bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Demand‐side housing policy in Costa Rica: a response to the housing deficit
Authors: Delgadillo Lucy 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to establish what the housing needs of Costa Rica are and to assess what policies have been implemented to respond to their housing deficit. In order to answer these questions, a combined methodology consisting of primary and secondary data was used. Using open‐ended questions and a topic schedule, face‐to‐face interviews with Costa Rican housing authorities were conducted at the interviewee's work place in Costa Rica in May 2003. The most recent secondary data available in the country was used to compute the housing deficit and to study the effects of demographics on current housing needs. Sources of the secondary data were the Costa Rica Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements, and the National Institute of Statistics and Census. The Costa Rican government has made great progress in reforming the housing finance system in order to meet the housing demand of its citizens. In 2002, Costa Rica had a 75.6% home ownership rate. Yet, even in light of the housing system's current success, many social, economic and political barriers threaten to undermine its accomplishments and the peoples’ ability to obtain safe and affordable housing. The paper considers the strengths and weaknesses of the current housing finance system as well as the government strategies for addressing difficulties.
The role of perceived product quality and overall satisfaction on purchase intentions
Authors: Tsiotsou Rodoula 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe study investigated the effects of perceived product quality and overall satisfaction on purchase intentions. Moreover, the direct and indirect effects of values and involvement on purchase intentions were studied. The study utilized the survey questionnaire and used sport shoes as the product being researched. The sample consisted of 197 students who responded to an anonymous questionnaire. Five hypotheses were tested and four of them were confirmed by the data. Perceived quality had a direct and an indirect effect (through overall satisfaction) on purchase intentions, overall satisfaction had a direct effect on purchase intentions and involvement had an indirect effect on purchase intentions through overall satisfaction and perceived quality. The results of the study provide several theoretical and practical implications.
OBSERVER VARIABILITY IN ASSESSMENT OF ANTEPARTUM CARDIOTOCOGRAMS
Authors: Trimbos J. B. , Keirse M. J. N. C. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryOne hundred cardiotocograms (CTGs) were marked twice independently by five observers to assess the inter‐ and intra‐observer reliability of the interpretation of the antepartum CTG. Scores given for basal heart rate, variability expressed in terms of oscillatory amplitude and frequency, the presence of accelerations and decelerations were studied, as well as a total score combining these variables. Assessment of CTGs with this scoring system was compared to subjective assessment using two sets of criteria. Both inter‐ and intra‐observer reliability was higher with the scoring system than in the subjective assessments. The highest intra‐ and inter‐observer consistency in interpretation, was found for basal heart rate followed by decelerations. Oscillatory frequency was slightly more reliable than oscillatory amplitude. Accelerations were so unreliable that it war necessary to clearly define these in terms of both amplitude and duration. It is concluded that the interpretation of the antepartum CTG is not as easy nor as reproducible as one may wish. In this respect the scoring system, which is easy to use, offers major advantages when compared to subjective assessment.
SIGNIFICANCE OF ANTEPARTUM CARDIOTOCOGRAPHY IN NORMAL PREGNANCY
Authors: Trimbos J. B. , Keirse M. J. N. C. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryAntepartum cardiotocographs (CTGs) were obtained at weekly intervals from 34 weeks onwards and twice weekly from 40 weeks onwards in 91 strictly normal pregnancies. The Fischer score was used to assess the 594 CTGs obtained. Ominous patterns were not encountered but 7.2 per cent of CTGs showed a suspicious pattern. Absence of accelerations and an oscillatory amplitude of less than 10 beats/minute contributed to respectively 95 and 88 per cent of these patterns. The combination of reduced variability and absence of accelerations accounted for 84 per cent of suspicious CTGs. This pattern is compatible with normal pregnancy even when fetal movements are present. One‐third (37 per cent) of perfectly normal pregnancies had a suspicious CTG on at least one occasion and in 9 per cent of cases it was found twice or more. This should be borne in mind when using antepartum CTG in the surveillance of high‐risk pregnancy.
A COMPARISON OF MATERNAL SERUM LEVELS OF ALPHA‐FETOPROTEIN IN NORMAL AND PRE‐ECLAMPTIC PREGNANCIES
Authors: Khoo S. K. , Chang A. , Mackay E. V. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryAlpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay in Serum from women with normal and pre‐eclamptic pregnancies. An analysis of the results obtained in normal pregnancy was made using arithmetic and semi‐logarithmic scales, and a statistical conversion of the AFP values in relation to gestational age was introduced to allow an easier interpretation of results. In pre‐eclampsia, significantly lower mean AFP values were obtained, with the majority of individual values being lower than the mean for normal pregnancy. These low levels were not associated with fetal death, but appeared to be related to the severity of disease. The significance of these findings remains to be evaluated.
SECRETION PATTERNS OF PLASMA‐PROGESTERONE, 17‐HYDROXYPROGESTERONE, AND 20α HYDROXYPREGN‐4‐EN‐3‐ONE IN EARLY ABNORMAL PREGNANCY
Authors: Harrison R. F. , Youssefnejadian E. , Brodovcky Hilary , Johnson M. , Dewhurst John 
Published: August 2005

SummaryPlasma progesterone, 17‐hydroxyprogesterone, 20α hydroxypregn‐4‐en‐3‐one levels were determined twice weekly up to 16 weeks gestation, where possible, in a twin pregnancy, in two patients who aborted spontaneously and in three patients who were treated with‘progesterone supplements’because of abnormal vaginal cytology. There was no correlation between vaginal smears and the plasma hormone levels and there was no evidence to suggest that progesterone supplements influenced clinical outcome. Compared with normal mean values the only difference was a significant rise in progesterone and 20a hydroxypregn‐4‐en‐3‐one levels in the twin pregnancy after the 12th week and a precipitate fall in all hormone levels just prior to abortion. Plasma hormone levels could not be used to predict outcome.
NEONATAL HEAD CIRCUMFERENCE AND THE TREATMENT OF MATERNAL HYPERTENSION
Authors: Moar V. A. , Jefferies M. A , Mutch L. M. M. , Ounsted M. K. , Redman C. W. G. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryIn a random controlled trial of methyldopa for the treatment of hypertension in pregnancy presenting before 28 weeks gestation, the newborn in the treated group had relatively smaller head circumferences. This difference persisted at two months of age when correction had been made for birth weight, gestation and sex, but was no longer detectable at six or twelve months. Within the treated group no relationship was found between neonatal head circumference and the total amount or duration of methyldopa received during pregnancy. Comparison of treated and untreated groups according to the time of entry to the study showed that significant differences in neonatal head circumference were only present in patients who entered between 16 and 20 weeks gestation. It is possible that this could be a sensitive period for the interaction of fetal head growth and the onset of specific treatment in hypertensive pregnancy.
A COMPARISON OF FOUR METHODS OF RIPENING THE UNFAVOURABLE CERVIX
Authors: Wilson P. D. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA comparison was made between four methods of ripening the unfavourable cervix (extra‐amniotic prostaglandin E2 gel, oral prostaglandin E2, intravaginal prostaglandin E2 and intravenous oxytocin) in a clinical trial involving 60 primigravidae. In all groups there was an improvement in cervical status. This was significantly greater in those patients who received extra‐amniotic prostaglandin gel and they also showed significant decreases in the mean induction‐delivery interval and in the incidence of Caesarean section.
PLASMA LEVELS OF OESTRONE, OESTRADIOL AND GONADOTROPHINS IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN AFTER ORAL AND VAGINAL ADMINISTRATION OF CONJUGATED EQUINE OESTROGENS (PREMARIN)
Authors: Englund Doris E. , Johansson E. D. B. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryPeripheral plasma from five postmenopausal women was analyzed for oestrone and oestradiol during 48 hours after administration of 1‐25 mg Premarin (conjugated equine oestrogen) orally and vaginally. Oestrone and oestradiol were separated on columns of Sephadex LH 20 before radioimmunoassay. Administration of 1.25 mg of Premarin produced a marked increase in plasma oestrone levels and 24 hours after treatment the oestrone levels were still above follicular phase levels. The plasma pattern of oestradiol was similar but the elevation was less pronounced. The biological activity of Premarin as indicated by depressed gonadotrophin levels was similar with the intravaginal and oral routes of administration.
FAILURE TO SUPPRESS ADRENAL FUNCTION IN CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA (2 1 ‐HYDROXYLA SE DEFICIENCY) THREE CASE REPORTS
Authors: Beazley J. M. , Sells R. A. , Hipkin L. J . , Diver M. J. , Wade A. P. , Davis J. C. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThree patients, aged 14, 16, and 32 years respectively, with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (21 ‐hydroxylase deficiency) are described. Excessive adrenal activityand ACTH secretion could not be suppressed with doses of corticosteroids sufficient to cause iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome, even though part of the steroid dosage was administered in the late evening. The resistance to feed‐back suppression was of the same order as that seen in Cushing's syndrome. Adrenalectomy was performed in the 16‐year‐old girl, and was followed by a menarche. Adrenalectomy was considered inadvisable in the other two patients.
AN IMPROVED METHOD OF FETAL WEIGHT ESTIMATION USING ULTRASOUND MEASUREMENTS OF FETAL ABDOMINAL CIRCUMFERENCE
Authors: Poll V. , Kasby C. B. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA simple and accurate method is described for estimating fetal weight from a single fetal abdomen circumference measurement at the level of the umbilical vein. The abdominal circumference was converted into a weight centile for the maturity at the time of measurement so that the weight at delivery could be predicted. This method was tested on a population of fetuses presenting by the breech near term. Although the error between actual and predicted weights was 194 g (1 SD) for all the patients, for a large well‐defined subgroup the error was much smaller, being only 104 g (1 SD).
MEASUREMENT OF FETAL TRANSCUTANEOUS OXYGEN TENSION‐PROBLEMS AND POTENTTAL
Authors: O'Connor M. C. , Hytten F. E. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryIn a series of 39 fetuses, continuous intrapartum transcutaneous PO2 recordings were made using a commercially available skin electrode, applied to the shaven fetal scalp. The weak correlation between transcutaneous measurements and umbilical blood PO2 at delivery is believed to be due to scalp ischaemia produced by ‘head to cervix’ pressure during labour. This ‘tonsure’ effect presents a major obstacle to the use of surface electrodes for intrapartum blood gas monitoring from the fetal scalp in clinical obstetrics. Modification of the current technique may allow it to be used reliably for research.
MODE OF DELIVERY AND THE LECITHIN/SPHINGOMYELIN RATIO
Authors: Callen P. , Goldsworthy Sehila , Graves Linda , Harvey D. , Mellows Heather , Parkison Christine 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBabies born by elective Caesarean section are more likely to develop the respiratory distress syndrome than babies born vaginally. We studied the amniotic fluid and pharyngeal lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratios in three groups of babies born at term: 20 were delivered vaginally after elective induction of labour; 20 were delivered by elective Caesarean section; and 14 by Caesarean section after spontaneous onset of labour. Babies born after induction of labour had higher pharyngeal L/S ratios than babies born by elective Caesarean section. Those born by Caesarean section after spontaneous onset of labour had significantly higher pharyngeal L/S ratios than those in both of the elective delivery groups. There were no significant differences in the amniotic fluid L/S ratios of the two groups who underwent elective delivery. Regression analysis showed a significant relationship between length of labour and increase in the L/S ratio. These results indicate that, during labour, there is a release of fetal lung surfactant into the airways.
EPIDURAL ANALGESIA AND PLACENTAL BLOOD FLOW DURING LABOUR IN PREGNANCIES COMPLICATED BY HYPERTENSION
Authors: Jouppila R. , Jouppila P. , Hollmén A. , Koivula A. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryPlacental blood flow was measured during the first stage of labour in pregnancies complicated by essential hypertension or severe pre‐eclampsia using a 133Xe clearance technique before and after segmental epidural analgesia. Analgesia was produced with 0.5 per cent plain bupivacaine in six patients with essential hypertension and in 11 patients with severe pre‐eclampsia. After segmental epidural analgesia the placental blood flow was slightly but insignificantly improved in most of the patients with pre‐eclampsia and in half of the patients with essential hyper‐tension, thus suggesting this analgesic method to be safe in hypertensive pregnancies in the absence of any substantial change in systemic blood pressure.
CIRCULATING LEVELS OF PREGNANCY SPECIFIC β1 GLYCOPROTEIN IN LATE PREGNANCY: NYCTOHEMERAL AND DAY‐TO‐DAY VARIATION, AND VARIATION DURING LABOUR
Authors: Grudzinskas J. G. , Obiekwe B. C. , Frumar A. M. , Hartmann K. G. , Schlesinger P. , Chard T. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryCirculating levels of pregnancy‐specific β1 glycoprotein have been determined in a number of physiological situations in late pregnancy. The apparent variation in five subjects studied over a 24‐hour period was not in excess of that due to the assay. Excess variation was apparent in 2 of 11 subjects studied daily for up to 8 days, and in 6 of 16 patients studied serially during labour.
RELATION BETWEEN THE KARYOPYKNOTIC INDEX AND PLASMA OESTROGEN CONCENTRATIONS AFTER THE MENOPAUSE
Authors: Morse Anne R. , Hutton J. D. , Jacobs H. S. , Murray M. A. F. , James V. H. T. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe karyopyknotic index correlated significantly (p <0.001) with the plasma oestradiol but not plasma oestrone concentration in 38 postmenopausal women. This ties in with previous findings that postmenopausal women with superficial dyspareunia have a more severe degree of vaginal atrophy than asymptomatic women, and that oestradiol is probably more important biologically than oestrone.
Neuroprotection by stem cell factor in rat cortical neurons involves AKT and NFκB
Authors: Dhandapani Krishnan M. , Wade F. Marlene , Wakade Chandramohan , Mahesh Virendra B. , Brann Darrell W. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractStem cell factor (SCF) is a highly expressed cytokine in the central nervous system. In the present study, we demonstrate a neuroprotective role for SCF and its tyrosine kinase receptor, c‐kit, against camptothecin‐induced apoptosis and glutamate excitotoxicity in rat cortical neurons. This protection was blocked by pharmacological or molecular inhibition of either the MEK/ERK or PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. The importance of these pathways was further confirmed by the activation of both ERK, in a MEK‐dependent manner, and Akt, via PI3K. Activation of Akt increased the binding of the p50 and p65 subunits of NFκB, which was also important for neuroprotection. Akt inhibition prevented NFκB binding, suggesting a role for Akt in SCF‐induced NFκB. Pharmacological inhibition of NFκB or dominant negative IκB also prevented neuroprotection by SCF. SCF up‐regulated the anti‐apoptotic genes, bcl‐2 and bcl‐xL in an NFκB‐dependent manner. Together, these findings demonstrate a neuroprotective role for SCF in cortical neurons, an effect that was mediated by Akt and ERK, as well as NFκB‐mediated gene transcription. SCF represents a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of neurodegenerative disease.
Anti‐heat shock protein 90β antibodies decrease pre‐oligodendrocyte population in perinatal and adult cell cultures. Implications for remyelination in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Cid Cristina , Álvarez‐Cermeño Jose C. , Salinas Matilde , Alcázar Alberto 
Published: August 2005

AbstractLesions in the CNS of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) often fail to remyelinate, resulting in neurological dysfunction. A key factor seems to be the inefficiency of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). We recently reported antibodies against heat shock protein 90β (Hsp90β) in MS patients that recognized the antigen on the OPC surface. This study investigates the mechanism and result of anti‐Hsp90β antibody attack. These antibodies induced OPC death in culture in a complement‐dependent fashion. Anti‐Hsp90β antibody‐induced, complement‐mediated OPC death only operated in these cells and caused a significant reduction in the number of O4‐positive pro‐oligodendrocytes (pre‐oligodendrocytes). Adult cultured OPCs also expressed Hsp90β on their cell surface and were attacked by anti‐Hsp90β antibodies leading to a significant decrease in the pre‐oligodendrocyte population. In the presence of low levels of anti‐Hsp90β antibody – i.e. in the range seen in the CSF of MS patients – the complement concentration was critical to reduce the pre‐oligodendrocyte population (via attack to OPCs). Higher concentrations of anti‐Hsp90β antibodies and complement became extinct the pre‐oligodendrocytes. Complement 1‐esterase inhibitor prevented these effects in the pre‐oligodendrocyte population. These findings demonstrate, for the first time in vitro, a feasible mechanism to decrease the production of new oligodendrocytes, thus limiting the possibility of remyelination.
Early impairment in dopaminergic neurotransmission in brains of SIV‐infected rhesus monkeys due to microglia activation
Authors: Scheller Carsten , Sopper Sieghart , Jenuwein Meta , Neuen‐Jacob Eva , Tatschner Thomas , Grünblatt Edna , Ter Meulen Volker , Riederer Peter , Koutsilieri Eleni 
Published: August 2005

AbstractMovement disorders are a common neurological complication of immunodeficiency virus infection and are thought to result from dopaminergic dysfunction in the basal ganglia. We measured levels of dopamine, and its metabolites homovanillic acid and 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, in the putamen of healthy and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)‐infected rhesus monkeys from infection until the development of AIDS. Changes in expression levels of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), a transcription factor involved in the signalling pathway of dopamine, were also examined. Furthermore, we isolated microglia from the same animals and investigated their activation status in order to explore whether neurochemical findings are associated with immune activation. Plasma and CSF viral RNA load, T‐cell analysis and basal ganglia histopathology provided information about disease progression in the animals. Putamen dopamine content was significantly reduced within 3 months of SIV infection, due to decreased dopamine synthesis initially, followed by loss of tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive cells in substantia nigra, and accompanied by a decrease in total CREB expression. Pharmacological manipulation of dopaminergic tone with l‐DOPA and selegiline showed that the reduction in CREB expression was due to reduced levels of dopamine. These neurochemical changes were significantly correlated with microglia activation in the absence of gross histopathological lesions. Our data demonstrate that putamen dopaminergic function is impaired during SIV infection and indicate that microglia may trigger endogenous mechanisms involved in the dysfunction of dopaminergic systems.
The structure and proteolytic processing of Cbln1 complexes
Authors: Bao Dashi , Pang Zhen , Morgan James I. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThe hexadecapeptide cerebellin is present in the brains of many vertebrate species and is derived from a larger protein, Cbln1 (cerebellin 1 precursor protein). Although cerebellin has features of a neuropeptide, Cbln1 belongs to the C1q/tumor necrosis factor superfamily of secreted proteins, suggesting that it is the biologically active molecule and the proteolytic events that generate cerebellin serve another function. Therefore, we assessed whether Cbln1 undergoes proteolytic processing and determined what consequences the cleavage events necessary to produce cerebellin have on the structure of Cbln1. Substantial degradation of Cbln1 was evident in the synaptic compartment of cerebellum and lysates of cultured cerebellar neurons and cells transfected with Cbln1 expression vectors. However, only uncleaved Cbln1 containing the cerebellin motif was released and assembled into hexameric complexes. Using yeast two hybrid and mammalian expression systems we show that the cleavages required to produce cerebellin influence the subunit stoichiometry of Cbln1 complexes. Cleavage at the N‐terminus of the cerebellin sequence in Cbln1 yields trimeric complexes by separating the trimer‐mediating C‐terminal C1q domain from conserved N‐terminal cysteine residues that mediate higher order oligomerization. Cleavage at the C‐terminus of the cerebellin motif disrupts the C1q domain and abolishes subunit interactions. Functional implications of these data are discussed.
In vivo co‐ordinated interactions between inhibitory systems to control glutamate‐mediated hippocampal excitability
Authors: Rodríguez M. J. , Robledo P. , Andrade C. , Mahy N. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractWe present an overview of the long‐term adaptation of hippocampal neurotransmission to cholinergic and GABAergic deafferentation caused by excitotoxic lesion of the medial septum. Two months after septal microinjection of 2.7 nmol α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionate (AMPA), a 220% increase of GABAA receptor labelling in the hippocampal CA3 and the hilus was shown, and also changes in hippocampal neurotransmission characterised by in vivo microdialysis and HPLC. Basal amino acid and purine extracellular levels were studied in control and lesioned rats. In vivo effects of 100 mm KCl perfusion and adenosine A1 receptor blockade with 1,3‐dipropyl‐8‐cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX) on their release were also investigated. In lesioned animals GABA, glutamate and glutamine basal levels were decreased and taurine, adenosine and uric acid levels increased. A similar response to KCl infusion occurred in both groups except for GABA and glutamate, which release decreased in lesioned rats. Only in lesioned rats, DPCPX increased GABA basal level and KCl‐induced glutamate release, and decreased glutamate turnover. Our results evidence that an excitotoxic septal lesion leads to increased hippocampal GABAA receptors and decreased glutamate neurotransmission. In this situation, a co‐ordinated response of hippocampal retaliatory systems takes place to control neuron excitability.