bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sacral nervous function, hormonal levels and sexuality in premenopausal women before and after hysterectomy
Authors: Helström L. , Backström T. , Sörbom D. , Lundberg P. O. 
Published: November 2007

Objective. To investigate the predictive value of sacral nervous function, result of pelvic examination and hormonal status on sexuality before and after subtotal hysterectomy.Material and method. One hundred and four women were examined and interviewed one month before and one year after hysterectomy for non‐malignant diseases. Genital examination, sacral nervous function testing including vibrotactility were performed. and sex hormone levels were estimated at each occasion. The results were evaluated and compared using multivariate analyses.Results. Postoperative experience of multiple orgasm was negatively correlated to three out of five measured factors for pelvic sacral function: i.e. vibrotactility of the clitoris, the external anal reflex and the levator muscle strength. No correlations were found between tests for sacral nervous function and a latent factor for sexuality before and after the operation. Preoperative uterine size did not show correlation to either preoperative or postoperative sexual parameters nor did uterine pain during vaginal examination. The preoperative sex hormone levels, and the result of histopathological examination showed no correlation to sexual variables.Conclusion. Preoperative somatic findings including sacral nervous function and pelvic muscular strength cannot be used as predictors for sexuality after subtotal hysterectomy.
Endothelin‐1,2 levels in umbilical vein serum of intra‐uterine growth retarded fetuses as detected by cordocentesis
Authors: Schiff Eyal , Weiner Ehud , Zalel Yaron , Mashiach Shlomo , Sibai Baha M. , Shalev Eliezer 
Published: November 2007

Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine whether the circulatory levels of endothelins, potent vasoconstrictor polypeptides produced mainly by endothelial cells, are increased in growth‐retarded fetuses.Study design: Fetal venous serum samples, withdrawn by ultrasound‐guided cordocentesis from 11 growth‐retarded fetuses and 10 normally‐growing fetuses who underwent the procedure because of other unrelated indications, were examined for immunoreactive endothelin‐1,2 by radioimmunoassay.Results: Higher mean endothelin‐1,2 levels were found in the sera of growth‐retarded fetuses than in controls (16.8 ± 4.2 versus 10.9 ± 4.3 fmol/ml, p = 0.008). Within the growth‐retarded group, there were no differences in endothelin‐1,2 levels in the presence of either abnormal umbilical Doppler, asymmetry of growth‐retardation, maternal signs of preeclampsia, or fetal acidosis.Conclusion: High levels of endothelin‐1,2 in the fetoplacental circulation may be pathophysiological important in fetal growth retardation. However, the clinical significance of these elevated levels is yet to be determined.
Changes in risk factors for unfavorable pregnancy outcome among singletons over twenty years
Authors: Sipilä Pirkko , Hartikainen Anna‐Liisa , Von Wendt Lennart , Oja Hannu 
Published: November 2007

Objectives. To examine the change in the prevalence and relative effect of pre‐pregnancy risk factors for low birthweight and/or stillbirth and/or neonatal mortality over a period of twenty years.Design. Two prospectively collected one year birth cohorts.Setting. The two northernmost administrative districts of Finland.Patients. A birth cohort for 1966 comprising I1905 singleton births and a cohort for 1985‐86 containing a further 9247.Main outcome measures. Risk factors for poor pregnancy outcome.Results. In twenty years the prevalence of low birthweight infants among singletons decreased from 4.2%, to 3.1% and that of stillbirths and neonatal deaths from 2.4%) to 0.9%. The impact of single marital status decreased and while maternal age < 19 years was not an independent risk factor. the age ≥35 years related more to poor pregnancy outcome. The proportion of multiparous women was halved but multiparity had a protective influence on pregnancy outcome meanwhile the impact of primiparity decreased markedly. In spite of more effective health education. the prevalence of heavy smokers was 4 times higher in the 1980s as compared with the 1960s. and its impact on adverse outcomes increased. with odds ratio (OR) 1.72 (confidence interval (CI) 1.14‐2.61) in 1966 and OR 2.15 (CI 1.61‐2.88) in 1985‐86. The number of mothers with a previous low birthweight baby was halved but the impact of low birth weight was still great in the latter cohort (OR 2.47; CI 1.64‐3.71). The impact of an earlier stillbirth and/or neonatal death increased significantly. with an OR 1.53 (CI 1.10‐7.14) in 1966 and OR 2.95 (CI 1.814.81) in 1985‐86, but the number of mothers concerned was halved from that in 1966.Conclusions. The prevalence of pregnancies with an adverse outcome decreased markedly, as did the prevalence of many of the risk factors. The proportion of ≥35 years old parturients and of heavy smokers increased. The impact of primiparity decreased, while that of a previous poor pregnancy outcome increased. Identification of pregnancies with a risk of a poor outcome as assessed from pre‐pregnancy factors has not improved in these twenty years, especially where primiparous parturients are concerned.
The relationshp of clinical‐pathologic status and adiuvant treatment with natural hller cell activity in stage I and II endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Garzetti Giuseppe Gioele , Ciavattini Andrea , Muzzioli Mario , Goteri Gaia , Fabris Nicola , Valensise Herbert , Romanin Carlo 
Published: November 2007

Objective. The aim of our study was to evaluate the basal immune reactivity in patients with locally advanced endometrial carcinoma, and the immune modulating effect of adjuvant treatment in cancer population randomized to endocrine or radiation therapy.Material and methods. Forty‐three patients with FIGO stage I and II endometrial carcinoma, treated with primary radical surgery, were randomly selected to receive endocrine (medroxy‐progesterone acetate 30 mg weekly and Tamoxifen 300 mg weekly, given consecutively) or radiation adjuvant treatment (external beam photon treatment of the whole pelvis, with an average total dose of 3680 cGy rad). The immune assay included the evaluation of natural killer cell activity by target cell retention of the fluorescent dye carboxyfluoresceyn diacetate. using sensitive cell line K 562. The immunological monitoring was performed before surgery, and then before, during, and after adjuvant treatment. Nine patients, who refused any adjuvant treatment, were recruited as controls.Results. Patients, matched for age and demographic characteristics. with locally advanced endometrial carcinoma had significantly lower mean values of natural killer activity than in henlthy controls: the decrease of natural cytotoxicity was significantly related to the depth of inyometrial invasion. The adjuvant treatment was associated with a significant immune modulation: patients in endocrine therapeutic regimen showed an increase of natural killer activity. while patients in radiation therapy had a reduction; in the control group there was no significant modification of natural cytotoxicity during negative follow up.Conclusions. Natural killer cell activity of peripheral blood is significantly reduced in local advanced endometrial carcinoma patients. The natural cytotoxicity evaluation, as a function of therapeutic modality, may be useful in establishing a relationship between adjuvant treatment and immune status in endometrial carcinoma.
Factors associated with abruptio placentae in preterm deliveries
Authors: Spinillo Arsenio , Capuzzo Ezio , Colonna Laura , Solerte Laura , Nicola Sabrina , Guaschino Secondo 
Published: November 2007

Objective. To evaluate risk factors associated with occurrence of abruptio placentae in preterm deliveries.Methods. Risk factors were evaluated in 55 consecutive index cases of abruptio placentae and 726 control patients delivered between 24‐36 weeks' gestation.Results. In logistic regression analysis abruptio placentae was associated with a low number of antenatal visits, smoking in pregnancy, hypertension, intravenous drug abuse and a history of recent abdominal trauma. Among hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension was associated with the highest risk of premature placental separation. Finally, there was a significant trend relating duration of premature rupture of membranes with abruptio placentae (chi‐square for trend =3.93, p =0.047).Conclusions. Several risk factors seem strongly associated with abruptio placentae in preterm deliveries; the presence of these risk factors should dictate intensive surveillance.
CO2‐laser excision of endometriosis does not improve the decreased natural killer activity
Authors: Oosterlynck Dldier J. , Meuleman Christel , Waer Mark , Koninckx Philippe R. 
Published: November 2007

Objective. We recently described a decreased lymphocyte‐mediated cytotoxicity to autologous endometrium and to natural killer‐sensitive targets in women with endometriosis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the defect remained after COylaser excision of the endometriotic lesions.Design. In 15 women with endometriosis the cytotoxicity assays were performed before and three to four months after complete removal of the endometriotic lesions with COylaser excision. CA‐125 serum levels were measured before and after laser laparoscopy, in order to confirm that endometriosis had been treated properly.Results. After removal of the endometriotic lesions the decreased natural killer activity (K562‐assay) and the impaired cytotoxicity of autologous and even heterologous lymphocytes to the endometrium remained unchanged, and those cytotoxicity assays were still significantly decreased compared to the women without endometriosis. CA‐125 serum concentrations, however, were still significantly decreased three to four months after CO,‐laser excision of the endometriosis, (paired Student's t‐test p< 0.007).Conclusions. These data suggest a primary deficiency in natural killer activity in women with endometriosis and are in accordance with our clinical experience as endometriosis is relapsing frequently after treatment.
Assessment of estrogen receptor distribution in human endometrium by direct immunofluorescence
Authors: Ben‐Hur Herzl , Mor Guillemor , Insler Vasclav , Blickstein Isaac , Amir‐Zaltsman Yehudit , Kohen Förtüne 
Published: November 2007

Objective. To use a direct immunofluorescence technique employing a fluorescein labeled anti‐idiotypic antibody that recognizes the estrogen receptor (ER) order to assess the distribution of ER in the uteri of normal women throughout the normal menstrual cycle and of a woman exposed prenatally to diethylstilbestrol (DES).Subjects. Included in the study were 25 women aged between 35 and 50 years and an amenorrheic patient diagnosed as “DES Syndrome”.Localization. Localization of ER expression in frozen sections of uterine tissue was achieved by direct immunofluorescence using a fluorescein labeled anti‐idiotypic antibody that interacts with ER.Results. Analysis of the immunofluorescence staining indicated that in the normal human endometrium the intensity of ER staining varied according to the phase of the cycle as well as according to the cell type. On the other hand, endometrial ER evaluation of the patient with DES syndrome showed minimal expression of ER and after treatment with conjugated estrogens, endometrial biopsy revealed a significant increase in ER expression.Conclusions. These findings indicate that the fluorescein labeled anti‐idiotypic antibody can be used to detect ER in normal and pathological human endometrium and to monitor changes in ER expression in the endometrium during hormonal therapy.
β‐HCG concentration in peritoneal fluid and serum in ectopic and intrauterine pregnancy
Authors: Oettinger Moshe , Odeh Marwan , Tarazova Lidia , Snitkovsky Tamara , Ophir Ella 
Published: November 2007

Objective. To evaluate the significance of P‐HCG levels in peritoneal fluid and serum in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.Study design setting. Obstetrics and Gynecology department of a regional general hospital.Subjects. Sixty‐two women who presented with a differential diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy vs. nonviable intrauterine pregnancy.Interventions. All patients underwent D & C and culdocentesis. P‐HCG was measured in simultaneously obtained peritoneal fluid (PF) and serum (S), and the PFiS ratio calculated.Results. Twenty‐three patients had an ectopic pregnancy (Group I). All 23 had higher β‐HCG concentrations in the PF than in the serum, with a mean PFiS ratio of 19.1 ± 16.9. Twenty‐four patients had an intrauterine pregnancy (Group II). The β‐HCG levels in the PF and serum were similar (mean PF/S 1.1 ±0.2). The difference in PFiS ratio between groups I and II was statistically significant (p<0.001).Conclusion. The measurement of P‐HCG in peritoneal fluid and serum is a useful diagnostic tool in differentiating ectopic from intrauterine pregnancy.
Sterility of the uterine cavity
Authors: Møller Birger R. , Kristiansen Frank V. , Thorsen Poul , Frost Lars , Mogensen Søren C. 
Published: November 2007

In a prospective open study the sterility of the uterine cavity was evaluated in 99 women admitted for hysterectomy. The indications for hysterectomy were in most cases persistent irregular vaginal bleeding and fibromyomas of the uterus. Samples for both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, Chlamydia trachomatis, yeasts and viruses were taken preoperatively from the apex of the vagina and cervical of. Immediately after hysterectomy the uterus was opened under sterile conditions and samples obtained from the isthmus and fundus of the uterine cavity for microbiological examination. Wet smears were taken from the same sites.Nearly a quarter of all the patients harbored one or more microorganisms in the uterus, mostly Gardnerella vaginalis, Enterobacter and Streptococcus agalactiae.We found that in a significant number of cases, the uterine cavity is colonized with potentially pathogenic organisms which may play a causative role in endometritis. The results indicate that inflammation of the uterine cavity should be evaluated by hysteroscopic examination before hysterectomy is undertaken in patients with persistent irregular vaginal bleeding.
Paternal influences on birthweight
Authors: Wilcox Mark A. , Newton Carol S. , Johnson Ian R. 
Published: November 2007

Objective. To assess the influence of paternal size on birthweight after suitable control for maternal and fetal factors.Design. Prospective observational study.Setting. Delivery state, City Hospital. Nottingham.Subjects. 571 husbands/partners of unselected women delivering August 1992 to February 1993.Main outcome methods. Individualised birthweight ratio and thereby an adjusted birthweight for a cypical mother. The results of a multiple regression analysis with the individualised birthweight ratio as the dependent variable.Results. When considered in isolation both paternal height and weight are significantly positively associated with crude and adjusted birthweight (p<0.01, analysis of variance). Due to correlations of paternal size with maternal size and smoking habit, only paternal height is significant in the multiple regression analysis (p = 0.01).Conclusion. If the partner of an average woman is short (mean—2s.d.) then the baby will be 183 g lighter than if he is tall (mean+2s.d.). This effect of paternal height on birthweight must be genetic arid therefore should be taken into account when defining intra‐uterine growth retardation and macrosomia.
Effects of long‐term administration of an oral contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate on lipid metabolism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Falsetti Leopoldo , Pasinetti Edda 
Published: November 2007

Background. The effects of an oral contraceptive pill containing cyproterone acetate on lipid metabolism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was studied.Materials and methods. Seventy‐two women with PCOS were treated for 36 consecutive cycles with an oral contraceptive containing 0.035 mg of ethinylestradiol and 2 mg of cyproterone acetate. Hormonal. lipid and glucose profiles were studied before and after 12 and 36 cycles of treatment. Lipid, lipo‐and apolipoprotein values were compared to a healthy control group. Statistical analysis was by one way analysis of variance and Bonferroni's t tests.Results. The treatment suppressed gonadotropin and androgen values and increased the levels of sex hormone binding globulin. After 12 and 36 cycles a significant increase in triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol system, and apoprotein B levels was seen. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio were reduced. Insulin and glucose plasma concentrations did not change. During treatment triglycerides, total cholesterol and apoprotein B values were higher than in the control group. There were no differences in plasma levels of LDL‐C and HDL‐C in PCOS and in the control group.Conclusion. Lipid and lipoprotein changes observed after treatment could be due to the estrogen dominance of the treatment. The plasma concentration of triglycerides and total cholesterol during treatment does not change appreciably and the LDL‐CIHDL‐C ratio improved.
Serial antenatal monitoring compared with labor induction in post‐term pregnancies
Authors: Almström Harald , Granström Lena , Ekman Gunver 
Published: November 2007

Objective. In view of the increased risk of obstetric and perinatal complications in post‐term pregnancy, and the lack of consensus regarding clinical routines for fetal surveillance and labor induction, the aim of this prospective controlled study was to compare obstetric and perinatal outcome after serial monitoring until 43 weeks of gestation with that after labor induction at 42 gestational weeks.Materials and methods. A study group of 193 gravidae scheduled for serial monitoring until 43 weeks of gestation was compared with a control group of 205 gravidae admitted for induction of labor at 42 weeks. A third, high‐risk, group comprised gravidae (from either of the foregoing groups) who had to be admitted for emergency induction of labor owing to increased fetal risk (i.e., the presence of oligohydramnios or a small‐for‐gestational‐age fetus).Results. The frequency of labor induction was significantly lower in the study group than among controls (p < 0.001), but the two groups did not differ in obstetric or perinatal outcome. As compared with these two low‐risk groups, the high‐risk group was characterized by significantly higher frequencies of instrumental delivery (p < 0.01), operative delivery for fetal distress (p < 0.001) and infants requiring neonatal intensive care (p < 0.001).Conclusion. As the wait‐and‐see policy with serial monitoring resulted in a lower rate of labor induction, but not in a lower rate of instrumental delivery or perinatal complication, medically the two routines would appear to be comparable. However, an individual approach with intensified fetal surveillance is to be recommended, as it is vital to identify post‐term pregnancies where the fetus is at increased risk. The use of such new techniques as umbilical artery flow velocimetry would no doubt improve the management of high‐risk post‐term pregnancies.
Laser endometrial ablation with the neodynium: Yttrium‐aluminium garnet (Nd‐YAG) laser: A review of ninety consecutive patients
Authors: Osei Edward , Tharmaratnam Suresh , Opemuyi Isaac , Cochrane Geoffrey 
Published: November 2007

Objective. To assess the effectiveness of laser endometrial ablation in women with dysfunctional bleeding.Design. A retrospective analysis of 90 patients.Setting. Department of Gynaecology, King George Hospital, Barley Lane, Goodmayes, Essex IG3 8YB, U.K.Subjects. Ninety patients with dysfunctional uterine bleeding who were hysteroscopically suitable for laser endometrial ablation.Interventions. Endometrial laser ablations using the neodynium‐yttrium‐garnet laser at 70 watts power output.Main outcome measures. Patient satisfaction/dissatisfaction at 6 months follow‐up and response to repeat ablation.Results. A total of 117 procedures were carried out on the 90 patients. There was one suspected perforation which was not confirmed at subsequent hysterectomy and one primary hemorrhage which required tamponade with Foley catheter. There were three cases of fluid overload with no clinical evidence of fluid over‐load syndrome. All five major complications occurred in the first six months or ‘learning phase’ of the study. During this period, there were proportionately more treatment failures after one attempt (52.8% versus 42.6%) than the second six months of the study. Overall. 53.3% of the patients were satisfied with the initial ablation and 73.3% were satisfied after repeat ablations.Conclusion. Endometrial laser ablation is a major advance in the management of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, especially in patients who would otherwise have had a hysterectomy.
Fluidization of fine and ultrafine particles using nitrogen and neon as fluidizing gases
Authors: Valverde Jose Manuel , Quintanilla M. A. S. , Castellanos Antonio , Lepek Daniel , Quevedo Jose , Dave Rajesh N. , Pfeffer Robert 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWhen fluidized by a gas, some agglomerated fine and ultrafine particles display a regime of uniform, nonbubbling fluidization known as agglomerate particulate fluidization (APF). The agglomeration of micrometric sized particles, or simple pre‐existing agglomerates in the case of nanoparticles, is governed by the balance between hydrodynamic shear forces and interparticle attractive forces. From this balance the theoretical scaling law Bog ∼ kD+2 has been derived, where Bog, the granular Bond number, is the ratio of the interparticle attractive force to particle weight, k is the ratio of agglomerate to particle size, and D is the fractal dimension. In the experimental program the behavior of gas‐fluidized beds of fine and ultrafine particles as affected by the use of neon and nitrogen as fluidizing gas is studied. The experimental results indicate that there is no relevant distinction between the sizes of agglomerates fluidized with the different gases as theoretically predicted. However, it is seen that the relatively small increment of gas viscosity opens up a new window of highly expanded agglomerate particulate fluidization (APF) behavior with a delayed onset of bubbling. For a sufficiently high‐gas viscosity, and/or smaller particle size, full suppression of the bubbling regime is observed. For nanoparticles exhibiting agglomerate bubbling fluidization (ABF) behavior, where bed expansion is small, and bubbling occurs soon after minimum fluidization, we also observe a delayed onset of bubbling when fluidizing with a gas of higher viscosity. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 54: 86–103, 2008