bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of changes in utero‐ovarian arterial impedance during the peri‐implantation period by Doppler sonography in women undergoing assisted reproduction
Authors: Chien L. W. , Lee W. S. , Au H. K. , Tzeng C. R. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate changes in utero‐ovarian blood flow during the peri‐implantation period and their significance in successful embryo implantation.MethodsA prospective longitudinal study was conducted in 317 women undergoing in‐vitro fertilization–embryo transfer (IVF–ET) treatment. All of them had at least one good‐quality embryo for transfer on the second or third day after oocyte retrieval. Measurement of endometrial thickness and color flow imaging with pulsed waveform analysis of uterine and ovarian arteries were performed before ET and 5–6 days after ET.ResultsThere were no significant differences in the age of patients, duration of infertility or number of embryos transferred between women who became pregnant (n = 91) and those who did not (n = 226). There was no difference in mean endometrial thickness between the two groups before ET, while a thicker endometrium was found in women who had conceived compared with those who had not 5–6 days after ET (P = 0.02). Mean uterine arterial resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) values were significantly lower in the pregnant than in the non‐pregnant group before ET (P = 0.04 and P = 0.003, respectively), but no significant differences were found between the two groups 5–6 days after ET. In contrast, the mean ovarian arterial RI and PI values were similar between the two groups before ET, yet the pregnant group showed significantly lower RI and PI values compared with the non‐pregnant group 5–6 days after ET (P = 0.002 and P = 0.01, respectively). A significantly higher peak systolic velocity (PSV) of intraovarian vessels was also noted in the pregnant group 5–6 days after ET.ConclusionDifferent utero‐ovarian blood flow changes during the peri‐implantation period occur in conception and non‐conception cycles in women following IVF. Doppler assessment of uterine arterial resistance can help to determine a time interval within the menstrual cycle that is of optimal endometrial status for embryo implantation in assisted conception programs. Delay in achieving adequate uterine perfusion during the temporal window of embryo implantation may have an impact on endometrial receptivity. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Characterization of New Copper(I) Complexes Containing Thione Derivatives of 1, 2, 4‐Triazine. Crystal Structure of [Cu(PPh3)2(ATTO)]NO3 (ATTO = 4‐amino‐1, 2, 4‐triazin‐3(2H)‐thione‐5‐one)
Authors: Yazdanbakhsh Mohammad , Hakimi Mohammad , Heravi Majid M. , Ghassemzadeh Mitra , Neumüller Bernhard 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe reaction of 4‐amino‐1, 2, 4‐triazin‐3(2H)‐thione‐5‐one (ATTO, 1) with [Cu(PPh3)2]NO3 in ethanol led to the complex [Cu(PPh3)2(ATTO)]NO3 (2). 2 was characterized by elemental analyses, IR, 1H NMR and Raman spectroscopy. A single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction of compound 2 revealed that ATTO acts as a bidentate ligand via its nitrogen and sulfur atoms. Crystal data for 2 at 20 °C: space group P21/n with a = 975.7(1), b = 1533.5(2), c = 2504.2(3) pm, β = 92.25(1)°, Z = 4, R1 = 0.0632.
Benign Positional Vertigo: Prognostic Factors
Authors: del Rio Maria , Arriaga Moisés A. 
Published: April 2004

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESISWe sought to assess prognostic factors associated with initial successful treatment and recurrence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) with the canalith repositioning (CRP) maneuver with mastoid vibration.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:We conducted a retrospective chart review of 104 consecutive BPPV patients at a tertiary care referral center during 1999.METHODSThe main outcome measures were resolution of BPPV and absence of nystagmus on Hallpike maneuver.RESULTSNinety‐three patients (89.4%) experienced initial symptom resolution, and 21 of the initially successful patients had a recurrence (recurrence rate of 22.6%). Prior trauma or labyrinthitis was found to predict the lowest initial CRP success. Endolymphatic hydrops and central nervous system‐related dizziness as cofactors with BPPV were associated with the highest recurrence rates.CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCESpecific concurrent otologic conditions are associated with different outcomes in BPPV. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2004;130:426‐9.)
Hearing Loss with Semicircular Canal Fistula in Exotoxin A‐Deficient Pseudomonas Otitis Media
Authors: Yunus Tariq M. , Molina Rolando M. , Prevatt Angela R. , Gajewski Byron J. , Sedwick Jack D. , Antonelli Patrick J. 
Published: April 2004

OBJECTIVEThe study goal was to compare the severity of hearing loss with semicircular canal injury in the presence of otitis media (OM) due to an exotoxin A‐producing strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA+) and an exotoxin A‐deficient daughter strain (PA‐).METHODSPA+ or PA‐ was injected bilaterally into guinea pig ears. Three days later, unilateral lateral semicircular canal transection was performed. Hearing was tested before and after transection.RESULTSPA OM was induced in all injected ears. Significant elevation of click and 12‐kHz thresholds (P < 0.0001) were encountered in PA+‐infected ears. No significant threshold elevations were encountered in PA‐infected ears.ConclusionHearing loss resulting from canal injury in the presence of Pseudomonas OM may be mediated by exotoxin A.SIGNIFICANCETreatment to neutralize the effects of exotoxin A may minimize the risk of hearing loss with canal fistula in chronic OM.
Electron Microscopic Analysis of Biofilm on Endotracheal Tubes Removed from Intubated Neonates
Authors: Zur Karen B. , Mandell David L. , Gordon Ronald E. , Holzman Ian , Rothschild Michael A. 
Published: April 2004

OBJECTIVETo determine if the phenomenon of biofilm accumulation and associated microbial colonization occurs on the surface of endotracheal tubes in the region of the subglottis in neonates.METHODSEndotracheal tubes removed from 9 consecutive neonatal patients intubated for more than 12 hours were processed (range, 13 hours to 8 days). A sterile control tube was also processed. For each, the portion of the endotracheal tube that had been in contact with the subglottis was determined using a previously published nomogram. A 1‐cm‐long cross‐sectional segment of the endotracheal tube corresponding to the level of the subglottis was divided into 2 portions for both electron microscopy and aerobic/anaerobic cultures.RESULTSTwo of 9 (22%) luminal surface cultures grewStaphylococcusspecies, 1 (11%) grew normal flora, and 6 (66%) had no growth. Three of 9 (33%) outer‐surface cultures grewStaphylococcusspecies, 1 (11%) had gram‐negative rods on staining but a sterile culture, and one enterococcal contaminant was found. Electron microscopy revealed that 8 of 9 inner lumen surfaces harbored bacteria and biofilm formation. All outer lumen surfaces had biofilm formation; 6 of 9 had bacterial colonization. There was no obvious difference in the appearance of the inner and outer tube surface accretions. No time‐dependent differences were noted except of the longest indwelling tube (8 days).CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrates for the first time the presence of biofilm on the outer surface of neonatal endotracheal tubes. The data suggest that the presence of bacteria and/or biofilm does not correlate with other traditional indicators of microbial colonization.
On the divergence of the Rogers-Ramanujan continued fraction on the unit circle
Authors: Bowman Douglas , Mc Laughlin James 
Published: April 2004

This paper studies ordinary and general convergence of the Rogers-Ramanujan continued fraction. Let the continued fraction expansion of any irrational number

t
∈
(
0
,
1
)

t \in (0,1)

be denoted by

[
0
,

e

1

(
t
)
,

e

2

(
t
)
,
⋯
]

[0,e_{1}(t),e_{2}(t),\cdots ]

and let the

i
i

-th convergent of this continued fraction expansion be denoted by

c

i

(
t
)

/

d

i

(
t
)

c_{i}(t)/d_{i}(t)

. Let
\[

S
=
{
t
∈
(
0
,
1
)
:

e

i
+
1

(
t
)
≥

ϕ

d

i

(
t
)

infinitely often
}
,

S=\{t \in (0,1): e_{i+1}(t) \geq \phi ^{d_{i}(t)} \text { infinitely often}\},

\]
where

ϕ
=
(

5

+
1
)

/

2

\phi = (\sqrt {5}+1)/2

. Let

Y

S

=
{
exp
⁡
(
2
π
i
t
)
:
t
∈
S
}

Y_{S} =\{\exp (2 \pi i t): t \in S \}

. It is shown that if

y
∈

Y

S

y \in Y_{S}

, then the Rogers-Ramanujan continued fraction

R
(
y
)

R(y)

diverges at

y
y

.

S
S

is an uncountable set of measure zero. It is also shown that there is an uncountable set of points

G
⊂

Y

S

G \subset Y_{S}

such that if

y
∈
G

y \in G

, then

R
(
y
)

R(y)

does not converge generally. It is further shown that

R
(
y
)

R(y)

does not converge generally for

|

y

|

>
1

|y| > 1

. However we show that

R
(
y
)

R(y)

does converge generally if

y
y

is a primitive

5
m

5m

-th root of unity, for some

m
∈

N

m \in \mathbb {N}

. Combining this result with a theorem of I. Schur then gives that the continued fraction converges generally at all roots of unity.
Dissection of Nod factor signalling in legumes: cell biology, mutants and pharmacological approaches
Authors: Esseling J. J. , Emons A. M. C. 
Published: April 2004

SummaryNodulation factors (NFs) are lipochito‐oligosaccharide signal molecules excreted by soil‐living rhizobia. These molecules elicit a range of responses in the legume roots, with which the bacteria can live in symbiosis. In this review we focus on the genetic, pharmacological and cell biological approaches that have been, and are being, undertaken to decipher the signalling pathways that lead to the symbiotic responses in the plant.
Evaluation of spectral imaging for plant cell analysis
Authors: Berg R. H. 
Published: April 2004

SummaryFluorescence imaging at high spectral resolution is now a practical reality and has great promise in plant cell biology. Emission spectral curve data can be used computationally to distinguish spectrally similar fluorophores, or to remove autofluorescence, and to spectrally analyse autofluorescent molecules, which are especially abundant in plant tissues. Examples of these applications in plant cells are given, and a comparison is made between the current offerings in spectral imaging laser scanning confocal microscopes.
Presence of human herpes virus‐8 in saliva and non‐lesional oral mucosa in HIV‐infected and oncologic immunocompromised patients
Authors: Triantos D. , Horefti E. , Paximadi E. , Kyriakopoulou Z. , Karakassiliotis G. , Papanastasiou K. , Lelekis M. , Panos G. , Donta‐Bakoyianni C. , Rapidis A. , Markoulatos P. 
Published: April 2004

Background/Aim:  Human Herpes Virus‐8 (HHV‐8) is a recently identified virus etiologically associated with Kaposi's sarcoma. Studies regarding its presence in the oral cavity have given variable results. This study attempted to determine the oral presence of HHV‐8 in an area where classic Kaposi's sarcoma is primarily found such as Greece.Methods:  Three groups of patients were studied: 10 immunocompromised with hematologic malignancies, 10 immunocompromised with HIV infection and 20 immunocompetent as controls. Whole unstimulated saliva and scrapes from the lingual and the buccal mucosa were collected and polymerase chain reaction was applied to amplify HHV‐8 DNA.Results:  None of the patients in any group had oral lesions. In the control group, all samples tested negative (0/60). HHV‐8 DNA was detected in 5/30 (17%) of all samples from HIV‐positive patients (the mean value of their CD4+ T‐lymphocytes being 385/mm3) and in 13/30 (43%) of all samples from oncologic patients (mean CD4+ T‐lymphocytes 51/mm3). HHV‐8 DNA was found in 10% of saliva samples and 40% of lingual and buccal scrapes both of HIV‐infected and of oncologic patients.Conclusion:  HHV‐8 is present in the saliva and the non‐lesional oral mucosa (not simultaneously) of patients with impaired immunity, with or without HIV co‐infection. The oral epithelium seems to represent an independent location of viral residency and may be of viral replication; the clinical implications need further clarification.
Expression of somatostatin mRNA and peptides in C‐cell tumours of the thyroid gland in Han Wistar rats
Authors: Pilling Andrew , Jones Stewart , Turton John 
Published: April 2004

SummaryC‐cell tumours of the thyroid gland are among the most common spontaneous neoplasms of the laboratory rat. With the exception of calcitonin, little attention has been paid to the secretory peptides of C cells during the development of neoplasia. Of these peptides, somatostatin (SS) is of particular interest because it has been shown to have a direct anti‐secretory effect on both thyroid follicular and C cells in vitro. In the present study, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were used to investigate the expression of SS mRNA and SS peptides, in normal C cells and a range of spontaneous proliferative C‐cell lesions in the Han Wistar rat. It was confirmed that a small minority of C cells in the normal rat thyroid gland produce and store SS peptides; however, approximately half of all C‐cell adenomas and C‐cell carcinomas stained positively for SS mRNA and peptides. SS expression was also observed in all metastatic deposits of carcinomas in drainage lymph nodes. From these observations, it appears that C‐cell tumours are more likely to develop from SS‐expressing stem cells, rather than from non‐SS‐expressing stem cells. In addition, a lack of differentiation of neoplastic C cells, or reversion to more primitive cell types, could account for increased number of cells expressing SS in C‐cell tumours relative to the normal C‐cell population. Finally, the mean percentage of cells that stained positively for SS mRNA and peptides appeared to be significantly higher in small C‐cell tumours, suggesting that SS may have exerted a growth‐controlling influence on these lesions.
Evidence of macrophage and lymphocyte, but not dendritic cell, infiltration in posterior uveal melanomas, whilst cultured uveal melanomas demonstrate pluripotency by expressing CD68 and CD163
Authors: Woodward Julia , Sisley Karen , Reeves Graham , Nichols Carmel , Parsons M. Andrew , Mudhar Hardeep , Rennie Ian 
Published: April 2004

SummaryAlthough variation in the level of macrophage infiltration has been reported in uveal melanoma, little is known about the expression of other leucocyte markers. An immuno‐ histochemistry study of the levels of expression of macrophage and other leucocyte markers, in a series of 10 primary choroidal melanoma biopsies, was undertaken. Biopsies were either fixed immediately in formalin and embedded in paraffin wax or established as short‐term cultures. Using single‐ and double‐labelling immunohistochemistry, cultured cells and paraffin sections were analysed for a range of melanoma (HMB45, Melan A, S100 and tyrosinase) and immune cell (CD68, CD163, CD45 and CD1a) markers. All samples expressed at least two known melanoma markers. Infiltrating macrophages were present in the majority of sections. When cultured specimens were studied by double‐labelling immunofluorescence, uveal melanoma cells were seen to express macrophage markers or have cross‐reactivity with related proteins. Expression of the leucocyte antigen CD45 was observed in three tumours but was not present in any cultured cells, whilst the expression of the dendritic cell marker CD1a was absent from all samples.
Effectiveness and pharmaceutical cost of sequential treatment for Helicobacter pylori in patients with non‐ulcer dyspepsia
Authors: De Francesco V. , Della Valle N. , Stoppino V. , Amoruso A. , Muscatiello N. , Panella C. , Ierardi E. 
Published: April 2004

SummaryBackground : A novel 10‐day sequential treatment regimen recently achieved a significantly higher eradication rate than standard 7‐day therapy in both peptic ulcer disease and non‐ulcer dyspepsia. Its higher performance has recently been confirmed using a halved clarithromycin dose in peptic ulcer disease.Aims : To evaluate whether an acceptable eradication rate could also be obtained by halving the clarithromycin dose in dyspeptic patients and to assess the role of possible factors affecting the outcome of therapy.Methods : In a prospective, open‐label study, 162 patients with non‐ulcer dyspepsia and Helicobacter pylori infection, assessed by rapid urease test and histology, were enrolled. Patients were randomized to receive either 10‐day sequential therapy, comprising rabeprazole 20 mg b.d. plus amoxicillin 1 g b.d. for the first 5 days, followed by rabeprazole 20 mg b.d., clarithromycin 250 mg b.d. and tinidazole 500 mg b.d. for the remaining 5 days (low‐dose therapy), or a similar schedule with clarithromycin 500 mg b.d. (high‐dose therapy). Four to six weeks after therapy, H. pylori eradication was assessed by endoscopy/histology.Results : A similar H. pylori eradication rate was observed following low‐ and high‐dose regimens for both per protocol (94% vs. 95%; P = N.S.) and intention‐to‐treat (93% vs. 94%; P = N.S.) analyses. No major side‐effects were reported. Halving the clarithromycin dose leads to a per patient saving in pharmaceutical costs of 24.6 euros. None of the variables examined affected the effectiveness of eradication of the sequential regimen.Conclusion : A reduction of the clarithromycin dose does not affect H. pylori eradication with the sequential regimen in non‐ulcer dyspepsia and affords lower costs.
Sirolimus‐induced hyperlipidaemia in liver transplant recipients is not dose‐dependent
Authors: Firpi R. J. , Tran T. T. , Flores P. , Nissen N. , Colquhoun S. , Shackleton C. , Martin P. , Vierling J. M. , Poordad F. F. 
Published: April 2004

SummaryBackground : Sirolimus is a potent immunosuppressive medication that acts by inhibiting T‐cell proliferation. It has been used in kidney transplantation because of its lack of nephrotoxicity. It is now being investigated in liver transplantation, but there are concerns about safety and long‐term side effects such as dyslipidaemia. Hypertriglyceridaemia is a common adverse event seen with sirolimus use, and often does not respond to dose reduction or anti‐lipemic drugs.Method : We report six patients who have developed significant hyperlipidaemia while receiving sirolimus, in spite of therapeutic trough levels.Conclusion : All six patients showed either resolution or improvement in lipid levels with discontinuation of sirolimus.
DNA vaccine encoding human immunodeficiency virus‐1 Gag, targeted to the major histocompatibility complex II compartment by lysosomal‐associated membrane protein, elicits enhanced long‐term memory response
Authors: De Arruda Luciana Barros , Chikhlikar Priya R. , August J. Thomas , Marques Ernesto T. A. 
Published: April 2004

SummaryAntigen presentation by major histocompatibility complex type II (MHC II) molecules and activation of CD4+ helper T cells are critical for the generation of immunological memory. We previously described a DNA vaccine encoding human immunodeficiency virus‐1 p55Gag as a chimera with the lysosome‐associated membrane protein (LAMP/gag). The LAMP/gag chimera protein traffics to the MHC II compartment of transfected cells and elicits enhanced immune responses as compared to a DNA vaccine encoding native gag not targeted to the MHC II compartment. We have now investigated the long‐term responses of immunized mice and show that the LAMP/gag DNA vaccine promotes long‐lasting B cell‐ and CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell memory responses and elicits a potent Gag‐specific CD8+ recall response to challenge with vaccinia virus encoding gag, even 11 months after immunization. In contrast, the immune responses induced by DNA encoding non‐targeted Gag decay rapidly and elicit very low or undetectable levels of Gag‐specific CD4+ and CD8+ memory cells. A single priming immunization with LAMP/gag DNA is sufficient to generate T‐cell memory. Following this initial priming immunization with LAMP/gag DNA, booster immunizations with native gag DNA or the LAMP/gag chimera are equally efficient in eliciting B‐ and T‐cell secondary responses, results in accordance with observations that secondary expansion of CD8+ cells in the boost phase does not require additional CD4+ help. These findings underscore the significance of targeting DNA‐encoded vaccine antigens to the MHC II processing compartments for induction of long‐term immunological memory.
Predicting and explaining plant invasions through analysis of source area floras: some critical considerations
Authors: Pyšek Petr , Richardson David M. , Williamson Mark 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTComparing species that become invasive with others from the same regional species pool that do not invade raises several issues about the accuracy of analyses attempting to define the determinants of invasiveness. The delimitation of the source area and deciding which species group(s) to include are especially relevant in analyses focusing on species originating in Europe. Historical patterns of immigration of alien species into Europe must be considered since European floras comprise a complex mix of native species, historical introductions (archaeophytes) and relative newcomers (neophytes). We make three main points: (1) Archaeophytes (species introduced to Europe before the discovery of America) differ from natives in a number of traits and in historical association with people; it is misleading to lump archaeophytes with native taxa. (2) Taxa from climatically and geographically different regions, representing distinct floristic geoelements, need to be treated separately, and not as a homogenous pool of potential invaders. Restricting the source species pool to native taxa with comparable phytogeographical characteristics reduces the variation associated with chance of dispersal by humans from the source area. (3) For prediction, a clear distinction should be made between accuracy (the proportion of those found to be alien that were also predicted to be there) and reliability (or predictive value, the proportion of those predicted to become aliens that do so). Information accumulated over centuries by botanists in Central Europe provides an excellent opportunity to deal with these issues and avoid spurious results. To illustrate these issues, we revisit a recently published study of Central‐European plant species as invaders in two Argentinean provinces (Prinzing et al., 2002) to explore and demonstrate the implications of the above points. We hope that future studies will build on these points to achieve more reliable predictions.
Biodiversity patterns of vascular plant species in mountain vegetation in the Faroe Islands
Authors: Fosaa Anna Maria 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTBiodiversity patterns of vascular plant species were studied along altitudinal gradients in the Faroe Islands. Plants were sampled from five different mountains (150–856 m a.s.l.) at 50 m altitudinal intervals. Included in the study were 107 vascular plant species. In order to compare only altitudes with the same number of plots, three different analyses were carried out. One analysis included five mountains from 250 to 750 m a.s.l., one had three mountains from 150 to 750 m a.s.l., and the last one had two mountains from 750 to 850 m a.s.l. The patterns of biodiversity were evaluated on the basis of species richness as the total number of species at each altitudinal interval, as species turnover between altitudes and in relation to the Shannon‐Wiener index. Similar patterns were found for species richness in the three analyses, although richness was higher along the whole transect when five mountains were included. For the Shannon‐Wiener index, only small differences were found among the three analyses. A maximum was seen at 250 m a.s.l. and again at 500 m a.s.l. both in richness and in the Shannon‐Wiener index. Maximum species turnover was found at mid‐altitudes. Total vegetation cover followed the same pattern as richness. In addition to climate, the altitudinal variation of biodiversity may be affected by grazing.