bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Issues arising from the prenatal diagnosis of some rare trisomy mosaics—the importance of cryptic fetal mosaicism
Authors: Daniel Art , Wu Zhanhe , Darmanian Artur , Malafiej Paul , Tembe Varsha , Peters Greg , Kennedy Craig , Adès Lesley 
Published: August 2004

AbstractObjectivesTo add to the knowledge of fetal mosaicism, confined placental mosaicism (CPM), and uniparental disomy (UPD), in rare trisomies detected at prenatal diagnosis.MethodsThe origin of rare trisomy mosaics, mostly (8/11) seen in amniocytes, was examined in 11 cases by follow‐up karyotyping and the study of microsatellite inheritance.ResultsOf the rare trisomies presented, three were mosaic trisomy 16 (two of which were CPM), and the remainder comprised single cases of mosaic trisomies of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 5 and 15—the last two being CPM. Cases varied in parental derivation and meiotic versus post‐zygotic origin but no case involved UPD. There was evidence for cryptic fetal mosaicism in three cases (5, 7, 11)—involving chromosomes 11, 14 and 16.ConclusionsThese cases contribute further data to phenotypes associated with rare trisomies and the relative influences on the phenotype of CPM, UPD and fetal mosaicism. From sparse published data, we estimate that ∼ 10% of apparent CPM cases for a rare trisomy (i.e. aneuploid CVS, normal amniocytes) may actually be cryptic fetal mosaics undetected in cultured amniocytes. In many cases, this cryptic mosaicism may be of limited clinical significance, but in others, the associated phenotypic effects may be obvious. There is no general approach to resolve this issue; the finding of even a few similar aneuploid cells in different amniocyte culture vessels may be clinically significant. It may be useful to study such an amniocyte culture with FISH with the relevant centromeric probe. Careful follow‐up is recommended, particularly for infants where apparent correction of autosomal trisomy has occurred. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fetal morbidity and mortality after acute human parvovirus B19 infection in pregnancy: prospective evaluation of 1018 cases
Authors: Enders Martin , Weidner Andrea , Zoellner Iris , Searle Karen , Enders Gisela 
Published: August 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo determine more precisely the incidence of fetal complications following maternal parvovirus B19 infection at various gestational ages.MethodsAn observational prospective study of 1018 pregnant women whose acute B19 infection was serologically confirmed in our laboratory.ResultsThe observed rate of fetal death throughout pregnancy was 6.3% (64/1018) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.9, 8.0). The fetal death rate for those infected within the first 20 weeks of gestation (WG) was 64/579 (11.0%). Fetal death was only observed when maternal B19 infection occurred before the completed 20 WG. The observed stillbirth proportion was 0.6% (6/960). Three of six stillbirth cases presented with fetal hydrops. The overall risk of hydrops fetalis was 3.9% (40/1018) (95% CI: 2.8, 5.3). Three of 17 cases with non‐severe hydrops and 13 of 23 cases with severe hydrops received intrauterine transfusion(s). The proportion of fetuses with severe hydrops that survived following fetal transfusions was 11/13 (84.6%). All of the non‐transfused fetuses with severe hydrops died.ConclusionOur data demonstrate a relevant B19‐associated risk of fetal death, which is largely confined to maternal B19 infection in the first 20 WG. Timely intrauterine transfusion of fetuses with severe hydrops fetalis reduces the risk of fetal death. Parvovirus B19‐associated stillbirth without hydropic presentation is not a common finding. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatally diagnosed portocaval shunt and postnatal outcome: a case report
Authors: Manning Nicky , Impey Lawrence , Lindsell David , Lakhoo Kokila 
Published: August 2004

AbstractCongenital absence of the portal vein (CAPV) is a rare anomaly in the form of a portocaval shunt, whereby the intestinal and splenic venous drainage bypasses the liver and drains directly into the systemic circulation. We report a case of CAPV diagnosed prenatally after the recognition of a dilated umbilical vein draining directly into a large inferior vena cava (IVC). The IVC then drained into the right atrium of a dilated, hyperdynamic heart. The ductus venosus could not be identified. Repeated postnatal scans showed a gradual disappearance of venous lakes in the region of the porta hepatis and a clear drainage of the splenic vein to the left renal vein and the superior mesenteric vein to the IVC. From birth up to twelve months follow‐up there was no evidence of liver dysfunction, encephalopathy or liver lesions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
First‐trimester screening for trisomy 21 combining biochemistry and ultrasound at individually optimal gestational ages. An interventional study
Authors: Borrell Antoni , Casals Elena , Fortuny Albert , Farre M. Teresa , Gonce Anna , Sanchez Aurora , Soler Anna , Cararach Vicençc , Vanrell Joan A. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of the Combined Test in the prenatal detection of trisomy 21 in the general pregnant population using a new timing for the screening approach.MethodsFirst‐trimester maternal serum biochemical markers (pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A and free‐β hCG) were determined in maternal serum at 7 to 12 weeks. Fetal nuchal translucency and gestational age were assessed at the 10‐ to 14‐week ultrasound scan. A combined risk was estimated and delivered to the women the same day. When the risk was 1:250 or above, chorionic villus sampling was offered.ResultsMean gestational age at biochemistry was 9.4 weeks, being 12.3 at ultrasound. In the 2780 studied pregnancies with a complete follow‐up, observed detection rates were 88% (7/8) for trisomy 21 and 75% (3/4) for trisomy 18, with a 3.3% (92/2765) false‐positive rate.ConclusionThe Combined Test, assessing biochemistry and ultrasound at individually optimal ages in the first trimester, showed an 88% detection rate for trisomy 21 with a remarkably reduced false‐positive rate (3.3%). Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Attitudes towards termination of pregnancy among Hong Kong Chinese women attending prenatal diagnosis counselling clinic
Authors: Leung Tse Ngong , Ching Chau Macy Mo , Chang Joseph Jeremy , Leung Tak Yeung , Fung Tak Yuen , Lau Tze Kin 
Published: August 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the attitudes towards termination of pregnancy (TOP) among Hong Kong Chinese women attending the prenatal diagnosis counselling (PDC) clinic under three circumstances: (1) normal fetus, (2) fetal chromosomal anomalies, and (3) fetal abnormalities diagnosed after 24 weeks of gestation, and to determine the association between the attitudes and demographic factors.MethodsOne hundred and twenty‐two women were interviewed using a structured questionnaire.ResultsOver 50% of our women viewed it as their right to choose an abortion in early pregnancy and only 28.7% agreed that the doctor has the right to make the final decision. Approximately 90% would choose TOP for lethal chromosomal abnormalities and Down syndrome while about 50% would do so for Klinefelter or Turner syndromes. Over 80% were of the opinion that women should be given the right to choose TOP for lethal congenital malformation as well as for Down syndrome after 24 weeks of gestation. This figure dropped to 55.7% for non‐lethal structural malformation that requires postnatal treatment. Religious background was a significant factor for a negative attitude towards TOP.ConclusionOur data suggest that our women who attended the PDC clinic had an open attitude towards TOP for fetal abnormalities in general. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of fibre length and chemical modifications on the tensile properties of intimately mixed short sisal/glass hybrid fibre reinforced low density polyethylene composites
Authors: Kalaprasad G , Francis Bejoy , Thomas Selvin , Kumar C Radhesh , Pavithran C , Groeninckx G , Thomas Sabu 
Published: August 2004

AbstractHybrid composites prepared by the incorporation of two or more different types of fibres into a single polymer matrix deserve much attention. This method of hybridisation of composites offers a profitable procedure for the fabrication of products while the resulting materials are noted for their high specific strength, modulus and thermal stability. The influence of the relative composition of short sisal/glass fibres, their length and distribution on the tensile properties of short sisal/glass intimately mixed polyethylene composites (SGRP) was examined. Different compositions of sisal and glass such as 70/30, 50/50 and 30/70 have been prepared with varying fibre lengths in the range of 1–10 mm. Emphasis has also been given to the variation of fibre–matrix adhesion with several fibre chemical modifications. Chemical surface modifications such as alkali, acetic anhydride, stearic acid, permanganate, maleic anhydride, silane and peroxides given to the fibres and matrix were found to be successful in improving the interfacial adhesion and compatibility between the fibre and matrix. The nature and extent of chemical modifications were analysed by infrared spectroscopy while improvement in fibre–matrix adhesion was checked by studying the fractography of composite samples using a scanning electron microscope. Assessment of water retention values has been found to be a successful tool to characterize the surface of the stearic acid modified fibres. It was found that the extent of improvement in tensile properties of SGRP varied with respect to the nature of chemical modifications between fibre and matrix. Improved mechanical anchoring and physical and chemical bonding between fibre and polyethylene matrix are supposed to be the reasons for superior tensile strength and Young's modulus in treated composites. Several secondary reasons such as high degree of fibre dispersion and reduced hydrophilicity in chemically modified fibres also are believed to play a role. Among the various chemical modifications, the best tensile strength and modulus was exhibited by the SGRP with benzoyl peroxide treated fibres. This is attributed to the peroxide‐initiated grafting of polyethylene on to the fibres. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
In vivo distribution and metabolisation of 14C‐imidacloprid in different compartments of Apis mellifera L
Authors: Suchail Séverine , De Sousa Georges , Rahmani Roger , Belzunces Luc P 
Published: August 2004

AbstractIn vivo distribution of the neonicotinoid insecticide, imidacloprid, was followed during 72 h in six biological compartments of Apis mellifera L: head, thorax, abdomen, haemolymph, midgut and rectum. Honeybees were treated orally with 100 µg of 14C‐imidacloprid per kg of bee, a dose close to the median lethal dose. Elimination half‐life of total radioactivity in honeybee was 25 h. Haemolymph was the compartment with the lowest and rectum that with the highest level of total radioactivity during the whole study, with a maximum 24 h after treatment. Elimination half‐life of imidacloprid in whole honeybee was 5 h. Imidacloprid was readily distributed and metabolised only by Phase I enzymes into five metabolites: 4/5‐hydroxy‐imidacloprid, 4,5‐dihydroxy‐imidacloprid, 6‐chloronicotinic acid, and olefin and urea derivatives. The guanidine derivative was not detected. The urea derivative and 6‐chloronicotinic acid were the main metabolites and appeared particularly in midgut and rectum. The olefin derivative and 4/5‐hydroxy‐imidacloprid preferentially occurred in head, thorax and abdomen, which are nicotinic acetylcholine receptor‐rich tissues. Moreover, they presented a peak value around 4 h after imidacloprid ingestion. These results explain the prolongation of imidacloprid action in bees, and particularly the differences between rapid intoxication symptoms and late mortality. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and herbicidal activity of novel heterocyclic protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitors
Authors: Meazza Giovanni , Bettarini Franco , Porta Piero La , Piccardi Paolo , Signorini Ernesto , Portoso Domenico , Fornara Luca 
Published: August 2004

AbstractProtox inhibitors are applied as foliar sprays, thus causing very rapid cellular collapse and desiccation of many troublesome weeds in the presence of light. In many respects, they appear to be ideal herbicides, because they act rapidly and do not harm mammals under normal conditions. The main limitation to their widespread adoption is that few crops are naturally resistant to them. Crop tolerance has mainly been pursued with the synthesis of the cyclic imide classes containing 5‐ and 6‐membered heterocycles, including pyrazole, pyridazine, 1,2,4‐triazine, triazolinone and trifluoromethyluracil derivatives. Because of their structural novelties and biological performance, active investigations on heterocyclic protox inhibitors have been carried out in our laboratories and we have found 3‐arylpyrroles to be a new class of light‐activated, membrane‐disrupting herbicides. They are active on both grass and broadleaf weeds at low rates. The synthesis and structure–activity relationships are presented. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Photosynthetic and growth responses of Zea mays L and four weed species following post‐emergence treatments with mesotrione and atrazine
Authors: Creech J Earl , Monaco Thomas A , Evans John O 
Published: August 2004

AbstractWe compared photosynthesis and growth of Zea mays L (corn) and four weed species, Setaria viridis (L) Beauv (green foxtail), Echinochloa crus‐galli (L) Beauv (barnyardgrass), Abutilon theophrasti Medic (velvetleaf), and Amaranthus retroflexus L (redroot pigweed), following foliar applications with atrazine, mesotrione, or a combination of atrazine and mesotrione in two greenhouse experiments. Plant responses to the three herbicide treatments were compared with responses of untreated plants (control). Photosynthesis on day 14 and dry mass of Z mays was not reduced by any of the herbicide treatments. Photosynthesis and dry mass of E crus‐galli, A retroflexus and A theophrasti were significantly reduced by mesotrione and atrazine alone and in combination. Photosynthesis on day 14 and dry mass of large S viridis plants were not suppressed by either herbicide applied alone. The mesotrione plus atrazine treatment was the most effective treatment for grass weed control because plants did not regain photosynthetic capacity and had significantly lower dry mass. Shoot dry mass of broadleaf weeds was significantly reduced by all three herbicide treatments, except for A retroflexus treated with mesotrione alone. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Buffer zone and windbreak effects on spray drift deposition in a simulated wetland
Authors: Brown Ralph B , Carter Margaret H , Stephenson Gerald R 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe amount of agricultural spray that drifts into a wetland from an adjacent crop field is influenced by vegetation along the field boundary or any intentional setback distance (buffer zone) between the sprayer and the edge of the arable field. In this study, spray tracer drift deposits were measured in a simulated wetland area under different conditions of wind speed and buffer zone width. The effect of an artificial windbreak at the upwind edge of the simulated wetland was also evaluated. A level of tolerance of 0.1% of the in‐swath spray deposition was established as a no‐effect level for the response of aquatic plants to common herbicides. Our results indicate that a vegetated 10‐m field margin (eg a fencerow) alone provides adequate protection from herbicide drift into a wetland area under wind conditions normally considered acceptable for spraying. For high winds (>4 m s−1) when field spraying would not normally be advised, adequate protection was afforded by the same 10‐m margin plus a dense windbreak (25% porosity) or by the margin plus a 20‐m buffer zone. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Per os efficacy of Ajuga extracts against sucking insects
Authors: Fekete Gábor , Polgár László A , Báthori Mária , Coll Josep , Darvas Béla 
Published: August 2004

AbstractWe studied the efficacy of water‐soluble extracts from four Ajuga spp on the post‐embryonic development of two exopterygota (sucking insect) species. To allow comparison between different Ajuga species, results are expressed in terms of quantity of plant extracted per litre of test solution. Crude methanolic extracts of all Ajuga plants tested, with the exception of A genevensis, showed considerable per os efficacy against larvae of both Dysdercus cingulatus F and Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) even at 1 g litre−1. In the aphid tests the order of efficacy was A bracteosa Wallich ex Benth > A chamaepitys Schreber > A reptans L > A genevensis L. On D cingulatus the order of efficacy was: A reptans > A bracteosa > A chamaepitys > A genevensis. Extracts were fractionated on SepPak using a range of methanol/water mixtures. Results are expressed in terms of the initial weight of plant extracted. The 100% methanolic fraction of A chamaepitys was highly effective on A pisum (100% mortality at 1 g litre−1) and less effective on D cingulatus (about 60% mortality at 5 g litre−1). The entire 60 methanol + 40 water fraction was effective against test insects but showed different efficacies according to test species and concentration applied. 20‐Hydroxyecdysone (20E), cyasterone (Cy) and ajugalactone (Ajl) were identified in the fractions from all Ajuga species, but the remaining phytoecdysteroid profile was quite different between Ajuga species. Capitasterone (Cap) and 28‐epi‐sengosterone (5Cy28′) were found only in A reptans, makisterone A (MaA) and 29‐norcyasterone (29NCy) were only in A chamaepitys, while 22‐acetylcyasterone (Cy22A), 3‐epi‐cyasterone (Cy′) and 3‐epi‐22‐acetylcyasterone (Cy′22A) were only in A bracteosa. The total amount of phytoecdysteroids was 2053 mg kg−1 for A bracteosa, 1892 mg kg−1 for A reptans and 95 mg kg−1 for A chamaepitys. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Chemical residues and bioactivity of tebufenozide applied to apple foliage
Authors: Smirle Michael J , Lowery D Thomas , Zurowski Cheryl L 
Published: August 2004

AbstractTebufenozide, an insect growth regulator that acts as an ecdysone agonist, was applied at recommended label rate to apple trees in August 1997 and May 1998. Foliar residues were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography from samples collected 2, 24, 48 and 96 h post‐spray, and at weekly intervals thereafter for 9 weeks in 1997 and 11 weeks in 1998. Foliage sampled at the same times was used in bioassays to determine residual toxicity to first‐instar obliquebanded leafrollers, Choristoneura rosaceana (Harris). Residue decay followed first‐order kinetics in both years, with residual half‐life of 36.3 days in 1997 and 7.2 days in 1998. Estimates of the time needed to reduce bioactivity to 50% in bioassays were 18.7 days in 1997 and 36.3 days in 1998. The accuracy of equations describing decay of tebufenozide residues and bioactivity over time was not improved by using degree‐day accumulations as the independent variable. For the Department of Agriculture and Agri‐Food, Government of Canada, © Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada 2004. Published for SCI by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enzyme inhibition by the molluscicidal agent Punica granatum Linn. bark and Canna indica Linn. root
Authors: Tripathi Sanjay M. , Singh V. K. , Singh Sanjay , Singh D. K. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractSublethal in vivo 24 h exposure to (40% and 80% of 24 h LC50) active fractions of Punica granatum bark or Canna indica root or in combination with other plant‐derived molluscicides signiﬁcantly inhibited the activity of acetylcholinesterase, acid/alkaline phosphatase, Na+K+ATPase and lactic dehydrogenase in the nervous tissue of Lymnaea acuminata. The inhibition kinetics of these enzymes indicates that active fractions of both the plants caused a competitive inhibition of AChE, LDH, ALP, ACP and Na+K+ATPase. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phytochemistry and preliminary biological evaluation of Cyathostemma argenteum, a malaysian plant used traditionally for the treatment of breast cancer
Authors: Khamis Shaﬁi , Bibby Michael C. , Brown John E. , Cooper Patricia A. , Scowen Ian , Wright Colin W. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractBioassay guided fractionation of the roots of Cyathostemma argenteum using the brine shrimp resulted in the isolation of two uncommon ﬂavanones, 2,5‐dihydroxy‐7‐methoxyﬂavanone 1 and 2,5‐dihydroxy‐6,7‐dimethoxyﬂavanone 2 while the stem bark yielded the related compounds 5‐hydroxy‐7‐methoxyﬂavone 3 and 5‐hydroxy‐6,7‐dimethoxyﬂavone 4. The alkaloids liriodenine 5 and discretamine 6 as well as benzyl benzoate 7 were isolated from the roots and 6 was also isolated from the stembark. In cytotoxicity tests using four human breast cancer cell lines, 1 and 2 were weakly toxic to MCF‐7 cells (IC50 = 19.6 and 19.0 µm, respectively) but showed little activity against MCF‐7 cells resistant to doxorubicin or against two oestrogen receptor‐deﬁcient cell lines. Compound 5, but not 6 and 7, was moderately cytotoxic against all four cell lines. These results are discussed in the context of the traditional use of C. argenteum in the treatment of breast cancer. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancement in the absorption of water and electrolytes from rat intestine by Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. root (water extract)
Authors: Evans D. A. , Rajasekharan S. , Subramoniam A. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractHemidesmus indicus root in the form of suspension in water (10 mg/ml) containing 15.5 mM NaCl, 3 mM KCl and 12 mM glucose, when injected into the ligated jejunal sac (1 ml/sac) of rat, increased the absorption of water, Na+ and K+ (but not glucose) from the sac. This bioactivity was present in the water extract (5 or 10 mg/sac) of the root and not in the hexane extract. In contrast, the ethanol extract decreased the absorption of water and electrolytes from the jejunal sac. The effect of water extract was not affected by heat at 100 °C for 30 min. Intraperitoneal administration of the water extract (50 to 200 mg/kg) was devoid of any signiﬁcant effect on the jejunal absorption. Neither the root suspension nor the water extract (125–500 mg/kg) showed any signiﬁcant anti‐ulcer and diuretic activities in rats. The intestinal motility was also not inﬂuenced by the root (water extract) when tested in mice. The present study indicates that H. indicus root powder or its water extract can be incorporated in oral rehydrating salt solution (ORS) for increasing its anti‐diarrhoeal efﬁcacy. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.