bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The maternal cerebral circulation in pre‐eclampsia: investigations using Laplace transform analysis of Doppler waveforms
Authors: Brackley Karen J. , Ramsay Margaret M. , Pipkin Fiona Broughton , Rubin Peter C. 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To compare the maternal cerebral circulation in pre‐eclampsia and normal pregnancy using an alternative method of Doppler waveform analysis called the Laplace transform analysis, which provides haemodynamic data additional to standard Doppler indices.Design
A prospective cross‐sectional study.Setting
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nottingham University Hospital.Sample
The study involved 17 women in the third trimester of a normal pregnancy, 11 with pregnancyinduced hypertension and 26 with pre‐eclampsia.Methods
Doppler recordings were obtained from the internal and external carotid and middle cerebral arteries, with the measurements in hypertensive women being carried out before any treatment was given. The waveforms were then subjected to Laplace transform analysis which provides information on vessel wall stiffness and upstream and downstream flow conditions.Main outcome measures
The determination of the Laplace transform analysis parameters, including alpha, the natural frequency of oscillation and real pole, and pulsatility index.Results
Laplace transform analysis demonstrated a significant increase in vessel wall stiffness in all the arteries in hypertensive pregnancies, but this was more marked in pre‐eclampsia. The data were also consistent with, but do not prove, increased downstream resistance in the middle cerebral artery in women with pre‐eclampsia but not in those with pregnancy‐induced hypertension.Conclusions
The Laplace transform analysis of Doppler waveforms yields important physiological information concerning the cerebral circulation in pre‐eclampsia, not detected using conventional Doppler indices. The results suggest that both pre‐eclampsia and pregnancy‐induced hypertension are associated with increased cerebral arterial wall stiffness and that, in addition, there may be cerebral vasoconstriction in pre‐eclampsia.
Is an atherogenic lipoprotein profile in the fetus a prerequisite for placental vascular disease?
Authors: Wang Jian , Trudinger Brian 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To measure the blood apolipoprotein A‐1 and apolipoprotein B in the fetal circulation in normal pregnancy and in pregnancy with evidence of vascular disease in the fetal umbilical placental circulation defined in the antenatal period by Doppler ultrasound study.Design
An observational study to compare fetal plasma apolipoprotein levels in normal and complicated pregnancy.Setting
A university hospital tertiary referral obstetric unit.Samples
Umbilical vein blood was collected at delivery from 22 normal fetuses delivered by elective caesarean section for non fetal reasons and 30 fetuses with evidence of umbilical placental vascular disease identified antenatally by Doppler ultrasound study.Methods
Plasma apolipoprotein A‐1 and B were determined using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods.Main outcome measures
Fetal plasma levels of apolipoprotein A‐1 and B were measured.Results
There was a significantly lower level of fetal plasma apolipoprotein A‐1 in placental insufficiency [placental insufficiency vs normal pregnancy, median 0.30 g/L (interquartile range 0.24, 0.39 g/L) vs 0.35 g/L (0.31, 0.42 g/L), P= 0.045]. In contrast, the levels of fetal plasma apolipoprotein B in placental insufficiency [0.20 g/L (0.17, 0.26 g/L)] were significantly increased compared with normal pregnancy [0.16 g/L (0.14, 0.20 g/L), P= 0.03]. The ratio of fetal plasma apolipoprotein B to A‐1 was also substantially higher in placental insufficiency [0.68 (0.55, 0.83)] than in normal pregnancy [0.45 (0.36, 0.60), P= 0.0003].Conclusions
Our study has demonstrated that levels of fetal plasma apolipoprotein A‐1, apolipoprotein B and the ratio of apolipoprotein B to A‐1 were altered in the fetuses who are victims of umbilical placental insufficiency in the same direction as in adults associated with a high risk of atherogenesis.
Has endometrial ablation replaced hysterectomy for the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding? National figures
Authors: Bridgman Stephen A. , Dunn Kate M. 
Published: August 2005

Objectives
To describe trends in the use of endometrial ablation and hysterectomy for the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding.Design
Analysis of hospital admissions data.Setting
National Health Service Hospitals in England.Population
Women who underwent a hysterectomy or endometrial ablation for dysfunctional uterine bleeding between 1989 and 1996.Main outcome measures
Annual operation rates and standardised operation ratios for England and for the National Health Service Regions within it, and proportion of operations for dysfunctional uterine bleeding that were endometrial ablations or hysterectomies.Results
There was an initial rise in operation rates for endometrial ablation until 1992/3, since when the rates have fallen. Hysterectomy rates have remained relatively steady since the introduction of endometrial ablation. The total operation rates for dysfunctional uterine bleeding initially increased but have tended to fall since 1992/3. The ratio of hysterectomy to endometrial ablation for dysfunctional uterine bleeding troughed at 3:1 in 1992/3, but by 1995/6 had increased to 4:1.Conclusions
Rather than replacing hysterectomy in the treatment of dysfunctional uterine bleeding, endometrial ablation appears to have added an alternative operative technique. This led to an increase in the total number of operations for this condition, perhaps by lowering the threshold for intervention.
Inter‐observer variation in histopathological diagnosis and grading of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia: results of an European collaborative study
Authors: Preti Mario , Mezzetti Maura , Robertson Chris , Sideri Mario 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To evaluate the inter‐observer variability of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia diagnosis and grading system.Design
Prospective study.Sample
Histological sections of 66 vulvar biopsies.Methods
Six consultant pathologists working at different European institutions independently reviewed 66 vulvar biopsies. The following variables were investigated: specimen adequacy, gross categorisation into benign or neoplastic changes, presence of atypical cytological pattern, presence of neoplastic architectural pattern, grade of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia, presence of histopathologic associated findings for human papillomavirus infection.Main outcome measures
The degree of inter‐observer variation for each histopathologic parameter was assessed by Kappa (κ) statistics. The frequency and the degree of disagreement were calculated by a symmetrical agreement matrix showing the number paired classifications.Results
A good agreement (overall weighted κ= 0.65, unweighted κ= 0.46) was observed for grading vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. Human papillomavirus infection associated findings and specimen adequacy were the variables with less inter‐observer agreement (overall weighted κ 0.26 and 0.22, respectively). Exact agreement between two pathologists for grade of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia was observed in 63.6% of paired readings; the rate of paired agreement reached 73.9% considering vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia 2 and 3 as a single class. Conversely, only 5.0% of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia 1 diagnoses were concordant in paired analysis.Conclusions
Current terminology offers a reproducible tool in the hands of expert pathologists. While on the diagnosis of ‘high grade’ vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia 2 and 3) there is good agreement, the diagnostic category of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia 1 is not reproducible.
Reproductive failure in women living in iodine deficient areas of West Africa
Authors: Dillon J. C. , Milliez J. 
Published: August 2005

Objectives
To investigate the association between iodine status and reproductive failure in a population of West African women.Design
Epidemiological survey on iodine deficiency disorders carried out in 1996–1997.Setting
The iodine deficient areas of Senegal (Casamance and Senegal Oriental).Population
Four thousand nine hundred and eighty women, aged 10 to 50, of whom 1544 adolescent and 462 pregnant women were examined for thyroid size and urinary iodine excretion. Their iodine status was associated with their fertility rate and reproductive failures.Results
Reproductive failure (defined as repeated miscarriages and stillbirth) was associated with low iodine status, with severe iodine deficiency increasing the risk. Poor nutritional status and illiteracy had a significant effect on the outcome of pregnancy: underweight women had a fourfold higher risk, and those who were illiterate an eightfold higher risk, of failed pregnancy, compared with nutritionally healthy, literature women.Conclusions
These findings emphasise the need to implement an effective iodine supplementation programme targeted at young and pregnant women in this area of western Africa. They also emphasise the importance of improving the nutritional status of young girls and the crucial role played by education in the prevention of reproductive failure.
Views of Finnish doctors on fetal screening
Authors: Hemminki Elina , Toiviainen Hanna , Santalahti Päivi 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To investigate the views of Finnish doctors concerning fetal screening.Design
Anonymous, questionnaire survey conducted in 1996–1997.Population
A representative sample of gynaecologists, paediatricians and general practitioners in Finland. Both leading doctors and ordinary practitioners were included.Results
Most doctors said that serum screening for Down's syndrome and ultrasound screening for structural abnormalities should be available for all pregnant women. In response to more direct questions, doctors acknowledged many drawbacks to Down's serum screening, notably the worry due to false positives. Only a few were against abortion, and a fifth said fetal screening is partly based on a eugenic ideology. There were some differences between the different doctor groups, but the overall impression was of similarity rather than divergence, both between the different specialist groups, and by the position of the doctor (leading vs ordinary).Conclusions
Finnish doctors support current fetal screening, but many acknowledged resulting ethical, psychological, and social problems.
The effect of immersion on haemodynamic and fetal measures in uncomplicated pregnancies of nulliparous women
Authors: Kwee A. , Graziosi G. C. M. , van Leeuwen J. H. Schagen , van Venrooy F. V. , Bennink D. , Mol B. W. J. , Cohlen B. J. , Visser G. H. A. 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To evaluate the effect of immersion in water on maternal haemodynamic measures and fetal heart rate patterns in healthy nulliparous women.Design
A randomised cross‐over study.Participants
Twenty pregnant women were studied between 26–29 weeks and between 34–37 weeks of gestation.Methods
The women were either immersed in water for 35 minutes or rested on a bed for a similar period of time. Maternal blood pressure, thoracic electrical bioimpedance, urine and blood samples, and fetal heart rate patterns were obtained before and after immersion or bedrest.Results
Compared with bedrest and pre‐immersion values, immersion resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure, which returned to baseline values within 1.5 hour. Urine production increased for a short period after immersion, but 24 hour samples showed no difference compared with bedrest. Sodium, potassium and creatinine levels in urine remained constant. No significant changes were found for the other haemodynamic measures. There were no effects on fetal heart rate nor on its variation.Conclusion
In healthy pregnant women immersion for 35 minutes has a clear effect on blood pressure and urine production. However, these effects are short lasting.
A study to evaluate serum and urinary hormone levels following short and long term administration of two regimens of progesterone cream in postmenopausal women
Authors: Carey Beverly J. , Carey Adam H. , Patel Sanjaykumar , Carter Graham , Studd John W. W. 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To determine the pharmacokinetics of a progesterone cream following short and long term dermal administration.Design
Single‐centre, randomised, multiple‐dose, open‐label study.Setting
Reproductive Medicine Trust, London.Population
Twenty‐four healthy postmenopausal women aged between 40 and 65 years were recruited through an advertisement in a local newspaper.Methods
The women were randomly allocated to progesterone cream 40 mg daily or 20 mg, twice daily, for 42 days.Main outcome measures
The concentration of progesterone in the serum was measured on days 1 and 42 before the morning dose, and at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours after the morning dose. Serum follicle stimulating hormone, oestradiol, testosterone and urinary pregnanediol‐3‐glucuronide were also measured on days 1 and 42.Results
Three subjects dropped out before using the cream and two more dropped out after the first treatment leaving a reportable sample of 19 women. There was a rise in the mean progesterone concentration at each sampling time between days 1 and 42. There was evidence of a rise in pregnane‐diol‐3‐glucuronide over the course of the study. There was no change in follicle stimulating hormone, oestradiol or testosterone. There was no difference between the two regimens.Conclusions
Transdermal progesterone (40 mg) per day for 42 days causes a small increase in serum progesterone concentration, although there is wide variation. Whether such levels are of clinical benefit remains to be seen.
Nifedipine or prazosin as a second agent to control early severe hypertension in pregnancy: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hall D. R. , Odendaal H. J. , Steyn D. W. , Smith M. 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To determine whether nifedipine or prazosin is the more appropriate second‐line antihypertensive agent in pregnancy.Design
Randomised controlled trial.Setting
Tygerberg Hospital, a tertiary referral centre.Population
Women with early, severe pre‐eclampsia or hypertension in pregnancy, whose blood pressure could not be adequately controlled by methyldopa 2 g/day, but were otherwise stable.Methods
Nifedipine or prazosin were given and increased as necessary in a stepwise fashion. Once the maximum dose was reached, the other drug was added in a crossover pattern. Failure to control blood pressure, or the onset of maternal/fetal complications were indications for delivery. Patients reaching a minimum gestation of 34 weeks without complications were delivered electively.Main outcome measures
Antenatal days gained; major maternal complications and perinatal survival.Results
Days gained on the second antihypertensive agent did not differ significantly (P= 0.9), while more days were gained using nifedipine as the crossover ‘third agent’ (P= 0.01). In the nifedipine group better renal function was recorded, but more cases with isolated low platelet counts occurred. More cases of pulmonary oedema as well as more nonviable mid‐trimester and third trimester intrauterine deaths occurred in the prazosin group.Conclusion
Nifedipine and prazosin as second agents allowed comparable amounts of time to be gained, although this changed when used as crossover third‐line agents. The efficacy and safety of nifedipine in this study are consistent with the results of other studies. A greater number of intrauterine deaths occurred in the prazosin group.
Detection of fetal Rhesus D and sex using fetal DNA from maternal plasma by multiplex polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Zhong Xiao Yan , Holzgreve Wolfgang , Hahn Sinuhe 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To test the sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility using fetal DNA obtained from plasma of pregnant women by polymerase chain reaction for the simultaneous detection of both fetal sex and Rhesus D genotype.Method
Blood samples were obtained from 22 Rhesus D negative pregnant women about to undergo an invasive procedure. DNA was extracted from the plasma fraction and analysed by a multiplex nested polymerase chain reaction using Y chromosome—and Rhesus D—specific primers. The results of this experimental procedure were compared with those obtained from the analysis performed on material gained by the invasive procedure.Results
The sensitivity of the plasma polymerase chain reaction‐based method was surprisingly high, with both fetal genotypes being correctly determined in almost 100% of the cases examined. In only one instance was a false positive result for the detection of Rhesus D recorded, which on subsequent analysis was negative.Conclusions
The ease and rapidity with which the plasma polymerase chain reaction‐based method can be performed makes it a promising method for the analysis of multiple fetal loci, such as Rhesus D and sex.
Dyslipoproteinaemia in postmenopausal women with a history of eclampsia
Authors: Hubel Carl A. , Snaedal Sunna , Ness Roberta B. , Weissfeld Lisa A. , Geirsson Reynir T. , Roberts James M. , Arngrímsson Reynir 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To test the hypothesis that postmenopausal women with a history of eclampsia manifest a more high risk lipid profile than postmenopausal women with a history of normal pregnancy.Setting
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland, and the Magee‐Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.Participants
Thirty Icelandic women with a history of eclampsia, aged between 50 and 67 years at the time of re‐examination (cases) were individually matched for current age, and for age and parity at index pregnancy, to 30 unrelated Icelandic women with a history of normal pregnancy (controls).Methods
The participating women completed a health and family history questionnaire and underwent a physical examination. Fasting plasma low density lipoprotein diameter, serum lipids, insulin, and glucose were measured.Results
Mean low density lipoprotein size was significantly smaller and apolipoprotein B concentration was higher in women with prior eclampsia. The percentage of cases receiving blood pressure medication (33%) was significantly greater than controls (6.7%). Thirteen cases had had hypertensive complications in at least one other pregnancy (recurrent subgroup); postmenopausally, these women displayed significantly increased diastolic blood pressures, smaller‐sized low density lipoprotein, increased apolipoprotein B, decreased high density lipoprotein2 (HDL2) cholesterol, and increased total cholesterol: HDL cholesterol ratio compared with their controls. Fourteen cases were normotensive in all other pregnancies (nonrecurrent); these showed no differences from their controls.Conclusions
Dyslipoproteinaemia is more prevalent among postmenopausal women with prior eclampsia, especially with recurrent hypertension in pregnancy, than in postmenopausal women with prior normal pregnancies.
The Limits of Financial Globalization
Authors: STULZ RENÉ M. 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTDespite the dramatic reduction in explicit barriers to international investment activity over the last 60 years, the impact of financial globalization has been surprisingly limited. I argue that country attributes are still critical to financial decision‐making because of “twin agency problems” that arise because rulers of sovereign states and corporate insiders pursue their own interests at the expense of outside investors. When these twin agency problems are significant, diffuse ownership is inefficient and corporate insiders must co‐invest with other investors, retaining substantial equity. The resulting ownership concentration limits economic growth, financial development, and the ability of a country to take advantage of financial globalization.
Time Variation in the Covariance between Stock Returns and Consumption Growth
Authors: DUFFEE GREGORY R. 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTThe conditional covariance between aggregate stock returns and aggregate consumption growth varies substantially over time. When stock market wealth is high relative to consumption, both the conditional covariance and correlation are high. This pattern is consistent with the “composition effect,” where agents' consumption growth is more closely tied to stock returns when stock wealth is a larger share of total wealth. This variation can be used to test asset‐pricing models in which the price of consumption risk varies. After accounting for variations in this price, the relation between expected excess stock returns and the conditional covariance is negative.
Rational IPO Waves
Authors: PÁSTOR ĽUBOŠ , VERONESI PIETRO 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTWe argue that the number of firms going public changes over time in response to time variation in market conditions. We develop a model of optimal initial public offering (IPO) timing in which IPO waves are caused by declines in expected market return, increases in expected aggregate profitability, or increases in prior uncertainty about the average future profitability of IPOs. We test and find support for the model's empirical predictions. For example, we find that IPO waves tend to be preceded by high market returns and followed by low market returns.
Does Prospect Theory Explain IPO Market Behavior?
Authors: LJUNGQVIST ALEXANDER , WILHELM WILLIAM J. 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTWe derive a behavioral measure of the IPO decision‐maker's satisfaction with the underwriter's performance based on Loughran and Ritter (2002) and assess its ability to explain the decision‐maker's choice among underwriters in subsequent securities offerings. Controlling for other known factors, IPO firms are less likely to switch underwriters when our behavioral measure indicates they were satisfied with the IPO underwriter's performance. Underwriters also extract higher fees for subsequent transactions involving satisfied decision‐makers. Although our tests suggest that the behavioral model has explanatory power, they do not speak directly to whether deviations from expected utility maximization determine patterns in IPO initial returns.
Predatory Trading
Authors: BRUNNERMEIER MARKUS K. , PEDERSEN LASSE HEJE 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTThis paper studies predatory trading, trading that induces and/or exploits the need of other investors to reduce their positions. We show that if one trader needs to sell, others also sell and subsequently buy back the asset. This leads to price overshooting and a reduced liquidation value for the distressed trader. Hence, the market is illiquid when liquidity is most needed. Further, a trader profits from triggering another trader's crisis, and the crisis can spill over across traders and across markets.
Strategic Behavior and Underpricing in Uniform Price Auctions: Evidence from Finnish Treasury Auctions
Authors: KELOHARJU MATTI , NYBORG KJELL G. , RYDQVIST KRISTIAN 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTWe contribute to the debate on the optimal design of multiunit auctions by developing and testing robust implications of the leading theory of uniform price auctions on the bid distributions submitted by individual bidders. The theory, which emphasizes market power, has little support in a data set of Finnish Treasury auctions. A reason may be that the Treasury acts strategically by determining supply after observing bids, apparently treating the auctions as a repeated game between itself and primary dealers. Bidder behavior and underpricing react to the volatility of bond returns in a way that suggests bidders adjust for the winner's curse.