bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Termination of second trimester pregnancy with laminaria and intramuscular 15‐methyl PGF2α or 16‐phenoxy‐ω‐17,18,19,20‐tetranor PGE2 methylsulfonylamide. A randomized multicenter study
Authors: Bygdeman M. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe present study included 592 second trimester healthy informed patients admitted to the participating hospitals for termination of pregnancy. In each patient one medium size laminaria tent was introduced into the cervical canal. The laminaria was withdrawn 12 h later and the patients were randomly allocated to either intramuscular injections of 15‐methyl‐PGF2α (Prostin 15M), 0.25 mg every second hour, or 16‐phenoxy‐ω‐17,18,19,20‐tetranor PGE2 methyl sulfonylamide (Nalodor), 0.5 mg every fourth hour. Both treatment schedules were equally effective. The success rate was 95.6% and 94.5% for the E and F analogs, respectively, within 24 h of prostaglandin treatment. The mean duration of prostaglandin treatment was for Nalodor 10.8 h and for Prostin 15M 11.3 h. The mean total dose given of the two analogs was 1.85 mg and 1.65 mg, respectively. With the E analog, the frequency of gastrointestinal side effects was significantly lower than with the F analog. With the former compound, 83.2% had no episodes of diarrhea and 58.9% no vomiting. The mean number of episodes of vomiting and diarrhea per patient was for the E analog 1.0 and 0.4, respectively. The corresponding figures for the F analog were 2.3 episodes of vomiting and 2.2 episodes of diarrhea per patient. Only in three patients (0.5%) cervical laceration was found. It may be concluded that intramuscular administration of either analog after pretreatment with laminaria would appear to be more effective than other methods presently in use for termination of second trimester pregnancy. The simplicity of the therapy is of practical importance and may result in a decreased risk of serious complications. With the E analog gastrointestinal side effects are only sightly more common than previously found with hypertonic saline administered intra‐amniotically.
Cytocidal effects of hematoporphyrin derivative and argon dye laser on human gynecologic tumor cells in vitro
Authors: Sekiya S. , Kubota K. , Kasai T. , Iwasaki H. , Yamauchi K. , Takamizawa H. , Tenjin Y 
Published: April 2004

AbstractAntitumor effects of hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD) plus argon dye laser were examined using various human gynecologic tumor cells in vitro. Irradiation alone with argon dye laser showed no effect on the DNA synthesis of cells. Treatment of the cells with HpD inhibited the DNA synthesis depending on the concentration and the exposure time. Photoradiation by argon dye laser following treatment of the cells with HpD 40 μg/ml for 2 h killed more than 80% of cells when the cells were irradiated for more than 3 min. Prominent degenerative changes of the cytoplasm and the nucleus appeared within 1 h after photoradiation. These changes were confirmed by morphology and DNA histogram. There were no differences of sensitivity to photoradiation among the three histologically different kinds of cells lines used.
Umbilical velocimetry in normal pregnancy
Authors: Dor N. , Shtern M. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractFive hundred ninety‐six normal pregnancies were evaluated with continuous Doppler to determine the changes in velocimetry between 17 and 42 weeks gestation. The waveform was identified by its characteristic sharp systolic rise and slow diastolic decay; plotting the S/D ratio as a function of the gestational age reveals a progressive decline in the S/D ratio as gestation progresses. A significant drop occurred around 30 weeks when the mean S/D ratio dropped from 3 (29 weeks) to 2.6 (31 weeks) reflecting decreased placental resistance.
Incidental tuberculous endometritis in premenstrual curettings from infertile women in Eastern Nigeria
Authors: Gini P.C. , Ikerionwu S.E. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA total of 4700 specimens of premenstrual endometrial curettings from infertile women were reviewed at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Ten cases of tuberculous endometritis were found, giving a prevalence of 0.2%. The significance of this low prevalence is discussed. It is suggested that more deliberate efforts should be made to search for genital tuberulosis in infertile women in developing countries.
Pattern of primary gynecological malignancies as seen in a tertiary hospital situated in the Rivers State of Nigeria
Authors: Briggs N.D. , Katchy K.C. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBetween January 1984 and December 1987, out of a total gynecological admission of 1706 patients at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, 72 had primary cancers of the female genital organs (excluding malignant trophoblastic diseases). Of those, 53 had cervical, 10 ovarian, 6 endometrial and 3, vulval cancers. There were no cases of vaginal or fallopian tubal cancers. Ovarian cancer was the commonest gynecological cancer before the age of 40 while cervical cancer was commonest after 40. Germ cell tumors of the ovary were frequent. Patients with endometrial cancer reported early to hospital for treatment but those with other types of cancers generally reported late. On account of late arrival to hospital, inadequate medical facilities and a high defaulting rate, the outcome of treatment was very poor. Since evidence exists to the effect that cervical cancer may be sexually transmitted, a plea is made for the promotion of the widespread use of condoms in order to reduce the prevalence of invasive carcinoma of the cervix in developing countries.
How accurate is maternal height measurement in Africa?
Authors: Dujardin B. , Clarysse G. , Mentens H. , De Schampheleire I. , Kulker R. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractMaternal height is one of the risk parameters for dystocia that is often used in antenatal clinics which are organized by health centers and dispensaries in developing countries. In this paper, the results of an analysis on the reliability of height measurements in four African countries: Benin, the Congo, Senegal and Zaire are presented. Different causes appear to reduce this reliability: attraction to round numbers, assignment of some standard size, and in one situation an overrecording (probably intentional) of an at‐risk woman. Different solutions are being suggested, and the importance of assessing the quality of risk factor measurement in improving the efficacy of the risk approach strategy is stressed.
Practising homelessness: a typology approach to young people's daily routines
Authors: Mallett Shelley , Rosenthal Doreen , Myers Paul , Milburn Norweeta , Rotheram‐Borus Mary Jane 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn a study exploring the relationship between typology and risk, we investigated the daily routines of a heterogeneous sample of young men and women from two sites who had been homeless for varying periods (N=1289). Cluster analysis yielded four groups—‘Partnered’, ‘Socially engaged’, ‘Service connected‐harm avoidant’, and ‘Transgressive’—based on where and with whom they congregated and slept during the day and night and how they spent most of their time. Although the patterns of responses differed between the groups, there was overlap in the extent of engagement in specific activities, including risk practices. Interpretation of the impact of homeless young people's engagement in risk practices needs to take account of the interaction between their harmful and non‐harmful practices.
What if there are no ‘best practices’?
Authors: Hanushek Eric A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractDeveloping persuasive and consistent models of educational performance has proved elusive. Existing modelling suggests no clear relationship between resources and student performance. This mirrors observed policy outcomes. A possible explanation is that the achievement process is a complicated interactive one such that simple linear additive formulations break down. This analysis presents a stylized model of achievement where unmeasured teacher quality interacts with both resources and specific educational programs. Standard econometric analyses then replicate the aggregate findings in the literature. A policy implication is that finding ‘best practices’ may fail without recognition of the fundamental interactions.
High School Graduation in Australia: Do Schools Matter?
Authors: Le Anh T. , Miller Paul W. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThis study examines the determinants of high school graduation in Australia. It uses two main approaches to estimation. The first of these is a conventional probit model based on a range of family background and demographic variables. This approach is then extended through consideration of a random parameters probit model. The results show that schools matter to the chances of completing high school in Australia. However, the school effects seem to have more to do with the selection of more able students with superior socioeconomic backgrounds than with the independent creation of favourable school or classroom climates.
The Labour Market Impact of Adult Education and Training: A Cohort Analysis
Authors: Vignoles Anna , Galindo‐Rueda Fernando , Feinstein Leon 
Published: April 2004

AbstractEducation boosts individuals' productivity and wages. Yet many individuals leave school with minimal skills and qualifications. One way for these workers to catch up might be lifelong learning. We find that a particular form of lifelong learning, work related training, does have a positive impact on earnings. However, firms tend only to train those workers who will gain from training. Training does benefit those chosen to receive it but if all workers received training, the average impact on wages would be low. Hence, this form of lifelong learning is not necessarily an effective way of raising wages.
Merger Profitability and Trade Policy
Authors: Huck Steffen , Konrad Kai A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractWe study the profitability incentives for merger and the endogenous industry structure in a strategic trade policy environment. Merger changes the strategic trade policy equlilibrium. We show that merger can be profitable and welfare enhancing, even though it would not be profitable in a laissez‐faire economy. A key element is a change in the governments’ incentives to give subsidies to their local firms. National merger induces more strategic trade policy, whereas international merger does not.
Ca2+ signalling and gap junction coupling within and between pigment epithelium and neural retina in the developing chick
Authors: Pearson Rachael A. , Catsicas Marina , Becker David L. , Bayley Philippa , Lüneborg Nanna L. , Mobbs Peter 
Published: April 2004

AbstractDevelopment of the neural retina is controlled in part by the adjacent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). To understand better the mechanisms involved, we investigated calcium signalling and gap junctional coupling within and between the RPE and the neural retina in embryonic day (E) 5 chick. We show that the RPE and the ventricular zone (VZ) of the neural retina display spontaneous Ca2+ transients. In the RPE, these often spread as waves between neighbouring cells. In the VZ, the frequency of both Ca2+ transients and waves was lower than in RPE, but increased two‐fold in its presence. Ca2+ signals occasionally crossed the boundary between the RPE and VZ in either direction. In both tissues, the frequency of propagating Ca2+ waves, but not of individual cell transients, was reduced by gap junction blockers. Use of the gap junction permeant tracer Neurobiotin showed that neural retina cells are coupled into clusters that span the thickness of the retina, and that RPE cells are both coupled together and to clusters of cells in the neural retina. Immunolabelling for Cx43 showed this gap junction protein is present at the junction between the RPE and VZ and thus could potentially mediate the coupling of the two tissues. Immunolabelling for β‐tubulin and vimentin showed that clusters of coupled cells in the neural retina comprised mainly progenitor cells. We conclude that gap junctions between progenitor cells, and between these cells and the RPE, may orchestrate retinal proliferation/differentiation, via the propagation of Ca2+ or other signalling molecules.
Induction of neurogenesis in the adult rat subventricular zone and neostriatum following dopamine D3 receptor stimulation
Authors: Van Kampen Jackalina M. , Hagg Theo , Robertson Harold A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractDiscrete regions of the adult CNS, including the subventricular zone (SVZ), do retain the capacity for neurogenesis. These progenitor cells may represent a potential new source of cells for replacement therapies in neuroregenerative diseases. An understanding of the microenvironmental signals regulating neurogenesis in the adult brain would facilitate the development of such therapeutic approaches. A particularly strong expression of dopamine D3 receptor mRNA occurs in the proliferative SVZ during prenatal and early postnatal ontogeny. Although its expression diminishes following development, a restricted D3 receptor expression persists in this region through adulthood, coincident with continued proliferation in this region. Here, we demonstrate a two‐fold induction of cell proliferation (BrdU incorporation) in the SVZ and rostral migratory stream of the adult Sprague–Dawley rat brain following intrasubventricular administration of the dopamine D3 receptor agonist, 7‐hydroxy‐N,N‐di‐n‐propyl‐2‐aminotetralin (7‐OH‐DPAT) for 2 weeks. The number of BrdU‐positive cells was elevated ten‐fold from very low baseline levels in the neighbouring neostriatum, another region known to express D3 receptors. These striatal BrdU‐positive cells appeared within 3 days following intracerebral infusion of 7‐OH‐DPAT and were distributed homogeneously throughout the striatum following systemic administration. This suggests that these cells originate from resident progenitor cells rather than the SVZ. Dopamine D3 receptor activation may serve as a proneuronal differentiation signal as 60–70% of the new cells had neuronal markers following 7‐OH‐DPAT infusion. These results suggest that the dopamine D3 receptor may be a good drug target for cell replacement strategies, particularly because of the fact that its expression is almost exclusively limited to the nervous system.
Glycine cleavage system in neurogenic regions
Authors: Ichinohe Akiko , Kure Shigeo , Mikawa Sumiko , Ueki Takatoshi , Kojima Kanako , Fujiwara Kazuko , Iinuma Kazuie , Matsubara Yoichi , Sato Kohji 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe glycine cleavage system (GCS) is the essential enzyme complex for degrading glycine and supplying 5,10‐methylenetetrahydrofolate for DNA synthesis. Inherited deficiency of this system causes nonketotic hyperglycinemia, characterized by severe neurological symptoms and frequent association of brain malformations. Although high levels of glycine have been considered to cause the above‐mentioned problems, the detailed pathogenesis of this disease is still unknown. Here we show that GCS is abundantly expressed in rat embryonic neural stem/progenitor cells in the neuroepithelium, and this expression is transmitted to the radial glia–astrocyte lineage, with prominence in postnatal neurogenic regions. These data indicate that GCS plays important roles in neurogenesis, and suggest that disturbance of neurogenesis induced by deficiency of GCS may be the main pathogenesis of nonketotic hyperglycinemia.
Habenula lesions cause impaired cognitive performance in rats: implications for schizophrenia
Authors: Lecourtier Lucas , Neijt Hans C. , Kelly Peter H. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractCognitive impairment is a prominent feature of schizophrenia. Currently there is no well‐accepted explanation of the aetiology of this disorder, but recent evidence indicates that dysfunction of the habenula may be involved. We therefore examined whether habenula lesions in Sprague–Dawley rats cause behavioural changes resembling those of schizophrenia. Rats received either habenula lesions, a sham operation or a small lesion of the overlying dorsal hippocampus as a check that effects observed were not due to incidental damage to this structure. As there are alterations of social behaviour, sensorimotor gating and cognition in schizophrenia, we examined comparable behaviours. Social interaction time was measured during a 5‐min encounter with a novel juvenile conspecific. Prepulse inhibition of an acoustic startle response, as an index of sensorimotor gating, was measured with prepulses of various amplitudes, and spatial cognitive performance was assessed in the Morris water maze task. Histological analysis showed that habenula lesions substantially damaged both medial and lateral habenula bilaterally while largely sparing neighbouring structures. Assay of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the interpeduncular nucleus terminal region of the habenulo‐interpeduncular tract, showed marked reduction (by 80%) in habenula‐lesioned animals. Habenula‐lesioned rats, but not the control group with small dorsal hippocampus lesions, showed marked impairment of Morris maze performance compared to the sham‐operated control group. Social interaction time and prepulse inhibition were not significantly altered in either lesion group. The results are consistent with a role of the habenula in cognition, and with the view that pathology of the habenula may contribute to the cognitive impairments of schizophrenia.
Hippocampal gene expression profiling across eight mouse inbred strains: towards understanding the molecular basis for behaviour
Authors: Fernandes Cathy , Paya‐Cano Jose L. , Sluyter Frans , D'Souza Ursula , Plomin Robert , Schalkwyk Leonard C. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractMouse inbred strains differ in many aspects of their phenotypes, and it is known that gene expression does so too. This gives us an opportunity to isolate the genetic aspect of variation in expression and compare it to other phenotypic variables. We have investigated these issues using an eight‐strain expression profile comparison with four replicates per strain on Affymetrix MGU74av2 GeneChips focusing on one well‐defined brain tissue (the hippocampus). We identified substantial strain‐specific variation in hippocampal gene expression, with more than two hundred genes showing strain differences by a very conservative criterion. Many such genetically driven differences in gene expression are likely to result in functional differences including differences in behaviour. A large panel of inbred strains could be used to identify genes functionally involved in particular phenotypes, similar to genetic correlation. The genetic correlation between expression profiles and function is potentially very powerful, especially given the current large‐scale generation of phenotypic data on multiple strains (the Mouse Phenome Project). As an example, the strongest genetic correlation between more than 200 probe sets showing significant differences among our eight inbred strains and a ranking of these strains by aggression phenotype was found forComt, a gene known to be involved in aggression.
Extracellular excitatory amino acids increase in the paraventricular nucleus of male rats during sexual activity: main role of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartic acid receptors in erectile function
Authors: Melis Maria Rosaria , Succu Salvatora , Mascia Maria Stefania , Cortis Luca , Argiolas Antonio 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe concentrations of glutamic and aspartic acids were measured in the dialysate obtained with vertical microdialysis probes implanted into the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus of sexually potent male rats during sexual activity. Animals showed noncontact erections when put in the presence of, and copulated with, a receptive (ovarietomized oestrogen‐ and progesterone‐primed) female rat. The concentrations of glutamic and aspartic acids in the paraventricular dialysate increased by 37 and 80%, respectively, above baseline values during exposure to the receptive female rat and by 55 and 127%, respectively, during copulation. No changes in the concentrations of glutamic and aspartic acids were detected in the paraventricular dialysate when sexually potent male rats were exposed to nonreceptive (ovariectomized not oestrogen‐ and progesterone‐primed) female rats or when impotent male rats were used. The injection into the paraventricular nucleus of the excitatory amino acid receptor antagonist dizocilpine (5 µg), a noncompetitive N‐methyl‐d‐aspartic acid receptor antagonist, reduced noncontact erections and significantly impaired copulatory activity. The α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionic acid receptor antagonist 6‐cyano‐7‐nitro‐quinoxaline‐2,3‐dione (5 µg) was also able to impair copulatory activity, but to a much lower extent than dizocilpine. In contrast, (±)‐2‐amino‐4‐phosphono‐butanoic acid, a metabotropic receptor antagonist (5 µg), was found to be ineffective. These results confirm the involvement of the paraventricular nucleus in the control of erectile function and copulatory behaviour and show that excitatory amino acid concentration increases in the paraventricular nucleus when penile erection occurs in physiological contexts.
A sensitive model for prediction of relapse in adult acute myeloid leukaemia with t(8;21) using white blood cell count, CD56 and MDR1 gene expression at diagnosis
Authors: Schaich Markus , Koch Rainer , Soucek Silke , Repp Roland , Ehninger Gerhard , Illmer Thomas 
Published: April 2004

SummaryAcute myeloid leukaemia (AML) carrying t(8;21) has an overall favourable prognosis. However, relapse occurs and the impact of multidrug resistance gene (MDR1) expression on recurring disease in this group of patients is not known. We determined quantifiable MDR1 expression in the bone marrow of 28 AML patients with t(8;21) by a validated real‐time polymerase chain reaction assay. Using MDR1 expression, white blood cell count and CD56 expression at diagnosis we observed complete concordance of predicted and observed relapses. A calculated logit out of these three variables was a strong independent prognostic factor for overall (P = 0·007) and disease‐free survival (P = 0·002).
Comfort on a ward for older people
Authors: Tutton Elizabeth , Seers Kate 
Published: April 2004

Background.  Comfort is often considered to be a central part of nursing, although the value placed on it may have diminished over time. Many views of comfort are expressed in the literature but it still remains a diffuse concept that requires further clarification. Research evidence about older people and comfort is limited, and further work is needed to find out how staff and patients view comfort and how it is achieved in practice.Aims.  This paper reports a study to investigate what comfort means both to older people in hospital and their health care workers.Research methods.  Ethnography was the methodology chosen, and data were collected using in‐depth interviews with 19 older people and 27 staff members, and 130 hours of participant observation, complemented by additional weekly visits to the study ward.Findings.  Three themes were identified: the nature of comfort/discomfort; key determinants of comfort/discomfort; and the underlying factors that influence the achievement of comfort/discomfort.Discussion.  In this hospital setting, the focus of nursing on relief of discomfort suggested a tendency to react to problems, rather than proactively to create an environment that facilitated comfort. Staff were aware of ideals of practice but found these difficult to achieve in reality. In this study comfort was not consistently provided, and some ways of working actively promoted discomfort. As comfort is central to nursing and nursing is central to the care of hospitalized older people, it is crucial that practitioners are enabled to fulfil their potential in this area.