bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 Maintains the Neurogenic Capacity of Embryonic Neural Progenitor Cells In Vitro but Changes Their Neuronal Subtype Specification
Authors: Bithell Angela , Finch Sophie E. , Hornby Matthew F. , Williams Brenda P. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Many in vitro systems used to examine multipotential neural progenitor cells (NPCs) rely on mitogens including fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) for their continued expansion. However, FGF2 has also been shown to alter the expression of transcription factors (TFs) that determine cell fate. Here, we report that NPCs from the embryonic telencephalon grown without FGF2 retain many of their in vivo characteristics, making them a good model for investigating molecular mechanisms involved in cell fate specification and differentiation. However, exposure of cortical NPCs to FGF2 results in a profound change in the types of neurons generated, switching them from a glutamatergic to a GABAergic phenotype. This change closely correlates with the dramatic upregulation of TFs more characteristic of ventral telencephalic NPCs. In addition, exposure of cortical NPCs to FGF2 maintains their neurogenic potential in vitro, and NPCs spontaneously undergo differentiation following FGF2 withdrawal. These results highlight the importance of TFs in determining the types of neurons generated by NPCs in vitro. In addition, they show that FGF2, as well as acting as a mitogen, changes the developmental capabilities of NPCs. These findings have implications for the cell fate specification of in vitro-expanded NPCs and their ability to generate specific cell types for therapeutic applications.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Neural Stem Cell Targeting of Glioma Is Dependent on Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Signaling
Authors: Kendall Stephen E. , Najbauer Joseph , Johnston Heather F. , Metz Marianne Z. , Li Shan , Bowers Marisa , Garcia Elizabeth , Kim Seung U. , Barish Michael E. , Aboody Karen S. , Glackin Carlotta A. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
The utility of neural stem cells (NSCs) has extended beyond regenerative medicine to targeted gene delivery, as NSCs possess an inherent tropism to solid tumors, including invasive gliomas. However, for optimal clinical implementation, an understanding of the molecular events that regulate NSC tumor tropism is needed to ensure their safety and to maximize therapeutic efficacy. We show that human NSC lines responded to multiple tumor-derived growth factors and that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) induced the strongest chemotactic response. Gliomatropism was critically dependent on c-Met signaling, as short hairpin RNA-mediated ablation of c-Met significantly attenuated the response. Furthermore, inhibition of Ras-phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling impaired the migration of human neural stem cells (hNSCs) toward HGF and other growth factors. Migration toward tumor cells is a highly regulated process, in which multiple growth factor signals converge on Ras-PI3K, causing direct modification of the cytoskeleton. The signaling pathways that regulate hNSC migration are similar to those that promote unregulated glioma invasion, suggesting shared cellular mechanisms and responses.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Synthesis and characterization of azanonaborane-containing purine derivatives for boron neutron capture therapy
Authors: Genady Afaf , El-Zaria Mohamed , Gabel Detlef 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Derivatives of purine, adenine, guanine, and 2,6-diaminopurine linked to the azanonaborane (B8N cluster) have been prepared, for possible use as powerful agents for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). The synthesis was carried out via a ligand exchange reaction. The exo-NH2R group of the azanonaborane of the type [(RH2N)B8H11NHR] can be exchanged by one hetero-nitrogen atom of the pyrimidine ring, and except for guanine, also by an N atom of the imidazole ring. The identity of the products was confirmed by NMR, elemental analysis, IR, and mass spectrometry. No reaction was found to occur with caffeine and theophylline under the same reaction conditions.
Textured nickel tapes prepared from commercially available material
Authors: Staller Oliver , Holzmann Dietmar , Gritzner Gerhard , Diko Pavel , Mikolaj Daniel , Kováč František 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Textured Ni tapes were fabricated from commercially available nickel pellets (98.5% Ni). Ingots produced by a melt process were cold rolled to 150–400 μm thick tapes. Texturing was achieved by annealing in a reducing atmosphere (Ar + 6.5% v/v H2). Sharp cubic biaxial textured Ni tapes were obtained by thermal treatment at 1000°C for 2 hours in a reducing atmosphere. The tapes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and by electron backscattering diffraction. The tensile strength, the thermal expansion behavior and the Vickers hardness for the cold rolled tapes and for the heat-treated tapes were measured.
Surfactant-assisted polyol preparation of nickel powders with different morphologies
Authors: Şişman İlkay , Tütünoğlu Çağla , Aydın Ali 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Sub-micrometer nickel powders of controlled size and morphology were produced by a surfactant-assisted polyol method, using ethylene glycol (EG) as solvent and reductant in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant and NaOH. The resultant Ni powders were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, and FTIR. Spherical, hexagonal, and triangular fcc Ni powders from 0.30 to 0.60 μm were obtained in the presence of SDS; irregular spherical fcc Ni powders were obtained in its absence. The concentrations of SDS, NaOH and Ni(CH3COO)2·4H2O greatly influence the product morphology and size.
On the role of entanglement in Schrödinger’s cat paradox
Authors: Rinner Stefan , Werner Ernst 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
In this paper we re-investigate the core of Schrödinger’s “cat paradox”. We argue that one has to distinguish clearly between superpositions of macroscopic cat states |☺〉 + |☹〉 and superpositions of entangled states |☺, ↑〉 + |☹, ↓〉 which comprise both the state of the cat (☺=alive, ☹=dead) and the radioactive substance (↑=not decayed, ↓=decayed). It is shown, that in the case of the cat experiment recourse to decoherence or other mechanisms is not necessary in order to explain the absence of macroscopic superpositions. Additionally, we present modified versions of two quantum optical experiments as experimenta crucis. Applied rigorously, quantum mechanical formalism reduces the problem to a mere pseudo-paradox.
The Klein-Gordon equation with the Kratzer potential in d dimensions
Authors: Saad Nasser , Hall Richard , Ciftci Hakan 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
We apply the Asymptotic Iteration Method to obtain the bound-state energy spectrum for the d-dimensional Klein-Gordon equation with scalar S(r) and vector potentials V(r). When S(r) and V(r) are both Coulombic, we obtain all the exact solutions; when the potentials are both of Kratzer type, we obtain all the exact solutions for S(r) = V(r); if S(r) > V(r) we obtain exact solutions under certain constraints on the potential parameters: in this case, a possible general solution is found in terms of a monic polynomial, whose coefficients form a set of elementary symmetric polynomials.
Validity of Values for Metabolic Equivalents of Task During Submaximal All-Extremity Exercise and Reliability of Exercise Responses in Frail Older Adults
Authors: Mendelsohn Marissa E , Connelly Denise M , Overend Tom J , Petrella Robert J 
Published: March 2008

Background and PurposePhysical therapists and rehabilitation professionals in hospital and long-term care centers are using all-extremity semirecumbent exercise machines in their treatment programs. This study was undertaken to investigate the concurrent validity of values for software-generated metabolic equivalents of task (MET) from an all-extremity semirecumbent exercise machine and directly measured values for MET from a portable metabolic unit across a range of submaximal exercise intensities. A second purpose of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability of oxygen consumption and heart rate responses in older adults between standardized sessions of submaximal all-extremity aerobic exercise.Subjects and MethodsThe study participants were 18 older adults (mean age=82 years, SD=5; 3 women, 15 men) who were living in long-term care centers and who completed 2 test sessions of a standardized exercise protocol 1 week apart. The exercise protocol included a warm-up period, three 4-minute stages of exercise at incremental workload levels, and a cool-down period. The breath-by-breath metabolic data from the portable metabolic unit, heart rate, MET values from the exercise machine, Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion, and watts were recorded continuously throughout the exercise protocol.ResultsThe concurrent validity of the MET values from the exercise machine and the portable metabolic unit ranged from very good to excellent on both day 1 and day 2 (r=.85–.97). The test-retest reliability of subjects' heart rate responses and MET values from the portable metabolic unit was moderate to high across submaximal exercise intensities (intraclass correlation coefficients [2,1]=.85–.91).Discussion and ConclusionThe exercise machine software-generated MET values were representative of directly measured oxygen consumption values across a range of submaximal intensities during all-extremity semirecumbent exercise in older adults with multisystem impairments.
Internet and obstetrics and gynecology
Authors: Feingold Michael , Kewalramani Reshma , Kaufmann Gary E. 
Published: March 2008

Background. The Internet is an unrestricted, easily accessed source of information that has been greatly touted by the mass media. It represents a major advance in information acquisition and dissemination. It is estimated that between 3(M‐0 million North Americans alone have access to the Internet. This multimedia reservoir of information has developed into a significant resource for information gathering, especially for those who depend on comprehensive and contemporary information, including scientists and physicians.Methods and results. The purpose of this article is to describe some of the basic and practical services available on the Internet including e‐mail, literature searches, interest groups, databases and on‐line journals. Our focus is to describe these Internet resources with the physician in mind, and with particular emphasis on Internet applications for the obstetrician/gynecologist.Conclusion. The role of the Internet in medicine has not been defined, but continues to evolve. In the field of obstetrics and gynecology, the Internet has already become incorporated in various ways and it is safe to say that we are currently going through a revolution as fundamental to the human civilization as the eighteenth century industrial revolution the information revolution.
Is a speculum examination sufficient for excluding the diagnosis of ruptured fetal membranes?
Authors: Ladfors Lars , Mattssoni Lars‐ÅKe , Eriksson Margareta , Fall Ole 
Published: March 2008

Objective. To determine the false negative rate of a sterile speculum examination for the diagnosis of rupture of the membranes in women not in labor and without visible amniotic fluid at speculum examination. Furthermore, possible risks to the mother and the baby after suspected rupture of the membranes were analyzed.Study design. In women not in labor with suspected rupture of the membranes between gestational weeks 34 and 42, a sterile speculum examination was performed. If no amniotic fluid was visible, a test for Diamine oxidase was carried out. The results of tests were not known to the obstetricians or the women. The women were allowed to return home with no further controls if no amniotic fluid was visible at the speculum examination. Neonatal and obstetric outcome was recorded prospectively.Results. Of 27,502 deliveries, 2,099 women not in labor attended the delivery ward for suspected rupture of the membranes after week 34. Amniotic fluid was visualized in 1,580 women. In 519 women in whom no amniotic fluid was seen at the speculum examination, the Diamine oxidase test was negative in 456 and positive in 63. Antibiotics were given to eleven children (2.4 %) in the group with a negative Diamine oxidase and to one infant (1.6 %) in the positive Diamine oxidase group (p>0.05). No differences in obstetric outcome were recorded.Conclusions. The false negative rate of a speculum examination for the diagnosis of rupture of the membranes in women without amniotic fluid visible at a speculum examination was 12 % when Diamine oxidase was used as the standard for the diagnosis of rupture of the membranes. This study did not show any disadvantages for mothers and infants if the women were sent home after a false negative speculum examination. The value of biochemical methods in the management of women not in labor with rupture of the membranes after thirty‐four weeks of gestation could be questioned.
Preterm premature rupture of membranes and the associated risk for placental abruption. Inverse correlation to gestational length
Authors: Holmgren Per Åke , Olofsson Jan I. 
Published: March 2008

Objective. To evaluate the association between prolonged premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and placental abruption, especially during midtrimester pregnancy.Methods. A retrospective hospital based study of 83 women with PROM occurring between 14 and 32 weeks of gestation and where active expectant management was undertaken. Results. Increased frequency of placental abruption was found in patients with early rupture of membranes. The incidence was 50% and 44% when rupture of the membranes occurred before 20 weeks or between 20‐24 weeks of pregnancy, respectively. When PROM occurred during gestational ages of 29‐32 weeks, the incidence was 13%. Patients with antepartum bleeding, both before (relative risk 34) and after rupture of the membranes (relative risk 38) had a significantly higher risk for placental abruption (p<.001) than women without bleeding prior to delivery. The overall neonatal survival rate was 87%. No neonatal deaths were considered to be directly caused by asphyxia due to placental abruption. Conclusion. Using active expectant management and strict routines it seems possible to minimize the risk for perinatal asphyxia and mortality. The clinician should be aware of the significant association between preterm premature rupture of membranes and the risk for subsequent placental abruption, especially in patients with early midtrimester PROM and history of bleedings before rupture of membranes or bleedings during the latency period.
Laparoscopic instillation of hyperosmolar glucose vs. expectant management of tubal pregnancies with serum hCG≤2500 mlU/mL
Authors: Lang Peter F. J. , Mäkinen Juha I. , Irjala Kerttu M. A. , Rantala Mika , Hönigl Werner , Tamussino Karl , Haas Josef 
Published: March 2008

Objective. To compare expectant management with local instillation of 50% glucose solution for tubal pregnancies with a serum hCG level ≤2500 mlU/mL. Design. Prospective, non‐randomized, comparative clinical study.Setting. Two university departments.Patients. One hundred and twenty‐eight patients with laparoscopically‐confirmed tubal pregnancy and serum hCG ≤2500 mlU/mL.Interventions. Eighty patients in Graz were treated with laparoscopic instillation of 50% glucose solution and 48 patients in Turku were followed expectantly.Main outcome measures. Resolution of hCG excretion, need for further interventions.Results. Seventy‐four of the 80 patients (92%) in the glucose group (32 of 33 with an initial hCG ≤250 mlU/mL and 42 of 47 with hCG 251‐2500 mlU/mL) and 36 of 48 (75%) patients in the expectant group (19 of 23 with an initial hCG ≤250 mlU/mL and 17 of 25 with hCG 251‐2500 mlU/mL) had resolution of the pregnancy with no further intervention (p=0.008, chi‐square test, odds ratio 0.24).Conclusions. Glucose instillation is superior to expectant management for patients with early tubal pregnancy.
Underreporting and misclassification of maternal mortality in Taiwan
Authors: Kao Senyeong , Chen Li‐Mei , Shi Leiyu , Weinrich Martin C. 
Published: March 2008

Background. Underreporting and misclassification of maternal deaths are universal. The purposes of this study were to quantify the level of underestimation of maternal mortality and to analyze possible factors that contribute to underreporting and misclassification of maternal mortality.Methods. An interview census of all registered deaths that occurred during 1984‐1988 in women of reproductive age was undertaken in Taiwan. Pregnancy‐related deaths were screened from all collected questionnaires and death certificates by the researchers. The screened pregnancy‐related deaths were then reviewed and evaluated by obstetrician‐gynecologists; a cause of each death was assigned.Results. For the five years, on average, the rate of underreporting of maternal mortality is 58.38% and the correct/confirmed rate of classification is 53.28%. Underreported and mis‐classified maternal deaths are more likely for women aged 20‐24, with stillbirth and fetal death, care sought for non‐obstetric reasons, care received in private hospitals and clinics, occurrence in the home, certification by non‐obstetrician‐gynecologists and court doctors, and death from non‐obstetric causes.Conclusions. This study shows the limitations of official vital registration and concludes that dependence on death certificates alone to identify maternal deaths is incomplete and incorrect.
Pregnancy‐associated deaths in Finland 1987‐1994 ‐ definition problems and benefits of record linkage
Authors: Gissler Mika , Kauppila Riitta , Merilainen Jouni , Toukomaa Henri , Hemminki Elina 
Published: March 2008

Background. Our aim was to study the impact of record linkage and different classification principles on maternal mortality rate.Methods. The death certificates of all fertile‐aged women who died in 1987‐94 in Finland (n = 9,192) were linked to the Birth, Abortion, and Hospital Discharge Registers (n=513,472 births, 93,807 induced abortions, and 71,701 other ended pregnancies) to identify the women who had been pregnant during their last year of life. All deaths that occurred up to 1 year after the end of pregnancy were classified according to their connection to pregnancy. Results. In total, 281 qualifying deaths were found. Only in 22% of the death certificates was the pregnancy or its end mentioned. The mortality rate was 41 per 100,000 registered ended pregnancies (27 for births, 48 for miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies, and 101 for abortions). The maternal mortality rate depended greatly on which of these 281 cases were defined as maternal deaths. The early maternal mortality rate varied between 5.6 and 6.8 per 100,000 live births, and the late maternal mortality rate between 0.6 and 2.5 depending on the definition used. The classification of other than direct maternal deaths was ambiguous, especially in case of late cancers, cardio‐ and cerebrovascular diseases, and early suicides. The official Finnish figure for early maternal mortality (6.0/100,000 live births) seems to be a good estimate, although only 65% of individual deaths were unambiguously classified.Conclusions. Register linkage is necessary to identify late maternal deaths and pregnancy‐associated deaths. The current official classification of maternal deaths as indirect, direct and fortuitous is arbitrary and allows much variation in defining a maternal death.
Infertility in an industrial setting:— a population‐based study from Northern Sweden
Authors: Wulff Marianne , Högberg Ulf , Stenlund Hans 
Published: March 2008

Objective. To analyze the possible environmental effects on infertility among couples living in the immediate neighborhood of a smelter and to study prevalence and risk factors of infertility as well as care seeking behavior among infertile couples in a random sample of a local population.Methods. A questionnaire was distributed to 1,784 women between 25 and 44 years of age working at or living close to a copper smelter, and to women living further away from the smelter. The results were analyzed with a logistic regression.Results. No environmental effects on infertility rates among couples living near the smelter were found. The prevalence of infertility, defined as having experienced a period of inability to conceive within 12 months of regular intercourse without contraception at some point in life, was the same between the neighbors and the reference population. The prevalence of primary and secondary infertility was 6% and 3%, respectively. Infertile women were characterized by having a significantly shorter education, OR 1.8 (CI 1.2‐2.7), compared to women who had not experienced any fertility problems. Risk estimates for not seeking health care when having a low socio‐economic status was OR 2.1 (CI 1.0‐4.4) compared to those with a higher socio‐economic status.Conclusion. No environmental effects on infertility could be demonstrated. Infertile women were characterized by having a shorter education compared to the non infertile, and women with lower socio‐economic status were less prone to seek help.
Comparison of ethacridine lactate and prostaglandin E2 in second trimester medical abortion
Authors: Inan Ismet , Kelekçi Sefa , Yazar Deniz 
Published: March 2008

Background. A comparison of ethacridine lactate and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) with or without oxytocin infusion in second trimester medical abortion cases.Methods. A prospective study was performed on 151 women requiring second trimester medical abortions between 1989 and 1995. Patients were randomly assigned to PGE2 group (n= 30), ethacridine lactate group (n48), ethacridine lactate combined with oxytocin infusion group (n=49) and PGE2 combined with oxytocin infusion group (n=24). Rates of successful abortion (i.e., complete evacuation of fetal and placental tissxies from the uterus) within 24 hours for each group were determined and compared by x2 and the Student r‐test.Results. Statistically significant difference concerning successful abortion rates was observed between ethacridine lactate and PGE2 groups, PGE2 and PGE2+oxytocin infusion groups, and ethacridine lactate+oxytocin infusion and PGE2 groups, while there was no significant difference between ethacridine lactate and ethacridine lactate+oxytocin infusion groups, ethacridine lactate and PGE2+oxytocin infusion groups, and PGE2+oxytocin infusion and ethacridine lactate+oxytocin infusion groups.Conclusions. Extra‐amniotic ethacridine lactate instillation alone and intracervical PGE2 gel application are effective and safe methods for second trimester abortion.