bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patterns of normal change in cervical length and width during pregnancy in nulliparous women: a prospective, longitudinal ultrasound study
Authors: Bergelin I. , Valentin L. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjectivesTo determine what constitutes normal changes in the uterine cervix visible at transvaginal ultrasound examination from 24 gestational weeks until delivery in nulliparous women delivering at term.DesignCervical length and width were measured using transvaginal ultrasound, and the inner cervical os was assessed as being closed or open every 2 weeks from gestational week 24 until delivery in 19 healthy nulliparae delivering at term.ResultsIn all but one woman cervical length decreased, and in all but one woman cervical width increased, with advancing gestation. Three patterns of change in cervical length were observed: a continuous decrease (n = 10), an accelerated shortening rate after approximately 30 gestational weeks (n = 5), or a sudden drop in length between the last two examinations (n = 3). The median rate of decrease in cervical length was 1 (range, 0.6–1.9) mm/week for women with continuous shortening of the cervix. For women with accelerated shortening the corresponding figure was 2.2 (range, 1.8–2.7) mm/week after the start of accelerated shortening. Two patterns of increase in cervical width (cervical broadening) were noted: a continuous increase (n = 12), or an accelerated broadening rate from around 32 weeks (n = 6). The median rate of increase in cervical width was 0.8 (range, 0.3–2.0) mm/week for women with continuous broadening of the cervix. For women with accelerated broadening rate the corresponding figure was 1.7 (range, 1.0–6.4) mm/week after the start of increased broadening rate. Opening of the internal cervical os was observed at least once in eight of the 19 women (42%) and was first observed at 30 gestational weeks. Dynamic changes (i.e. opening and closing of the inner cervical os during examination) were seen in six women (32%) and were first detected at 31 gestational weeks.ConclusionsThere are different patterns of normal change in cervical length and width during pregnancy in nulliparous women. This must be taken into account if repeated ultrasound examinations of the cervix during pregnancy are used to identify nulliparae at increased risk of preterm delivery. Copyright © 2001 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Unmanaged sexual reproduction and the dynamics of genetic diversity of a vegetatively propagated crop plant, cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), in a traditional farming system
Authors: Elias M. , Penet L. , Vindry P. , McKey D. , Panaud O. , Robert T. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractOccurrence of intervarietal or interspecific natural crosses has been reported for many crop plants in traditional farming systems, underlining the potential importance of this source of genetic exchange for the dynamics of genetic diversity of crop plants. In this study, we use microsatellite loci to investigate the role of volunteer seedlings (plants originating from unmanaged sexual reproduction) in the dynamics of genetic diversity of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), a vegetatively propagated crop, in a traditional farming system in Guyana. A previous field study showed that farmers incorporate such plants into the germplasm for vegetative propagation, and that many of them are likely to be assigned by farmers to recognized varieties. Under strict vegetative propagation clonality of varieties is expected. The high proportion of polyclonal varieties observed suggests that incorporation of seedlings into the germplasm for propagation is a frequent event. The molecular variability assessed with microsatellite markers shows that there is high differentiation among heterozygous varieties, whereas populations of seedlings do not depart from the proportions expected under Hardy–Weinberg assumptions. Assignment of seedlings to a recognized variety on the basis of morphological similarity greatly increases genetic diversity within the variety. We argue that recombination and gene flow play a major role in the dynamics of genetic diversity of cassava in traditional farming systems. Documenting unmanaged sexual reproduction and its genetic consequences is a prerequisite for defining strategies of in situ conservation of crop plant genetic resources.
Post‐bottleneck genetic diversity of elephant populations in South Africa, revealed using microsatellite analysis
Authors: Whitehouse Anna M. , Harley Eric H. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWidespread hunting had fragmented and severely reduced elephant populations in South Africa by 1900. Elephant numbers increased during the 1900s, although rates of recovery of individual populations varied. The Kruger National Park elephant population increased rapidly, to more than 6000 by 1967, with recruitment boosted by immigration from Mozambique. The Addo Elephant National Park population was reduced to 11 elephants in 1931 and remains relatively small (n = 325). Loss of genetic variation is expected to occur whenever a population goes through a bottleneck, especially when post‐bottleneck recovery is slow. Variation at nine polymorphic microsatellite loci was analysed for Kruger and Addo elephants, as well as museum specimens of Addo elephants shot prior to the population bottleneck. Significantly reduced genetic variation and heterozygosity were observed in Addo in comparison to Kruger (mean alleles/locus and HE: Addo 1.89, 0.18; Kruger 3.89, 0.44). Two alleles not present in the current Addo population were observed in the museum specimens. Addo elephants represent a genetic subset of the Kruger population, with high levels of genetic differentiation resulting from rapid genetic drift. The Kruger population is low in genetic diversity in comparison to East African elephants, confirming this population also suffered an appreciable bottleneck.
Multilocus nested haplotype networks extended with DNA fingerprints show common origin and fine‐scale, ongoing genetic divergence in a wild microbial metapopulation
Authors: Carbone Ignazio , Kohn Linda M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractNested haplotype networks for three loci in a haploid, fungal plant pathogen, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, in two natural, Norwegian populations of the woodland buttercup, Ranunculus ficaria, were extended with DNA fingerprints to determine fine‐scale population divergence. To preserve the cladistic structure in the network for both nonrecombinant and postrecombinant haplotypes in highly recombinant clades, recombinant events were not removed (‘peeled off’), but instead were examined in alternative (marginal) networks. Fungi from both sampling locations share a common origin with subsequent genetic divergence, consistent with expectations for metapopulation structure. Evidence for divergence includes (i) lack of shared fingerprints between the two locations, (ii) evolution of new fingerprints, via transposition and recombination, within 2 years on a fine spatial scale within one sampling location, and (iii) increase in the size of the intergenic spacer (IGS) in both sampling locations. Sites of microsatellite repeat expansion and of an insertion were consistent with the boundaries of two recombination blocks in the IGS. Both alternative networks based on the recombination blocks were essential to finding all associations of DNA fingerprints with IGS size, sampling site, sampling year and mycelial compatibility group. Variation in the elongation factor 1α and calmodulin loci supported the topologies and the recurrent, ongoing polarity of change in fingerprints and IGS size inferred from the IGS.
Characteristics of sex‐biased dispersal and gene flow in coastal river otters: implications for natural recolonization of extirpated populations
Authors: Blundell G. M. , Ben‐David M. , Groves P. , Bowyer R. T. , Geffen E. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractRiver otters (Lontra canadensis) were extirpated from much of their historic distribution because of exposure to pollution and urbanization, resulting in expansive reintroduction programmes that continue today for this and other species of otters worldwide. Bioaccumulation of toxins negatively affects fecundity among mustelids, but high vagility and different dispersal distances between genders may permit otter populations to recover from extirpation caused by localized environmental pollution. Without understanding the influence of factors such as social structure and sex‐biased dispersal on genetic variation and gene flow among populations, effects of local extirpation and the potential for natural recolonization (i.e. the need for translocations) cannot be assessed. We studied gene flow among seven study areas for river otters (n = 110 otters) inhabiting marine environments in Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA. Using nine DNA microsatellite markers and assignment tests, we calculated immigration rates and dispersal distances and tested for isolation by distance. In addition, we radiotracked 55 individuals in three areas to determine characteristics of dispersal. Gender differences in sociality and spatial relationships resulted in different dispersal distances. Male river otters had greater gene flow among close populations (within 16–30 km) mostly via breeding dispersal, but both genders exhibited an equal, low probability of natal dispersal; and some females dispersed 60–90 km. These data, obtained in a coastal environment without anthropogenic barriers to dispersal (e.g. habitat fragmentation or urbanization), may serve as baseline data for predicting dispersal under optimal conditions. Our data may indicate that natural recolonization of coastal river otters following local extirpation could be a slow process because of low dispersal among females, and recolonization may be substantially delayed unless viable populations occurred nearby. Because of significant isolation by distance for male otters and low gene flow for females, translocations should be undertaken with caution to help preserve genetic diversity in this species.
Implications of organizational learnin_g for nursing managers from the cultural, interpersonal and systems thinking perspectives
Authors: Chan Christopher‐Paul C A 
Published: March 2003

Implications of organizational learnin_g for nursing managers from the cultural, interpersonal and systems thinking perspectivesThis paper discusses the implications of organizational learnin_g to healthcare administrators, in particular nursing managers, from the cultural, interpersonal and systems thinking perspectives. In the various perspectives the reasons for organizational ineffectiveness and remedies are presented. There is little doubt that pressure for nurses to perform is escalating as healthcare institutions attempt to improve the quality of service through restructuring and change, which leads to greater job dissatisfaction, higher turnover, lower morale and increased industrial actions of nurses. An integrated approach to organizational learnin_g is arguably important for the effective management of nurses during periods of transition.
Role of new sono‐imaging technique ‘sonocolpography’ in the diagnosis and treatment of the complete transverse vaginal septum and other allied conditions
Authors: Thabet Saeed Mohamad Ahmad , Thabet Ahmed S.M.A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjective:To evaluate the value of a newly suggested ultrasonographic technique ‘Sonocolpography’ in diagnosing the complete transverse vaginal septum and other allied conditions and planning their treatment.Subjects and Methods:Ten cases of complete vaginal septum, eight cases of atresia and four cases of vaginal aplasia seen at Kasr El Aini School of Medicine, Cairo University were selected for this study. Sonocolpography is done using a vaginal balloon and transabdominal ultrasonography. The efficacy of the latter is assessed in comparison to the conventional transabdominal technique. The different sonographic criteria in the conventional technique and in sonocolpography were determined for the studied cases. A cross‐over test was also suggested for anticipating the needed surgery. This is done by pushing the balloon maximally inward and determining the ability of the echoes of the vaginal pouch to accommodate the balloon to stretch and to cross over the defect, in turn determining the needed surgery.Results:Improved ultrasonographic images were successfully obtained for all cases studied. The diagnostic accuracy for these cases was 95.5% for septa, 86.4% for atresia and 90.9% for aplasia. The corresponding figures for the conventional techniques were 54.5, 68.2 and 77.2%, respectively. Sonocolpography was more sensitive and more specific for all cases studied compared to the conventional technique. Planning of the necessary surgery was successfully determined in 16 cases having positive cross‐over tests, where excision and direct anastomosis were performed. Surgery planning was also successful in two cases having negative tests and four cases of invalid tests, where more extensive surgery was needed.Conclusion:Sonocolpography is a new achievement that is essential for imaging cases of the complete vaginal septum and other allied conditions, and also in planning the associated treatment.
Pregnancy with acute intermittent porphyria: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Aggarwal Neelam , Bagga Rashmi , Sawhney Harjit , Suri Vanita , Vasishta Kala 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAcute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is an inherited disorder characterized by partial defects in the heme biosynthetic pathway. Although its association with pregnancy is rare, it presents the obstetrician with challenging problems especially in labor management, as one of the obstetrical life line drugs (methergin) is contraindicated for use in these patients. We hereby present a case of AIP who had an uneventful pregnancy with a good neonatal outcome.
Sudden maternal deaths in Malaysia: A case report
Authors: Jegasothy Ravindran 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe report on a retrospective study of maternal deaths in Malaysia that occurred within 24 hours of delivery, abortion or operative termination of the pregnancy (defined as sudden deaths) in the years 1995–1996. There were 131 sudden maternal deaths (20.6% of all maternal deaths); postpartum hemorrhage, obstetric embolisms, trauma and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy were the main causes. There was a disproportionately increased risk of sudden maternal deaths in the Chinese and the ‘other bumiputra’ racial groups. The proportion of mothers who had no obstetric risk factors in the pregnancy that led to death was 16.8%. Fourteen mothers died in transit. Twenty mothers died after a cesarean section. The findings of this review emphasize the fact that caregivers in obstetrics need to be forever vigilant. All maternity staff need to be well trained in emergency care and there needs to be quick referral to centers that can provide expertise in handling these emergencies.
Analysis of aneuploidy in mini‐Percoll gradient centrifuged human sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using fluorescence in situ hybridization
Authors: Kunathikom Somboon , Rattanachaiyanont Manee , Makemaharn Orawan 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Aim:
To study the aneuploidy rates of chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y in Percoll gradient centrifuged sperm from infertile patients with male infertility factor treated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) compared with healthy fertile donors and infertile patients with normal semen parameters.
Methods:

This case‐controlled study was conducted in a university hospital. Semen samples were obtained from three healthy fertile donors, eight infertile patients with normal semen parameters, and 18 infertile patients with male infertility factor. All samples were subjected to mini‐Percoll gradient centrifugation before being processed through fluorescent in situ hybridization. The incidences of aneuploidy were compared using Chi‐squared test.
Results and Conclusions:
A total of 64 949 spermatozoa were analyzed. The disomy rates for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, and X or Y of sperm from patients with male infertility factor were 0.21%, 0.37%, 0.36% and 0.63%, respectively, whereas the diploidy rate was 0.17–0.23%. These incidences were higher than those from men with normal semen parameters. The result suggested that the embryos of patients with male infertility factor treated by ICSI are at increased risk of chromosome abnormalities.
The masquerades of female pelvic tuberculosis: Case reports and review of literature on clinical presentations and diagnosis
Authors: Chow Teresa Wai Ping , Lim Boon Kiong , Vallipuram Sivanesaratnam 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIn this review, tuberculosis of the genital tract was diagnosed retrospectively in 11 females over 15 years. The presentations of nine cases are described. Seven of the nine cases presented with ascites, vague abdominal distension, weight loss and were misdiagnosed as ovarian carcinoma. Eight women had no relevant past history. A review on clinical presentations and diagnosis of pelvic tuberculosis is presented.We conclude that although the incidence of tuberculosis is uncommon in developed countries, its prevalence appears to be increasing worldwide. Therefore, clinicians should consider tuberculosis as a differential diagnosis when encountering clinical presentations of pelvic mass and ascites.
Embryological evaluation of surface features of human embryos and early fetuses by 3‐D ultrasound
Authors: Yonemoto Hisashi , Yoshida Koyo , Kinoshita Katsuyuki , Takeuchi Hisaya 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
Objective:
To visualize embryonal and early fetal surface features using transvaginal (3‐D) ultrasound.
Methods:
Seventy patients at 5–11 weeks of gestation (10 at each week) were studied.
Results:
3‐D ultrasound could visualize the surface morphology, showing its clinical applicability. From 5 to 6 weeks the embryo was observed in the shape of a ‘C’ in 70% of all embryos. At 7 weeks, the head could be distinguished from the trunk in all embryos. Until 9 weeks, the four extremities were observed in all fetuses and the formation of midgut herniation in 80%. From 10 to 11 weeks, the visualization rates of the ears, orbits and fingers were 40%, 30% and 40%, respectively.
Conclusion:
3‐D ultrasound is useful to recognize the surface morphology of embryos and early fetuses.
In Vitro Studies on Angiogenic Factors Produced by Human Endometrial Epithelial Cells
Authors: Asakawa Yasuyuki 
Published: March 2003

Objective:
Endometrial growth and repair during the menstrual cycle are associated with angiogenesis. It is therefore important to understand which cells produce angiogenic factors and which factors regulate endometrial angiogenesis.
Methods:
After a collagenase digestion, stromal and epithelial cells were separated by filtration. The epithelial cells retained on the filter were cultured and identified by cytokeratin staining. The stromal cells which passed through the filter were cultured and identified by vimentin staining. The angiogenic activity in the conditioned medium of both cells was assessed by the enhancement of tube forming activity in 3‐dimensional culture of bovine endothelial cells.
Results:
The angiogenic activity in the epithelial cells was higher than that in the stromal cells and it was attenuated by the addition of the neutralized antibody to either b‐FGF (basic fibroblast growth factor) or VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) but, the b‐FGF content in the conditioned medium of the endometrial epithelial cells was less than that in the basal level of bovine endothelial cells used in this experiment. VEGF is therefore assumed to be the main angiogenic factor released from the epithelial cells. The amount of VEGF in the conditioned medium of the epithelial cells was higher than that of the stromal cells and significantly increased by the addition of pharmacological doses of 17 β‐estradiol.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that VEGF expression in endometrial epithelial cells plays a role in normal endometrial repair during the menstrual cycle.
A comparison of 100 µg oral misoprostol every 3 hours and 6 hours for labor induction: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Pongsatha Saipin , Sirisukkasem Suppachai , Tongsong Theera 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjective: To compare the efficacy and safety of 100 µg oral misoprostol for induction of labor between the regimen of 3 hour and 6 hour interval administration.Methods: Singleton pregnancies indicated for induction of labor between 34 and 42 weeks of gestation in the condition of unfavorable cervix (Bishop score ≤ 4) and no contraindication for prostaglandins therapy were recruited into the study. All pregnant women were randomly assigned to receive 100 µg oral misoprostol every 3 hours or 6 hours until the cervix was favorable for amniotomy, spontaneous rupture of membranes or active labor occurred.Results: The mean time interval from induction to vaginal delivery was significantly shorter in the 3 hour interval group, compared with the 6 hour interval group (13.82 ± 6.98 h and 17.66 ± 7.48 h, P = 0.0019). There was no significant difference between the groups with regard to mode of delivery, analgesic requirement, maternal complication and neonatal outcome.Conclusions: 100 µg oral misoprostol every 3 hours is more effective for labor induction than every 6 hours but there was no difference in mode of delivery, analgesic requirement, maternal complications and neonatal outcome. A dose of 100 µg misoprostol orally every 3 hours seems to be the optimum regimen and the new option for labor induction. However, further study should be performed.
Distribution of oxygenated blood flow at three different routes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in exteriorized fetal lambs
Authors: Fujimori Keiya , Murata Yuji , Quilligan Edward J. , Nagata Naoki , Hirano Takahiro , Sato Akira 
Published: March 2003

Objective:
The purpose of this study was to determine which extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) route best approximates the normal physiologic pattern of oxygenated blood distribution in fetal lambs submerged in warm saline solution.
Study Design:
Six fetal lambs ranging from 113 to 129 days of gestation were delivered by cesarean section and oxygenated with ECMO in a warm saline solution bath. We compared the distribution of oxygenated blood flow during intact placental circulation with 3 routes of ECMO, from the right atrium to the carotid artery (V‐A), from the right atrium to umbilical vein (V‐UV), and from the right atrium with umbilical artery to umbilical vein [(V + UA)‐UVI], in exteriorized fetal lambs. Distribution of oxygenated blood flow was determined by non‐radioactive colored microspheres.
Results:
The ECMO blood flow rate through the catheters during V‐A, V‐UV or (V + UA)‐UV ECMO ranged at 150–300 ml/min. Among the 3 different routes of ECMO, the oxygenated blood distribution in (V + UA)‐UV showed the best correlation with placental‐fetal blood flow, particularly in the brain and heart.
Conclusion:
This study indicated that (V + UA)‐UV ECMO most closely approximates normal intact placental‐fetal blood flow distribution in fetal lambs.