bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of feticide carried out by cordocentesis versus cardiac puncture
Authors: Bhide A. , Sairam S. , Hollis B. , Thilaganathan B. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjectiveFeticide may be achieved by the injection of strong potassium chloride (KCl) into the fetal circulation via the cardiac route, or less frequently, into the umbilical cord. Despite the relative frequency of this procedure, little published information is available on the subject.Subjects and methodsThis was a retrospective analysis of all feticide procedures carried out prior to legal pregnancy termination in mid trimester of pregnancy from January 1996 to July 2001, in a tertiary fetal medicine referral center. The effect of gestational age and the route of access to fetal the circulation on the dose of strong KCl required to achieve cardiac asystole was evaluated.ResultsA total of 106 women underwent the procedure of feticide during the study period. Gestational age had no effect on the dose of strong KCl. The median dose of KCl administered by cordocentesis (5 mL) was significantly less (P < 0.001) than the dose required when fetal cardiocentesis was performed for administration of the drug (10 mL).ConclusionThis is the first comparative study of feticide by the administration of strong KCl by fetal cardiocentesis and cordocentesis. The study demonstrates that both cardiac and umbilical routes can be used to achieve feticide effectively, without compromising maternal safety. A finding of this study is that significantly smaller doses of KCl were required to achieve fetal cardiac asystole when using the umbilical compared to the cardiac route, although this may be explained by differences in technique. Strong 15% KCl can safely be used to achieve feticide in volumes up to 20 mL for cardiocentesis and 8 mL for cordocentesis. Copyright © 2002 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
The influence of maternal hematocrit on placental development from the first to the second trimesters of pregnancy
Authors: Michailidis G. D. , Morris R. W. , Mamopoulos A. , Papageorgiou P. , Economides D. L. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjectivesTo study the influence of maternal hematocrit (Ht) and hemoglobin (Hb) levels on placental size and growth in the first and mid‐second trimesters of pregnancy.Subjects/methodsThis was a prospective study performed at the fetal medicine unit of a university hospital. One hundred and eighty‐one women with a singleton pregnancy were recruited at 11–14 weeks' gestation. For each case three scans of the placenta were performed, the first at recruitment and the following two at 3‐week intervals. The volume of the placenta was measured at each visit using a three‐dimensional ultrasound scanner. The maternal Hb and Ht were measured within 2 weeks of the first scan.ResultsThe placental growth during the second trimester was inversely related to the Ht levels (r = −0.29, P= 0.001). It was also related to the Hb level (r = −0.20, P = 0.021). An increase of 0.1 units of Ht was associated with 38% less growth of the placenta (95% confidence interval: 18–54% less growth).DiscussionThis study demonstrates the effects of maternal environment on placental growth. Our data suggest that the levels of Ht appear to affect the placental growth during the second trimester. Further studies on the factors that regulate placental growth are needed to elucidate the pathophysiology of these interactions and their effect on pregnancy outcome. Copyright © 2002 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
A case of partial mole and atypical type I triploidy associated with severe HELLP syndrome at 18 weeks' gestation
Authors: Stefos T. , Plachouras N. , Mari G. , Cosmi E. , Lolis D. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPartial mole is a rare complication of pregnancy and 90% of cases are associated with triploidy. HELLP syndrome is also a rare and life‐threatening condition that occurs after 20 weeks' gestation. We report a case presenting with a combination of severe HELLP syndrome, partial mole, triploidy type I and fetal growth restriction at 18 weeks' gestation. Partial mole and any type of triploidy must be considered in cases of hydrocephalus and severe growth restriction in the second trimester of pregnancy.Our case highlights the fact that growth restriction can be associated with type I triploidy and that severe HELLP syndrome can develop in such cases even before 20 weeks' gestation. Copyright © 2002 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Three‐dimensional power Doppler in the diagnosis of ovarian torsion
Authors: Yaman C. , Ebner T. , Jesacher K. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractRecent advances in ultrasound technology have enabled the diagnosis of overall tissue vascularization by three‐dimensional (3D) power Doppler. This case report describes 3D power Doppler characteristics of unilateral ovarian torsion 2 weeks after embryo transfer in a pregnant patient with bilateral hyperstimulated ovaries. Before laparoscopic treatment the twisted right ovary showed the following 3D power Doppler indices: mean grayness index, 15.66; vacularization index, 0.24; flow index, 21.99; vascularization flow index, 0.05. One hour after laparoscopic treatment 3D power Doppler indices of the untwisted ovary were as follows: mean grayness index, 25.61; vacularization index, 3.81; flow index, 42.800; vascularization flow index, 1.63. The resistance index of the ovarian vessels before and after laparoscopy showed no significant difference (5.1 vs. 5.2).The diagnosis of ovarian torsion can be better made with 3D power Doppler sonography than with two‐dimensional Doppler sonography. Copyright © 2002 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of ultrasound measurements of endometrial thickness in postmenopausal women
Authors: Epstein E. , Valentin L. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjectivesTo determine intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of ultrasound measurements of endometrial thickness in postmenopausal women.DesignForty‐eight postmenopausal women underwent transvaginal ultrasound examination by two examiners. Each observer took three replicate measurements of the endometrium in each woman. Intraobserver repeatability was expressed as the difference between the highest and lowest measurement values obtained by one observer, the repeatability coefficient, and the intraclass correlation coefficient. Interobserver reproducibility was expressed as the difference between the mean of the three measurements of each observer, limits of agreement, and interclass correlation coefficient. The repeatability coefficient and the limits of agreement define the range within which 95% of the differences between two measurements are likely to fall. Data were analyzed for all women, as well as separately for women with endometrium ≤ 6 mm and > 6 mm. The agreement between observers in classifying women as having endometrium ≤ 4.4 mm or ≥ 4.5 mm was determined by calculating Cohen's kappa.ResultsIn women with endometrium ≤ 6 mm the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.95 for Observer 1 and 0.88 for Observer 2, the median difference between the highest and lowest values being 0.4 mm (range, 0–1.4) for Observer 1 and 0.7 mm (range, 0.1–2.2) for Observer 2, and the repeatability coefficient was 0.8 mm and 1.4 mm, respectively. The corresponding figures for women with endometrium > 6 mm were 0.99 and 0.99, 0.7 mm (0–2.9) and 1.0 mm (0.2–3.4), and 1.7 mm and 1.9 mm. In women with endometrium ≤ 6 mm the interclass correlation coefficient was 0.77, and the mean interobserver difference was 0.2 mm ± 1.8 mm (2 standard deviations), when calculations were based on the mean of three measurements per observer (± 1.9 mm when calculations were based on only one measurement per observer). The corresponding figures for women with endometrium > 6 mm were 0.98, 0.2 mm ± 3.1 mm (± 3.2 mm). The agreement between observers in classifying women as having an endometrium ≤ 4.4 mm or ≥ 4.5 mm was very good (kappa 0.81).ConclusionsThe reproducibility of endometrial measurements seems to be clinically acceptable and to allow reliable discrimination between postmenopausal women with endometrium ≤ 4.4 mm and ≥ 4.5 mm. In clinical practice, it is enough to take one endometrial measurement when performing transvaginal ultrasound examination. Copyright © 2002 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Innervation of the cavernous body of the human efferent tear ducts and function in tear outflow mechanism
Authors: PAULSEN FRIEDRICH , HALLMANN UTA , PAULSEN JENS , THALE ANDREAS 
Published: March 2003

The lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct are surrounded by a wide cavernous system of veins and arteries comparable to a cavernous body. The present study aimed to demonstrate the ultrastructure of the nervous tissue and the localisation of neuropeptides involved in the innervation of the cavernous body, a topic not previously investigated. Different S‐100 protein antisera, neuronal markers (neuron‐specific enolase, anti‐200 kDa neurofilament), neuropeptides (substance P, neuropeptide Y, calcitonin gene‐related peptide, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide) and the neuronal enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase were used to demonstrate the distribution pattern of the nervous tissue. The ultrastructure of the innervating nerve fibres was also examined by means of standard transmission electron microscopy.The cavernous body contained specialised arteries and veins known as barrier arteries, capacitance veins, and throttle veins. Perivascularly, the tissue was rich in myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibres in a plexus‐like network. Small seromucous glands found in the region of the fundus of the lacrimal sac were contacted by nerve fibres forming a plexus around their alveoli. Many nerve fibres were positive for S‐100 protein (S 100), neuron‐specific enolase (NSE), anti‐200 kDa neurofilament (RT 97), calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) immunoreactivity was only demonstrated adjacent to the seromucous glands.Both the density of nerve fibres as well as the presence of various neuropeptides emphasises the neural control of the cavernous body of the human efferent tear ducts. By means of this innervation, the specialised blood vessels permit regulation of blood flow by opening and closing the lumen of the lacrimal passage as effected by the engorgement and subsidence of the cavernous body, at the same time regulating tear outflow. Related functions such as a role in the occurrence of epiphora related to emotional responses are relevant. Moreover, malfunction in the innervation of the cavernous body may lead to disturbances in the tear outflow cycle, ocular congestion or total occlusion of the lacrimal passages.
Neural crest patterning and the evolution of the jaw
Authors: KIMMEL CHARLES B. , MILLER CRAIG T. , KEYNES ROGER J. 
Published: March 2003

abstractHere we present ideas connecting the behaviour of the cranial neural crest during development with the venerable, perhaps incorrect, view that gill‐supporting cartilages of an ancient agnathan evolved into the skeleton of an early gnathostome's jaw. We discuss the pattern of migration of the cranial neural crest ectomesenchyme in zebrafish, along with the subsequent arrangement of postmigratory crest and head mesoderm in the nascent pharyngeal segments (branchiomeres), in diverse gnathostomes and in lampreys. These characteristics provide for a plausible von Baerian explanation for the problematic inside‐outside change in topology of the gills and their supports between these 2 major groups of vertebrates. We consider it likely that the jaw supports did indeed arise from branchiomeric cartilages.
Derivation of the mammalian skull vault
Authors: MORRISS‐KAY GILLIAN M. 
Published: March 2003

abstractThis review describes the evolutionary history of the mammalian skull vault as a basis for understanding its complex structure. Current information on the developmental tissue origins of the skull vault bones (mesoderm and neural crest) is assessed for mammals and other tetrapods. This information is discussed in the context of evolutionary changes in the proportions of the skull vault bones at the sarcopterygiantetrapod transition. The dual tissue origin of the skull vault is considered in relation to the molecular mechanisms underlying osteogenic cell proliferation and differentiation in the sutural growth centres and in the proportionate contributions of different sutures to skull growth.
Expression of VEGF121 and VEGF165 in hypertrophic chondrocytes of the human growth plate and epiphyseal cartilage
Authors: Petersen Wolf , Tsokos Michael , Pufe Thomas 
Published: March 2003

AbstractVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role during endochondral bone formation in hypertrophic cartilage remodelling. We examined VEGF and VEGF receptor expression in tibiae from fetuses, newborns and children immunohistochemically. Expression of mRNA for the different VEGF splice forms and for VEGF receptors KDR and FLT‐1 was analysed by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). VEGF could be immunolocalized intracellularly in the hypertrophic chondrocytes of the growth plate and in the chondrocytes around cartilage canals of the epiphysis, respectively. The resting zone and the proliferative zone of the growth plate were VEGF‐negative. In cartilage samples of all growth plates analysed, VEGF121 and VEGF165 were identified as the only VEGF splice forms expressed. RT‐PCR for VEGF mRNA of normal hyaline cartilage was negative. At vessels growing into the hypertrophic cartilage FLT‐1 (VEGFR‐1) and KDR (VGEFR‐2) could be visualized. Reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) substantiated the results regarding FLT‐1 and KDR expression. The results of our study suggest that the splice forms VEGF121 and VEGF165 and the receptors KDR and FLT‐1 of the known angiogenetic peptide VEGF play a role in process of endochondral ossification.
Uptake of 109Cd by roots and hyphae of a Glomus mosseae/ Trifolium subterraneum mycorrhiza from soil amended with high and low concentrations of cadmium
Authors: JONER E. J. , LEYVAL C. 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYSubterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) in symbiosis with Glomus mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerdemann & Trappe was grown in compartmented pots. Side compartments were filled with soil where recently added (1 wk) radio‐labelled cadmium (Cd) at three levels of non‐labelled Cd could be accessed by either roots or arbuscular mycorrhizal hyphae. All treatments were replicated with non‐mycorrhizal plants. After a growth period of 52 d roots and shoots were analysed for 109Cd, and lengths of roots and hyphae in respective labelled compartments determined. Cadmium uptake by roots was not significantly influenced by the mycorrhizal status of the plant. Uptake of Cd from hyphal compartments was higher in mycorrhizal than in non‐mycorrhizal plants, corresponding to 96, 127 and 131% of that in non‐mycorrhizal plants when 1, 10 and 100 mg Cd kg−1 was added, respectively. A large proportion of the increased Cd content of mycorrhizal plants was sequestered in the roots. It is concluded that extraradical hyphae of AM fungi can transport Cd from soil to plants, but that transfer from fungus to plant is restricted due to fungal immobilization. No reduction of hyphal growth into soil with up to 20 mg extractable Cd kg−1 was observed.
Interactions between plant‐growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Rhizobium spp. in the rhizosphere of Anthyllis cytisoides, a model legume for revegetation in mediterranean semi‐arid ecosystems
Authors: REQUENA N. , JIMENEZ I. , TORO M. , BAREA J. M. 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYArbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, Rhizobium bacteria and plant‐growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) were isolated from a representative area of a desertified semi‐arid ecosystem in the south‐east of Spain. Microbial isolates were characterized and screened for effectiveness by a single‐inoculation trial in soil microcosms. Anthyllis cytisoides L., a mycotrophic pioneer legume, dominant in the target mediterranean ecosystem, was the test plant. Several microbial cultures from existing collections were also included in the screening process. Two AM fungi (Glomus coronatum, native, and Glomus intraradices. exotic), two Rhizobium bacteria (NR4 and NR9, both native) and two PGPR (A2, native, and E, exotic) were selected. A further screening for the appropriate double and triple combinations of microbial inoculants was then performed. The parameters evaluated were biomass accumulation and allocation, N and P uptake, N2‐fixation (15N) and specific root length. Overall, G. coronatum, native in the field site was more effective than the exotic G. intraradices in co‐inoculation treatments. In general, our results support the importance of physiological and genetic adaptation of microbes to the whole environment, thus local isolates must be involved. Many microbial combinations were effective in improving either plant development, nutrient uptake, N2‐fixation or root system quality. Selective and specific functional compatibility relationships in plant response between the microbial inoculants, were observed. Despite the difficulty of selecting a multifunctional microbial inoculum, appropriate microbial combinations can be recommended for a given biotechnological input related to improvement of plant performance. This could be exploited in nursery production of target plant species endowed with optimized rhizosphere/mycorrhizosphere systems that can be tailored to help plants to establish and survive in nutrient‐deficient, degraded habitats. The relevance of this microbial‐based approach in the context of a reclamation strategy addressed to environmental sustainability purposes is discussed.
Genetic approaches in plant physiology
Authors: KOORNNEEF M. , ALONSO‐BLANCO C. , PEETERS A. J. M. 
Published: March 2003

summaryThe use of genetics in plant biology aims at the physiological and molecular genetical characterization of the phenotypic variation for the trait under study. Efficient mutant and gene isolation procedures have been developed for a number of plant models such as Arabidopsis thaliana. For this, the map position of the genes and insertion mutagenesis are used. The latter also allows the characterization of genes that are not easily recognized in mutant approaches, by using enhancer or gene‐trapping procedures and reverse genetics. In addition to mutants, natural variation present among wild and cultivated varieties of a species provides an important source of genetic variation. The use of molecular markers, advanced mapping populations and specific cytogenetic stocks in case of polyploids, enables a detailed characterization of such natural variation even when it is of a quantitative and polygenic nature. Examples of the various genetic approaches are given.
Repeated sequence markers in pea (Pisum sativum)
Authors: TURNER L. , ELLIS T. H. N. 
Published: March 2003

summaryMultiple‐marker techniques based on PCR are highly informative in genetic analysis. The bulk of many genomes is comprised of repeated sequences, and thus anonymous markers derived from genomic DNA are likely to correspond to repeated DNA sequences. Here we show that repeated‐sequence‐derived markers can provide information similar in quality to that of other PCR‐based markers. Presumably this reflects the abundance of this repeat type in anonymous PCR markers such as RAPDs or AFLPs.
Seed/cotyledon size and nutrient content play a major role in early performance of species on nutrient‐poor soils
Authors: MILBERG PER , LAMONT BYRON B. 
Published: March 2003

summaryWe examined the importance of seed size in the early establishment of seedlings of four cotyledonous species restricted to nutrient‐impoverished soils in south‐western Australia. Experimentally removing cotyledons from seedlings increased mortality and reduced root‐penetration, growth rate and final weight of plants after 12 wk, in proportion to seed size. The impact of removal of the cotyledons was least in the smallest‐seeded, Eucalyptus loxophleba Benth., grown in the more fertile of two soils, and greatest in the largest‐seeded, Hakea psilorrhyncha R. M. Barker, whose growth was otherwise unaffected by soil type. In the smallest‐seeded species, cotyledon content of most mineral nutrients increased over time, especially in the more fertile soil, while chlorophyll content showed some decrease by the end of the experiment. In the other species, most nutrients (especially N, P, K and Cu in the less fertile soil) were translocated from the cotyledons to the growing plant, and chlorophyll content declined markedly. The translocated N, P, K, Mg and Cu in these species made up a substantial part of the total plant content by 12 wk after germination, while total Ca and Fe tended to increase in the cotyledons via substantial soil uptake. The results indicate, contrary to reports for some other species, that the cotyledons have an important nutritional function in the early establishment of seedlings in these species. The results also show that, in the larger‐seeded species, young seedlings rely to a greater extent on nutrient support from the cotyledons than from the soil. We propose that large seeds might be an adaptation for enhancing establishment in nutrient‐poor soils.
Biomass, reproductive output, and physiological responses of rapid‐cycling Brassica (Brassica rapa) to ozone and modified root temperature
Authors: KLEIER CATHERINE , FARNSWORTH BLAKE , WINNER WILLIAM 
Published: March 2003

Brassica rapa L. (rapid‐cycling Brassica), was grown in environmentally controlled chambers to determine the interactive effects of ozone (O3) and increased root temperature (RT) on biomass, reproductive output, and photosynthesis. Plants were grown with or without an average treatment of 63 ppb O3. RT treatments were 13°C (LRT) and 18°C (HRT). Air temperatures were 25°C/15°C day/night for all RT treatments.Ozone affected plant biomass more than did root temperature. Plants in O3 had significantly smaller total plant d. wt, shoot weight, leaf weight, leaf area and leaf number than plants grown without O3. LRT plants tended to have slightly smaller total plant d. wt, shoot weight, root weight, leaf weight, leaf area, and leaf number than HRT plants. For all variables, LRT plants grown in O3 had the smallest biomass, and plants grown in HRT without O3 had the largest biomass.Ozone reduced both fruit weight and fruit number; LRT also reduced fruit weight but had no effect on fruit number. Ozone reduced photosynthesis but RT had no effect. Conductance and internal CO2 were unaffected by O3 or RT.These studies indicate that plant growth with LRT might be more reduced in the presence of O3 than growth in plants with HRT, which might be able to compensate for O3‐caused reductions in photosynthesis to avoid decreased biomass and reproductive output.