bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Histamine H3‐receptor agonists and imidazole‐based H3‐receptor antagonists can be thermodynamically discriminated
Authors: Harper E A , Black J W 
Published: April 2007

Background and purpose:Studies suggest that measurement of thermodynamic parameters can allow discrimination of agonists and antagonists. Here we investigate whether agonists and antagonists can be thermodynamically discriminated at histamine H3 receptors.Experimental approach:The pKL of the antagonist radioligand, [3H]‐clobenpropit, in guinea‐pig cortex membranes was estimated at 4, 12, 21 and 30°C in 20mM HEPES‐NaOH buffer (buffer A), or buffer A containing 300mM CaCl2, (buffer ACa). pKI′ values for ligands with varying intrinsic activity were determined in buffer A and ACa at 4, 12, 21 and 30°C.Key results:In buffer A, the pKL of [3H]‐clobenpropit increased with decreasing temperature while it did not change in buffer ACa. The Bmax was not affected by temperature or buffer and nH values were not different from unity. In buffer A, pKI′ values for agonists remained unchanged or decreased with decreasing temperature, while antagonist pKI values increased with decreasing temperature; agonist binding was entropy‐driven while antagonist binding was enthalpy and entropy‐driven. In buffer ACa, temperature had no effect on antagonist and agonist pKI values; both agonist and antagonist binding were enthalpy and entropy‐driven.Conclusions and implications:The binding of H3‐receptor agonists and antagonists can be thermodynamically discriminated under conditions where agonist pKI′ values are over‐estimated (pKI′≠pKapp). However, under conditions when agonist pKI ∼pKapp, the thermodynamics underlying the binding of agonists are not different to those of antagonists.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 151, 504–517; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707243
Gadolinium periconceptional exposure: pregnancy and neonatal outcome
Authors: DE SANTIS M. , STRAFACE G. , CAVALIERE A.F. , CARDUCCI B. , CARUSO A. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground. Gadolinium derivatives are ionic paramagnetic contrast agents used to enhance magnetic resonance images, labeled as a pregnancy category C by the Food and Drug Administration because of a lack of epidemiological studies concerning first‐trimester exposure. Methods. Prospective cohort study to determine whether gadolinium derivatives exposure in periconceptional period is a risk factor for pregnancy or fetal development. Results. We report the outcome of 26 pregnant women exposed to gadolinium derivatives in the first trimester without adverse effect on pregnancy and neonatal outcome. Conclusions. Currently, this study represents the only prospective investigation of gadolinium derivatives in pregnancy, but more data are necessary to exclude a teratogenic risk.
Pregnancy outcome of uterine arterial embolization followed by selective hysteroscopic removal of a placental polyp
Authors: TAKEUCHI KYOUSUKE , SUGIMOTO MAKOTO , KITAO KEISUKE , YOSHIDA SHIGEKI , MARUO TAKESHI 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjective. To evaluate the pregnancy outcome of uterine arterial embolization followed by selective hysteroscopic removal of a placental polyp. Methods. Thirteen patients of placental polyp with abundant blood flow, which was diagnosed by ultrasound with color Doppler imaging, were studied. They underwent uterine arterial embolization followed by selective hysteroscopic removal of the polyp. Uterine arterial embolization was carried out using an absorbable gelatin sponge. Selective removal via hysteroscopy was performed on the following day, using the cutting loop with or without electrical stimulation. The polyp was gradually resected to the level of the surrounding endometrium. Results. Complete removal of the placental polyp was achieved in all patients. The presence of placental polyp was confirmed by pathologic examination. The operative time ranged from 20 to 53 min. In all cases, no complications were noted and the bleeding was minimal during and immediately after the procedure. Postoperative ultrasound demonstrated a uterine cavity free of residual mass in each case. The seven patients with complete gestation gave birth to health babies. No recurrence of placental polyp was observed. Conclusions. Selective removal directed via hysteroscopy after reduction of blood supply by uterine arterial embolization provides a safe and effective method to minimize bleeding, and can preserve future fertility and successful uneventful pregnancies in the treatment of placental polyp with abundant blood flow.
Homocysteine levels are unaffected by metformin treatment in both nonpregnant and pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: CARLSEN SVEN M. , KJØTRØD SIGRUN , VANKY ESZTER , ROMUNDSTAD PÅL 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome have elevated homocysteine levels. Elevated homocysteine levels associate with pregnancy complications. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome are often treated with metformin, a drug that may increase homocysteine levels. Hence, we investigated the effect of metformin treatment on homocysteine levels in nonpregnant and pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Methods. Two prospective randomized placebo‐controlled studies included women with polycystic ovary syndrome in a university hospital setting. Sixty‐three infertile women were treated with metformin 1,000 mg bid or placebo for 16 weeks and 38 pregnant women with metformin 850 mg bid or placebo from the first trimester and throughout pregnancy. All the women had polycystic ovary syndrome and all participants received diet and lifestyle advice, and oral folate and vitamin B12 substitution, and a daily oral multivitamin tablet. The main outcome measures were serum levels of homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12. Results. Serum homocysteine levels were unaffected by metformin treatment both in nonpregnant and pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome. However, in nonpregnant women both serum folate and vitamin B12 levels decreased with treatment. At inclusion in nonpregnant women, serum homocysteine levels associated negatively with serum levels of folate and methyl malonic acid and positively with free testosterone index. No such associations were seen in pregnant women. Conclusions. Metformin treatment in women with polycystic ovary does not increase serum homocysteine levels in the nonpregnant or the pregnant state.
Coffee consumption and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: ADENEY KATHRYN L. , WILLIAMS MICHELLE A. , SCHIFF MELISSA A. , QIU CHUNFANG , SORENSEN TANYA K. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground. Coffee consumption has been associated with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. We examined the relationship between coffee consumption and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM]. Methods. In this prospective study, 1744 non‐diabetic pregnant women were questioned during early gestation about their coffee consumption. We studied the association of coffee consumption before and during pregnancy, and the subsequent risk of GDM. Generalised, linear models were fitted to estimate risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results. Women who reported moderate pre‐pregnancy caffeinated coffee intake had a significantly reduced risk of GDM (adjusted RR 0.50; 95% CI 0.29–0.85) compared with non‐consumers. No risk reduction was associated with decaffeinated coffee intake. Conclusions. Moderate pre‐pregnancy caffeinated coffee consumption may have a protective association with GDM. Prospective studies, including a wider range of consumption habits, are necessary.
Routine assessment of amniotic fluid alpha‐Fetoprotein in early second‐trimester amniocentesis is no longer justified
Authors: FERM WIDLUND KJERSTIN , GOTTVALL TOMAS 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground. Open fetal neural tube defects are often followed by an increase in alpha‐Fetoprotein concentration in amniotic fluid. For over 25 years there has been a routine to measure amniotic fluid alpha‐Fetoprotein in conjunction with early genetic amniocentesis. The efficacy of such a screening test in a low‐risk population has been questioned but never evaluated in a Swedish population. Methods. Data were reviewed retrospectively from all consecutive early second‐trimester genetic amniocenteses from two hospitals during the years 1993–2003. Indications for the genetic amniocenteses were maternal age ≥35 years, maternal anxiety or a history of fetal aneuploidy. A questionnaire was sent to all obstetric clinics in Sweden regarding current common policy and experience of routine amniotic fluid alpha‐Fetoprotein measurements, in the detection of open fetal neural tube defects. Results. A total of 1,813 samples were included. In eight cases (0.4%) the amniotic fluid alpha‐Fetoprotein concentrations were ≥3 multiples of median, but five of them were false positive (63%). Out of the three true positive cases, one had clinical relevance. In the other two cases the detection of open fetal neural tube defects was of subordinate importance. In Sweden, during 2004, 91% of the obstetric clinics performed routine assessment of amniotic fluid alpha‐Fetoprotein at second‐trimester genetic amniocentesis, but only 9% regarded the analysis useful in clinical practice. Conclusions. According to our results, routine measurement of amniotic fluid alpha‐Fetoprotein in early second‐trimester genetic amniocentesis, to rule out a risk of open fetal neural tube defects, does not seem justified. The clinical usefulness seems to be limited.
Lower uterine blood supply: extrauterine anastomotic system and its application in surgical devascularization techniques
Authors: JARAQUEMADA JOSÉ MIGUEL PALACIOS , Mónaco Ricardo García , BARBOSA NICOLÁS E. , FERLE LUCIANA , IRIARTE HERNÁN , CONESA HORACIO ALEJANDRO 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground. To establish the arterial components that determine lower uterine blood supply, varieties and anastomoses that result in complications during selective devascularization procedures. Methods. Thirty‐nine female cadaveric pelvises with latex repletion in pelvic arteries were used. All the material was studied through direct dissection, and dissection enlarged with a 90‐diopter magnifying glass, establishing origin, course, and anastomoses of the genital arteries. Axial calibers of the uterine and the main vaginal arteries were compared. An anatomical and a historical compilation of the uterine artery was made, with special reference to anastomotic areas in the lower sector. Results. Three main pedicles were determined in the lower uterine blood supply: a cephalic one constituted by the uterine artery, a medial one made up by the cervical artery, and a distal one formed by the vaginal arteries. Different types of anastomoses were distinguished among the upper, middle, and lower pedicles. All types of anastomoses displayed similar features and were interconnected along the isthmic‐vaginal borders, or as an intramural anastomotic network. In many cases, a transmedial interuterine anastomosis of axial caliber equivalent to the uterine artery itself could be observed. The bibliography consulted provided neither detailed descriptions of the cervical‐segmental arterial system nor of the vaginal system or its anastomoses. In two cases, images were found in books that show this anastomotic system without further explanation. Conclusion. A not very well known anastomotic system was described between uterine and vaginal arteries. This system explains some reported failures, complications, and hemodynamic changes after uterine devascularization procedures.
Risk factors for abdominal scar endometriosis after obstetric hysterotomies: a case–control study
Authors: DE OLIVEIRA MARCO AURELIO PINHO , DE LEON ANTONIO CARLOS PONCE , COUTINHO FREIRE EVANDRO , DE OLIVEIRA HILDOBERTO CARNEIRO ,   Source of the study
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjective. to identify risk factors that are associated with the development of scar endometriosis after obstetric hysterotomies. The hypothesis is that early hysterotomy in pregnancy (before 22nd week) is the main risk factor for the development of scar endometriosis. Methods. The authors conducted a case–control study between April 2000 and June 2003. A total of 117 women were selected, including 39 cases and 78 controls. Exposure and confounding variables were measured by a standardized questionnaire, which included sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive/physiologic history, past pathological history, history of obstetric surgeries, family history, and social history. The odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using bivariate analysis for each possible risk factor. These estimates were obtained by multivariate analysis using unconditional logistic regression. Tests were made to assess the fit of the final model. Results. In the multivariate analysis, positive associations were observed between scar endometriosis and hysterotomy type (early versus late: OR = 42.99; CI 8.77–210.81), amount of the menstrual blood flow (heavy versus light/normal: OR = 11.97; CI 2.35–60.82), and alcoholic consumption (yes versus no: OR = 5.31; CI 1.22–23.11). Negative association was observed between scar endometriosis and parity (OR = 0.61; CI 0.31–1.23), however it was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusions. Early hysterotomy in pregnancy is the main risk factor for scar endometriosis. Increased menstrual flow and alcohol consumption are also risk factors, while high parity may be a protecting factor.
The effect of smoking and hypertensive disorders on abruptio placentae in Norway 1999–2002
Authors: HØGBERG VIBECKE , RASMUSSEN SVEIN , IRGENS LORENTZ M. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjective. To assess the effects of smoking and hypertension on abruptio placentae and whether the effect of hypertension is modified by smoking and vice versa. To quantify the proportion of abruptio placentae cases attributable to hypertension and smoking. Design. Registry based national cohort study. Materiasl and methods. 814 cases of abruptio placentae among a total of 211,868 births in Norway during the period 1999–2002. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess whether the risk of abruptio placentae is influenced by maternal smoking habits and hypertensive disorders and to evaluate interactions in the effects on abruptio placentae of smoking and hypertension. Results. In occasionally and daily smokers at the onset of pregnancy, abruptio placentae occurred in 5.4 and 5.7 per 1000, respectively, against 3.4 per 1000 in non‐smokers (adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for maternal age and birth order 1.6–1.7). No significant dose‐response effect was found. Adjusted ORs for abruptio placentae in women with pre‐eclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension, transient hypertension, mild and severe pre‐eclampsia, and pre‐eclampsia with onset before 34th weeks of gestation were significantly increased (ORs 1.6–4.1). The combined effects of smoking and hypertensive disorder were additive. Hypertension explained 3.3% of abruptio placentae, while smoking explained 6.9% of abruptio placentae cases. Conclusions. The effects on abruptio placentae of hypertensive pregnancy disorders and smoking are independent and additive, indicating that smoking and hypertension have their effects though separate mechanisms. If smoking were eliminated in pregnant women, the number of abruptio placentae cases would be reduced by 7%.
Judged Effectiveness of Differing Antidepressant Strategies by those with Clinical Depression
Authors: Parker Gordon , Crawford Joanna 
Published: March 2007

Objective: To obtain views of an Australian sample of individuals who had experienced a clinical depressive episode and examine the judged effectiveness of a wide range of professionally recommended, self-help and less orthodox antidepressant strategies. Method: A survey was posted on the Black Dog Institute website until a large sample had been derived. Inclusion criteria resulted in a sample of 2692 respondents. Results: Effectiveness and benefit–burden scores (adjusting for not fully testing a strategy) were quantified for 31 strategies that had been trialled by at least 100 respondents. Many self-help strategies rated as strongly as professionally recommended strategies, with exercise being rated extremely highly. Intra-class comparisons of ratings identified some differentiation of antidepressant drugs but similar results for differing psychotherapies, while alternative drug strategies tended to return lower ratings than most formal antidepressant drugs. Conclusions: Study results, together with results from mental health literacy studies, advance our understanding about consumers’ views about the frequency of trialling quite differing strategies and offer some information about their judged effectiveness.
Neurocognitive Function Following Remission in Major Depressive Disorder: Potential Objective Marker of Response?
Authors: Gallagher Peter , Robinson Lucy J. , Gray John M. , Young Allan H. , Porter Richard J. 
Published: March 2007

Objective: Neurocognitive deficits have been widely reported in patients with mood disorders. However, relatively little is known of the short-term trajectory of neurocognitive improvement once treatment has been initiated. Method: A neurocognitive test battery was administered to unipolar depressed (major depressive disorder, MDD) patients (aged 18–65 years) who had been medication-free for at least 6 weeks, and to healthy controls. Patients were then treated according to clinical need, predominantly with standard pharmacotherapy, and all participants were followed up within 6 months. Results: Of the 25 MDD patients who returned at follow up, 11 were defined as remitted and 14 as not remitted. Significantly less baseline psychomotor dysfunction was observed in patients who remitted compared to those who did not (effect size, d =0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) =0.07–1.44). Analysis of the change scores between assessments revealed a significantly greater improvement in verbal memory in patients who remitted compared to those who did not (d =0.73, 95%CI =0.03–1.39). Conclusions: This preliminary report suggests that there may be distinct temporal trajectories of neurocognitive improvement following remission in MDD. Aspects of neurocognitive functioning should be examined further as a means of providing a useful objective marker of treatment response.
Assessment of left ventricular function and mass in patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography using 64-detector-row CT: comparison to magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Schlosser T. , Mohrs O. K. , Magedanz A. , Voigtländer T. , Schmermund A. , Barkhausen J. 
Published: March 2007

Purpose: To quantify left ventricular function and mass derived from retrospectively ECG-gated 64-detector-row computed tomography coronary angiography data sets in comparison to cine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging as the reference standard. We hypothesized that the administration of beta-blockers prior to multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) coronary angiography has a significant impact on left ventricular functional parameters. Material and Methods: Multiplanar reformations in the short-axis orientation were calculated from axial contrast-enhanced CT images in 21 patients (16 male, five female; age range 41–75 years, mean 64.3±6.8 years) referred for CT coronary angiography. Patients whose heart rates exceeded 60 bpm received 5 mg bisoprolol orally 1 hour before the MDCT examination. In case of insufficient heart-rate reduction, up to four vials (20 mg) of metoprolol were injected intravenously. The end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), cardiac output (CO), and left ventricular mass (LVM) of the reformatted images were analyzed compared to volumetric measurements based on continuous short-axis steady-state free-precession cine MR sequences (TR 3 ms, TE 1.5 ms, FA 60°). Results: On average, each patient received 15.5 mg metoprolol (range 0–20 mg) and 3.85 mg bisoprolol (range 0–5 mg). The mean heart rate was 56±5 bpm during CT and 73±9 bpm during MRI examination. This difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Mean EDV and ESV measured on MDCT were significantly higher compared to MR (MDCT vs. MR: EDV 164.2±52.5 vs. 144.2±46.7 ml, ESV 77.3±46.6 vs. 63.8±47.3 ml; P<0.05). Mean EF and CO derived from MDCT images were significantly lower compared to MR (MDCT vs. MR: EF 55.4±11.8 vs. 59.3±15.4%, CO 4822±779 vs. 5755±1267 ml; P<0.05). Mean SV and LVM were not significantly different between both methods (MDCT vs. MR: SV 86.8±18.1 vs. 80.3±15.6 ml, P = 0.44; LVM 132.4±42.5 vs. 138.7±39.1 g, P = 0.31). Conclusion: Left ventricular volumes assessed by the newest-generation MDCT scanners are significantly higher compared with MRI, whereas ejection fraction and cardiac output are significantly lower in MDCT. This appears to be a result of the frequent application of beta-blockers prior to MDCT examinations.
The development and validation of the Indigenous Risk Impact Screen (IRIS): a 13‐item screening instrument for alcohol and drug and mental health risk
Authors: SCHLESINGER CARLA M. , OBER CORALIE , McCARTHY MOLLY M. , WATSON JOANNE D. , SEINEN ANITA 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Indigenous Risk Impact Screen (IRIS) as a screening instrument for determining (i) the presence of alcohol and drug and mental health risk in Indigenous adult Australians and (ii) the cut‐off scores that discriminate most effectively between the presence and absence of risk. A cross‐sectional survey was used in clinical and non‐clinical Indigenous and non‐Indigenous services across Queensland Australia. A total of 175 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from urban, rural, regional and remote locations in Queensland took part in the study. Measures included the Indigenous Risk Impact Screen (IRIS), the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Leeds Dependence Questionnaire (LDQ). Additional Mental Health measures included the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS‐21) and the Self‐Report Questionnaire (SRQ). Principle axis factoring analysis of the IRIS revealed two factors corresponding with (i) alcohol and drug and (ii) mental health. The IRIS alcohol and drug and mental health subscales demonstrated good convergent validity with other well‐established screening instruments and both subscales showed high internal consistency. A receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was used to generate cut‐offs for the two subscales and t‐tests validated the utility of these cut‐offs for determining risky levels of drinking. The study validated statistically the utility of the IRIS as a screen for alcohol and drug and mental health risk. The instrument is therefore recommended as a brief screening instrument for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.