bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
French midwives' practice of termination of pregnancy for fetal abnormality. At what psychological and ethical cost?
Authors: Garel M. , Etienne E. , Blondel B. , Dommergues M. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractObjectivesTo study the clinical, emotional and moral difficulties that French midwives encounter in the labor ward while performing termination of pregnancy (TOP) for fetal abnormality.SettingSix public maternity hospitals located in the Ile de France region, two of which were referral centers for prenatal diagnosis (PND) and TOP.MethodQuestionnaire surveyResultsNinety‐two of 115 midwives responded. Sixty‐five percent of the midwives reported that their role in the labor ward during TOP was difficult. Aspects contributing substantially to the perceived difficulties were the midwives' responsibility to provide psychological support to patients and the emotional distress of the midwives themselves. Seventy‐five percent reported that they were concerned about the child being alive in cases of late TOP. Twenty‐five percent of the midwives reported moral conflicts due to personal, cultural or religious background, mainly for particular indications. There was a consensus about the clinical management of TOP. Overall, midwives with professional experience, training, and those who worked in a referral center reported fewer difficulties.ConclusionIt is necessary to improve institutional support available within maternity units to alleviate the difficulties midwives face in their roles. The need for training/updating midwives about psychological and ethical aspects of TOP should also be considered. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal determination of the fetal RhD blood group by multiplex PCR: a 7‐year Portuguese experience
Authors: Pereira Janet Carvalho , Couceiro Ana Bela , Cunha Elizabete Maria , Machado Ana Isabel , Tamagnini Gabriel Pinto , Martins Natália Prata , Ribeiro Maria Letícia 
Published: May 2007

AbstractObjectivesThis is a retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy and accuracy of the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, for early detection of fetuses at risk for hemolytic disease, in the population living in Portugal, and to characterize the RhD‐negative individuals at serologic and molecular level.Methods2030 uncultured amniotic fluid samples and 2012 blood samples from the respective RhD‐negative pregnant women were studied by multiplex PCR of intron 3/intron 4, exon 7 and 3′UTR. Amniocentesis was performed for a variety of medical indications. For quality control, serologic RhD blood groups were determined in the cord blood, after birth.Results1361 fetal amniotic samples were RhD‐positive (67%), 669 were RhD‐negative. The average time for diagnosis was 2 days for uncultured amniocytes and the molecular versus serologic RhD typing (n = 809) had 99.5% concordance. Among the 2012 serologic RhD‐negative mothers, 26 had an RhD‐positive allele.ConclusionThe multiplex PCR amplification used in this study was a rapid and accurate method to determine the RhD blood type in the population living in Portugal, being a great tool for management of pregnancies with fetuses at risk for alloimmune hemolytic disease. In this population, 1.3% of the serologic RhD‐negative women have an RHD‐positive allele. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Large‐scale protein identification of human urine proteome by multi‐dimensional LC and MS/MS
Authors: Chen Yi‐Ting , Tsao Chao‐Yun , Li Jen‐Ming , Tsai Chih‐Yen , Chiu Su‐Feng , Tseng Tzu‐Ling 
Published: May 2007

AbstractUrine is a human specimen that is easily obtained non‐invasively for clinical diagnosis. We attempted to enhance the resolution of current human urine proteomes and construct a comprehensive reference database for advanced studies, such as the discovery of biomarkers for renal diseases. Multi‐dimensional LC‐MS/MS was coupled withde novosequencing and database matching. The proposed approach improved the identification of not only the proteins, but also the post‐translational sites of urinary proteins. We identified 165, 200 and 259 unique gene products in the urine proteomes from males, females and pregnant women, respectively. When all of the results were combined and the redundancies removed, a total of 1095 distinct peptides were identified. Of these, 1016 peptides were associated with 334 unique gene products. In this study, over 100 gene products, including some disease‐related proteins, were detected in urine for the first time by proteomic approaches. Various proteins with novel post‐translational hydroxylation were identified using the MASCOT program andde novosequencing. All proteins with peptide information were summarized into a comprehensive urine protein database. We believe that this comprehensive urine proteome database will assist in the identification of urinary proteins/polypeptides whose spectra are difficult to interpret in the discovery of urinary biomarkers.
Androgen receptor or estrogen receptor‐β blockade alters DHEA‐, DHT‐, and E2‐induced proliferation and PSA production in human prostate cancer cells
Authors: Arnold Julia T. , Liu Xunxian , Allen Jeffrey D. , Le Hanh , McFann Kimberly K. , Blackman Marc R. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBACKGROUNDDehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an endogenous steroid that is metabolized to androgens and/or estrogens in the human prostate. DHEA levels decline with age, and use of DHEA supplements to retard the aging process is of unproved effectiveness and safety. LNCaP and LAPC‐4 prostate cancer cells were used to determine whether DHEA‐modulated proliferation and prostate specific antigen (PSA) production were mediated via the androgen receptor (AR) and/or ERβ.METHODSCells were treated with DHEA, DHT, or E2 and antagonists to AR (Casodex®‐bicalutamide) or ER (ICI 182,780) or siRNA to the respective receptors. Proliferation was assessed by MTT assay and PSA mRNA and protein secretion were measured by quantitative real‐time PCR and ELISA. Associations of AR and ERβ were analyzed by co‐immunoprecipitation studies and fluorescent confocal microscopy.RESULTSDHEA‐, T‐, and E2‐induced proliferation of LNCaP cells was blunted by Casodex but not by ICI treatment. In LNCaP cells, Casodex and ICI suppressed hormone‐induced PSA production. In LAPC‐4 cells, DHT‐stimulated PSA mRNA was inhibited by Casodex and ICI, and the minimal stimulation by DHEA was inhibited by ICI. Use of siRNAs confirmed involvement of AR and ERβ in hormone‐induced PSA production while AR‐ERβ co‐association was suggested by immunoprecipitation and nuclear co‐localization.CONCLUSIONSThese findings support involvement of both AR and ERβ in mediating DHEA‐, DHT‐, and E2‐induced PSA expression in prostate cancer cells. Prostate 67: 1152–1162, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Activity of cyazofamid against Sclerospora graminicola, a downy mildew disease of pearl millet
Authors: Jogaiah Sudisha , Mitani Shigeru , Kestur Nagaraj Amruthesh , Huntrike Shekar Shetty 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe efficacy of cyazofamid was tested against pearl millet downy mildew disease caused by Sclerospora graminicola Schroet. Significant inhibition of sporangial sporulation, zoospore release and motility was observed at 0.3 mg mL−1, and this concentration also provided good fungicidal activity under in vitro conditions. Under glasshouse conditions, none of the concentrations tested, either 0.01–2 mg mL−1 as seed treatment or 1–10 mg mL−1 by foliar application, was found to be phytotoxic. The effect of cyazofamid was tested by seed treatment alone, seed treatment followed by foliar application and foliar application alone. Seed treatment with cyazofamid offered only 19.7% disease control, but seed treatment followed by a single foliar application to diseased plants provided good control over disease, seed treatment with two foliar applications was significantly superior and foliar application alone showed a high level of activity, with 10 mg mL−1 giving 97.9% disease control. Lack of systemic activity of cyazofamid was evident, root treatment giving disease levels on a par with the untreated control. The fungicide exhibited strong curative activity, but only moderate translaminar activity, with only marginal (34.8%) disease control after treatment of the adaxial leaf surface at 10 mg mL−1. Loss of cyazofamid activity over time was very low, indicating stable residual and rainfastness activity. These results indicate that cyazofamid has a high potential to be an effective fungicide for the control of downy mildew disease of pearl millet. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Das Verhalten der Kennziffern von Holzluftschrauben bei Umfangsgeschwindigkeiten bis 280 m sec
Authors: Weinig F. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAus den bisherigen Erfahrungen ergibt sich, daß der Wirkungsgrad von Luftschrauben mit zunehmender Umfangsgeschwindigkeit sehr nachläßt. Auf Grund der Auswertung von Prüfstandversuchen sind quantitative Grundlagen für die Abschätzung dieser Einflüsse zu gewinnen. Die Wirkungen, die dieses Verhalten auf die Entwicklung der Flugmotoren und Flugzeuge hatte, werden dargelegt.
Laryngotracheal augmentation using titanium mesh
Authors: Gaafar A A , El-Daly A A , Gaafar H A 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground:The management of laryngotracheal stenosis is still a serious surgical challenge. The fact that there are currently numerous reconstruction procedures indicates that there is at present no standard treatment.Study design:Titanium mesh was used instead of traditional homografts in reconstruction of the anterior laryngotracheal wall in 12 tracheostomised patients with benign chronic laryngotracheal stenosis. The anterior laryngotracheal wall was split, followed by excision of scar tissue and fixation of the titanium plate at the split end. A Silastic®stent was inserted above the tracheostomy tube and fixed in place by running sutures fixed to the skin by buttons. The stent was removed endoscopically six weeks later and a trial of decannulation was undertaken.Results:Endoscopically, good epithelisation was seen on the inner surface of the mesh in 10 cases and decannulation was possible. Four of these patients required endoscopic debulking of granulation tissue. Decannulation was impossible in two cases, one due to excessive granulation tissue and the other due to prolapse of the titanium mesh into the tracheal lumen (the mesh was removed endoscopically and a Montgomery T-tube inserted).Conclusion:Titanium mesh was found to be a good alternative for augmentation of the anterior laryngotracheal wall. It offered rigid support, with fewer of the complications reported with other grafts.
Intracorporeal electrokinetic lithotripsy: an advancement in minimally invasive management of parotid duct calculus
Authors: Modayil P C , Jacob V , Manjaly G , Watson G 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground:Symptomatic salivary stones in the middle or proximal parotid duct have previously been treated by gland excision, which is associated with a 3–7 per cent risk to the facial nerve. Minimally invasive approaches to the management of salivary duct calculi have been devised over the past decade. Fluoroscopically guided basket retrieval, lithotripsy and intra-oral stone removal under general anaesthesia have found favour with most surgeons. Endoscopically controlled intracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy using the pneumoblastic lithotripter has been replaced by electrohydraulic lithotripsy (used in sialolith treatment).Method:The electrokinetic lithotripter is normally used for the treatment of lower ureteric stones, and has the benefit of minimal concomitant tissue damage. We have extended its use to the treatment of parotid duct calculi. We present initial results for its use in the treatment of a proximal parotid duct stone.Result:Application of the shock wave to the stone under direct vision avoided injury to the duct or to any local structure. The patient made an uneventful recovery and was asymptomatic after 18 months' follow up.Conclusion:Continuous, endoscopically monitored electrokinetic lithotripsy with good irrigation gives a well illuminated field and absolute delivery of energy to the target. It avoids the side effects caused by impact of the shock wave on the parotid duct and adjacent anatomical structures, thereby making it a safer procedure.
Dinkies' and Housewives: The Regulation of Shopping Hours
Authors: Thum Marcel , Weichenrieder Alfons 
Published: May 2007

SUMMARYThe idea of deregulating shopping hours brings strong opposition from many groups in the society. Surprisingly, even many consumers oppose deregulation. The paper rationalizes this behavior by considering heterogeneous consumers who differ in their earnings abilities. If a majority of families has two income earners, long opening hours become essential and the regulation of shopping hours tends to be eliminated. If most families are single income households, the regulation may be imposed in order to keep prices low. Taking the repercussions on the labor supply decision into account, multiple equilibria can be explained.ZUSAMMENFASSUNGDie Liberalisierung der Ladenöffnungszeiten ruft Widerstand in verschiedenen Gesellschaftsgrup‐pen hervor. Überraschenderweise sprechen sich sogar Konsumenten oft gegen eine Liberalisierung aus. Der Aufsatz erklärt dieses Verhalten, indem auf die Heterogenität der Konsumenten hinsichtlich ihres Erwerbsverhaltens abgestellt wird. Überwiegen im politischen Entscheidungsprozess Doppelverdienerhaushalte, für die längere Öffnungszeiten wichtig sind, wird eine bestehende Regulierung tendenziell eliminiert. Falls jedoch Haushalte mit nur einem Erwerbstätigen dominieren, wird die Regulierung aufrechterhalten, urn die Konsumentenpreise niedrig zu halten. Berücksichtigt man die Rückwirkungen unterschiedlicher Regulierungen auf die Arbeitsangebots‐entscheidung, so lassen sich multiple Gleichgewichte erklären.RÉSUMÉLa libéralisation des heures d'ouverture des magasins se heurte à un mouvement d'opposition au sein de différents groupes sociaux. Surprenant est que měme des consommateurs se prononcent contre la libéralisation. Cet essai explique ce comportement en considérant l'hétérogénéité des consommateurs quant à leur possibilityé de revenus. Si les foyers, alimentés par deux salaires, pour lesquels un prolongement des heures d'ouverture est important, forment la majorité dans le processus de décision politique, on tendra àéliminer le règlement en vigueur. Par contre, au cas où les foyers avec un seul salaire dominent, on conservera le règlement pour maintenir les prix bas. Prend on en compte les effets des différents règlements sur la décision de l'offre de l'emploi, on peut ainsi mettre en évidence de multiples équilibres.
The Economics of Religious Participation: A Cross‐country Study
Authors: Smith Ian , Sawkins John W. , Seaman Paul T. 
Published: May 2007

SUMMARYLevels of participation in organized religion differ markedly across countries, a stylized fact which has resisted a general theoretical explanation. The claim of this paper is that the international variation in religious attendance can be understood in terms of systematic differences in socio‐economic variables. In particular, national religious participation is modelled as a function of investment in religious human capital, social interactions and religious market structure. Using data for eighteen countries derived from the religious questionnaire of the International Social Survey Programme, the empirical significance of these variables is demonstrated by estimating simple regression equations.ZUSAMMENFASSUNGEs wird allgemein angenommen, dass sich die Teilnahme an kirchlichen Aktivitäten von Land zu Land unterscheidet. Für diese Annahme gibt es gegenwärtig keine überzeugende theoretische Erklärung. Dieser Artikel analysiert die Unterschiede in der Teilnahme an kirchlichen Aktivitäten anhand sozio‐ökonomischer Variablen. Nationale Unterschiede in der Religionspartizipation können vor allem durch unterschiedliche Investitionen in das religiöse Humankapital, unterschiedliche soziale Interaktionen und Unterschiede in der Struktur des Religionsmarktes erklärt werden. Mit Hilfe von einfachen Regressionsmodellen werden Daten aus 18 Ländern, die aus Fragebögen des International Social Survey Programme stammen, ausgewertet, um die empirische Signifikanz dieser Variablen zu untermauern.RÉSUMÉLes niveaux de participation è une religion organisée different de fçon marquée entre lea pays, fait particulier qui échappe è des explications théoriques d'ordre général. Cette étude aboutit è la conclusion que les variations internationales en matière de participation religieuse peuvent se comprendre en termes des différences systématiques qui existent dans les variables socio‐économiques. En particulier, la participation religieuse nationale est modelée comme étant une fonction de l'investissement dans le capital humain religieu, les interactions sociales et la structure du marché religieu. A partir d'informations provenant de dix‐huit pays, tirées du questionnaire religieu élaboré par le Programme international d'ttude sociale, la signification empirique de ces variables est démontrée en estimant de simples équations de régression.
Oxford Miniature Vaporiser output with reversed gas flows
Authors: Donovan A. , Perndt H. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThis study was undertaken to investigate and calibrate the isoflurane output of an Oxford Miniature Vaporiser (OMV) draw‐over vaporiser with reversed gas flows. Plenum or Boyles type machines have gas flowing left to right through the apparatus. Draw over anaesthesia systems, in contrast, traditionally have the carrier gas, air plus oxygen, flowing right to left through the vaporiser. There are a number of variations in the external design of the OMV vaporiser: 1) a back bar mounted draw‐over vaporiser with 23‐mm taper and left to right gas flow, 2) the Tri‐Service with 22‐mm taper and left to right gas flow, and 3) the traditional draw‐over OMV with right to left gas flow with a variety of tapers. Non‐uniformity leads to a variety of possible connections. The predictable output of the OMV vaporiser assumes the correct direction of gas flows for the device. There are many second hand right to left OMV vaporisers for sale to developing countries where the nuances of vaporiser orientation add unnecessarily to the desired simplicity of anaesthesia. A simple calibration scale for reversed gas flows through the OMV vaporiser would be useful.
Customer focused incident monitoring in anaesthesia
Authors: Khan F. A. , Khimani S. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThe database of incident forms relating to anaesthesia services in an institutional risk management programme were reviewed for 2003–2005, the aim being to identify any recurring patterns. Incidents were prospectively categorised as relating to attitude/behaviour, communication breakdown, delay in service, or were related to care, cost, environment, equipment, security, administrative process, quality of service or miscellaneous. The total number of anaesthesia‐related incidents reported during the period was 287, which related to 0.44% of the total number of anaesthetics administered during the time period. In all, 170 incidents were reported by the department, 96 by internal customers and 21 by external customers. Only 30% of the complaints came from the operating room. Thirty‐four per cent of all incidents related to communication, behaviour and delay in service. A requirement to teach communication skills and stress handling formally in anaesthesia training programmes, and at the time of induction of staff into the department, has been identified.
Enteral drugs given through a central venous catheter
Authors: Nicholson Roberts T. C. , Swart M. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryA 74‐year‐old lady was given verapamil oral solution and a diclofenac dispersible tablet through her subclavian central venous catheter instead of her nasogastric tube five days after major head and neck surgery. The ensuing respiratory arrest resulting from profound ventilation‐perfusion mismatch was made harder to manage by her potentially difficult airway. Information about the management of enteral drugs inadvertently given intravenously is sparse, and this sort of misrouting error is likely to be underreported. This case highlights the ease with which enteral preparations can be given by the wrong route.
Presence and identity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi influence competitive interactions between plant species
Authors: SCHEUBLIN TANJA R. , VAN LOGTESTIJN RICHARD S. P. , VAN DER HEIJDEN MARCEL G. A. 
Published: May 2007

Summary

Competition for nutrients is an important factor structuring plant communities. Plant symbionts such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can have considerable influence on nutrient uptake and are therefore likely to influence plant competition. In this study we investigated the influence of different AMF isolates on the competitive relationships between a legume (Lotus corniculatus L.) and a grass (Festuca ovina L.), and between L. corniculatus and a forb (Plantago lanceolata L.).
AMF altered the competitive interactions between the investigated plant species. The legume, which was the most AMF‐dependent plant species, was favoured in the presence of AMF relative to the non‐AMF treatment in seven out of eight cases. Competition between the grass and the legume was the most strongly affected by AMF. The grass and the legume both benefited from AMF when grown alone, but in competition AMF favoured the legume and grass biomass was reduced by 38%.
The presence and also the identity of AMF influenced the competitive relationships. The extent to which AMF influenced plant competition and changed the relative abundances of the competitors depended on the specific AMF isolate.
This study shows that both presence and identity of AMF can influence plant competition. These results indicate that AMF and the composition of AMF communities regulate plant interactions and determine the structure of plant communities.
Cord blood
Authors: Hansen L. G. , Host A. , Halken S. , Holmskov A. , Husby S. , Lassen L. B. , Storm K. , Østerballe O. 
Published: May 2007

Screening of total IgE in 2814 cord blood samples was analysed by Phadebas IgE PRIST in 2 1‐year birth cohorts (1983‐1984 and 1985–1986) in Denmark (n=1189+ 1625). 48.6% of the sera contained less IgE than the detection limit 0.1 kU/1. Cord blood IgE values > 0.5 kU/1 were regarded as elevated. 13.2% of the sera contained at least 0.5 kU/1 of IgE, with a significant preponderance in boys. Geometric mean cord blood IgE was 0.13 kU/1 and 0.12 kU/1, respectively. Geometric mean cord blood IgE was significantly higher in boys. A significant seasonal variation with lowest IgE values in the autumn was found. No correlation between cord blood IgE and birth weight or gestational age was demonstrated. Only few newborns had cord blood igA values > 0.014 g/l, calculated as geometric mean cord blood IgA + 2 SD among children with no detectable cord blood IgE, indicating infrequent contamination with maternal blood.Clinical aspectsUsing a simple cord blood sampling method and a sensitive IgE analysis., Phadebas IgE Prist, reproducible results of cord blood IgE in 2 unselected series of newborns were obtained. Cord blood IgA determination is recommended in all infants with cord blood IgE ≥ 1.0 kU/1 in order to exclude contamination with maternal blood.