bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hot flashes revisited: Pharmacological and herbal options for hot flashes management. What does the evidence tell us?
Authors: Haimov‐Kochman Ronit , Hochner‐Celnikier Drorith 
Published: September 2005

Background.  Hot flashes are the most frequent symptoms of menopause and the most common reason for climacteric women seeking medical advice. Estrogen therapy is by far the most effective therapy. However, fears of side‐effect of estrogen therapy urged many patients to seek alternative modalities for symptomatic relief.Methods.  The MEDLINE database for the years 1975–2004 was searched for clinical placebo‐controlled trials for the treatment of hot flashes with alternative therapy. Articles reporting the use of progesterone, alpha adrenergic agonists, anti‐depressants, anti‐convulsants, soy products, black cohosh (BC), red clover, dong quai, ginseng root, evening primrose oil, vitamin E, and wild yam were included.Results and conclusions.  A critical review of the literature shows that progesterone may have an independent effect on relieving hot flashes. New nonhormonal agents such as selective serotonin‐uptake‐inhibitor anti‐depressants and a new anti‐convulsant gabapentin yielded promising results on small well‐conducted studies. Isoflavone's effect on hot flashes is variable and inconsistent, and only modest and delayed improvement of symptoms could be expected by BC and vitamin E. There are insufficient data on the other herbal alternative therapies at this time. Well‐designed large studies are needed to further explore new modalities of treatment.
The effects of short‐term raloxifene therapy on fibrinolysis markers: TAFI, tPA, and PAI‐1
Authors: Ozeren Mehmet , Karahan S. Caner , Ozgur Mustafa , Eminagaoglu Selcuk , Unsal Mesut , Baytan Sukrucan , Bozkaya Hasan 
Published: September 2005

Background.  Markers of fibrinolysis, thrombin‐activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), tissue‐type plasminogen activator (tPA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) levels were studied for the evaluation of short‐term effects of raloxifene administration in postmenopausal women.Methods.  Thirty‐nine postmenopausal women with osteopenia or osteoporosis were included in this prospective, controlled clinical study. Twenty‐five women were given raloxifene hydrochloride (60 mg/day) plus calcium (500 mg/day). Age‐matched controls (n = 14) were given only calcium. Plasma TAFI, tPA, and PAI‐1 antigen levels were measured at baseline and after 3 months of treatment by commercially available ELISA kits. Variations of individuals were assessed by Wilcoxon's test. Relationship between those markers and demographic characteristics were investigated.Results.  Three months of raloxifene treatment was associated with a significant decrease in the plasma TAFI antigen concentrations (16% change, P < 0.01), and a significant increase in tPA antigen concentrations (25% change, P < 0·05). A significant correlation was found between baseline TAFI antigen concentrations and the duration of amenorrhea (P < 0·05; r = 0·33).Conclusion.  We suggest that the increased risk of venous thromboembolism due to raloxifene treatment may be related to increased tPA levels, but not TAFI levels.
The performance of a new scoring system for colposcopy in detecting high‐grade dysplasia in the uterine cervix
Authors: Strander Björn , Ellström‐Andersson Agneta , Franzén Stefan , Milsom Ian , Rådberg Thomas 
Published: September 2005

Objective.  To construct a simple scoring system for colposcopic examination that can facilitate education of colposcopists and increase the accuracy of evaluation.Design.  Prospective clinical study.Setting and population.  Two hundred ninety‐seven examinations of women referred for colposcopy in western Sweden.Methods.  Five variables were scored: acetowhiteness, margins and surface, vessels, lesion size, and iodine staining. Each variable could be assigned one of three ordered values. Multiple logistic regression was used in order to assess the ability of each single score to predict high‐grade lesions (HGL) in histology (cone or biopsy).Main outcome measures.  Histopathology.Results.  All five variables independently predicted for HGL. The analysis resulted in an ‘ideal’ weighted scoring system, which showed good sensitivity and specificity. Rounding off of each weight gave a more useful and simpler scoring system with values of 0, 1, or 2 without any significant change in performance. The possible total score was then 0–10. A score of ≥5 points identified all HGL and ≥8 points had a specificity of 90%.Conclusions.  The scoring system safely identified a group of patients with low‐grade lesions or normal findings, thus allowing 17% to be followed only by colposcopy or cytology. Furthermore, it could select women for see‐and‐treat with only 10% of cases having less than HGL. With this strategy, only approximately 50% of the cases would have needed biopsy in the evaluation.
Disentangling above‐ and below‐ground competition between lianas and trees in a tropical forest
Authors: SCHNITZER STEFAN A. , KUZEE MIRJAM E. , BONGERS FRANS 
Published: September 2005

Summary

Light is thought to be the most limiting resource in tropical forests, and thus above‐ground competition is commonly accepted as the mechanism that structures these communities. In many tropical forests, trees compete not only with other trees, but also with lianas, which compete aggressively for below‐ground resources and thus may limit tree growth and regeneration.
Using a replicated experiment, we tested the relative strengths of above‐ and below‐ground competition from lianas on tree saplings in a disturbed forest in Côte d’Ivoire with a heterogeneous canopy and relatively high light penetration. We planted seedlings of three tree species and subjected them to below‐ground competition with lianas (BGC), above‐ and below‐ground competition with lianas (ABGC), or a liana‐free control treatment. After 2 years, we harvested the saplings and compared the amount of above‐ground biomass and its relative allocation among the three experimental treatments and different tree species.
Lianas competed intensely with saplings in this tropical forest, substantially limiting sapling growth. Saplings grown in the ABGC and BGC treatments had only 18.5% and 16.8% of the above‐ground dry biomass of those grown in the liana‐free control treatment.
Sapling biomass did not differ significantly among the ABGC and BGC treatments, suggesting that below‐ground competition was the driving force behind liana vs. tree competition in this forest. Above‐ground competition with lianas, however, did affect the allocation of biomass in saplings, resulting in shorter, thicker stems and a poorly developed crown.
Collectively, our findings suggest that below‐ground competition with lianas plays a substantial role in limiting the growth of saplings in disturbed and secondary tropical forests, and above‐ground effects may be due to a combination of above‐ground competition and mechanical stress.
Disentangling above‐ and below‐ground competition between lianas and trees is critical for a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of naturally regenerating tropical forests, as well as formulating successful management plans for sustainable timber harvest.
A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of house dust mite immunotherapy in Chinese asthmatic patients
Authors: Wang H. , Lin X. , Hao C. , Zhang C. , Sun B. , Zheng J. , Chen P. , Sheng J. , Wu A. , Zhong N. 
Published: September 2005

Background:  The purpose of this study was to determine if house dust mite immunotherapy with Alutard SQ is effective in improving symptom control and reducing rescue medication use in Chinese patients with mild to moderate allergic asthma.Methods:  This is a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study involving 132 asthmatic subjects aged 6–45 years recruited from three different regions of Mainland China. Subjects were given a 52‐week course of immunotherapy with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract (Alutard Der p, ALK‐Abelló, Hørsholm, Denmark) or placebo while their dose of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) was maintained.Results:  129 subjects (64 in active group) completed the study. The symptom scores began to diverge at week 29 with the immunotherapy group showing a significantly lower score until week 48 (P = 0.018). Immunotherapy resulted in a significant decline in symptom (P = 0.002) and medication (P = 0.007) scores during the second half of the treatment period. Both groups showed significant improvement in peak flow rate and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) also decreased in both groups of subjects, but peripheral blood eosinophil count remained unchanged. Skin test response decreased in actively treated subjects only, but Der p‐specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) remained unchanged. Immunotherapy resulted in a significantly greater improvement in self‐evaluation scores (P < 0.01).Conclusions:  One year treatment with Alutard SQ house dust mite immunotherapy significantly reduced symptoms and medication use in asthmatic subjects. This was associated with a greater subjective improvement in asthma control.
Variation of T‐cell activation in allergic subjects during natural pollen exposure
Authors: Koscher V. , Milhe F. , El Biaze M. , Vervloet D. , Magnan A. 
Published: September 2005

Background.  Allergic inflammation is characterized by a Th2 activation. However, little is known about dynamics of T‐cell cytokine production during natural allergen exposure.The aim of this study was to assess the Th1/Th2 balance in cypress allergic patients compared with controls, and variations of this balance over the pollen season.Methods.  Twenty cypress allergic patients and 10 controls were studied, distributed during two consecutive pollen seasons. Cytokine production was assessed by flow cytometry and ELISA. The variation of cytokine production during the pollen season was analyzed among patients in four occasions, and the preseason values were compared with controls. IL‐13 and IFN‐γ‐containing T cells were assessed among whole blood cells and PBMC. In addition the effect of specific stimulation by Juniperus ashei pollen extract was studied.Results.  Compared with controls, IL‐13‐producing T cells were increased in allergics in any case. By contrast, compared with controls, allergic IFN‐γ‐producing T cells were decreased in whole blood, but not in PBMC, and were increased after specific stimulation. During the season, an increase in IFN‐γ‐ and a decrease in IL‐13‐producing T cells occurred in patients, whatever the culture conditions.Conclusion.  These results show that the allergic T‐cell activation is not limited to a Th2 profile: allergen‐stimulated T cells are able to produce IFN‐γ at baseline, and the Th1/Th2 ratio increases during the pollen season.
Pholcodine stimulates a dramatic increase of IgE in IgE‐sensitized individuals. A pilot study
Authors: Florvaag E. , Johansson S. G. O. , Öman H. , Harboe T. , Nopp A. 
Published: September 2005

Background:  A previous study showed a relation between pholcodine (PHO) consumption, prevalence of IgE‐sensitization to PHO, morphine (MOR) and suxamethonium (SUX) and anaphylaxis to neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA). The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the effect on IgE production, in IgE‐sensitized and nonsensitized individuals, of exposure to cough syrup and environmental chemicals containing PHO, MOR and SUX related allergenic structures.Methods:  Serum concentrations of IgE and IgE antibodies to PHO, MOR and SUX allergens measured by ImmunoCAPTM (Pharmacia Diagnostics, Uppsala, Sweden) were followed after intake of cough syrup, or exposure to confectionary and other household chemicals containing various amounts of substances cross‐reacting with PHO, MOR and SUX.Results:  Cough syrup containing PHO gave, in sensitized individuals, within 1–2 weeks, an increase of IgE of 60–105 times and of IgE antibodies to PHO, MOR and SUX in the order of 30–80 times. The tested confectionary did not have any similar stimulating effect but seemed to counteract the expected decrease of IgE. No effect was seen in nonsensitized individuals. The PHO stimulated IgE showed a nonspecific binding to ImmunoCAP with common allergens and glycine background ImmunoCAP that was up to 10‐fold higher than that of monomeric myeloma‐IgE at twice the concentration.Conclusions:  It seems as cough syrups containing PHO have a most remarkable IgE boostering effect in persons IgE‐sensitized to PHO, MOR and SUX related allergens. Household chemicals containing such allergenic epitopes seem capable of some, minor, stimulation.
Asthma in every fifth child in Oslo, Norway: a 10‐year follow up of a birth cohort study*
Authors: Carlsen K. C. L. , Håland G. , Devulapalli C. S. , Munthe‐Kaas M. , Pettersen M. , Granum B. , Løvik M. , Carlsen K.‐H. 
Published: September 2005

Background:  The western world's increase in childhood asthma is suggested to level off. We aimed to investigate asthma prevalence in 10‐year‐old children within the prospective birth cohort Environment and Childhood Asthma (ECA) Study in Oslo established in 1992/1993.Subjects and methods:  Six hundred and sixteen (77%) of 803 children (mean age 10.9 ± 0.9 (SD) years) with lung function measurements at birth were reinvestigated at age 10 years. At birth they corresponded to the entire birth cohort (n = 3754) regarding gender, socio‐demographic factors, parental allergic diseases, pet keeping and maternal smoking. Results from structured parental interview, spirometry, and skin prick test for inhalant and food allergens are presented. Asthma definition required minimum two positive criteria, (i) doctor's diagnosis of asthma, (ii) wheeze and/or chest tightness, (iii) use of anti‐asthmatic treatment. Current asthma required asthma definition plus either (ii) and/or (iii) in the last 12 months, and/or ≥10% fall in forced expired volume in 1 s after treadmill running.Results:  Lifetime prevalence of asthma was 20.2%; current asthma 11.1%, doctor diagnosis of asthma 16.1% and wheezes ever 30.3%. Allergic sensitization (29.3% overall) was more common among children with current (56.3%) compared to asymptomatic (last 12 months) (26.0%) or no asthma (27.6%) (P < 0.001). Boys more often than girls had current asthma (14.4 vs 7.1%, P = 0.004), wheeze ever (36.9 vs 22.5%, P = 0.002) and allergic sensitization (36.2 vs 22.1%, respectively, P < 0.001).Conclusion:  Childhood asthma apparently continues to increase in Oslo, having affected every fifth 10‐year‐old child.
Allergic diseases and atopic sensitization in children related to farming and anthroposophic lifestyle – the PARSIFAL study
Authors: Alfvén T. , Braun‐Fahrländer C. , Brunekreef B. , von Mutius E. , Riedler J. , Scheynius A. , van Hage M. , Wickman M. , Benz M. R. , Budde J. , Michels K. B. , Schram D. , Üblagger E. , Waser M. , Pershagen G. ,   the PARSIFAL study group
Published: September 2005

Background:  The prevalence of allergic diseases has increased rapidly in recent decades, particularly in children. For adequate prevention it is important not only to identify risk factors, but also possible protective factors. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of allergic diseases and sensitization between farm children, children in anthroposophic families, and reference children, with the aim to identify factors that may protect against allergic disease.Methods:  The study was of cross‐sectional design and included 14 893 children, aged 5–13 years, from farm families, anthroposophic families (recruited from Steiner schools) and reference children in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland. A detailed questionnaire was completed and allergen‐specific IgE was measured in blood.Results:  Growing up on a farm was found to have a protective effect against all outcomes studied, both self‐reported, such as rhinoconjunctivitis, wheezing, atopic eczema and asthma and sensitization (allergen specific IgE ≥0.35 kU/l). The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for current rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms was 0.50 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38–0.65) and for atopic sensitization 0.53 (95% CI 0.42–0.67) for the farm children compared to their references. The prevalence of allergic symptoms and sensitization was also lower among Steiner school children compared to reference children, but the difference was less pronounced and not as consistent between countries, adjusted OR for current rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms was 0.69 (95% CI 0.56–0.86) and for atopic sensitization 0.73 (95% CI 0.58–0.92).Conclusions:  This study indicates that growing up on a farm, and to a lesser extent leading an anthroposophic life style may confer protection from both sensitization and allergic diseases in childhood.
The −675 4G/5G plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 promoter polymorphism in house dust mite‐sensitive allergic asthma patients
Authors: Pampuch A. , Kowal K. , Bodzenta‐Lukaszyk A. , Castelnuovo A. Di , Chyczewski L. , Donati M. B. , Iacoviello L. 
Published: September 2005

Background:  Plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)‐1 plays an important role in inflammation and tissue remodeling. Recently, the −675 4G/5G PAI‐1 polymorphism has been linked with asthma.Objective:  This study was undertaken to evaluate associations of the −675 4G/5G PAI‐1 polymorphism with functional and immunologic parameters of newly diagnosed house dust mite‐sensitive allergic asthmatics (HDM‐AAs).Methods:  This study was performed in 127 HDM‐AAs, who responded with at least 20% fall of forced expiratory volume during the first second (FEV1) to a bronchial challenge with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen and during the follow up observation fulfilled GINA criteria for mild–moderate asthma. About 89 healthy control nonatopic subjects (HCs) were used as controls.Results:  The frequency of 4G allele was greater in HDM‐AAs (0.69; 95% CI: 0.62–0.76) than in HCs (0.55; 95% CI: 0.48–0.62; P = 0.0034). The PAI‐1 polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of HDM‐AA; adjusted for sex and age odds ratio was 2.62; (95% CI: 1.16–5.92) for 4G/5G genotype and 3.48 (95% CI: 1.54–7.89) for 4G/4G genotype compared with 5G/5G genotype. Total serum immunoglobulin E (tsIgE) level in 4G/4G homozygotes (557 ± 343 kU/l) was significantly greater than in 5G/5G homozygotes (241 ± 288 kU/l; P < 0.001). Both nonspecific and allergen‐specific bronchial reactivities were greater in 4G/4G homozygotes than in 5G/5G homozygotes. 4G/4G genotype was associated with significantly higher morning plasma PAI‐1 concentration in HDM‐AAs and HCs. Morning plasma PAI‐1 concentration correlated significantly with logPC20 (r = −0.39; P = 0.0001) and with logtsIgE (r = 0.247; P = 0.0117).Conclusion:  These results support the hypothesis linking the 4G/4G PAI‐1 genotype with an increased risk of allergic asthma, bronchial hyperreactivity, and increased tsIgE levels.
The spatial and temporal distribution of avian foraging guilds at the sewerage works at Chepkoilel campus, Moi University, Kenya
Authors: Waweru C. W. , Wahungu G. M. , Mugendi E. M. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractIn a study conducted between January–March 2001, the spatial and temporal distribution of bird species in four sewage ponds at Chepkoilel campus, Moi University, Kenya, were determined. The total bird counts were conducted thrice daily for 10 days in each pond, yielding a total of 120 observations for all four ponds. Observations were made on three distinct foraging guilds: divers, surface feeders and birds that fished from the shore. Twenty‐four species of birds belonging to 10 families were observed in the ponds. The pond number had a significant effect on the distribution of the mean number of birds for all species. The highest mean number of birds was recorded in the first sedimentation pond receiving raw sewage (Pond I), with the number of birds decreasing linearly to Pond IV. The highest mean number of bird species also was observed for Pond I, with the lowest number being observed for Pond III. Even when the results were adjusted for area, the pond number was still significant, although the order changed significantly. Under these conditions, the highest density of birds was observed for Pond II. This was significantly higher than for Ponds I or III, which exhibited non‐significantly different densities. Pond IV exhibited a significantly lower density that all the other ponds. The total number of birds increased with the number of species. The density of avian foraging guilds was found to be significantly higher in Ponds I and II than in Ponds III and IV, supporting our hypothesis that bird abundance and distribution is influenced by the treatment status of the influent sewage.
Placebo‐controlled randomized comparison of vaginal with rectal misoprostol in the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage
Authors: Ozkaya Okan , Sezik Mekin , Kaya Hakan , Desdicioglu Raziye , Dittrich Ralf 
Published: September 2005

AbstractAim: To compare vaginally administered misoprostol to rectally administered misoprostol and placebo in a prospective randomized placebo‐controlled study.Methods: One hundred and fifty women with singleton vaginal deliveries were randomized (50 women in each arm) to receive 400‐µg misoprostol tablets (crushed and suspended in a microenema) intravaginally, or 400‐µg misoprostol tablets rectally, or two placebo lactose tablets rectally. The medication was administered immediately after delivery of the placenta. Women with profuse hemorrhage and delayed placental separation (>30 min) were excluded. Our outcome measures were postpartum blood loss 1 h after administration, and change in hemoglobin and hematocrit values from baseline to postpartum day 1. Analysis of variance and chi‐squared tests were used to compare the outcome variables between groups.Results: One hundred and twenty‐six women were available for analysis. Baseline characteristics were similar across the groups. The number of excluded subjects, the estimated blood loss, and the drop in hemoglobin and hematocrit values did not differ between the three groups (P > 0.05).Conclusions: Misoprostol administered vaginally or rectally at a dosage of 400 µg following placental separation was not effective for decreasing postpartum bleeding in women without excessive hemorrhage.
Tuberculous peritonitis in pregnancy
Authors: Lee Gui Se Ra , Kim Sa Jin , Park In Yang , Shin Jong Chul , Kim Soo Pyung 
Published: September 2005

AbstractTuberculous peritonitis in pregnancy is one of the least common forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in pregnancy. The case is described herein of a 23‐year‐old primigravida woman with primary tuberculous peritonitis in pregnancy at 24 weeks’ gestation. Excisional biopsy taken from the peritoneum during laparotomy resulted in the histopathologic diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis. The patient made a good physical recovery after being placed on antituberculous chemotherapy and gave birth to a healthy male neonate of 2.5 kg at 37 weeks’ gestation by vaginal delivery.