bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urine dendritic cells: a noninvasive probe for immune activity in bladder cancer?
Authors: Beatty John D. , Islam Sabita , North Margaret E. , Knight Stella C. , Ogden Christopher W. 
Published: December 2004

OBJECTIVESTo test the hypothesis that dendritic cells (DC), antigen‐presenting cells with the potential to stimulate primary T‐cell responses, may appear in the urine of patients with bladder cancer, and that their characteristics may reflect those of DC in cancer tissue.PATIENTS AND METHODSCells from digested tissue of transurethral resection specimens from eight patients and urine from 18 with bladder cancers were analysed using flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Urine samples from 12 patients were also analysed during intravesical bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) therapy.RESULTSImmature DC positive for major histocompatibility complex class II antigens, negative for markers of other leukocyte lineages and with low levels of co‐stimulatory markers, were identified in CD45‐positive cells isolated immediately from cancer tissue or amongst cells migrating from tissue fragments after overnight culture. Immature‐phenotype DC were also identified in the urine of patients with bladder cancer. Their identity was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Using these methods, DC were monitored from the bladder during BCG installation for bladder cancer in 12 patients for a mean of 10 months. Of six patients who developed a recurrence of their bladder cancer over this period, all but one showed a lower percentage of DC in their urine at the end of their initial treatment.CONCLUSIONWe identified DC in the urine of patients with bladder cancer for the first time. We speculate that variability in the percentage of urinary DC may reflect changes in immunological activity at the tumour site; prospective studies are required to evaluate the relevance of these DC counts and characteristics to clinical outcome.
Diffusion properties of transurethral intraprostatic injection
Authors: Plante Mark K. , Gross Andrew L. , Folsom Jeffrey B. , Zvara Peter 
Published: December 2004

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the location and extent of diffusion that occurs when liquid is injected transurethrally into the prostate gland, by correlating real‐time fluoroscopy and gross pathology, and to quantify the variables that influence intraprostatic diffusion during chemoablation of the prostate.MATERIALS AND METHODSA solution of diatrizoate meglumine (HypaqueTM, Nycomed, Princeton, NJ) gentamicin and methylene‐blue dye (HGM) was injected transurethrally into the prostate in six dogs, using a passive‐deflection needle injection system. The intraprostatic diffusion characteristics were evaluated during each injection using real‐time C‐arm fluoroscopy, and following each injection by gross examination of methylene blue staining within the prostatic tissues. HGM back‐flow into the urethra at the time of injection was assessed by measuring gentamicin levels in the collected bladder irrigant after each injection, using a standard dilution formula.RESULTSThere was variability in the intraprostatic diffusion both fluoroscopically and grossly. The needle occasionally assumed a straighter trajectory than its intended curve. Intraprostatic diffusion was detected in 12 of 36 injections (33%). Using standard manipulations of various devices increased the intraprostatic diffusion in these injections to almost 80%. There was less intraprostatic diffusion when the injection resistance was either extremely high or absent. There was no extraprostatic extravasation of HGM beyond the prostatic capsule.CONCLUSIONCurrent methods of transurethral intraprostatic injection are variable for both the diffusion of HGM solution and in needle deployment. The gross diffusion patterns with the HGM solution were consistent with the diffusion patterns documented in our previous research using absolute ethanol. These and other factors may partly explain the variability of the lesions produced with ethanol injection. Therefore, more research is needed to further elucidate the diffusion characteristics of solutions injected intraprostatically using the transurethral approach.
Visions in monochrome: families, marriage and the individualization thesis1
Authors: Smart Carol , Shipman Beccy 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThis paper takes issue with the way in which the individualization thesis – in which it is assumed that close relationships have become tenuous and fragile – has become so dominant in ‘new’ sociological theorizing about family life. Although others have criticized this thesis, in this paper the main criticism derives from empirical research findings carried out with members of transnational families living in Britain whose values and practices do not fit easily with ideas of individualization. It is argued that we need a much more complex and less linear notion of how families change across generations and in time.
Generic obstetric database systems are unreliable for reporting the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Authors: THORNTON Charlene , MAKRIS Angela , OGLE Robert , HENNESSY Annemarie 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground: Obstetric outcome data can be accessed by a variety of different methods in New South Wales, Australia, including Diagnosis‐Related Group (DRG) summaries and the Midwives Data Collection (MDC). The accuracy of the reporting of the obstetric complications encompassed by the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) has been doubted owing to the inconsistency and confusing coding categories available in both coding systems.Aim: To test that there would be no disagreement in coding between DRG coding, MDC coding and a disorder‐specific database.Methods: A prospective disorder‐specific database, namely the Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy Database (HDPDB), was maintained for 6 months and diagnoses were compared with the DRG and MDC coding systems. Medical records of all women (n = 230) who received a HDP coding during this period were examined and recoded using the Australasian Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy diagnostic groupings. The HDPDB was the gold standard for the comparison of coding.Results: Significant coding errors were found in both systems available. Sixty‐four percent (P < 0.001) of medical records were incorrectly coded in the DRG coding system and 56% (P < 0.001) were incorrectly coded in the MDC.Conclusions: Current database systems are unreliable for recording maternal medical conditions, such as hypertension, and accuracy can only be assured with the use of a disorder‐specific database, such as the HDPDB.
Impact of first‐stage ambulation on mode of delivery among women with epidural analgesia
Authors: ROBERTS Christine L. , ALGERT Charles S. , OLIVE Emily 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground: New techniques for administering epidural analgesia allow increased mobility for labouring women with epidurals.Aim: To determine the effect of ambulation or upright positions in the first stage of labour among women with epidural analgesia on mode of delivery and other maternal and infant outcomes.Methods: We undertook a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCT) of ambulation or upright positions versus recumbency in the first stage of labour among women with effective first‐stage epidural analgesia in an uncomplicated pregnancy. Trials were identified by searching Medline, Embase and CINAHL databases and the Cochrane Trials Register to March 2004. Trial eligibility and outcomes were prespecified. Group tabular data were obtained for each trial and analysed using meta‐analytic techniques.Results: There were five eligible RCT, with a total of 1161 women. There was no statistically significant difference in the mode of delivery when women with an epidural ambulated in the first stage of labour compared with those who remained recumbent: instrumental delivery (relative risk (RR) = 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93–1.44) and Caesarean section (RR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.70–1.19). There were no significant differences between the groups in use of oxytocin augmentation, the duration of labour, satisfaction with analgesia or Apgar scores. There were no apparent adverse effects of ambulation, but data were reported by only a few trials.Conclusions: Although ambulation in the first stage of labour for women with epidural analgesia provided no clear benefit to delivery outcomes or satisfaction with analgesia, neither were there are any obvious harms.
Colposcopic and histologic findings in women with a cytologic diagnosis of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance
Authors: YARANDI Fariba , IZADI MOOD Narges , MIRASHRAFI Fatemeh , EFTEKHAR Zahra 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground: The optimal method for managing a patient diagnosed with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) has not yet been established. The interim guidelines published by the National Cancer Institute suggest that a patient should be referred for colposcopy after the second ASCUS diagnosis within 2 years.Aim: To assess the significance of ASCUS in predicting the presence of underlying squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) of the uterine cervix.Study population: Women undergoing colposcopy for ASCUS cytology at a teaching hospital in Tehran University, in the years 1998–2001, considered eligible to enter this retrospective study.Results: Of the 266 patients who underwent colposcopy, 28 (11%) had low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), 16 (6.3%) had high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) two (0.8%) had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and 48 (18.8%) had flat condyloma.Conclusion: Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) on a cervical smear is a good marker for detecting underlying SIL and condyloma. Thus, immediate colposcopy and directed biopsy are appropriate follow‐up procedures.
Women's experiences and preferences following Caesarean birth
Authors: DODD Jodie , PEARCE Elizabeth , CROWTHER Caroline 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAims: To seek women's views on their planned mode of birth in a subsequent pregnancy when they had a single prior Caesarean birth in the immediately preceding pregnancy.Methods: This study was conducted at the Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide. Using a hospital maintained database, women were identified based on who had given birth by primary Caesarean section between December 2002 and June 2003 to a live born infant. The women were sent a questionnaire to assess their experiences related to their Caesarean birth and their plans for mode of birth in any subsequent pregnancy.Results: A total of 319 eligible women were identified from the database and sent a questionnaire, with responses obtained from 208 women (65.2%). Most women were satisfied with their birth experience with a mean satisfaction score of 6.3 (± 2.8). The most common response when women were asked to indicate the aspects of their birth experience that they liked was those caring for them (153 women; 48%), followed by the reassurance provided about the health of their baby (106 women; 33%) and their own health (88 women; 28%). One fifth of women (63 women; 20%) indicated that they were glad that they had experienced labour. Eighty‐five women (41%) indicated that they would in future plan for a vaginal birth, 48 women (23%) would plan for Caesarean section, and 72 women (35%) were unsure.Conclusions: A proportion of women have a strong preference for mode of birth in a subsequent pregnancy, which is established within 6 months of the woman's birth experience.
Endothelial cell function enhancement in a late normal human pregnancy
Authors: FABER‐SWENSSON Anders Per , O'CALLAGHAN Stephen Patrick Michael , WALTERS William Allen Willcox 
Published: December 2004

AbstractObjective: To assess endothelial cell function throughout normal human pregnancy.Design: Longitudinal observational study.Population: Pregnant women attending antenatal clinics and female nursing staff.Methods: Flow mediated dilatation (FMD) was measured by high resolution ultrasound and used as a surrogate measure for endothelial cell function and measured in pregnant women and in non‐pregnant female controls. Measurements were performed throughout normal pregnancies in each trimester.Results: Mean FMD was increased by 80% and 64% in the third trimester compared to the first and second trimesters, respectively, and by 92% compared to the mean FMD of the non‐pregnant controls. The increased FMD in the third trimester was demonstrated to be statistically significant in comparison with all the above groups by two‐sample t‐tests (P < 0.01for all comparisons).Conclusion: Endothelial cell function, measured by ultrasound assessment of FMD, is enhanced in late normal human pregnancy.
Escherichia coli: a growing problem in early onset neonatal sepsis
Authors: JONES Bronwyn , PEAKE Kirstie , MORRIS Arthur J. , MCCOWAN Lesley M. , BATTIN Malcolm R. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAims: To review the demographic characteristics, antecedents and outcome for early neonatal Escherichia coli sepsis. Secondary aims were to identify antenatal antibiotic use and to review the antimicrobial susceptibility.Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for all infants with a positive culture for E. coli from either blood or CSF samples obtained between January 1998 and October 2002.Results: Nineteen liveborn infants with early onset sepsis and one stillborn baby with a positive maternal blood culture for E. coli were identified. Pregnancy complications included multiple pregnancy in five (25%), preterm rupture of membranes 10 (50%) and maternal urinary tract infection in five (25%). Eighteen of the cases were born preterm and two at term. The mortality was 8/20 (40%), and for nine cases with developmental outcome data available, 67% were within normal limits and 33% were abnormal. Of the 20 E. coli isolates 11 (55%) were resistant to amoxycillin and 1 (5%) was resistant to gentamicin.Conclusions: Infants with early onset E. coli sepsis had a poor outcome with high mortality and a third of the survivors manifesting neurodevelopmental impairment. Although amoxycillin resistance is common, there is a low prevalence of gentamicin resistance in local isolates.
The early history of IVF in Australia and its contribution to the world (1970–1990)*
Authors: LEETON John 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAlthough Edwards and Steptoe achieved the first IVF pregnancy and birth in 1978, the majority of pioneering developments in IVF during the eighties came from Australia. They included the world's first donor egg pregnancy, the first frozen embryo pregnancy and the first IVF multiple pregnancies. Australia also produced the first national guidelines for IVF practices, the first statute legislation protecting donor gamete pregnancies, and Victoria proclaimed the first statute legislation regarding control of IVF procedures. The reporting of the outcome of all IVF pregnancies began in 1980 as another world initiative.
Periodontal disease as a risk factor for pre‐eclampsia: A case control study
Authors: CANAKCI Varol , CANAKCI Cenk Fatih , CANAKCI Hümeyra , CANAKCI Ebru , CICEK Yasin , INGEC Metin , OZGOZ Mehmet , DEMIR Turgut , DILSIZ Alparslan , YAGIZ Hatice 
Published: December 2004

AbstractObjective: To investigate the association between periodontal disease and pre‐eclampsia, while controlling known risk factors for pre‐eclampsia.Methods: A matched case‐control study was carried out on 41 pre‐eclamptic women and 41 normotensive, healthy, pregnant, control women. The pre‐eclamptic women and controls were individually matched for age, gravidity, parity, smoking and prenatal care. The number of teeth and the number of restorations and decay on all tooth surfaces, and clinical periodontal parameters, excluding third molars were determined within 48 h before delivery. The relation of independent variables to pre‐eclampsia was assessed using conditional multiple logistic regression analysis on subject‐based data.Results: There were no statistically significant differences in mean percentages of sites with plaque between groups. The mean probing depth (PD) and mean clinical attachment level (CAL) for pre‐eclamptic patients were significantly greater compared to those of normotensive patients (P < 0.01). The percentage of sites exhibiting bleeding on probing (BOP) (P < 0.05), the number of sites with PD ≥ 4 mm and with CAL ≥ 3 mm was significantly higher among pre‐eclamptic patients than those with normotensive patients (P < 0.01). Conditional multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that periodontal disease and triglycerides level were significantly associated with pre‐eclampsia. Other independent variables (maternal body weight and serum total cholesterol level) did not appear to be associated with pre‐eclampsia. Conditional multiple logistic regression results showed that pre‐eclamptic patients were 3.47 (95% CI = 1.07–11.95) times more likely to have periodontal disease than normotensive patients.Conclusion: The present study shows that maternal periodontal disease during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for the development of pre‐eclampsia. The higher incidence of periodontal disease parameters in pre‐eclamptic group would suggest a possible role for periodontal disease in the development of pre‐eclampsia. The nature both of periodontitis and pre‐eclampsia is multifactorial, and caution should be exercised when implicating periodontal disease in causation of pre‐eclampsia.
Genetic Bases of the Rifampin Resistance Phenotype inBrucellaspp
Authors: Marianelli Cinzia , Ciuchini Franco , Tarantino Michela , Pasquali Paolo , Adone Rosanna 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTRifampin is one of the most potent and broad-spectrum antibiotics against bacterial pathogens. Its bactericidal activity is due to its ability to bind to the β subunit of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase encoded by therpoBgene. Mutations of therpoBgene have been characterized in rifampin-resistant (Rifr) strains ofEscherichia coliandMycobacterium tuberculosis.The genetic bases of RifrinBrucellaspp. are still unknown. In the present study, the nucleotide sequences of therpoBgene of the Rifrvaccine strainBrucella abortusRB51 and of 20 Rifrclones derived in our laboratory from twoBrucella melitensisisolates were determined. These sequences were then compared to those of the respective rifampin-susceptible (Rifs) parental strains and to the publishedB. melitensisstrain 16M. All Rifrstrains carried one or more missense mutations mapping in two regions of therpoBgene. These two “hot” regions were investigated in eight additional RifrBrucellalaboratory mutants and in 20 reference RifsBrucellastrains.rpoBmutations were found in all Rifrmutants. In contrast, no missense mutations were found in any analyzed Rifsstrains. Our results represent the first from a study of the molecular characterization ofrpoBmutations in resistantBrucellastrains and provide an additional proof of the association of specificrpoBmutations with the development of the Rifrphenotype in prokaryotes. In addition, because of the relationship between Rifrand the attenuation of virulence inBrucellaspp., studies of virulence in these mutants may provide useful information about the genetic basis of pathogenesis inBrucella.
Heterogeneity among Virulence and Antimicrobial Resistance Gene Profiles of Extraintestinal
Escherichia coli
Isolates of Animal and Human Origin
Authors: Maynard Christine , Bekal Sadjia , Sanschagrin François , Levesque Roger C. , Brousseau Roland , Masson Luke , Larivière Serge , Harel Josée 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACT

Extraintestinal pathogenic
Escherichia coli
(ExPEC) isolates collected from different infected animals and from human patients with extraintestinal infections in 2001 were characterized for their phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance profiles, genotypes, and key virulence factors. Among the 10 antimicrobial agents tested, resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline, and sulfonamides was most frequent. Multiresistant strains were found in both the animal and the human groups of isolates. Resistance gene distribution was assessed by colony hybridization. Similar antibiotic resistance patterns could be observed in the animal and the human isolates. Although some resistance genes, such as
bla
TEM
,
sulI
, and
sulII
, were equally represented in the animal and human ExPEC isolates, differences in the distributions of tetracycline [
tet
(D)], chloramphenicol (
catI
,
catIII
, and
floR
), and trimethoprim (
dhfrI
,
dhfrV
,
dhfrVII
, and
dhfrXIII
) resistance genes were observed between the animal and the human isolates. Approximately one-third of the ExPEC isolates possessed a class 1 integron. The four major different variable regions of the class 1 integron contained aminoglycoside (
aadA1
,
aadA2
,
aadA5
, and
aadA6
) and/or trimethoprim (
dhfrIb
,
dhfrXII
, and
dhfrXVII
) resistance genes. The ExPEC strains belonged to different phylogenetic groups, depending on their host origin. Strains isolated from animal tissues belonged to either a commensal group (group A or B1) or a virulent group (group B2 or D), while the majority of the human isolates belonged to a virulent group (group B2 or D). Although the limited number of isolates evaluated in the present study prevents firm epidemiological conclusions from being made, on a more global scale, these data demonstrate that extraintestinal isolates of
E. coli
can possess relatively distinct intra- and intergroup resistance gene profiles, with animal isolates presenting a more heterogeneous group than human isolates.
Isolates of
Burkholderia pseudomallei
from Northern Australia Are Distinct by Multilocus Sequence Typing, but Strain Types Do Not Correlate with Clinical Presentation
Authors: Cheng Allen C. , Godoy Daniel , Mayo Mark , Gal Daniel , Spratt Brian G. , Currie Bart J. 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACT

Melioidosis is the disease caused by the saprophytic organism
Burkholderia pseudomallei
. Previous studies have suggested some strain tropism and differential virulence. In this study, we defined strains by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of isolates taken from the Top End of Australia's Northern Territory and compared the results with those of other strains typed worldwide. We specifically sought clinical and geographical correlates of strain types. Among 87 Australian isolates, 48 sequence types were defined. None of the sequence types in this study has been found elsewhere in the world. Strains were distributed widely throughout the region, and the different presentations of disease, including neurological and prostatic infection, were associated with many different strains. There was excellent congruence between pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and MLST, and the two typing methods had a similar level of strain discrimination. The work suggests that host and environmental factors may be more important in determining disease presentation than infecting strain type. It is possible that the distinct but diverse strain types found in this study reflect Australia's geographical isolation over many millions of years.