bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The extent of semi‐natural grassland communities in lowland England and Wales: a review of conservation surveys 1978–96
Authors: Blackstock  , Rimes  , Stevens  , Jefferson  , Robertson  , Mackintosh  , Hopkins  
Published: March 2003

The extent of semi‐natural grassland has diminished considerably across lowland landscapes of England and Wales during the second half of the twentieth century. Locating, describing and evaluating the dwindling cover has been a major challenge for conservationists. A concentrated vegetation survey effort at grassland sites has been mounted within different parts of Britain since the late 1970s. Plant community recognition has benefited considerably from the development of the contemporary National Vegetation Classification, and its widespread adoption permits national inventory of comparable vegetation data.Findings of a range of surveys (ninety‐eight in total), undertaken between 1978 and 1996 in England and Wales covering different forms of unimproved lowland grassland, are collated and reviewed. Vegetation data were abstracted from internally published survey reports. Calcicolous and neutral grasslands have been covered more thoroughly than acidic and wet or marshy grasslands. Cover data are summarized at community level. Overall estimates from survey results indicate that there are some 27 500–40 000 ha of calcicolous grassland, 7500–15 000 ha of unimproved neutral pasture and hay meadow, 8000–15 000 ha of acidic grassland and 9000–17 500 ha of wet grassland in lowland England and Wales; these represent only 1–2% of the cover of permanent lowland grassland. Some communities have additional representation in heathlands, mires and upland environments.Although they require further refinement, the cover data for individual communities provide a context for assessing priorities in site‐based and agri‐environment conservation programmes. It is concluded that, as well as arresting further depletion, it will be necessary to restore and expand lowland grassland habitats to counteract the negative impacts of fragmentation and isolation of various community types, such as the Centaureo–Cynosuretum, which is widely but thinly distributed. Habitat rehabilitation schemes also need to assimilate local patterns of community diversity characteristic of both wet and dry grasslands. It is suggested that reversal of the recent successional trends that followed relaxation of grazing at certain sites might produce a more appropriate balance in the relative cover of coarse tall grasslands and fine short turf. Vegetation surveys provide a source of spatial data for identifying local aggregations of semi‐natural grassland remnants.
The response of a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) seed crop to nitrogen fertilizer application in the absence of moisture stress
Authors: Cookson W. R. , Rowarth J. S. , Cameron K. C. 
Published: March 2003

Responses of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) to nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rates and timings vary widely, because water is often limiting. Yield response to N fertilizer application during autumn, late‐winter and spring, and the associated efficiency of use of these inputs, was assessed under conditions of non‐limiting soil moisture during two, one‐year lysimeter studies in Canterbury, New Zealand. There were significant (P < 0·05) increases in seed and herbage yields with increasing N fertilizer application. Seed yields differed with year; greatest yields were 300 g m−2 in 1996 and 450 g m−2 in 1997. Seed head numbers (r2=0·77), seeds head−1 (r2=0·92) and herbage yield (r2=0·92) were the major determinants of seed yield in both years. Irrigation required to maintain the soil between 70% and 90% of field capacity was directly related (r2=0·94 and 0·99 in 1996 and 1997 respectively) to increases in herbage yield.Seed yield, seed quality (thousand seed weight and percentage of seed > 1·85 mg), efficiency of water use, efficiency of N fertilizer use and apparent N fertilizer recovery were greatest when N fertilizer was applied at a rate of 50 kg N ha−1, 50 or 100 kg N ha−1 and 150 kg N ha−1 in autumn, late‐winter and spring respectively; further increases in spring N fertilizer stimulated vegetative growth, but not seed yield.As a management strategy, applying N fertilizer to match the N requirements of the crop during the reproductive stage of growth will result in high yields of high quality seed while minimizing environmental impact.
Influence of species, cutting date and cutting interval on the fatty acid composition of grasses
Authors: Dewhurst R. J. , Scollan N. D. , Youell S. J. , Tweed J. K. S. , Humphreys M. O. 
Published: March 2003

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of species, cutting date and cutting interval on the concentration of fatty acids in temperate grasses. The first experiment compared eight species, harvested in late autumn and summer. Levels of individual fatty acids were distinctive for some species, with low levels of C18:1 in Dactylis glomerata L. and high levels of C18:2 in Phleum pratense L. Differences in individual fatty acids could not be used to differentiate fescues and ryegrasses. However, fatty acid profiles could be used to differentiate species when material was managed similarly (i.e. at the same cut). There were large species × cut interaction effects, showing that management factors will be as important as plant breeding in manipulating fatty acid levels. Cultivars belonging to one Lolium perenne L. gene pool were identified as having significantly higher α‐linolenic acid and total fatty acids in late‐season (November) material.The second experiment compared three ryegrass species over a growing season, with three or five cuts. All species had high concentrations of fatty acids and a high proportion of α‐linolenic acid during vegetative growth (late April). Fatty acid levels declined markedly in all species after this date, recovering by autumn. Kunth Lolium multiflorum Lam. and Lolium × boucheanum had higher levels of total fatty acids and α‐linolenic acid in the early and late season when compared with perennial ryegrass. Fatty acid levels (particularly C18:2 and C18:3) declined when the regrowth interval was extended from 20 to 38 d.These studies demonstrate opportunities to change the composition of ruminant products through breeding and management of grasses for altered levels of fatty acids.
Endometrial destruction by thermal coagulation: evaluation of a new form of treatment for menorrhagia
Authors: Friberg Britt , Persson Bertil R. R. , Willén Roger , Ahlgren Mats 
Published: March 2003

ObjectiveTo report the first clinical evaluation of a new balloon endometrial, thermal destruction system CavatermTM, for outpatient treatment of menorrhagia.DesignTo elucidate possible technical problems during treatment, to evaluate how the patients tolerated the treatment and to judge which patients were suitable for this form of treatment.Main outcome measuresMeasurements of bleeding volumes in pads and tampons before and after treatment were performed as well as subjective evaluation by bleeding charts. Patients also estimated their degree of satisfaction.SettingGynaecology department at a university hospital.Subjects36 patients under 52 years of age with menorrhagia, without suspicion of intracavitary pathology including malignancy.ResultsNo procedure‐related complications occurred. The patients tolerated the treatment well. There was a significant reduction in measured bleeding volumes in pads and tampons, collected during one menstruation, 2–7 months after treatment compared with measurements before treatment. Four patients subsequently underwent hysterectomy and should not have been included in the study (two with pedunculated myoma and one with a septum; the fourth showed premalignant endometrial changes in the curettage preceding the treatment). At 18–28‐month follow up, 29 of the suitable patients (91%) reported a significant reduction in bleeding and another three patients reported reduced but still profuse bleeding compared with pretreatment; 88% (28/32) rated the treatment results as excellent, and a further 9% (3/32) as good.ConclusionsWe found the CavatermTM system for endometrial destruction to be safe, efficient and easy to use.
Sequelae of spilled ‘pelvic’ gallstones after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in women: case report and literature review
Authors: Abidogun Kehinde A. , Olawo Ayo O. , Chui David K. 
Published: March 2003

ObjectiveTo describe a case of long‐term sequelae of gallstones spilled and unretrieved during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a woman patient and to review the published reports of similar cases.SettingThe gynaecology department of a district hospital.SubjectA 46‐year‐old woman presenting with persistent chronic pelvic pain 10 months after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.ResultsThis woman had over 800 gallstones of various sizes left in the peritoneal cavity following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. These had become embedded in the pelvic structures and caused an extensive peritoneal reaction and adhesions involving the ovaries, fallopian tubes and loops of large bowel. Review of the literature revealed 10 earlier reports of serious complications of spilled gallstones involving the pelvic structures in women following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with the inflammation persisting for up to 3 years.ConclusionSpillage of a significant quantity of gallstones at laparoscopic cholecystectomy in women should not be considered a minor complication, and open retrieval may be justified.
Adhesions after laparoscopic myomectomy: effect of the technique used
Authors: Assaf Ayman 
Published: March 2003

ObjectiveTo evaluate the technique of laparoscopic myomectomy and to assess the effect of injection of a vasoconstrictive agent on the incidence of postoperative adhesions.DesignProspective randomized clinical study.SettingUniversity‐based and a tertiary referral private centre.Patients38 patients with subserous‐interstitial myomas, 3–7 cm in diameter, who were recruited from 99 women scheduled for laparoscopic myomectomy during the period from September 1994 till March 1997.InterventionsThe patients were randomly assigned to receive an injection of Ornipressin (group I, 21 patients) or no injection (group II, 17 patients) prior to myomectomy.Main outcome measuresThe incidence, type and degree of pelvic adhesions, evaluated at follow‐up laparoscopy 1 month after the original procedure.ResultsThe procedure was easier and less time‐consuming in group I, compared with group II. The incidence of pelvic adhesions was higher in group I compared with group II and the adhesions were more vascular in group I.ConclusionThe technique of laparoscopic myomectomy is feasible and safe. The incidence of postoperative pelvic adhesions is affected mainly by the technique used. Vasoconstricting agents make laparoscopy more convenient to the surgeon, but give a false impression of suitable haemostasis; our preliminary results indicate that their use may increase the incidence of pelvic adhesions.
Laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation in chronic pelvic pain: an overview
Authors: Khan Khalid S. , Khan Sabina F. , Nwosu Chika R. , Dwarakanath Linga S. , Chien Patrick F. W. 
Published: March 2003

ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy of laparoscopic uterine nerve ablation (LUNA) in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain, by means of a systematic overview of the published literature.DesignRelevant papers were identified through electronic scanning of MEDLINE (1966  1997), EMBASE (1980m 1997), the Science Citation Index and the Cochrane Library, and manual searching of the bibliography of known primary and review articles. Study selection, study quality assessment and data abstraction were performed independently in duplicate. For controlled studies data were used to generate odds ratios (OR) and their confidence intervals (CI).SubjectsThese were 555 women included in 11 case series and 250 women included in two controlled observational studies and three randomized trials.Main outcome measurePain relief, measured in general terms or assessed using visual analogue or numeric pain scales.ResultsIn the case of pelvic pain with no visible pathological findings at laparoscopy, randomized studies showed that LUNA had a trend towards better pain relief compared with no surgical intervention (OR 9.4, 95% CI 0.7 to 472; P = 0.9) but its effect was inferior to presacral neurectomy (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.8; P = 0.01). Where there was endometriosis, controlled non‐randomized studies showed that with ablative treatment of endometriosis, the outcomes were better with than without LUNA (OR 36.7, 95% CI 3.9 to 1625; P = 0.001); however, presacral neurectomy did not show better results than LUNA (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.03 to 1.76; P = 0.1). One randomized controlled study in patients with endometriosis showed that LUNA plus ablative treatment was better than no intervention (OR 5.7, 95% CI 1.6 to 20.3; P = 0.003), an effect that was not apparent in the subgroup with minimal endometriosis (P = 0.24).ConclusionOn theoretical grounds, LUNA has the promise of an efficacious intervention in alleviating pelvic pain. However, the pitfalls in the published research that we have identified and evaluated make it impossible for us to conclude that this intervention is universally effective. At best there is a trend indicating effectiveness in relieving primary dysmenorrhoea and mild to moderate endometriosis. For the majority of women with chronic pelvic pain, there is not sufficient evidence to guide therapeutic decision making with regard to laparoscopic uterine nerve ablation.
A prospective randomized open study comparing goserelin (Zoladex) plus surgery and surgery alone in the management of ovarian endometriomas
Authors: Shaw Robert , Garry Ray , McMillan Lindsay , Sutton Christopher , Wood Simon , Harrison Robert , Das Rajiv 
Published: March 2003

ObjectiveTo determine whether goserelin (ZoladexTM; AstraZeneca, London, UK), plus surgery offers advantages over surgery alone in the management of ovarian endometriomas.DesignProspective, multicentre, randomized, open‐label, parallel‐group study.InterventionsFollowing preoperative aspiration of endometriomas, they were sized by ultrasound, a diagnosis of endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopy and its severity assessed. Patients were stratified according to endometrioma size and randomly allocated to one of two groups: group 1 (G1; n = 21) received a monthly (every 28 days) subcutaneous injection of goserelin 3.6 mg for 3 months (12 weeks); group 2 (G2; n = 27) received no treatment. At 3 months, the size of endometriomas was reassessed in both groups before definitive excision. Both groups were reassessed at 6 months postsurgery.Main outcome measuresChange in size of the largest endometrioma from entry to just prior to excision.ResultsThe mean change in endometrioma size was −2.29 cm in G1 and −1.29 cm in G2. The resulting (adjusted) mean difference of −1.25 cm was statistically significant in favour of G1 (P = 0.036, 95% CI −2.42 to −0.08 cm). Very difficult surgery was reported in four (22%) patients in G1 and 10 (46%) patients in G2. Mean duration of surgery was 74.2 min in G1 and 86.4 min in G2. There was a trend towards a greater reduction in mean Additive Diameter of Implants (ADI) score at 6 months postsurgery in G1 compared with G2 (−65.9 vs. −56.6). Both groups were comparable in terms of the number of complete excisions of their endometrial cysts at surgery, blood loss at surgery, Revised American Fertility Society (R‐AFS) scores and pelvic symptoms. Goserelin was well tolerated.ConclusionsLaparoscopic aspiration of endometriomas followed by a monthly goserelin 3.6 mg depot for 3 months compared with laparoscopic aspiration alone results in significantly smaller endometriomas at 3 months and a trend towards a greater reduction in ADI score.
Laparoscopic entry port visited: a survey of practices of consultant gynaecologists in Scotland
Authors: Lingam K. , Cole R. A. 
Published: March 2003

To assess how consultant gynaecologists working in Scotland achieve a pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopic procedures.An anonymous postal questionnaire.All consultants working in obstetrics and gynaecology in Scotland.Questionnaire analysis.There was a 92% response rate to the questionnaire. Of the respondents, 94.8% performed closed laparoscopy, one (0.8%) performed only open laparoscopy, and six (4.4%) employed both open and closed techniques. The majority worked with the patient in the lithotomy with Trendelenburg position. The commonest entry point, used by 88 respondents, was subumbilical. To create the pneumoperitoneum 94 respondents used 2–2.5 L of gas. Six used pressure measurement and eight used tension to gauge the pneumoperitoneum prior to trocar insertion.The majority of consultants working in Scotland practise a closed laparoscopy entry technique.
Factor XI deficiency and its management
Authors: Bolton‐Maggs  
Published: March 2003

Factor XI deficiency has a more variable bleeding tendency than haemophilia A or B. Individuals with severe deficiency have only a mild bleeding tendency, which is typically provoked by surgery, but the risk of bleeding is not restricted to individuals with severe deficiency. The bleeding tendency varies between individuals with similar factor XI levels, and sometimes the bleeding tendency of an individual may vary. The reasons for this are not fully understood, although in cases of severe deficiency there is some correlation between phenotype and genotype.Factor XI is activated by thrombin. The role of factor XI in physiological processes has become clearer since this fact was discovered, and the discovery has contributed to a revised model of blood coagulation. Factor XI deficiency occurs in all racial groups, but is particularly common in Ashkenazi Jews. The factor XI gene is 23 kilobases long. Two mutations are responsible for most factor XI deficiency in the Ashkenazi population, but a number of other mutations have now been reported in other racial groups.Individuals with factor XI deficiency may need specific therapy for surgery, accidents, and dental extractions. Several therapies are available which include fresh frozen plasma, factor XI concentrates, fibrin glue, antifibrinolytic drugs, and desmopressin. Each has advantages and risks to be considered. Factor XI concentrate may be indicated for procedures with a significant risk of bleeding especially in younger patients with severe deficiency, but its use in older patients has been associated with thrombotic phenomena. If fresh frozen plasma is to be used it is preferable to obtain one of the virally inactivated products. Fibrin glue is a useful treatment which deserves further study.
Current concepts in electrotherapy
Authors: WATSON T. 
Published: March 2003

Electrotherapy has an established role in the management of a wide range of musculoskeletal and neurological problems. Used in conjunction with other therapeutic interventions, it can make a positive contribution to patient care. The means by which a range of different exogenous energy forms can influence the physiological state of the tissue is well documented. Different therapeutic modalities achieve their effects in different tissues, and the clinical decision‐making process should employ the available evidence in order to maximize the potential benefit for each patient.The applied energy essentially acts as a trigger that is responsible for stimulating, enhancing or activating particular physiological events, which in turn are utilized to achieve therapeutic benefit. There appear to be windows of opportunity related to the magnitude of the applied energy, the amplitude of the stimulus and the frequency of application. Tissues appear to vary in their responsiveness to these factors, and thus an appropriate modality applied in an inappropriate manner will fail to achieve the anticipated effect. This paper aims to review the current concepts of electrotherapy intervention, taking into account various theories which support the principles. Application of various energies in this way can result in significant benefit for the patient.
Nanofiltration of plasma‐derived biopharmaceutical products
Authors: Burnouf T. , Radosevich M. 
Published: March 2003

Summary. This review presents the current status on the use and benefits of viral removal filtration systems – known as nanofiltration – in the manufacture of plasma‐derived coagulation factor concentrates and other biopharmaceutical products from human blood origin.Nanofiltration of plasma products has been implemented at a production scale in the early 1990s to improve margin of viral safety, as a complement to the viral reduction treatments, such as solvent–detergent and heat treatments, already applied for the inactivation of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus. The main reason for the introduction of nanofiltration was the need to improve product safety against non‐enveloped viruses and to provide a possible safeguard against new infectious agents potentially entering the human plasma pool.Nanofiltration has gained quick acceptance as it is a relatively simple manufacturing step that consists in filtering protein solution through membranes of a very small pore size (typically 15–40 nm) under conditions that retain viruses by a mechanism largely based on size exclusion. Recent large‐scale experience throughout the world has now established that nanofiltration is a robust and reliable viral reduction technique that can be applied to essentially all plasma products. Many of the licensed plasma products are currently nanofiltered.The technology has major advantages as it is flexible and it may combine efficient and largely predictable removal of more than 4 to 6 logs of a wide range of viruses, with an absence of denaturing effect on plasma proteins. Compared with other viral reduction means, nanofiltration may be the only method to date permitting efficient removal of enveloped and non‐enveloped viruses under conditions where 90–95% of protein activity is recovered. New data indicate that nanofiltration may also remove prions, opening new perspectives in the development and interest of this technique. Nanofiltration is increasingly becoming a routine step in the manufacture of biopharmaceutical products.
Optimization of storage conditions for diluted working solutions of porcine factor VIII and performance of the Bethesda assay for the determination of antiporcine FVIII inhibitor titres
Authors: Winikoff R. , Boulanger A. , Robinson P. , ST‐Louis J. , Lacroix S. , Rivard G.‐É. 
Published: March 2003

Summary. The use of porcine factor VIII (FVIII) (Hyate:C, Ipsen) has proven to be very successful in treating patients with FVIII inhibitors. The best way to predict the usefulness of porcine FVIII therapy, and/or to estimate the appropriate treatment dose in a given patient, is to measure the patient inhibitor titre against porcine FVIII with the Bethesda assay, using porcine FVIII as the source of FVIII in the assay. The goals of the present study were to (1) find the optimal storage temperature, diluent and concentration for a working solution of porcine FVIII to be used as the source of FVIII for the porcine Bethesda assay, (2) assess the reliability of the labelled FVIII units in the preparation of such working solutions of porcine FVIII and (3) compare the inhibitor titres determined by the Bethesda assay using both porcine and human standard reference curves for measuring residual FVIII. The results of the present study demonstrate that a ready‐to‐use working solution of 1 U mL−1 of Hyate:C diluted in human FVIII deficient plasma, either containing or deficient in von Willebrand factor antigen, is stable for up to 12 months, at −20 °C. The preparation of the 1 U mL−1 working solution could be reliably calculated based on the units indicated on the vial label. Finally, using the human standard curve yields similar results to using the porcine standard curve for measuring any titre of allo‐ or auto‐antibody against FVIII in the Bethesda assay, using Hyate:C as the source of FVIII. These findings are of practical value when performing a porcine FVIII‐based Bethesda assay.