bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Limited expression of Fas and Fas ligand in fetal nucleated erythrocytes isolated from first trimester maternal blood
Authors: Sohda Satoshi , Samura Osamu , Johnson Kirby L. , Falco Vincent M. , Elmes R. Sarah , Bianchi Diana W. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractObjectiveIntact fetal cells isolated from maternal blood can be used for non‐invasive gender determination and genetic diagnosis. Recent studies demonstrating a large amount of cell‐free fetal DNA in maternal plasma suggest that the circulating fetal DNA may result from fetal cells undergoing apoptosis. In the present study we evaluated the potential role of Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) cell surface expression with respect to apoptosis induction in fetal cells isolated from maternal blood.MethodsWe flow sorted candidate fetal cells that were gamma chain‐positive and Fas‐ or FasL‐positive or ‐negative, and subsequently analysed them by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis using X and Y chromosome‐specific probes.ResultsAmong all gamma hemoglobin‐positive cells, there was a significant difference in the percent of cells expressing Fas versus FasL (4.4 and 12.3, respectively). We found no significant correlation between the total number of fetal nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) and gestational age or the presence of Fas‐ and FasL‐positive cells. From approximately 7 ml of maternal peripheral blood, most of the confirmed fetal (XY) cells were found in the Fas‐ and FasL‐negative sorted population; the average numbers were 12.8 and 15.7, respectively.ConclusionWe conclude that fetal NRBCs express FasL more than Fas, although most fetal NRBCs in first trimester maternal blood samples do not express Fas or FasL. This suggests the absence of a functional Fas/FasL apoptotic system in fetal NRBCs, and that programmed cell death in these cells, which may lead to circulating fetal DNA in maternal plasma, probably occurs by another pathway. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Some observations of the structure of the choroid plexus and its cysts
Authors: Kraus Ivan , Jirásek Jan E. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractThe structure of the choroid plexus was studied in five normal human embryos, three normal fetuses and three fetuses with choroid plexus cysts. These were detected by ultrasound and the fetuses were karyotypically normal.The choroid plexus appears in the lateral cerebral ventricles at the seventh developmental week. The early structure is lobulated with vessels running in the mesenchymal stroma and forming capillary nets under the single‐layered ependymal epithelium. This embryonal structure is converted into the fetal type during the ninth developmental week as the embryonal capillary net is replaced by elongated loops of wavy capillaries that lie under regular longitudinal epithelial folds.The choroid plexus cysts exhibited accumulation of fluid within distended mesenchymal stroma and did not show the wavy folds on this surface, which was smooth. Within this connective tissue of the cyst wall were distended angiomatous interconnecting thin‐walled capillaries. Therefore, filled cavities were not lined by any epithelium. We suggest that fetal choroid plexuses cysts (at least in many cases) are in fact pseudocysts exhibiting angiomatous patterns of capillaries in their walls. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of Toriello–Carey syndrome
Authors: Paladini Dario , Russo Maria Giovanna , Tartaglione Antonio , Loffredo Annamaria , Martinelli Pasquale 
Published: December 2002

AbstractToriello–Carey syndrome is a rare malformative complex, described for the first time in 1988, characterized by agenesis of the corpus callosum, facial anomalies, cardiac defects and hypotonia. Relatively few neonatal cases have been reported. We describe here the first prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of the syndrome based on the detection of agenesis of the corpus callosum and spongious cardiomyopathy in a 22‐week‐old fetus of a couple with positive family history. The first sib of the couple was diagnosed with Toriello–Carey syndrome at 1 year of age, and had, in addition to the typical facial anomalies not detectable by ultrasound, agenesis of the corpus callosum and the same heart lesion (spongious cardiomyopathy). This report demonstrates that prenatal diagnosis of Toriello–Carey syndrome is feasible in the second trimester of pregnancy. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interpreting information: what is said, what is heard—a questionnaire study of health professionals and members of the public
Authors: Abramsky Lenore , Fletcher Olivia 
Published: December 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate how people perceive some of the words and phrases commonly used in prenatal diagnosis counselling.MethodsA questionnaire containing 25 questions with forced choice answers was administered in the form of a lecture. Respondents were asked to report how worrying they would find different ways of being told about hypothetical anomalies or risks of anomalies in their baby. 581 questionnaires were completed by 372 health professionals and 209 members of the public. The sample was obtained opportunistically. The exact number of non‐responders is not known but is estimated to be less than 5%.ResultsRespondents reported being particularly worried by the use of genetic jargon and use of the following words: rare, abnormal, syndrome, disorder, anomaly and high risk. They found risk expressed as 1 in X more worrying than when it was expressed as a percentage, and they consistently reacted as if they estimated the chance of an undesired outcome occurring to be greater than that of a desired outcome occurring when both events were equally likely.ConclusionsThe choice of words used to describe a condition or to inform someone about the level of risk of an adverse event occurring may significantly affect how the person perceives that condition or risk. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The association between fetal pyelectasis on second trimester ultrasound scan and aneuploidy among 25 586 low risk unselected women
Authors: Havutcu A. E. , Nikolopoulos G. , Adinkra P. , Lamont R. F. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the association of fetal pyelectasis FP found at the time of second trimester detailed ultrasound scan with aneuploidy in an unselected low‐risk population.DesignRetrospective study of ultrasonographic reports, films and hospital notes over an eight‐year period from 1991 to 1998.SettingDistrict general hospital obstetric department with 3500 deliveries annually serving a low‐risk cosmopolitan population.Main Outcome MeasureThe prevalence of aneuploidy in cases of fetal pyelectasis.MethodsThe obstetric ultrasound reports and films of 29591 cases were reviewed to identify those with FP at their detailed anomaly scan between 18 and 24‐weeks gestation. The study sample included women whose scan showed the fetal renal pelvis of either kidney to be five millimetres or more in the anteroposterior diameter. Demographic data and other ultrasonographic abnormalities were noted. The genotype and phenotype of the babies were traced from a combination of cytogenetic reports and paediatric notes.ResultsThere were 320 cases of FP among the 25586 low‐risk study population available in the studied gestational period (18–24 weeks) giving a prevalence of 1.25 percent. Of these, 301 cases of FP were found in isolation and 19 were found in association with another ultrasonographic marker. None of the 315 cases delivering at the Northwick Park & St. Mark's Hospital had aneuploidy. Pyelectasis was more likely to be bilateral (57%), and more in male fetuses (72%). The mean diameter for the pyelectasis at diagnosis was 6.5 mm (1.4 SD) ranging between 5 and 15 mm. One hundred and thirty seven cases (43%) resulted in spontaneous resolution.ConclusionThe prevalence of FP at the anomaly scan in an unselected low‐risk population is not high (1.25%). Our data suggest that the risk of aneuploidy associated with isolated FP in a low‐risk, unselected population is so small that it should not be an indication for invasive prenatal karyotyping. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hypoechogenicity of fetal long bones: a new ultrasound marker for arthrogryposis
Authors: Murphy June C. , Neale Donna , Bromley Bryann , Benacerraf Beryl R. , Copel Joshua A. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo demonstrate osteopenia associated with arthrogryposis.Methods & ResultsWe describe 3 cases of fetal arthrogryposis seen prenatally with the sonographic feature of severe hypoechogenicity of the long bones. This manifestation of presumed osteopenia is thought to represent osteoporosis secondary with absent fetal movement.ConclusionWe describe hypoechogenicity of the fetal bones as a new sonographic feature of arthrogryposis. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gender impact on first trimester markers in Down syndrome screening
Authors: Larsen Severin Olesen , Wøjdemann Karen R. , Shalmi Anne‐Cathrine , Sundberg Karin , Christiansen Michael , Tabor Ann 
Published: December 2002

AbstractThe influence of fetal gender on the level in the first trimester of the serological markers alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP), pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A) and free beta human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG) and on nuchal translucency is described for 2637 singleton pregnancies with normal outcome. Mean log MoM values for pregnancies with female and male fetuses were calculated using regression of log marker values on gestational age expressed as crown rump length and on maternal weight. A pronounced gender impact was found for free βhCG, being 16% higher for female than for male fetuses. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nuchal index: a gestational age independent ultrasound marker for the detection of Down syndrome
Authors: Lim Kenneth I , Pugash Denise , Dansereau Jerome , Wilson R. Douglas 
Published: December 2002

AbstractObjectivesTo determine if the ultrasound marker Nuchal Index (NIx) is gestational age independent, and to determine its specificity and sensitivity for Down syndrome (DS) identification.MethodsProspective cohort. A prospective database of fetal biometry and soft markers of aneuploidy was searched for fetuses with the following criteria: confirmed gestational age, at least two measurements of nuchal thickness and biparietal diameter, no major detectable fetal anomalies, and either normal karyotype or normal postnatal exam. Nuchal Index (NIx) was defined as 100x (mean nuchal thickness [mm])/(mean Biparietal Diameter [mm]). This cohort was divided into two groups according to the last digit of their hospital unit number. Initial analysis was carried out in the first group (analysis group), with the second group (normal) used to test the results. A prospective cohort of pre‐ and postnatally diagnosed DS fetuses with at least two measurements of nuchal thickness and biparietal diameter constituted the abnormal study group (abnormal) and was used to determine the sensitivity of the index. P value <0.05 was considered significant.ResultsEight hundred and seventy‐five fetuses constituted the control group with 455 in the analysis group and 420 in the normal group. In the analysis group, Pearson coefficient and ANOVA confirm that NIx was independent of gestational age between 14 + 0 and 22 + 6 weeks of gestation. For the analysis group, mean NIx was 7.72, (SD = 2.05) and a threshold value of 11.0 yielded a specificity of 94%. Fifty‐two DS fetuses made up the abnormal group. Mean NIx in this group was 17.9 (SD = 13.9), which was highly significant (P < 0.00001) compared to the analysis group. Using an NIx threshold of 11.0, sensitivity for any DS was 61.5% (32/52) and specificity (normal group) was 96% (402/420) (False positive rate = 4%). If DS fetuses with effusions, hydrops, cystic hygromas or central nervous system (CNS) defects are excluded, the sensitivity for an NIx of 11.0 was 50.0% (20/40).ConclusionsNuchal Index (NIx) can be assumed to be constant between 14 + 0 and 22 + 6. Using a threshold of 11.0, the sensitivity for any Down syndrome (DS) fetus was 62% (32/52) with a specificity of 96% (False positive rate = 4%). Even when obvious fetal conditions that can cause an increase in NIx are excluded, the sensitivity remains acceptable at 50%. NIx appears to be a useful, gestational age independent ultrasound marker for Down syndrome. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Desirability of control: psychometric properties and relationships with locus of control, personality, coping, and mental and somatic complaints in three Dutch samples
Authors: Gebhardt Winifred A. , Brosschot Jos F. 
Published: December 2002

Desire for control (DC) or need for control has frequently been proposed as an important personality characteristic and as a possible crucial moderator within the fields of achievement, psychological adaptation, stress, and health. However, unlike locus of control, hardly any effort has been undertaken to assess the construct. An exception is the work of Burger and Cooper on the Desirability of Control Scale (1979). In the present study, the psychometric properties of a Dutch version of the DC scale were tested in three different samples (total N = 1044). Furthermore, relationships between DC, its subscales, and various psychological personality and outcome measures were examined. The results show that the psychometric properties of the original DC scale could be successfully transposed to the Dutch version. Furthermore, factor analyses (PCA) led to the construction of three reliable subscales: ‘control others’ (desire to be in charge of and control others), ‘control self’ (desire to control one's own life), and ‘relinquish control’ (desire to leave others in control). The pattern of relationships with convergent and outcome variables supports the interpretation of these subscales. For ‘control others’, as for the total DC scale (i.e. a total of all 20 items), the emphasis of these relationships was on dominance, active coping, and psychological adjustment. ‘Control self’ was mainly related to self‐sufficiency and independence, while ‘relinquish control’ was clearly associated with passive coping and poor psychological adjustment. In summary, the DC scale appears to be a psychometrically sound instrument to assess desire for control and its subdimensions. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetics of solvent absorption and permeation through a highly swellable elastomeric network
Authors: Barrière Benoît , Leibler Ludwik 
Published: December 2002

AbstractTo model a polymer gel or an elastomer undergoing a large change in volume under the action of a solvent diffusing in or out of it, a theoretical approach based on an elastohydrodynamic point of view is proposed. Drawing a parallel between the polymer network/solvent system of interest and a liquid flowing through a porous medium, the friction between the polymer and the solvent is described phenomenologically. An equation that couples the large elastic deformations undergone by the polymer network and the diffusion process is derived and then solved numerically in various cases. Special emphasis is placed on the influence of the shear elasticity during the diffusion process. During the swelling process, a nonzero shear modulus induces a nonisotropic swelling at the surface that is responsible for the “sigmoidal” shape of the mass uptake of solvent with the square root of time, as well as for the presence of a “front” in the concentration profile when the solvent advances inside the network. In a permeation process, the solvent flux deviates from its linear behavior as soon as a nonnegligible deformation of the membrane is present. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 166–182, 2003
Intimate blend of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) via formation with and coalescence from their common inclusion compound with γ‐cyclodextrin
Authors: Bullions T. A. , Edeki E. M. , Porbeni F. E. , Wei M. , Shuai X. , Rusa C. C. , Tonelli A. E. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractThe experimental procedures to place poly(ethylene 2,6‐naphthalate) (PEN) guest molecules within γ‐cyclodextrin (γ‐CD) host molecules are described along with the subsequent verification of inclusion‐compound (IC) formation. In addition, the simultaneous complexing of PEN and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) with γ‐CD to form their common IC is documented. Coalescence from their common γ‐CD IC generates an intimate blend of the PET and PEN polymers contained therein. Thermal analysis via differential scanning calorimetry reveals thermal behavior indicative of an intimate blend of PET and PEN. 1H NMR analysis confirms that the intimate blending of PET and PEN achieved by coalescence from their common γ‐CD IC is not due to transesterification into a PET/PEN copolymer during thermal analysis. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 139–148, 2003
Preparation of polymer microspheres from solutions
Authors: Chai Zhikuan , Zheng Xiao , Sun Xuefei 
Published: December 2002

AbstractPolymer microspheres are obtained by the dropwise addition of a precipitant, containing a polymeric stabilizer, into a polymer solution, containing a polymeric stabilizer. The polymer and stabilizer concentrations, the stirring speed, and the precipitation temperature determine the size and size uniformity of the microspheres. Seven polymer microspheres of polyimide, poly(ether imide), poly(ether ketone), poly(phenylene oxide), polysulfone, poly(vinylidene fluoride), and cellulose diacetate have been prepared with dimethylacetamide as the solvent, with water as the precipitant, and with poly(vinyl alcohol) as the stabilizer. The size and size uniformity of the obtained microspheres are d = 2.3–25.7 μm and ϵ = 0.15–0.50, respectively (ϵ = σ/d, where ϵ is the dispersion coefficient, d is the average diameter, and σ is the standard deviation of the diameter). © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 159–165, 2003
Stabilization of a cocontinuous phase morphology by a tapered diblock or triblock copolymer in polystyrene‐rich low‐density polyethylene/polystyrene blends
Authors: Harrats C. , Fayt R. , Jérôme R. , Blacher S. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractThe stability against the thermal annealing of a cocontinuous two‐phase morphology developed in polystyrene (PS)/low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) blends containing 80 wt % PS was investigated. Blends containing 1, 5, and 10 wt % of a tapered diblock poly(styrene‐block‐hydrogenated butadiene) (P(S‐b‐hB)) or triblock poly(styrene‐block‐hydrogenated butadiene‐block‐styrene) (P(S‐hB‐S)) copolymer were melt‐blended with roll‐mill mixing equipment. The efficiency of each of the two copolymers in stabilizing against coalescence the cocontinuous morphology was examined. The tensile properties of the resulting blends, annealed and nonannealed, were also examined in relation to the morphology induced by thermal annealing. The phase morphology was studied by optical and scanning electron microscopy. With computer‐aided image analysis, it was possible to obtain a measurable characteristic parameter to quantify the cocontinuous phase morphology. When it was necessary, the extraction of one phase with a selective solvent was performed. Although the observed differences were subtle, the tapered diblock exhibited a more efficient compatibilizing activity than the triblock copolymer, particularly at a low concentration of about 2 wt %. The superiority of the tapered diblock over the triblock might be due to its ability to quantitatively locate at the LDPE/PS interface and consequently form a more efficient barrier against the subsequent breakup of the elongated structures of the cocontinuous phase morphology. The tensile properties of the triblock‐modified blends were more sensitive to thermal annealing than the tapered‐modified ones. This deficiency was ascribed to the phase morphology coarsening of the dispersed polyethylene phase. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 202–216, 2003
Parameterisation, evaluation and comparison of pesticide leaching models to data from a Bologna field site, Italy
Authors: Garratt James A , Capri Ettore , Trevisan Marco , Errera Giuseppe , Wilkins Richard M 
Published: December 2002

AbstractEffective prediction of pesticide fate using mathematical models requires good process descriptions in the models and good choice of parameter values by the user. This paper examines the ability of seven pesticide leaching models (LEACHP, MACRO, PELMO, PESTLA, PLM, PRZM and VARLEACH) to describe an arable field environment where sunflowers are grown in the Po Valley, northern Italy. Two pesticides were considered, aclonifen and ethoprophos. The models were evaluated in terms of their ability to reproduce field data of soil water content and pesticide residues in the soil and ground water. The evaluation was based on a combination of calibrated and uncalibrated runs. The results from the models were compared with each other to explore the differences between the models. The models varied in their ability to predict soil water content in the summer: the capacity models PRZM, PELMO and VARLEACH predicted less drying than MACRO, PESTLA, PLM and LEACHP. The models varied in their ability to simulate the persistence of the pesticides in the soil. Differences in the simulated pesticide degradation rate were observed between the models, due to variations in the simulated soil water content and soil temperature, and also differences in the equation linking degradation rate to soil water content. There were large differences among the predictions of the models for the mean leaching depth of ethoprophos. PRZM, PELMO, PESTLA and LEACHP all showed similar mean leaching depth to each other, whereas VARLEACH predicted lower ethoprophos mobility and PLM and MACRO predicted greater mobility. All the models overpredicted dispersion of ethoprophos through the soil profile, as compared to the field data. None of the models was able to simulate the field data of rapid leaching of pesticide to ground water except PLM after calibration of the percentage of macropores in the mobile pore space. More work is required in the parameterisation of macropore flow for those models that include this process.© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry