bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is there any link between severe pre‐eclampsia and defined polymorphisms in leptin and adiponectin genes?
Authors: Bienertová‐Vašků Julie , Dostálová Zuzana , Kaňková Kateřina , Bienert Petr , Vašků Anna , Unzeitig Vít 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAim:  The pathophysiology of pre‐eclampsia, one of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide, still remains unclear. Recently, it has been suggested that impaired regulation of complex interactions among various adipokines plays an important role in the development of pre‐eclampsia. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the two common polymorphisms of the leptin (LEP) and adiponectin (APM1) genes are associated with the development of pre‐eclampsia and its related traits (gestational hypertension, proteinuria and various measures of reduced fetal growth ) in the Czech pre‐eclamptic population.Methods:  The case–control study comprised a total of 123 pre‐eclamptic women and 150 healthy controls of similar age and parity distribution. They were genotyped for the LEP −2548G/A (5′‐untranslated region) and APM1 T94G (exon 2) polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction.Results:  The allele frequency of the LEP −2548G polymorphism was 0.541 in the pre‐eclamptic group versus 0.583 in the control group (P = 0.578); the frequency of the APM1 94G polymorphism was 0.073 and 0.079 (P = 0.628), respectively. No significant associations were detected between either of the two single nucleotide polymorphisms or any of the parameter biomarkers related to pre‐eclampsia, such as gestational hypertension or proteinuria. However, the APM1 T94G polymorphism was significantly associated with a low birth weight in pre‐eclamptic pregnancies, with mothers carrying the T‐allele having an almost three‐fold increase in the likelihood of giving birth to a child with a low birth weight for its gestational age (odds ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 0.18–5.9; P = 0.004).Conclusions:  The APM1 T94G and LEP −2548G/A polymorphisms do not seem to be major genetic determinants of susceptibility to pre‐eclampsia in the Czech Caucasian population. However, evidence has been provided for possible APM1 T94G involvement in controlling the birth weight of children from pre‐eclamptic pregnancies, thus supporting the hypothesis of T94G involvement in controlling the birth weight of newborns.
Meydanli Compression Suture: New surgical procedure for postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony associated with abnormal placental adherence
Authors: Meydanli Mehmet Mutlu , Türkçüoğlu Ilgın , Engin‐Üstün Yaprak , Üstün Yusuf , Kafkasli Ayşe 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAim:  To inform about the clinical results of a new uterine compression suture technique used in the surgical management of postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony associated with abnormal placental adherence.Methods:  Postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony associated with abnormal placental adherence was diagnosed in seven out of 1819 (0.38%) cesarean sections performed between January 2004 and February 2007, and a new uterine compression suture technique was used for surgical management. Age, parity, gestational age and cesarean section indications, amount of transfusion performed, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and number of patients in whom the uterus was preserved were evaluated.Results:  The mean age of the cases was 30.5 ± 3.7 (24–35) years. Cesarean indications were previous cesarean section plus placenta previa totalis in three cases (43%), previous cesarean section in two cases (29%), a twin pregnancy as a result of in vitro fertilization–embryo transfer in one case (14%) and preterm premature rupture of membranes in one case (14%). Six out of seven cases (85%) were successfully treated with the Meydanli compression suture and the uterus was preserved.Conclusion:  The Meydanli compression suture seems to be a simple, quickly applicable and safe uterine compression suture technique, which decreases maternal mortality and peripartum hysterectomy rates.
Cigarette smoking and glutathione S‐transferase M1 polymorphism associated with risk for uterine cervical cancer
Authors: Nishino Koji , Sekine Masayuki , Kodama Shoji , Sudo Norihito , Aoki Yoichi , Seki Nao , Tanaka Kenichi 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAim:  To elucidate the role of tobacco smoking and polymorphisms of carcinogen metabolism genes in cervical carcinogenesis.Methods:  We analyzed genotypes of nine genes, 11 polymorphisms encoding carcinogen metabolizing enzymes, information on smoking, and the presence of human papillomavirus in 124 Japanese cervical cancer patients and 125 healthy controls.Results:  The incidence of human papillomavirus infection (95.5% vs 9.9%; P < 0.001; odds ratio (OR), 231.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 57.17–941.22), and smoking (41.1% vs 18.4%; P < 0.001; OR, 3.40; 95% CI, 1.88–6.17) were both significantly higher in patients than in controls. The genotype distributions of CYP1A1, CYP2E1, CYP2A6, NQO1, NAT2, mEH, MPO and GSTT1 genes were not statistically different; however, the ratio of the GSTM1 null genotype was significantly higher in patients than in controls (62.1% vs 47.2%; P = 0.019; OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.11–3.04). The incidence of GSTM1 null was significantly higher in the non‐smoking group (63.0% vs 47.1%; P = 0.038; OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.04–3.54), and not in the smoking group (60.8% vs 47.8%; P = 0.300; OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 0.63–4.56).Conclusions:  In the current study, risk factors for developing cervical cancer were tobacco smoking and GSTM1 null; however, no association was observed between these two factors. We could not prove that smoking–GSTM1 null interaction was responsible for the increase in cervical cancer among young Japanese, and further studies with more detailed smoking status, not only active but passive smoking, will be required.
Possible risk factor for postmenopausal women: Postprandial hypertriglyceridemia
Authors: Yoshikata Remi , Miyahara Yuko , Onoe Yoshiko , Okano Hiroya , Ohta Hiroaki 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAim:  To explore the clinical implications of postprandial hypertriglyceridemia in postmenopausal Japanese women.Methods:  Postprandial blood samples were collected from 91 women at their initial visit, with fasting blood samples collected within the following month to examine their lipid profiles. These women were grouped into normotriglyceridemia (fasting/postprandial triglycerides [TG] < 150; n = 36), mild postprandial hypertriglyceridemia (fasting TG < 150, postprandial TG ≥ 150, <225; n = 27), moderate postprandial hypertriglyceridemia (fasting TG < 150, postprandial TG ≥ 225; n = 19) and hypertriglyceridemia (fasting TG ≥ 150; n = 9) by using 225 mg/dL as the cut‐off value for postprandial hypertriglyceridemia.Results:  The subjects were 54.1 ± 7.8 years old; their duration of menopause, 6.0 ± 7.7 years; body mass index, 21.4 ± 4.0 kg/m2; postprandial TG concentration, 189 ± 110 mg/dL; and fasting TG concentration, 109 ± 50 mg/dL. Approximately 50% (n = 46) of the women had normal fasting TG (fasting TG < 150), but high postprandial TG (postprandial TG ≥ 150). Approximately 10% (n = 9) of the women had hypertriglyceridemia (fasting TG ≥ 150 mg/dL). In those with postprandial hypertriglyceridemia (n = 46), postprandial TG negatively correlated with high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), while fasting TG showed no such correlation with HDL‐C.Conclusion:  Postprandial TG may provide a better understanding of lipid metabolism in postmenopausal women.
Comparison of maternal and newborn outcomes of Tibetan and Han Chinese delivering in Lhasa, Tibet
Authors: Miller Suellen , Tudor Carrie , Thorsten Vanessa , Nyima  , Sonam  , Droyoung  , Wright Linda , Varner Michael 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAim:  To compare maternal and neonatal outcomes of Tibetan and Han Chinese women delivering vaginally at high altitude (3650 meters) in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.Method:  Comparative analysis of data from a prospective observational study of Tibetan (n = 938) and Han Chinese (n = 146) women delivering at three hospitals between January 2004 and May 2005.Results:  Han Chinese women had higher rates of pre‐eclampsia/gestational hypertension than Tibetan women, (10.3% vs 5.9%, P = 0.04). There was no difference in rates of postpartum hemorrhage between Tibetan and Han women (12.8% vs 17.1%, P = 0.15). Han newborns weighed significantly less than Tibetan newborns (P < 0.01), and were twice as likely to be small for gestational age, (24.5% vs 11.6%, P < 0.01). Tibetan newborns were less likely to have poor neonatal outcomes than Han newborns (P < 0.01).Conclusion:  In high altitude deliveries in Tibet, adverse outcomes were significantly more common among Han Chinese.
Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for surgical intervention of ovarian torsion
Authors: Lo Liang‐Ming , Chang Shuenn‐Dhy , Horng Shang‐Gwo , Yang Ting‐Yu , Lee Chyi‐Long , Liang Ching‐Chung 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAim:  To review the clinical manifestations of ovarian torsion (OT) and to compare the surgical results between laparoscopy and laparotomy.Methods:  From 1997 to 2006, data on 179 patients admitted to a medical center with surgically proven OT were collected. We compared patients' symptom presentations, objective findings and surgical outcomes between patients who underwent laparotomy and those who received laparoscopy, and between patients admitted via the emergency room and those via the outpatient department.Results:  The most common symptom and sign was pelvic pain (82.1%), followed by nausea and vomiting (49.7%), elevated white blood count (20.1%), lower urinary tract symptoms (14.5%) and fever (7.8%). An adnexal or pelvic mass could be detected using gynecological ultrasound in almost all of the patients (98.3%). Ovarian torsion was considered among the admission differential diagnoses in 51.4% of patients. One hundred and five patients (58.7%) seen in the emergency room were more likely to present with nausea and vomiting, sudden pain onset and peritoneal signs than those seen in the outpatient department. Patients undergoing laparoscopy had a smaller sized ovarian mass; they were less likely to require oophorectomy; they had a shorter hospital stay; and fewer of them suffered from postoperative fever compared to patients undergoing laparotomy. Discriminant analysis showed that mass size was the single determining factor for choice of operating methods.Conclusion:  The diagnosis of OT is missed in half of the patients because clinical features are unspecific and objective findings are uncommon. The laparoscopy procedure for ovarian conservation is recommended to treat patients suffering from OT owing to its shorter hospital stay, fewer postoperative complications and ovarian preservation.
Extended secondhand tobacco smoke exposure induces plasticity in nucleus tractus solitarius second‐order lung afferent neurons in young guinea pigs
Authors: Sekizawa Shin‐Ichi , Chen Chao‐Yin , Bechtold Andrea G. , Tabor Jocelyn M. , Bric John M. , Pinkerton Kent E. , Joad Jesse P. , Bonham Ann C. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractInfants and young children experiencing extended exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) have an increased occurrence of asthma, as well as increased cough, wheeze, mucus production and airway hyper‐reactivity. Plasticity in lung reflex pathways has been implicated in causing these symptoms, as have changes in substance P‐related mechanisms. Using whole‐cell voltage‐clamp recordings and immunohistochemistry in brainstem slices containing anatomically identified second‐order lung afferent nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) neurons, we determined whether extended SHS exposure during the equivalent period of human childhood modified evoked or spontaneous excitatory synaptic transmission, and whether those modifications were altered by endogenous substance P. SHS exposure enhanced evoked synaptic transmission between sensory afferents and the NTS second‐order neurons by eliminating synaptic depression of evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (eEPSCs), an effect reversed by the neurokinin‐1‐receptor antagonist (SR140333). The recruitment of substance P in enhancing evoked synaptic transmission was further supported by an increased number of substance P‐expressing lung afferent central terminals synapsing onto the second‐order lung afferent neurons. SHS exposure did not change background spontaneous EPSCs. The data suggest that substance P in the NTS augments evoked synaptic transmission of lung sensory input following extended exposure to a pollutant. The mechanism may help to explain some of the exaggerated respiratory responses of children exposed to SHS.
Involvement of T‐type Ca2+channels in the potentiation of synaptic and visual responses during the critical period in rat visual cortex
Authors: Yoshimura Yumiko , Inaba Mie , Yamada Kazumasa , Kurotani Tohru , Begum Tahamina , Reza Faruque , Maruyama Takuro , Komatsu Yukio 
Published: July 2008

AbstractNeocortical neuronal circuits are refined by experience during the critical period of early postnatal life. The shift of ocular dominance in the visual cortex following monocular deprivation has been intensively studied to unravel the mechanisms underlying the experience‐dependent modification. Synaptic plasticity is considered to be involved in this process. We previously showed in layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons of rat visual cortex that low‐frequency stimulation‐induced long‐term potentiation (LTP) at excitatory synapses, which requires the activation of Ni2+‐sensitive (R‐type or T‐type) voltage‐gated Ca2+channels (VGCCs) for induction, shared a similar age and experience dependence with ocular dominance plasticity. In this study, we examined whether this LTP is involved in ocular dominance plasticity. In visual cortical slices, LTP was blocked by mibefradil, kurtoxin andR‐(−)‐efonidipine, T‐type VGCC blockers, but not by SNX‐482, an R‐type VGCC blocker, indicating that LTP induction requires T‐type VGCC activation. Mibefradil did not affect synaptic transmission even at a dose about 30 times higher than that required for LTP blockade. Therefore, this drug was used to test the effect of T‐type VGCC blockade on ocular dominance shift produced by 6 days of monocular deprivation during the critical period using visual evoked potentials (VEPs). Although this monocular deprivation commonly produced both depression of deprived eye responses and potentiation of nondeprived eye responses, only the former change occurred when mibefradil was infused into the visual cortex during monocular deprivation. Mibefradil infusion produced no acute effects on VEPs. These results suggest that T‐type VGCC‐dependent LTP contributes to the experience‐dependent enhancement of visual responses.
Correction of statistical miscalculation slightly alters conclusions about diversity effects for Douglass et al. (2008)
Authors: Douglass James G. , Duffy J. Emmett , Bruno John F. , Gilchrist George W. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWhile most of the conclusions about diversity effects in Douglass, J.G., Duffy, J.E. & Bruno, J.F. [Ecol. Lett., 11, 2008, 1] are upheld, correction of a statistical miscalculation indicates that grazer diversity and predator diversity had combined effects on responses, but did not have interactive effects as initially reported.
ColRS two‐component system prevents lysis of subpopulation of glucose‐grown Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Putrinš Marta , Ilves Heili , Kivisaar Maia , Hõrak Rita 
Published: July 2008

SummaryColRS two‐component system is well conserved in pseudomonads, but its exact role has remained obscure. Here, we report that Pseudomonas putida deficient in ColR experiences serious carbon source‐specific stress that leads to the lysis of a subpopulation of bacteria growing on solid glucose medium. We observed that on glucose medium colR‐deficient bacteria aggregated, produced a Congo Red‐binding substance and had enhanced membrane permeability. Detection of a large amount of cytoplasmic β‐galactosidase and other proteins as well as chromosomal DNA in the growth medium of a colR mutant indicated that cell lysis took place if ColR was absent. Investigation of colony morphology revealed concavities in the centre of the colonies of colR mutant suggesting that cell lysis occurred mainly in the areas of the highest cell density. Analysis of bacteria at a single cell level by flow cytometry showed that population of glucose‐grown colR‐deficient cells was heterogeneous. In addition to the wild type‐like population, we detected a subpopulation of cells with damaged membrane permeable to propidium iodide. Interestingly, inactivation of oprB1 encoding a glucose porin eliminated the cell lysis as well as autoaggregation and membrane leakiness of a colR mutant indicating that glucose influx could be responsible for membrane stress in the absence of ColRS system.
Searching for new morphological characters in the systematics of scleractinian reef corals: comparison of septal teeth and granules between Atlantic and Pacific Mussidae
Authors: Budd Ann F. , Stolarski Jarosław 
Published: July 2008

AbstractRecent molecular analyses have challenged the traditional classification of scleractinian corals at all taxonomic levels suggesting that new morphological characters are needed. Here we tackle this problem for the family Mussidae, which is polyphyletic. Most of its members belong to two molecular clades composed of: (1) Atlantic Mussidae and Faviidae (exceptMontastraea) and (2) Pacific Mussidae (Cynarina,Lobophyllia,Scolymia,Symphyllia) and Pectiniidae. Other Pacific mussids (e.g.Acanthastrea) belong to additional clades. To discover new characters that would better serve as phylogenetic markers, we compare the skeletal morphology of mussid genera in different molecular‐based clades. Three sets of characters are considered: (1) macromorphology (budding; colony form; size and shape of corallites; numbers of septal cycles), (2) micromorphology (shapes and distributions of septal teeth and granules), and (3) microstructure (arrangement of calcification centres and thickening deposits within costosepta). Although most traditional macromorphological characters exhibit homoplasy, several new micromorphological characters are effective at distinguishing clades, including the shapes and distribution of septal teeth and granules, the area between teeth, and the development of thickening deposits. Arrangements of calcification centres and fibres differ among clades, but the fine‐scale structure of thickening deposits does not.
Nitrofurantoin: the return of an old friend in the wake of growing resistance
Authors: Kashanian James , Hakimian Payam , Blute Michael , Wong Jean , Khanna Himmansh , Wise Gilbert , Shabsigh Ridwan 
Published: July 2008

OBJECTIVETo re‐evaluate the first‐ and second‐line therapies for treating uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI), as although fluoroquinolones are commonly used for this purpose, its level of use is thought to be inappropriately excessive and will eventually have a detrimental impact; thus we hypothesise that nitrofurantoin might be the best choice for this indication, due to its low frequency of use and its high susceptibility rate in common UTI pathogens.MATERIALS AND METHODSWe retrospectively analysed antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of urinary isolates from 2003 to 2007, taken from a community‐based institutional hospital in Brooklyn, NY, USA.RESULTSIn all, 10 417 cultures grewEscherichia colifrom 2003 to 2007. Overall, from 2003 to 2007, 95.6% ofE. coliurine isolates were susceptible to nitrofurantoin, with an average 2.3% resistance rate. By contrast,E. coliuropathogens had a mean 75.6% and 75.9% susceptibility and 24.2% and 24% resistance rate to both ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, respectively. Co‐trimoxazole (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole; ‘TMP/SMX’) had a mean 29% resistance rate toE. coliover the same 5‐year period.CONCLUSIONSWe consider that nitrofurantoin is a good fluoroquinolone‐sparing alternative to co‐trimoxazole; this study shows that nitrofurantoin is bactericidal to a mean of 95% ofE. coliUTIs. Nitrofurantoin also has a resistance rate of 2.3%, by contrast to the quinolones (ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin), with resistant rates of ≈24%, and Co‐trimoxazole, with a resistant rate of 29%. Nitrofurantoin is an acceptable treatment for uncomplicated UTIs and should now be considered the first‐line treatment. A reconsideration of UTI treatment guidelines might now be appropriate.
Developing an approach to defining the potential distributions of invasive plant species: a case study of Hakea species in South Africa
Authors: Le Maitre David C. , Thuiller Wilfried , Schonegevel Lucille 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTAim  Models of the potential distributions of invading species have to deal with a number of issues. The key one is the high likelihood that the absence of an invading species in an area is a false absence because it may not have invaded that area yet, or that it may not have been detected. This paper develops an approach for screening pseudo‐absences in a way that is logical and defensible.Innovation  The step‐wise approach involves: (1) screening environmental variables to identify those most likely to indicate conditions where the species cannot invade; (2) identifying and selecting the most likely limiting variables; (3) using these to define the limits of its invasion potential; and (4) selecting points outside these limits as true absence records for input into species distribution models.This approach was adopted and used for the study of three prominent Hakea species in South Africa. Models with and without the false absence records were compared. Two rainfall variables and the mean minimum temperature of the coldest month were the strongest predictors of potential distributions. Models which excluded false absences predicted that more of the potential distribution would have a high invasion potential than those which included them.Main conclusions  The approach of applying a priori knowledge can be useful in refining the potential distribution of a species by excluding pseudo‐absence records which are likely to be due to the species not having invaded an area yet or being undetected. The differences between the potential distributions predicted by the different models convey more information than making a single prediction, albeit a consensus model. The robustness of this approach depends strongly on an adequate knowledge of the ecology, invasion history and current distribution of that species.
Impact of investors’ status on their evaluation of positive and negative, and past and future information
Authors: Cianci Anna M. , Falsetta Diana 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis paper examines the effect of investors’ status (current and prospective) on their evaluation of information varying in valence (negative and positive) and temporality (past and future). Master of Business Administration graduates, proxying for current or prospective investors, rated the relevance of negative, positive, past, and future Management Discussion and Analysis information. Investors’ relevance ratings of information resulted in the following ranking (from highest to lowest): negative‐future, negative‐past, positive‐future, and positive‐past information. Furthermore, prospective investors (relative to current) rated positive and future information as more relevant and negative information as less relevant. Implications for effective disclosure strategies and policies are discussed.
From concepts of motivation to its application in instructional design: Reconsidering motivation from an instructional design perspective
Authors: Cheng Yi‐Chia , Yeh Hsin‐Te 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis paper explores the concepts of motivation, including extrinsic motivation and intrinsic motivation. It describes how motivation becomes a major concern in the field of instructional design (ID). Furthermore, a motivation model—the ARCS model—is identified and discussed. Finally, it provides an example of how to apply the motivational design process in ID. The aim of this paper is to facilitate a deeper understanding of motivation and to inform professionals about its importance in learning