bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal use of thyroid hormones in pregnancy and neonatal outcome
Authors: NORSTEDT WIKNER BIRGITTA , SKJÖLDEBRAND SPARRE LOTTIE , STILLER CARL‐OLAV , KÄLLÉN BENGT , ASKER CHARLOTTE 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjective. To describe neonatal outcome including the presence of congenital malformations in infants born to women substituted with thyroid hormones, and the maternal characteristics of these women. Design. Register study based on prospectively collected data in relation to delivery. Setting. Swedish Health Registers. Population. All pregnant women (n = 848,468) and all infants born (n = 861,989) in Sweden from 1 July 1995 to 31 December 2004. Methods. Women who reported the use of thyroid hormones in early pregnancy or obtained a prescription for thyroid hormones later in pregnancy (n = 9,866), as well as their infants (n = 10,055) were identified from the Swedish Medical Birth Register. The reference population consisted of all women giving birth and their offspring during the same time interval. Main outcome measures. Neonatal outcome, malformations and maternal characteristics. Data were analyzed with adjustments for identified confounders. Results. Women using thyroxine had an increased rate of pre‐eclampsia, diabetes (pre‐existing or gestational), cesarean sections and inductions of labour compared to women in the reference population. The risk for preterm birth was marginally increased (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.03–1.25). Neonatal thyroid disease was found in eight infants (seven with thyreotoxicosis and one unspecified), the expected number was 0.2. No further anomalies in neonatal diagnoses were found. A small but statistically significant risk for congenital malformations (OR =1.14, 95% CI 1.05–1.26) was found. Conclusion. Women on thyroid substitution during pregnancy had an increased risk for some pregnancy complications, but their infants were only slightly affected.
Fetal lipoprotein changes in pre‐eclampsia
Authors: CATARINO CRISTINA , REBELO IRENE , BELO LUÍS , ROCHA‐PEREIRA PETRONILA , ROCHA SUSANA , BAYER CASTRO ELISABETH , PATRÍCIO BELMIRO , QUINTANILHA ALEXANDRE , SANTOS‐SILVA ALICE 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjective. To evaluate the impact of maternal lipid changes upon the fetus in pre‐eclampsia (PE) by evaluating lipid profile simultaneously in maternal and umbilical cord blood (UCB). Design. Case‐control study performed on healthy and pre‐eclamptic pregnant women and their neonates. Setting. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital S. Joao and Faculty of Pharmacy, Porto, Portugal. Samples. Forty‐two healthy pregnancies and 46 pregnancies complicated with PE. Methods. Total cholesterol (TChol), HDL‐cholesterol (HDLc), LDL‐cholesterol (LDLc) and triglycerides (TG) levels were determined using enzymatic methods. Apolipoprotein (apo) A‐I, apoB and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] values were measured by immunoturbidimetry. Main outcome measures. Fetal and maternal plasma levels of TChol, HDLc, LDLc, TG, apoA‐I, apoB and Lp(a). Results. Pre‐eclamptic women presented significantly higher values for TChol, LDLc, HDLc, TG, apoA‐I and apoB compared to normal pregnant women. In the UCB from pre‐eclamptic pregnancies, we observed significantly lower values for HDLc and apoA‐I, and significantly higher TG concentrations and LDLc/HDLc ratio when compared to normal cases. A positive correlation was observed between maternal TG levels and proteinuria, a marker of PE severity (r =0.40, p <0.01). Conclusions. Our data suggest that pre‐eclamptic pregnancy is associated with an enhanced hyperlipidemia, which seems to have a negative impact on fetal lipid profile, as reflected by a higher atherogenic LDLc/HDLc ratio and higher TG levels. These children, born of women with PE, may deserve a closer clinical follow‐up later in life.
Nestin expression during differentiation of fetal endothelial progenitor cells and hypoxic culture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: HWANG HAN‐SUNG , MAENG YONG‐SUN , KIM YOUNG‐HAN , KWON YOUNG‐GUEN , PARK YONG‐WON , KIM IN‐KYU 
Published: May 2008

AbstractRetracted.
Maternal factor V Leiden mutation is associated with HELLP syndrome in Caucasian women
Authors: MUETZE SABINE , LEENERS BRIGITTE , ORTLEPP JAN R. , KUSE SABINE , TAG CARMEN G. , WEISKIRCHEN RALF , GRESSNER AXEL M. , RUDNIK‐SCHOENEBORN SABINE , ZERRES KLAUS , RATH WERNER 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjective. There is growing evidence that hypertensive pregnancy complications and other adverse pregnancy outcomes are associated with the presence of inherited or acquired thrombophilias. As hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome is one of the most severe forms of pre‐eclampsia we aimed to assess the prevalence of the factor V Leiden, the prothrombin 20210G >A mutation and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C >T polymorphism in women with HELLP syndrome and in their fetuses from the same index pregnancy. Design. The study was performed retrospectively in a case–control design. Sample. Seventy‐one mother–child pairs with HELLP syndrome and 79 control mother–child pairs with uncomplicated pregnancies were included in the study. Methods. Genotyping of the three thrombophilic mutations was performed using the LightCycler technology. The chi‐squared test was used for statistical analysis. Main outcome measures were maternal and fetal genotypes and their correlation with clinical parameters. Results. Maternal heterozygosity for factor V Leiden was significantly more prevalent in the HELLP group than in controls (OR 4.45, 95% CI 1.31–15.31). No significant association was observed for maternal prothrombin mutation or MTHFR polymorphism (p = 0.894, p = 0.189, respectively). The fetal genotype was not associated with HELLP syndrome for any of the three mutations investigated. Analysis of gene–gene interactions and genotype–phenotype correlation with respect to clinical parameters and perinatal outcome revealed no further differences. Conclusions. Our study confirms that women heterozygous for factor V Leiden have an increased risk of developing HELLP syndrome, while the most frequent mutations of the prothrombin and MTHFR gene do not play a major role in the pathogenesis of HELLP syndrome.
Attachment styles and demographic factors as predictors of sociocultural and psychological adjustment of Eastern European immigrants in the Netherlands
Authors: Polek Elżbieta , van Oudenhoven Jan Pieter , ten Berge Jos M. F. 
Published: May 2008

The present study examined the relationship between adult attachment styles and psychological and sociocultural adjustment of Polish, Russian, and Hungarian immigrants (N = 631) to Dutch society. In addition, it also examined the relationship between demographic factors and adjustment and compared the predictive value of attachment styles and demographic factors for immigrants' adjustment. The Attachment Style Questionnaire was used to assess respondents' attachment. Psychological adjustment was measured with the Psychological Health Scale and the Satisfaction With Life Scale. Sociocultural adjustment was measured with the Social Support List – Interactions scale. Two scales for measuring identification and contact with the native and with the Dutch culture were developed and used as indicators of cultural adjustment. We found relations between attachment styles and psychological and sociocultural adjustment. Secure attachment was positively related (p<.01) to psychological and sociocultural adjustment, fearful attachment was negatively (p<.01) associated with psychological adjustment, and more negatively with identification with the Dutch culture than with identification with the native culture. Preoccupied attachment was negatively related (p<.01) to psychological adjustment and to identification with the Dutch culture. Dismissing attachment was weakly negatively related (p<.01) to sociocultural adjustment. Correlation patterns across the three immigrants' samples indicate that dismissing individuals remain relatively indifferent towards their native and the Dutch culture. Regarding demographic factors we found that education and age at immigration were positively associated with psychological and sociocultural adjustment, and length of residence appeared to be positively related to sociocultural adjustment. In general, demographic factors showed a stronger association with sociocultural than with psychological adjustment. Regression analysis revealed that attachment styles were better predictors of immigrants' psychological and sociocultural adjustment than demographic factors—education, age at immigration, and length of residence. The results indicate that immigrant studies would benefit from taking an attachment perspective.
Acculturation and its determinants among adult immigrants in France
Authors: Abu‐Rayya Hisham Motkal 
Published: May 2008

The present study pursued three aims. First, it sought to determine the distribution of types of identification among adult immigrants in France; second, it investigated certain determinants that might contribute to the emergence of exclusively French or ethnic identifications; and third, it attempted to assess the outcomes of French or ethnic identification strategies for well‐being. Participants of the study were 6211 adult immigrants in France, aged between 45 and 70 years (M = 55.8, SD = 7.21), 53.6% males. Findings revealed that participants' dominant identification style of belonging was either French (n = 2758, 44.4%) or home country/ethnic group affiliation (n = 1899, 30.6%), with a greater tendency towards the former. In relation to the study second question, it was found that lower levels of education and involvement with French society, higher degrees of religiosity, and shorter lengths of residence in France were positively connected with home country/ethnic group identification as against French and vice versa. Stronger feelings of being settled in France and a command of French, and lower degrees of involvement with the initial national/ethnic community, were associated with a significant decrease in the likelihood of home country/ethnic group identification as against French and vice versa. While respondents' personal experiences of discrimination in home country/ethnic group before migration to France predicted a lower likelihood of home country/ethnic group identification compared to French and vice versa, immigrants' reports of being discriminated against in France had no significant effect on identification choices. Findings revealed also that those identifying with their home country/ethnic group recorded relatively higher degrees of maladjustment than those asserting a French identification.
Comparison of conventional ultrasound and real-time spatial compound imaging in evaluation of patients with severe peyronie's disease
Authors: Bertolotto M. , Perrone R. , Bucci S. , Zappetti R. , Coss M. 
Published: May 2008

Background: Real-time spatial compound imaging (C-US) is an ultrasound (US) method which effectively reduces image artifacts and noise. In contrast to conventional techniques, multiple frames are acquired from different viewing angles and combined to form a single compound image. Purpose: To evaluate whether C-US improves ultrasound evaluation of patients with severe Peyronie's disease. Material and Methods: 60 consecutive patients with severe Peyronie's disease underwent conventional US and C-US after intracavernous prostaglandin E1 injection. Corresponding images of the same scan plane were obtained with both methods, and subjective image quality was scored retrospectively using a four-point scale by two blinded readers with different experience in penile imaging. Readers focused on evaluation of the tunica albuginea, plaques, involvement of the penile septum, and overall image quality. Also, presence of large albugineal calcifications or microcalcifications was considered. To assess intrareader agreement, both readers repeated evaluation after a 1-month interval. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and McNemar test. Weighted κ values were calculated to assess intra- and inter-reader agreement. Results: Average scores were significantly higher for reader 1 ( P<0.001). Both readers rated C-US better ( P<0.001) than conventional US. Despite higher image quality scores, C-US was as effective as conventional grayscale US in assessing involvement of the penile septum. No differences were found between the two methods for visualization of large calcifications, while microcalcifications were better visible with compound imaging. Intrareader agreement was higher for the more experienced reader 1. Conclusion: C-US is subjectively superior to conventional US in evaluating patients with severe Peyronie's disease.
Soft-copy reading in digital mammography of mass: diagnostic performance of a 5-megapixel cathode ray tube monitor versus a 3-megapixel liquid crystal display monitor in a diagnostic setting
Authors: Uematsu T. , Kasami M. 
Published: May 2008

Background: Liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors and cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors are currently the two most common types used in digital mammography systems. The appropriate selection of a monitor is very important and requires balancing the monitor's performance and its cost. A previous study of soft-copy reading in digital mammography of microcalcifications showed that 3-megapixel (M) LCD monitors were similar in diagnostic performance to 5M CRT monitors in a diagnostic setting. Purpose: To compare 5M CRT monitors with 3M LCD monitors for soft-copy reading of digital mammography of a mass in a diagnostic setting. Material and Methods: Seventy mass lesions having undergone either breast biopsies or definitive surgery (46 malignant and 24 benign) and 30 normal cases were recruited into the study. The median size of the lesions was 16 mm (range 7–20 mm). The digital mammograms in the 100-case set were assigned to two blocks, block A (50 cases) and block B (50 cases), for 5M CRT and 3M LCD monitors. A single radiologist read all 100 cases with both types of monitors, starting with the images in block A on the 5M CRT monitors and then the images in block B on the 3M LCD monitors. The radiologist analyzed the soft-copy images on 5M CRT and 3M LCD monitors with 5 months between the interpretations to reduce the effects of learning and memory. Again, the reader started with the images in block A on the 3M LCD monitors and then read the images in block B on the 5M CRT monitors. A five-point rating scale for the probability of malignancy was used for interpreting the soft-copy mammograms. The mass descriptor was scored on a six-point scale. Breast density was scored on a four-point scale. The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated based on the criteria of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. The interpretation time was also measured. Results: No significant difference was observed in the probability of malignancy ( P=1), mass descriptor ( P=0.317), and breast density ( P=0.739). The PPV and NPV of soft-copy reading on the 5M CRT monitors were 91% (42/46) and 94% (51/54), respectively, identical to the results using 3M LCD monitors. The total interpretation time averaged 62 s for the 5M CRT monitors and 60 s for the 3M LCD monitors ( P<0.0001). Conclusion: Soft-copy reading of a digital mammography of mass with 3M LCD monitors was similar in diagnostic performance to 5M CRT monitors in this study. On the basis of the results of this and a previous study, 3M LCD monitors can replace 5M CRT monitors without any loss in the ability to diagnose digital mammograms.
Bilateral pulvinar signal intensity decrease on t2-weighted images in patients with aspartylglucosaminuria
Authors: Autti T. , Lönnqvist T , Joensuu R 
Published: May 2008

Background: Aspartylglucosaminuria (AGU) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal disease caused by deficiency of aspartylglucosaminidase. A thalamic T2 signal intensity decrease is associated with lysosomal diseases. Purpose: To investigate thalamic signal intensity in AGU by performing a retrospective review of brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies of AGU patients. Material and Methods: A total of 25 MR examinations were available for 11 patients aged between 3 and 32 years (four patients underwent bone marrow transplantation). Of these, 13 examinations were performed after bone marrow transplantation. Five patients had from two to six examinations, and six patients had one examination each. In every patient, the diagnosis of AGU was confirmed by blood and urine tests. Eighteen examinations were performed with a 1.0T imager including dual spin-echo T2 and proton density (PD) axial and coronal images, and 10 examinations also included T1-weighted images. Seven examinations were performed with a 1.5T imager including turbo spin-echo axial and coronal T2-weighted images and axial fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images; three examinations included T1-weighted three-dimensional magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition gradient-echo (3D MPRAGE) images. The signal intensity of the thalamus and pulvinar in every sequence was compared to that of the putamina. Results: In AGU, thalamic alterations were first detectable on T2-weighted images (25 examinations in 11 patients) from the age of 3 years 6 months, showing decreased signal intensity in 21 of 24 examinations. T1-weighted images (13 examinations) showed slightly increased thalamic signal intensity in five out of seven examinations from the age of 7 years, and PD images (19 examinations) showed decreased signal intensity from the age of 16 years (three examinations). The pulvinar showed decreased signal intensity on spin-echo T2-weighted images for 14 of 18 examinations or on FLAIR sequences for seven of seven examinations from the age of 6 years and 6 months, both in patients with and without bone marrow transplantation, but no pulvinar alterations were observable on T1 and PD images. Conclusion: In AGU, the thalamus is affected. Pulvinar changes are visible only on T2-weighted images, and these may be the first changes reported in the group of lysosomal diseases.
Imaging of renal leiomyomas
Authors: Derchi L. E. , Grenier N. , Heinz-Peer G. , Dogra V. , Franco F. , Rollandi G. A. , Deminiere C. 
Published: May 2008

Background: Renal leiomyomas are rare benign tumors of the kidney which can be found at autopsy as small capsular nodules in about 5% of cases. The clinical incidence of such lesions is much smaller, and only case reports or small series have been reported in the imaging literature. Purpose: To describe the imaging characteristics observed in a series of eight patients with pathology-proven asymptomatic leiomyomas of the kidney. Material and Methods: We reviewed the imaging findings observed in eight patients with pathologically proven asymptomatic renal leiomyomas discovered during studies performed for reasons unrelated to the kidney. All patients had undergone computed tomography (CT), two ultrasonography, and one magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: Lesions ranged in size from 1.2 to 13 cm. Six were at the periphery of the kidney, compressed its outer surface, but did not cause disruption of the cortex; two involved the renal cortex. All had regular outer margins. A cleavage plane between the tumor and the kidney was revealed at CT and/or ultrasonography in three of the cases located at the periphery. At ultrasonography, leiomyomas appeared hypoechogenic. At CT, they were slightly hyperdense before contrast medium injection; all were hypodense to the renal cortex after contrast medium. Four were homogeneous, two were slightly heterogeneous, and the remaining two were frankly heterogeneous. The lesion studied by MRI, which was homogeneous at the postcontrast CT study, had a heterogeneous structure on both T1- and T2-weighted images, with internal areas of hypointensity on T1. Conclusion: There are some imaging findings that can help to suggest the diagnosis of renal leiomyomas. First, their density: all tumors examined before contrast were hyperdense to the kidney, with density similar to that of muscles, and all had lower enhancement than the adjacent renal parenchyma. Second, the location and margins of the tumors: most were peripheral, without involvement of the renal cortex and with well-defined margins. Although not pathognomonic for a renal leiomyoma, the combination of these findings should include leiomyoma in the list of differential diagnoses.
Drug use and risk among regular injecting drug users in Australia: does age make a difference?
Authors: DEGENHARDT LOUISA , KINNER STUART A. , ROXBURGH AMANDA , BLACK EMMA , BRUNO RAIMONDO , FETHERSTON JAMES , FRY CRAIG L. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. To examine age‐related differences in drug use and risk among regular injecting drug users (IDU) in Australia. Design and Methods. Cross‐sectional data from the 2006 Illicit Drug Reporting System were examined for age‐related differences in demographic characteristics, drug use history and current use patterns and self‐reported risk behaviours. Results. IDU under 25 years of age were more likely to have initiated injecting at a younger age, to identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, and to be injecting daily or more often than their older counterparts. They reported more frequent heroin use in the preceding 6 months, and were more likely to report morphine as the first drug injected than were IDU aged 35 years or over. Younger IDU were also more likely to report providing used needles to others, engaging in recent property crime and drug dealing and arrest in the last year. Conclusions. Younger IDU reported significantly different drug use patterns and higher rates of risk behaviours than their older counterparts. Treatment services need to ensure that harm and demand reduction services deliver messages to new cohorts of IDU, particularly given that their drug use patterns may be different to those of older users.
Residential detoxification: essential for marginalised, severely alcohol‐ and drug‐dependent individuals
Authors: SILINS EDMUND , SANNIBALE CLAUDIA , LARNEY SARAH , WODAK ALEX , MATTICK RICHARD 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIntroduction and Aims. In an era of health care rationalisation, residential detoxification services catering for drug‐ and alcohol‐dependent homeless people are being closed. The principal findings of a recent evaluation of a non‐medicated residential detoxification service are presented. The aims were to describe the characteristics of residents, their experience of admission, rates of withdrawal completion, referral patterns, staff and key informant perceptions of the service and its role within the wider treatment system. Design and Methods. A process evaluation was utilised incorporating interviews with residents (n = 80) and key informants (n = 13); a survey of all service staff (n = 10); and demographic and clinical data for all residents (n = 392) admitted over one calendar year. Results. Residents were heavily substance‐dependent and marginalised, with many exhibiting substantial mental and physical health impairments. Polydrug use and frequent prior engagement with drug and alcohol services were common. The majority completed withdrawal and were referred to further treatment. Residents who presented for heroin and other opiate withdrawal were more likely than other residents to leave before completing treatment (odds ratio 2.47, 95% confidence interval 1.48–4.15). Information from key informants, service staff and residents converged in underscoring the important role performed by the service. Discussion and Conclusion. Out‐patient detoxification for homeless and severely drug‐ and alcohol‐dependent populations is unrealistic. For this group, access to residential detoxification is vital as it provides an environment where potentially serious medical and psychological complications can be managed. There continues to be a clear role for supervised withdrawal in such a setting.