bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climacteric vasomotor symptoms do not imply autonomic dysfunction
Authors: Virtanen Irina , Polo‐Kantola Päivi , Erkkola Risto , Polo Olli , Ekholm Eeva 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To study whether oestrongen replacement therapy has an effect on autonomic haemodynamic control in postmenopausal women.Design
A placebo‐controlled, prospective, randomised, double‐blind cross‐over trial.Population
Fourteen healthy postmenopausal women who had had a hysterectomy, of whom 12 were double‐blind.Methods
At the end of each treatment period we conducted autonomic nervous system tests: the Valsalva manoeuvre, the deep breathing test, study at rest and the active orthostatic test. Baroreflex sensitivity was evaluated non‐invasively from the Valsalva manoeuvre. Heart rate variability was assessed in time and frequency domains during supine rest and standing. Serum oestradiol was also measured and the previous two weeks' symptoms were assessed.Results
Autonomic nervous function was mostly normal for age and unchanged by oestrogen. Vasomotor symptoms were not associated with autonomic dysfunction. Baroreflex sensitivity was 13.3 ms/mmHg (SD 7.4 ms/mmHg) with placebo and 10.5 ms/mmHg (SD 5.4 ms/mmHg) with oestrogen (P= 0.052). This was mostly due to a fall in three of the highest indices. In the orthostatic test the 30 s blood pressure overshoot in two women exceeded the normal 90% confidence interval upper limit, making the mean response strong, especially in the symptomatic group (n= 7). Oestrogen attenuated this overshoot.Conclusions
Oestrogen did not have a consistent effect on the autonomic nervous system. Oestrogen attenuated a highly sensitive baroreflex and a strong 30 s blood pressure rise in the orthostatic test. This minor effect of oestrogen could be due to the fact that, in general, women with menopausal symptoms do not have impaired autonomic haemodynamic control. The effect of oestrogen in women with autonomic nervous system dysfunction remains to be studied.
Primary repair of obstetric anal sphincter rupture using the overlap technique
Authors: Sultan Abdul H. , Monga Ash K. , Kumar Devinder , Stanton Stuart L. 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To evaluate the feasibility of a new technique of primary overlap anal sphincter repair instead Setting A teaching hospital and a district general hospital.Methods
Between June 1995 and November 1996, two obstetricians repaired 32 anal sphincters ruptured during vaginal delivery. A ruptured internal sphincter was repaired separately and the torn ends of the external sphincter were overlapped and sutured with 310 polydioxanone sulphate sutures (Ethicon, Edinburgh, UK).Main outcome measures
Bowel function, clinical assessment, anal endosonography and manometry performed at a mean of 140 days after delivery.Results
Eight percent of the women experienced incontinence of flatus. Fifteen percent had persistent sonographic external sphincter defects, and 44% had internal sphincter defects. The maximum mean resting pressure was 58 mmHg (range 37–135) and the mean maximum incremental squeeze pressure 54 mmHg (range 8–104). None had defaecatory difficulty and no complications were encountered with the new technique of repair.Conclusions
Reservations regarding the feasibility of the overlap technique of primary repair are unfounded, as both subjective and objective outcomes are favourable compared with other studies using end‐to‐end approximation. A multicentre randomised study of the overlap vs end‐to‐end repair technique is now planned. of end‐to‐end repair.
Temporal changes in fetal cardiovascular, behavioural, metabolic and endocrine responses to maternally administered dexamethasone in the late gestation fetal sheep
Authors: Bennet L. , Kozuma S. , McGarrigle H. H. G. , Hanson M. A. 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To determine the primary (0–12 h) and secondary (12–24 h) effects of dexamethasone on fetal heart rate, short term heart rate variation, blood pressure, breathing movements and electrocortical activity, blood gas exchange, metabolism and adrenocortical function in the late gestation sheep fetus.Design
Comparison of the effects of a single maternally administered intramuscular injection of dexamethasone (12 mg) with those of saline vehicle from 1 h before injection to 24 h post‐injection. Fetal cardiovascular and behavioural parameters were recorded continuously. Fetal and maternal blood samples were taken at regular intervals for blood gas, glucose and lactate, cortisol and adrenocorticotrophin measurements.Sample
Sixteen chronically instrumented singleton fetal sheep at 127–133 days of gestation (term is about 147 days).Results
During the primary phase short term heart rate variation fell (P < 0.001), and this was associated with a transient fall in the incidence of fetal breathing movements, a fall in fetal heart rate and a rise in fetal blood pressure. By 12 h there was a significant increase in short term heart rate variation (P < 0.001) and a rise in fetal heart rate, but blood pressure and fetal breathing movements had returned to normal. Dexamethasone significantly reduced fetal PaO2 throughout most of the experimental period, particularly 1 h post‐injection (P < 0.005). Fetal and maternal plasma cortisol and adrenocorticotrophin concentrations fell significantly from 1 h post‐injection.Conclusions
The effects of dexamethasone on fetal heart rate variation are more complex than previously described with both a fall and an increase observed depending on the t h e at which heart rate variation was measured after injection. Dexamethasone also caused a significant fall in fetal PaO2, and although this was not to hypoxic levels in normoxic fetuses it does raise questions about the potential impact of dexamethasone on chronically hypoxic fetuses.
Undiagnosed breech revisited
Authors: Leung Wing Cheong , Pun Ting Chung , Wong Wai Ming 
Published: August 2005

Objectives
To study the incidence of undiagnosed breech and to compare the obstetric outcome with those diagnosed before the onset of labour in a local teaching hospital where external cephalic version at term is routinely offered.Design
A retrospective casenote analysis.Setting
Tsan Yuk Hospital, a teaching hospital in Hong Kong.Participants
One hundred and thirty‐one women with a singleton breech presentation at term, delivered in a local teaching hospital from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 1997. The group of 22 women who had successful external cephalic version performed was included.Results
Breech presentation was diagnosed at the antenatal clinic in 103 women (79%). In the remaining 28 women (21%), breech presentation was diagnosed for the first time after the onset of labour. Undiagnosed breech presentations were more likely to deliver vaginally (42%) than those diagnosed at the antenatal clinic (1 1 %)(P < 0.001). Vaginal delivery was still more common in the undiagnosed group (46%) than the diagnosed group (26%), even when the group with successful external cephalic version was included (P < 0.05), although the difference became less obvious. The demographic characteristics, birthweight, type of breech and short term neonatal outcomes were comparable between the two groups.Conclusion
It is important to include women who had successful external cephalic version when comparing the obstetric outcome of undiagnosed and diagnosed breeches. Careful assessment for vaginal delivery is still very useful even when breech presentations are first diagnosed after the onset of labour because the infants are even more likely to deliver vaginally with no great excess of neonatal morbidity.
Randomised trial comparing expectant with medical management for first trimester miscarriages
Authors: Nielsen Sven , Hahlin Mats , Platz‐Christensen Jens 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To compare the efficacy of antiprogesterone (mifepristone) in combination with a synthetic prostaglandin E, analogue (misoprostol) for outpatient treatment of miscarriages.Participants
One hundred and twenty‐two women with first trimester miscarriages.Methods
The women were randomised to treatment with mifepristone 400 mg orally followed by a single oral dose of 400 μg misoprosto 148 hours later (n= 60) or expectant management (n= 62). Women were re‐evaluated five days later. If retained intrauterine products of conception were found with an antero‐posterior diameter above 15 mm on transvaginal ultrasound, surgical evacuation was performed.Results
Eighty‐two percent of the women randomised to pharmacological treatment and 76% of those randomised to expectant management had an empty uterine cavity after five days. Convalescence time was 1.8 days longer for women randomised to pharmacological treatment. Pain, bleeding, complications, and satisfaction with the treatment did not differ between the groups.Conclusions
Most cases of spontaneous incomplete miscarriage will become a complete miscarriage without intervention. This study shows that outpatient treatment with a combination of antiprogesterone and a prostaglandin El analogue did not increase the rate of complete miscarriage, compared with expectancy alone, by a clinical important degree.
Early diagnosis of major cardiac defects in chromosomally normal fetuses with increased nuchal translucency
Authors: Zosmer N. , Souter V. L. , Chan C. S. Y. , Huggon I. C. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To determine the value of early ultrasound examination for prenatal diagnosis of cardiac defects in chromosomally normal fetuses with increased nuchal translucency thickness at 10–14 weeks of gestation.Design
Prospective audit. Setting Fetal Medicine Centre.Methods
Specialist fetal echocardiography was carried out in 398 chromosomally normal fetuses with a nuchal translucency measurement above the 99th centile (2 3.5 mm). In the first 75 pregnancies the cardiac scan was carried out at 17–22 weeks and the next 323 cases had one scan at 13–17 weeks and another at 20–22 weeks. Pregnancy outcome was obtained in all of the cases.Results
Major cardiac defects were present in 29 (7.3% of 398) cases and in 28 of these the diagnosis was made by antenatal echocardiography. In 27 of the 29 fetuses with major cardiac defects echocardiography was carried out at 13–17 weeks and an abnormality was suspected in 24 of the cases (88%).Conclusions
Increased nuchal translucency in chromosomally normal fetuses is associated with an increased prevalence of major cardiac defects and, as such, is an indication for specialist fetal echocardiography. Most of the cardiac abnormalities are detectable on antenatal fetal echocardiography and many can be excluded by early scanning.
Developing a Scholarship Community
Authors: Cumbie Sharon , Weinert Clarann , Luparell Susan , Conley Virginia , Smith James 
Published: August 2005

Purpose:

To report the results of a multidisciplinary, interinstitutional writing support group established to facilitate faculty scholarly productivity.
Organizing Concept:

The road to scholarship can be filled with many obstacles, among them time constraints, teaching and meeting demands, student needs, office interruptions, and lack of colleagueship. The problems associated with lack of colleagueship, in particular, can be compounded for faculty who work in isolated contexts with few, if any, senior faculty to serve as mentors.
Methods of Development:

The Western Writers Coercion Group evolved over a 2‐year period from a small group of nursing faculty at a single institution to include, by its second year, 21 faculty from five western university campuses and three academic disciplines. The group met biweekly via teleconference with the objectives of defining and accomplishing realistic individual scholarship goals and providing a forum for the critical exchange of ideas.
Results:

The ongoing support and mentoring of the group led to significant writing outcomes in the form of manuscripts submitted for publication, abstracts submitted for conference presentation, grant proposals developed, and collegial relationships formed.
Discussion:

Although the benefits of group participation varied somewhat for faculty at different points in the career trajectory, they seemed to accrue at all levels of development. Group members underscored the many less quantifiable advantages of group participation: exposure to broader professional perspectives, the formation of key professional relationships, the enrichment of multidisciplinary input, and individualized assistance with time management, goal setting, and actual drafts.
Conclusions:

The structure and experience of this group, which continues to meet regularly, might be a model to guide other groups of scholars who face geographic isolation and who struggle with balancing time and work and finding motivation for the process of writing.
A descriptive study on retrieved non‐threaded and threaded implant designs
Authors: Bolind Pia K. , Johansson Carina B. , Becker William , Langer Laureen , Sevetz Edward B. , Albrektsson Tomas O. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractObjectives: In the light microscope compare the amount of bone saucerization for non‐threaded cylindrical and threaded implant designs in retrieved samples from patients.Material and method: Consecutively received retrieved oral implants from 117 patients, whereof 85 non‐threaded cylindrical and 85 Brånemark implants, have been included in the study. For 75 non‐threaded cylindrical and 46 Brånemark implants was the entire implant length available for calculation. Undecalcified ground sections were investigated in the light microscope with calculation of percentage of implant length coronal to the first bone–implant contact and percentage of bone to implant contact.Results: Mean value for implant length coronal to first bone–implant contact was 65%, standard error of the mean (SEM) 3 (range 0–100%), for non‐threaded cylindrical implants and 43%, SEM 6 (range 0–100%) for Brånemark implants. Mean values of bone contact along the entire implant length was 23%, SEM 2 (range 0–65%), for the non‐threaded cylindrical implants and 33%, SEM 5 (range 0–93%) for the Brånemark implants.Conclusion: Within the limitations of this retrospective, retrieval study non‐threaded cylindrical implants demonstrated a greater bone saucerization when evaluated in the light microscope.
Using Steady Flow Force for Unstable Valve Design: Modeling and Experiments
Authors: Yuan Qinghui , Li Perry Y. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
In single stage electrohydraulic valves, solenoid actuators are usually used to stroke the main spools directly. They are cheaper and more reliable than multistage valves. Their use, however, is restricted to low bandwidth and low flow rate applications due to the limitation of the solenoid actuators. Our research focuses on alleviating the need for large and expensive solenoids in single stage valves by advantageously using fluid flow forces. For example, in a previous paper, we proposed to improve spool agility by inducing unstable transient flow forces by the use of negative damping lengths. In the present paper, how steady flow forces can be manipulated to improve spool agility is examined through fundamental momentum analysis, CFD analysis, and experimental studies. Particularly, it is found that two often ignored components—viscosity effect and non-metering momentum flux, have strong influence on steady flow forces. For positive damping lengths, viscosity increases the steady flow force, whereas for negative damping lengths, viscosity has the tendency to reduce steady flow forces. Also, by slightly modifying the non-metering port geometry, the non-metering flux can also be manipulated to reduce steady flow force. Therefore, both transient and steady flow forces can be used to improve the agility of single stage electrohydraulic valves. Experimental results confirm the contributions of both transient and steady flow force in improving spool agility.
Cytotoxic Necrotizing Factor Type 1 Production by Uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
Modulates Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Function
Authors: Davis Jon M. , Rasmussen Susan B. , O'Brien Alison D. 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACT

Many strains of uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(UPEC) produce cytotoxic necrotizing factor type 1 (CNF1), a toxin that constitutively activates the Rho GTPases RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42. We previously showed that CNF1 contributes to the virulence of UPEC in a mouse model of ascending urinary tract infection and a rat model of acute prostatitis and that a striking feature of the histopathology of the mouse bladders and rat prostates infected with CNF1-positive strains is an elevation in levels of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). We also found that CNF1 synthesis leads to prolonged survival of UPEC in association with human neutrophils. Here, we tested the hypothesis that CNF1 production by UPEC diminishes the antimicrobial capacity of mouse PMNs by affecting phagocyte function through targeting Rho family GTPases that are critical to phagocytosis and the generation of reactive oxygen species. We found that, as with human neutrophils, CNF1 synthesis provided a survival advantage to UPEC incubated with mouse PMNs. We also observed that CNF1-positive UPEC down-regulated phagocytosis, altered the distribution of the complement receptor CR3 (CD11b/CD18), enhanced the intracellular respiratory burst, and increased levels of Rac2 activation in PMNs. From these results, we conclude that modulation of PMN function by CNF1 facilitates UPEC survival during the acute inflammatory response.
Sequence Variation and Immunologic Cross-Reactivity among
Babesia bovis
Merozoite Surface Antigen 1 Proteins from Vaccine Strains and Vaccine Breakthrough Isolates
Authors: LeRoith Tanya , Brayton Kelly A. , Molloy John B. , Bock Russell E. , Hines Stephen A. , Lew Ala E. , McElwain Terry F. 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACT

The
Babesia bovis
merozoite surface antigen 1 (MSA-1) is an immunodominant membrane glycoprotein that is the target of invasion-blocking antibodies. While antigenic variation has been demonstrated in MSA-1 among strains from distinct geographical areas, the extent of sequence variation within a region where it is endemic and the effect of variation on immunologic cross-reactivity have not been assessed. In this study, sequencing of MSA-1 from two Australian
B. bovis
vaccine strains and 14 breakthrough isolates from vaccinated animals demonstrated low sequence identity in the extracellular region of the molecule, ranging from 19.8 to 46.7% between the T vaccine strain and eight T vaccine breakthrough isolates, and from 18.7 to 99% between the K vaccine strain and six K vaccine breakthrough isolates. Although MSA-1 amino acid sequence varied substantially among strains, overall predicted regions of hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity in the extracellular domain were conserved in all strains examined, suggesting a conserved functional role for MSA-1 despite sequence polymorphism. Importantly, the antigenic variation created by sequence differences resulted in a lack of immunologic cross-reactivity among outbreak strains using sera from animals infected with the
B. bovis
vaccine strains. Additionally, sera from cattle hyperinfected with the Mexico strain of
B. bovis
and shown to be clinically immune did not cross-react with MSA-1 from any other isolate tested. The results indicate that isolates of
B. bovis
capable of evading vaccine-induced immunity contain an
msa-1
gene that is significantly different from the
msa-1
of the vaccine strain, and that the difference can result in a complete lack of cross-reactivity between MSA-1 from vaccine and breakthrough strains in immunized animals.
Calcineurin Is Required forCandida albicansTo Survive Calcium Stress in Serum
Authors: Blankenship Jill R. , Heitman Joseph 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTThe calcium-activated protein phosphatase calcineurin plays a critical role in the virulence ofCandida albicans. Previous studies demonstrated that calcineurin is not required for the yeast-hypha dimorphic transition, host cell adherence, or host cell injury, which are all established virulence attributes of this organism. Calcineurin is, however, essential for survival in serum and disseminated infection. Here we identify the component of serum that is toxic to calcineurin mutant cells. Proteins, peptides, lipids, and other hydrophobic components were all excluded as essential toxic elements. Upon testing of small molecules present in serum, we discovered that calcineurin protects cells from stress caused by the endogenous levels of calcium ions present in serum. These studies illustrate how calcineurin functions in a calcium homeostatic pathway that enables a common human commensal to survive passage through the hostile environment of the bloodstream to establish deep-seated infections and cause disease.
Combined Conjugate Vaccines: Enhanced Immunogenicity with the N19 Polyepitope as a Carrier Protein
Authors: Baraldo Karin , Mori Elena , Bartoloni Antonella , Norelli Francesco , Grandi Guido , Rappuoli Rino , Finco Oretta , Del Giudice Giuseppe 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTThe N19 polyepitope, consisting of a sequential string of universal human CD4+-T-cell epitopes, was tested as a carrier protein in a formulation of combined glycoconjugate vaccines containing the capsular polysaccharides (PSs) ofNeisseria meningitidisserogroups A, C, W-135, and Y. Good antibody responses to all four polysaccharides were induced by one single immunization of mice with N19-based conjugates. Two immunizations with N19 conjugates elicited anti-MenACWY antibody titers comparable to those induced after three doses of glycoconjugates containing CRM197 as carrier protein. Compared to cross-reacting material (CRM)-based constructs, lower amounts of N19-MenACWY conjugates still induced high bactericidal titers to all four PSs. Moreover, N19-MenACWY-conjugated constructs induced faster and higher antibody avidity maturation against meningococcal C PS than CRM-based conjugates. Very importantly, N19-specific antibodies did not cross-react with the parent protein from which N19 epitopes were derived, e.g., tetanus toxoid and influenza virus hemagglutinin. Finally, T helper epitopes of the N19 carrier protein were effectively generated both in vivo (after immunization with the N19 itself) and in vitro (after restimulation of epitope-specific spleen cells). Taken together, these data show that the N19 polyepitope represents a strong and valid option for the generation of improved or new combined glycoconjugate vaccines.