bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation, characterization, and properties of fast‐responding bulk hydrogel and treated bleached banana pulp
Authors: Ibrahim Maha M. , El‐Zawawy Waleed K. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe reaction between bleached banana pulp and pure maleic anhydride (MA) was investigated. The reaction was conducted in a reactor in the presence of xylene used as a solvent and sodium hypophosphite as catalyst. The appearance of infrared absorption bands at 1891 and 1708 cm−1 indicated that MA chemically reacted by esterification with bleached banana pulp. However, evidence of an esterification reaction was obtained between cellulose and MA. The production of fast‐responding bulk hydrogel with a high swelling ratio was also investigated. This hydrogel was synthesized first by the formation of maleated acrylamide particles and then by the graft copolymerization of the particles with cellulose. The maleated acrylamide particles were characterized with mass spectroscopy, and the formed hydrogl was characterized by FT‐IR. The esterification reaction between bleached banana pulp and maleated acrylamide was also studied. Steam absorption for bulk hydrogel, maleated acrylamide‐treated bleached banana pulp, MA‐treated cellulose and bleached banana pulp is higher than the steam absorption for untreated cellulose and bleached banana pulp. Compared with treated bleached banana pulp and cellulose, the hydrogel had very high swelling ratios and much faster swelling rates attributed to the collaboration of the ionized particles and bulk hydrogel. The number of ionic maleated acrylamide groups in the hydrogel affected the swelling behavior. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Current practices for establishing environmental flows in Brazil
Authors: Benetti A. D. , Lanna A. E. , Cobalchini M. S. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThis paper addresses current practices adopted by Brazilian states for establishing environmental flows. At the national level, the newly created National Water Agency has not yet recommended a standard practice. Confronted with the requirement to grant or deny water rights to users, states have set minimum instream flows using low flow frequency analysis. However, efforts are currently being made to include ecological variables in the decision‐making process. One difficulty with the process is the dearth of information regarding instream flow needs for Brazilian species and recreation. International experience on setting environmental flows is valuable, but care must be taken in its application to the Brazilian reality. Finally the authors express their views on the directions that Brazilian regulatory agencies are likely to adopt in the near future for setting environmental flows. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sodium fluoride in delayed measurement of umbilical blood gases
Authors: Farrow S.M. , Yudkin P.L. , Redman C.W.G. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn blood samples stored at 5°C with 20 mM sodium fluoride, only small changes in blood gas measurements were observed over 24 h. Most of the changes occurred within the first 2 h after collection. In samples stored at 5°C without fluoride, blood gas measurements showed continuous changes over the 24‐h period.
Use of echosonography to monitor uterine placement of intrauterine devices after immediate postpartum insertions
Authors: Ortiz Mariscal J.D. , Guerrero Barrera C. , Wheeler R.G. , Waszak C.S. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA study designed to monitor uterine placement of IUDs inserted immediately postpartum using echosonography was conducted at the Hospital de Gineco Obstetricia No. 23, “Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto” in Monterrey, Mexico. TCu220 and Delta T IUDs were randomly assigned to, and inserted in women immediately following a normal vaginal delivery. Ultrasound examinations were to be performed within 60 min postinsertion, at 24 h postinsertion and at 1‐ and 3‐month follow‐up visits. There were no differences in the expulsion rates of the two device groups. Data are presented on the readings taken at the ultrasound examinations of the distance between the fundus and the upper part of the stem of the T. These differences differed significantly between the two device groups at the first ultrasound reading only (P ⩽ 0.01). No relationship was found between the incidence of expulsion and the distance between the IUD and the fundus at any of the readings.
Postpartum glycated hemoglobin A1c and glucose tolerance test in mothers of large babies
Authors: Saleh A.K. , Moussa M.A. , Hathout H. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractAn attempt to study macrosomia and carbohydrate metabolism was made by determination of glycated hemoglobin A1c and by the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in early puerperium. We studied 76 women who gave birth to large babies ⩾4.5 kg, 74 women whose babies were 3–4 kg as controls, and 36 type II diabetics. The median of HbA1c concentration in the diabetics (8.06%) was significantly higher than in the controls (6.49%), and the large babies' mothers (6.48%), P < 0.001. No significant difference was found between HbA1c or glucose intolerance in mothers of large babies and mothers with average size babies. HbA1c showed an association with glucose levels in the diabetics and controls, P < 0.001, but not in the large baby group. Mothers of large babies were as old and obese as the diabetics. We speculate that the relationship of postpartum GTT, HbA1c and gestational diabetes is unwarranted.
Maternal mortality in Indonesia and Egypt
Authors: Fortney J.A. , Susanti I. , Gadalla S. , Saleh S. , Feldblum P.J. , Potts M. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractTwenty‐three percent of deaths to women of reproductive age (15–49 years) in Bali, Indonesia and Menoufia, Egypt were due to maternal causes. Among the younger women, the percentage was even higher. In both areas complications of pregnancy and childbirth were a leading cause of death (the first cause in Bali, the second in Menoufia). In both sites, postpartum hemorrhage was the most common cause of maternal death. Relative to the United States, the number of maternal deaths per 100 000 live births was 20 times higher in Menoufia and 78 times higher in Bali. Families of women of reproductive age who died were interviewed about the conditions leading to death and other characteristics of the deceased. Completed histories were reviewed by a Medical Panel who were able to assign a cause of death in more than 90% of cases. Two‐thirds of the maternal deaths occurred to women who were over 30 and/or who had 3 children — the usual targets of family planning programs. Other possible intervention strategies include antenatal outreach programs, training of traditional birth attendants, and better hospital management of obstetric emergencies.
Mesonephric adenocarcinoma of cervix: a case report
Authors: Gupta O.P. , Guirguis M.N. , Diejomaoh F. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractAdenocarcinoma arising in the cervix are not common tumors and those arising from mesonephric remnants are extraordinarily rare. A case of mesonephric adenocarcinoma of cervix has been reported in a girl age 1.5 years. This tumor could be diagnosed on the basis of histological examination by criteria laid down by McGee et al. (J Obstet Gynecol 84: 358, 1962) especially on the basis of dilated ducts corresponding to the remnant of mesonephric duct.
Acute glomerulonephritis during the third trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Fukuda O. , Ito M. , Nakayama M. , Matsui K. , Fujisaki S. , Okamura H. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractWe report a very rare case of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN) occurring in the eighth gestational month. The pregnancy succeeded despite initially severe nephrotic syndrome, and after delivery there was a complete recovery to normal renal function. Fetal prognosis was also good. The diagnosis of PSGN was made based on serological examinations and postpartum renal biopsy. Light and electron microscopic findings showed that the glomerular lesions were different from those of typical pre‐eclampsia.
A scoring system for induction of labor using prostaglandin E2 vaginal tablets
Authors: Grunstein S. , Jaschevatzky O.E. , Shalit A. , Noy Y. , Davidson A. , Ellenbogen A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA randomized controlled trial was carried out in order to establish the efficacy of a scoring system for calculating the dose of vaginal prostaglandin E2 tablets for the induction of labor. One hundred ten women were included in the study. The patients received a dose of prostaglandin E2 calculated according to a scoring system based on the Bishop's score, or the standard dose of 3 mg repeated 6 h later if labor did not start. The percentage of inductions achieved was the same with both regimens (92.7%). The mean total dose used in the scoring system‐group (2.7 mg) was significantly lower than that used in the 3‐mg group (3.5 mg, P < 0.025). Thirty‐seven of 55 women receiving the scoring dose delivered with amounts of 2.5 mg prostaglandin E2 or less. Three cases of uterine hyperstimulation were observed in the 3‐mg group whereas no cases were observed in the scoring group. The scoring system is proposed as a method for calculating the dose of vaginal prostaglandin E2 for induction of labor and minimizing the risk of overdosage.
Role of endocervical curettage in the diagnostic workup of preinvasive cervical lesions
Authors: Sesti F. , Farné C. , Mattei M. , Piccione E. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical value of endocervical curettage in the diagnostic workup of patients with colposcopically suspect lesions, by correlating the findings of colposcopically directed biopsy with the results of endocervical curettage in patients with both satisfactory and unsatisfactory colposcopic examination. Our results (positive curettage findings in 55.6% of the patients with unsatisfactory colposcopy and in 16.7% of the patients with satisfactory colposcopy) indicate that endocervical curettage could be a useful guide to correct management.
Immunohistochemical analysis of hormone receptors and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in aggressive angiomyxoma of the vulva
Authors: Rotmensch E.J. , Kasznica J. , Hamid M.A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractOBJECTIVE: Aggressive angiomyxoma (AA) is a frequently misdiagnosed tumor which tends to locally recur. The purpose of our case study and review is to characterize this tumor by immunohistochemical analysis of its estrogen and progesterone status and its proliferating capacity by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), as well as, note any recurrent sites of spread. METHOD: A 43 year old woman presented with a suspected Bartholin's gland abscess. Physical examination was consistent with a mass in the left labium majus. Marsupialization of the mass failed. Resection of this tumor revealed an AA with positive tumor margins. Lost to follow up, the patient was located 6 months later. Examination revealed a palpable mass in the ischiorectal fossa. Extended‐left, radical hemivulvectomy revealed recurrent tumor. Estrogen and progesterone receptor status was weakly positive. PCNA stained with the same intensity as the fibroconnective, tissue background. CONCLUSION: We report on a case of AA as well as examine the literature to review a total of 32 cases. We note that AA is often misdiagnosed and tends to recur in the ischiorectal and retroperitoneal spaces. By means of immunohistochemical analysis, we conclude: the estrogen and progesterone receptor status was weakly positive, but could not be distinguished from the background‐fibroblastic tissue, PCNA correlates well in this tumor with its low mitotic index; however, further similar studies are needed to characterize this tumor. This may aid in treatment.
The Greenland Norse: bones, graves, computers, and DNA
Authors: Lynnerup Niels , Nørby Søren 
Published: April 2004

The remains of the Greenland Norse provide unique biological anthropological material for the investigation of human and environmental interaction. As a population, they were generally secluded from most of the contemporary European medieval society, and land suitable for their way of life was limited in Greenland. The archaeological and historical record is excellent, clearly establishing the 500-year period of colonisation. In other words, the Greenland Norse represent a relatively isolated population, constrained in both space and time.Living in an environment with very little buffering capacity, ecological changes immediately had repercussions. Ten years of research have shown a direct climatic impact on the humans as well as changing subsistence patterns. It seems that the Norse in Greenland responded to these changes, although inside ‘cultural’ limits. Demographic modelling indicates that emigration may have accounted for the final abandonment of the settlements. A changing ecology thus seems to have pushed the Greenland Norse out of Greenland, because their sedentary way of life, relying on animal husbandry, and probably with a strong cultural sense of identity focused on farmsteads and domestication, became unsustainable. A further step will be clarifying the genetic history of the Norse as well as of the Thule Culture Inuit. These analyses have commenced by examining mtDNA variation and Y-chromosomal diversity among present-day Greenlandic Inuit, and preliminary results appear to provide some information as to the fate of the Norse people.
Immiserizing Growth in a Closed Economy
Authors: Krishna Kala , Yavas Cemile 
Published: April 2004

AbstractWe develop a model with three key features: a factor market distortion, monopoly power in the product market and indivisibilities in consumption. In this setting, multiple equilibria arise, one with high and the other with low equilibrium wages, incomes and output. It is also shown that even in a closed economy, growth may be immiserizing and, finally, that redistribution could be a “rich man's game”.
Labour Tax Reform, the Good Jobs and the Bad Jobs
Authors: Kleven Henrik Jacobsen , Sørensen Peter Birch 
Published: April 2004

AbstractWe analyse recent proposals to shift the tax burden away from low‐paid labour, assuming a dual labour market where the “good” high‐paying jobs are rationed. A shift in the tax burden from low‐paid to high‐paid workers has an ambiguous effect on the level of aggregate employment while the allocation of aggregate employment is further distorted. Even if the tax reform raises total employment, economic efficiency may be reduced because labour is reallocated from high‐productive to low‐productive jobs. We also find that opportunities for on‐the‐job search have important implications for the policy effects.
Are We Better Off if Our Politicians Have More Information?
Authors: Lagerlöf Johan 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe model of public policy studied in this paper has heterogeneous citizens/voters and two public goods: one (roads) chosen directly by an elected policy‐maker, and the other (pollution) stochastically dependent on the amount of roads. Both a one‐country and a two‐country version of the model are analyzed; the latter displays externalities across the countries which create incentives for free riding and strategic delegation. The welfare effects of providing the policy‐maker with information about the relationship between roads and pollution are investigated, and it is shown that more information hurts some—sometimes even all—citizens. In particular, the opportunity not to create an institution for information gathering can serve as a commitment device for a country, although with the unfortunate effect of making the overall outcome even worse. Implications for the welfare effects of “informational lobbying” are also discussed.
Abnormal fronto‐parietal coupling of brain rhythms in mild Alzheimer's disease: a multicentric EEG study
Authors: Babiloni Claudio , Ferri Raffaele , Moretti Davide V. , Strambi Andrea , Binetti Giuliano , Dal Forno Gloria , Ferreri Florinda , Lanuzza Bartolo , Bonato Claudio , Nobili Flavio , Rodriguez Guido , Salinari Serenella , Passero Stefano , Rocchi Raffaele , Stam C. J. , Rossini Paolo M. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractCholinergic deafferentation/recovery in rats mainly impinges on the fronto‐parietal coupling of brain rhythms [D. P. Holschneider et al. (1999) Exp. Brain Res., 126, 270–280]. Is this reflected by the functional coupling of fronto‐parietal cortical rhythms at an early stage of Alzheimer's disease (mild AD)? Resting electroencephalographic (EEG) rhythms were studied in 82 patients with mild AD and in control subjects, such as 41 normal elderly (Nold) subjects and 25 patients with vascular dementia (VaD). Patients with AD and VaD had similar mini‐mental state evaluation scores of 17–24. The functional coupling was estimated by means of the synchronization likelihood (SL) of the EEG data at electrode pairs, accounting for linear and non‐linear components of that coupling. Cortical rhythms of interest were delta (2–4 Hz), theta (4–8 Hz), alpha (1 8–10.5 Hz), alpha 2 (10.5–13 Hz), beta 1 (13–20 Hz), beta 2 (20–30 Hz) and gamma (30–40 Hz). A preliminary data analysis (Nold) showed that surface Laplacian transformation of the EEG data reduced the values of SL, possibly because of the reduction of influences due to head volume conduction. Therefore, the final analysis was performed on Laplacian‐transformed EEG data. The SL was dominant at alpha 1 band in all groups. Compared with the Nold subjects, patients with VaD and mild AD presented a marked reduction of SL at both fronto‐parietal (delta–alpha) and inter‐hemispherical (delta–beta) electrode pairs. The feature distinguishing the patients with mild AD with respect to patients with VaD groups was a more prominent reduction of fronto‐parietal alpha 1 SL. These results suggest that mild AD is characterized by an abnormal fronto‐parietal coupling of the dominant human cortical rhythm at 8–10.5 Hz.
Organization of GABAA receptor α‐subunit clustering in the developing rat neocortex and hippocampus
Authors: Hutcheon B. , Fritschy J.M. , Poulter M.O. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractWe compared the expression and co‐expression of α1, α2, α3, and α5‐subunit protein clusters of the γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor in the neocortex and hippocampus of rat at postnatal days (PND) 5–10 and 30–40 in order to understand how inhibitory receptors reorganize during brain maturation. The size, intensity, density and pattern of co‐localization of fluorescently tagged subunit clusters were determined in deconvolved digital images using a novel 2D cross‐correlational analysis. The cross‐correlation analysis allowed an unbiased identification of GABAA receptor subunit clusters based on staining intensity. Cluster size increased through development; only the α2 clusters in dentate gyrus (DG) decreased in size. α5‐subunit cluster density either increased or decreased with maturation depending on the brain region. For the other subunits, the cluster density remained rather constant, with noted exceptions (increase in α2 clusters in cortical layer 5 but a decrease of α3 clusters in hilus). The co‐localization of α1‐subunit with the others was unique and not correlated to overall changes in subunit abundance between developmental époques. So, although α2‐subunit expression went up in the DG, the clusters became less co‐localized with α1. In contrast, α5‐subunit clusters became more co‐localized with α1 as the α5‐subunit expression declined in cortex and CA1. The co‐localization of α3 with α1 also became greater in layer 6. In the adult brain not all clustering was associated with synapses, as many α‐subunit clusters did not co‐localize with synaptophysin. Overall, these data indicate that the regulation of GABAA receptor clustering is both synaptic and extrasynaptic, presumably reflecting complex cellular trafficking mechanisms.
High prevalence of ectopic kidney in Coast Province, Kenya
Authors: Magak Philip , King Charles H. , Ireri Edmund , Kadzo Hilda , Ouma John H. , Muchiri Eric M. 
Published: April 2004

SummaryObjective  To establish the prevalence of congenital urinary tract abnormalities in a full population‐based ultrasound survey of an area of coastal Kenya.Methods  Ultrasound examination of 3118 residents of 912 households, including allavailable subjects over 2 years of age, residing in five contiguous rural villages 50 km south of Mombasa.Results  Survey findings indicated simple renal ectopia in 11 of 3118 subjects (0.35%) and renal agenesis in three (0.096%). No cases of horseshoe kidney or complex urinary anomaly were detected, and no cases of multiple congenital anomaly were found. Ectopia cases were evenly distributed between men and women, and across the five study villages. None of the individuals affected by renal ectopia were closely related (i.e. <5th‐degree relations).Conclusion  There is an unusually high prevalence of ectopia among unrelated subjects in this area. In this setting, the findings suggest either a common exposure to teratogenetic factors, or a hereditary condition with variable penetrance, where more severely affected individuals are not observed because of foetal/infant mortality.
Genetic heterogeneity of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti in Martinique
Authors: Yébakima André , Charles Céline , Mousson Laurence , Vazeille Marie , Yp‐Tcha Marie‐Michelle , Failloux A.‐B. 
Published: April 2004

SummaryIn Martinique, Aedes aegypti, the vector of dengue viruses has been the target of insecticide control for more than 35 years. Despite significant control efforts, dengue has become a major disease of public health concern. We conducted a population genetic analysis based on isoenzyme variations combined with an estimation of infection rate to a dengue virus among 26 Ae. aegypti samples. Aedes aegypti samples could be differentiated for their susceptibility to dengue infection (infection rates ranging from 42.8% to 98.6%) and showed important genetic variation (significant FST values).
Double‐blind, randomized, vehicle‐controlled clinical trial of once‐daily benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin topical gel in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe rosacea
Authors: Breneman Debra , Savin Ronald , VandePol Christine , Vamvakias George , Levy Sharon , Leyden James 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBackground  Systemic antibiotics such as tetracycline are well accepted as effective in treating the inflammatory papular/pustular phase of rosacea but may be associated with systemic side‐effects. Few controlled data on the use of topical antibiotics in rosacea are available.Objective  We evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of a fixed combination of 5% benzoyl peroxide and 1% clindamycin in a topical gel for the treatment of rosacea.Methods  This was a 12‐week, double‐blind, vehicle‐controlled, randomized, prospective, parallel‐group study in 53 patients with moderate to severe rosacea.Results  The mean percentage reduction in papules and pustules from baseline to the end of treatment was 71.3% in the benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin group (n = 26) and 19.3% in the vehicle group (n = 26; P = 0.0056). A significant (P = 0.0141) difference in favor of benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin was evident by the third week of treatment. Severity scores for erythema, papules/pustules, and flushing/blushing decreased more with benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin than with vehicle. Overall rosacea severity, Physician Global Assessment, and Patient's Global Assessment at the end of treatment were all significantly improved with benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin compared with vehicle (P = 0.0101, 0.0026, and 0.0002, respectively). Application site reactions were reported in four patients (14.8%) in the benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin group.Conclusion  A once‐daily topical application of a combination of 5% benzoyl peroxide and 1% clindamycin is effective and well tolerated in patients with moderate to severe rosacea.