bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Indications for fetal echocardiography from a tertiary‐care obstetric sonography practice
Authors: Simpson Lynn L. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractPurposeThe present study was conducted to evaluate the indications for fetal echocardiography in a tertiary‐care obstetric sonography practice and to determine the incidences of confirmed congenital heart disease for each primary indication.MethodsA retrospective analysis of all pregnant women referred to a pediatric cardiology unit for fetal echocardiography by the tertiary‐care sonography unit over a 2‐year period was performed. The primary indications for referral for fetal echocardiography were obtained from the sonographers' reports. Outcome data were extracted from the fetal echocardiograms, postnatal echocardiograms or pathology and autopsy reports, and patient medical records.ResultsOf 6,002 pregnant women who had undergone prenatal sonographic examination during the study period, 275 (4.6%) had been subsequently referred for fetal echocardiography. The most common primary indication for referral had been abnormal cardiac findings on the prenatal sonographic examination, which had been present in 64 (23.3%) of the 275 cases. In 44 (69%) of those 64 cases, congenital heart disease had been confirmed. Among the 211 patients who had had normal cardiac findings on prenatal sonography but had been referred for fetal echocardiography owing to other primary indications, congenital heart disease had been confirmed in only 7 cases (3.3%).ConclusionsAn abnormal cardiac finding during prenatal sonographic examination is a common primary indication for fetal echocardiography and is more useful for identifying congenital heart disease than are other risk factors. Careful routine cardiac screening during routine prenatal sonographic examination may facilitate further investigation and treatment. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:123–128, 2004
Correlation of computerized gray‐scale sonographic findings with thyroid function and thyroid autoimmune activity in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Authors: Loy Maurizio , Cianchetti Maria Elisabetta , Cardia Francescopaolo , Melis Alessandro , Boi Francesco , Mariotti Stefano 
Published: February 2004

AbstractPurposeThe objective of this study was to retrospectively assess whether computerized gray‐scale sonography can allow objective measurement of thyroid echogenicity in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) at various functional stages of the disease.MethodsOf the 77 patients with HT who were included in our study, 28 had been euthyroid, 20 had had subclinical hypothyroidism, and 29 had had clinical hypothyroidism. Of those with clinical hypothyroidism, 6 had been untreated and 23 had been receiving L‐thyroxine substitution therapy. Fifty volunteers without thyroid disease served as a control group. Thyroid echogenicity was evaluated by computerized gray‐scale sonography as mean tissue density (MTD) ± standard deviation; the echogenicity of the prethyroid muscles served as a control of the system variability.ResultsThe MTD was significantly lower for the patients with HT (15.9 ± 4) than for the control subjects (24.3 ± 3; p < 0.05). Moreover, a significant difference was found between the MTD values of euthyroid patients with HT (18.9 ± 3.4) and hypothyroid patients with HT analyzed either as a group (14.3 ± 3.8) or separately for subclinical hypothyroidism (14.9 ± 3.8) and clinical hypothyroidism (13.9 ± 3.7; p < 0.05). The lowest MTD was found in patients with untreated clinical hypothyroidism (11.1 ± 4.3), with a significant difference (p < 0.05) compared to all other groups of patients. Untreated patients with clinical hypothyroidism also showed the highest mean anti–thyroid peroxidase autoantibody levels (1,286 ± 177 IU/ml versus 570 ± 489 IU/ml for L‐thyroxine–treated patients; p < 0.05), although no correlation between the MTD values and anti–thyroid peroxidase autoantibody levels was found in any group of patients.ConclusionsComputerized gray‐scale sonography provides an objective measure of thyroid hypoechogenicity, which correlates well to the clinical stages of HT. Use of this modality may prove beneficial in the diagnosis and follow‐up of patients with HT. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:136–140, 2004
Sonographic detection of an isolated cuboid bone fracture not visualized on plain radiographs
Authors: Enns Peter , Pavlidis Theodoros , Stahl Jens‐Peter , Horas Uwe , Schnettler Reinhard 
Published: February 2004

AbstractWe report the case of an isolated cuboid bone fracture in a child that was missed on radiography but was diagnosed on sonography. Plain radiographs of the patient's right foot showed no fracture, whereas sonograms demonstrated a fracture of the cuboid bone that appeared as a steplike discontinuity in the cortical bone. The diagnosis was confirmed on MRI. The fracture was treated with cast immobilization and no weight bearing for 4 weeks. In 8 weeks, the patient had no symptoms and good motor and sensory function of her right foot. Other imaging modalities are usually advocated for diagnosing fractures that are missed by radiography. Over the last decade, sonography has been increasingly used for diagnosing occult fractures. Although its use in such cases is not yet fully established, we believe that in the future, the sonographic detection of an injury that corresponds to the site of the reported pain will be adequate for initiating treatment of many types of fractures. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:154–157, 2004
Age‐dependent changes of the periodontal ligament in rats
Authors: Oehmke Matthias J. , Schramm Christopher R.C. , Knolle Erich , Frickey Nathalie , Bernhart Thomas , Oehmke Hans‐Joachim 
Published: February 2004

AbstractEven after the end of the natural tooth eruption, there is a continuous renewal of the periodontal collagenous fiber system, depending on functional demands. The aim of this study was to analyse the age‐dependent changes and regional differences of the collagen renewal rate of the periodontal ligament in healthy rats. The study was performed by autoradiography of the molars of rats aged 1, 8, and 18 months, where collagen was labelled by intravenously applied 3H‐proline. After an 8‐hour incorporation period, the animals were killed. For comparative examinations, molar roots were subdivided into cervical, middle, and apical thirds. Structural and quantitative analyses were performed by light microscopy and autoradiography, using an image‐analysing computer‐assisted operating unit that determined the 3H‐proline‐labelled collagen by photometry based on extinction measurement. With increasing age of the animals, the number of silver grains (3H‐proline‐blackened collagen) was reduced and the quantitative evaluation indicated a reduction of 3H‐proline in the periodontal ligament. The lowest level of 3H‐proline activities was observed in the middle, and the highest level in the apical root third, independent of age. All preparations revealed condensations of silver grains, which were located in the region of the periodontal ligament adjacent to the alveolar bone, but did not reveal any preferred position with regard to the dental topography. With progressive age, the uptake of 3H‐proline in the periodontal ligament was reduced by about 20 to 30%, a result that corresponds to a decrease in collagenous fiber production. Collagen was mainly formed in the apical and cervical root third, starting from the alveolar bone side, presumably in response to functional strain. Microsc. Res. Tech. 63:198–202, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Extraglandular and intraglandular vascularization of canine prostate
Authors: Stefanov Miroslav 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThe literature on the vascularization of the canine prostate is reviewed and the clinical significance of prostate morphology is described. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), combined with improved corrosion casting methods, reveal new morphological details that promise better diagnostics and treatment but also require expansion of clinical nomenclature. A proposal is made for including two previously unnamed veins in Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria (NAV). The canine prostate has two lobes with independent vascularization. Each lobe is supplied through the left and right a. prostatica, respectively. The a. prostatica sprouts three small vessels (cranial, middle, and caudal) towards the prostate gland. A. prostatica is a small‐size artery whose wall structure is similar to the arteries of the muscular type. V. prostatica is a small‐size valved vein. The canine prostate has capsular, parenchymal, and urethral vascular zones. The surface vessels of the capsule are predominantly veins and the diameter of arterial vessels is larger than that of the veins. The trabecular vessels are of two types: direct and branched. The prostate parenchyma is supplied by branches of the trabecular vessels. The periacinary capillaries are fenestrated and form a net in a circular pattern. The processes of the myoepithelial cells embrace both the acins and the periacinar capillaries. In the prostate ductal system. there are spermatozoa. The prostatic part of the urethra is supplied by an independent branch of a. prostatica. The prostatic urethral part is drained by v. prostatica, the vein of the urethral bulb and the ventral prostate veins. M. urethralis begins as early as the urethral prostatic part. The greater part of the white muscle fibers in m. urethralis suggest an enhanced anaerobic metabolism. Microsc. Res. Tech. 63:188–197, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphometric study of the guinea pig small intestine during development
Authors: Mitjans Montserrat , Ferrer Ruth 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThe mucosal surface area of the guinea pig duodenum, jejunum, and ileum was determined during development, in three age groups: 1‐day‐old and 2‐ and 12‐week‐old animals. The morphometric analysis was performed at three magnification levels. The nominal surface area was determined at the macroscopic level, from intestinal length and perimeter. Villus and microvillus amplification factors were estimated at light‐microscopic and transmission electron‐microscopic levels, respectively. We found: (1) an increase in the nominal surface area that is maximal in the ileum (7.7‐fold); (2) an increase in the villus amplification factor in the duodenum (1.4‐fold) and a decline in the jejunum and ileum (0.8‐fold), although in the jejunum villus dimensions rise; and (3) a similar increase in the microvillus amplification factor in the three segments (1.1‐ to 1.4‐fold). In conclusion, the total mucosal surface area increased from day 1 to week 12, by 3‐fold in the duodenum and jejunum and by 8‐fold in the ileum. Regionally, the jejunum shows the largest mucosal surface area, followed by the ileum, and, finally, the duodenum. Microsc. Res. Tech. 63:206–214, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The optical mouse as an inexpensive region‐of‐interest position recorder in optical microscopy
Authors: Ng T.W. , Cheong T.L. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractIn optical microscopy, the microscopic features of interest typically have to be derived from regions that are spatially distributed over the sample. While the features to be analyzed may be minute, the regions from where they must be obtained from may be located quite far apart from one another. If the features are not distinct enough to allow easy visual discrimination, it would be tedious and time‐consuming to attempt to recall and revisit these regions of interest. One method to overcome this difficulty would be to note and record the graduated markings on the microscope, or to use built‐in position encoders. The former is tedious while the latter is generally expensive. Here, a region‐of‐interest position‐recording implement based on the use of an optical mouse is presented. It is inexpensive and easily adaptable to the manual stage of any optical microscope. Microsc. Res. Tech. 63:203–205, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electron microscopic and biochemical study of the effects of rapamycin on glycogen autophagy in the newborn rat liver
Authors: Kalamidas S.A. , Kondomerkos D.J. , Kotoulas O.B. , Hann A.C. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThe effects of rapamycin on glycogen autophagy in the newborn rat liver were studied using biochemical determinations, electron microscopy, and morphometric analysis. Rapamycin increased the fractional volume of hepatocytic autophagic vacuoles, the liver lysosomal glycogen‐hydrolyzing activity of acid glucosidase, the degradation of glycogen inside the autophagic vacuoles, and decreased the activity of acid mannose 6‐phosphatase. These findings suggest that rapamycin, a known inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, induces glycogen autophagy in the newborn rat hepatocytes. mTOR may participate in the regulation of this process. Microsc. Res. Tech. 63:215–219, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of transsynaptic viral labeling of central nervous system structures from the uterine horn in virgin, pregnant, and lactating rats
Authors: Wiesel Ory , Tóth Ida E. , Boldogkői Zsolt , Hornyák Ákos , Bokor Viktória , Halász Béla , Gerendai Ida 
Published: February 2004

AbstractUsing the transneuronal viral tracing method, the central nervous system (CNS) connections of the uterine horn were studied in virgin, pregnant, and in lactating rats. The frequency of viral labeling in the brain and the distribution of virus‐infected neurons from the uterine horn were compared among groups. There was a marked difference in the frequency of viral labeling in the brain stem. In virgin rats more than half of the brain stems (5 out of 9) were labeled. In contrast, in pregnant animals viral‐labeled neurons were detected in only a few cases (3 out of 16) and almost each brain stem of the lactating group was labeled (12 out of 13). A similar, less marked difference was observed in the hypothalamus. The pattern of distribution of infected neurons was similar in each group. In the brain stem, the nucleus of the solitary tract, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, area postrema, gigantocellular and paragigantocellular nucleus, ventrolateral medulla, A5 cell group, and caudal raphe nuclei were the most frequently labeled structures. In the diencephalon, viral‐infected neurons were detected primarily in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. The telencephalon was devoid of infected cells. Data suggest that the CNS control of the uterine horn varies depending on reproductive status. The low frequency of brain labeling in pregnant rats may be related to the almost complete lack of sympathetic fibers in the uterus prior to parturition and the very high frequency of labeling in lactating animals to the postpartum hyperinnervation of the uterus. Microsc. Res. Tech. 63:244–252, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Does devaluation lead to economic recovery or contraction? Theory and policy with reference to Thailand
Authors: Bird Graham , Rajan Ramkishen S. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractMost analyses of the East Asian financial crisis have focused on its causes and the links between currency and banking crises. However a related question is what happens in the aftermath of a crisis? What factors determine the path of an economy in the post‐devaluation phase? Does it swiftly bounce back, with the crisis being followed by a period of economic recovery, or does it face a period of economic recession if not outright output collapse? An important element in answering these questions is to consider the response to devaluation, since this constitutes an almost invariant component of economic stabilisation. This paper examines these questions analytically as well as by using Thailand as a case study. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unemployment and urban poverty in China: a case study of Guangzhou and Tianjin
Authors: Yao Shujie 
Published: February 2004

AbstractRecent reforms on state‐owned enterprises have led to millions of workers retrenched. This paper presents two theoretical models, one to explain why firms have to lay‐off workers, and the other to explain how redundancy can affect poverty. Both first‐hand and official survey data are used to examine how redundancy has affected the living standards and poverty of urban households. It is estimated that about one‐fifth of the current urban poverty has been caused by the redundancy programme. The survey results have a number of interesting findings, which have important policy implications. It is concluded that the pressure to lay‐off workers was due to excessively high wages and the cessation of soft budget. The probability of a household falling into poverty depends not only on the probability that household members are retrenched, but also on the probability that retrenched workers can find alternative employment. Most affected households do not think the reform is wrong, but they are pessimistic about their future. The government is thought to be ineffective in helping retrenched workers, and poverty is to become a permanent feature of urban China, an ironic phenomenon that was unthinkable even before the economic reforms started in 1978. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Move to markets? An empirical analysis of privatization in developing countries
Authors: Banerjee Sudeshna Ghosh , Munger Michael C. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractAspects of the privatization experience are analysed for a group of 35 low or middle‐income developing countries, over the period 1982 through 1999. The theory turns on net political benefits, which in our model are the primary determinant of privatization policies. The decision to privatize is captured here in three related, but distinct, dependent variables: (i) timing; (ii) pace; and (iii) intensity. Our notion of the independent variable, ‘net political benefits’, is not measured directly, but is instead proxied by an array of macroeconomic, political, and institutional variables. Our key finding is that, though political benefits turn out to explain the timing, pace, and intensity of privatization, the effects are very different in each case. The timing hypothesis is tested using a Cox proportional hazard model, the pace hypothesis is tested using a random effects negative binomial model and the intensity hypothesis is tested using the random effects model. We find that the factors that improve timing delay intensity—early adopters are later implementers. Furthermore, we find that a privatization policy is much more likely to be a crisis‐driven, last ditch effort to turn the economy around, rather than a carefully chosen policy with explicit, long‐term goals. A related, and very important, finding in our analysis has to do with the ‘lock‐in’ of institutions. The particular form of political institutions, foreign aid regimes, and level of development of property rights systems in the nation have significant conditioning influences on the extent of lock‐in. These relationships may be important for informing policy decisions, and for understanding apparent ‘failures’ of privatization policies. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
From crisis to recovery: the motivations for and effects of Malaysian capital controls
Authors: Doraisami Anita 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThe East Asian currency crisis culminated in IMF packages for all severely affected Asian crisis economies except Malaysia. Malaysia received much attention when it introduced capital controls as part of its crisis management strategy. This paper examines the effectiveness of capital controls against its objectives of regaining monetary control without precipitating capital flight. The empirical evidence supports the view that interest rates were significantly lower after capital controls were imposed and further that capital controls were not significantly undermined by capital flight. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Why are taeniae, haustra, and semilunar folds differentiated in the gastrointestinal tract of mammals, including man?
Authors: Langer Peter , Takács Áron 
Published: February 2004

AbstractWhen a small change, either contraction or dilation, of the surface area of a digestive tube coincides with a considerable change in internal volume, this can be considered an effective influence of surface on volume. This study discusses the effects of anatomical differences between those types of digestive tracts where the longitudinal musculature is reduced to small bands, the taeniae, and those where such differentiations are not found. With the help of a geometric model the efficiency of transport (η = net volume expelled aborally / volume of the tube) from haustra in tubes with two, three, four, and six taeniae was determined. It could be shown that efficiency of transport from haustra decreases when the number of taeniae increases. The second model applies the program “Surface Evolver” (author K.A. Brakke). The program is applied to investigate the relationships between changes in surface area of tubes with different numbers of taeniae (0, 2, 3, 4, and 6) and the respective changes of the internal volumes of tubes. Both haustra formation and formation of semilunar folds between haustra are considered. Tubes with two or three taeniae reduce their internal volume more efficiently than all others, namely, with a relatively small reduction of the surface area and contraction of the Tunica muscularis at a relatively low rate. In addition to chemical and mechanical decomposition of digesta the gastrointestinal tube has three tasks: propagation, storage, and retention of digesta. A tube without taeniae, i.e., with a complete longitudinal muscular layer, propagates contents with peristaltic movements. Storage can take place in areas of the tract with a dilated cross‐section. Finally, folds can retain digesta. In many sections of the gastrointestinal tract folds are differentiated as permanent structures. However, folds formed with relatively little contraction of the musculature, i.e., little change in the surface area, represent an effective means of retention and thus of flow regulation. Tubes with taeniae and semilunar folds are adaptations for this effective type of regulation of digesta transit through the tract. J. Morphol. 259:308–315, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quail as the chimeric counterpart of the chicken: Morphology and ontogeny of the bursa of Fabricius
Authors: Nagy Nándor , Magyar Attila , Tóth Miklós , Oláh Imre 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThe quail is the chimeric and parabiotic counterpart of the chicken, thus increasing the value of quail in the field of developmental biology. Quail bursa of Fabricius was studied by light microscopy, electron microscopy, and immunocytochemical methods. The basic cellular composition and structural framework are comparable with those of the chicken bursa. One of the major structural differences is the absence of the continuous cortico‐medullary arch. In addition to the epithelial reticular cell the bursal secretory dendritic cell is the other medullary‐specific bursal cell. The bursal secretory dendritic cell is a highly elongated cell which expresses vimentin intermediate filaments and produces secretory granules. The substance of the granules can be visualized by NIC2 monoclonal antibody, which was produced against guinea fowl bursal secretory dendritic cell. The released granular content appears on the lateral surface of the bursal secretory dendritic cell and is gradually solubilized. Thus, the NIC2‐positive substance may occur in membrane‐bound and solubilized forms in the isolated environment of the medulla. The bursal secretory dendritic cell establishes membrane contact areas with the B cells; therefore, they may influence B‐cell maturation by cell contact and chemical (humoral) product. During embryogenesis bursal secretory dendritic cell precursors enter the epithelium and 1) induce epithelial bud formation, and 2) produce an NIC2‐positive substance. Senescent bursal secretory dendritic cells can be phagocytic and migrate into the follicle‐associated epithelium. This physiological turnover of the bursal secretory dendritic cell represents a novel pathway of macrophage formation from dendritic cells. J. Morphol. 259:328–339, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.