bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of heparin, haemodilution and aprotinin on kaolin‐based activated clotting time: in vitro comparison of two different point of care devices
Authors: Dalbert S. , Ganter M. T. , Furrer L. , Klaghofer R. , Zollinger A. , Hofer C. K. 
Published: March 2006

Background:  During cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), measurement of kaolin‐based activated clotting time (kACT) is a standard practice in monitoring heparin‐induced anticoagulation. Despite the fact that the kACT test from the Sonoclot Analyzer (SkACT) has been commercially available for several years, no published data on the performance of SkACT are available. Thus, the aim of this in vitro study was to compare SkACT with an established kACT from Hemochron (HkACT).Methods:  Blood was withdrawn from 25 patients before elective cardiac surgery. SkACT and HkACT were measured in duplicate after in vitro administration of heparin (0, 1, 2 and 3 U/ml), calcium‐free lactated Ringer's solution (25% and 50% haemodilution) and aprotinin (200 kIU/ml).Results:  A total of 600 duplicate kACT measurements were obtained from 25 cardiac surgery patients. Overall, mean bias ± SD between SkACT and HkACT was 7 ± 70 s (1.3% ± 14.1%). Administration of heparin, haemodilution and aprotinin induced a comparable effect on both activated clotting time (ACT) tests. Mean bias ranged from −4 ± 39 s (−1.7% ± 12.9%) to 4 ± 78 s (3.2% ± 15.6%) for heparinzed blood samples after haemodilution or aprotinin application and increased after combined aprotinin administration and haemodilution. After haemodilution and administration of aprotinin, both ACT tests were less reliable for values >480 s in heparinized blood samples.Conclusion:  Accuracy and performance of SkACT and HkACT were comparable after in vitro administration of heparin, aprotinin and haemodilution. Both ACT tests were considerably affected by aprotinin and haemodilution.
Blastocyst development of 4‐cell mouse embryos after laser destruction of one blastomere with or without its microsurgical removal
Authors: Vutyavanich Teraporn , Amatyakul Patcharada , Piromlertamorn Waraporn 
Published: March 2006

AbstractAim:  To study the rate of blastocyst formation in 4‐cell mouse embryos after laser destruction of one blastomere, with or without microsurgical removal of the destroyed blastomere.Methods:  Mouse embryos were randomly allocated to two control and two experimented groups. Control embryos were either non‐manipulated (117 embryos) or underwent laser ablation of zona only (114 embryos). Experimented embryos had laser destruction of zona and the adjacent blastomeres. Destroyed blastomeres were either left in situ (115 embryos) or were microsurgically removed (107 embryos). They were cultured in sequential media for 72 h and were assessed for cleavage/morula arrest and blastocyst formation rates.Results:  Embryos arrested at cleavage/morula stages were higher when destroyed blastomeres remained in situ (30.4%) than when they were immediately removed (15.0%, P < 0.05). Blastocysts in the group with immediate removal of the destroyed blastomeres (85%) were significantly higher than when destroyed blastomeres were left in situ (69.6%, P < 0.05). Blastocyst formation in the repaired embryos was significantly lower than the non‐manipulated (91.5%) and the manipulated controls (94.8%, P < 0.05). Hatching blastocysts were highest in control embryos with zonal ablation (72.8%). Proportions of hatching/hatched blastocysts in embryos, with or without removal of destroyed blastomeres, were not significantly different (39.3% and 33.9%, respectively). The percentage of embryonic loss during an attempt at microsurgical repair was 6.1%.Conclusion:  Microsurgical removal of destroyed blastomere was effective in restoring blastocyst development. It could reduce the rate of cleavage/morula arrest.
Sporadic fetal heart rate decelerations associated with electrocortical changes in fetal lambs
Authors: Fujimori Keiya , Murata Yuji , Sato Akira 
Published: March 2006

AbstractAim:  The purpose of this study was to determine a relationship between sporadic fetal heart rate (FHR) decelerations and fetal electrocortical changes in physiologically normal sheep fetuses.Materials and Methods:  A total of 20 experimental observations were conducted on eight chronically instrumented fetal lambs. For electrocorticogram (ECoG) recording, two stainless steel electrodes were implanted bilaterally on the fetal parietal skull. Classifications of ECoG tracings were visually divided into periods of low, high, intermediate and transitional voltage. During day and night observations, sporadic FHR decelerations related to fetal ECoG changes were counted.Results:  We found that 65% of the total sporadic FHR decelerations occurred in relation to fetal ECoG changes. The largest number of sporadic FHR decelerations was associated with a switch from low voltage to high voltage ECoG (37%). However, the greatest frequency of sporadic FHR decelerations occurred during intermediate ECoG periods (34%).Conclusion:  The majority of sporadic FHR decelerations observed in physiologically normal sheep fetuses were associated with fetal ECoG changes.
Immunological factors and their role in the genesis and development of endometriosis  ARTICLE HAS BEEN RETRACTED
Authors: Siristatidis Charalambos , Nissotakis Christos , Chrelias Charalambos , Iacovidou Helen , Salamalekis Emmanuel 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe article presents an overview of immunological factors and their role in the genesis and development of endometriosis, with emphasis on inflammatory cytokines and growth and adhesion factors. Although retrograde menstruation is a common phenomenon among women of reproductive age, not all women with retrograde menstruation suffer the disease. Development of endometriosis seems to be a complex process, facilitated by several factors, including quantity and quality of endometrial cells in peritoneal fluid (PF), increased inflammatory activity in PF, increased endometrial–peritoneal adhesion and angiogenesis, reduced immune surveillance and clearance of endometrial cells, and increased production of autoantibodies against endometrial cells. Potential biomarkers like cytokines and autoantibodies, upregulated during development of endometriosis, seem useful in the development of a non‐surgical diagnostic tool. In this review work, the immune role in endometriosis is examined through the role of immunological factors in the genesis and development of the disease. Furthermore, it could be concluded that, although endometriosis can be treated using hormonal suppression, there is a need today for non‐hormonal drugs, probably to modulate immune function, in order to confront the disease and alleviate pain or infertility without inhibition of ovulation.
Ranking the contributing risk factors in venous thrombosis in terms of therapeutic potential: Virchow's triad revisited
Authors: Kiyomura Masaki , Katayama Tomihiro , Kusanagi Yasuki , Ito Masaharu 
Published: March 2006

AbstractAim:  Thromboemoblism is an attendant feature of a variety of pathological conditions. We reconsidered Virchow's pathogenetic triad of stasis, humoral factors and vascular wall pathologies in the light of platelet behavior in vivo.Methods:  Rat mesenteric microcirculation was examined by intravital microscopy. After isolated rat platelets had been injected i.v. into rats, their behavior in venules was examined under the following conditions: stasis from pressure, hemoconcentration from erythropoietin injections, or endothelial damage from tumor necrosis factor‐α.Results:  In the endothelial damage group, platelets displayed transient adhesion and rolling, while some platelets exhibited stationary adhesion to venular endothelium. The stasis and hemoconcentration groups exhibited only a slight change in adhesive response.Conclusion:  Endothelial dysfunction appears to be the most important contributing factor in the development of venous thrombosis. As such, targeting this dysfunction is suggested for therapeutic intervention.
Effectiveness of microlaparoscopy in the diagnosis of premature ovarian failure
Authors: Abe Noriko , Takeuchi Hiroyuki , Kikuchi Iwaho , Kinoshita Katsuyuki 
Published: March 2006

AbstractAim:  Premature ovarian failure (POF) cases contain a mixture of cases possessing follicles (type A) and those depleted of follicles (type B). Differentiation between the two types is important because the treatment policy and pregnancy prognosis vary greatly. The objective of this study was to examine the usefulness of microlaparoscopy in the differentiation of types A and B.Methods:  Among 66 patient with POF diagnosed at our department between May 1996 and April 2004, 47 patients who gave informed consent and underwent microlaparoscopy were studied. The cases were divided into four groups based on the laparoscopic ovarian morphology. These groups were analyzed with respect to patient background, blood hormone levels, antinuclear antibody positive rate, visualization of the ovary on transvaginal ultrasonography, presence or absence of follicles in biopsy specimen, and number of follicles.Result:  No significant differences in patient background and serum hormone levels were observed between groups. There was a tendency of increase in antinuclear antibody positive rate, increase in proportion of cases with follicles, and increase in number of follicles as the ovarian morphology approached normal. Transvaginal ultrasonography failed to identify the ovary in all the patients.Conclusion:  Microlaparoscopy is useful in the differentiation between type A and B POF, and is further expected to become an indicator of response to treatment.
Analysis of ovarian tumors for the presence of human papillomavirus DNA
Authors: Quirk Jeffrey T. , Kupinski John M. , DiCioccio Richard A. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractAim:  The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in ovarian tumorigenesis is uncertain. The objective of this study was to screen a collection of ovarian tumors for the presence of high‐risk oncogenic HPV types 16, 18 and 33.Methods:  Twenty benign and malignant ovarian tumors were obtained from women undergoing pelvic surgery at a regional comprehensive cancer institution in North America. DNA was isolated from the snap‐frozen tumors, and commercial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection sets were used to analyze the tumor DNA samples for the presence of DNA from HPV types 16, 18 and 33.Results:  The DNA from HPV types 16, 18 and 33 was not detected in any of the ovarian tumors.Conclusions:  Our findings do not support an association between infection with HPV types 16, 18 and 33 and ovarian neoplasia in this patient population.
Fetal pulse oximetry and wavelet analysis of the fetal heart rate in the evaluation of abnormal cardiotocography tracings
Authors: Salamalekis Emmanuel , Siristatidis Charalambos , Vasios George , Saloum John , Giannaris Dimitrios , Chrelias Charalambos , Prentza Antonia , Koutsouris Demetrios 
Published: March 2006

AbstractAim:  Previous studies indicate that the addition of wavelet analysis of the fetal pulse oximetry tracings (FSPO2) and fetal heart rate (FHR) variability to cardiotocography (CTG), for intrapartum fetal monitoring, provides useful information on the fetal response to hypoxia. We applied the new procedure in non‐reassuring CTG patterns, in which cesarean section was performed, and tested its accuracy in the diagnosis of the intrapartum fetal compromise.Methods:  At the ‘Aretaieion’ University Hospital labor ward, 318 women with term fetuses in the cephalic presentation entered the trial during labor. They all were monitored with external CTG and fetal pulse oximetry. In the cases that cesarean section was applied, because of abnormal CTG tracings, we applied a method based on the multiresolution wavelet analysis and a self‐organized map neural network on the first and second stage of labor. The main outcome parameter was the rate of cord metabolic acidosis at birth (pH < 7.05). Secondary outcomes included Apgar scores at 5 min, fetal transmission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and neonatal encephalopathy.Results:  Fifty out of 318 cases delivered operatively because of abnormal CTG patterns (rate 15.72%). In 30 cases, cord pH was >7.05, while in 11 Apgar scores at 5 min were <7, while none of those neonates were transferred to NICU. In the rest 20 cases cord pH was <7.05; in all of these cases Apgar scores at 5 min were <7, while four neonates were transferred to NICU. In one of them, neonatal encephalopathy was diagnosed. After the offline application of wavelet analysis and neural networks to the pulse oximetry and FHR variability readings of the 50 cases, statistics calculated that the system showed a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 93%, while false negative and false positive rates were 15% and 7%, respectively.Conclusion:  Computerized FHR and FSPO2 monitoring shows an excellent efficacy and reliability in interpreting non‐reassuring FHR recordings.
Differences in urodynamic study, perineal sonography and treatment outcome according to urethrovesical junction hypermobility in stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Bai Sang Wook , Kwon Ja Young , Chung Da Jung , Park Joo Hyun , Kim Sei Kwang 
Published: March 2006

AbstractAims:  To evaluate the differences in urodynamic study (UDS) and the perineal ultrasonography parameters between stress urinary incontinence (SUI) patients with or without urethrovesical junction (UVJ) hypermobility. Treatment outcomes following a retropubic urethropexy were also compared.Methods:  The records of 164 SUI patients (≤stage II), treated with retropubic urethropexy at our department between January 2001 and February 2004 were reviewed. The patients were categorized into a hypermobility group when the measured Q‐tip angle was ≥30, and a non‐hypermobility group when <30. All patients underwent UDS and perineal ultrasonography (US) preoperatively. A Burch urethropexy was performed regardless of the Q‐tip result. All patients were reevaluated at 1 month and 3 months, postoperatively, and every 3 months thereafter.Results:  Ninety‐eight patients (60%) had an accompanying UVJ hypermobility and 66 (40%) did not. No significant differences regarding age, parity, body mass index (BMI), menopausal status, hormone replacement status, history of previous gynecologic surgery, or other medico‐surgical illness were noted. UDS parameters demonstrated a significant difference between the groups, but were in the normal range. The significant difference noted in the perineal US was the bladder neck descent (BND). Following retropubic urethropexy, the success rates after 1 year were 94% and 91% for the hypermobility group and the non‐hypermobility group, respectively, showing no statistical significance.Conclusion:  The success rates of Burch urethropexy in the two groups were similar. This result suggests that either the Q‐tip is an inaccurate method of evaluating UVJ hypermobility or the presence of UVJ hypermobility does not negatively affect the treatment outcome of a Burch urethropexy.
Giant paraovarian myxoma
Authors: Habek Dubravko , Dmitrovic Branko , Popovic Zoran , Karša Matija , Blažicvic Valerija , Rupcic Branko , Vlahovic Mirna Erman , Marjanovic Ksenija 
Published: March 2006

AbstractWe present an extremely rare case of a successfully operated giant (6700 g) paraovarian myxoma and uterus myomatosus in a 49‐year‐old woman. Preoperative examination (biochemical investigations, ultrasound and computed tomography scan) and perioperative findings did not identify a malignant tumor so that total abdominal hysterectomy/bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy and tumorectomy was chosen to treat the patient. Histologically, the tumor was clearly differentiated from the surrounding tissue. In solid regions there were spindle‐shaped cells arranged in sheaves and within the profuse, well‐vascularized myxomatous stroma there were star‐shaped cells. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that tumor cells were positive to vimentin and smooth muscle actin. Electron microscopic analysis showed that tumor cells had ultrastructural characteristics that corresponded to cells in fibroma and thecoma in a profuse intercellular matrix, which confirmed the result of light microscopy.
Basic study of healing of injuries to the myometrium and amniotic membrane using photocrosslinkable chitosan
Authors: Suzuki Keitaro , Shinya Masaru , Kitagawa Michihiro 
Published: March 2006

AbstractAim:  We performed in vivo and in vitro adhesion experiments on the use of photocrosslinkable chitosan (PC) for healing of the myometrium and the amniotic membrane to test its usefulness in the perinatal field.Methods:  To determine the adhesion conditions of PC in the healing of the myometrium and amniotic membrane, we applied two concentrations (30 and 50 mg/mL) of PC to the postpartum amniotic membrane, and radiated it with ultraviolet (UV) light for 10, 20, 30 or 60 s. Next, we created incisions of three sizes (pinhole, 5 mm and 10 mm), and performed PC adhesion followed by pressure application experiments. Subsequently, we laparotomized 12‐day‐pregnant rats under anesthesia, created a 5‐mm incision, applied PC and closed the abdomen. We removed the uterus at 20 days of pregnancy, and histologically examined the site of PC application.Results:  The optimal adhesion conditions of PC were 50 mg/mL, and the optimal time of UV irradiation was 30 s or longer. In pressure application experiments, the bonding strength of PC was so high that even 10‐mm incisions withstood a mean pressure of 92 mmH2O. The bonding strength of PC was significantly higher than that of fibrin glue that was tested in parallel. Histological examination of the rat myometrium showed a mild foreign body reaction with no inflammatory findings, confirming the usefulness of PC.Conclusions:  PC is a wound‐healing drug, an improvement on the naturally occurring polysaccharide chitosan, and is safer and has a higher bonding strength than biological adhesives including fibrin, making it promising for fetal surgical and perinatal applications.
Preoperative diagnosis of ovarian tumors, focusing on the solid area based on diagnostic imaging
Authors: Umemoto Masahiko , Shiota Mitsuru , Shimono Taro , Hoshiai Hiroshi 
Published: March 2006

AbstractAim:  The objectives were to attempt to differentiate between benignancy and malignancy by focusing not on macroscopic finding of tumor sections, but on the solid areas by diagnostic imaging. To investigate the usefulness of diagnostic imaging for ovarian tumors, we examined the solid areas in the tumor and their shape and analyzed the relationship between these factors and the malignant potential.Methods:  Subjects were 921 surgical cases (1074 tumors) over a period of 7 years. Diagnostic images (ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) were reread, focusing on the solid area. Tumors were classified into four groups according to the prominence of the solid area, and the findings were compared with the postoperative diagnosis.Results:  Of the cases, 718 indicated benign, borderline malignancy in 29 and malignancy in 174. The malignant potential of tumors with solid areas was significantly higher than those with no solid area. However, upon comparison among the different groups with solid areas, no significant differences were detected in terms of the frequency at which malignancies were detected, despite the differences between the groups with respect to size and shape.Conclusion:  It is important for the treatment strategy that solid areas, even if small, should not be neglected, and that malignancies are found at high frequency regardless of shape, size and prominence.
Small bowel perforation without tumor recurrence after radiotherapy for cervical carcinoma: Report of seven cases
Authors: Yamashita Hideomi , Nakagawa Keiichi , Tago Masao , Igaki Hiroshi , Shiraishi Kenshirou , Nakamura Naoki , Sasano Nakashi , Yamakawa Sen , Ohtomo Kuni 
Published: March 2006

AbstractAim:  We describe the clinical presentation, evaluation, management and outcome of patients experiencing small bowel perforation following radiation therapy for cervical cancer.Methods and Materials:  A database consisting of 95 Japanese women with stage 0–4 A cervix cancer treated between 1991 and 2004 contained seven patients (7.4%) with small bowel perforation.Results:  The median age at the time of perforation was 72.5 years (range 62–78). The median time from completion of radiotherapy to perforation was 6 months (range 2–58). Surgery (one small bowel resection and anastomosis with diversion; six small bowel resection and anastomosis) was performed immediately in all seven patients. One of seven patients died of small bowel perforation (i.e. mortality rate was 14%). Bowel adhesion was detected during the operation in only three cases (43%). Signs of peritonitis were absent in six cases (86%). Severe abdominal pain was seen in all seven patients. The perforation site was ileum in all seven cases. In all patients, pathological changes were compatible with postirradiation injury of the gastrointestinal tract.Conclusions:  The presenting complaints of patients with bowel perforation following radiotherapy vary, and signs of peritonitis may be absent. Emergency physicians must be alert for these complications in patients who have been treated with radiotherapy.
Metronidazole with Lactacyd vaginal gel in bacterial vaginosis
Authors: Decena Ditas Cristina D. , Co Jennifer T. , Manalastas Ricardo M. , Palaypayon Evelyn P. , Padolina Christia S. , Sison Judith M. , Dancel Louella A. , Lelis Marievi A. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractAim:  To assess the efficacy and tolerability of lactic acid (Lactacyd vaginal gel; LVG) when given as an adjunct to metronidazole in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) among Filipino patients.Methods:  A multicenter, open‐labeled, controlled, randomized, three‐arm comparative study on 90 women aged 18 years or over with clinically and microbiologically proven BV.Results:  The lactobacilli colony count significantly increased over time in all three arms. At day 14, growth of lactobacilli was significantly higher among patients in the lactic acid gel and combination treatment arms. Significant reduction of malodorous vaginal discharge (whiff test) and lowest recurrence of BV were noted in the metronidazole plus lactic acid gel arm. Regarding disappearance of signs of BV, there was significant decrease in the pH level and frequency of clue cell positive patients across time but was not significantly different across treatment groups. Only one patient (3%, 1/60) among those who received lactic acid gel complained of increased curd‐like discharge. Six patients (10%, 6/60) who received metronidazole complained of epigastric pain/discomfort, dizziness and dyspnea.Conclusions:  Lactic acid gel (LVG) is safe and as efficacious as metronidazole in the treatment of BV. There is evidence that LVG when combined with metronidazole is superior to metronidazole alone in promoting lactobacilli colonization. LVG as an adjunct to metronidazole, having the least number of recurrent BV, appears to result in better long‐term treatment effect on bacterial vaginosis.