bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Delivery method and self‐reported postpartum general health status among primiparous women
Authors: Lydon‐Rochelle Mona T. , Holt Victoria L. , Martin Diane P. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryDespite nearly four million deliveries in the United States each year, minimal information exists on unintended health consequences following childbirth, particularly in relation to delivery method. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between method of delivery and the general health status, sexual, bowel and urinary functioning of primiparous women as measured at 7 weeks postpartum. Data from the Statewide Obstetrical Review of Quality System (StORQS) Survey of Maternity Care in Washington State were analysed. Participants included all primiparous women with a delivery of a singleton infant discharged alive between August and December 1991 from 10 non‐federal short‐stay hospitals who responded to the StORQS Survey of Maternity Care (n = 971). The main outcome measures included the modified Medical Outcomes Study 36‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey and self‐reported sexual, bowel and urinary functioning. At 7 weeks postpartum, women who had caesarean or assisted vaginal deliveries reported significantly lower postpartum general health status scores than women with unassisted vaginal delivery. Additionally, women with assisted vaginal delivery reported significantly worse sexual, bowel and urinary functioning. Our results suggest that more careful attention to the postpartum general health and sexual functioning of women with caesarean and assisted vaginal delivery may be merited.
Atmospheric pressure and sudden infant death syndrome in Cook County, Chicago
Authors: Campbell Michael J. , Julious Steven A. , Peterson Charles K. , Tobias Aurelio 
Published: March 2003

SummaryWe investigated daily deaths from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in Cook County, Chicago, from 1 January 1986 to 31 December 1990. The daily SIDS rate was 0.54 deaths/day. Mean daily atmospheric pressure ranged from 952 to 1007 mb. We found a weak link with barometric pressure, whereby an increase of 10 mb was associated with an increased risk of 12% [95% CI 0.1%, 24%]. Cross‐tabulation revealed that the highest SIDS rates were associated with a drop from high to low pressure. Possible reasons for this are discussed.
The reliability of perinatal and neonatal mortality rates: differential under‐reporting in linked professional registers vs. Dutch civil registers
Authors: Anthony Sabine , Bruin Karin M. van der Pal‐de , Graafmans Wilco C. , Dorrepaal Caroline A. , Borkent‐Polet Marion , Hemel Oscar J. S. van , Jansen Frans H. M. , Ouden A. Lya den 
Published: March 2003

SummaryOfficial Dutch perinatal mortality rates are based on birth and death certificates. These civil registration data are not detailed enough for international comparisons or extensive epidemiological research. In this study, we linked and extrapolated three national, incomplete, professional registers from midwives, obstetricians and paediatricians, containing detailed perinatal information. This linkage and extrapolation resulted in one detailed professional database which is representative of all Dutch births and from which gestational age‐specific perinatal mortality rates could be calculated. The reliability of these calculated mortality rates was established by comparing them with the rates derived from the national civil registers. The professional database reported more perinatal deaths and fewer late neonatal deaths than the civil registers. The under‐reporting in the civil registers amounted to 1.2 fewer perinatal deaths per 1000 births and was most apparent in immature newborns. We concluded that under‐reporting of perinatal and neonatal deaths depends on the data source used. Mortality rates for the purpose of national and international comparison should, therefore, be defined with caution. This study also demonstrated that combining different incomplete professional registers can result in a more reliable database containing detailed perinatal information. Such databases can be used as the basis for extensive perinatal epidemiological research.
The increase in very‐low‐birthweight infants in Germany: artefact or reality?
Authors: Nolte Ellen , Koupilová Ilona , McKee Martin 
Published: March 2003

SummaryEarlier findings have shown that after unification with the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in October 1990 the proportion of very‐low‐birthweight infants in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) increased. This study seeks to explore this observation in more detail at the regional level. The analysis of aggregate data of live births in Germany between 1991 and 1997 shows an increasing proportion of very‐low‐birthweight infants as well as a general trend towards heavier babies in both east and west. The growing proportion of live born infants at very low birthweights in the east, however, seems to be due, in part, to increased registration, most likely reflecting the introduction of the more comprehensive (western) definition of a live birth with unification in October 1990. A fairly distinct east–west pattern in the birthweight distribution present in 1991 had almost disappeared by 1997 and given way to a north–south one.
Growth parameters in newborns with hyperphenylalaninaemia
Authors: Zaffanello Marco , Zamboni Giorgio , Tatò Luciano 
Published: March 2003

SummaryTo understand the effects of hyperphenylalaninaemia on fetal growth, we studied growth parameters (weight, length and head circumference) of 23 phenylketonuric (PKU) and 60 hyperphenylalaninaemic (HPA) newborns from healthy mothers and of 1853 healthy neonates from north‐east Italy.A comparison of the growth parameters for both PKU and HPA newborns, as well as for controls, showed a statistically significant higher percentage of PKU and HPA patients with reduced body length and cranial circumference (P < 0.05 for both parameters in affected neonates). The z‐scores for all growth parameters regarding both PKU and HPA newborns and controls, and between PKU and HPA newborns according to the Mann–Whitney non‐parametric test, were statistically significantly lower in PKU newborns than in controls; in contrast, only body length was significantly lower in HPA newborns than in controls (P < 0.01). A comparison of growth parameter z‐scores using the Kruskal–Wallis test for PKU, HPA and control newborns showed that both body length (P < 0.01) and cranial circumference (P < 0.05) were significantly lower in both groups of affected neonates.Our results showed intrauterine growth retardation for both PKU and HPA newborns. Body length and cranial circumference appeared to be more important than birthweight in evaluating growth of PKU and HPA newborns.
Down's syndrome and paternal age in Norway
Authors: Kazaura Method R. , Lie Rolv T. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThere is strong evidence for an effect of maternal age on the risk of Down's syndrome. An effect of paternal age has been suspected, but so far neither confirmed nor completely excluded. Large population‐based data that allow detailed adjustment for maternal age are needed for a definitive analysis of the paternal age effect. We used data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway recorded from 1967 to 1998. A total of 1 738 852 children were included in the analysis. A total of 10.3 per 10 000 newborns had Down's syndrome. The data were fitted to logistic regression models with careful control for maternal age, birth calendar year and place of birth. When maternal age was adjusted for using categories of 5‐year intervals, residual confounding still resulted in a strong effect of paternal age. However, when the shape of the effect of maternal age was well captured by the model, the estimated effect of paternal age was weak (1.11‐fold increased risk per 10 years of paternal age, 95% CI of odds ratio 0.99, 1.22) and not statistically significant.
Progesterone fails to modulate Toxoplasma gondii replication in the RAW 264·7 murine macrophage cell line
Authors: Gay‐Andrieu Françoise , Cozon Grégoire J. N. , Ferrandiz Josette , Peyron François 
Published: March 2003

SummaryCell mediated immunity is very important for host defence against intracellular pathogens and many studies have shown the role of the production of nitric oxide (NO) by interferon (IFN)‐γ/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐activated macrophages. As the progesterone level increases during pregnancy in mammals, and as previous studies have shown that progesterone inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and NO production, we aimed to investigate whether progesterone might modulate intracellular replication of Toxoplasma gondii in macrophages. Our results showed that progesterone does not influence T. gondii replication in non‐activated RAW 264·7 cells, and although progesterone inhibits NO production induced by IFN‐γ/LPS, we observed that it fails to restore the growth of T. gondii blocked by IFN‐γ/LPS. After discussing the reasons for this apparent discrepancy, we concluded that progesterone has no direct effect on the macrophage response. The real effect of the sex steroids in T. gondii infection and their implication in clinical toxoplasmosis therefore need to be investigated further to involve wider mechanisms of the immune system.
Interferon‐γ and nitric oxide production are not required for the immune‐mediated clearance of Brugia malayi microfilariae in mice
Authors: Gray Carolyn A. , Lawrence Rachel A. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryPrevious research has shown that Brugia malayi microfilariae (Mf) primarily induce type 1 cytokine production, and that in‐vitro nitric oxide (NO) can mediate Mf killing. This study addresses the role of interferon (IFN)‐γ‐mediated immune responses in the clearance of Mf from fast‐clearing (CBA/Ca) and slow‐clearing (C57Bl/6) mouse strains. Analysis of spleen cell cytokine production at early timepoints p.i. showed that Mf‐induced IFN‐γ and nitrite (NO−) levels were significantly greater in CBA/Ca mice than C57Bl/6 mice. However, in‐vivo neutralization of IFN‐γ or inhibition of NO− production in CBA/Ca mice did not alter Mf survival kinetics. Similarly, the rate of Mf clearance in both C57Bl/6 mice lacking the IFN‐γ gene and (C57Bl/6 × 129) mice deficient in the receptor for IFN‐γ was similar to that of wild‐type animals. Furthermore, the dramatic abrogation of NO− production in IFN‐γR−/− mice suggests that Mf clearance in slow‐clearing mouse strains is also independent of NO− production. Thus, in both rapid‐clearing and slow‐clearing mouse strains, IFN‐γ‐mediated mechanisms are not a requirement for Mf clearance from the bloodstream.
Divergent expression of inflammatory dermal chemokines in cutaneous leishmaniasis*
Authors: Ritter Uwe , Körner Heinrich 
Published: March 2003

SummaryHuman leishmaniasis is caused by protozoan Leishmania (L.) parasites and comprises a heterogeneous group of clinical appearances ranging from visceral to cutaneous leishmaniasis. In the New World, L. mexicana mediates American cutaneous leishmaniasis, one of the most common forms of this disease. Two different disease progressions can be observed: (i) self‐healing localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) and (ii) progressive diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL). These different forms are associated with a T helper 1 (Th1) or Th2 response, respectively, and are additionally characterized by opposing dermal chemokine profiles. Lesions of LCL show high expression of CCL2/MCP‐1, CXCL9/MIG, CXCL10/IP‐10 and only low amounts of CCL3/MIP‐1α. In contrast, lesions of chronic DCL are dominated by the expression of CCL3/MIP‐1α. This finding implies that CCL2/MCP‐1 contributes to the healing process. Indeed, CCL2/MCP‐1 induces leishmanicidal activities in human monocytes in contrast to CCL3/MIP‐1α. This effect is enhanced by interferon‐γ and abrogated by interleukin‐4. In the murine model of leishmaniasis, the impact of CCL2/MCP‐1 is well documented. Normally resistant mice become susceptible for Leishmania infections if CCR2, the receptor for CCL2/MCP‐1, is knocked out. Based on this evidence, we propose that tissue specific expression of these small molecules actively regulates cell traffic and tissue localization of effector cells and, additionally, has direct immunological effects.
Do large bushcrickets have more sensitive ears? Natural variation in hearing thresholds within populations of the bushcricket Requena verticalis (Listroscelidinae: Tettigoniidae)
Authors: BAILEY WINSTON 
Published: March 2003

The auditory spiracle of tettigoniid Orthoptera influences hearing threshold and, for the most part, individuals with larger auditory spiracles have lower hearing thresholds; they are more sensitive. Hearing thresholds of both sexes of the bushcricket, Requena verticalis Walker (Orthoptera; Tettigoniidae; Listroscelidinae), were measured at the male call’s carrier frequency and were found to correlate with spiracle dimension. In turn, spiracle dimension correlates with the size of the insect as measured by pronotum length. The best frequency of hearing is close to 16 kHz and this appears to be independent of size. Males show a higher variation in threshold than females and this was reflected in a trend toward lower variance in spiracle size in females.To test the effects of size on sensitivity, spiracle size was manipulated by partially blocking it. Blocking the spiracle decreases sensitivity to high rather than low frequencies. As in other tettigoniids, the spiracle and associated auditory system act as a high‐pass filter. Within and between sex differences in hearing sensitivity were compared with differences in male call intensity. It is argued that sensitivity to sounds associated with mating should be as much under sexual selection as the sexual calls of males.
The effect of ovariectomy on reproductive behaviour and physiology of adult female ring‐legged earwigs, Euborellia annulipes
Authors: Rankin Susan M. , Mcquiston Susan J. , Jackson Ellen S. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe effect of ovariectomy on feeding, mating, Juvenile Hormone (JH) production, and maternal behaviour was assessed in female ring‐legged earwigs, Euborellia annulipes (Lucas) (Dermaptera: Carcinophoridae), during the first 16 days of adult life (the first gonadotrophic cycle and early brooding).Ovariectomy of 2‐day‐old adults did not affect weight gain, nor did it alter mating behaviour on day 7. Similarly, ovariectomy did not prevent the increase in JH biosynthesis that accompanies vitellogenesis in this species, which suggests a cycle of JH production that is not dependent on the presence of the ovaries.Both ovariectomy and mating status affected feeding behaviour. Most introduced eggs were consumed (i.e. disappeared) within 24 h, and younger (7‐day‐old) females consumed more eggs than did older ones. However, 12‐day‐old intact virgins and 16‐day‐old ovariectomized, mated females consumed fewest eggs, and allowed some hatching. Thus, ovariectomy did not abolish changes in feeding behaviour that normally accompany reproduction but, instead, appeared to delay the reduction in feeding that normally accompanies the completion of the cycle of egg development. By contrast, mating enhanced the reduction in feeding late in the reproductive cycle.Mating significantly enhanced maternal behaviour in both ovariectomized and sham‐operated females. Hatching success from egg clutches introduced to day 16 virgin or mated females that had been ovariectomized or sham‐operated on day 2, was significantly greater in the mated groups.
Expression of a life‐history trade‐off in a seed beetle depends on environmental context
Authors: Messina Frank J. , Slade Andrea F. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWithin populations of the seed beetleCallosobruchus maculatus(F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae), female longevity is positively correlated with fecundity, both phenotypically and genetically. Yet manipulations of egg‐laying rate (through deprivation of seeds or mates) consistently suggest a trade‐off between these traits. In this study, females were exposed to four levels of seed availability and the relationship between fecundity and longevity was examined both across and within environments. The expected trade‐off was observed across environments, as females with few or no seeds laid fewer eggs and lived longer than females with many seeds. Within environments, however, the relationship was inconsistent; individual longevity and fecundity were positively correlated when seeds were abundant, uncorrelated when seeds were few and negatively correlated when seeds were absent. Body mass at adult emergence was positively correlated with fecundity, but its effect was stronger when seeds were present than when they were absent. After the effects of mass were statistically controlled, longevity and fecundity remained positively correlated among females with many seeds and negatively correlated among those without seeds. Thus, even a single technique (phenotypic correlation) can produce divergent conclusions about the ‘cost of reproduction’ in insects. The reversal in the correlation appears to depend on variation in reproductive allocation; when seeds are scarce or absent, differences in reproductive effort among individuals may be large enough to overwhelm differences in resource acquisition.
Effects of sugar feeding on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in a parasitoid wasp
Authors: Olson D.A.W.N. M. , Fadamiro Henry , Lundgren J.O.nathan G. , Heimpel George E. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryLifetime patterns of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism were compared in starved and sucrose‐fed adults of the parasitoid Macrocentrus grandii (Goidanich) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). As expected, sucrose‐fed individuals lived longer than did starved individuals. Macrocentrus grandii males and females eclosed with levels of simple storage sugars (presumably primarily trehalose) and glycogen that were below maximum levels recorded from sucrose‐fed parasitoids. Both of these nutrients dropped to very low levels in starved individuals within 4 days post‐emergence and were maintained at high levels in sucrose‐fed individuals throughout their lives. Lipid reserves at emergence represented the highest lipid levels for both sexes in the two diet treatments, with levels declining over the lifetimes of males and females from both diet treatments. Our results therefore suggest that dietary sucrose is used to synthesize trehalose and glycogen, but not lipids in M. grandii. Also, in contrast to the patterns observed for the simple sugars and glycogen, lipid levels in starved individuals did not drop below levels observed in sugar‐fed individuals. The average number of mature eggs carried by females at emergence was 33 and increased to approximately 85 in sucrose‐fed and 130 in starved females by the age of 5 d in the absence of hosts. The egg maturation rate was therefore higher in starved than in sugar‐fed females. Potential explanations for this unexpected result are discussed.
Navigating desert ants (Cataglyphis fortis) learn to alter their search patterns on their homebound journey
Authors: Cheng Ken , Wehner Rüdiger 
Published: March 2003

Abstract.In navigating home, desert ants first run off a global vector estimated on their outbound journey, and then engage in systematic search consisting of ever‐increasing loops interrupted by returns to the starting point of search. Desert ants (Cataglyphis fortis;Wehner, 1983) were trained to travel 6 m down a channel to a food source. Different groups of ants were trained to return home in another channel, from distances of 6 m (control), 9 m or 12 m. Ants at the feeder were then tested in a long test channel. The measure of where the ants first turned back on a test gave an estimate of the length of the global vector calculated on their outbound trip. The median distance of search on a 5‐min test gave an estimate of the centre of the search pattern. Relative to controls, the experimental ants did not increase their estimated length of global vector, but changed their search patterns, searching on average further from the start than the controls. Tests of the outbound journey, however, revealed no differences between groups. Desert ants can learn to modify their search pattern based on experience.
An analysis of the dynamic response of stomatal conductance to a reduction in humidity over leaves of Cedrella odorata
Authors: Jarvis A. J. , Young P. C. , Taylor C. J. , Davies W. J. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTSingle leaves of 3‐month‐old Cedrella odorata seedlings were exposed to a step reduction in the ambient dew point. The resultant time series of dynamic variations in leaf surface water vapour concentration, leaf surface water vapour concentration gradient, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance to water vapour, are analysed using the data‐based mechanistic (DBM) modelling methodology of Young (e.g.
Young & Lees 1992;
Minchin et al. 1996
). It is shown that the identified second‐order, dynamic model between transpiration rate (as the input) and stomatal conductance (as the output) provides an appropriate, physiologically meaningful, description of the system. In particular, the dynamic relationship between these two variables is remarkably linear and can be resolved in terms of two parallel, first‐order, subsystems; a model which complements the results of
Cowan (1977) for cotton. The model is also compared with the recently published simulation model of
Haefner, Buckley & Mott (1997).
Resistance of cold‐hardened winter rye leaves (Secale cereale L.) to photo‐oxidative stress
Authors: Streb P. , Shang W , Feierabend J 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTCatalase and photosystem II (PSII) were strongly inactivated during exposure to 4 °C and moderate light in 22 °C‐grown non‐hardened leaves (NHL) of winter rye (Secale cereale L.), but highly resistant to photo‐inactivation at low temperature in 4 °C‐grown cold‐hardened leaves (CHL). Resistance of CHL to chilling‐induced photo‐inactivation of catalase and PSII depended partially on more efficient de novo synthesis at 4 °C and partially on improved protection. Lower rates of chloroplast‐mediated inactivation of catalase in vitro indicated that less reactive oxygen was released by chloroplasts from CHL than by chloroplasts from NHL. The contents of xanthophyll cycle carotenoids, α‐tocopherol, ascorbate, glutathione, the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase, and the tolerance against paraquat‐induced photo‐oxidative damage were greatly increased in CHL, relative to NHL. Zeaxanthin‐related thermal energy dissipation was only of minor importance for paraquat‐tolerance and protection of catalase in CHL. When CHL were transferred to a higher temperature of 22 °C the increased resistance to photo‐inactivation of catalase and PSII and the increased paraquat‐tolerance were largely lost within 3 d, whereas most non‐enzymic and enzymic antioxidants retained higher levels than in NHL. The decline of resistance to photodamage during dehardening was not related to concomitant changes of antioxidants or antioxidative enzymes.