bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of fennel and mefenamic acid for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea
Authors: Namavar Jahromi B. , Tartifizadeh A. , Khabnadideh S. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjectives: To compare the effect of Foeniculum vulgare variety dulce (Sweet Fennel) vs. mefenamic acid for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Methods: A cohort of seventy women, 15–24 years old from a local university and high‐school, who complained of dysmenorrhea were enrolled in this study. Ten cases were excluded due to evidence of secondary dysmenorrhea. The remaining 60 patients were graded mild, moderate and severe on the basis of a verbal multidimensional scoring system. Thirty patients with mild dysmenorrhea were also excluded from the study. Each of the 30 cases with moderate to severe dysmenorrhea was evaluated for three cycles. In the first cycle no medication was given (control cycle), in the second cycle the cases were treated by mefenamic acid (250 mg q6h orally) and in the third cycle, essence of Fennel's fruit with 2% concentration (25 drops q4h orally), was prescribed at the beginning of the cycle. These cycles were compared day by day for the effect, potency, time of initiation of action and also complications associated with each treatment modality, by using a self‐scoring system. Intensity of pain was reported by using a 10‐point linear analog technique. Statistical analyses were performed by the independent sample t‐test, paired t‐test and repeated measurement analysis method. Results: In the study group the mean age of menarche was 12.5±1.3 years, the mean duration of menstruation was 6.6±1.4 days with the mean cycle days of 27±3. The findings observed during menses were as follows: headache in 26.7%, nausea in 63.3%, vomiting in 23.3%, diarrhea in 33.3%, fatigue in 93.3% and leaving the daily tasks undone was reported in 86.9% of the cases. Both of the drugs effectively relieved menstrual pain as compared with the control cycles (P<0.001). The mean duration of initiation of action was 67.5±46.06 min for mefenamic acid and 75±48.9 min for fennel. The difference was not statistically significant (P=0.57). Mefenamic acid had a more potent effect than fennel on the second and third menstrual days (P<0.05), however, the difference on the other days was not significant. No complication was reported in mefenamic acid treated cycles, but five cases (16.6%) withdrew from the study due to fennel's odor and one case (3.11%) reported a mild increase in the amount of her menstrual flow. Conclusions: The essence of fennel can be used as a safe and effective herbal drug for primary dysmenorrhea, however, it may have a lower potency than mefenamic acid in the dosages used for this study.
Autotransfusion for ruptured ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Selo‐Ojeme D.O , Onwude J.L , Onwudiegwu U 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjectives: Clinical outcomes following the exclusive use of autotransfusion in the management of ruptured ectopic pregnancy are reviewed. Methods: A MEDLINE search (1966–2002) for relevant articles documenting the exclusive use of autotransfusion, and data collection and analysis was made. Results: There were 21 studies, 16 from developing and five from developed countries, involving 632 cases of ruptured ectopic pregnancies. Hypovolemic shock with significant hemoperitoneum (>500 ml) was the most common complication. The procedure was performed completely manually in developing countries and with the help of a device in developed countries. The mean volume of autotransfused blood was over 1000 ml, with mean hemoglobin levels ranging from 6 to 12.5 g/dl. Mean posttransfusion hemoglobin levels were higher than pretransfusion levels. There was one death, thought to be due to pulmonary embolism, and nine major and minor complications. Conclusions: Autotransfusion is useful in the management of ruptured ectopic pregnancy.
Parametrial tumor spreading patterns in cervix cancer patients treated by radical hysterectomy
Authors: Yen M.‐S. , Yuan C.‐C. , Wang P.‐H. , Ng H.‐T. , Twu N.‐F. , Juang C.‐M. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjectives: To evaluate tumor‐spreading patterns in the parametrium. Methods: We conducted a prospective clinical trial between January 1998 and December 2000 to define a new method for parametrium evaluation. The parametrium was divided into three areas, paracorpus, paracervix, and paravagina. A total of 284 consecutive patients with FIGO stage IB to IIA cervical cancer who had undergone radical hysterectomy were considered for the study. Results: Of the 262 patients who were found eligible for evaluation, 135 had histopathologic analysis performed according to the new method and 127 with the traditional method. The detection of rate of parametrial invasion was 36 (26.7%) with the new and 13 (10.2%) with the traditional method (P=0.0014). The frequency of pelvic lymph node metastasis was 66.7% in patients who had tested positive for invasion of the paracorpus, 57.7% in those who had tested positive for invasion of the paracervix, and 71.4% in those who had tested positive for invasion of the paravagina. The frequency of pelvic lymph node metastasis in patients who had tested negative for invasion of the paracorpus, paracervix, or paravagina was 4.0%. Tumor cells tend to spread laterally and inferiorly in the parametrium. Conclusions: Using our classification of three parametrium areas for histologic examination can increase the detection rates of parametrial tumor invasion and help prevent failure of local treatment by allowing to implement appropriate adjuvant therapy.
Factors influencing the quality of life of infertile women in United Arab Emirates
Authors: Khayata G.M. , Rizk D.E.E. , Hasan M.Y. , Ghazal‐Aswad S. , Asaad M.A.N. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjectives: To measure the quality of life in a representative sample of infertile women and evaluate their sociocultural attitude to this condition. Methods: Two hundred sixty‐nine infertile women attending the Assisted Reproduction clinic, Tawam Hospital were consecutively selected. They were interviewed about the effect of infertility on their quality of life using a structured, measurement‐specific and pre‐tested questionnaire. Results: Parameters mostly affected were mood‐related mainly in women above 30 years, with primary and female factor infertility and those in polygamous marriages. Quality of life did not affect sexual performance and was not affected by duration of infertility or cost of treatment. Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of bearing children and the stresses exerted on infertile women in Eastern societies. Thorough counseling and continuing support of infertile women is therefore indicated to improve their quality of life.
Attitudes of Singapore women toward cesarean and vaginal deliveries
Authors: Chong E.S.Y. , Mongelli M. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjectives: To assess the attitude, knowledge, and expectations of Asian pregnant women toward cesarean and vaginal deliveries. Methods: Written questionnaires were given to pregnant women attending the National University Hospital antenatal clinics, and 160 responses were tabulated and analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The participation rate was 65% and 50% of the respondents were Chinese, 20% Indian, 21% Malay, 2% White, and 9.2% Other. The median age was 31 years, and approximately 43% were primiparas. Only 3.7% of them would prefer an elective cesarean delivery, and although 50% had friends or relatives who requested one, only 3% felt that this influenced their preference. The most common reasons for choosing a cesarean delivery were avoiding labor pains and lowering the risk of fetal distress. When asked which modality they would recommend to their friends, only 2% expressed that they would recommend cesarean delivery; however, 71% stated that women should have the right to request a cesarean delivery. Awareness of complications arising from vaginal and cesarean deliveries was generally low and related to the frequency of these complications. There was no significant correlation between demographic characteristics and maternal preference for mode of delivery. Conclusions: Asian women largely prefer a vaginal delivery, and their attitude toward cesarean delivery on demand is comparable with that of Western women. Cultural or ethnic differences are unlikely to affect maternal preference for cesarean delivery in Singapore women.
Sonohysterosalpingographic screening for infertile patients
Authors: Alborzi S. , Dehbashi S. , Khodaee R. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractObjectives: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of hysterosalpingography and sonohysterosalpingography in detecting tubal and uterine abnormalities. Methods: In a prospective study for the evaluation of uterine and tubal pathologies, 186 patients with primary and secondary infertility rates (51.6% and 44%, respectively), as well as recurrent abortion rates (3.8%), underwent sonohysterosalpingography. The tubal pathologies, as well as intracavitary and/or structural uterine abnormalities, detected with this procedure were compared with preoperative hysterosalpingography and operative procedures. Results: With surgical findings as the gold standard, sonohysterosalpingography had a sensitivity of 78.2%, a specificity of 93.1%, a positive predictive value of 82.7%, and a negative predictive value of 91%. For total tubal and uterine pathologies, the findings for the same parameters using HSG were 76.3%, 81.8%, 90.9%, and 59.2%, respectively. Sonohysterosalpingography was more accurate than hysterosalpingography for detecting intrauterine adhesions and various forms of uterine anomalies. Conclusions: Sonohysterosalpingography is a safe, easy, accurate, and promising procedure for the detection of female upper genital tract pathologies, especially because it can differentiate specific uterine anomalies.
InsP3‐mediated calcium release induced by heterologous expression of total chicory Leaf RNA
Authors: Debarbieux‐Deleporte M. , Delbreil B. , Collin T. , Delcourt P. , Vasseur J. , Prevarskaya N. , Ouadid‐Ahidouch H. 
Published: February 2003

Summry— A calcium dependent‐chloride current (Ini) was recorded in Xenopus oocytes injected with total RNA from chicory leaf tissues, following depolarization from −35 to +60 mV. However, the signal transduction mechanism mediating Ini is unknown. The development of this current was mimicked by intracellular injection of the second messenger InsP3 in control (non‐injected) oocytes. Moreover, InsP3 injection after Ini rundown did not reinitiate the current. The same phenomenon was observed following a second injection into control oocytes. Measurement of InsP3 production in injected oocytes showed a net increase in the InsP3 level on depolarization. Moreover, extracellular application of caffeine (5 mM) significantly reduced the number of oocytes displaying Ini. Also, extracellular application of U‐73122, a potent PLC inhibitor, clearly reduced the occurrence of Ini. These data provide the first evidence that the calcium homeostasis mechanism induced by heterologous expression of total RNA from chicory leaves involves the InsP3 signaling pathway.
Six Sigma: a goal‐theoretic perspective
Authors: Linderman Kevin , Schroeder Roger G. , Zaheer Srilata , Choo Adrian S. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractSix Sigma is a phenomenon that is gaining wide acceptance in industry, but lacks a theoretical underpinning and a basis for research other than “best practice” studies. Rigorous academic research of Six Sigma requires the formulation and identification of useful theories related to the phenomenon. Accordingly, this paper develops an understanding of the Six Sigma phenomena from a goal theoretic perspective. After reviewing the goal theory literature, these concepts, when applied to Six Sigma, suggest some propositions for future research. This paper can help serve as a foundation for developing scientific knowledge about Six Sigma.
Upper critical field and location of surface nucleation of superconductivity
Authors: Helffer Bernard , Pan Xing-Bin 
Published: February 2003

In this paper we improve the estimate obtained by Lu–Pan on the value of the upper critical field

H_{C_3}(κ)

for a cylindrical superconductor with cross section

Ω

being an arbitrary 2-dimensional smooth bounded domain. We also show that, when a homogeneous magnetic field is applied along the axis of the cylinder with magnitude of the field close to

H_{C_3}

, superconductivity nucleates first at the surface of the sample where the curvature of

∂Ω

is maximal.

Résumé

Nous améliorons dans cet article l’estimation obtenue par Lu–Pan de la varleur du champ surcritique

H_{C_3}(κ)

pour un supraconducteur cylindrinque dont la section

Ω

est un ouvert régulier borné dans le plan.

Nous montrons aussi que, lorsqu’un champ magnétique constant parallèle à l’axe du cylindre est appliqué avec une intensité voisine de

H_{C_3}(κ)

, la supraconductivité apparaı̂t d’abord aux points du bord où la courbure

∂Ω

est maximale.
Boundary layer formation in the transition from the Porous Media Equation to a Hele–Shaw flow
Authors: Gil O. , Quirós F. 
Published: February 2003

Let

u_m(x,t)

be the solution to the Porous Media Equation,

u_t=Δu^m

, in a domain

Ω⊂ ℝ^n

, with initial data

u_m(x,0)=f(x)

and boundary data

u^m_m(x,t)=g(x)

. Let

v_m≡u^m_m

. We prove the convergence as

m

goes to infinity of the pair

(u_m,v_m)

to a pair

(u_∞,v_∞)

which is a weak solution of the Hele–Shaw problem with boundary data

v_∞=g

and initial data

u_∞(x,0) = \tilde f(x)

, where

\tilde f

is the projection of the initial data

f(x)

into a ‘mesa’. We also prove the convergence of the positivity sets of the functions

u_m

to the positivity set of

u_∞

. For large but finite

m

a boundary layer connecting the initial data

f(x)

and its projection

\tilde f(x)

appears. We analyze the convergence of solutions and positivity sets in this boundary layer by introducing a suitable time scale. All our results hold true also for the Cauchy problem (

Ω=ℝ^n

, no boundary data).

Résumé

Soit

u_m(x,t)

la solution de l’équation des milieux poreux

u_t=Δu^m

, dans un domaine

Ω⊂ℝ^n

, avec donnée initiale

u_m(x,0)=f(x)

et

u^m_m(x,t)=g(x)

fixée sur la frontière de

Ω

. Soit

v_m≡u^m_m

. Nous montrons la convergence, lorsque l’exposant

m

va à l’infini, de la paire

(u_m,v_m)

vers

(u_∞,v_∞)

, qui est l’unique solution faible du problème de Hele–Shaw avec donnée

v_∞=g

au bord de

Ω

, et donnée initiale

u_∞(x,0) = \tilde f(x)

,

\tilde f(x)

étant la projection de

f(x)

sur une ‘mesa’. Nous prouvons aussi la convergence des ensembles de positivité des functions

u_m

vers celui de

u_∞

. Pour

m

grand, mais fini, une couche limite apparaı̂t, faisant la connexion entre la donnée initiale

f(x)

et sa projection

\tilde f(x)

. Nous étudions la convergence des solutions et des ensembles de positivité dans cette couche limite, introduisant une échelle de temps convenable. Les résultats de ce papier contiennent également le cas du problème de Cauchy pour l’équation des milieux poreux (

Ω=ℝ^n

, aucune donnée n’est fixée sur la frontière de

Ω

).
Multi-bump ground states of the Gierer–Meinhardt system in ℝ2
Authors: del Pino Manuel , Kowalczyk Michał , Wei Juncheng 
Published: February 2003

We consider the stationary Gierer–Meinhardt system in

ℝ^2

:

\begin{cases}
\Delta A - A + \frac{A^{2}}{H} = 0 & \text{in }ℝ^{2}, \\
\Delta H - \sigma ^{2}H + A^{2} = 0 & \text{in }ℝ^{2}, \\
A,H > 0;\ A,H\rightarrow 0 & \text{as }\left|x\right|\rightarrow + \infty .
\end{cases}

We construct multi-bump ground-state solutions for this system for all sufficiently small

σ

. The centers of these bumps are located at the vertices of a regular polygon, while the bumps resemble, after a suitable scaling in their

A

-coordinate, the unique radially symmetric solution of

\begin{cases}
\Delta w - w + w^{2} = 0 & \text{in }ℝ^{2}, \\
0 < w\left(y\right)\rightarrow 0 & \text{as }\left|y\right|\rightarrow \infty .
\end{cases}

A similar construction is made for vertices of two concentric polygons and a general procedure for detection of organized finite patterns is suggested.

Résumé
On considère le système stationnaire de Gierer–Meinhardt dans

\begin{cases}
\Delta A - A + \frac{A^{2}}{H} = 0 & \text{dans }ℝ^{2}, \\
\Delta H - \sigma ^{2}H + A^{2} = 0 & \text{dans }ℝ^{2}, \\
A,H > 0;\ A,H\rightarrow 0 & \text{quand }\left|x\right|\rightarrow + \infty .
\end{cases}

On construit des solutions fondamentales multi-pics pour ce système, pour tout

σ

suffisamment petit. Les centres de ces pics sont localisés aux sommets d’un polygone régulier, tandis que les pics ressemblent, après un changement d’échelle approprié dans la coordonnée

A

, à l’unique solution radiale de

\begin{cases}
\Delta w - w + w^{2} = 0 & \text{dans }ℝ^{2}, \\
0 < w\left(y\right)\rightarrow 0 & \text{quand }\left|y\right|\rightarrow \infty .
\end{cases}

Une construction similaire est faite pour les sommets de deux polygones concentriques et une procédure générale de détection destructures finies organisées est suggérée.
A dissection and computer tomograph study of tarsal coalitions in 100 cadaver feet
Authors: Solomon L. B. , Rühli F. J. , Taylor J. , Ferris L. , Pope R. , Henneberg M. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractMost of the clinical studies report the incidence of tarsal coalitions (TC) as less than 1% but they disregard the asymptomatic coalitions. TC have been associated with degenerative arthritic changes. After X‐rays, computer tomography (CT) is the most commonly used diagnostic test in the detection of TC.The aims of our study were to establish the incidence of TC; the association between TC and accessory tarsal bones and between TC and tarsal arthritis; and to assess the sensitivity of CT as a diagnostic tool in TC. We performed spiral CT scans of 100 cadaver feet (mean age at death 77.7 ± 10.4), which were subsequently dissected. The dissections identified nine non‐osseous TC: two talocalcaneal and seven calcaneonavicular. There was no osseous coalition. Tarsal arthritis was identified in 31 cases. Both talocalcaneal coalitions were associated with arthritis while none of the calcaneonavicular coalitions were associated with tarsal arthritis. The CT diagnosed an osseous talocalcaneal coalition and was suspicious of fibrocartilaginous coalitions in eight cases. There was correlation between dissection and CT in two talocalcaneal coalitions and three calcaneonavicular coalitions thus CT identifying 55.5% of the coalitions. CT did not diagnose four non‐osseous coalitions and diagnosed errouresly four possible coalitions. In conclusion our study demonstrated that the incidence of non‐osseous TC is higher than previously thought (12.72%). The calcaneonavicular coalitions are the most common single type (9.09%) and they do not seem to be associated with arthritic changes in the tarsal bones. Our CT results suggest that spiral CT has a low sensitivity in the detection of non‐osseous coalitions and questions if multislice CT should be used routinely when TC are suspected.© 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
RANKL is an essential cytokine mediator of polymethylmethacrylate particle‐induced osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Clohisy John C. , Frazier Elfaridah , Hirayama Teruhisa , Abu‐Amer Yousef 
Published: February 2003

AbstractRANKL is a TNF superfamily member and an essential cytokine mediator of developmental osteoclastogenesis. We examined the role of RANKL in PMMA particle‐induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro. In murine whole bone marrow cultures, PMMA particles stimulate a 2.5 fold increase in secreted RANKL, a 5–8 fold increase in osteoclast number and induce the formation of giant multinuclear osteoclasts. RANKL and TNF, potential cytokine mediators of PMMA, had similar osteoclastogenic effects. The RANKL inhibitor OPG was utilized to define the role of RANKL in mediating the PMMA response and was found to inhibit basal and PMMA particle‐induced osteoclastogenesis. Additionally, particles stimulate osteoclast formation in RANKL‐primed osteoclast precursor cells (devoid of supporting stromal cells) while RANKL untreated osteoclast precursors demonstrate no osteoclastogenic response to particles. Since TNF can potentiate RANKL action and is thought to mediate implant osteolysis we analyzed TNF−/− whole bone marrow cultures to elucidate the role of this cytokine. In TNF‐/‐ cultures basal osteoclastogenesis remains intact, yet the PMMA effect is blunted. Finally, we show that PMMA, RANKL and TNF all activate the NF‐kB and c‐jun/AP‐1 signaling pathways which are both fundamental to osteoclast formation and are potential sites of signal convergence in RANKL‐mediated particle osteoclastogenesis.© 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Type II collagen modulates the composition of extracellular matrix synthesized by articular chondrocytes
Authors: Qi Wen‐Ning , Scully Sean P. 
Published: February 2003

AbstractThe articular cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) interfaces with chondrocytes and influences many biological processes important to cartilage homeostasis and repair. The alginate bead culture system can be viewed as a model of cartilage repair in which the chondrocyte attempts to recreate the pericellular matrix while maintaining a differentiated phenotype. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the alteration in epitopes of proteoglycan and tenascin synthesized by chondrocytes in the presence of exogenous extracellular type II collagen. We evaluated the effects on four biomarkers associated with the creation of the denovo matrix using ELISA and immunohistochemistry: keratan sulfate epitope (5D4), 3B3(−) neoepitope of chondroitin‐6‐ sulfate, 3B3(+) chondroitinase‐generatedepitope of chondroitin‐6‐sulfate, and tenascin‐C expression. TGF‐β1 stimulated the production of 3B3(+), 5D4, and tenascin‐C in a dose‐dependent manner and decreased 3B3(−) levels. Following the addition of exogenous type II collagen, 3B3(−) increased and tenascin‐C decreased but did not change the direction of TGF‐β1 effects. In contrast, 5D4 expression decreased in the presence of collagen II as TGF‐β1 increased to 10 ng/ml. Interestingly, the amount of 3B3(+) epitope was not affected by the incorporation of type II collagen. Immunohistochemistry found there was no significant difference in distribution of these biomarkers in the presence and absence of extracellular type II collagen incorporation. These results elucidate the subtle biochemical differences in ECM synthesized by chondrocytes in the presence of type II collagen and further characterize the role played by ECM in the TGF‐β1 regulation of the articular cartilage physiology.© 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.