bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can we predict recurrence of pre‐eclampsia or gestational hypertension?
Authors: Brown MA , Mackenzie C , Dunsmuir W , Roberts L , Ikin K , Matthews J , Mangos G , Davis G 
Published: June 2007

Objective  To estimate the rates of recurrence of pre‐eclampsia or gestational hypertension in a subsequent pregnancy and to determine factors predictive of recurrence.Design  Retrospective cohort study.Setting  St George Public and Private Hospitals, teaching hospitals without neonatal intensive care units.Participants  A total of 1515 women with a diagnosis of pre‐eclampsia or gestational hypertension between 1988 and 1998 were identified from the St George Hypertension in Pregnancy database, a system designed initially for ensuring quality outcomes of hypertensive pregnancies. Of these, 1354 women were followed up, and a further 333 records from women coded as having a normal pregnancy during that period were selected randomly as controls.Main outcome measures  Likelihood of recurrent pre‐eclampsia or gestational hypertension and clinical and routine laboratory factors in the index pregnancy predictive of recurrence of pre‐eclampsia or gestational hypertension.Methods  The index cases from our unit’s database were linked to the matched pregnancy on the State Department of Health database, allowing us to determine whether further pregnancies had occurred at any hospital in the State. The outcome of these pregnancies was determined by review of medical records, using strict criteria for diagnosis of pre‐eclampsia or gestational hypertension.Results  Almost all women with a normal index pregnancy had a further normotensive pregnancy. One in 50 women hypertensive in their index pregnancy had developed essential hypertension by the time of their next pregnancy. Women with pre‐eclampsia in their index pregnancy were equally likely to develop either pre‐eclampsia or gestational hypertension (approximately 14% each), while women with gestational hypertension were more likely to develop gestational hypertension (26%) rather than pre‐eclampsia (6%) in their next pregnancy. Multiparous women with gestational hypertension were more likely than primiparous women to develop pre‐eclampsia (11 versus 4%) or gestational hypertension (45 versus 22%) in their next pregnancy. Early gestation at diagnosis in the index pregnancy, multiparity, uric acid levels in the index pregnancy and booking blood pressure parameters in the next pregnancy significantly influenced the likelihood of recurrence, predominantly for gestational hypertension and less so for pre‐eclampsia. No value for these parameters was significant enough to be clinically useful as a discriminate value predictive of recurrent pre‐eclampsia or gestational hypertension.Conclusions  Approximately 70% of women with pre‐eclampsia or gestational hypertension will have a normotensive next pregnancy. The highest risk group for recurrent hypertension in pregnancy in this study was multiparous women with gestational hypertension. No readily available clinical or laboratory factor in the index pregnancy reliably predicts recurrence of pre‐eclampsia.
Health needs and service use of parlour‐based prostitutes compared with street‐based prostitutes: a cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Jeal N , Salisbury C 
Published: June 2007

Objectives  To compare the health needs of prostitutes (sex workers) working in massage parlours with that of those working on the streets.Design  Cross‐sectional survey.Setting  Inner city, UK.Population  Women aged 16 years and older selling sex in massage parlours.Methods  Interviewer‐administered questionnaires were undertaken with 71 parlour workers, and results were compared with our previous findings for street sex workers.Main outcome measures  Self‐reported experiences of health and service use.Results  In comparison with street sex workers, parlour sex workers were less likely to report chronic (43/71 versus 71/71; P < 0.001) and acute (10/71 versus 35/71; P < 0.001) illnesses but more likely to be registered with a GP (67/71 versus 59/71; P= 0.06). They were more likely than street sex workers to have been screened for sexually transmitted infections in the previous year (49/71 versus 33/71; P= 0.011) and more likely to use contraception in addition to condoms (34/71 versus 8/71; P < 0.001). They were less likely to be overdue for cervical screening (5/46 versus 19/48; P= 0.001), and more of those booked for antenatal care in the first trimester attended all follow‐up appointments (28/37 versus 14/47; P < 0.001). Fewer parlour sex workers used heroin (4/71 versus 60/71; P < 0.001), crack cocaine (5/71 versus 62/71; P < 0.001) or injected drugs (2/71 versus 41/71 versus; P < 0.001) They reported fewer episodes of intercourse per week (mean 14 versus 22; P < 0.001) with fewer different men (mean 11 versus 19; P < 0.001), less of whom were new (mean 8 versus 13; P < 0.001).Conclusions  The two groups had very different health experiences, risk‐taking behaviour and use of services. To be effective in improving health, different types of service delivered in different settings for different groups are required.
Use of C‐reactive protein as a predictor of chorioamnionitis in preterm prelabour rupture of membranes: a systematic review
Authors: Trochez‐Martinez RD , Smith P , Lamont RF 
Published: June 2007

Background  Studies examining the use of C‐reactive protein (CRP) as a predictor of chorioamnionitis in preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) report highly conflicting results. Despite this, CRP is commonly used for the early diagnosis of chorioamnionitis.Objective  To determine the diagnostic accuracy of CRP in the detection of chorioamnionitis in women with PPROM.Design  Systematic review.Search strategy  Studies were identified from MEDLINE (1966–2006), EMBASE (1974–2006), PubMed and the Cochrane Library (2005) and from reference lists from primary studies and reviews.Selection criteria  Only studies of good methodological quality that evaluated the diagnostic performance of CRP in chorioamnionitis in women with PPROM were selected.Data collection and analysis  Positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR) and diagnostic odds ratios (DOR) were calculated. An attempt was made at pooling data for meta‐analysis, but this was considered inappropriate due to the significant unexplained heterogeneity between studies.Main results  There were eight primary studies comprising 610 cases which met the inclusion criteria. There was wide variation in the positive and negative LR and DOR between the studies, with significant lack of precision demonstrated by wide confidence intervals. Three of the studies concluded that CRP was a useful diagnostic tool for chorioamnionitis (DOR ranging from 4.2 to 191.6), although one of them suggested a higher CRP threshold. The other five studies concluded the opposite (DOR ranging from 1.4 to 17.7).Author’s conclusions  There is no clear evidence to support the use of CRP for the early diagnosis of chorioamnionitis. Further research is required to address the contradictory findings of diagnostic accuracy.
Prevalence and predictors of antidepressant use in a cohort of pregnant women
Authors: Ramos É , Oraichi D , Rey É , Blais L , Bérard A 
Published: June 2007

Objective  (1) To determine the prevalence of antidepressant utilisation before, during, and after pregnancy, (2) to determine switches, dosages, and classes of antidepressant used during pregnancy, and (3) to identify factors associated with their use at the beginning and at the end of pregnancy.Design  Retrospective longitudinal cohort.Setting  The ‘Medication and Pregnancy’ cohort was used for this study. This cohort was built by the linkage of three administrative databases (Régie de l’Assurance Maladie du Québec [RAMQ], Med‐Écho, and l’Institut de la Statistique du Québec).Population  All pregnancies occuring in Quebec between January 1 1998 and December 31 2002.Methods  Date of entry in the cohort was the first day of gestation. To be eligible for this study, women had to be (1) 15–45 years old at cohort entry and (2) covered by the RAMQ drug plan for at least 12 months before, during, and at least 12 months after pregnancy. Antidepressant users were defined as those receiving at least one antidepressant before, during, or after pregnancy, depending on the time period analysed. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with receiving an antidepressant either at the beginning or at the end of pregnancy.Main outcome measures  To determine the prevalence and predictors associated with the use of antidepressants.Results  A total of 97 680 women met inclusion criteria. The prevalence rates significantly declined during the first trimester compared with before pregnancy (3.7 versus 6.6%, P < 0.01). During pregnancy, antidepressants were used under the recommended daily dosage 7.7% of the time, and 4.7% of women switched to another class of antidepressant. Factors significantly associated with antidepressant utilisation on the first day of gestation (P < 0.05) were older maternal age, being on welfare, and calendar year; receiving at least six different types of medications other than antidepressants, having at least two different prescribers, having at least three visits to the physician, and having at least one diagnosis of depression in the year before pregnancy also increased the odds of having an antidepressant. Similar predictors were found at the end of pregnancy.Conclusions  Our findings indicate that antidepressant utilisation declines once pregnancy is diagnosed.
Dietary calcium supplementation for prevention of pre‐eclampsia and related problems: a systematic review and commentary
Authors: Hofmeyr GJ , Duley L , Atallah A 
Published: June 2007

Background Calcium supplementation during pregnancy may reduce the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.Search strategy We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (March 2006).Selection criteria Randomised trials comparing at least 1 g of calcium daily during pregnancy with placebo. Eligibility and trial quality were assessed.Data collection and analysis Data were extracted and analysed using Review Manager software.Main results Twelve studies (15 528 women) were included, all of good quality. Most women were at low risk and had low dietary calcium. High blood pressure was reduced with calcium supplementation rather than placebo (11 trials, 14 946 women: relative risk [RR] random effects model 0.70; 95% CI 0.57–0.86), as was pre‐eclampsia (12 trials, 15 206 women: RR 0.48; 95% CI 0.33–0.69). The effect was greatest for women at high risk (five trials, 587 women: RR 0.22; 95% CI 0.12–0.42) and for those with low baseline calcium intake (seven trials, 10 154 women: RR 0.36; 95% CI 0.18–0.70). There was heterogeneity, with less effect in the larger trials. The composite outcome maternal death or serious morbidity was reduced (four trials, 9732 women: RR 0.80; 95% CI 0.65–0.97). The syndrome of haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets was increased (two trials, 12 901 women: RR 2.67; 95% CI 1.05–6.82). There was no overall effect on the risk of preterm birth or stillbirth or death before discharge from hospital.Conclusions Calcium supplementation appears to reduce the risk of pre‐eclampsia and to reduce the rare occurrence of the composite outcome ‘maternal death or serious morbidity’. There were no other clear benefits or harms.Commentary We present the hypothesis that adequate dietary calcium before and in early pregnancy may be needed to prevent the underlying pathology responsible for pre‐eclampsia. We suggest that the research agenda be redirected towards calcium supplementation at a community level.
Endometrial hyperplasia involving endometrial polyps: report of a series and discussion of the significance in an endometrial biopsy specimen
Authors: Kelly P , Dobbs SP , McCluggage WG 
Published: June 2007

Objectives  Endometrial polyps are a common cause of abnormal uterine bleeding. Rarely, a hyperplasia, either complex or atypical in type, is identified within a polyp in a biopsy or polypectomy specimen. Currently, it is not known whether the hyperplasia is likely to be confined to the polyp or also involve nonpolypoid endometrium. We aim to assess the likelihood of hyperplasia being confined to an endometrial polyp.Design  In this study, we identified 32 women from pathology archives in whom endometrial hyperplasia was present within a polyp. The number of endometrial polyps during the study period was 1031 and therefore 3.1% of all endometrial polyps diagnosed during the study period contained a hyperplasia.Setting  A major teaching hospital in the UK.Methods  The biopsies were retrieved from the pathology archives of Royal Group of Hospitals, Belfast, between 2000 and 2006. We traced any follow‐up biopsy or hysterectomy specimens to evaluate the status of the surrounding endometrium.Results  The hyperplasias were complex (n= 23) or atypical (n= 9) in type. In 14 of 27 (52%) women in whom nonpolypoid endometrium was available for histological evaluation, either on the original biopsy or in a follow‐up specimen, hyperplasia involved the nonpolypoid endometrium, and in three other women, hyperplasia was present in a polyp in follow‐up specimens. Women with atypical hyperplasia in a polyp were slightly more likely to have hyperplasia in the surrounding endometrium than those with complex hyperplasia.Conclusions  Our study illustrates that the risk of endometrial hyperplasia in a polyp concurrently involving nonpolypoid endometrium is significant. We suggest a strategy for the management of women with hyperplasia identified within an endometrial polyp in a biopsy or polypectomy specimen.
Labour characteristics and neonatal Erb’s palsy
Authors: Weizsaecker K , Deaver JE , Cohen WR 
Published: June 2007

Objective  To determine risk factors for Erb’s palsy, with a focus on graphic labour patterns.Design  A case–control study.Setting  New York City.Sample  A total of 45 consecutive cases of Erb’s palsy and 90 controls.Methods  Pregnancies and labours of neonatal Erb’s palsy cases were compared with 90 controls using univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis.Main outcome measures  Erb’s palsy and shoulder dystocia.Results  Mothers of children with Erb’s palsy had a higher term body mass index and more gestational diabetes than those of controls. Even cases without diabetes had higher blood glucose values after a 50‐g glucose challenge than did controls. Cases had a higher birthweight and a lower ratio of head‐to‐thoracic circumference than controls. Shoulder dystocia occurred in 67% of cases and in 2% of controls (P= 0.001). Only 46% of labours had a completely normal dilatation pattern. In a multiple logistic regression model, variables independently associated with brachial plexus injury were long deceleration phase of labour, long second stage, high birthweight, black race, and high neonatal or maternal body mass.Conclusions  Erb’s palsy was frequently preceded by abnormal labour and shoulder dystocia; however, a substantial proportion of cases occurred after normal labour and delivery. Predictive models will be necessary to determine to what extent careful monitoring of the terminal portion of dilatation and of fetal descent and incorporation of maternal body mass and race (all independent risk factors in this study) will help identify fetuses at risk for brachial plexus palsy.
Sequencing material handling equipment in production facilities
Authors: Kritikos Manolis N. , Ioannou George 
Published: June 2007

AbstractIn this article we consider the problem of sequencing material handling equipment in manufacturing systems, subject to constraints that restrict the start and end time of each production activity, according to pre‐specified daily resource operational schedules and process planning information. The underlying decision problem is modeled using an integer programming formulation similar to vehicle routing with time windows (VRPTW). To take advantage of standard approaches for the VRPTW, we develop a transformation schema that allows a one‐to‐one mapping between the manufacturing problem and VRPTW. An efficient heuristic to solve the resulting transformed problem is proposed. The method, which is a penalty‐based sequential insertion heuristic, allows routes to be constructed by exploiting the tradeoff between material handling and resource starvation costs. The steps of the method are illustrated via a comprehensive example and results on benchmark problems are reported.
Ranking projects for an electricity utility using ELECTRE III
Authors: Buchanan John , Vanderpooten Daniel 
Published: June 2007

AbstractRanking and selecting projects is a common yet often difficult task with typically more than one dimension for measuring project impacts and more than one decision maker. We describe a project selection methodology developed and used since 1998 for Mighty River Power, a New Zealand electricity generator, which incorporates the ELECTRE III decision support tool. Although several other multiple criteria approaches could have been used, features of ELECTRE III such as outranking, and indifference and preference thresholds were well received by our decision makers. More than the use of a specific decision support tool, we focus particularly on the successful implementation of a simple, structured multicriteria methodology for a yearly project selection exercise and document this over 8 years in a changing managerial context.
The effect of firm number on equilibrium product positioning and pricing: a marketing–production perspective
Authors: Hadjinicola George C. , Kumar K. Ravi 
Published: June 2007

AbstractWe examine how product design and pricing are affected when the number of firms in the market increases by considering marketing and production variables. We employ a model that adopts marketing notions such as market shares and ideal points to dictate the attraction of the product to consumers. The model also incorporates production costs where the cost of the product increases linearly with increasing product attribute levels. The modeling framework facilitates the existence of a Nash equilibrium in prices and product positions. The number of firms in the market is exogenously defined. When the number of firms in the market increases, firms lower their prices and design their product with features closer to the market's ideal point. This results in lower profits.
Art and Environmental Awareness: A Gloucestershire Case Study
Authors: REARDON ANITA 
Published: June 2007

It is my premise that art education can make a distinctive and unique contribution towards the development of environmental awareness and that an art department is well suited to lead a whole school response to environmental education.This paper describes three years work during which a schools cluster group has developed environmental sculpture and collaborative performing arts work within a rural community. My conclusions are drawn from direct experience as active researcher and project manager. The project provides an example of what is possible and I hope, inspiration and stimulation for colleagues wishing to develop environmental work within their community. Every community represents a new challenge.
Teaching Children to Draw in the Infants School
Authors: COX MAUREEN , COOKE GRANT , GRIFFIN DEIRDRE 
Published: June 2007

AbstractWe report an approach to the teaching of drawing in the Infants school which involves children in observing real objects set in context and discussion and negotiation with the teacher of ways in which the objects might be drawn. We also report the findings of an evaluation study which showed an improvement in the drawings when children experienced the ‘negotiated drawing’ approach compared with those taught in a more conventional way.
Traditional Chinese herbal medicines for treatment of liver fibrosis and cancer: from laboratory discovery to clinical evaluation
Authors: Luk John M. , Wang Xiaoling , Liu Ping , Wong Kwong‐Fai , Chan Kwong‐Leung , Tong Yao , Hui Chi‐Kin , Lau George K. , Fan Sheung‐Tat 
Published: June 2007

AbstractLiver disease afflicts over 10% of the world population. This includes chronic hepatitis, alcoholic steatosis, fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which are the most health‐threatening conditions drawing considerable attention from medical professionals and scientists. Patients with alcoholism or viral hepatitis are much more likely to have liver cell damage and cirrhosis, and some may eventually develop HCC, which is unfortunately, and very often, a fatal malignancy without cure. While liver surgery is not suitable in many of the HCC cases, patients are mostly given palliative support cares or transarterial chemoembolization or systemic chemotherapies. However, HCC is well known to be a highly chemoresistant tumour, and the response rate is <10–20%. To this end, alternative medicines are being actively sought from other sources with hopes to halt the disease's progression or even eliminate the tumours. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine has begun to gain popularity worldwide for promoting healthcare as well as disease prevention, and been used as conventional or complementary medicines for both treatable and incurable diseases in Asia and the West. In this article, we discuss the laboratory findings and clinical trial studies of Chinese herbal medicines (particularly small molecule compounds) for the treatment of liver disease ranging from fibrosis to liver cancer.
Predictors of Acute Treatment Response Among Patients With Cluster Headache
Authors: Schürks Markus , Rosskopf Dieter , De Jesus Janete , Jonjic Mira , Diener Hans‐Christoph , Kurth Tobias 
Published: June 2007

Background.—Oxygen and triptans are drugs of first choice to abort cluster headache attacks. However, clinical predictors of treatment response are unavailable.Objective.—We aimed to identify predictors of acute treatment response among patients with cluster headache.Methods.—We investigated 246 cluster headache patients with available information on personal, headache, and lifestyle characteristics as well as effectiveness of acute medication use. We used logistic regression models to identify potential predictors of triptan and oxygen response.Results.—Triptans were effective in 137 of the 191 users and oxygen in 134 of the 175 users. We only identified increasing age (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93–0.99; P= .013) as a negative predictor for triptan response, while nausea/vomiting (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.18–0.91; P= .029) and restlessness (OR 0.09, 95% CI 0.01–0.66; P= .019) were negative predictors of oxygen response.Conclusions.—Few clinical features seem to predict treatment nonresponse in cluster headache. More refined studies aiming at physiological and genetic characteristics seem promising in the future.