bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Uptake of 6‐[18F]fluoro‐L‐dopa and [18F]CFT reflect nigral neuronal loss in a rat model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Forsback Sarita , Niemi Riitta , Marjamäki Päivi , Eskola Olli , Bergman Jörgen , Grönroos Tove , Haaparanta Merja , Haapalinna Antti , Rinne Juha , Solin Olof 
Published: November 2003

AbstractIn order to characterize the sensitivity of an analog of levodopa and a dopamine transporter ligand to detect defects in nigrostriatal function, the uptake of [18F]FDOPA and [18F]CFT was studied ex vivo in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. The brains of these rats were unilaterally lesioned with an intranigral injection of 6‐hydroxydopamine. The lesioned animals were divided into three groups subject to their behavior after pharmacological challenges. Circling behavior was recorded after amphetamine, apomorphine, and L‐DOPA challenge in order to predict lesion size. The spatial distribution of radioactivity after [18F]FDOPA or [18F]CFT injection in brain sections was determined with digital autoradiography. Regions of interest were left/right striatum, left/right substantia nigra, and cerebellum. The degree of unilateral lesion for each animal was confirmed by counting of nigral tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive cell bodies. With both tracers the uptake in the lesioned side was lower than in the intact side in the striatum and in the substantia nigra. In conclusion, both tracers clearly demonstrated nigrostriatal dopaminergic hypofunction and correlated with the number of nigral dopaminergic neurons. However, [18F]FDOPA showed a much higher unspecific uptake of radioactivity, due to extensive metabolism; therefore, this tracer was less sensitive than the transporter tracer [18F]CFT to detect these defects. Synapse 51:119–127, 2004. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Is Doppler prediction of anemia effective in the growth‐restricted fetus?
Authors: Makh D. S. , Harman C. R. , Baschat A. A. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the utility of middle cerebral artery (MCA) and umbilical artery (UA) Doppler to predict anemia in intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) fetuses.MethodsFetuses with an abdominal circumference < 5th percentile had UA and MCA Doppler prior to delivery. The UA pulsatility index (PI), MCA PI, ratio between the MCA/UA PI (cerebroplacental ratio, CPR) and MCA peak systolic velocity (PSV) were measured. A complete blood count was determined from a peripheral venous sample drawn at delivery. Anemia was defined as a hemoglobin value of < 13 g/dL. MCA PSV Z‐scores (standard deviation from gestational age mean using references ranges by Mari et al. and Kurmanavicius et al.) were related to hemoglobin using linear regression analysis. In addition, UA absent end‐diastolic velocity (AEDV), brain sparing (MCA PI > 2 SDs below gestational age mean), low CPR (> 2 SDs below gestational age mean) and an elevated MCA PSV (> 2 SDs) were evaluated for their predictive accuracy for anemia.ResultsOf 97 IUGR neonates 23 were anemic (23.7%). The MCA PSV was significantly related to hemoglobin using either reference range (Mari et al., F = 22.1577, Kurmanavicius et al., F = 21.8188, P < 0.001, respectively). However, using categorical cut‐offs as well as regression analysis none of the Doppler parameters could be identified to provide clinically useful prediction of anemia.ConclusionParameters of MCA and UA vascular impedance and MCA PSV are significantly related to anemia in IUGR neonates. Despite this relationship the predictive accuracy is unacceptable for the clinical application in the setting of IUGR. Altered cardiovascular dynamics in IUGR fetuses may be responsible for this effect. Copyright © 2003 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prospective evaluation of renal artery resistance and pulsatility indices in normal pregnant women
Authors: Dib F. R. , Duarte G. , Sala M. M. , Ferriani R. A. , Berezowski A. T. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractObjectivesTo establish normal values for renal artery resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) during gestation and, by comparison with non‐pregnant controls, to determine if pregnancy affects these indices.MethodsThis was a prospective longitudinal study involving 36 normal pregnant women who underwent a total of 280 examinations at 4‐week intervals from the 6th gestational week to the end of pregnancy. High‐resolution ultrasound equipment with ‘triplex’ Doppler facilities was used. RI and PI were obtained for the main arteries of both kidneys. The same evaluation was performed in 15 non‐pregnant women as controls.ResultsThe mean RI in pregnant and non‐pregnant women was the same (0.65 ± 0.03 for controls and 0.65 ± 0.02 for the pregnant women). For PI, the values were 1.25 ± 0.12 for non‐pregnant women and 1.18 ± 0.09 for pregnant women. The only statistical difference (P < 0.05) was found between the PI of the left renal artery in the control group (1.29 ± 0.20) and that in the pregnant group at the 8–12‐week interval of gestational age (1.08 ± 0.14).ConclusionsNo significant alterations in renal artery RI and PI occur during normal pregnancy, except for in a subgroup of patients between 8 and 12 weeks of gestation. Copyright © 2003 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diminutive fetal left ventricle at mid‐gestation associated with persistent left superior vena cava and coronary sinus dilatation
Authors: Jouannic J.‐M. , Picone O. , Martinovic J. , Fermont L. , Dumez Y. , Bonnet D. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractIn a fetus with a small left ventricle diagnosed at mid‐gestation, a persistent left superior vena cava connected to a dilated coronary sinus was detected. Although the size of the mitral annulus appeared to be normal, opening of the mitral valves was restricted in diastole. Echocardiographic follow‐up showed no significant growth of the left ventricle and termination of pregnancy was carried out at 31 weeks at the parents' request. In addition to the prenatal findings, postmortem examination revealed a small mitral annulus with abnormal insertion of the mitral valve chordae tendineae. We hypothesized that abnormal venous return to a dilated coronary sinus may have led to mitral valve dysfunction and hypoplasia. On the other hand the left ventricular hypoplasia we observed may have involved a global abnormality of the left‐sided cardiac structures. Copyright © 2003 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Patient acceptance of transvaginal sonography in the early pregnancy unit setting
Authors: Dutta R. L. , Economides D. L. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractObjectiveTo establish the acceptability of transvaginal scanning in patients attending an early pregnancy unit (EPU) due to problems in early pregnancy such as vaginal bleeding.MethodsAn unselected group of pregnant women who were less than 8 weeks' gestation were invited to complete a questionnaire before the transvaginal scan regarding their views about the pregnancy and about the scan itself. They were asked to complete a second questionnaire after the scan had been performed. Information was collected about the presenting symptoms and the final diagnosis.ResultsOf a total of 107 patients, the most common reason for attending the EPU was vaginal bleeding (51.4%). The primary concern for the majority of these women was their pregnancy, rather than the scan procedure itself. Their concerns about the scan were not altered by a previous history of miscarriages or by maternal age. After the scan, more than 77% of patients scored ≤ 3 out of 10 with regard to discomfort, pain and embarrassment. Only 1.9% experienced marked discomfort, scoring > 8 out of 10. The scores were not altered by the patients' diagnoses. A total of 99% of patients said that they would agree to have a similar procedure in the future.ConclusionThis questionnaire‐based study confirms that patients attending with problems in early pregnancy find transvaginal sonography acceptable. Copyright © 2003 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transvaginal ultrasound in pregnancy: its acceptability to women and maternal psychological morbidity
Authors: Clement S. , Candy B. , Heath V. , To M. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the acceptability to women of antenatal transvaginal ultrasound scans; to compare the characteristics of women who accept the offer of a transvaginal scan with those who decline; to establish the prevalence of any psychological morbidity associated with the scan.MethodsThe study was a cross‐sectional questionnaire survey. Women were recruited from two hospitals in South London. The sample consisted of 755 pregnant women who had a transvaginal scan at 23 weeks' gestation to assess the risk of preterm delivery and 167 women who were offered the transvaginal scan but declined. Women completed a questionnaire at home. Those who reported finding the scan a difficult experience were sent a questionnaire 4 weeks post‐scan to assess its longer term impact. The main outcomes were acceptability (assessed by individual questionnaire items); anxiety before and during the scan (Spielberger State‐trait Anxiety Inventory); pain during the scan (Present Pain Intensity Scale of the McGill Pain Questionnaire); psychological trauma (Impact of Event Scale).ResultsOver half (55.2%) of women accepted the offer of a transvaginal scan, according to hospital records. The majority of study participants who had transvaginal ultrasound reported finding the experience acceptable. Women experienced some anxiety before and during the scan and over a third experienced some (usually mild) pain during the procedure. Twelve women (1.6%) reported clinically significant levels of psychological trauma in relation to the scan.ConclusionsAntenatal transvaginal ultrasound for assessing the risk of preterm delivery is an acceptable procedure for the majority of women. A significant minority decline the scan. The procedure has some psychological sequelae for some women. Copyright © 2003 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fetal sonographic diagnosis of aortic arch anomalies
Authors: Yoo S.‐J. , Min J.‐Y. , Lee Y.‐H. , Roman K. , Jaeggi E. , Smallhorn J. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractAortic arch anomalies refer to congenital abnormalities of the position or branching pattern, or both of the aortic arch. Although aortic arch anomalies are not uncommon, reports on their prenatal diagnosis are scarce. Insight into the hypothetical arch model is crucial to understanding anomalies of the aortic arch in the fetus. Recognition of the trachea, three major vessels, ductus arteriosus and descending aorta in the axial views of the upper mediastinum is necessary for a complete fetal cardiac assessment. Clues to aortic arch anomalies include abnormal position of the descending aorta, absence of the normal ‘V’‐shaped confluence of the ductal and aortic arches, a gap between the ascending aorta and main pulmonary artery in the three‐vessel view, and an abnormal vessel behind the trachea with or without a vascular loop or ring around the trachea. Meticulous attention to anatomic landmarks will lead to successful prenatal diagnosis of important vascular rings making early postnatal management possible. Copyright © 2003 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Jugular vein and carotid artery blood flow in fetuses with increased nuchal translucency at 10–14 weeks' gestation
Authors: Martínez J. M. , Echevarría M. , Gómez O. , Del Río M. , Borrell A. , Puerto B. , Fortuny A. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of our study was to obtain measurements of the jugular vein and carotid artery pulsatility index (PI) at 10–14 weeks' gestation in chromosomally normal and abnormal fetuses with or without increased nuchal translucency (NT), in order to explore whether a relationship exists between increased NT and overperfusion of the head.MethodsThis was a prospective study involving 179 pregnant women at high risk for chromosomal anomalies or structural malformations who were referred for chorionic villus sampling or first‐trimester ultrasound examination at 10–14 weeks' gestation, respectively. Color and pulsed Doppler ultrasound were used to obtain jugular vein and carotid artery blood flow velocity waveforms at the level of the mid‐neck. All Doppler measurements were obtained by a single investigator. The PIs of the jugular vein and carotid artery were correlated with NT measurement and fetal karyotype.ResultsDoppler measurements of the jugular vein and carotid artery were successfully obtained in 90.5% of the fetuses. The fetal karyotype was abnormal in 13 cases, including three trisomies 21 and two trisomies 18, and normal in 149 cases. In the group with normal karyotype the NT was above the 95th percentile in 22 cases (15%). No correlation between the jugular vein or the carotid artery PI and the thickness of the NT was found. There were no significant differences when comparing the values of the jugular vein and carotid artery PI between the group with normal NT and the group with increased NT, or between the group with a normal karyotype and an abnormal karyotype.ConclusionOur results suggest that NT is not related to blood flow impedance in either the carotid artery or the jugular vein. Overperfusion and venous congestion of the head do not appear to be a causative pathophysiological mechanism involved in increased NT. Copyright © 2003 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ear length in trisomy 21 fetuses at 11–14 weeks of gestation
Authors: Sacchini C. , El‐Sheikhah A. , Cicero S. , Rembouskos G. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the value of measuring fetal ear length at 11–14 weeks of gestation in screening for chromosomal defects.MethodsThe fetal ear length was measured in 450 fetuses immediately before chorionic villus sampling for karyotyping at 11–14 weeks of gestation.ResultsThe median gestational age was 12 (range, 11–14) weeks. The fetal ear was successfully examined in all cases. The fetal karyotype was normal in 409 cases and abnormal in 41, including 32 cases of trisomy 21. In the chromosomally normal group the fetal ear length increased significantly with crown–rump length from a mean of 3.7 mm at 45 mm to 6.9 mm at 84 mm. In the trisomy 21 fetuses the median ear length was significantly below the normal mean for crown–rump length by 0.45 mm (P = 0.013) but it was below the 5th centile of the normal range in only two (6.3%) of the cases. There was no significant association between the delta score of ear length and delta nuchal translucency in either the chromosomally normal (r = − 0.015, P = 0.753) or the trisomy 21 fetuses (r = − 0.014, P = 0.94).ConclusionsAt 11–14 weeks of gestation the ear length in trisomy 21 fetuses is significantly reduced but the degree of deviation from normal is too small for this measurement to be useful in screening for trisomy 21. Copyright © 2003 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Selective feticide in monochorionic twin pregnancies by ultrasound‐guided umbilical cord occlusion
Authors: Gallot D. , Laurichesse H. , Lemery D. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the feasibility and the follow‐up of three different ultrasound‐guided procedures of selective feticide in monochorionic twin pregnancies.MethodsThis was a retrospective observational study of patients who underwent percutaneous umbilical cord occlusion between July 1993 and January 2002 after diagnosis of previable, abnormal, monochorionic twin pregnancy, with imminent cardiac failure of one of the fetuses. Selective feticide was performed under general anesthesia using three different ultrasound‐guided techniques: cord ligation using a suture (four cases), cord coagulation using bipolar forceps (five cases) and cord compression by squeezing the cord against the uterine wall (two cases).ResultsDuring the study period, 11 patients underwent selective feticide before 28 weeks' gestation in our department (eight recipient twins with twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), one of which also had a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and three acardiac twins). One procedure failed due to maternal hemorrhage following insertion of the trocar (both fetuses died after emergency Cesarean section). One cotwin died a few minutes after the procedure and one survivor died within the neonatal period. The mean gestational age at the time of the procedure was 24 weeks of gestation and the mean gestational age at delivery was 31.1 weeks. Premature rupture of membranes occurred in four cases. Eight babies were alive and well at the time of writing.ConclusionsUltrasound guidance can enable selective feticide to be performed via a single port. Although bipolar coagulation seemed to be the easiest technique, the choice of procedure depends on local conditions. Copyright © 2003 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protein A‐tagging for purification of native macromolecular complexes from Candida albicans
Authors: Blackwell Chris , Russell Claire L. , Argimon Silvia , Brown Alistair J. P. , Brown Jeremy D. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractProtein A‐tagging has become an important tool in characterization of protein–protein interactions in many systems, allowing purification of multicomponent complexes under native conditions. Here we provide a set of vectors that allow protein A‐tagging in Candida albicans, through addition of the tag to open reading frames. These vectors were successfully used to generate stably tagged proteins that were functional, shown to be localized appropriately or assembled into complexes. These new vectors comprise a useful addition to the C. albicans molecular toolbox. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An improved tetO promoter replacement system for regulating the expression of yeast genes
Authors: Yen Kuangyu , Gitsham Paul , Wishart Jill , Oliver Stephen G. , Zhang Nianshu 
Published: November 2003

AbstractRegulatable promoters are commonly used to control the expression of, especially, essential genes in a conditional manner. Integration of such promoters upstream of an ORF using one‐step PCR‐mediated homologous recombination should be particularly efficient. However, integration of the original KanMX4‐tetO promoter cassette (Belli et al., 1998a) into the relatively short upstream regions of many yeast genes is often problematic, presumably due to the size (3.9 kb) of the replacement cassette. We have created a new, shorter, KanMX4‐tetO cassette by removing the transactivator (tTA) sequence from the original cassette. The transactivator (tTA) has been integrated into the yeast genome to create a new strain for use with the new system, which has a greatly increased efficiency of promoter substitution. With it, we have been able to create strains that could not be made with the original cassette. To increase the throughput of promoter substitutions, we have developed a new assay for testing doxycycline sensitivity, based on liquid culture using microtitre trays. Altogether, the components of this new ‘tool kit’ greatly increase the efficiency of systematic promoter substitutions. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glycerol formation during wine fermentation is mainly linked to Gpd1p and is only partially controlled by the HOG pathway
Authors: Remize F. , Cambon B. , Barnavon L. , Dequin S. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractGlycerol 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, a key enzyme in the production of glycerol, is encoded by GPD1 and GPD2. The isoforms encoded by these genes have different functions, in osmoregulation and redox balance, respectively. We investigated the roles of GPD1, GPD2 and HOG1—the kinase involved in the response to osmotic stress—in glycerol production during wine fermentation. We found that the deletion of GPD2 in a wine yeast‐derived strain did not affect growth or fermentation performance and reduced glycerol production by only 20%. In contrast, a gpd1Δ mutant displayed a prolonged lag phase, and produced 40% less glycerol than the wild‐type strain. The deletion of HOG1 resulted in a slight decrease in growth rate and a 20% decrease in glycerol production, indicating that the HOG pathway operates under wine fermentation conditions. However, the hog1Δ mutant was not as severely affected as the gpd1Δ mutant during the first few hours of fermentation, and continued to express GPD1 strongly. The hog1Δ mutant was able to increase glycerol production in response to high sugar concentration (15–28% glucose), to almost the same extent as the wild‐type, whereas this response was totally abolished in the gpd1Δ mutant. These data show that Gpd1p plays a major role in glycerol formation, particularly during the first few hours of exposure to high sugar concentration, and that GPD2 is only of little significance in anaerobic fermentation by wine yeast. The results also demonstrate that the HOG pathway exerts only limited control over GPD1 expression and glycerol production during wine fermentation. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The level of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase activity strongly influences xylose fermentation and inhibitor sensitivity in recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains
Authors: Jeppsson Marie , Johansson Björn , Jensen Peter Ruhdal , Hahn‐Hägerdal Bärbel , Gorwa‐Grauslund Marie F. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractDisruption of the ZWF1 gene encoding glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) has been shown to reduce the xylitol yield and the xylose consumption in the xylose‐utilizing recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain TMB3255. In the present investigation we have studied the influence of different production levels of G6PDH on xylose fermentation. We used a synthetic promoter library and the copper‐regulated CUP1 promoter to generate G6PDH‐activities between 0% and 179% of the wild‐type level. G6PDH‐activities of 1% and 6% of the wild‐type level resulted in 2.8‐ and 5.1‐fold increase in specific xylose consumption, respectively, compared with the ZWF1‐disrupted strain. Both strains exhibited decreased xylitol yields (0.13 and 0.19 g/g xylose) and enhanced ethanol yields (0.36 and 0.34 g/g xylose) compared with the control strain TMB3001 (0.29 g xylitol/g xylose, 0.31 g ethanol/g xylose). Cytoplasmic transhydrogenase (TH) from Azotobacter vinelandii has previously been shown to transfer NADPH and NAD+ into NADP+ and NADH, and TH‐overproduction resulted in lower xylitol yield and enhanced glycerol yield during xylose utilization. Strains with low G6PDH‐activity grew slower in a lignocellulose hydrolysate than the strain with wild‐type G6PDH‐activity, which suggested that the availability of intracellular NADPH correlated with tolerance towards lignocellulose‐derived inhibitors. Low G6PDH‐activity strains were also more sensitive to H2O2 than the control strain TMB3001. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.