bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reproducibility of three‐dimensional ultrasound endometrial volume measurements in patients with postmenopausal bleeding
Authors: Yaman C. , Ebner T. , Jesacher K. , Obermayr G. , Pölz W. , Tews G. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the reproducibility of transvaginal three‐dimensional (3D) endometrial volume measurement in patients with postmenopausal bleeding and to compare the reproducibility of this technique to that of two‐dimensional (2D) endometrial thickness measurement.MethodsIn a prospective, blinded study, transvaginal ultrasound examinations were performed in 51 consecutive patients with postmenopausal bleeding. Three‐dimensional volume and 2D thickness measurements were made and intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of each technique were assessed.ResultsThe intraobserver correlation of 3D endometrial volume measurement of the first observer was 0.97 and that of the second observer was 0.99. Thus, mean intraobserver correlation was 0.98. The mean interobserver correlation was 0.95 (0.95 vs. 0.96). There was no significant difference in reproducibility at different volume cut‐offs. The mean intra‐ and interobserver correlation of endometrium volume measurements for five patients with endometrial carcinoma did not differ significantly from that for patients without carcinoma (0.98, 0.98 vs. 0.98, 0.95). The intraobserver correlation of 2D endometrial thickness measurements from the first observer was 0.71 and that from second observer 0.87. Thus, mean intraobserver correlation of the endometrial thickness measurements was 0.79. The mean interobserver correlation was 0.76 (0.84 vs. 0.70).ConclusionsEndometrial volume and thickness measurements by 3D and 2D ultrasound, respectively, show good repro‐ducibility but the reproducibility of 3D ultrasound is better. Copyright © 2002 ISUOG
The ‘tulip sign’: a sonographic clue for in‐utero diagnosis of severe hypospadias
Authors: Meizner I. , Mashiach R. , Shalev J. , Efrat Z. , Feldberg D. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjectiveTo describe a unique sonographic sign for prenatal detection of severe penoscrotal hypospadias.MethodsUltrasound findings of hypospadias diagnosed in the second trimester of pregnancy in seven patients were compared with postnatal clinical features. All patients were recruited from routine sonographic examinations performed for various obstetric indications.ResultsIn six of the seven cases with hypospadias, a severe form of peno‐scrotal hypospadias was found. In all six cases, a unique ultrasound feature was observed represented by extreme ventral angulation of the penis, with or without chordee, in a form resembling a tulip flower. This ‘tulip’ is formed by the ventrally bent penis located between the two scrotal folds. In all six patients, the postnatal pictures of the newborns' genitalia corresponded perfectly to the prenatal sonograms. Associated anomalies occurred in two cases, with Nager syndrome in one case and mild renal hydronephrosis in the other case.ConclusionsThe ‘tulip sign’ is a specific ultrasonic finding of severe hypospadias. The recognition of this may help to distinguish between severe hypospadias and other genital abnormalities (e.g. ambiguous genitalia). Copyright © 2002 ISUOG
Early fetal anomaly scanning in a population at increased risk of abnormalities
Authors: Den Hollander N. S. , Wessels M. W. , Niermeijer M. F. , Los F. J. , Wladimiroff J. W. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjectivesTo determine the effectiveness of early fetal anomaly scanning in a population at risk of fetal anomalies.DesignA prospective study in a tertiary center of 101 consecutive fetuses at risk of congenital anomalies at 11–14 weeks of gestation.ResultsThe principal (93/101 = 92%) reason for referral was having a previously affected infant. Nine (9/101 = 9%) fetuses were shown to have structural anomalies at the 11–14‐week scan. In five of nine structurally affected fetuses, the nature of the anomalies was similar to that established in a previously affected pregnancy, four of which had a recurrence of an autosomal recessive syndrome. In two fetuses with a normal 11–14‐week scan, anomalies were detected at the 18–21‐week (arthrogryposis) or 30‐week (cardiomyopathy) scans.ConclusionsThe majority of fetal anomalies can be diagnosed in the late first/early second trimesters of pregnancy. This will be of particular advantage to those women who are at high risk of having affected offspring. However, as fetal anomalies may present at varying gestational ages, the standard 18–21‐week scan cannot be abandoned. The effectiveness of the early pregnancy scan depends on the natural history of anomalies (gestational age at onset) and the vari‐able phenotypic expression of anomalies/syndromes. Copyright © 2002 ISUOG
Strong impact of estrogen environment on Doppler variables used for differentiation between benign and malignant breast lesions
Authors: Germer U. , Tetzlaff A. , Geipel A. , Diedrich K. , Gembruch U. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjectivesTo analyze the impact of an estrogen environment on the Doppler variables usually used for differentiation between benign and malignant lesions.MethodsA total of 142 malignant and 107 benign breast lesions was demonstrated (in 91 premenopausal and 152 postmenopausal patients) by B‐mode ultrasound. Intratumoral vessels were visualized by color Doppler and blood flow velocity waveforms were analyzed by pulsed Doppler. The number of intratumoral vessels and the Doppler variables, peak systolic velocity, resistance and pulsatility indices and the peak systolic/diastolic ratio were evaluated in different endocrine milieus represented by menopausal status, phase of the menstrual cycle, intake of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy.ResultsIn malignant tumors the Doppler variables resistance and pulsatility indices and the systolic/diastolic ratio were significantly higher in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women. In benign tumors significantly higher values of resistance and pulsatility indices were also detected in post‐ compared to premenopausal women (P ≤ 0.05). In premenopausal patients with benign tumors taking oral contraceptives the number of intratumoral vessels was significantly higher, while resistance index and systolic/diastolic ratio values were decreased compared to patients with spontaneous menstrual cycles. In postmenopausal patients hormone replacement therapy did not influence Doppler variables in the benign or the malignant groups.ConclusionOur results demonstrate a robust influence of menopausal status and oral contraceptives on Doppler variables of breast lesions. We believe it is likely that some of the differences in the Doppler variables found in reports comparing benign and malignant breast lesions were caused by their association with a pre‐ or postmenopausal status. Copyright © 2002 ISUOG
Intrauterine diagnosis and management of congenital goitrous hypothyroidism
Authors: Agrawal P. , Ogilvy‐Stuart A. , Lees C. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe intrauterine recognition and treatment of congenital goitrous hypothyroidism may not only reduce the obstetric complications associated with large goiters, but possibly improve the prognosis for normal growth and mental development of affected fetuses. We present a case of fetal goiter diagnosed at 29 weeks of gestation following routine ultrasound examination. Fetal blood sampling performed at this time confirmed the presence of fetal hypothyroidism. Treatment was performed using a series of intra‐amniotic injections between 31 and 36 weeks, initially with tri‐iodothyronine (T3) and subsequently with thyroxine. During this period, shrinkage of the fetal goiter, increasing neck flexion and resolution of the polyhydramnios was observed. Following birth, neonatal serum thyroid‐stimulating hormone levels were within the normal range but thyroxine was reduced. The baby was started on daily oral thyroxine and, on examination 7 weeks following birth, he appeared clinically and chemically euthyroid. In the absence of maternal thyroid disease, fetal goiter is extremely rare, with only seven cases previously reported in the English literature to have used intra‐amniotic thyroxine injections as a form of treatment. This report reviews the current literature regarding the diagnosis and intrauterine management of fetal goiter and considers the possibility of T3 therapy in future cases of congenital hypothyroidism. Copyright © 2002 ISUOG
Prognostic significance of ultrasound derived intratumoral peak systolic velocity in epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Hata K. , Yoshida M. , Maruyama R. , Fujiwaki R. , Miyazaki K. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the prognostic significance of ultrasound derived intratumoral peak systolic velocity in epithelial ovarian cancer.DesignColor Doppler imaging and pulsed Doppler spectral analysis were used in the investigation of 49 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (19 serous, 15 mucinous, eight endometrioid, four clear cell and three Brenner cell) immediately before laparotomy. Twenty‐two were stage I, six were stage II, 17 were stage III and four were stage IV. Sections of malignant tumors were analyzed for the cellular expression of thymidine phosphorylase and the intratumoral density of microvessels by immunohistochemistry using antibodies to thymidine phosphorylase and factor VIII‐related antigen, respectively. Moreover, the apoptotic index was evaluated by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end‐labeling method. Intratumoral peak systolic velocity was tested for correlation with patients' age at diagnosis, stage of disease, presence of a residual tumor, histological subtype and grade, thymidine phosphorylase expression, apoptotic index, microvessel count and patient survival.ResultsHistological grade (P = 0.025), thymidine phosphorylase expression (P = 0.044), apoptotic index (P = 0.039) and microvessel count (P = 0.014) were all significantly associated with peak systolic velocity. Stage of disease (P = 0.002), presence of residual disease (P = 0.0002) and peak systolic velocity (P = 0.041) were found by univariate Cox regression analysis to be significantly associated with a poor prognosis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that stage of disease (P = 0.006) and peak systolic velocity (P = 0.008) are independent prognostic factors.ConclusionsIntratumoral peak systolic velocity could be a preoperatively pertinent prognostic predictor of survival in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. Copyright © 2000 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hyperinsulinemia and uterine perfusion in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Ajossa S. , Guerriero S. , Paoletti A. M. , Orrù M. , Melis G. B. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether hyperinsulinemia has a negative effect on uterine blood supply in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).MethodsSixty‐three patients with normal body mass index were included prospectively in the study: 48 had clinical and hormonal features of PCOS and 15 were normo‐ovulatory. All patients underwent Doppler flow measurement of the uterine artery, and determination of serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, estradiol, androgens, insulin and C‐peptide during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. The 48 PCOS‐patients were divided into two groups according to the pulsatility index (PI) value of the uterine artery: Group 1, PI < 3; Group 2, PI ≥ 3 and the groups were compared.ResultsThe mean PI of the uterine artery (3.01 ± 1.0 vs. 1.93 ± 0.3, respectively) and fasting levels of insulin (50.9 ± 9.3 vs. 40.3 ± 10.9) and C‐peptide (366.9 ± 118.4 vs. 243.6 ± 120.3) of PCOS‐patients were significantly higher than those of the control group. No correlation was found between insulinemia and C‐peptide and PI of the uterine artery and no significant difference was found in insulin and C‐peptide levels among the two groups of PCOS‐affected patients. Only the serum level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate was significantly higher in Group 2, and a direct correlation was found between PI values of the uterine artery and DHEAS plasma levels.ConclusionInsulin and C‐peptide do not seem to interfere with uterine perfusion in PCOS‐affected patients. Copyright © 2002 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Antenatal sonographic diagnosis of testicular torsion
Authors: Herman A. , Schvimer M. , Tovbin J. , Sandbank J. , Bukovski I. , Strauss S. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAntenatal testicular torsion is a well‐established condition diagnosed and treated after birth. This report describes the antenatal diagnosis of testicular torsion with surgical and pathological confirmation. Antenatal and postnatal sonographic findings included enlarged testis and epipdidymis surrounded by hemorrhagic fluid organized in two concentric compartments (‘double ring hemorrhage’ image). A contralateral hydrocele with bulging of the scrotal septum towards the unaffected side were also present. Pathological examination demonstrated a recent extravaginal torsion, which is the predominant mechanism for testicular torsion in the fetus and neonate. Recognition of this phenomenon and the ultrasonographic images associated with it may enable the diagnosis of antenatal testicular torsion to be made on prenatal sonography of the fetus. Copyright © 2002 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Beyond the Hox: how widespread is homeobox gene clustering?
Authors: HOLLAND PETER W. H. 
Published: March 2003

abstractThe arrangement of Hox genes into physical clusters is fundamental to the patterning of animal body plans, through the phenomenon of colinearity. Other homeobox genes are often described as dispersed, implying they are not arranged into clusters. Contrary to this view, however, two clusters of non‐Hox homeobox genes have been reported: the amphioxus ParaHox gene cluster and the Drosophila 93D/E cluster (referred to here as the NKL cluster). Here I examine the antiquity of these gene clusters, their conservation and their pattern of evolution in vertebrate genomes. I argue that the ParaHox gene cluster arose early in animal evolution, and duplicated in vertebrates to give the four clusters in human and mouse genomes. The NKL cluster is also ancient, and also duplicated to yield four descendent clusters in mammalian genomes. The NKL and Hox gene clusters were originally chromosomal neighbours, within an ancient and extensive array of at least 30 related homeobox genes. There is no necessary relationship between clustering and colinearity, although it is argued that the ParaHox gene cluster does show modified spatial colinearity. A novel hypothesis for the evolution of ParaHox gene expression in deuterostomes is presented.
Modified cuspal relationships of mandibular molar teeth in children with Down's syndrome
Authors: PERETZ BENJAMIN , SHAPIRA JOSEPH , FARBSTEIN HANNA , ARIELI ELIAHU , SMITH PATRICIA 
Published: March 2003

A total of 50 permanent mandibular 1st molars of 26 children with Down's syndrome (DS) were examined from dental casts and 59 permanent mandibular 1st molars of normal children were examined from 33 individuals. The following measurements were performed on both right and left molars (teeth 46 and 36 respectively): (a) the intercusp distances (mb‐db, mb‐d, mb‐dl, db‐ml, db‐d, db‐dl, db‐ml, d‐dl, d‐ml, dl‐ml); (b) the db‐mb‐ml, mb‐db‐ml, mb‐ml‐db, d‐mb‐dl, mb‐d‐dl, mb‐dl‐d angles; (c) the area of the pentagon formed by connecting the cusp tips. All intercusp distances were significantly smaller in the DS group. Stepwise logistic regression, applied to all the intercusp distances, was used to design a multivariate probability model for DS and normals. A model based on 2 distances only, mb‐dl and mb‐db, proved sufficient to discriminate between the teeth of DS and the normal population. The model for tooth 36 for example was as follows:formula hereA similar model for tooth 46 was also created, as well as a model which incorporated both teeth. With respect to the angles, significant differences between DS and normals were found in 3 out of the 6 angles which were measured: the d‐mb‐dl angle was smaller than in normals, the mb‐d‐dl angle was higher, and the mb‐dl‐d angle was smaller. The dl cusp was located closer to the centre of the tooth. The change in size occurs at an early stage, while the change in shape occurs in a later stage of tooth formation in the DS population.
The role of early neural activity in the maturation of turtle retinal function
Authors: SERNAGOR EVELYNE , MEHTA VANDANA 
Published: March 2003

In the developing vertebrate retina, ganglion cells fire spontaneous bursts of action potentials long before the eye becomes exposed to sensory experience at birth. These early bursts are synchronised between neighbouring retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), yielding unique spatiotemporal patterns: ‘waves’ of activity sweep across large retinal areas every few minutes. Both at retinal and extraretinal levels, these embryonic retinal waves are believed to guide the wiring of the visual system using hebbian mechanisms of synaptic strengthening.In the first part of this review, we recapitulate the evidence for a role of these embryonic spontaneous bursts of activity in shaping developing complex receptive field properties of RGCs in the turtle embryonic retina. We also discuss the role of visual experience in establishing RGC visual functions, and how spontaneous activity and visual experience interact to bring developing receptive fields to maturation. We have hypothesised that the physiological changes associated with development reflect modifications in the dendritic arbours of RGCs, the anatomical substrate of their receptive fields. We demonstrate that there is a temporal correlation between the period of receptive field expansion and that of dendritic growth. Moreover, the immature spontaneous activity contributes to dendritic growth in developing RGCs. Intracellular staining of RGCs reveals, however, that immature receptive fields only rarely show direct correlation with the layout of the corresponding dendritic tree. To investigate the possibility that not only the presence of the spontaneous activity, but even the precise spatiotemporal patterns encoded in retinal waves might contribute to the refinement of retinal neural circuitry, first we must clarify the mechanisms mediating the generation and propagation of these waves across development. In the second part of this review, we present evidence that turtle retinal waves, visualised using calcium imaging, exhibit profound changes in their spatiotemporal patterns during development. From fast waves sweeping across large retinal areas and recruiting many cells on their trajectory at early stages, waves become slower and eventually stop propagating towards hatching, when they become stationary patches of neighbouring coactive RGCs. A developmental switch from excitatory to inhibitory GABAA responses appears to mediate the modification in spontaneous activity patterns while the retina develops. Future chronic studies using specific spatiotemporal alterations of the waves will shed a new light on how the wave dynamics help in sculpting retinal receptive fields.
Composite cellular defence stratagem in the avian respiratory system: functional morphology of the free (surface) macrophages and specialized pulmonary epithelia
Authors: Nganpiep L. N. , Maina J. N. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractQualitative and quantitative attributes of the free respiratory macrophages (FRMs) of the lung – air sac systems of the domestic fowl (Gallus gallus variant domesticus) and the muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) were compared with those of the alveolar macrophages of the lung of the black rat (Rattus rattus). The birds had significantly fewer FRMs compared to the rat. In the birds, the FRMs were found both in the lungs and in the air sacs. Under similar experimental conditions, the most robust FRMs were those of the domestic fowl followed by those of the rat and the duck. Flux of macrophages onto the respiratory surface from the subepithelial compartment and probably also from the pulmonary vasculature was observed in the birds but not in the rat. In the duck and the domestic fowl, a phagocytic epithelium that constituted over 70% of the surface area of the blood–gas (tissue) barrier lines the atrial muscles, the atria and the infundibulae. The epithelial cells of the upper respiratory airways contain abundant lysosomes, suggesting a high lytic capacity. By inference, the various defence strategies in the avian lung may explain the dearth of FRMs on the respiratory surface. We counter‐propose that rather than arising directly from paucity of FRMs, an aspect that has been over‐stressed by most investigators, the purported high susceptibility of birds (particularly table birds) to respiratory ailments and afflictions may be explained by factors such as inadequate management and husbandry practices and severe genetic manipulation for fast growth and high productivity, manipulations that may have weakened cellular and immunological defences.
Bone adaptation to load: microdamage as a stimulus for bone remodelling
Authors: Lee T. C. , Staines A. , Taylor D. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractMechanical loading in the proximal radius was increased by ulnar osteotomy (Group O), altered by Steinmann pinning (Group P) or unaltered in sham operated controls (Group C) in skeletally mature female sheep, aged 2–4 years. A series of intravenous fluorochromes were given to label bone formation and fuchsin‐stained microdamage assessed at intervals of up to 24 weeks. Microcracks were present in all groups and were found in the original cortex near the periosteal surface. No microcracks were found in the new, fibrolamellar bone laid down at periosteal or endosteal surfaces. Mean microcrack length (49 µm, SD 10 µm) did not differ between groups or over time. Microcrack numerical and surface densities and resorption cavity density peaked in all groups at 6 weeks, consistent with a regional acceleratory phenomenon (RAP), but the peaks were significantly greater in Group O. The density of refilling or secondary osteons peaked at 10 weeks and the mean time required for the formation of an osteon was 7.51 ± 0.59 weeks. Fatigue‐induced microdamage is normally present in bone and is increased due to repetitive loading of the mechanically overloaded radius. The location and timing of microcracks, resorption cavities and secondary osteons are consistent with the activation‐resorption‐formation remodelling cycle and suggest that microdamage is a stimulus for bone remodelling.
Digital development and morphogenesis
Authors: Sanz‐Ezquerro J. J. , Tickle C. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractSignalling interactions between the polarizing region, which produces SHH, and the apical ectodermal ridge, which produces FGFs, are essential for outgrowth and patterning of vertebrate limbs. However, mechanisms that mediate translation of early positional information of cells into anatomy remain largely unknown. In particular, the molecular and cellular basis of digit morphogenesis are not fully understood, either in terms of the formation of the different digits along the antero‐posterior axis or in the way digits stop growing once pattern formation has been completed. Here we will review recent data about digit development. Manipulation of morphogenetic signals during digit formation, including application of SHH interdigitally, has shown that digit primordia possess a certain plasticity, and that digit anatomy becomes irreversibly fixed during morphogenesis. The process of generation of joints and thus segmentation and formation of digit tips is also discussed.