bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects by fetal ultrasonographic examination in different centres across Europe
Authors: Boyd P.A. , Wellesley D.G. , de Walle H.E.K. , Tenconi R. , Garcia-Minaur S. , Zandwijken G.R.J. , Stoll C. , Clementi M. 
Published: October 2002

Objective Evaluation of prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects by ultrasound examination in unselected populations across Europe. Setting Prenatal ultrasound units in areas that report to contributing congenital malformation registers. Methods All cases with a suspected or confirmed neural tube defect and delivered within the 30 month study period were identified from 18 Congenital Malformation Registers from 11 European countries. Data on the pregnancy, prenatal scans, outcome of pregnancy, and information on different screening policies for each country were analysed. Results 670 766 deliveries occurred in the area covered by the registers during the study period. A neural tube defect was diagnosed at delivery in 542 cases. In 84% of these, the lesion was isolated (166 anencephaly, 252 spina bifida, 35 encephalocele). Of the 166 isolated cases with anencephaly, 96% were correctly identified prenatally; one was missed on scan, two were wrongly diagnosed, and four were not scanned (sensitivity 98%). 84% of the prenatal diagnoses were made before 24 weeks' gestation; 86% of isolated anencephalic pregnancies were terminated. Of the 252 cases of isolated spina bifida, 171 (68%) were correctly identified prenatally; 66% of these before 24 weeks' gestation. The diagnosis was missed on scan in 60 cases and 21 were not scanned (sensitivity 75%). The mean reduction in birth prevalence because of termination of pregnancy for spina bifida was 49% (range 6–100%). There was a wide variation between centres in prenatal detection rate (33–100%), termination of pregnancy of prenatally diagnosed cases (17–100%), and gestation both at diagnosis and termination of pregnancy. Conclusion A high prenatal detection rate for anencephaly was reported by all registers. There is a large variation in prenatal detection and termination rates for spina bifida between centres, reflecting differences both in policy and culture.
Relation of severity of maternal hypothyroidism to cognitive development of offspring
Authors: Klein R.Z. , Sargent J.D. , Larsen P.R. , Waisbren S.E. , Haddow J.E. , Mitchell M.L. 
Published: October 2002

Background An association between maternal subclinical hypothyroidism and low intelligence quotient (IQ) in the offspring has recently been shown. Objective To provide evidence for the causality of the association by testing the hypothesis that severity of maternal hypothyroidism correlates inversely with IQ of the offspring. Methods IQ scores were compared among 8 year old offspring of 124 control mothers whose thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations were < 98th percentile of a cohort of 25 000 mothers at 17 weeks gestation, of 28 untreated hypothyroid women whose TSH was between the 98th and 99.85th percentiles, and of 20 untreated women whose TSH concentration was ≥ 99.85th percentile. Results Mean (SD) IQs for each group of children (in ascending order of maternal TSH concentration) were 107 (13), 102 (15), and 97 (14). The difference between the extremes was significant (p = 0.003). The percentage of children with IQs > 1 SD below the control mean was 15, 21, and 50 respectively (p = 0.003). The odds ratio of having an IQ > 1 SD below the control mean, after controlling for socioeconomic status, was 4.7 (p = 0.006) for the third group compared with the controls. Conclusions The inverse correlation between severity of maternal hypothyroidism and IQ of the offspring supports a causal relation and makes the need to screen for and treat pregnant women for hypothyroidism even more compelling.
Hormone replacement therapy and the sensitivity and specificity of breast cancer screening: a review
Authors: Banks E. 
Published: October 2002

Background The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is prevalent in the age group invited to routine breast cancer screening in many countries. Previous publications have reported reduced sensitivity and specificity of mammographic breast cancer screening associated with current use of HRT. Objectives To review the epidemiological evidence for the relation between use of HRT and the risk of having breast cancer diagnosed between screens (interval breast cancer—sensitivity) and being recalled for assessment after initial mammography with no diagnosis of breast cancer at that screen (false positive recall—specificity). Methods Overview of published literature. Results Eight studies were identified, providing a total of 367 interval cancers and 8878 cases of false positive recall, in women of 50 and over. Overall, the studies showed an increased risk of interval cancer and false positive recall in current users of HRT compared with non-users. Only one study accounted for the essential confounding factors of age and menopause. Furthermore, information on duration and recency of HRT use was not available for most studies. Conclusions Studies to date indicate that women using HRT are more likely to experience reduced sensitivity and specificity of breast cancer screening, compared with women not using HRT. However, because results have not been adjusted for crucial confounding factors, the magnitude of these effects is uncertain.
Computer modelling of the Swedish two county trial of mammographic screening and trade offs between participation and screening interval
Authors: Fett M.J. 
Published: October 2002

Objectives A computerised model of the Swedish two county trial of mammographic screening was built to explore the applicability of deterministic group modelling for health policy analysis and to examine trade offs between screening interval and population coverage on breast cancer mortality. Methods Powersim system dynamics modelling software running on a PC was used. Model inputs were published data on the populations and screening regimens used in the trial, a Swedish female population life table, incidence of breast cancer in Sweden, 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for mean sojourn time and screening sensitivity, and survival after diagnosis. Results The model's output—cumulative mortality from breast cancer—agreed closely with trial results. This was robust to uncertainties in key input variables. Furthermore, with hypothetical screening regimes that had a fixed total number of mammograms over a fixed period a positive association was found between more even distribution of mammograms among a population and reduction in breast cancer mortality. For example, screening 50% of a hypothetical population annually produced a 33% reduction in breast cancer mortality, whereas screening 100% of the population every 2 years produced a 48% reduction. Conclusions Deterministic group simulation modelling can be used to build reliable, evidence based quantitative models for policy analysis. This opens health policy simulation modelling to epidemiological researchers and will assist them in identifying important information needs—such as breast cancer survival according to sojourn time (the time between cancer being detectable by screening and becoming symptomatic). Scenarios examining reductions in mortality for a given number of mammograms showed that the more equitable the distribution of screening mammograms, the greater the reduction in deaths from breast cancer.
A comparative study of the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms in the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Australia
Authors:   Collaborative Aneurysm Screening Study Group (CASS Group),   Chichester Aneurysm Screening Group (UK),   Viborg Aneurysm Screening Study (Denmark),   Western Australia Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Program (Australia),   Multicentre Aneurysm Screening Study (MASS)(UK)
Published: October 2002

Objectives To compare attendance and prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in population based randomised trials of sonographic screening in the United Kingdom, Western Australia, and Denmark. Methods 65 290 men were randomised to screening in the four trials, and data were collected and analysed from 46 397 aortic scans for men aged between 64 and 83 years who attended one of four community screening programmes. Comparisons were made for age standardised populations (65–74 years). Results Age standardised attendance varied between 74% and 81%, and was highest in the United Kingdom and lowest in Western Australia. Age standardised prevalence of AAAs of 3.0 cm or more varied significantly between 4.5% and 7.7%, and was highest in the United Kingdom and lowest in Denmark. Conclusions Participation in the four programmes compares favourably with other reported screening studies. The possibility that variations may reflect the different recruitment methods used is discussed. The prevalence of AAA in central Denmark would appear to be significantly different from that in southern England and Western Australia.
Use of bacille Calmette-Guérin in superficial bladder cancer
Authors: Meyer J-P , Persad R , Gillatt D A 
Published: October 2002

Abstract
Intravesical bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has been used by urologists for several years after its first reported use as a cancer therapy in the 1930s. Morales in 1976 described the usage of BCG as a once weekly intravesical instillation for six weeks; this is a treatment regimen that still exists today. Its success as a treatment depends on it being used appropriately. It is employed: (1) to treat carcinoma in situ or occasionally residual papillary tumours; (2) to reduce the number and frequency of recurrent high grade superficial tumours; and (3) to prevent disease progression (although this remains a controversial point, on which there is no consensus view). Unfortunately, the more widespread use of BCG is often limited due its high side effect profile. Present research is directed towards reducing its side effect profile, improving its efficacy, and understanding its exact mechanism of action, which is not fully understood.
Acid suppression in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: Why? How? How much and when?
Authors: Jones M P 
Published: October 2002

Abstract
For patients with suboptimal relief from lifestyle modifications, acid suppressive therapy remains a cornerstone of treatment for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). While a great deal of attention is focused on complications of GORD, adequate symptom relief remains an important and practical therapeutic goal. Adequate symptom relief is an achievable and easily measurable endpoint that both restores quality of life and prevents many potential complications.
Congenital scoliosis in a neonate: can a neonatologist ignore it?
Authors: Jog S , Patole S , Whitehall J 
Published: October 2002

Abstract
The frequency of diagnosis of congenital scoliosis in the neonatal period is expected to rise given the increasing survival of high risk neonates in the surfactant era and their frequent exposure to x rays. Considering its significant long term implications a neonatologist cannot afford to ignore the diagnosis of congenital scoliosis in a neonate as close surveillance, early detection, and treatment may prevent/minimise the wide spectrum of potentially serious deformities that can affect the developing spine. The review provides general guidelines to help the neonatologists in counselling the parents and in planning the multidisciplinary follow up for management of congenital scoliosis.
Measurement of radiative lifetimes in Pr II and Nd II
Authors: Scholl T J , Holt R A , Masterman D , Rivest R C , Rosner S D , Sharikova A 
Published: October 2002

We have measured the radiative lifetimes of 33 levels of Pr II and 13 levels of Nd II using two variants of the beam-laser method. The levels studied had term energies up to ~30 000 cm1 and lifetimes in the range 6170 ns. Experimental accuracy was in the range 111%. We have used these lifetimes to update transition probabilities for 82 transitions in Pr II in the wavelength range 392640 nm, which are useful for stellar abundance determinations. PACS Nos.: 32.70Cs, 95.30Ky
Topology of QCD vacuum and color confinement
Authors: Chandola H C , Pandey H C , Nandan H 
Published: October 2002

Using the magnetic symmetry structure of non-Abelian gauge theories of the YangMills type, the mathematical foundation of dual chromodynamics in fiber-bundle form is discussed. The dual gauge potential in its restricted form is constructed in terms of magnetic vectors on global sections, which has been shown to lead the dual dynamics between topological charges and color isocharges. Constructing the Lagrangian for such dual theory, the dynamical breaking of magnetic symmetry by an effective potential is shown to push the QCD vacuum in a confining phase. The dynamical structure of the theory is investigated by deriving the field equations associated with the confining phase. The associated flux-tube structure responsible for the confinement is analyzed by computing the asymptotic string solutions of the field equations under cylindrical symmetry. Using the confining part of the dual restricted Lagrangian, the finite string energy per unit length is calculated and its implications on color confinement are discussed. PACS Nos.: 11.38Aw, 14.80Hv, 11.30Jw
THE USE OF FARADAY INSTABILITY TO PRODUCE DEFINED TOPOLOGICAL ORGANIZATION IN CULTURES OF MAMMALIAN CELLS
Authors: TAKAGI SEIJI , KRINSKY VALENTIN , PUMIR ALAIN , FRELIN CHRISTIAN 
Published: October 2002

Pattern formation occurs spontaneously in endothelial cell cultures, leading to the formation of capillary networks, which eventually grow to form blood vessels. This phenomenon occurs on a time scale of a few days.We show here that patterns can also be induced on a much shorter time scale, by using the Faraday hydrodynamic instability, resulting from an oscillatory motion of the container. Close to the threshold of instability, the patterns observed are very sharp concentric rings or stripes. The patterns can be induced only inside a very narrow time window, ~ 5 min. Cells attachment then develops, and pattern formation can no longer be induced. The time window for pattern formation was diminished by favoring cell attachment, for instance by treating culture dishes with cationic macromolecules, such as poly-L-Lysine. It was increased by cooling the cells to 18°C, or by a prolonged exposure of the cells to trypsin, which is known to digest adhesion molecules.The Faraday instability leads to a method to characterize cell attachment. It also permits the production of heterogeneous cultures with several cell types, with a well controlled heterogeneity. This can be used to study heterotypic cell interactions in vitro.
COMPARISONS, BY MODELS, OF SOME BASIC MECHANISMS ACTING ON THE DYNAMICS OF THE ZOOPLANKTON-TOXIC PHYTOPLANKTON SYSTEM
Authors: EL ABDLLAOUI A. , CHATTOPADHYAY J. , ARINO OVIDE 
Published: October 2002

In this paper, classes of mathematical models of phytoplankton–zooplankton systems with toxic phytoplankton are proposed and analysed. We investigate various situations, by changing the uptake function, the mortality of the zooplankton or the toxin liberation process, and we compare the corresponding dynamics. We show notably that a stable oscillatory regime (after a Hopf bifurcation) can only be observed if the uptake function is nonlinear.
Prognostic Relevance of Early Serial C-Reactive Protein Measurements After First Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Winbeck Kerstin , Poppert Holger , Etgen Thorleif , Conrad Bastian , Sander Dirk 
Published: October 2002

Background and Purpose—Recent studies described an association between elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and outcome after ischemic stroke. We investigated the impact of early serial CRP measurements in hyperacute ischemic stroke on long-term outcome.Methods—One hundred twenty-seven consecutive patients without thrombolysis with a first ischemic stroke no more than 12 hours after symptom onset were examined. Serial CRP measurements were done at admission (CRP 1), within 24 hours (CRP 2), and within 48 hours (CRP 3) after symptom onset. In addition to several cerebrovascular risk factors, the 1-year outcome and the lesion volumes of initial diffusion-weighted images were determined.Results—The CRP concentration increased significantly during the first 48 hours after symptom onset (CRP 1, 0.86 mg/dL [95% CI, 0.69 to 1.02]; CRP 2, 1.22 mg/dL [95% CI, 0.88 to 1.55]; CRP 3, 1.75 mg/dL [95% CI, 1.25 to 2.25];P=0.003). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified Barthel Index score at admission and CRP 2 and 3 as independent predictors of an unfavorable outcome. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significantly higher rate of end point events (adjusted odds ratio, 3.9 [95% CI, 1.4 to 10.7];P=0.008) only in patients with elevated CRP 2 concentrations.Conclusions—The CRP level measured within 12 hours after symptom onset of an acute ischemic stroke is not independently related to long-term prognosis. In contrast, a CRP increase between 12 and 24 hours after symptom onset predicts an unfavorable outcome and is associated with an increased incidence of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events.
The Invention of the Whole-and-Part Figure and the Stoics on Solecism. Ancient Interpretations of Il. 24.58
Authors: Schenkeveld Dirk 
Published: October 2002

The second half of the Homeric line
Il
. 24.58 ('´Eκτωρ μεν ϑνητoς τε γυναικα τε ϑησατo μαζoν) was explained by ancient grammarians in different ways. By means of notions of ellipsis, pleonasm, and substitution they interpreted the words. Not before Eustathius are found the beginnings of an explanation based on the idea of the whole and the part and which is very close to the modern notion of the σχημα καϑ' oλoν και κατα μερoς, although is erm never was in use.
In the second part of this paper the annotation of the scholium, repeated in Eustathius, that the Stoics detected here a solecism, is discussed. This annotation has never been used in treatments of Stoic theory of language and is a very precious addition to the very few cases of solecism known to us as having been noticed by them. With the help of many other texts it is possible to come to the conclusion that the Stoics objected to the use of the middle voice ϑησατo = εϑηλασατo in connection with a baby child, instead of the active form. Very probably they called this type of solecism επικυματισμoς, 'fluctuation'.
A Marriage Contract: Aspects of Latin-Greek Language Contact (P. Mich. VII 434 and P. Ryl. IV 612 = ChLA IV 249)
Authors: Halla-Aho Hilla , Leiwo Martti 
Published: October 2002

In this paper we approach a Latin marriage contract from Philadelphia, Egypt, taking into account various viewpoints. The document is written in Latin, a language that was not commonly used in the community. As a result of the language choice the contract offers a possibility for a contact linguistic analysis. The names of the father of the bride and the future husband, Nomissianus and M. Petronius Servillius respectively, are Roman, so there probably was some connection with the Roman army. The contact between Latin and Greek is studied from social, philological and linguistic perspectives.
We suggest that together with some other known persons with Roman
nomina
from Philadelphia Nomissianus and M. Petronius Servillius belonged to a social network where Latin was the prestige language. This was the reason for choosing to write the marriage contract in Latin, which otherwise was minimally used in the Philadelphian documents. Greek was used normally, so that interference from Greek can be expected. The language of the contract is, however, clearly Latin, not Greek flavoured with Latin legal idioms. It is noteworthy that all Latin legal formulae and phrasing were composed correctly and the scribe definitely knew enough of the morphophonological correspondence between Latin and Greek to be able to latinize a majority of the original Greek words (which are mainly technical terms for objects given as dowry or part of the
parapherna
).
WHAT DO WE EXPERIENCE IF WE HAVE RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE?
Authors: Antes Peter 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe starting point of the paper is the historical fact that people who have special forms of religious experience such as seeing saints, angels, gods or goddesses can always say whom they saw. They never met anyone totally unknown to them. The question is why. The answer that the paper proposes and invites to discuss is that having experience means to identify what is happening with what is known as pattern of interpretation. The knowledge of those patterns is due either to socialisation or to further studies in favour of, or against, those patterns, yet, it is unlikely that something totally new will ever be discovered through those forms of religious experience.
SUPERSTITIO ET CONIURATIO
Authors: Nagy Àgnes 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to draw the attention to one of the reasons which may have contributed to the suspicion against—as well as the local persecutions of—the Christians in the second and third centuries. We want to point to the possibility that the new religious community changes into a coniuratio and becomes a danger for the ancient community from which it has come. Christianity, just as the Bacchanalia, was more than an ordinary superstitio. According to Livy, the Bacchanalia showed four characteristics distinguishing them from a superstitio: 1) new, strong links within the group instead of the ancient ones which connected the members to their traditional social structure; 2) an oath of initiation to respect the own laws of the new community; 3) animosity against the State; 4) the large numbers of the followers. Pliny the Younger found three of these characteristics with the Christians of Bithynia. For Pliny, the only difference consisted in the fact that the Bacchanalia obliged the members to break Roman law and thereby became a coniuratio, whereas Christians did not commit crimes and for this reason Christianity had not yet changed from a superstitio praua to a coniuratio. However, the vocabulary of Tacitus, Suetonius, and Celsus, as well as the description of the Christian persecution in Lugdunum and Vienna, show that most Romans did not make this distinction. In their eyes Christianity, this new community so similar to the coniuratio of the Bacchanalia, was a real threat to the existence of traditional society and deserved to be punished as such—by extermination.
COMING OF AGE AND PUTTING ON CHRIST: THE TOGA VIRILIS CEREMONY, ITS PARAENESIS, AND PAUL'S INTERPRETATION OF BAPTISM IN GALATIANS
Authors: Harrill J. Albert 
Published: October 2002

This essay examines the
toga virilis
coming-of-age ceremony in the Roman household and argues that the gentile rite of passage is an important social context in which to understand Paul's interpretation of baptism, particularly of the pre-Pauline baptismal formula of "putting on Christ" (Gal. 3:27). The moral exhortation occasioned by the
toga virilis
warned the newly togaed youth against succumbing to the flesh, the same fear that Paul expresses concerning the baptized Galatians. This contextualization makes Paul's paraenesis on responsible use of freedom more intelligible than the standard history-of-religions reading. The goal is to move the scholarship on baptism in Pauline theology beyond the limited hermeneutical framework of the "origins" of ritual language.