bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stillbirths and maternal antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis. A new EIA test for serology
Authors: Koskiniemi Marjaleena , Ämmälä Pirkko , Närvänen Ale , Saikku Pekka , Söderlund Maria , Koskela Pentti , Laurila Pekka , Vaheri Antti 
Published: November 2007

Objective. The relationship between stillbirths and infections during pregnancy.Methods, Antibodies to 13 different viruses and to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Treponema pallidum, Toxoplasma gondii, and Chlamydia trachomatis, psittaci, and pneumoniae were studied from sera of 42 mothers with stillbirth and of matched case‐control pregnancies.Results. Elevated antibody levels to Chlamydia trachomatis and human parvovirus B19 were observed in seven mothers with stillbirth as compared with one in matched case controls (p‐0.03 and p<0.06, Fisher's exact one‐ and two‐tailed p values). By a novel EIA test for C. trachomatis, based on synthetic polypeptide, 15 positive cases were detected in patients compared to seven in controls. Placental calcifications and fetal growth retardation appeared more often (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively) in the C. trachomatis‐ associated cases than in the others. There was no significant relation between stillbirth and the other antibodies.Conclusions. We suggest C. trachomatis as a hitherto unrecognized possible cause of stillbirths besides human parvovirus B19. A new EIA test for C. trachomatis, one covering all strains, is promising and makes the future assays more convenient, and may thus make it possible to reduce the rate of stillbirths.
Cytologic changes in two cervical carcinoma cell lines after transfection of the wild‐type p53 gene
Authors: Iwasaka Tsuyoshi , Zheng Peng‐Sheng , Ouchida Mamoru , Yamasaki Humio , Yokoyama Masatoshi , Sugimori Hajime 
Published: November 2007

Background. To examine morphological changes in cervical carcinoma cells after induction of overexpression of wild‐type (wt) p53.Method. A dexamethazone‐inducible wt‐p53 cDNA was introduced into two cervical carcinoma cell lines (TMCC‐1 and ME180) and morphological changes were examined under a phase contrast microscope and following Papanicolaou staining.Results. TMCC‐1 clones obtained by transfection with wt‐p53 gene had an altered morphology especially after induction of p53 expression by treatment with dexamethazone. These changes were characterized by cell flattening, multinucleation, micronucleation, and huge giant cells, yet the parental TMCC‐1 had none of these morphological changes even after treatment with dexamethazone. Similar cellular changes were observed in ME 180 clones obtained by transfection of wt‐p53 gene.Conclusion. On the basis of our observations, we propose that the growth inhibition induced by expression of wt‐p53 in these cervical carcinoma cell lines carrying HPV DNA sequences is not the result of G1 arrest but rather relates to a blockade in the M phase of the cell cycle.
Doppler velocimetry in last trimester pregnancy complicated by insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus
Authors: Grunewald Charlotta , Divon Michael , Lunell Nils‐Olov 
Published: November 2007

Objective. To study the pulsatility index of the flow velocity waveform of the uterine and umbilical arteries and the fetal aorta in diabetic pregnancy.Methods. Twenty‐four well‐controlled insulin‐dependent pregestational diabetics and 25 healthy pregnant women were studied with Doppler ultrasound on two occasions separated by a one month interval in the third trimester. In the study group, a random blood glucose was sampled at the time of the Doppler examination.Results. At the first Doppler examination the median pulsatility index in the fetal thoracic aorta and in the uterine artery was significantly lower (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively) in the diabetic group as compared to the healthy controls, whereas the umbilical and uterine artery pulsatility indices were similar. At the second examination, a significant decrease in median pulsatility index of the umbilical artery and the fetal aorta (p<0.01) and the uterine artery (p<0.05) was observed in the controls whereas no such change occurred in the diabetics. There was no correlation between glycosylated hemoglobin or random blood glucose and pulsatility index values. An increased incidence of neonatal morbidity was noted in the study group.Conclusion. The normal third trimester decline in uteroplacental and fetal placental pulsatility indices was absent in the diabetic group. The pulsatility index was not influenced by blood glucose regulation.
Perinatal complications following gestational diabetes mellitus how ‘sweet’ is ill?
Authors: Hod Moshe , Rabinerson David , Kaplan Bari , Peled Yoav , Bar Jacob , Shindel Bella , Merlob Paul , Ovadia Jardena , Neri Alexander 
Published: November 2007

Objective. We tested the effect of patient compliance, fasting plasma glucose on oral glucose tolerance test, maternal body constitution, and the method of treatment (diet versus insulin) on the perinatal outcome of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus.Study Design. A prospective, population‐based study compared the perinatal outcome of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (n=470) (diabetic with regard to the parameters specified above) and a contemporaneous control group (nondiabetic, n=250).Results. The diabetic and control groups were matched in demographic characteristics. Patient compliance reduced the rate of macrosomia (14.4%) and neonatal hypoglycemia (3.4%) but not to the levels of the control group (5.2% and 1.2% respectively, p<0.05). The level of fasting plasma glucose on the oral glucose tolerance test had no effect on perinatal outcome. Intensified (insulin) treatment reduced the rate of macrosomia and large‐for‐gestational age infants in the subgroups with intermediate and high levels of fasting plasma glucose on the oral glucose tolerance test (9.5%/14.2% and 12.2%/24.2% respectively), again not to levels of the control group (5.2%/10.8%). Obese patients were found to have more perinatal complications than lean patients. Intensified (insulin) treatment has proved to be beneficial in terms of reducing the rate of perinatal complications in the obese patients, but not to the corresponding levels of the control group. Such treatment had no effect on the lean patients.Conclusions. Strict control of maternal hyperglycemia and high patient compliance are imperative for an effective reduction of perinatal complication in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus. The desired plasma glucose level in the glycemic control of these patients should be further reduced, thus bringing the rate of perinatal complications to that of the normal population.
Intraocular pressure trends in pregnancy and in the third trimester hypertensive patients
Authors: Qureshi Imran Ahmad , Xi Xiao Rong , Wu Xiang Dong 
Published: November 2007

Background:Systemic blood pressure is positively related to intraocular pressure. During the third trimester of pregnancy decreased intraocular pressure while increased blood pressure has been reported. After taking into account all those factors that can affect intraocular pressure, the present study investigated whether or not the high blood pressure found in late pregnancy influences the known ocular hypotensive effect of late pregnancy.Subjects and methods.Normotensive subjects in all trimesters of pregnancy and non‐pregnant control groups along with third trimester hypertensive subjects were studied. Intraocular pressure was measured with the Goldmann applanation tonometer.Results.In the second and third trimester subjects, the mean intraocular pressure was significantly lower than in the non‐pregnant control group. The differences between first and second, first and third, and second and third trimesters of pregnancy were (means.d.) −0.5±1.2 (p<0.05), −1.5±1.7 (p<0.001), and −1.0±2.1 (p<0.01) mmHg respectively. The mean difference between third trimester hypertensive and third trimester normotensive pregnant women was 0.53±1.5 mmHg (p<0.05).Conclusions.With advancing pregnancy, intraocular pressure decreases. The mean intraocular pressures of third trimester hypertensive pregnant women were significantly higher from that of third trimester non‐hypertensives. Knowledge of the normal level of intraocular pressure in various stages of pregnancy may help glaucoma screeners.
Serum from endometriosis patients impairs the development of mouse embryos in vitro— comparison with serum from tubal obstruction patient and plasmanate
Authors: Ito Fumitosi , Fujino Yuji , Ogita Sachio 
Published: November 2007

Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of serum from endometriosis. To determine the effects of serum obtained from patients with endometriosis on mouse embryo development, we compared the fertilization and cleavage rates of mouse embryo in a standard mouse embryo culture system.Methods. Sera were collected from 13 individuals who were diagnosed endometriosis and ten individuals who were diagnosed as having tubal obstruction. Mouse embryos were fertilized and cultured in vitro with serum supplement obtained from patients with endometriosis (n= 13) and tubal obstruction (n=10), and plasmanate (n=10).Results. The fertilization rate was 26.6±14.9% in patients serum with endometriosis, and the cleavage rate was 21.2±9.1%, respectively. However, the fertilization rates were 60.9±12.5% (tubal obstruction group), and 77.3±14.7% (plasmanate group), the cleavage rates were 32.2±16.4% and 36.2±9.9%, respectively.Conclusions. Serum from patients with endometriosis revealed toxic effects on mouse embryos in vitro. The use of plasmanate instead of whole serum from patients with endometriosis will hopefully bring a better understanding of embryo development.
Fetal exposure to tobacco smoke products: A comparison between self‐reported maternal smoking and concentrations of cotinine and thiocyanate in cord serum
Authors: Nafstad Per , Kongerud Johny , Botten Grete , Urdal Petter , Silsand Terje , Pedersen Babill Stray , Jaakkola Jouni J. K. 
Published: November 2007

Background:The objective of the study was to assess the relationship between maternal smoking habits and biomarkers of tobacco smoke measured in cord serum.Methods:The study population comprised 202 mothers, 42 daily smokers, 24 occasional smokers and 136 nonsmokers. Information on maternal smoking habits was collected in a self‐administered questionnaire at birth and compared with cotinine and thiocyanate concentrations in cord serum.Results:In linear regression analysis, a unit increase in daily cigarette smoking corresponded to a 4.4 ng/ml (95% CI: 1.1‐7.6) increase in cotinine concentration and 2.3 μmol/l(0.8‐3.8) in thiocyanate. A cut‐off point of 14 ng/ml cotinine separated well between daily smokers (88% above) and nonsmokers (96% below), but revealed a classification problem in occasional smokers (46% above).Conclusion:Cord serum cotinine and thiocyanate concentrations are related to daily smoking rate during pregnancy, but these concentrations vary considerably among occasional smokers. Detailed information on smoking habits is the key issue in understanding the adverse fetal effects of occasional smoking during pregnancy.
Breech infants: vaginal or cesarean delivery?
Authors: Obwegeser Reinhard , Ulm Martin , Simon Manfred , Ploeckinger Barbara , Gruber Walther 
Published: November 2007

Background. This study was undertaken to determine whether planned vaginal or elective cesarean delivery is better for singleton term breech infants and their mothers.Methods. We studied deliveries of 388 singleton term breech infants that were born in our teaching hospital in Vienna. We follow well defined criteria for vaginal delivery versus cesarean section of term breech fetuses. We thus compared 280 (72%) cases scheduled for vaginal delivery with 108 (28%) scheduled cesarean sections with regard to neonatal mortality and morbidity, including Apgar score, umbilical artery pH, and postpartum maternal morbidity.Results. Vaginally delivered fetuses of primiparas had lower five‐minute Apgar scores (5%<Apgar 7) and a lower umbilical artery pH (39% below 7.2). This is significantly different from the abdominally delivered primiparas (no Apgar below 7, only 11% with an artery pH below 7.2). Multiparas did not show significantly different results with regard to Apgar scores and umbilical artery pH between the different modes of delivery. Postpartum maternal morbidity was not different between the two groups.Conclusion. The results suggest that planned vaginal delivery of singleton breech infants of primiparas result in newborns with lower Apgar‐scores, a lower umbilical artery pH and a poorer fetal outcome. On the other hand, it seems that singleton term infants of multiparas do not profit from cesarean delivery.
Contraceptive practice and attitudes in Sweden 1994
Authors: Oddens Björn J. , Milsom Ian 
Published: November 2007

Objective. To investigate current contraceptive practice in Sweden and Swedish women's attitudes towards various contraceptive methods.Methods. In 1994, a random sample of Swedish women (n=2330), aged 15‐45 years (stratified according to age and geographic distribution), were invited by telephone to participate in the study. Women (n=1788) who accepted the invitation to participate were sent a postal questionnaire.Results. Completed questionnaires were returned by 1422 women (overall response rate: 61.0%). The sample was somewhat skewed towards higher educational level, but in other demographic respects no great deviations from the parent population were observed. The distribution of contraceptive methods in fertile, sexually active women who wished to avoid pregnancy was as follows: oral contraceptives (OCs) 33%, OC plus barrier method 5%, intrauterine device 21%, barrier methods 23%, sterilization 5% (female 3%; male 2%) and injectable steroids 2%. The overall pattern of contraceptive use in women aged 15‐45 years had changed very little compared to results of a similar survey performed in 1987. However, the use of less effective methods (periodic abstinence, coitus interruptus and no method grouped together) was considerably lower among teenagers in 1994 (3%) than in 1987 (18%). The use of these traditional methods was still high in women aged over 35 years (15–17%). A large number of women considered medical methods of contraception to be reliable and easy to use but many were concerned about the safety for health of medical methods.Conclusions. Contraceptive practice changed towards more frequent use of medical, effective methods among young Swedish women, but not in the total female population. The latter was among others related to the relatively high use rates of less effective methods among women aged over 35. Women were concerned about the health safety of medical methods and relatively low percentages of women reported having received advice from health care professionals to use effective methods.
Book Reviews
Authors: Bergsjø Per 
Published: November 2007

Andrews U. Color Atlas of Embryology. 176 color illustrations by Astried Rothenburger and Rüdiger Gay. 383 pages. New York: Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 1995. Price: DEM 48.00.Lankinen KS, Bergström S, Mäkelä PH, Peltomaa M (eds.). Health and Disease in Developing Countries. 586 pages, illustrated. London and Basingstoke: The Macmillan Press Ltd, 1994. Price: see review text.
Increased release of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha and interleukin‐6 in women with the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count
Authors: Hæger Magnus , Unander Margareta , Andersson Bengt , Tarkowski Andrej , Arnestad Jan Petter , Bengtsson Anders 
Published: November 2007

Background. Complement is activated in preeclampsia and complement products are known to activate macrophages. The aim of this study was to determine whether the macrophage derived cytokines, interleukin‐1ß, interleukin‐6 and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, are released in patients with a form of severe preeclampsia characterized by the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP syndrome).Methods. Complement activation and plasma levels of cytokines were studied in 11 women with HELLP syndrome and in 11 controls with uncomplicated pregnancies. To further evaluate the connection between complement activation and cytokine release an in vitro study on heparinized whole blood incubated with recombinant C5a was performed.Results. In the HELLP group, complement anaphylatoxin C5a was increased in plasma at delivery (p<0.01) and one day after delivery (p<0.05), terminal C5b‐9 complement complex was elevated in plasma at delivery (p<0.001) and one day after (p<0.01), plasma levels of interleukin‐6 were increased one day after delivery (p<0.01), and plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha were elevated at delivery (p<0.01), compared with corresponding levels in controls. All parameters normalized within one week. Interleukin‐16 did not differ between the groups. In vitro, recombinant C5a incubated in whole blood gave a dose‐dependent release of interleukin‐6. No increased release of interleukin‐1 or tumor necrosis factor‐alpha was seen after incubation.Conclusions. Since cytokine release occurs in severe preeclampsia, inflammatory mechanisms may participate in the pathophysiology of severe preeclampsia.
Immunohistochemical analysis of distribution of estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors in the postmenopausal endometrium
Authors: Koshiyama Masafumi , Yoshida Masumi , Takemura Maki , Yura Yasuichirou , Matsushita Katsuko , Hayashi Michiharu , Tauchi Kunihiko , Konishi Ikuo , Mori Takahide 
Published: November 2007

Objective. To examine the expression of sex steroid receptors (ER: estrogen receptor; PR: progesterone receptor) in the postmenopausal endometrium (PMEM) and the relationship to clinical data for studying its characters.Methods. The immunohistochemical reactivity of the PMEM was studied using monoclonal antibodies against ER and PR, in 33 postmenopausal patients.Results. The endometrium was thicker in patients who were postmenopausal for 1 to 10 years (1.48±1.31mm) than in patients who were postmenopausal for more than 10 years (0.79 ± 0.37mm) (p<0.05). Among the 33 postmenopausal endometrial samples, ER positivity was found in the glands in 26 cases (78.8%) and PR positivity was detected in 18 cases (54.5%). The average age of the patients with ER positive reactivity in the glands (61.69±7.26 years) was significantly lower than that of the patients with ER negative reactivity (66.00±3.56 years) (p<0.05). Furthermore, the endometrial thickness of the patients with ER or PR positive reactivity in the glands (1.24± 1.09mm and 1.47±1.20mm, respectively) was significantly greater than that of the patients with ER or PR negative reactivity (0.67± 0.26mm and 0.70± 0.40mm, respectively) (p<0.05).Conclusion. ER in the glands of the PMEM was determined to decrease gradually with increased aging. The presence of ER and PR in the gland cells seemed likely to determine the thickness of the PMEM.
Zinc supplementation during pregnancy: a double blind randomised controlled trial
Authors: Jønsson Bo , Hauge Benedicte , Larsen Morten Falmer , Hald Finn 
Published: November 2007

Objective. To investigate whether zinc supplementation during pregnancy improves maternal and fetal outcome.Design. Controlled clinical trial started at registration until discharge of mother and child from hospital. Two thousand volunteer mothers were randomly assigned to receive zinc supplementation or placebo in a double blind trial.Patients. Women less than 20 weeks pregnant at the first visit who agreed to take part in the study. One thousand two hundred and six mothers were available for study.Interventions. Volunteers were randomly selected to receive two tablets of zinc (44mg zinc in total) or two placebo tablets containing inert substances, indistinguishable in appearance and taste from the zinc tablets.Outcome measure. Large for gestational age (LGA), small for gestational age (SGA), premature rupture of the membrane (PROM), preterm labor (PL), preeclampsia and bleeding in the second or third trimester.Results. There were no differences between mothers given zinc supplementation concerning the outcome parameters and those given placebo.Conclusion. Zinc supplementation in pregnancy in a normal healthy middle class population in Denmark does not seem to offer any benefits to the mother or her fetus.
Female urethral diverticulum Clinical aspects and a presentation of 15 cases
Authors: Jensen Lars Meinert , Aabech John , Lundvall Finn , Iversen Hans‐Georg 
Published: November 2007

Objective. Fifteen patients with female urethral diverticulum (FUD) were referred during nine years. In order to point out the symptomatology and findings and to evaluate the treatment we have reviewed these patients.Methods. A retrospective analysis of 15 women treated with transvaginal diverticulectomy. The technique is described.Results. The median age was 54 years. All the patients had symptoms of lower urinary tract disorder. The time from the first appearance of symptoms to referral was median 2 years (range, 4 days‐30 years). Seventy‐five percent of the cases had a pronounced tenderness. In 14 patients a suburethral mass could be found. Purulent material could be expressed in twelve cases. Three patients with symptoms for more than 10 years were characterized by stress incontinence and frequency and recurrent cystitis. No single diagnostic test proved to be specific for FUD. In eight patients (53%) the indication for operation was based only on symptomatology and the presence of a suburethral mass.Conclusion. Diverticulum of the urethra is to be suspected in women with unexplained lower urinary tract symptoms. We recommend a collaboration of the two specialities: Gynaecology and Urology.
Stalking and the Pathologies of Love
Authors: Mullen Paul E. , Pathé Michele 
Published: November 2007

Fourteen patients with pathologies of love (erotomania) are presented; all stalked the object of their disordered affections These cases were encountered in forensic practice and were personally assessed, and in most cases managed, by the authors. Victim impact reports or depositions made by the objects of these patient's unwanted attentions were available. All patients indulged in stalking behaviours which included following, loitering in the victim's vicinity, approaching, telephoning, and sending letters. The objects of the patient's affections were threatened in five cases, violently assaulted in five – one fatally – and sexually attacked in seven cases. Those believed to stand in the way of their delusional love were also on occasion the victims of violence. This series is unusual in the degree of intrusiveness and overt violence, which probably reflects the forensic context in which the cases were encountered. The cases comprise a particular group of erotomanics who exhibit stalking and violent behaviour. The erotomanic syndromes often went unrecognised and the threat to the peace and safety of the objects of their affections was not always given proper weight. The clinical importance of this sub-group of stalkers is emphasised, as is their relevance in the legislative, and judicial, responses to stalking.