bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Involvement of bradykinin, cytokines, sympathetic amines and prostaglandins in formalin‐induced orofacial nociception in rats
Authors: Chichorro Juliana G , Lorenzetti Berenice B , Zampronio Aleksander R 
Published: April 2004

This study characterises some of the mechanisms and mediators involved in the orofacial nociception triggered by injection of formalin into the upper lip of the rat, by assessing the influence of various treatments on behavioural nociceptive responses (duration of facial rubbing) elicited either by a low subthreshold (i.e. non‐nociceptive; 0.63%) or a higher concentration of the algogen (2.5%).
The kininase II inhibitor captopril (5 mg kg−1, s.c.) and prostaglandin(PG) E2 (100 ng lip−1) potentiated both phases of the response to 0.63% formalin, whereas tumour necrosis factor (TNFα; 5 pg lip−1), interleukin(IL)‐1β (0.5 pg lip−1), IL‐6 (2 ng lip−1) and IL‐8 (200 pg lip−1), or the indirectly acting sympathomimetic drug tyramine (200 μg lip−1), each augmented only the second phase of nociception.
Conversely, both phases of nociception induced by 2.5% formalin were inhibited by the bradykinin (BK) B2 receptor antagonist HOE140 (5 μg lip−1) or the selective β1‐adrenoceptor antagonist atenolol (100 μg lip−1). However, the BK B1 receptor antagonist des‐Arg9‐Leu8‐BK (1 and 2 μg lip−1), antibody and/or antiserum against each of the cytokines, the adrenergic neurone blocker guanethidine (30 mg kg−1 day−1, s.c., for 3 days) and the cyclooxygenase(COX)‐2 inhibitor celecoxib (50 and 200 μg lip−1, s.c.; or 1 and 3 mg kg−1, i.p.) reduced only the second phase of the response. The nonselective COX inhibitor indomethacin and the 5‐lipoxygenase activating protein inhibitor MK886 did not change formalin‐induced nociception.
Our results indicate that BK, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, sympathetic amines and PGs (but not leukotrienes) contribute significantly to formalin‐induced orofacial nociception in the rat and the response seems to be more susceptible to inhibition by B2 receptor antagonist and selective COX‐2 inhibitor than by B1 receptor antagonist or nonselective COX inhibitor.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 141, 1175–1184. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705724
Interaction between risk factors for fetal growth retardation associated with abnormal umbilical artery Doppler studies
Authors: Spinillo Arsenio , Bergante Carola , Gardella Barbara , Mainini Roberta , Montanari Laura 
Published: April 2004

Background.  The role of antenatal risk factors associated with the occurrence of fetal growth restriction complicated by abnormal umbilical artery Doppler studies has not yet been studied extensively. We evaluated the role and the interactions of antenatal antecedents of fetal growth restriction complicated by abnormal umbilical artery end‐diastolic velocities.Methods.  We compared antenatal variables in 183 pregnancies complicated by fetal growth retardation and abnormal umbilical artery Doppler studies and 549 appropriately grown fetuses with normal end‐diastolic velocity waveform in the umbilical artery. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between antenatal variables and fetal growth retardation and to test for interaction.Results.  In logistic models, increasing maternal age [odds ratio (OR) 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.11], nulliparity (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.37–3.5), smoking during pregnancy (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.56–4.22), preeclampsia (OR 27.5, 95% CI 15.1–49.9), first‐trimester hemorrhage (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.32–3.82) and low (< 0.2 kg/week) weight gain in pregnancy (OR 3.48, 95% CI 1.71–3.05) were significantly associated with an increased risk of fetal growth restriction complicated by abnormal Doppler studies. These risk factors were also significantly correlated with the occurrence of absent/reversed end‐diastolic blood flow in the umbilical artery. Maternal smoking during pregnancy interacted negatively with preeclampsia but positively with a low weight gain in pregnancy.Conclusions.  The results of this study have shown that antenatal risk factors for intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) complicated by abnormal Doppler studies are similar to those associated with the birth of a small‐for‐gestational‐age infant. Preeclampsia, maternal smoking and low weight gain in pregnancy play a significant causal role in the origin of fetal growth restriction associated with abnormal uteroplacental blood flow.
Cord blood acid–base status at delivery after successful external cephalic version
Authors: Chan Louis Yik‐Si , Leung Tak Yeung , Fok Wing Yee , Chan Lin Wai , Lau Tze Kin 
Published: April 2004

Background.  This study was designed to evaluate whether cord blood acidosis is more likely in infants born after successful external cephalic version.Methods.  This retrospective cohort study included 89 singleton deliveries with successful version performed over a 2‐year period. Their cord blood acid–base parameters were compared to 89 pregnancies with spontaneous cephalic presentation (control group).Results.  There was no significant difference between the version and control groups in birthweight and Apgar scores. There was no difference between the version and control groups in cord arterial pH (7.26 vs. 7.26), arterial pCO2 (7.04 vs. 7.09 kPa), arterial pO2 (2.34 vs. 2.59 kPa), arterial base excess (−5.59 vs. −5.64 mmol/L), venous pH (7.32 vs. 7.33), venous pCO2 (5.73 vs. 5.63 kPa), venous pO2 (3.86 vs. 3.84 kPa), or venous base excess (−5.03 vs. −5.12 mmol/L). There was also no significant difference in the number of fetuses with cord arterial pH <7.20 between the two groups.Conclusion.  Neonates delivered after successful external cephalic version are not more likely to be born with acidosis. Our study provides further support for the safety of external cephalic version for term breech pregnancies.
Plasma lipids and physicochemical properties of the erythrocyte plasma membrane throughout pregnancy
Authors: Tranquilli Andrea Luigi , Cester Nelvio , Giannubilo Stefano Raffaele , Corradetti Alessandra , Nanetti Laura , Mazzanti Laura 
Published: April 2004

Background.  The physiopathological relevance of plasma lipid concentrations is supported by the observation that they might affect the physicochemical properties of the plasma membrane of circulating cells and might be crucial in the pathological conditions complicating pregnancy.Methods.  Plasma and erythrocyte membrane lipid composition, membrane fluidity and function [membrane‐bound enzyme sodium/potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na+/K+‐ATPase) activity] were studied in 24 healthy women in the nonpregnant condition and at 12, 24 and 38 weeks' gestation.Results.  The plasma showed an increase in total and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) and phospholipid (PL) levels. In the erythrocyte membrane we found the cholesterol/phospholipid (C/PL) ratio increased and the saturated to unsaturated fatty acid (FA) ratio (Sat/Unsat) significantly reduced; fluorescence polarization showed an initial increase during pregnancy and a progressive decrease afterwards; Na+/K+‐ATPase activity was progressively reduced.Conclusions.  A generalized alteration in the composition and function of the maternal erythrocyte membrane is present during a physiological pregnancy, and these modifications may involve a more complex physiopathogenetic mechanism.
Risk factors for persistent trophoblastic activity after surgery for ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Nathorst‐Böös Jörgen , Rafik Hamad Rangeen 
Published: April 2004

Background.  The purpose of this study was to explore the value of preoperative ultrasound and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) monitoring to predict the occurrence of residual trophoblastic tissue after laparoscopic conservative surgery for tubal pregnancy.Methods.  During the period from January 1998 to December 1999 all 206 women undergoing treatment for ectopic pregnancy at the Karolinska hospital were included in the study. A vaginal ultrasound examination was performed and the ectopic size was measured. Serum‐hCG levels were recorded preoperatively, and at days 1–2 and 14–21 after surgery.Results.  A diameter of 8 mm or less was observed in 13 of the 14 patients needing secondary treatment. The risk of second surgery if the finding at the preoperative ultrasound was larger than 8 mm was 1/73 resulting in a negative predictive value of 0.01. A considerable overlap in the hCG levels was found on days 1–2 after surgery between women with and without second surgery.Conclusions.  Using a single cutoff point for hCG seems to be of little value as residual trophoblastic tissue can manifest itself at different times − early or late − during the postoperative period. Women with a small ectopic pregnancy as detected by preoperative vaginal ultrasound are at high risk of developing residual trophoblastic tissue. These patients should be considered by the surgeon and monitored with hCG levels until values decline and become undetectable. Management of patients with slowly but declining values can be conservative. If hCG levels are rising or do not decline, methotrexate (MTX) can be an alternative.
The association of androgenic sex steroids with serum lipid levels in postmenopausal women
Authors: Noyan Volkan , Yucel Aykan , Sagsoz Nevin 
Published: April 2004

Background.  The aim of the present study was to examine the correlations between androgenic sex steroids and serum lipid levels in postmenopausal women.Methods.  The study group included 72 postmenopausal women. Correlation analysis between serum hormone [dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA‐S), androstenedione, free testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)] and lipid {total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (HDL‐C), low density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (LDL‐C), lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)], apolipoprotein A‐1 (apo A‐1) and apolipoprotein B (apo B)} levels was performed.Results.  DHEA‐S was found to be positively correlated with HDL‐C (r = 0.231, p = 0.049) and negatively correlated with Lp (a) (r = − 0.355, p = 0.002). These correlations were statistically significant even after adjustment for age and body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.332, p = 0.005 and r = −0.362, p = 0.002, respectively). SHBG was positively correlated with HDL‐C (r = 0.352, p = 0.002). There was a significant but weaker correlation between SHBG and HDL‐C levels after controlling for age and BMI (r = 0.243, p = 0.041). No other correlations were found between sex hormone and lipid levels.Conclusion.  DHEA‐S was found to be associated with a less atherogenic lipid profile in postmenopausal women.
Adding HPV16 testing to abnormal cervical smear detection is useful for predicting CIN3: a prospective study
Authors: Tanaka Hidenori , Sato Hirokazu , Sato Naoki , Takahashi Osamu , Ota Hirotaka , Hirano Hideto , Tanaka Toshinobu 
Published: April 2004

Background.  The aim of this prospective study was to estimate whether adding human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) testing to abnormal cervical smears is useful in the prediction of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 (CIN3).Methods.  Between October 1994 and May 1996, a total of 207 patients at the Akita University Hospital had abnormal smears. Of these patients, 153 patients with CIN1,2 or atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) were enrolled in this study and followed until June 2001. At the initial visit, a cervical swab was collected for cytology and for HPV16 testing using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). When the HPV16 test was positive, HPV16 testing was performed every 3 to 6 months. We compared the prevalence of progression to CIN3 between the HPV16‐positive group (n = 16) and the HPV16‐negative group (n = 137). We also investigated the risk of progression to CIN3 associated with persistent HPV16 infection.Results.  At the end of the study period, four patients (25%) in the HPV16‐positive group developed CIN3, and all of these patients were found to have persistent HPV16 infection during this period. Only three patients (2.2%) in the HPV16‐negative group developed CIN3.Conclusions.  The prevalence of progression to CIN3 in the HPV16‐positive group was significantly higher than that in the negative group (p = 0.0023). The odds ratio of progression to CIN3 was 14.9 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.98–74.4]. In particular, the risk of progression to CIN3 increased with persistent HPV16 infection. Adding HPV16 testing when abnormal cervical smears are detected promises to be useful for predicting CIN3.
Effects of domestic violence on preterm birth and low birth weight
Authors: Neggers Yasmin , Goldenberg Robert , Cliver Suzanne , Hauth John 
Published: April 2004

Background.  Domestic violence is increasingly recognized as a potentially modifiable risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between abuse during pregnancy or within the last year and low birth weight and preterm birth.Methods.  From 1997 to 2001, 3149 low income, relatively low‐risk pregnant women (82% African‐American) participated in this prospective study. The Abuse Assessment Screen, a validated screening tool, which assesses emotional, physical or sexual abuse, injuries due to physical abuse and physical abuse in the index pregnancy, was filled out by 3103 women.Results.  Of the women screened, 26.6% reported emotional abuse, 18.7% reported physical abuse in the past year and 10.3% women reported being beaten, bruised, threatened with a weapon or being permanently injured. Abuse during pregnancy was reported by 5.9% of the women. Low birth weight and preterm birth occurred in 10.9% and 10.2% of the pregnant women, respectively. Logistic regression analyzes indicated that injury due to physical abuse within the past year was significantly associated with both preterm birth [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1–2.3] and low birth weight (AOR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.3–2.5) after adjusting for other covariates. The mean birth weight of infants born to women who were injured due to physical abuse was significantly lower (−75.2 g, p = 0.04) than the mean birth weight of infants of women who were not injured.Conclusion.  These results indicate that in our population, injuries resulting from physical abuse are associated with both low birth weight and preterm birth.
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphisms in black South Africans and the association with preeclampsia
Authors: Pegoraro Rosemary J. , Chikosi Aggrey , Rom Lee , Roberts Candice , Moodley Jack 
Published: April 2004

Background.  A methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism (1317T → C) that occurs commonly in black African individuals prompted this study to establish whether this polymorphism, alone or in association with other MTHFR variants, is associated with preeclampsia in black South African women.Methods.  A group of 204 black women with preeclampsia was examined for the 677C → T, 1298A → C and 1317T → C MTHFR polymorphic alleles using standard techniques. Also examined were women with early‐onset preeclampsia (n = 67) and gestational hypertension (n = 78). Results were compared with 338 ethnically matched normotensive pregnant women who had normal full‐term gestations.Results.  No differences in the 677T → C or 1298A → C MTHFR alleles were found between the study groups and controls; very few women were homozygous for either variant allele. Significant differences were observed for the 1317T → C polymorphism: only 39% of preeclamptics were homozygous for the T allele compared with 52% of the control group [p = 0.002; 0.59 (0.42–0.83)]. Heterozygotes occurred significantly more frequently in preeclamptics (51%), compared with controls (41%) [p = 0.019; 1.49 (1.07–2.08)]. Allele frequencies also differed significantly between preeclamptics and controls [p = 0.003; 0.69 (0.53–0.88)]. Allele frequencies in women with gestational hypertension were statistically indistinguishable from those in controls.Conclusion.  The low frequencies of the 677C → T and 1298A → C MTHFR variant alleles in black South Africans imply little or no role for these mutations in preeclampsia in this population group. However, significant differences in the 1317T → C allele in preeclamptics suggest that the MTHFR gene, or a closely associated gene, may still have some role, as yet undefined, in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Vacuum extraction: is there any need to improve the current training in the UK?
Authors: Sau Ashis , Sau Mita , Ahmed Hasib , Brown Richard 
Published: April 2004

Objective.  The objective of this study was to assess the use and efficacy of delivery by vacuum extraction or ventouse in routine clinical practice and to assess some aspects of the procedure that may reflect the quality of training in this technique.Materials and methods.  Women's demographic profiles and delivery details were collected in both the prospective (B) and retrospective (A) arm of the study. In addition, in the prospective arm of the study two custom‐designed forms were used: the obstetrician recorded their perception of where the vacuum cup had been placed on one form while on a second form the pediatrician indicated the actual site of the cup placement as observed from the position of the chignon. All the diagrams of cup placement were reviewed by one of the authors, who was blinded to the outcome of the procedure.Results.  The vacuum extractor was the first instrument to be used in 79% and 87% of the instrumental deliveries in groups A and B, respectively, with corresponding failure rates of 20% and 21%. Although an occipito‐posterior position was diagnosed in 11% of cases of group A and 14% of cases of group B, the specifically designed occipito‐posterior cup was not used at all. The vacuum cup was considered to have been applied suboptimally in 40% of the cases where attempted vacuum delivery failed.Conclusion.  The high rate of inappropriate positioning of the cup may reflect difficulty in accurately applying the cup, perhaps due to caput or malposition, but may also represent poor assessment of the orientation and position of the fetal skull and therefore be indicative of a need for improvement in training methods.
Quinolinic acid lesions of the caudate putamen in the rat lead to a local increase of ciliary neurotrophic factor
Authors: Haas Stefan Jean‐Pierre , Ahrens Aline , Petrov Stanislav , Schmitt Oliver , Wree Andreas 
Published: April 2004

AbstractWhen applied prior to excitotoxic lesions, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) has been shown to be neuroprotective. However, data concerning the endogenous CNTF content of the intact rat striatum are rare and have not until now been available for the quinolinic acid (QA)‐lesioned striatum. Therefore, we investigated the CNTF content in the QA‐lesioned rat striatum for at least 1 month using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. In lesioned striata a neuronal loss was observed by Nissl staining and by a reduction of NeuN‐immunoreactive cells, whereas increased glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity showed a gliotic reaction. With CNTF immunohistochemistry we found that in the QA‐lesioned striatum CNTF was increased over time, whereas it was not detectable in intact and sham‐lesioned striata. CNTF‐immunoreactive cells had the morphology of protoplasmatic astrocytes. Furthermore, quantitative Western blotting demonstrated that the content of CNTF protein from striatal lysates containing 1 mg of whole protein 1 month after QA lesioning (2.76 ± 1.71 ng) was significantly increased (P < 0.05, U‐test) compared with sham‐lesioned hemispheres (0.68 ± 0.25 ng) and intact controls (0.55 ± 0.25 ng). We conclude that CNTF content is correlated with glial scar formation and suggest that our results may be of relevance to cell grafting strategies for the treatment of Huntington's disease.
Superficial palmar arch: an arterial diameter study
Authors: Fazan Valéria Paula Sassoli , Borges Celso Teixeira , Da Silva Jefferson Hilário , Caetano Abadio Gonçalves , Filho Omar Andrade Rodrigues 
Published: April 2004

AbstractAlthough anatomical variations in the arterial pattern of the hand have been the subject of many studies, information on the diameter of the superficial palmar arch contributing vessels and its branches are rarely found in the literature. The objective of the current study was to evaluate these arterial variations, with special attention to the diameter of the superficial palmar arch contributing vessels and its major branches. Forty‐six hands from male embalmed human cadavers were evaluated, 21 right hands and 25 left hands. Complete arches were present in 43% on the right and in 52% on the left. Arches were completed by the median artery in two cases. Variations were more common at the radial side of the arch and on left hands. Comparison of vessel diameters revealed the radial artery to be significantly larger than the ulnar artery but the ulnar artery to be larger than the superficial branch of the radial artery. The diameters of the common digital arteries were not different with regard to complete or incomplete arches, or with regard to the presence of the median artery.
Antigenic compartmentation of the primate and tree shrew cerebellum: a common topography of zebrin II in Macaca mulatta and Tupaia belangeri
Authors: Sillitoe Roy V. , Malz Cordula R. , Rockland Kathleen , Hawkes Richard 
Published: April 2004

AbstractDespite the apparent uniformity in cellular composition of the adult cerebellar cortex, functional, anatomical, mutational and molecular maps all reveal a complex topography underlying the relatively simple architecture. In particular, zebrin II, a polypeptide antigen identified as aldolase C, is restricted to a subset of Purkinje cells that form a symmetrical and reproducible array of zones and stripes. The vermis of the well‐studied rodent cerebellar cortex is divided into four transverse zones – anterior (∼lobules I–V), central (∼lobules VI and VII), posterior (∼lobule VIII) and nodular (∼lobules IX and X). Each transverse zone is further subdivided mediolaterally into parasagittal stripes. To gain insight into the evolution of cerebellar compartmentation, the pattern of zebrin II expression has been compared between the primate Macaca mulatta and the tree shrew Tupaia belangeri, and the results related to previous findings from other species. Although the somata of most Purkinje cells in the Macaca cerebellum express zebrin II, parasagittal stripes can still be delineated owing to the alternating high and low zebrin II immunoreactivity in the dendrites. In the macaque vermis, a complex set of zebrin II parasagittal compartments is found in all transverse zones. Unlike in rodents, in which uniform expression domains interrupt heterogeneous zones, zebrin II parasagittal stripes in the macaque cerebellum are seen throughout the vermis. In Tupaia, the parasagittal pattern of zebrin II expression also reveals a striking array of stripes in all lobules. The data suggest that cerebellar compartmentation in Tupaia belangeri more closely resembles that of primates than it does rodents or lagomorphs.