bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impacts of participating in confidential enquiry panels: a qualitative study
Authors: Rankin J , Bush J , Bell R , Cresswell P , Renwick M 
Published: March 2006

Objective  To describe the impacts of participating in confidential enquiry panels for the Confidential Enquiry into Stillbirths and Deaths in Infancy.Design  Qualitative interview study.Setting  The former northern health region of England.Sample  Eighteen health professionals who had participated in at least one confidential enquiry panel.Methods  Semistructured one‐to‐one interviews using purposive sampling; transcripts were analysed by identifying recurring themes. Data were organised and coded using NUD*IST.Main outcome measures  Views on the impacts of participation on clinical practice and views on the strengths and limitations of confidential enquiries.Results  Participants valued attendance at panels as a learning experience that provoked reflection on their own clinical practice. Participants felt that taking part had a positive impact on their clinical thinking and practice by increasing their awareness of standards of care. These impacts occurred through both the detailed examination of cases and the interaction with colleagues from different disciplines and hospitals. Learning impacts were cascaded to colleagues through informal discussion and teaching. Concrete examples of changes in practice at the organisational level, stimulated by panel attendance, were reported.Conclusions  The confidential enquiry approach was supported not only as an effective way of assessing care but also as a valuable learning experience that motivated change in clinical practice. Local benefits of nationally coordinated confidential enquiries should be valued and supported in their future development. Wide multidisciplinary participation in enquiry panels coordinated through regional clinical networks should be promoted.
Practices and views on fetal heart monitoring: a structured observation and interview study
Authors: Altaf S , Oppenheimer C , Shaw R , Waugh J , Dixon‐Woods M 
Published: March 2006

Objective  To assess and explain deviations from recommended practice in National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines in relation to fetal heart monitoring.Design  Qualitative study.Setting  Large teaching hospital in the UK.Sample  Sixty‐six hours of observation of 25 labours and interviews with 20 midwives of varying grades.Methods  Structured observations of labour and semistructured interviews with midwives. Interviews were undertaken using a prompt guide, audiotaped, and transcribed verbatim. Analysis was based on the constant comparative method, assisted by QSR N5 software.Main outcome measures  Deviations from recommended practice in relation to fetal monitoring and insights into why these occur.Results  All babies involved in the study were safely delivered, but 243 deviations from recommended practice in relation to NICE guidelines on fetal monitoring were identified, with the majority (80%) of these occurring in relation to documentation. Other deviations from recommended practice included indications for use of electronic fetal heart monitoring and conduct of fetal heart monitoring. There is evidence of difficulties with availability and maintenance of equipment, and some deficits in staff knowledge and skill. Differing orientations towards fetal monitoring were reported by midwives, which were likely to have impacts on practice. The initiation, management, and interpretation of fetal heart monitoring is complex and distributed across time, space, and professional boundaries, and practices in relation to fetal heart monitoring need to be understood within an organisational and social context.Conclusion  Some deviations from best practice guidelines may be rectified through straightforward interventions including improved systems for managing equipment and training. Other deviations from recommended practice need to be understood as the outcomes of complex processes that are likely to defy easy resolution.
Long‐term follow up of uterine artery embolisation—an effective alternative in the treatment of fibroids
Authors: Walker WJ , Barton‐Smith P 
Published: March 2006

Objectives  To evaluate the long‐term efficacy and complications of uterine artery embolisation (UAE) for treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids.Design  A prospective observational study.Setting  A district general hospital and two private hospitals in the southeast of England.Population  Women with symptomatic fibroids who had been offered surgical options for treatment.Methods  Postal questionnaire follow up at 5–7 years to assess long‐term clinical effects among women who had undergone UAE.Main outcome measures  The questionnaire was subdivided into sections dealing with menstrual flow, amenorrhoea and menopause, fibroid‐related symptoms, fertility, vaginal discharge, sexual function, subsequent treatments for fibroids and satisfaction with the procedure.Results  A total of 258 women were identified as being between 5 and 7 years post‐UAE and suitable for long‐term follow up in October 2004. One hundred seventy‐two completed questionnaires were analysed (67% response rate). Seventy‐five percent of women still had either a return to normal or an improvement in menstrual flow compared with how they were prior to UAE. More than 80% of fibroid‐related symptoms were still resolved or improved. Sixteen percent of women required further treatment for fibroids. Premature menopause directly following UAE occurred in only one woman in the study group. Eighty‐eight percent of women were satisfied with the outcome of the procedure at 5–7 years and would choose it again or recommend it to others.Conclusions  These findings show that UAE is of benefit to women wishing to avoid hysterectomy and it carries a low risk of complications.
A comparison of intrapartum automated fetal electrocardiography and conventional cardiotocography—a randomised controlled study
Authors: Ojala K , Vääräsmäki M , Mäkikallio K , Valkama M , Tekay A 
Published: March 2006

Objective  To examine whether intrapartum monitoring by means of automatic ST analysis (STAN) of fetal electrocardiography could reduce the rate of neonatal acidemia and the rate of operative intervention during labour, compared with monitoring by means of cardiotocography (CTG).Design  Randomised controlled trial.Setting  Labour ward in tertiary‐level university hospital.Sample  A total of 1483 women in active labour with singleton term fetus in cephalic presentation.Methods  Women were randomly assigned to be monitored either by STAN or by CTG. Fetal blood sampling (FBS) was optional in both groups.Main outcome measures  Neonatal acidemia (umbilical artery pH <7.10), neonatal metabolic acidosis (umbilical artery pH <7.05 and base excess <−12 mmol/l) and operative interventions: caesarean section rate, vacuum outlet (VO) rate and FBS rate.Results  There were no statistically significant differences between the STAN group and CTG group in the incidence of neonatal acidemia (5.8 versus 4.7%) or metabolic acidosis (1.7 versus 0.7%). The caesarean section rate (6.4 versus 4.7%) and the VO rate (9.5 versus 10.7%) were also similar in the STAN and CTG groups. The incidence of FBS was lower (P < 0.001) in the STAN group (7.0%) than in the CTG group (15.6%).Conclusions  Intrapartum fetal monitoring by means of automatic STAN did not improve the neonatal outcome or decrease the caesarean section rate. However, the need for FBS during labour was lower in the STAN group.
Brief overview of maternal triglycerides as a risk factor for pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Ray JG , Diamond P , Singh G , Bell CM 
Published: March 2006

Background  Features of the metabolic syndrome—maternal obesity, diabetes mellitus and chronic hypertension—are risk factors for pre‐eclampsia.Objectives  To determine the risk of pre‐eclampsia in the presence of maternal hypertriglyceridemia, another major element of the metabolic syndrome.Search strategy  Two investigators independently searched PubMed and Embase databases from 1980 to December 2004 for relevant studies. The terms preeclampsia, eclampsia, pregnancy‐induced hypertension or toxemia were combined with dyslipidemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) or lipoprotein.Selection criteria  We included case–control and cohort studies published in English that included at least 20 women with pre‐eclampsia and that sampled serum or plasma TG at any time before, during or after pregnancy.Data collection and analysis  Mean maternal TG concentrations were compared between cases and controls within each study. The odds ratio of pre‐eclampsia was calculated by comparing the risk of pre‐eclampsia among women in each higher TG concentration category with that in the lowest reference category.Main results  A total of 19 case–control and 3 prospective cohort studies were included. In 14 studies, the mean TG concentration was significantly higher among pre‐eclamptic cases than among unaffected controls; in seven other studies, there was a nonsignificant trend in the same direction. The risk of pre‐eclampsia typically doubled with each increasing TG category. In the four studies that adjusted for potential confounders, such as maternal age, parity and body mass index, there was about a four‐fold higher risk of pre‐eclampsia in the highest relative to the lowest TG category.Author's conclusions  There exists a consistent positive association between elevated maternal TG and the risk of pre‐eclampsia. Given that maternal hypertriglyceridemia is a common feature of the metabolic syndrome, interventional studies are needed to determine whether pre‐pregnancy weight reduction and dietary modification can lower the risk of pre‐eclampsia.
A case–control study on the association between female genital mutilation and sexually transmitted infections in Sudan
Authors: Elmusharaf S , Elkhidir I , Hoffmann S , Almroth L 
Published: March 2006

Objective  To assess whether the extent of female genital mutilation (FGM) influences the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs).Design  Hospital‐based case–control study.Setting  Two obstetric/gynaecological outpatient clinics in Khartoum, Sudan, 2003–2004.Population  A total of 222 women aged 17–35 years coming to antenatal and gynaecological clinics.Methods  Women recruited for the study were divided into cases with seropositivity for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcal antibody test), Chlamydia trachomatis (enzyme immunoassay) or Treponema pallidum (Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay) (n= 26) and controls without antibodies to these species (n= 196). Socio‐demographic data were obtained and physical examination including genital examination was performed in order to classify the form of FGM. Cases and controls were compared using logistic regression to adjust for covariates.Main outcome measures  Extent of FGM and seropositivity for C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae or T. pallidum.Results  Of the cases, 85% had undergone the most severe form of FGM involving labia majora compared with 78% of controls (n.s.). Thus, there was no association between serological evidence of STIs and extent of FGM. The only factor that differed significantly between the groups was the education level, cases with STIs having significantly shorter education (P= 0.03) than controls.Conclusions  There is a little difference between cases and controls in regard to FGM. Having in mind the relatively small sample size, the results still indicate that FGM seems neither to be a risk factor for nor protective against acquiring STIs. This is important as argument against traditional beliefs that FGM protects against pre/extramarital sex.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in the Atlantic slipper shell Crepidula fornicata for use in paternity analysis
Authors: PROESTOU DINA A. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract Crepidula fornicata is an ideal species in which to study the evolution and timing of sex change. In order to test current theory on the timing of sex change, male reproductive success must be quantified. Because C. fornicata is polygamous, this can only be achieved through the development of molecular markers and paternity analysis. Here, I report the development of five polymorphic microsatellite loci that are inherited in a Mendelian fashion. The levels of polymorphism and the inheritance patterns of these loci make them suitable for paternity analysis despite the presence of null alleles.
Polymorphic microsatellite loci from the American goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) and their cross‐amplification in a variety of passerine species
Authors: TARVIN KEITH A. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractCardueline finches have become important models in studies of sexual selection. Here I describe eight polymorphic microsatellite loci isolated from the American goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) that are useful in parentage and heterozygosity studies. The number of alleles per locus ranged from eight to 38 based on 252 goldfinches. The markers are polymorphic in at least four other Cardueline finch species, and several amplify in nonfinch passerines including red‐winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), black‐throated blue warbler (Dendroica caerulescens) and tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), indicating they should be useful in paternity and population studies of a variety of species.
Utility of a set of microsatellite primers developed for the massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) for population genetic studies of the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Authors: ANDERSON COREY DEVIN 
Published: March 2006

AbstractI tested six microsatellite DNA primer pairs developed for the massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) on a sample population of the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). It had been speculated in a previous publication that cross‐species amplification would not be worthwhile across the two rattlesnake genera. However, for this primer set (the only one currently published for the genus Sistrurus), successful amplification at each locus was accomplished for all loci with an annealing temperature of 57 °C and locus‐specific buffer conditions. Each locus was polymorphic, with the number of alleles per locus ranging from two to 12. Significant heterozygote deficits were detected for three loci (Scu01, Scu05 and Scu07). For Scu01, all individuals were homozygous for the same allele except one female who was homozygous for a different allele. This same female was also homozygous for a rare allele at Scu07. When this female was removed from the data set, the number of observed heterozygotes at Scu01 and Scu07 did not differ significantly from random expectations. However, a large heterozygote deficit persisted at Scu05 (despite subsampling), suggesting that this locus may not be useful for population genetic studies of timber rattlesnakes. Despite some limitations, this set of primers may be a useful complement to those already developed for the genus Crotalus. Moreover, the results of this study seem to provide new justification for further studies of cross‐species amplification of microsatellite loci across the two rattlesnake genera.
Polymorphic microsatellite loci isolated from the Atlanto‐Mediterranean colonial ascidian Pycnoclavella sp. (Ascidiacea, Tunicata)
Authors: PÉREZ‐PORTELA ROCÍO , DURAN SANDRA , ESTOUP ARNAUD , TURON XAVIER 
Published: March 2006

AbstractEight microsatellite loci were characterized in the colonial ascidian Pycnoclavella sp. from an enriched library of genomic DNA. Most microsatellites were large and compound. Allelic variation was assessed in 30 individuals collected from Cerro Gordo (SW Mediterranean Sea). The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to nine, observed heterozygosity from 0.05 to 0.29 and expected heterozygosity from 0.15 to 0.39. No significant linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci was detected, but five loci showed significant heterozygote deficiency that may be explained either by inbreeding, population substructure or the presence of null alleles.
Development of microsatellite markers for the Mediterranean gorgonian coral Corallium rubrum
Authors: COSTANTINI FEDERICA , ABBIATI MARCO 
Published: March 2006

Abstract Corallium rubrum, an endemic Mediterranean gorgonian coral, has undergone an intensive exploitation leading to the extinction of local commercial banks and changes in the structure and dynamics of coastal populations. Management and conservation of this species requires a better understanding of the genetic structuring and connectivity among populations. With this aim, seven microsatellite loci have been isolated. All loci were polymorphic with allele numbers ranging from five to 26 and observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.18 to 0.68. Significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg expected genotype frequencies due to heterozygote deficiency were detected at all loci.
Multiplex genotyping of novel tetranucleotide microsatellites from a marine foodfish species crimson red snapper (Lutjanus erythropterus)
Authors: LO LOONG CHUENG , ZHU ZE YUAN , YUE GEN HUA 
Published: March 2006

AbstractCrimson red snapper (Lutjanus erythropterus) is an important marine foodfish species in Asia with great potentials for aquaculture. We isolated nine polymorphic microsatellites, among which eight were tetranucleotide repeats, and one was CA‐microsatellite. The average allele number present in 48 individuals was 11.1/locus, ranging from three to 33. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.49 to 0.97 with an average of 0.74. Six of the nine markers conformed to the Hardy–Weinberg expectations. No pairwise markers showed the possibility of linkage. Protocols for two multiplex polymerase chain reactions (PCRs), each amplifying two and seven markers, respectively, were presented. The developed microsatellites and optimized multiplex PCRs will be useful for studying population structure of wild stocks and parentage assignment for cultured populations.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in Sparganium emersum and cross‐species amplification in the related species S. erectum
Authors: POLLUX B. J. A. , OUBORG N. J. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractWe developed seven novel polymorphic microsatellite loci for the aquatic macrophyte Sparganium emersum (Sparganiaceae). These were characterized on 62 individuals collected from nine different populations. In this set of individuals, seven to 20 alleles per locus were detected and observed heterozygosity ranged between 0.16 and 0.95. Cross‐species amplification was tested in the related species Sparganium erectum, and was successful for five of the seven microsatellite loci.
Microsatellite loci for behavioural studies of rainbow bee‐eaters (Merops ornatus: Aves)
Authors: ADCOCK G. J. , HODGES K. , BOLAND C. R. J. , COCKBURN A. , EBERT D. , HEINSOHN R. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractA set of polymorphic microsatellite loci was identified for population and behavioural studies of the rainbow bee‐eater (Merops ornatus). Eight loci were newly isolated from a rainbow bee‐eater genomic library enriched for GA‐containing repeats, and six loci from those previously reported for the European bee‐eater (Merops apiaster). From these two sources, the seven most variable loci that amplified reliably were unlinked and in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, had five to 13 alleles (mean 7.7) and an expected heterozygosity of 0.60–0.86 (mean 0.73).
Senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase is lysosomal β‐galactosidase
Authors: Lee Bo Yun , Han Jung A. , Im Jun Sub , Morrone Amelia , Johung Kimberly , Goodwin Edward C. , Kleijer Wim J. , DiMaio Daniel , Hwang Eun Seong 
Published: March 2006

SummaryReplicative senescence limits the proliferation of somatic cells passaged in culture and may reflect cellular aging in vivo. The most widely used biomarker for senescent and aging cells is senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal), which is defined as β‐galactosidase activity detectable at pH 6.0 in senescent cells, but the origin of SA‐β‐gal and its cellular roles in senescence are not known. We demonstrate here that SA‐β‐gal activity is expressed from GLB1, the gene encoding lysosomal β‐D‐galactosidase, the activity of which is typically measured at acidic pH 4.5. Fibroblasts from patients with autosomal recessive GM1‐gangliosidosis, which have defective lysosomal β‐galactosidase, did not express SA‐β‐gal at late passages even though they underwent replicative senescence. In addition, late passage normal fibroblasts expressing small‐hairpin interfering RNA that depleted GLB1 mRNA underwent senescence but failed to express SA‐β‐gal. GLB1 mRNA depletion also prevented expression of SA‐β‐gal activity in HeLa cervical carcinoma cells induced to enter a senescent state by repression of their endogenous human papillomavirus E7 oncogene. SA‐β‐gal induction during senescence was due at least in part to increased expression of the lysosomal β‐galactosidase protein. These results also indicate that SA‐β‐gal is not required for senescence.
Metallothionein antagonizes aging‐induced cardiac contractile dysfunction: role of PTP1B, insulin receptor tyrosine phosphorylation and Akt
Authors: Fang Cindy X. , Doser Thomas A. , Yang Xiaoping , Sreejayan Nair , Ren Jun 
Published: March 2006

SummaryAging is often accompanied by reduced insulin sensitivity and cardiac dysfunction. However, the causal relationship between the two remains poorly understood. This study was designed to determine the impact of cardiac‐specific overexpression of antioxidant metallothionein (MT) on aging‐associated cardiac dysfunction and impaired insulin signaling. Contractile and intracellular Ca2+ properties were evaluated in left ventricular myocytes including peak shortening (PS), maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening (± dL/dt), time‐to‐PS (TPS), time‐to‐90% relengthening (TR90), fura‐2 fluorescence intensity change (ΔFFI) and intracellular Ca2+ decay rate. Expression of insulin receptor, protein‐tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), phosphorylation of insulin receptor (Tyr1146) and Akt were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Aged wild‐type FVB and MT transgenic mice (26–28 months old) displayed glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinemia. Cardiomyocytes from aged FVB mice exhibited prolonged TR90 and intracellular Ca2+ decay associated with normal PS, ± dL/dt, TPS and ΔFFI compared with those from young (2–3 months old) mice. Western blot analysis revealed reduced Akt expression and insulin (5 mU g−1)‐stimulated Akt phosphorylation, elevated PTP1B expression and diminished basal insulin receptor tyrosine phosphorylation associated with comparable insulin receptor expression in aged FVB mouse hearts. All of these aging‐related defects in cardiac contractile function and insulin signaling (although not hyperinsulinemia and glucose intolerance) were significantly attenuated or ablated by MT transgene. These data indicate that enhanced antioxidant defense is beneficial for aging‐induced cardiac contractile dysfunction and alteration in insulin signaling.