bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human Fetal-Placental Weight Ratio in Normal Singleton Near-Term Pregnancies
Authors: Lurie Samuel , Feinstein Michael , Mamet Yaakov 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> To determine the fetal-placental weight ratio in normal near-term singleton pregnancies. <i>Patients and Methods:</i> 431 consecutive singleton near-term live deliveries following uncomplicated pregnancies were included in a prospective study. Mean maternal age was 28.6 years (range 17–50), mean parity was 2.9 (range 1–16). Mean gestation age at delivery was 39.7 weeks (range 33–42). <i>Results:</i> Mean newborn weight was 3,382.1 ± 486.7 g (range 2,180–4,810). Mean placental weight was 613.0 ± 123.8 g (range 319–1,266). Mean fetal-placental weight ratio was 5.6 ± 0.96 (range 2.9–10.6) with kurtosis of 3.6 and skewness of 1.05. The ratio did not differ significantly between male (n = 253) and female (n = 176) infants, 5.7 ± 0.89 and 5.6 ± 1.04, respectively. There was a progressive increase in the fetal-placental weight ratio with gestational age (r = 0.87): from 5.3 ± 0.90 at 33–36 weeks to 5.9 ± 1.06 at the 41st week and 5.7 ± 0.71 at the 42nd week (p < 0.05) and with birth weight distribution (r = 0.85) from 5.0 ± 1.06 in newborns weighing 2,000–2,499 g to 5.9 ± 0.94 in newborns weighing >4,000 g (p < 0.05). There was a positive relationship between the fetal-placental weight ratio in teenage and elder parturients (r = 0.98): 5.2 ± 0.98 (age 17–19), 5.7 ± 0.88 (age 20–29), 5.6 ± 1.08 (age 30–39), and 5.7 ± 0.96 (age 41–50) (p < 0.05). The most contributing variable was birth weight. <i>Conclusions:</i> The fetal-placental weight ratio tends to be low in teenage women, early near-term gestational age, and low fetal weight. There was a progressive increase in the fetal-placental weight ratio with gestational age and with birth weight distribution.
Protective Effect of the Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator LY117018 on Rat Vaginal <i>Candida albicans</i> Colonization
Authors: Essmann Michael , Larsen Bryan 
Published: April 2003

Although we know that estrogen promotes vaginal colonization with <i>Candida albicans</i> in oophorectomized rats, the availability of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) raises the question of whether these compounds may influence the susceptibility of vaginal epithelium to <i>Candida</i> colonization. We inoculated rats with viable <i>C. albicans</i> 2 days after treatment with oil vehicle (controls), estradiol cypionate or the proprietary SERM, LY117018. LY117018 prevented colonization by a clinical isolate of <i>C. albicans</i>. In contrast, rats treated with estradiol cypionate remained colonized for up to 10 days after initial inoculation with viable yeast. In vitro tests demonstrated that both estradiol-17β and LY117018 promoted growth at a 1 × 10<sup>–9</sup> <i>M</i> concentration, whereas both compounds suppressed yeast growth at a higher (1 × 10<sup>–6</sup> <i>M</i>) concentration. The effect of LY117018 on vaginal colonization could not be predicted on the basis of in vitro investigation. We conclude that the protective effect of LY117018 resulted from an indirect effect on the host and not from its effect directly on the microorganism.
Factor XII Deficiency in Women with Recurrent Miscarriage
Authors: Yamada Hideto , Kato Emi H. , Ebina Yasuhiko , Kishida Tatsuro , Hoshi Nobuhiko , Kobashi Gen , Sakuragi Noriaki , Fujimoto Seiichiro 
Published: April 2003

Congenital thrombophilia is known to cause significant maternal complications, and possibly has an adverse effect on normal fetal development. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of factor XII (FXII) deficiency in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage. Two hundred and forty-one consecutive Japanese women with a history of two or more recurrent miscarriages were prospectively assessed for their etiology by conventional screening methods. Seven women were found to have reduced FXII activity (19.2–46.1%) and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (33.3–51.3 s). Of these 7 women, 6 had experienced early pregnancy losses, while 1 woman had experienced repeated mid-trimester fetal losses with coincidental gestational thrombocytopenia. In 241 women with a history of recurrent miscarriage, the prevalence of FXII deficiency was 2.9%.
Implications of Asymptomatic Endocervical Leukocytosis in Infertility
Authors: Ou Ming-Cheh , Su Chin-Shu 
Published: April 2003

Genital tract infection is a known cause of male and female infertility. In this retrospective study, we investigated the effect of treatment of asymptomatic cervical leukocytosis on pregnancy rates. Twenty-five infertile women with asymptomatic cervical leukocytosis received broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment (100 mg doxycycline, 200 mg ofloxacin, and 500 mg metronidazole twice a day for 7–10 days). Pregnancy rates and resolution of leukocytosis were evaluated 6 months after treatment. Eleven patients (44%) had persistent cervical leukocytosis and 16 (64%) had become pregnant within 6 months after treatment. Successful treatment of cervical leukocytosis resulted in an increase in the pregnancy rate: 13 of the 14 patients (93%) who were cured of leukocytosis became pregnant, while 3 of the 11 (27%) who did not become pregnant were cured (p = 0.002). Patients who did not achieve pregnancy were older (p = 0.002) than those who did. Patients who were not cured were also older than those who were (p = 0.014). Our findings suggest that the treatment for cervical leukocytosis is less effective for older patients than for younger patients. However, treatment of asymptomatic cervical leukocytosis appears to help preserve the fertility of patients with this disease.
Severe Unilateral Hydrothorax as the Only Manifestation of the Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
Authors: Rabinerson David , Shalev J. , Royburt Moshe , Ben-Rafael Zion , Dekel Arie 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Unilateral hydrothorax is rarely the sole manifestation of the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and is suggestive of the severity of the disease. <i>Case:</i> A 35-year-old woman presented with mild dyspnea 2 weeks after ovarian stimulation with hMG and hCG and IVF-ET. Chest X-ray revealed a large pleural effusion on the right side. Three consecutive thoracocenteses were needed to drain a total of 6,800 cm<sup>3</sup> of fluid. Following drainage, the respiratory symptoms disappeared. An uneventful pregnancy is in progress. <i>Conclusions:</i> Thoracocentesis is safe and efficient for the treatment of hydrothorax and may be repeated as often as necessary. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of unilateral hydrothorax as the sole symptom of OHSS.
Sublingual Isosorbide Dinitrate in the Acute Control of Hypertension in Patients with Severe Preeclampsia
Authors: Martínez-Abundis Esperanza , González-Ortiz Manuel , Hernández-Salazar Francisco , Huerta-J-Lucas María Teresa 
Published: April 2003

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sublingual isosorbide dinitrate (ID) in the acute control of hypertension in patients with severe preeclampsia. A randomized, double-blind clinical trial with a preinclusion period of response to hydration and rest was performed in 60 patients with severe preeclampsia. The treatment group (30 patients) received 5 mg of sublingual ID, a dose that could be repeated on a second occasion. The control group consisted of 30 patients who received placebo. Both groups continued with rest and hydration during the study. Maternal blood pressure and fetal heart rate were measured in all patients every 10 min until 1 h was completed. Treatment was considered effective when the diastolic blood pressure could be reduced to between 80 and 100 mm Hg. ID was effective in 56.6% of the patients in the first 10 min after its administration and in 96.6% from 40 to 60 min. In the treatment group the systolic and diastolic blood pressures dropped gradually from 171 ± 13 and 113 ± 8 mm Hg, respectively, to 136 ± 14 and 87 ± 9 mm Hg. In the placebo group, blood pressure was not reduced. There was no significant difference in fetal heart rate between both groups throughout the study. In conclusion, ID was shown to be effective in the acute control of hypertension in patients with severe preeclampsia, where high blood pressure persists after a period of rest and hydration.
Adjuvant Chemotherapy with Oral Tegaful and Uracil for Maxillary Sinus Carcinoma
Authors: Fujii Masato , Ohno Yoshihiro , Tokumaru Yutaka , Imanishi Yorihisa , Kanke Minoru , Kanzaki Jin , Inuyama Yukio 
Published: April 2003

We have applied tegaful and uracil (UFT) treatment as adjuvant chemotherapy to patients after the completion of primary therapy. UFT was given per os at a dose of 300 or 400 mg/day for more than 1 year. A retrospective study was conducted on 15 patients, assessed as the UFT-treated group, and 24 patients assessed as the UFT-nontreated group. The 5-year survival rate in patients treated or not treated with UFT was 76.6 and 22.6%, respectively. Among those who underwent surgery in combination with other therapy, the 5-year survival rate was 74.1% with UFT and 27.3% without UFT. In patients receiving chemotherapy plus radiotherapy alone, the 5-year survival rate was 80.0% with UFT and 19.2% without UFT. In 23 patients with proven effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy comprising 18 PR cases and 5 CR cases, a comparison was made between 10 patients treated with UFT and 13 patients not treated with UFT. As a result, the 5-year survival was 76.2 and 17.9%, respectively. In the patients with T3 disease, who occupied the majority, the 5-year survival rate was 71.4 and 23.8%, respectively. Adjuvant chemotherapy with UFT tends to show a substantial significant difference particularly in patients who were successfully treated with radiotherapy plus chemotherapy as the primary treatment. UFT was clearly shown to have a statistically significant effect, despite a small population. The findings of the present investigation point to the value of conducting further study to ascertain the effect of UFT by a randomized trial in a larger population.
Does Dexamethasone Enhance the Efficacy of Alizapride in Cis-Platinum-Induced Delayed Vomiting and Nausea?
Authors: Münstedt K. , Wunderlich I. , Blauth-Eckmeyer E. , Zygmunt M. , Vahrson H. 
Published: April 2003

At the present time 5-HT<sub>3</sub> antagonists in combination with corticosteroids represent the best prophylaxis and treatment of acute vomiting and nausea in highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy. However, 24 h after chemotherapy 5-HT<sub>3</sub> antagonists are no longer superior to benzamides for prevention of delayed symptoms. All recommendations for use of corticosteroids in delayed nausea and vomiting basically rely on one small study by Kris et al. [J Clin Oncol 1989;7:108–114]. Since the use of corticosteroids in cancer chemotherapy remains controversial, this single-blind, randomised, prospective trial was initiated to re-evaluate the benefits of corticosteroids during the days after chemotherapy. Thus patients treated for ovarian cancer received 5 mg tropisetron (Navoban<sup>®</sup>) plus 20 mg dexamethasone for the prevention of acute vomiting and nausea in <i>cis</i>-platinum-containing chemotherapy (50 mg). Twenty-four hours after the beginning of chemotherapy 49 patients were randomised to receive 3 × 100 mg alizapride (Vergentan<sup>®</sup>) plus a placebo medication (group A) and 47 patients to receive 3 × 100 mg alizapride plus 3 × 4 mg dexamethasone (group B) for 3 days depending on the incidence of acute vomiting beginning on day 2. The well-being of both groups was compared using objective and subjective parameters (Rotterdam Symptom Checklist). Major control of acute vomiting was achieved in 87.5% of the cases. The study was stopped after this interim analysis of 96 patients revealed no advantage of corticosteroids during the days after chemotherapy. Significant differences between both groups were detected only on a few days (day 6: objective nausea in favour of group A, day 4: objective vomiting in favour of group B, day 6: objective vomiting in favour of group A, day 3: constipation in favour of group A, days 4 and 5: difficulty concentrating in favour of group A, day 3: dry mouth in favour of group B). In contrast to acute nausea and vomiting the addition of corticosteroids is not beneficial in the prevention of delayed nausea and vomiting. Until better stretegies are available the best prophylaxis of delayed symptoms is the control of acute nausea and vomiting using 5-HT<sub>3</sub> antagonists plus corticosteroids. The use of benzamides has to be considered efficacious in the prevention of delayed vomiting and nausea.
Pleural and Bone Marrow Metastasis from Supratentorial Oligoastrocytoma Grade III
Authors: Finsterer J. , Breiteneder S. , Mueller M.R. , Wogritsch C. , Vesely M. , Kleinert R. , Pendl G. , Mamoli B. 
Published: April 2003

We report a 62-year-old man with symptomatic metastasis to the pleural cavity and the bone marrow from a supratentorial oligoastrocytoma grade III, 24 years after the initial symptoms. Before tumor dissemination, the patient underwent brain surgery four times in 5 years. Six months after the last treatment, extraneural dissemination to the right pleural cavity was discovered. Despite resection of the pleural metastasis, local and distant spread to the bone marrow developed. The patient died 5 months after the occurrence of extraneural tumor metastasis. It is speculated that repeated brain surgery and extended survival may promote extraneural dissemination of supratentorial oligoastrocytoma grade III.
Clinical Evaluation of Pancreatitis-Associated Protein as a Serum Marker of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Comparison with α-Fetoprotein
Authors: Montalto G. , Iovanna J.L. , Soresi M. , Dusetti N. , Carroccio A. , Barthelemy-Bialas S. , Cartabellotta A. , Dagorn J.C. 
Published: April 2003

This study evaluated the significance of serum pancreatitis-associated protein (PAP) assay, as a marker of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), in comparison and combined with α-fetoprotein (AFP) assay. Sixty-five patients with HCC, 59 with liver cirrhosis (LC) and 68 asymptomatic controls (C) were studied. PAP and AFP values significantly increased from C to LC and HCC group (p < 0.0001). The area under receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the two markers was not statistically different. At 100% specificity, ROC analysis gave a cut-off level for AFP of 166 IU/l with 40% sensitivity, and a cut-off level of 240 µg/l for PAP with 23% sensitivity. Diagnostic accuracy of combined AFP and PAP assay was significantly higher than AFP alone. Sensitivity according to tumor size also improved using the combined assay, especially for tumors <5 cm. Stepwise logistic regression indicated that AFP, but not PAP, was associated with an increased risk of developing HCC. These data confirm that PAP production is increased only in some cases of HCC and that the combined PAP and AFP assays do not significantly improve specificity over AFP assay alone. Consequently, PAP assay can only be recommended in cases of justified suspicion of HCC with negative AFP.
Immunohistochemical Investigation of Thymidylate Synthase in Cervical Cancer
Authors: Suzuki Mitsuaki , Okabe Hiroyuki , Tsukagoshi Shizuka , Kawai Toshiro , Fukushima Masakazu , Sato Ikuo 
Published: April 2003

We prepared a polyclonal antibody against recombinant human thymidylate synthase (TS) to evaluate its use in immunohistochemical analysis. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of specimens of cervical tissue were prepared from 35 patients with cervical cancer. The TS immunoreactivity was studied by employing the peroxidase-labeled antibody method with our prepared antibody. At the same time, the TS activity was determined with the 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridylate (FdUMP)-TS-binding assay in fresh-frozen specimens of these cervical cancers. We observed a positive correlation (r = 0.658) between the degree of TS immunoreactivity and the TS activity in the binding assay of 9 patients with grade 4 (strongly positive) TS immunoreactivity, while 7 patients (78%) exhibited a TS activity of 5 pmol/g tissue or greater. Nine patients with a TS immunoreactivity of grade 1 (negative to weakly positive) showed a TS activity <5 pmol/g tissue. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.01). TS expression was easily detected by the immunohistochemical technique which will allow the assessment of the relationship between TS activity and patient outcome.
Dose Intensification of Platinum Compounds with Glutathione Protection as Induction Chemotherapy for Advanced Ovarian Carcinoma
Authors: Böhm Silvia , Oriana Saro , Spatti Gianbattista , Di Re Francesco , Breasciani Gianluigi , Pirovano Carlo , Grosso Ilaria , Martini Cinzia , Caraceni Augusto , Pilotti Silvana , Zunino Franco 
Published: April 2003

Based on previous clinical experience indicating the tolerability and efficacy of high-dose cisplatin with glutathione protection in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer, this study was undertaken to explore the efficacy and feasibility of an alternative high-dose, platinum-based approach including a combination of high-dose cisplatin plus carboplatin as induction chemotherapy of advanced ovarian carcinoma and intervention surgery. Fifty consecutive eligible patients with untreated stage III or IV epithelial ovarian cancer received 40 mg/m<sup>2</sup> cisplatin daily on days 1–4 and 160 mg/m<sup>2</sup> carboplatin on day 5. The cycle was repeated after 28 days. Patients received glutathione (2,500 mg) before each cisplatin or carboplatin administration and standard intravenous hydration. After 2 courses of induction chemotherapy, the patients underwent surgical reevaluation with debulking, when possible, followed by a further 3 cycles of 120 mg/m<sup>2</sup> cisplatin (i.e. 40 mg/m<sup>2</sup> daily for 3 consecutive days plus 600 mg/m<sup>2</sup> cyclophosphamide on day 3) except in instances of lack of response. All eligible patients were assessed for response and toxicity. The toxicity was moderate with lack of significant nephrotoxicity. Neurotoxicity and ototoxicity were acceptable and in no patient was treatment discontinued for those toxic effects. Myelotoxicity was somewhat more severe than that observed with our previous study with high-dose cisplatin and probably related to the addition of carboplatin. Of the 40 responsive patients, 23 (46%) had a pathological complete response and 4 (8%) had a clinical complete response (without second-look laparotomy). The efficacy of the present protocol was also documented by overall survival (median survival >48 months), which appeared to be better than expected with the current therapy in this group with advanced/bulky disease. The impressive efficacy suggests a possible contribution of reduced glutathione itself in improving the outcome, as supported by preclinical studies. The results of this study should be placed in context with current platinum-based therapy including paclitaxel.
Effects of Three Cytokine Regimens on Hematologic Recovery and Progenitor Cell Mobilization after High-Dose Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide, and Cisplatin
Authors: Ballestrero A. , Ferrando F. , Garuti A. , Gonella R. , Stura P. , Sessarego M. , Amoroso D. , Boccardo F. , Patrone F. 
Published: April 2003

The aim of this study was to compare both the effects on hematologic recovery and circulating progenitor cell mobilization and the toxicity of three cytokine regimens administered after high-dose non-myeloablative chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide 5 g/m<sup>2</sup>, etoposide 1.5 g/m<sup>2</sup> and cisplatin 150 mg/m<sup>2</sup>. Thirty-five consecutive patients were non-random sequentially allocated to one of three treatment groups: (1) granulocyte colony-stimulating factor alone (n = 15); (2) granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor alone (n = 10), and (3) sequential interleukin-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (n = 10). Neutrophil recovery in group 1 was significantly hastened as compared to the two other groups (median 2 days, p < 0.005), while no significant differences were observed between groups 2 and 3. CD34+ cells peaked about 2 days earlier in group 1 compared to the other groups (p = 0.0001), whereas the median peak value of CD34+ cells was similar in the three groups. In all patients, the toxicity related to cytokine administration was low and easily manageable with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Stress-Response in Male Partners of Women Submitted to in vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer
Authors: Tarabusi M. , Matteo M.L. , Volpe A. , Facchinetti F. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> In a previous work, we have reported the relationship between women and the outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). The goal of the present work is to evaluate the association between vulnerability to stress and treatment outcome in male partners of couples submitted to IVF-ET. <i>Methods:</i> The day of semen collection at the Assisted Reproduction Unit of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Modena, 45 subjects were submitted to Stroop Color Word Conflict, a task measuring the ability to cope with a cognitive stressor, involving the attentional and sympathoadrenal system. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as heart rate (HR), were measured at baseline, during the test and 10 min after the end of testing. The evidence of pregnancy (βhCG >250 mIU/ml 12 days after ET) is the main outcome measure; the couples were classed in either a ‘success’ or a ‘failure’ group. <i>Results:</i> Thirteen couples became pregnant. Pregnancy progressed until term in 6 cases, while 7 cases showed only a preclinical evidence of pregnancy. Age, education, causes and duration of infertility were similar in the success and failure groups. No difference was found in the number and motility of spermatozoa both at baseline and after capacitation (a technique improving sperm motility). Moreover, the success group showed a higher number of both fertilized oocytes and embryos transferred compared with the failure group. The area under the curve of the cardiovascular parameters was calculated. The failure group showed a higher value for HR (50.6 ± 36.7 of percent total change) than the success group (31.8 ± 16.9; p = 0.006). <i>Conclusions:</i> The cardiovascular response to stress is a good correlate of success in infertile males submitted to the IVF-ET program.