bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of mobile versatile nanohandling microrobots: design, driving principles, haptic control
Authors: Kortschack A. , Shirinov A. , Trüper T. , Fatikow S. 
Published: June 2005

Special micromanipulators are needed to manipulate very small objects. Most micromanipulators are specialized to perform a task they are designed for, but are too inflexible to adapt to other problems. Therefore, flexible newly developed mobile microrobots are presented with precision in the sub-micrometer range while offering a macroscopic workspace. The main parts of each mobile microrobot, the mobile platform, the manipulator and end effectors, are explained in detail, with some experimental data given.The new driving principle of the mobile platform allows high resolution, low energy consumption, which makes an on-board power supply feasible and a maximum velocity of several mm/s.Useful human interfaces are needed for a successful teleoperation. The most important interface next to the vision feedback is a haptic interface. The paper presents a newly developed haptic interface for a micromanipulation station. The mechanical design and the design of the control system of the haptic interface are discussed in details. The control architecture of the micromanipulation station and the integration of the haptic device into the micromanipulation station are presented.
The effect of gynecologic age, body mass index and psychosocial environment on menstrual regularity among teenaged females
Authors: Järvelaid Mari 
Published: June 2005

Background.  The aim was to study the prevalence of menstrual irregularity at an early postmenarcheal age and various biopsychosocial factors associated with menstrual irregularity.Methods.  The study was conducted in Tartu, Estonia. The 70‐item questionnaire and the 21‐item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were completed by 580 female students of grades 9–12 in four high schools. Their height and weight were measured and body mass index (BMI) calculated. The effects associated with regularity of the menstrual cycle were studied.Results.  Irregularity of the menstrual cycle was reported by 40% of respondents at an early postmenarcheal age. The risks for irregular menstrual cycles (IRM) were BMI <17.5 kg/m2[odds ratio (OR) 2.06; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.06–4.00], low economic status IRM [OR 1.77 (95% CI 1.41–2.20)], insufficient communication with parents [OR 1.46 (95% CI 1.02–2.09)], and never pleased to go to school [OR 1.27 (95% CI 1.03–1.56)]. Comparison of the answers to the BDI with the regularity of periods revealed a difference in the total score [OR 1.54 (95% CI 1.21–1.97)], with a mean score of 8.3 ± 0.4 for the respondents with regular menstrual cycles (RM) vs. 10.6 ± 0.5 for the respondents with IRM.Conclusion.  Menstrual irregularity at an early postmenarcheal age can be considered as an indicator of difficulties in psychosocial adaptability of teenaged females.
Panniculectomy in gynecologic cancer surgical procedures by using a harmonic scalpel
Authors: Olejek Anita , Manka Grzegorz 
Published: June 2005

Objective.  To demonstrate that panniculectomy in obese gynecologic oncology patients undergoing surgical gynecologic procedures reduces operative time, gives better surgical exposure and does not increase the number of operative complications.Methods.  A retrospective review of 90 patients who had panniculectomy at the time of gynecologic surgery between 1992 and June 2003. Analyzed data included indication for surgery, patient's weight, operative times, blood loss and complications.Results.  Panniculectomy was performed in 20 patients operated because of uterine cervix cancer and 70 because of uterine body cancer. The mean age was 57.3 years, weight 126.7 kg and body mass index (BMI) 47 kg/m2. The following procedures were performed: radical hysterectomy by the Wertheim–Meigs method (22 cases), total hysterectomy (68 cases) with bilateral salpingoophorectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy and also periaortal lymphadenectomy (four cases). The mean operative time was 169 min, including from 20 to 25 min opening and closing time, and blood transfusion was undertaken in 15.6% of patients. The average weight of removed panniculus was 4900 g. In 82.2% of patients there were no wound complications, in 17.8% the healing was delayed. Daily drains secretion was 65.3 mL (range 0–300 mL). One patient died because of pulmonary embolism, and another because of myocardial infarction. There were no cases of damage to the urinary tract, intestines or large vessels. During the histopathological examination metastatic carcinoma in lymph nodes was found in 29.3% of the cases.Conclusions.  Massively obese women can safely undergo gynecologic oncological surgery with simultaneous panniculectomy. Panniculectomy improves surgical access and facilitates radical surgery.
Socioeconomic status and use of postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy among Danish women
Authors: Olesen Anne Vingaard , Johnsen Søren Paaske , Mortensen Jens Tølbøll , BØggild Henrik , Olsen Jørn , Sørensen Henrik Toft 
Published: June 2005

Background. Observational studies on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have shown cardioprotective effects that have not been replicated in randomized controlled trials, perhaps due to unaccounted confounding by socioeconomic factors. To resolve this discrepancy, we examined the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and HRT use in a large population of Danish postmenopausal women.Methods. We conducted a register‐based cross‐sectional study based on all women aged 40 or more with a permanent address in the North Jutland County, Denmark on 1 January 1999 (n = 122 584). The women were classified according to SES through the Prevention Registry at Statistics Denmark. Through the Pharmaco‐epidemiological Prescription Database, we identified all reimbursed HRT prescriptions in North Jutland County for women aged 40 or more in the study population during 1999. We calculated 1‐year prevalence proportions of HRT use for all socioeconomic groups. Between‐group comparisons were made by log‐risk analysis with adjustment for age.Results. The estimated overall user‐prevalence of HRT in 1999 among Danish postmenopausal women was 14.9%[95% confidence interval (CI) 14.7–15.1]. No substantial socioeconomic gradient was found in the study. The adjusted relative prevalence proportions (RPPs) varied between 0.90 and 1.14 among the different groups when using salaried employees, basic level, as the reference group.Conclusions. Our findings suggest that recent observational studies on the use of hormone replacement therapy among women in Denmark may not have suffered from strong confounding by socioeconomic status.
Period of gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosis and maternal and fetal morbidity
Authors: Barahona María José , Sucunza Nuria , García‐Patterson Apolonia , Hernández Marta , Adelantado Juan M. , Ginovart Gemma , De Leiva Alberto , Corcoy Rosa 
Published: June 2005

Background.  The aim of the study was to analyze the association between the period of diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and maternal and neonatal outcome.Methods.  In this retrospective study, 1708 offspring (1571 singleton, 119 twins, and 18 triplets) born to women with GDM who attended the Diabetic and Pregnancy Clinic were included. Pregnancies were divided into three groups according to the gestational age at GDM diagnosis. The association of the period of diagnosis with maternal and fetal outcome was assessed adjusting for potentially confounding variables (logistic regression analysis).Results.  The period of diagnosis was a predictor in two out of three maternal outcomes (pregnancy‐induced hypertension and insulin treatment) and in four out of 12 fetal outcomes (preterm birth, 5‐min Apgar <7, perinatal mortality, and hyperbilirubinemia). Whereas pregnancy‐induced hypertension was higher in women diagnosed with GDM in the second period, the other outcomes displayed higher occurrences with earlier diagnosis.Conclusions.  Diagnosis of GDM earlier in pregnancy is a predictor of adverse maternal and neonatal outcome.
Mode of delivery in pregnant women with hypertensive disorders and unfavorable cervix following induction of labor with vaginal application of prostaglandin E2
Authors: Ben‐Haroush Avi , Yogev Yariv , Glickman Hagit , Kaplan Boris , Hod Moshe , Bar Jacob 
Published: June 2005

Background.  Our aim was to evaluate the mode of delivery in pregnant women with hypertensive disorders and unfavorable cervix following induction of labor with vaginal application of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) near or at term, and to define the predictors of successful vaginal delivery in such women.Methods.  In a retrospective case‐controlled study, pregnant women with hypertension, who underwent labor induction with PGE2 tablets (study group, n = 284), were compared with women, who underwent elective induction of labor (group 2, n = 115), and women with normal spontaneous onset of labor (group 3, n = 510).Results.  The rate of cesarean section (CS) was significantly higher in the study group (25.3%) than in group 2 (14.8%) and in group 3 (9%). Exclusion of the nulliparous women from the study and control groups yielded similar CS rates in the study group (16.9%) and in group 2 (11.1%). Women with pre‐eclampsia and the women with chronic hypertension or pregnancy‐induced hypertension had similar rates of CS. In logistic regression model, nulliparity, induction of labor with PGE2, and maternal age, but not hypertensive disorders, were independently and significantly associated with increased risk of CS.Conclusions.  PGE2 induction of labor is successful in approximately 75% of patients with hypertensive disorders and unfavorable cervix, with apparently no serious maternal or fetal complications. The induction of labor by itself, and not the hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, is independent risk factor for CS.
Use of Sengstaken–Blakemore tube in massive postpartum hemorrhage: a series of 17 cases
Authors: Seror J. , Allouche C. , Elhaik S. 
Published: June 2005

Background.  To evaluate the efficacy and identify the indications of intrauterine tamponade with a Sengstaken–Blakemore tube in acute postpartum hemorrhage.Methods.  Retrospective study was performed in 17 female patients with massive postpartum hemorrhage despite appropriate medical treatment, and requiring surgery (embolization techniques were not available in our hospital). Patients were treated by inserting a Sengstaken–Blakemore tube in the uterus through the vagina in case of vaginal delivery or through the hysterotomy incision in case of cesarean section. The esophageal balloon was inflated with 250 ml of isotonic saline solution. Patients underwent regional or general anesthesia. A preventive treatment with broad‐spectrum antibiotics was systematically administered.Results.  Tamponade treatment prevented surgery in 88% of patients, hemorrhage was controlled in 71% of cases (reducing the need for embolization by 80%), and waiting for a transfer for embolization was made possible for 18% of patients.Conclusion.  Intrauterine tamponade with a Sengstaken–Blakemore tube appears as a simple, low‐cost, readily available and effective means of treating life‐threatening postpartum hemorrhage. The only apparent contraindication is the discovery of an infection during delivery.
Polycystic ovaries and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: a systematic review*
Authors: Tummon Ian , Gavrilova‐Jordan Larisa , Allemand Michael C , Session Donna 
Published: June 2005

Objectives.  To assess and quantify the relationship between polycystic ovaries (PCOs) and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).Data Sources.  Published studies, any language, identified through MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS, Web of Science, and bibliographies. Studies were selected if exposure (ultrasound findings of PCO before treatment) and outcome (OHSS) could be abstracted to two‐by‐two tables.Results.  Ten studies, meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria, were analyzed. When PCO were present, the combined odds ratio for OHSS was 6.8 (95% confidence interval 4.9–9.6).Conclusion.  There is a significant and consistent relationship between PCO and OHSS. When PCO are present before treatment with assisted reproduction, deliberate policies to moderate treatment appear justified.
Lack of proinflammatory effects of free fatty acids on human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells and leukocytes
Authors: Holthe Mette Ree , Andersson Yvonne , Lyberg Torstein 
Published: June 2005

Aim.  To determine whether the free fatty acids (FFAs), oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acid, found elevated before 20 weeks of pregnancy in those women who later develop preeclampsia, induced changes in expression of the vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1), intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), or E‐selectin in cultured human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and integrin subunit CD11b, L‐selectin or intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in leukocytes.Methods.  The VCAM‐1, ICAM‐1, and E‐selectin expression were measured using ELISA in HUVEC after incubation with 100 µmol of either oleic, linoleic, or palmitic acid for 6 hr and 24 hr. The co‐reactivity with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the amount of VCAM‐1 mRNA in the cells, and soluble VCAM‐1 in the incubation medium were measured as well. Leukocyte adhesion molecules and ROS were measured after incubation with 750 µm of either of the FFAs in a whole blood model using flow cytometry.Results.  No effects of the FFAs tested were found on the HUVEC or leukocyte adhesion molecule expression or intracellular ROS. The only exception to this was palmitic acid incubation, which significantly lowered the VCAM‐1 expression in HUVEC after 24‐hr incubation and also slowed the decay of VCAM‐1 expressed after stimulation with LPS.Conclusions.  The lack of significant proinflammatory changes of the FFAs tested might indicate that the elevated plasma levels of FFAs seen in preeclampsia most probably are products of the preeclamptic process rather than a causative factor
Drinking patterns, drinking contexts and alcohol‐related aggression among late adolescent and young adult drinkers
Authors: Wells Samantha , Graham Kathryn , Speechley Mark , J. Koval John 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACTAims  The main objectives of this study were to determine: (1) the relative roles of heavy episodic drinking (HED), drinking frequency and drinking volume in explaining alcohol‐related aggression and (2) whether drinking context variables (i.e. usual drinking locations, typical drinking companions and extent of peer drinking) confound or modify the relationship between HED and alcohol‐related aggression or whether they predict alcohol‐related aggression independently.Design  A secondary analysis of the US National Longitudinal Survey of Youth was conducted. Alcohol‐related aggression (denoted fights after drinking) was measured based on self‐reports of arguments or fights that occurred during or after drinking in the previous 12 months.Participants  A composite sample of drinkers, ages 17–21, from the 1994, 1996 and 1998 Young Adult surveys (n = 738) was used.Findings  Frequency of drinking and drinking volume largely confounded the association between HED and fights after drinking. Usually drinking in public locations away from home versus private locations was found to be significantly associated with a greater likelihood of fights after drinking among females. Among males, usual drinking location modified the relationship between drinking frequency and alcohol‐related aggression, with the greatest risk of aggression for males who drank frequently and usually drank in public locations away from home.Conclusions  Programs designed to reduce drinking frequency in this population and to increase the safety of drinking locations in public places away from home may prove to be beneficial in reducing alcohol‐related aggression.
Effects of a sustained heroin shortage in three Australian States
Authors: Degenhardt Louisa , Day Carolyn , Dietze Paul , Pointer Sophie , Conroy Elizabeth , Collins Linette , Hall Wayne 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACTBackground  In early 2001 in Australia there was a sudden and dramatic decrease in heroin availability that occurred throughout the country that was evidenced by marked increases in heroin price and decreases in its purity.Aim  This study examines the impact of this change in heroin supply on the following indicators of heroin use: fatal and non‐fatal drug overdoses; treatment seeking for heroin dependence; injecting drug use; drug‐specific offences; and general property offences. The study was conducted using data from three Australian States [New South Wales (NSW), Victoria (VIC) and South Australia (SA)].Methods  Data were obtained on fatal and non‐fatal overdoses from hospital emergency departments (EDs), ambulance services and coronial systems; treatment entries for heroin dependence compiled by State health departments; numbers of needles and syringes distributed to drug users; and data on arrests for heroin‐related incidents and property‐related crime incidents compiled by State Police Services. Time‐series analyses were conducted where possible to examine changes before and after the onset of the heroin shortage. These were supplemented with information drawn from studies involving interviews with injecting drug users.Results  After the reduction in heroin supply, fatal and non‐fatal heroin overdoses decreased by between 40% and 85%. Despite some evidence of increased cocaine, methamphetamine and benzodiazepine use and reports of increases in harms related to their use, there were no increases recorded in the number of either non‐fatal overdoses or deaths related to these drugs. There was a sustained decline in injecting drug use in NSW and VIC, as indicated by a substantial drop in the number of needles and syringes distributed (to 1999 levels in Victoria). There was a short‐lived increase in property crime in NSW followed by a sustained reduction in such offences. SA and VIC did not show any marked change in the categories of property crime examined in the study.Conclusions  Substantial reductions in heroin availability have not occurred often, but in this Australian case a reduction had an aggregate positive impact in that it was associated with: reduced fatal and non‐fatal heroin overdoses; reduced the apparent extent of injecting drug use in VIC and NSW; and may have contributed to reduced crime in NSW. All these changes provide substantial benefits to the community and some to heroin users. Documented shifts to other forms of drug use did not appear sufficient to produce increases in deaths, non‐fatal overdoses or treatment seeking related to those drugs.
Cannabis ‘tinny’ houses in New Zealand: implications for the use and sale of cannabis and other illicit drugs in New Zealand
Authors: Wilkins Chris , Reilly James L. , Casswell Sally 
Published: June 2005

ABSTRACTAim  To examine the impact of the emergence of cannabis ‘tinny’ houses on the use and sale of cannabis and other illicit drugs in New Zealand.Method  A national sample of 5800 people aged 13–45 years were interviewed about their drug use using a computer‐assisted telephone interview (CATI) system as part of the 2001 National Drug Survey. A question on cannabis procurement was used to create two subgroups of cannabis buyers for further analysis: (i) ‘tinny’ house buyers—those who had purchased ‘some’, ‘most’ or ‘all’ of their cannabis from a ‘tinny’ house (n = 145) and (ii) personal market buyers—those who had purchased ‘none’ or ‘hardly any’ of their cannabis from a ‘tinny’ house (n = 342). The two groups of cannabis buyers were compared for a range of variables. [‘Tinny’ houses are residential properties converted for the ‘supermarket’ sale of cannabis and other illicit drugs to anyone who attends the premises with cash.]Findings  Those purchasing cannabis from ‘tinny’ houses were significantly more likely than those purchasing cannabis from the personal market to smoke one joint or more on a typical occasion, to purchase cannabis weekly or more often, to purchase small weights of cannabis, to be sold lower quality cannabis than they paid for, to know their cannabis dealer sells other illicit drug types and to use high potency strains of cannabis. There was no significant difference between the ‘tinny’ house and personal market cannabis buyers with respect to the frequency of cannabis use, prices paid for the same weights of cannabis, levels of other victimization, levels of other drug use or levels of encouragement by cannabis sellers to purchase other drug types. Those purchasing cannabis from ‘tinny’ houses were more likely to be aged 15–17 years old and to be of Maori ethnicity than those purchasing cannabis from the personal market.Conclusion  Cannabis ‘tinny’ houses attracted more adolescent and more Maori clientele. However, ‘tinny’ houses did not appear to be contributing to the spread of the use of other drug types either through the active marketing of other drugs or by having these drugs available for sale at these locations.
An examination of the intestinal tract of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., parr fed different varieties of soy and maize
Authors: Sanden M , Berntssen M H G , Krogdahl Å , Hemre G‐I , Bakke‐McKellep A‐M 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThis study was conducted to investigate the long‐term effects of feeding plant products from both traditional breeding and from biotechnology on intestinal somatic indices, histology and cell proliferation in first‐feeding Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. (initial weight 0.21 ± 0.02 g). A standard fishmeal diet (standard fishmeal) was formulated to contain fishmeal as the sole protein source and suprex maize as the main starch source. Six experimental diets were then developed: two in which some of the fishmeal was replaced with commercially available, genetically modified Roundup Ready® full‐fat soybean meal (GM‐soy) or commercially available, non‐GM full‐fat soybean meal (nGM‐soy) at a level of 12.5% of the total diet, and four diets in which the suprex maize was replaced with two lines of GM‐maize (Dekalb 1; D1 and Pioneer 1; P1), both products of event MON810, and their half‐sibling non‐GM counterparts (Dekalb 2; D2 and Pioneer 2; P2), at a level of 12.1% of total diet. Each diet was fed to fish in triplicate tanks and the experiment lasted for 8 months, during which the fish reached a final weight of 101–116 g. There was no significant effect of diet on the intestinal indices, nor were histological changes observed in the pyloric caeca or mid intestine. In the distal intestine, one of nine sampled fish fed nGM‐soy showed moderate changes, two of nine sampled fish fed GM‐soy showed changes, one with moderate and one with severe changes, and two of nine fish fed nGM‐maize D2 had moderate changes. Using a monoclonal antibody against proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cell proliferative responses to the experimental diets were assessed. In fish fed both soy diets, a significantly higher (P < 0.05) cell proliferation response was observed in the distal intestine concomitant with an increased localization of PCNA positive cells along the whole distal intestinal folds. The PCNA response among the nGM‐soy group was significantly higher compared with all the other diet groups. In contrast, for fish exposed to dietary maize (type D) compared with fish fed the standard fishmeal, the soy‐diets (GM‐soy and nGM‐soy) and maize (type P), a significantly lower (P < 0.05) cell proliferation response was observed in the distal intestine. Results indicated that the GM plant products investigated in this study, at about 12% inclusion level, were as safe as commercially available non‐GM products, at least in terms of their effect on indices and histological parameters of the Atlantic salmon intestinal tract.