bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hemimegalencephaly misdiagnosed as a congenital brain tumor by fetal cerebral ultrasonography
Authors: Nishimaki Shigeru , Endo Masaya , Seki Kazuo , Yokota Shumpei 
Published: March 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo describe a case of hemimegalencephaly misdiagnosed prenatally.Case ReportWe presented a neonate with hemimegalencephaly, who was thought to have a congenital brain tumor by fetal cerebral ultrasonography. Postnatal MRI findings showed hemimegalencephaly characterized by mild enlargement of the affected hemisphere with a predominantly abnormal signal in the frontal lobe. The appearance of an echogenic round‐shaped mass may have resulted from predominant hypermyelination and/or dysplastic neural/glial tissue in the frontal white matter.ConclusionIn prenatal diagnosis with fetal cerebral ultrasonography, it is difficult to distinguish between congenital brain tumor and hemimegalencephaly in which enlargement of the hemisphere is mild and the affected area of the brain is localized or predominantly in part of a cerebral hemisphere. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Familial occurrence of isolated nonseptated nuchal cystic hygromata in midtrimester of pregnancy
Authors: Rotmensch Sigi , Celentano Claudio , Sadan Oscar , Liberati Marco , Lev Dorit , Glezerman Marek 
Published: March 2004

AbstractObjectiveNonseptated cystic hygromata of the fetal neck in midtrimester of pregnancy have been associated with chromosomal and structural malformations. Consequently, fetal karyotyping is frequently offered. We describe 18 families in which 18 pairs of siblings were affected by transient nonseptated cystic hygromata in utero.MethodsOver a seven‐year period, 18 families came to our attention, with a recurrent diagnosis of fetal nonseptated cystic hygromata in two subsequent pregnancies. Detailed anatomic surveys by transvaginal ultrasound were performed between 14 to 16 weeks' gestation on the basis of self‐referral. Sonographic markers for fetal aneuploidy were specifically looked for. Nonseptated cystic hygroma was diagnosed when unilateral or bilateral cystic dilations in the anterolateral aspect of the fetal neck were present, as described by Bronshtein et al. (1989). All patients underwent amniocentesis, fetal echocardiography, and transabdominal follow‐up ultrasound scan at 22 to 24 weeks' gestation.ResultsThirty‐six sibling fetuses with isolated nonseptated hygromata (unilateral n = 5; bilateral n = 31) were identified. Amniocentesis revealed normal karyotypes in all 36 fetuses, including 20 males and 16 females. Fetal echocardiograms and neonatal pediatric examinations were normal. Sonographic resolution of the cystic hygromata was noted in all cases at the 22 to 24 weeks' follow‐up scan. One pregnancy, producing a female newborn, was conceived by a remarried mother. All others were reportedly conceived by the same partners. Probability calculations suggest that if our findings were explained by chance alone, a population base of 367 000 pregnancies would have to be scanned in order to find 18 pairs of siblings with nonseptated cystic hygromata.ConclusionThe familial occurrence and identical natural history of the cystic lesions in utero suggest the presence of an inheritable developmental syndrome affecting the lymphatic system in utero, but without long‐term sequelae. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applying decision analysis to facilitate informed decision making about prenatal diagnosis for Down syndrome: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Bekker Hilary L. , Hewison Jenny , Thornton Jim G. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate decision analysis as a technique to facilitate women's decision‐making about prenatal diagnosis for Down syndrome using measures of effective decision‐making.DesignRandomised controlled trial in a UK hospital's prenatal diagnosis clinic.InterventionRoutine versus routine consultation structured by decision analysis.Participants117/132 women receiving a screen‐positive maternal serum screening result participated (58 routine, 59 decision analysis).MethodsConsultations were audio tape–recorded, transcribed and coded; questionnaires were completed after the consultation and one month later after receipt of a diagnostic test and/or the 19‐week scan result.Main measuresTest decision, subjective expected utilities, knowledge, informed decision‐making, risk perception, decisional conflict, anxiety, perceived usefulness and directiveness of consultation information.Results48/59 in the decision‐aided group and 47/58 in the routine group underwent prenatal diagnosis. Informed decision‐making was higher, perceived risk more realistic and decisional conflict over time lower in the decision analysis group. Decision analysis had no impact on knowledge or SEU scores, and was no more or no less directive, useful or anxiety provoking than the routine care. Consultations were six minutes longer.ConclusionsDecision analysis consultations enable women to make more informed prenatal diagnosis decisions. Professionals will need training to use this technique effectively. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Benzodiazepines utilization and self‐medication as correlates of stress in the population of Serbia
Authors: Divac Nevena , Jašović Miroslava , Djukić Ljiljana , Vujnović Melita , Babić Dragan , Bajčetić Milica , Samardžić Ranka 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBackgroundHigh consumption of benzodiazepines (BDZ) occurs in populations exposed to stress. In the last decade of the 20th century, when the population of Serbia experienced increasing economic hardships due to the civil war in former Yugoslavia, UN sanctions and air raids in 1999, diazepam became the most frequently prescribed drug. This period was also characterized by the free marketing of all drugs, which made them available without prescription.ObjectiveTo investigate the consumption and the pattern of use of BDZ in the population of Belgrade and Serbia in the period of 1990–2001.Materials and MethodsData on benzodiazapines prescribing and on wholesale in general population of Belgrade and Serbia were collected. In a cross‐sectional study of drug prescribing in general practice data were obtained from 1800 patient records in the primary health care centers in Serbia. Statistical analysis was performed by using standard non‐parametric tests.ResultsAnnual rates of BDZ prescribing in Belgrade from 1990 to 1999 were rather uniform (approx. 25 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day), with slight tendency to decrease. In Serbia as a whole, there were significant differences in the annual prescribing rates over the period 1998–2000. The wholesale of BDZ in Serbia significantly increased between 1991 and 2001, with the peak of 133 DDD/1000 inhabitants/day in 1999. The wholesale of BDZ was significantly greater that the rates of prescribing in corresponding years. Over the 10 year period, the numbers of visits to GPs and psychiatrists and the number of neurotic diagnoses were significantly reduced. The use of BDZ in psychiatric hospital increased significantly in 1999 as compared to 1998, although the number of admissions and the occupancy of hospital beds were reduced. In primary health care, diazepam was the most frequently prescribed drug predominantly for non‐psychiatric diagnoses.ConclusionsIt is concluded that in the last decade, the utilization of BDZ was increased in the population of Belgrade and Serbia, indicating a clear trend to self‐medication, particularly in the period of acute war crisis. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of retail fresh meat packagings covered with stretch films of plasticized PVC and non‐PVC alternatives
Authors: Petersen Jens Højslev , Togeskov Peter , Hallas Jessie , Olsen Mette Brandt , Jørgensen Bodil , Jakobsen Marianne 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe characteristics and performance of several non‐PVC stretch films were compared to those of plasticized PVC. Initially the main polymer components of the film were identified by infrared spectrometry and differential scanning calorimetry. The differences between films in mechanical properties, such as puncture resistance and tensile strength, varied about a factor of two, while the differences in elongation at break were considerably higher. Plasticized PVC showed properties somewhere in the middle. The water vapour transmission was highest for PVC, while its permeability to oxygen was the lowest. The potential for overall migration was assessed by substitute testing, using 95% ethanol and isooctane as test media, and the migration from PVC was found to be the highest. However, after use of the appropriate reduction factor of four, as allowed for fresh meat, the PVC film also proved to conform to legislation. The potential for specific migration was investigated by solvent extraction followed by gas chromatography. Twenty‐four components were identified, of which 11 could be compared to relevant migration limits based on evaluations of the EU Scientific Committee for Food. The release of solvents was estimated by direct thermal desorption at 100°C. Four films of different composition were used in a storage experiment with fresh beef. The meat quality was followed by measurements of colour, microbiological quality (total colony forming units and lactic acid bacteria) and lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) through a prolonged shelf‐life test. No differences in meat quality during normal shelf‐life were seen as a function of the film used. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A simplified life cycle assessment of re‐usable and single‐use bulk transit packaging
Authors: Lee S. G. , Xu X. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractA streamlined (simplified) life cycle assessment of a conventional wooden pallet and an all‐weather, washable, re‐usable and fully recyclable plastic bulk transit packaging system used to transport empty yoghurt pottles, has been conducted using surrogate/proxy data from the Environmental Priorities Strategy (EPS) 2000 Default Method. This paper accounts for the life cycle inventory for each material used in the two transit packaging systems and their associated fabrication processes. The life cycle assessment was simplified by ignoring common factors such as the common nylon strap of both packaging systems, the common in‐house transportation, and the manufacture and maintenance of capital equipment. The system boundaries and assumptions made are also discussed. The functional unit adopted was the Environmental Load Units (ELU) of the EPS 2000 Default Method. The grand overall ELU for the wooden pallet and plastic packaging system are computed by considering the weight of the material, the volume of inventory and the distance travelled. The ELU of the wooden pallet was 18.455, while that for the plastic packaging was 4.574 at a 96.5% level of certainty. In the case of the wooden pallet, truck transport, the corrugated cardboard boxes and the LDPE liner and shrinkwrap impacted the environment most, while for the plastic packaging system truck transport and the LDPE liner were significant. The plastic packaging has a lower environmental impact than the wooden pallet for various reasons. It is lighter in weight, has more re‐usable parts and can transport more yoghurt pottles per trip. It has a long service life and is virtually fully recyclable. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Life cycle environmental performance and improvement of a yogurt product delivery system
Authors: Keoleian Gregory A. , Phipps Alan W. , Dritz Tad , Brachfeld Dov 
Published: March 2004

AbstractA life cycle assessment was conducted to evaluate the environmental performance of the yogurt product delivery system used by Stonyfield Farm. A life cycle model was developed which included material production, manufacturing and disposition for primary and secondary packaging, as well as the related transportation links between these stages and filling, retail and the point of consumption. Product delivery systems (PDS) that utilized 4, 6, 8 and 32 oz polypropylene (PP) cups and 2 oz linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) tubes were analysed. Ten strategies for improving the environmental performance of these systems were proposed and their impacts on the total life cycle burden were analysed. The life cycle energy consumption for the 2, 4, 6, 8 and 32 oz containers was 4050, 4670, 5230, 4390 and 3620 MJ/1000 lb yogurt delivered to market, respectively. Material production of the primary packaging accounted for 58% of the life cycle energy, while Distribution 3 (yogurt delivery to distributors/retailers) alone accounted for one‐third of the life cycle total energy. The life cycle solid waste profile showed that as the container size decreased, the solid waste burden increased, from 27.3 kg (32 oz) to 42.8 kg (6 oz) per 1000 lb yogurt delivered to market. This relationship was even more pronounced for the 4 oz (47.5 kg) and 2 oz (56.2 kg) product delivery systems. The greatest potential improvements in the environmental performance of the PDS are achievable through redesigning the primary packaging and using alternative manufacturing techniques for the yogurt cups. Shifting from injection moulding to thermoforming of 32 oz container reduces the life cycle energy and solid waste by 18.6% and 19.5%, respectively, primarily due to light‐weighting. Elimination of lids for 6 oz and 8 oz containers provided similar benefits. Consumers purchasing yogurt in 32 oz instead of 6 oz containers can save 14.5% of the life cycle energy and decrease solid waste by 27.2%. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Connection between generalized lattice model of multicomponent systems and Ginzburg–Landau theory
Authors: Zakharov A. Yu. , Zakharov M. A. , Loginova O. V. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe basic principles of generalized lattice model of multicomponent condensed systems are formulated. Short‐range aspects of interatomic interactions are taken into account by means of the geometric constraints method. Long‐range aspects of the interactions taken into account in mean field approximation. The expression for Helmholtz free energy is obtained. Integral equations system for the equilibrium distributions of components is derived. The asymptotic properties of its solutions is investigated. Moments expansion of interatomic interactions and localization of integral terms in free energy is obtained. A Ginzburg–Landau‐like functional theory of free energy is derived. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004
The Challenge of Providing a Library and Information Service to Distance Learning Students
Authors: Donaldson Angela 
Published: March 2004

In this article I'll be covering the following:[bull ] some widely held perceptions of distance learning[bull ] how distance learning takes place within law at The Nottingham Trent University (NTU)[bull ] the UK Libraries Plus national support scheme for distance learning students in the UK[bull ] how I provide support for my distance learners[bull ] the practical difficulties that distance learners face[bull ] perceptions or misconceptions? – do my original perceptions still hold true?[bull ] some ideas for the futureAt this point, I should point out that I'm not promoting The Nottingham Trent University as a model of best practice, but just outlining our experiences. If anyone has any more sensible approaches or solutions to the issues I'll be covering then please let me know.
Discovery of most distant object in the solar system
Authors: Showstack Randy 
Published: March 2004

On 14 November 2003, Michael Brown, associate professor of planetary astronomy at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California, was running a few minutes late for a class he teaches. He had planned to tell the students that there is nothing in the solar system beyond the Kuiper Belt, which he said has a strong outer edge at about 49 AU.Instead, he cryptically told the students, “I am not sure this is true anymore.” That morning, he and several other members of his research team had discovered an orb no more than 1,700 km in diameter that currently is about 13 billion km—or about 90 AU— from the Sun. The planetoid, which the researchers have dubbed “Sedna” for the Inuit goddess of the ocean, is believed to be the most distant known object in our solar system from the Sun. Sedna's solar period is 10,500 years, and its most distant point from the Sun is 130 billion km.
Comment on “Righting the balance: Gender diversity in the geosciences”
Authors: Herbert Floyd 
Published: March 2004

To say that the fraction of geoscientists who are women is too small, as a recent Forum (Eos, 5 August 2003, p. 292) did, is mathematically equivalent to saying that the complementary set, male geoscientists, is too large. Does this mean that many of the male geoscientists should be eliminated?A similar article in Science [Mervis, 2002] proposed that Title IX should be used in science as it was in college athletics, when a comparable quota requirement forced the elimination of a large fraction of the male athletes in order to reach a male/female ratio less than one.
Family history and risk of atopic dermatitis in children up to 4 years
Authors: Böhme M. , Wickman M. , Lennart Nordvall S. , Svartengren M. , Wahlgren C. F. 
Published: April 2004

SummaryBackground
The aetiology of atopic dermatitis (AD) is presumably multi‐factorial, with interactions between genetic and environmental factors.Objective
To investigate the relation between atopic family history and development of AD up to 4 years.Methods
Using annual questionnaires, we studied the cumulative incidence of AD in 0–4‐year‐olds in a prospective birth cohort of 4089. Atopic diseases in parents and siblings were recorded at birth. The occurrence of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to inhalant and food allergens was analysed in 2614 4‐year‐olds, and AD was divided into non‐IgE‐associated and IgE‐associated.Results
Of the children without atopic parents, 27.1% developed AD; of those with single or double parental atopic history, 37.9% and 50.0%, respectively, did so. The effects of parental history of eczema and of atopic respiratory disease (ARD) did not differ significantly, nor did those of maternal and paternal history. Parental history of ARD increased the risk significantly more for IgE‐associated AD than for non‐IgE‐associated AD (odds ratio (OR) 2.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–2.8 vs. OR 1.3; 95% CI 1.0–1.8), whereas the two forms lacked major differences in the effect of parental eczema. A history of eczema in older siblings was a risk indicator for both forms of AD (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.4–3.3 vs. OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.2–2.6).Conclusions
We found no difference between the effects of maternal and paternal atopic history. Parental eczema was a risk factor for AD irrespective of its association with IgE, but parental history of ARD mainly increased the risk of IgE‐associated AD.
AFLP analysis indicates no introgression of maize DNA in wheat x maize crosses
Authors: Brazauskas G. , Pasakinskiene I. , Jahoor A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractAmplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) were used to follow the possible introgression of maize DNA into haploids of wheat as a side‐effect of exploiting wheat x maize hybridization for haploid production. AFLPs were generated with 64 MseI/ EcoRI and 64 MseI/ PstI primer combinations, and the AFLP profiles of haploids were tested against those of maize and of the regular wheat varieties involved in the crosses. On average, 45.1 and 110.7 fragments were produced per assay with the MseI/EcoRI and MseI/PstI combinations, respectively. Different numbers of fragments were produced for wheat and maize: an average of 81 in the haploid, 80 in the wheat parent, and only 67.1 in maize. No evidence was found for introgression of maize into the wheat genome. Three unique AFLP fragments were detected in haploids, which were not present in the parental wheat genotypes. These ‘novel’ AFLP bands in the haploids could be caused by nucleo‐cytoplasmic interaction in the hybrid zygote. Such instability in the wheat genome is defined as temporal, as it was not detected in further generations when colchicine‐doubled progeny of the haploids was tested for the presence of polymorphic fragments.
Italian rice varieties: historical data, molecular markers and pedigrees to reveal their genetic relationships
Authors: Spada A. , Mantegazza R. , Biloni M. , Caporali E. , Sala F. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractTwo molecular marker approaches [amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR)] were employed to study genomic relationship among 96 rice cultivars. These included most of the best reputed Italian accessions. AFLP produced 461 fragments, 248 (53%) of which were polymorphic, SSR produced four to 11 alleles in the 12 genomic loci investigated. Genomic similarity was estimated independently for the two molecular marker techniques. Both AFLP and SSR dendrograms agree in splitting the cultivars into two main clusters: a small one, comprising four exotic accessions, and a larger one which could be split into four subgroups. These were also analysed on the basis of historical and pedigree information. This is the first report on the application of DNA polymorphism analysis to reveal genomic relationship among cultivated Italian rice germplasm. Results will be useful for breeding programmes.
The roles of vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietin‐2 in the regression of pregnancy pyogenic granuloma
Authors: Yuan K , Lin MT 
Published: April 2004

Objectives:  The molecular mechanism for the regression of pregnancy pyogenic granuloma after parturition remains unclear. It has been proposed that, in the absence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin‐2 (Ang‐2) causes blood vessels to regress. Therefore, we investigated the roles of Ang‐2 and VEGF in the regression of pregnancy pyogenic granuloma.Materials and methods:  The effects of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) on the transcription of Ang‐2 were tested in endothelial cells by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. A total of 15 specimens, including granulomas taken from five gravidas during pregnancy, five after parturition, and five from normal gingiva were compared by immunoblot assays for their relative expressions of Ang‐1, Ang‐2, Tie‐2, VEGF, and β‐actin. Double staining, immunohistochemistry for Ang‐2, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end‐labeling for apoptotic cells, were used to evaluate their regression. Finally, a fibrin gel culture system was used to investigate whether the withdrawal of VEGF and addition of Ang‐2 could cause newly grown microvessels to regress.Results:  TNF‐α upregulated the expression of Ang‐2 in all endothelial cell types tested. The protein levels of Ang‐2 and Tie‐2 were highest in the granulomas in pregnancy, followed by those after parturition and normal gingiva, while Ang‐1 and β‐actin exhibited no significant differences. The amount of VEGF was high in the granulomas in pregnancy and almost undetectable after parturition. Double staining on granulomas after parturition revealed more apoptotic cells and less Ang‐2 than did those in pregnancy. In the fibrin gel assay, VEGF alone or in combination with Ang‐2 could protect microvessels from apoptosis, while Ang‐2 alone had no effect.Conclusions:  Our findings suggest that a lack of VEGF is associated with apoptosis of endothelial cells and regression of granuloma. The roles of Ang‐2 require additional study.