bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First trimester predictors of adverse pregnancy outcomes
Authors: BRAMELD Kate J. , DICKINSON Jan E. , O’LEARY Peter , BOWER Carol , GOLDBLATT Jack , HEWITT Beverley , MURCH Ashleigh , STOCK Rosanne 
Published: December 2008

Aim: To identify first trimester indicators of adverse pregnancy outcomes.Method: Data were obtained from the statewide evaluation of first trimester screening for Down syndrome in Western Australia which included 22 695 pregnancies screened between August 2001 and October 2003. Screening data were linked with pregnancy outcome information from the Hospital Morbidity Database and the Birth Defects Registry. The odds ratios (OR) of adverse outcomes were analysed for combined risk incorporating maternal age, nuchal translucency (NT) and biochemical parameters and then separately for each parameter (pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A), free beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β‐hCG) and NT).Results: Risk assessments for first trimester combined screening are derived from maternal age, ultrasound measurement of fetal NT, maternal serum free β‐hCG and PAPP‐A. Increased combined risk for Down syndrome was significantly (P < 0.01) associated with spontaneous loss at or before 24 weeks gestation (OR 13.51), birth defects (OR 6.58) and preterm birth at or before 32 weeks gestation (OR 3.2). Maternal serum PAPP‐A below the 5th centile was associated with Down syndrome (OR 8.43), spontaneous loss before 24 weeks (OR 5.04) and later than 24 weeks (OR 4.50), preterm delivery before 32 weeks (OR 3.11) and before 37 weeks (OR 2.24). NT above the 95th centile was associated with Down syndrome (OR 43.91), birth defects (OR 4.02) and spontaneous loss before 24 weeks (OR 6.24). Low levels of free β‐hCG and increased NT were less consistently associated with adverse outcomes and high levels of free β‐hCG showed limited use as an indicator. The detection rates for all outcomes other than Down syndrome were less than 40%.Conclusion: Biochemical indicators and NT that are measured during first trimester screening for Down syndrome show a number of associations with adverse outcomes, but do not show appropriate performance characteristics for screening tests. These data are consistent with the view that the individual components, specifically low PAPP‐A levels alone, do not provide an effective screening tool for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
The diagnosis and treatment of Mullerian adenosarcoma of the uterus
Authors: SHI Yangyang , LIU Zhiqiang , PENG Zhilan , LIU Hui , YANG Kaixuan , YAO Xianying 
Published: December 2008

Background:  Adenosarcoma of the uterus is one of the rare types of gynaecological malignant tumours. Poor awareness of it among clinicians makes it difficult to diagnose correctly and timely, so it is helpful to enrich and update our knowledge about the tumour with new information of patients.Aim:  To improve the level of diagnosis and treatment of Mullerian adenosarcoma of the uterus.Methods:  The medical data of nine patients with Mullerian adenosarcoma of the uterus who were treated from May 1995 to March 2006 in our hospital were analysed retrospectively. The analysis focused on clinicopathological features, treatment and prognosis.Results:  Patients typically presented with abnormal uterine bleeding, pain in the lower abdomen, enlargement of the uterus, a mass in the uterine cavity and/or a cervical neoplasm. Microscopically, the glands were lined by benign or atypical glandular epithelium, together with sarcomatous stromal cells which showed characteristic structures of ‘periglandular cuff’ of increased cellularity and ‘intraglandular polypoid projections’. The primary diagnostic rate was 33.3% and the average interval from symptom onset to final diagnosis was 13 months and eight weeks for pre‐ and postmenopausal patients, respectively. The prognosis was better in early stage disease in young patients.Conclusions:  The most common symptom of adenosarcoma of the uterus is abnormal uterine bleeding. Younger patients are more often misdiagnosed. Clinical stage and age of the patient are closely related to prognosis. Surgery is the primary treatment, and chemotherapy may be somewhat beneficial.
The prevalence of inherited thrombophilic polymorphisms in an asymptomatic Australian antenatal population
Authors: SAID Joanne M. , BRENNECKE Shaun P. , MOSES Eric K. , WALKER Susan P. , MONAGLE Paul T. , CAMPBELL Janine , BRYANT Valerie J. , BORG Anthony J. , HIGGINS John R. 
Published: December 2008

Aim: Inherited thrombophilic polymorphisms have been linked to pregnancy‐related thromboembolism and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. As there are limited data on the prevalence of these polymorphisms in Australian populations, we aimed to assess this in an antenatal population.Methods: Healthy nulliparous women (n = 2031) were recruited to this study. The women had no past or family history of venous thromboembolism. Women were excluded if they or a family member was known to be a carrier of any thrombophilic marker. Genotyping from venous blood for the factor V Leiden, prothrombin 20210A, MTHFR 677 and 1298 and thrombomodulin C1418T polymorphisms was undertaken.Results: Key findings were that 107 of 2019 (5.30, 95% confidence interval 4.36–6.37%) women tested were heterozygous carriers of factor V Leiden and one was homozygous (0.05, 0–0.27%); 2.43% of women were heterozygous carriers of the prothrombin gene mutation (1.80–3.20%) while no women were homozygous for this mutation; 11.62% (10.22–13.02%) and 9.98% (8.67–11.29%) were homozygous for the MTHFR 677 and 1298 polymorphisms, respectively, and 3.43% (2.63–4.22%) of women were homozygous for the thrombomodulin polymorphism.Conclusions: The prevalence of these polymorphisms is consistent with previously published data in Caucasian populations. These data will provide the basis for further assessment of the relationship between poor pregnancy outcome and these inherited thrombophilic polymorphisms in an asymptomatic antenatal population.
Prepartum and intrapartum caesarean section rates at Mater Mothers’ Hospital Brisbane 1997–2005
Authors: JANSSENS Sarah , WALLACE Karen L. , CHANG Allan M. Z. 
Published: December 2008

Aim: To document the rise in prepartum and intrapartum caesarean section and the demographic and medical factors contributing to the rise.Methods: Data from 52 423 deliveries between January 1997 to May 2005 were analysed for yearly change in caesarean section rates and multiple demographic and medical factors.Results: The prepartum caesarean section rate increased by 1.6% per year and the intrapartum caesarean section rate by 0.8% per year. There was no increase in the overall prevalence of obesity, short stature, advanced maternal age, medical complications or previous caesarean section. There were significant increases in nulliparity, private care, induction of labour and the use of electronic monitoring, but these were insufficient to explain the magnitude of the rise.Conclusion: The increase in prepartum and intrapartum caesarean section displayed was not fully explained by medical and demographic changes in the population.
Tumour necrosis factor (‐308A) polymorphism in pre‐eclampsia: Meta‐analysis of 16 case–control studies
Authors: BOMBELL Sarah , McGUIRE William 
Published: December 2008

Background:  The guanine to adenine transition at position ‐308 nucleotides in the tumour necrosis factor promoter region (TNF ‐308A) is a putative genetic risk factor for pre‐eclampsia/eclampsia (PE/E). However, association studies have reported conflicting findings and have generally been underpowered to exclude modest effect sizes.Aim:  To assess and synthesise the available evidence for the association of the TNF (‐308A) polymorphism with PE/E.Methods:  Systematic review and random effects meta‐analysis of genetic association studies.Results:  Sixteen eligible case–control studies in which a total of 1919 patients with PE/E and 2374 controls participated were identified. The studies were generally small but of reasonable methodological quality. Random effects meta‐analysis improved the precision of the estimate of effect size but did not detect a statistically significant association: pooled relative risk 1.02 (95% confidence interval 0.86 to 1.20).Conclusions:  The available data are not consistent with more than a very modest association between the TNF (‐308A) allele and PE/E. Screening pregnant women for this allele in order to guide antenatal surveillance or treatment is unwarranted. Future research efforts should focus on alternative candidate genes.
Self‐Reported Cultural Competence of Public Health Nurses in a Southeastern U.S. Public Health Department
Authors: Starr Sharon , Wallace Debra C. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Objective: Delivery of culturally competent public health nursing that can address health disparities is dependent on competent practice by nurses. Examining public health nurses' (PHNs') cultural competence provides a basis for planning and developing interventions to ensure competent care. Examine the cultural competence of PHNs.Design: Descriptive, exploratory study examining the measured cultural competence of PHNs and their perceptions of delivery of culturally competent care.Sample: A convenience sample of 31 PHNs participated.Measurements: Participants completed the Cultural Competence Assessment tool and documented personal experiences and perceptions of culturally competent health care through open‐ended questions.Results: Most participants reported a moderate level of cultural competence. Cultural awareness and sensitivity scores were higher than scores for culturally competent behaviors. Participation in specific types of cultural competence training was significantly related to higher scores on cultural competence. Participants documented culturally competent care for a diverse clientele and requested additional diversity educational opportunities and interpreter services.Conclusions: The nurses had culturally competent knowledge and attitudes but were unable to fully and consistently enact these in practice. The need for appropriate cultural competence education and interpreter services addressing health disparities, as mandated in the Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care standards, is emphasized.
Using Technology to Expedite Screening and Intervention for Domestic Abuse and Neglect
Authors: Hawkins Joellen W. , Pearce Carole W. , Skeith Jackie , Dimitruk Beth , Roche Ritajean 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT Objective:In response to escalation of community violence, the U.S. Department of Commerce funded Home Health VNA (HHVNA), serving the Merrimack River valley communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, for a project demonstrating innovative use of technology in screening for abuse and neglect.Design:All health care providers in the HHVNA were trained in screening through tools loaded on their personal digital assistants.Sample:The sample was comprised of patients served by HHVNA during the study period.Intervention:When a patient screened positive, the health care provider mobilized resources, including social workers, the office of elder services, or the local department of social services office for same‐day follow‐up.Outcomes:Screening for abuse and neglect was mainstreamed into routine care. Health care providers noted significant reduction in redundant domestic abuse data collection. The close communication networks created enabled health care providers to mobilize resources, initiating same‐day in‐depth social work assessment and referrals to appropriate community agencies. Health care providers now transmit selected encrypted health information and mandated reports to official agencies.Conclusions:Wedding technology with health care professionals' skills and knowledge can move prevention of and early intervention for domestic abuse and neglect to a new level of efficacy.
Reduction of Ethanol‐Derived Acetaldehyde Induced Motivational Properties by l‐Cysteine
Authors: Peana Alessandra T. , Assaretti Anna Rita , Muggironi Giulia , Enrico Paolo , Diana Marco 
Published: December 2008

Background:  Experimental evidences suggest that acetaldehyde (ACD) contributes to the positive motivational properties of ethanol (EtOH) as assessed by the place conditioning paradigm; indeed, we found that by reducing ACD production and/or by using ACD‐sequestrating agents, EtOH is deprived from its motivational properties. Thiol products, such as the amino acid cysteine, are known to be effective ACD‐sequestering agents. Cysteine is able to covalently bind ACD thereby forming a stable, nontoxic 2‐methyl‐thiazolidine‐4‐carboxylic acid compound. Thus, we treated rats with l‐cysteine before intragastric administration of EtOH or ACD.Methods:  Male Wistar rats were pretreated intraperitoneally with saline or l‐cysteine (10, 20, or 30 mg/kg), before intragastric administration of saline, EtOH (1 g/kg), or ACD (20 mg/kg). The specificity of l‐cysteine effect was addressed using morphine‐induced conditioned place preference (cpp) (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.).Results:  l‐cysteine dose‐dependently prevented both EtOH and ACD‐induced cpp but did not interfere with morphine‐induced cpp, suggesting that l‐cysteine specifically modulates the motivational properties of EtOH.Conclusion:  The present results further underscore the role of EtOH‐derived ACD in EtOH‐induced motivational properties. l‐cysteine, by binding EtOH‐derived ACD, would deprive it of its rewarding properties and reduce its abuse liability.
Sex Differences in Ethanol‐Induced Hypothermia in Ethanol‐Naïve and Ethanol‐Dependent/Withdrawn Rats
Authors: Taylor Anna N. , Tio Delia L. , Bando Jennifer K. , Truong Amy H. , Prolo Paolo 
Published: December 2008

Background: Human and animal findings indicate that males and females display major differences in risk for and consequences of alcohol abuse and alcoholism. These differences are in large part mediated by sex‐specific hormonal environments. Gonadal and adrenal secretory products are known to modulate the neurobehavioral responses of ethanol (EtOH) dependence and withdrawal. However, the effects of these steroids on physiological adaptations, such as thermoregulation, are less well established. To study the role of sex‐related hormones in mediating sex differences in the hypothermic response to acute challenge with EtOH, we compared the EtOH‐induced hypothermic responses of EtOH‐naïve male and female rats and EtOH‐dependent (on the third day of withdrawal) male and female rats before (intact) and after depletion of all gonadal and adrenal steroids by gonadectomy (GDX) with or without adrenalectomy (ADX).Methods: Intact and GDX male and female rats, with or without ADX, were fed an EtOH‐containing liquid diet for 15 days while control (EtOH‐naïve) rats were pairfed the isocaloric liquid diet without EtOH or fed normal rat chow and water. On the third day of withdrawal from the EtOH diet we tested the hypothermic response to EtOH challenge (1.5 g/kg BWt, ip). Blood alcohol content (BAC) and corticosterone (CORT) content were analyzed in a separate series of intact and GDX males and females with and without ADX in response to the EtOH challenge.Results: Ethanol‐induced hypothermia was significantly greater and its duration significantly longer in intact males than females when subjects were EtOH‐naïve. EtOH‐induced hypothermia was significantly greater in intact females than males by the third day of withdrawal from EtOH dependence. GDX in males significantly shortened the duration of the hypothermic response and tended to blunt EtOH‐induced hypothermia while response duration was significantly extended by GDX in females that tended to enhance EtOH‐hypothermia. EtOH‐induced hypothermia was significantly enhanced and its duration significantly lengthened by combined GDX and ADX in EtOH‐naïve and ‐withdrawn males and by combined GDX and ADX in EtOH‐naïve but not EtOH‐withdrawn females. These differential EtOH‐induced hypothermic responses did not appear to be caused by differences in EtOH handling among the groups. The absence of adrenal activation by EtOH in the GDX–ADX males and females contributes to their enhanced EtOH‐induced hypothermic responses.Conclusions: These results implicate the direct and indirect effects of removal of gonadal and adrenal secretory products as mediators of the thermoregulatory actions of EtOH.
MTHFR C677T Polymorphism and Risk of HCC in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis: Role of Male Gender and Alcohol Consumption
Authors: Fabris Carlo , Toniutto Pierluigi , Falleti Edmondo , Fontanini Elisabetta , Cussigh Annarosa , Bitetto Davide , Fornasiere Ezio , Fumolo Elisa , Avellini Claudio , Minisini Rosalba , Pirisi Mario 
Published: December 2008

Background:  A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) C677T in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene has been identified. The TT or CT genotypes show a marked reduction of the enzyme activity; this causes higher homocysteine levels and alterations of folate metabolism. Folate metabolism is essential for DNA synthesis and methylation, crucial steps in carcinogenesis. In this paper, we investigated whether the MTHFR C677T SNP could influence the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a cohort of patients transplanted for end stage liver disease of different etiologies.Methods:  Two hundred and twelve consecutive patients who underwent liver transplantation for end stage liver disease due to hepatitis B or C, alcoholic liver disease, and other causes were studied. Two hundred and thirty‐six blood donors served as controls. Focal hepatic lesions were searched in the sectioned explanted livers. The presence of the MTHFR C677T SNP was determined via polymerase chain reaction amplification.Results:  Among the 65 patients with HCC, 22 had the CC genotype, 30 the CT, and 13 the TT genotype. Only in patients with alcoholic liver disease was a significant association detected between the TT genotype and the presence of liver cancer (6/17 vs. 5/46, p < 0.05). At stepwise logistic regression analysis the independent selected predictors of HCC were found: age at transplantation >55 years (p < 0.001) and the association among male gender, alcoholic liver disease, and MTHFR TT genotype (p = 0.002).Conclusions:  The present study suggests that male TT carriers with alcoholic cirrhosis bear an increased risk of developing HCC.
Ethanol Attenuates the HFS‐Induced, ERK‐Mediated LTP in a Dose‐Dependent Manner in Rat Striatum
Authors: Xie Gui Qin , Wang Shen Jun , Li Jing , Cui Sheng Zhong , Zhou Rong , Chen Ling , Yuan Xiao Ru 
Published: December 2008

Background:  The striatum has been implicated to play a role in the control of voluntary behavior, and striatal synaptic plasticity is involved in instrumental learning. Ethanol is known to alter synaptic plasticity, in turn altering the behavior of human and animals. However, it remains unclear whether the striatum plays a role in the effects of ethanol on the central nervous system. The objective of this investigation was to study the effects of acute perfusion of ethanol on long‐term potentiation (LTP) to elucidate the mechanisms of addictive drugs in the striatum. In addition, we investigated the contribution of intracellular extracellular signal regulated protein kinase (ERK) signaling pathway to corticostriatal LTP induction.Methods:  The stimulation evoked population spikes (PS) were recorded from the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) slices of rat using the extracellular recording technique. The LTP in DMS slices was induced by high‐frequency stimulation (HFS). The ERK level of the DMS was assessed with the Western blot technique.Results:  U0126, the inhibitor of ERK, eliminated or significantly attenuated the LTP induced by HFS of the PS in the DMS. MK801 and APV, N‐methyl‐d‐aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) antagonists, inhibited the induction of striatal LTP, and HFS‐induced ERK activation decreased in the slices treated with MK801 in the DMS. Clinically relevant concentrations of ethanol (22 to 88 mM) dose‐dependently attenuated the HFS‐induced striatal LTP and ERK activation in this brain region.Conclusions:  The LTP of the PS in the DMS is, at least partly, mediated by the ERK pathway coupling to NMDARs. Ethanol attenuated the HFS‐induced, ERK‐mediated LTP in a dose‐dependent manner in this brain region. These results indicate that ethanol may change the synaptic plasticity of corticostriatal circuits underlying the learning of goal‐directed instrumental actions, which is mediated by an intracellular ERK signaling pathway associated with NMDARs.
Alcohol Functionally Upregulates Toll‐Like Receptor 2 in Airway Epithelial Cells
Authors: Bailey Kristina L. , Wyatt Todd A. , Romberger Debra J. , Sisson Joseph H. 
Published: December 2008

Background:  Alcoholics are known to have more severe airway diseases of the lung, such as bronchitis. Little is known about why this phenomenon is observed. We hypothesized that alcohol may modulate Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2), which regulates inflammation caused by gram‐positive bacteria.Methods:  Airway epithelial cells [primary bronchial epithelial cells (NHBE) and 16HBE 14o‐] were exposed to 0 to 100 mM alcohol for 0 to 24 hours. Real time PCR was used to quantify TLR2 mRNA. Protein levels of TLR2 were determined using Western blots and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) on cells exposed to 0, 50, and 100 mM alcohol. Finally, cells were “primed” with alcohol, stimulated with a TLR2 agonist (peptidoglycan), and interleukin 8 (IL‐8) release was measured.Results:  Alcohol, at biologically relevant concentrations (25 to 100 mM), caused a 2 to 3‐fold time‐ and concentration‐dependent increase in TLR2 mRNA in normal human bronchial epithelial cells and 16HBE 14o‐ cells. Western blots for TLR2 revealed a qualitative increase in TLR2 protein in cells exposed to 100 mM alcohol. FACS showed that TLR2 was quantitatively increased on the surface of airway epithelial cells that were exposed to alcohol. Airway cells that were primed with alcohol produced nearly twice as much IL‐8 in response to 40 ng of peptidoglycan than naive cells.Conclusions:  Alcohol upregulates TLR2 message and protein in the airway epithelium. This leads to exaggerated inflammation in response to environmental stimuli that would normally be well tolerated in airway epithelial cells. This may be a partial explanation of why alcoholics have more severe airway disease than nonalcoholics.
Genomewide SNP Screen to Detect Quantitative Trait Loci for Alcohol Preference in the High Alcohol Preferring and Low Alcohol Preferring Mice
Authors: Bice Paula , Valdar William , Zhang Lili , Liu Lixiang , Lai Dongbing , Grahame Nicholas , Flint Jonathan , Li Ting‐Kai , Lumeng Lawrence , Foroud Tatiana 
Published: December 2008

Background:  The high and low alcohol preferring (HAP1 and LAP1) mouse lines were selectively bred for differences in alcohol intake. The HAP1 and LAP1 mice are essentially noninbred lines that originated from the outbred colony of HS/Ibg mice, a heterogeneous stock developed from intercrossing 8 inbred strains of mice.Methods:  A total of 867 informative SNPs were genotyped in 989 HAP1 × LAP1 F2, 68 F1s, 14 parents (6 LAP1, 8 HAP1), as well as the 8 inbred strains of mice crossed to generate the HS/Ibg colony. Multipoint genome wide analyses were performed to simultaneously detect linked QTLs and also fine map these regions using the ancestral haplotypes.Results:  QTL analysis detected significant evidence of association on 4 chromosomes: 1, 3, 5, and 9. The region on chromosome 9 was previously found linked in a subset of these F2 animals using a whole genome microsatellite screen.Conclusions:  We have detected strong evidence of association to multiple chromosomal regions in the mouse. Several of these regions include candidate genes previously associated with alcohol dependence in humans or other animal models.