTD who developed autoimmune hepatitis in 2006 1 year after her disease onset. The diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis in our case was based on elevated liver enzymes, positive anti‐nuclear antibody, positive anti‐smooth muscle antibody (ASMA), positive liver‐kidney microsomal antibody (anti–LKM‐1) and negative virology screening tests for viral hepatitis. The patient as successfully treated with steroid and azathioprin.
A study on caudal epidural analgesia for lowback pain/sciatica
Authors: SARAVANA Shanmugam , GILLOTT Tim 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim:  We performed a small study to examine the efficacy of caudal epidural analgesia in our patients with lumbosacral radicular pain, to assess the patient's tolerance of the procedure and to assess the willingness of patients to have the procedure repeated in future if offered.Method:  Patients with low back pain/sciatica being examined by rheumatology consultants were selected for caudal epidural injection. The procedure was done in the rheumatology ward as a day procedure. Bupivacaine 0.25% (15–25 mL) and triamcinolone (40 mg) were used.Results:  The majority of patients found improvement in pain. We did not come across any major side effects. A majority of patients were willing to have further injections.Conclusion:  Caudal epidural analgesia for sciatica and low back pain is a relatively safe and straightforward procedure.
Origin and mechanical significance of honeycomb garnet in high‐pressure metasedimentary rocks from the Tauern Window, Eastern Alps
Authors: HAWKINS A. T. , SELVERSTONE J. , BREARLEY A. J. , BEANE R. J. , KETCHAM R. A. , CARLSON W. D. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractHigh‐pressure schists (2–2.5 GPa) from the Eclogite Zone in the Tauern Window contain honeycomb garnet in which fine webs of garnet surround strain‐free quartz ± carbonate grains. High‐resolution X‐ray computed tomography shows that the garnet webs form a cellular structure that coats all surfaces of the inclusions. Electron backscatter diffraction analysis shows that the garnet cells are crystallographically continuous with more massive garnet regions, and that the quartz ± carbonate inclusions have random orientations; in contrast, matrix quartz exhibits a prominent crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO). High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy shows few dislocations in either the garnet or the inclusion quartz. Most honeycomb garnet is chemically homogeneous, but some displays asymmetric core–rim zoning. Taken together, these observations are most consistent with formation of the garnet sheets via precipitation from a wetting fluid along quartz–quartz grain boundaries, or possibly via wholesale precipitation of garnet + quartz ± carbonate from a fluid. In either case, a silicate‐rich aqueous fluid must have been present. The likelihood that a fully wetting fluid existed at high pressure has important implications for rheology during subduction of metasedimentary rocks: strain may be accommodated by grain rotation and sliding in an aqueous silicate slurry, rather than via dislocation creep mechanisms at high pressures. The absence of a CPO in early quartz may thus point to involvement of a pervasive grain‐boundary fluid rather than requiring low differential stresses during subduction.
Nassella pulchra Survival and Water Relations Depend More on Site Productivity Than on Small‐Scale Disturbance
Authors: Lombardo Keith , Fehmi Jeffrey S. , Rice Kevin J. , Laca Emilio A. 
Published: May 2007

Abstract We found no significant effect (p > 0.38) of clipping surrounding non‐native annuals on the performance or survival of plantings of the native Nassella pulchra. However, the preplanting productivity of the three sites had a significant effect (p < 0.001) on the demography and water relations of Nassella. Survival was 85% on the lowest productivity site and it decreased by 6% for each additional 100 kg in average aboveground productivity between 2,400 and 3,600 kg/ha. Plants experienced greater water stress in higher productivity sites. Together, these results suggest that the original habitat of N. pulchra may have been in more marginal ecological sites rather than the more fertile soils of the Central Valley.