bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Depressed serum levels of human placental lactogen in first trimester vaginal bleeding
Authors: Pedersen Jan Fog , Ruge Susanne , Sørensen Steen 
Published: November 2007

Background. It has previously been shown that serum levels of pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A (PAPP‐A) are depressed in patients with early pregnancy bleeding and a live gestation. We examined whether human placental lactogen (hPL) levels show a similar pattern. Method. Prospective study in the 8th‐14th gestational week comparing serum levels in 69 women with early pregnancy bleeding with those in 93 control pregnancies.Results. Serum level of hPL were significantly depressed in women with early pregnancy bleeding (p<0.0001).Conclusions. The findings suggest a primary affection of the placenta in early pregnancy bleeding.
Endometrial adenocarcinoma with clinical evidence of cervical involvement: Accuracy of diagnostic procedures, clinical course, and prognostic factors
Authors: Leminen Arto , Forss Matti , Lehtovirta Pentti 
Published: November 2007

Background. The accuracy of clinical staging is known to be insufficient in stage II endometrial carcinoma. Also the optimal management of this disease is controversial. In this study we evaluate diagnostic accuracy and prognostic factors with special reference to treatment modalities of stage II endometrial carcinoma.Methods, Of 1297 patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma (EAC) treated between 1970 and 1980 at Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, 140 (11%) cases represented clinical stage II and were retrospectively analyzed. Results. Median age of the patients was 63.5 years (range 40–85 years). Accuracy of Papanico‐laou smear was 50%, and that of endocervical curettage 51%. Most of the tumors were histopathologically pure adenocarcinomas (88%), well differentiated (43%), and superficially invaded to inyometrium (44%). Thirty‐four (24%) of the patients developed a recurrent disease during the first five years afterwards. Median time of recurrency was 17 months (range 4–35 months). The disease free 5‐ or 10‐year survival were 72% and 67%. Survival was significantly correlated with menopausal state (p<0.01), tumor grade (p<0.05), myometrial invasion (p<0.001), surgical stage (p<0.0001), and mode of treatment, i.e. operation done or not (p<0.05). Survival was not affected by the radical nature of the operation (radical vs. simple hysterectomy). When all prognostic variables were analyzed by Cox's regression model (multi‐variate analysis) in 10‐years follow‐up, only menopausal state, myometrial invasion, and mode of treatment. i.e. operation done or not (p<0.01), were independent prognostic factors. Conclusions. The only relevant staging procedure is the histological examination of cervix without the preoperative irradiation. According to our results it seems that simple hysterectomy instead of radical (Wertheim operation) hysterectomy may be a sufficient operative treatment of stage II endometrial carcinoma.
Blood glucose limits in the diagnosis of impaired glucose tolerance during pregnancy
Authors: Nord Eva , Hanson Ulf , Persson Bengt 
Published: November 2007

Objective. To evaluate the accuracy of diagnosing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by a 2‐h blood glucose value ≥9.0 mmol/l in the 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The maternal and neonatal outcome in women with a 2‐h blood glucose value just below this limit, 8.0–8.9 mmol/l, is analyzed. The outcome is compared to a randomly selected control group.Design. A comparative study.Subjects. There were 223 women in the group with a 2‐h value of 8.0 to 8.9 mmol/l in the OGTT. This group was compared to a randomly selected control group of 391 women. Main outcome measures. Fetal outcome: perinatal mortality, birth weight, respiratory disturbances, symptomatic hypoglycemia, polycythemia, hyperbilirubinemia and traumatic deliveries. Maternal age, body mass index (BMI), pregnancy‐induced hypertension (PIH) or preeclampsia and route of delivery.Results. The women in the group with a 2‐h glucose value of 8.0–8.9 mmol/l were, compared to the control group, significantly older, heavier, had a higher BMI, gave birth to heavier children and a significantly increased number of large‐for‐date infants, while there were no differences in neonatal mortality, morbidity or birth trauma.Conclusions. This study shows that using the 75 g 2‐h OGTT with a B‐glucose limit of ≥9.0 mmol/l instead of ≥8.0 mmol/l to diagnose GDM during pregnancy has no major adverse effects concerning maternal and neonatal outcome in the borderline interval of 8.0 to 8.9 mmol/l.
Low birthweight and post partum endometritis‐myometritis
Authors: Bergström Staffan , Libombo Aida 
Published: November 2007

Background. The study aims at confirming or rejecting the hypothesis of an association between birthweight and post partum uterine infection.Methods. A case‐referent study was performed on 51 puerperal women with clinical signs of endometritis‐myometritis. To each case an otherwise healthy puerperal woman was recruited and matched for age, parity and days after delivery.Results. The proportion of women having had newborns with birthweight < 2500 g was 20/49 among cases and 2/50 among referents (odds ratio 16.6; 95% CI 3.5–152.3). Preterm births were registered in 15/50 cases and 2/49 referents (odds ratio 10.1; 95% CI 2.1–94.5). The average gestational age at delivery was approximately 2 weeks shorter among cases than among referents (37.5 versus 39.5 weeks).Conclusions. Low birth weight was ten times more prevalent among women with puerperal infection than among healthy puerperal women. The findings indicate that giving birth to a low birth weight baby is strongly associated with ensuing puerperal infection, possibly by a subclinical antenatal intrauterine infection, predisposing to both adverse fetal and maternal outcomes of pregnancy.
Use of fertility drugs in Denmark 1973–1993
Authors: Mosgaard Berit , Lidegaard øjvind , Andersen Anders Nyboe 
Published: November 2007

Objectives. The increasing use of drugs for ovarian stimulation and the possibility of long‐term risks has actualized a quantitative assessment of the use of such therapy. The aim of the study was to analyze the development in the sale of different types of drugs used for ovarian stimulation in Denmark during the last two decades.Material. Sale statistics of clomiphene citrate, cyclophenile, human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), mare menopausal gonadotropin (mMG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in Denmark 1973–1993.Methods. The number of defined daily doses (DDD) was calculated for each product group. On given assumptions the number of cycles of different treatment regimens and the number of treated women was calculated.Results. The sale has increased almost exponentially throughout the last two decades: Clomiphene citrate 11 fold, hMG 30 fold, and hCG 5 fold. Today, among women 15–44 years old, the estimated incidence rate of women treated with clomiphene alone is about 2.7/1,000/year, and the incidence rate of women treated with clomiphene/hCG and hMG/hCG account for about 3.1/1,000/year and 1.9/1,000/year, respectively.Conclusion. Any study concerning short‐and long‐term effects of ovarian stimulation have to consider this secular trend.
Risks of perimenopausal fractures‐a prospective population‐based study
Authors: Tuppurainen Marjo , Kroger Heikki , Honkanen Risto , Puntila Eero , Huopio Jukka , Saarikoski Seppo , Alhava Esko 
Published: November 2007

Objective. To examine the associations between potential risk factors and fractures in perimenopausal women.Subjects. A total of 3140 women (mean age 53.4±2.8 (s.d.) years) were followed‐up for 2.4 years after axial bone densitometry (lumbar spine and femoral neck) with regard to the occurrence of fractures.Results. In all, 5.6% of the women sustained a fracture. There were 169 low energy fractures (falling on a level surface) in 157 women after the exclusion of 18 fractures caused by a high energy trauma. The wrist was the most frequent site of fracture (n=46). Lumbar bone mineral density was 5.8% lower and femoral bone mineral density 4.6% lower among fracture cases compared with non‐fracture cases (p < 0.0001). History of a fracture during 1980–1989 elevated the risk of all fractures 2.83‐fold (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.95–4.10) and the risk of a first wrist fracture 2.25‐fold (95% CI 1.10–4.62). The amount of weekly alcohol intake was higher among fracture cases than among non‐fracture cases yielding an age‐adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.45 (95% CI 1.05–2.02). Past or present use of hormone replacement therapy was protective against fractures (age‐adjusted OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.50–0.96). If bilateral oophorectomy had been carried out under the age of 45 years, the risk of fracture was 3.64‐fold (95% CI 1.01–13.04) compared with women operated upon after the age of 45 years. Age at menarche, parity, lactation and smoking history did not differ between the fracture and non‐fracture groups.Conclusions. A former history of fractures, low baseline bone mineral density (BMD) and use of alcohol are predisposing factors associated with perimenopausal fractures, while hormone replacement therapy is protective in this respect.
Treatment of ectopic pregnancy by local injection of hypertonic glucose: A randomized trial comparing administration guided by transvaginal ultrasound or laparoscopy
Authors: Gjelland Knut , Hordnes Knut , Tjugum Jostein , Augensen Kåre , Bergsjø Per 
Published: November 2007

Objective. To study local treatment of ectopic pregnancy by injection of hyperosmolar (50%) glucose, guided either by transvaginal ultrasound or by laparoscopy.Methods. Eighty women were randomized, 39 into the sonography and 41 into the laparoscopy group. Criteria for inclusion were 1) ectopic pregnancy ≤4 cm seen by transvaginal ultrasound, 2) hCG ≤3000 IU/1, and 3) little or no intraabdominal bleeding. In the sonography group, patients were treated by one skilled ultrasound investigator, whereas injections by laparoscopy were performed by several colleagues. The former group were offered a second glucose injection if hCG levels were rising. Those successfully treated were offered hysterosalpingography (HSG) for evaluation of tubal patency.Results. Twenty‐nine (74.4%) women were successfully treated in the sonography group by one single injection, compared to 21 (51.2%) in the laparoscopy group. Eight women in the sonography group received a second glucose injection because of a rising hCG, increasing the success rate in this group to 82.1% (32 of 39 women). Six patients in the laparoscopy group were not injected due to technical difficulties during the operation, and the success rate for those injected were 60% (21 of 35 women). The overall success rate was 66.3%. Of the 28 women investigated by HSG, both tubes were normal in 19 (67.8%), and in 25 patients (89.3%) the treated tube was open.Conclusions. Local injection of hyperosmolar glucose guided by transvaginal ultrasound by one skilled investigator is an effective treatment for ectopic pregnancy. Most women preserve tubal patency after treatment.
Differential diagnosis of detrusor instability and stress‐incontinence by patient history: The Gaudenz‐Incontinence‐Questionnaire revisited
Authors: Haeusler Guenther , Hanzal Engelbert , Joura Eva , Sam Christine , Koelbl Heinz 
Published: November 2007

Objective. To evaluate the validity of the Gaudenz‐Incontinence‐Questionnaire in the differential diagnosis of genuine stress‐incontinence and detrusor instability.Design. Diagnoses based on questionnaire‐results were compared to those following complete urogynecologic assessment including urodynamics in 1938 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms.Results. Sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of stress‐incontinence were 0.559 and 0.447. respectively, for detrusor instability 0.615 and 0.563, respectively.Conclusion. The low sensitivity and specificity of the test do not justify its use as a diagnostic tool in patients with urinary incontinence. These results show that the scores may be misleading in a large proportion of patients and should not therefore be the only determinant of diagnosis, nor should strategies be based on history alone.
A Comparison Of Oral Prostaglandin E2 Tablets With Intravenous Oxytocin For Stimulation Of Labor After Premature Rupture Of Membranes At Term
Authors: Massil Helen Y. , Baker Andrew C. , Shaughn O'Brien P. M. 
Published: November 2007

Sixty‐nine patients (48 primigravidae and 21 multigravidae) with 12 hours of spontaneous premature rupture of membranes (PROM) after 36 weeks gestation were randomly allocated to receive either prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) oral tablets or intravenous oxytocin to stimulate labor.The two treatments were compared regarding stimulation‐delivery interval (SDI), analgesic requirements, maternal and fetal side effects, and patient acceptability.The mean SDI was shorter in the oxytocin group, but without statistical significance. Analgesic requirements and fetal side effects were similar in the two groups, but there was a higher incidence of nausea and vomiting in those patients receiving the maximum dose (1 mg hourly) of PGE2.On subjective assessment, clinicians considered oxytocin to be more effective (p < 0.05), while midwives felt both regimes to be equally helpful. PGE2 oral tablets were significantly (p < 0.05) more acceptable to the patients, who preferred the convenience of oral dosing, the absence of an i.v. line and the increased mobility.It is concluded that PGE2 tablets are a safe and effective method of stimulating labor following PROM, and highly acceptable to parturients. In those women in whom labor has not been established within 8 h of initiating PGE2 therapy, or in whom gastric side effects are troublesome, intravenous oxytocin should be substituted.
Amniotomy Or Oxytocin For Induction Of Labor: Re‐Analysis Of A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Keirse Marc J. N. C. 
Published: November 2007

A recently reported “prospective, randomized study into amniotomy and oxytocin as induction methods in a total unselected population” was examined for selection bias and bias after entry into the study. The null hypothesis that clinical attitudes to amniotomy as a means for inducing labor had no influence on the decision to enter women into the trial and allocate them to either amniotomy or oxytocin was rejected at p < 0.00025. Clinical attitudes were further found to statistically significantly influence the prescribed assessments 4 h after entry into the trial and the selection of the second intervention that was required in the absence of acceptable progress (p < 0.0005). Bias at the time of this prescribed assessment was large enough to result in an inverse relationship between “acceptable progress within 4 hours” and “delivery within 24 hours” after induction.A subanalysis of the nulliparae entered into the trial further substantiated both bias at entry and bias in following the prescribed protocol. As hypothesized, these biases reached a greater statistical significance in nulliparous than in parous women. The likelihood that all of these observations would be encountered in a truly randomized study of this size can be estimated to be less than one in a billion (or p < 0.000,000,000,000,1). The study, therefore, provides a classical example of the dangers of non‐blind allocation to different treatment groups in clinical trials. It is further concluded that no randomized controlled studies between amniotomy and oxytocin in a “total unselected population” are available.
Concentration and temperature dependence on diffusivities of CO2 and N2 for poly(dimethyl, methylphenyl siloxane)
Authors: Jha Praveen , Way J. Douglas 
Published: November 2007

AbstractExperimental determination of solubility and diffusion coefficients of CO2 and N2 in poly(dimethyl, methylphenyl siloxane) (PMPS) for the pressure range 0–150 kPa and the temperature range of −10°C to 45°C is discussed. The absorption isotherms were measured by pressure decay equilibrium. Diffusion coefficients were determined by modeling the transient absorption data by Fickian diffusion. The value of solubility coefficient for CO2 at 35°C was 1.21 ± 0.02 cm3 CO2 (STP)/(cm3 polymer.atm) and it increased to 2.07 ± 0.01 cm3 CO2 (STP)/(cm3 polymer.atm) at 1°C. The absorption isotherms of CO2 obtained were linear for the pressure range 0–200 kPa and the enthalpy of sorption value was −10.82 kJ/mole for CO2. However, the diffusion coefficients of CO2 changed with feed pressure. The diffusion coefficient of CO2 in PMPS at 22°C and 128.6 kPa equilibrium pressure was 7.22 × 10−6 cm2/s and thus the permeability value at these conditions was 1392 Barrers. The diffusion coefficients of CO2 at 0°C and equilibrium pressures of 125.8 kPa and 10.5 kPa were 5.72 × 10−6 cm2/s and 4.31 × 10−6 cm2/s, respectively. Consequently, the CO2 permeability in PMPS decreases by about 20% when the pressure is reduced from 125.8 to 10.5 kPa at 0°C. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Control structure design for optimal operation of heat exchanger networks
Authors: Lersbamrungsuk Veerayut , Srinophakun Thongchai , Narasimhan Sridharakumar , Skogestad Sigurd 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWhen only single bypasses and utility duties are used as manipulations, optimal operation of heat exchanger networks (HENs) can be categorized as an active constraint control problem. This work suggests a simple split‐range control scheme to implement the optimal operation. For a given HEN and information about the disturbances, the corresponding control structure can be found by solving an integer‐linear programming (ILP) problem with two objective functions providing optimal split‐range pairs (for tracking active constraints during the operation) and appropriate control pairings (for fast control action). A HEN case study is used to demonstrate the application of the proposed design technique. Dynamic simulation shows the ability to provide the optimal operation of the obtained control structure. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Synthesis of polysiloxanes with pendant methoxy‐substituted aromatic fragments
Authors: Mukbaniani O. , Titvinidze G. , Dundua A. , Doroshenko M. , Tatrishvili T. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe synthesis of new polysiloxanes was performed via hydrosilylation reactions of polymethylhydrosiloxane with 4‐allyl‐1‐methoxybenzene and 4‐allyl‐1,2‐dimethoxybenzene in the presence of Karstedt's catalyst {Pt2[(VinSiMe2)2O]3} and platinum hydrochloric acid (0.1M solution in tetrahydrofuran). The hydrosilylation reactions were carried out at 60°C. The molar ratio of SiH groups to the allylic compound was 1 : 1.2. The synthesized oligomers were characterized with 1H‐NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, and gel permeation chromatography. In the presence of platinum hydrochloric acid, not all active SiH bonds took part in hydrosilylation, and because of this, gelation took place and the molecular masses of the extracted parts increased 7–8 times; in contrast to this, in the presence of Karstedt's catalyst, all active SiH bonds participated in hydrosilylation, and an increase in the molecular masses did not occurs. The influence of substituted methoxy groups on the glass‐transition temperatures was studied. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. JAppl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis of cyclodextrin‐based polymers and their use as debittering agents
Authors: Binello Arianna , Robaldo Bruna , Barge Alessandro , Cavalli Roberta , Cravotto Giancarlo 
Published: November 2007

AbstractCyclodextrins (CDs) and their derivatives are used to suppress unpleasant tastes and odors or to achieve a controlled release of certain food constituents. This article describes the synthesis by nonconventional methods of (1) crosslinked, insoluble CD polymers and (2) water‐soluble, CD‐grafted carboxymethylchitosan and carboxymethylcellulose. The CD polymers were obtained by the reaction of β‐CD with one of the following crosslinking agents: epichlorohydrin, diphenyl carbonate, or hexamethylene diisocyanate. Their preparations were usually carried out under high‐intensity ultrasound, which resulted in much shorter reaction times and narrower distributions of particle size (as determined by scanning electron microscopy measurements). A novel, insoluble CD polymer was obtained by reticulation under microwaves of propargyl‐β‐CD with 1,3‐bis(azidomethyl)benzene through Huisgen 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition. Short columns packed with the insoluble polymers were found to efficiently sequester naringin from aqueous solutions; successively, they could be easily regenerated by a counter‐current ethanol wash that also achieved an excellent recovery of the flavonoid. Differential scanning calorimetry thermograms showed that the crosslinked CD polymers formed inclusion complexes with naringin. The soluble polymers also interacted with bitter flavonoids of citrus fruits (naringin and limonin), as shown by the results of sensorial panel tests, in which they behaved as bitter‐masking agents. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Modeling of the effect of rigid fillers on the stiffness of rubbers
Authors: Jha Vineet , Hon Amir A. , Thomas Alan G. , Busfield James J. C. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe theories that predict the increase in the modulus of elastomers resulting from the presence of a rigid filler are typically derived from Einstein's viscosity law. For example, Guth and Gold used this approach to predict how the Young's modulus of an elastomer is related to the filler volume fraction. Hon et al. have shown using finite element microstructural models that stiffness predictions at small strains were also possible. Here, microstructural finite element models have been used to investigate the modulus of filled elastomer over a wider range of strains than has been possible previously. At larger strains, finite extensibility effects are significant and here an appropriate stored energy function proposed by Gent was adopted. In this work, the effect of spherical MT‐type carbon‐black filler behavior was considered. Different models were made and the results were then compared to experimental measurement of the stiffness taken from the literature. It is shown that the boundary conditions of the microstructural unit cell lie between the two extremes of free surfaces and planar surfaces. Also as the filler volume fraction increases then the number of filler particles required in the representative volume to predict the actual stiffness behavior also increases. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Reverse atom transfer radical polymerization of acrylonitrile under microwave irradiation
Authors: Hou Chen , Qu Rongjun , Wang Chunhua , Zhou Wenying , Liu Li , Qi Yuxi 
Published: November 2007

AbstractReverse atom transfer radical polymerization was first used to successfully synthesize polyacrylonitrile under microwave irradiation. FeCl3, coordinated by isophthalic acid, was used as the catalyst, and 2,2′‐azobisisoheptonitrilewas used as the initiator. N,N‐Dimethylformamide was used as the solvent to improve the solubility of the ligand. Under the same experimental conditions, the apparent rate constant under microwave irradiation was higher than that under conventional heating. The polymerization not only showed the best control of the molecular weight and its distribution but also provided a rather rapid reaction rate with the [acrylonitrile]/[2,2′‐azobisisoheptonitrile]/[FeCl3]/[isophthalic acid] ratio of 300 : 1 : 1 : 2. The polymers obtained were used as macroinitiators to initiate the chain extension and successfully synthesize acrylonitrile polymers with a molecular weight higher than 50,000 and a narrow polydispersity as low as 1.30. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008