bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of milk treatment with dynamic high pressure on microbial populations, and lipolytic and proteolytic profiles of Crescenza cheese
Authors: Lanciotti R , Chaves‐López C , Patrignani F , Paparella A , Guerzoni M E , Serio A , Suzzi G 
Published: January 2004

The effects of some physical treatments of milk (pasteurization and homogenization at 1000 bar) on the evolution of the microbial populations, as well as on the proteolytic and lipolytic profiles, of Crescenza, a traditional Italian soft cheese, were studied in relation to its shelf‐life. The dynamic, high‐pressure homogenization (HPH) treatment of milk caused a reduction in the cell loads attained by the expiry date of yeasts and Pseudomonas spp. Moreover, the thermal and HPH treatments had different selective actions on the yeast populations, the former favouring oxidative species. In addition, the Crescenza obtained using milk treated at 1000 bar showed evidence of early and significant lipolysis.
Isolation and characterization of the microbial population of different South African kefir grains
Authors: Witthuhn R Corli , Schoeman Tersia , Britz Trevor J 
Published: January 2004

Kefir, a slightly acidic fermented milk, is produced by adding lactic acid bacteria and yeasts, in the form of grains, to milk. The bacteria and yeasts present in the kefir grains are known to vary widely. Selective growth media and morphological and biochemical characteristics were used for the isolation and identification of the microbes present in the grains from eight different sources in South Africa. The kefir grains were activated in milk for only 24 h to prevent any changes in the microbial population of the grains. The microbial numbers varied between 6.4 × 104and 8.5 × 108 cfu/g on the media selective for the bacterial species and between 1.5 × 105and 3.7 × 108 cfu/g on the media selective for the yeast species. The bacterial genera that were identified included Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc and Lactococcus and the yeast genera included Zygosaccharomyces, Candida and Saccharomyces. The distribution frequencies of the microbes in the different grains were determined and most of the grains were dominated by two microbial species. No pediococci, acetic acid bacteria or propionibacteria were detected.
Antimicrobial activity of camel's milk against pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Benkerroum Noreddine , Mekkaoui Majda , Bennani Nargisse , Hidane Kamal 
Published: January 2004

The inhibitory activity of camel's milk and colostrum at 4°C and 20°C was tested by the well diffusion assay against six pathogens. The activity was also studied in situ by monitoring the growth of a three‐strain mixture of Listeria monocytogenes or Escherichia coli O78:K80 in camel's milk, colostrum or Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) as function of time. The results of the well diffusion assay show that Bacillus cereus was resistant to the inhibitory activity present in camel's milk and to the colostrum, while L. monocytogenes LMG 13304 and E. coli O78:K80(JB2) were the most sensitive as judged by the diameters of the inhibition zones. The in situ test revealed a typical inhibition pattern of both pathogens in camel's milk samples during 48 h of incubation at both storage temperatures. The colostrum exerted a definite bactericidal activity against E. coli O78:K80 at ambient temperature, and the viable counts decreased to below the detectable level in a 1‐mL sample at 48 h, while at the refrigeration temperature, the counts were reduced by 1 and 3 log units compared to the initial inoculum and to the positive control, respectively. The camel's milk and colostrum samples had a bacteriostatic effect against L. monocytogenes during the first 8 h of incubation; thereafter, a tendency to increase was noted in the colostrum at 20°C. Similar experiments were carried out on E. coli O78:K80 in heat‐treated camel's or cow's milk and showed that the inhibitory effect of camel's milk was reduced by heat treatment.
Midwives' perceptions and experiences of routine enquiry for domestic violence
Authors: Mezey Gill , Bacchus Loraine , Haworth Alison , Bewley Susan 
Published: January 2004

Objective
To examine midwives' perceptions and experiences of routine enquiry for domestic violence.Design
Focus groups and semi‐structured interviews.Setting
The study was conducted in the maternity services of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Hospital Trust, an inner London teaching hospital.Sample
Twenty‐eight midwives were interviewed.Methods
One hundred and sixteen out of 145 (80%) midwives were trained to screen routinely pregnant women for domestic violence at booking, at 34 weeks of gestation and postpartum. Twenty midwives attended one of four focus groups and eight semi‐structured interviews were conducted. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using content analysis.Main outcome measures
Midwives' views of routine enquiry for domestic violence.Results
Midwives felt that domestic violence was an important issue to be addressed. However, practical and personal difficulties were encountered during the study. These included: time constraints, lack of confidential time, safety issues, staff shortages, low staff morale and midwives' personal experiences of domestic violence. The study produced a raised awareness about domestic violence within the maternity unit. There was considerable support for the idea of a specialist domestic violence midwife.Conclusions
Routine enquiry for domestic violence cannot be implemented effectively without ensuring that in‐depth training, resources, staff support and policies to ensure that screening can be conducted safely and confidentially are in place.
Costing the cascade: estimating the cost of increased obstetric intervention in childbirth using population data
Authors: Tracy Sally K. , Tracy Mark B. 
Published: January 2004

Objective
To estimate the cost of ‘the cascade’ of obstetric interventions introduced during labour for low risk women.Design
A cost formula derived from population data.Setting
New South Wales, Australia.Population
All 171,157 women having a live baby during 1996 and 1997.Methods
Four groups of interventions that occur during labour were identified. A cost model was constructed using the known age‐adjusted rates for low risk women having one of three birth outcomes following these pre‐specified interventions. Costs were based on statewide averages for the cost of labour and birth in hospital.Main outcome measures
The outcome measure is an ‘average cost unit per woman’ for low risk women, predicted by the level of intervention during labour. Obstetric care is classified as either private obstetric care in a private or public hospital, or routine public hospital care.Results
The relative cost of birth increased by up to 50% for low risk primiparous women and up to 36% for low risk multiparous women as labour interventions accumulated. An epidural was associated with a sharp increase in cost of up to 32% for some primiparous low risk women, and up to 36% for some multiparous low risk women. Private obstetric care increased the overall relative cost by 9% for primiparous low risk women and 4% for multiparous low risk women.Conclusions
The initiation of a cascade of obstetric interventions during labour for low risk women is costly to the health system. Private obstetric care adds further to the cost of care for low risk women.
Reproducibility and reliability of pressure flow parameters in women
Authors: Digesu G. Alessandro , Hutchings Anna , Salvatore Stefano , Selvaggi Luigi , Khullar Vik 
Published: January 2004

Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate the intra‐ and inter‐rater reliability of pressure flow parameters in women.Design
A prospective study.Setting
Tertiary referral unit in a London teaching Hospital.Population
Urodynamic traces of 621 women were studied to assess the reproducibility and reliability of pressure flow parameters.Methods
Women with lower urinary tract symptoms were studied prospectively. Opening detrusor pressure (ODP), detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate PdetQmax, maximum flow rate (Qmax) and closure detrusor pressure (CDP) were measured by the same observer twice, one week apart. Pressure flows were compared using different media for filling (saline and contrast). All parameters were also measured in nine women from multiple voids during ambulatory urodynamics to assess their reproducibility and finally were remeasured by a second observer.Results
There was good intra‐observer agreement for all pressure flow parameters except detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate and good inter‐observer agreement for opening detrusor pressure, closure detrusor pressure and detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate. There was no significant difference between parameters using saline or contrast (P > 0.05, independent samples t test).Conclusion
Pressure flow parameters appear to be reproducible and consistent urodynamic measurements in women.
Improved fertility following conservative surgical treatment of ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Bangsgaard Nannie , Lund Claus Otto , Ottesen Bent , Nilas Lisbeth 
Published: January 2004

Objective
To evaluate fertility after salpingectomy or tubotomy for ectopic pregnancy.Design
Retrospective cohort study.Setting
Clinical University Center, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen.Population
Two hundred and seventy‐six women undergoing salpingectomy or tubotomy for their first ectopic pregnancy between January 1992 and January 1999 and who actively attempted to conceive were followed for a minimum of 18 months.Methods
Retrospective cohort study combined with questionnaire to compare reproductive outcome following salpingectomy or tubotomy for ectopic pregnancy. Cummulative probabilities of pregnancy for each group were calculated by the Kaplan‐Meier estimator and compared by Cox regression analysis to control for potential confounders.Main outcome measures
Intrauterine pregnancy rates and recurrence rates of ectopic pregnancy after surgery for ectopic pregnancy.Results
The cumulative intrauterine pregnancy rate was significantly higher after tubotomy (88%) than after salpingectomy (66%) (log rank P < 0.05) after correction for confounding factors. No difference was found in the recurrence rate of ectopic pregnancy between the treatments (16%vs 17%). In patients with contralateral tubal pathology, the chance of pregnancy was poor (hazard ratio 0.463) and the risk of recurrence was high (hazard ratio 2.25), assessed with Cox regression. The rate of persistent ectopic pregnancy was 8%.Conclusion
Conservative surgery is superior to radical surgery at preserving fertility. Conservative surgery is not followed by an increased risk of repeat ectopic pregnancy, but by the risk of persistent ectopic pregnancy, which should be taken into account when deciding on the operative procedure. Management in case of contralateral tubal pathology is disputed and should ideally be addressed in a randomised clinical trial.
The effect of a novel vaginal ring delivering oestradiol acetate on climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women
Authors: Buckler Helen , Al‐Azzawi Farook ,   The UK VR Multicentre Trial Group
Published: January 2004

Objective
Evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of a novel vaginal ring delivering oestradiol acetate (Menoring) versus oral oestradiol for relief of climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women.Design
Prospective, multicentre, randomised, double‐blind, comparator‐controlled, parallel group study.Setting
Twenty‐one centres in the United Kingdom.Population
Postmenopausal women, aged <65 years experiencing ≥20 hot flushes/night sweats per week for two consecutive weeks.Methods
Patients received a vaginal ring releasing oestradiol acetate at a rate equivalent to 50 μg/day in addition to placebo tablets (vaginal ring group) or oral oestradiol 1 mg/day in addition to placebo vaginal ring (oral group) for 24 weeks. For patients with inadequate control of vasomotor symptoms, dosage was doubled at 12 weeks. Non‐hysterectomised women received norethisterone 1 mg/day for 12 days in each 28 day cycle.Main outcome measures
Efficacy was assessed by change in climacteric symptoms measured by the Greene Climacteric Scale, as well as mean change in frequency of hot flushes/night sweats.Results
A total of 159 patients were enrolled (84 vaginal ring, 75 oral). Significant improvement (P < 0.05) in mean total Greene Climacteric Scale scores in both treatment groups was observed at 12 and 24 weeks and for every subscale score including anxiety, depression and sexual dysfunction (P < 0.05). In both groups, frequency of hot flushes/night sweats was significantly reduced (P < 0.001) at 12 and 24 weeks. No significant between‐group differences were noted at 12 or 24 weeks.Conclusions
The oestradiol vaginal ring significantly improved climacteric symptoms as measured by Greene Climacteric Scale scores and reduced the frequency of hot flushes/night sweats. Efficacy and safety of vaginal ring oestradiol were comparable with those of oral therapy. Patient evaluations of oestradiol vaginal ring tolerability and acceptability were excellent.
The in vitro effect of dual combinations of ritodrine, nicardipine and atosiban on contractility of pregnant rat myometrium
Authors: Doret Muriel , Mellier Georges , Gaucherand Pascal , Saade Georges R. , Benchaib Mehdi , Frutoso Jean , Pasquier Jean Charles 
Published: January 2004

Objective To compare the tocolytic potency of ritodrine, nicardipine and atosiban, used alone and in dual combinations, to see whether combinations of these drugs, which act via different pathways, could improve inhibition of uterine contractility.Design Study on myometrial contractility in vitro.Setting Laboratory of physiology, Lyon, France.Sample Longitudinal myometrial strips from non‐labouring timed pregnant Wistar rats (18 gestational days).Methods Strips were simultaneously exposed to EC25, EC50 or EC75 of dual combinations of either ritodrine and nicardipine, ritodrine and atosiban or nicardipine and atosiban (n= 10/group). Basal contractile activity and contractile activity after addition of each combination was measured using the 10 min integral of activity. Changes were expressed as percentage from the basal 10 min integral activity. The observed percentage inhibition of activity was compared with the expected percentage inhibition in an additive pharmacological model. When no significant difference occurred, the combination was deemed simply to have an additive tocolytic effect. When inhibition of activity was significantly greater compared with the expected percentage inhibition, the combination was deemed to have a synergistic effect.Main outcome measure Changes in integral contractile activity in response to tocolytic combinations.Results Ritodrine and atosiban inhibited integral activity to a greater extent than expected [e.g. using EC50: observed inhibition 88.9% (13.8%) vs expected inhibition 75%; P < 0.015]. Actual inhibition by nicardipine/ritodrine [78.55% (20.4%) vs 75%; P= n.s.] and nicardipine/atosiban [78.94% (17.8%) vs 75%; P= n.s.] was not significantly different from expected.Conclusions A combination of ritodrine plus atosiban exhibits a synergistic inhibition for myometrial activity, thus allowing the use of lower concentrations of each drug to achieve the same effect compared with each drug used alone. Combination of nicardipine plus ritodrine and nicardipine plus atosiban achieves only an additive effect. The potential for decreasing side effects (beta‐mimetics) and costs (atosiban) when using a combination in clinical practice needs to be evaluated.
LH levels in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: have modern assays made them irrelevant?
Authors: Milsom Stella R. , Sowter Martin C. , Carter Marion A. , Knox Bruce S. , Gunn Alistair J. 
Published: January 2004

Objective
To determine whether using newer monoclonal rather than polyclonal assays for measuring luteinising hormone (LH) alters the predictive value of LH and LH/follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) ratios for polycystic ovarian syndrome.Design
Prospective cohort study.Setting
Fertility and Reproductive Endocrinology Clinic within a New Zealand Teaching hospital.Population
Seventy‐eight women presenting with oligomenorrhoea or hirsutism and polycystic ovaries on pelvic ultrasound and 59 volunteer controls with ultrasonically normal ovaries and a regular menstrual cycle.Methods
Serum LH concentrations were measured using a polyclonal radio‐immunoassay (Amerlex‐M, Johnson & Johnson) and two monoclonal immunometric assays (Immulite, DPC; Cobas Core, Hoffman La Roche). The proportion of women with an elevated serum LH concentration in each group was calculated using both current local laboratory reference intervals and a new reference range derived from our control group. The LH/FSH ratios for women in both groups were also calculated using the three different LH assays.Main outcome measures
LH concentrations and LH:FSH ratios measured using polyclonal and monoclonal immunoassays.Results
Using the local laboratory normal range, a significantly higher proportion of women had an elevated LH when measured with a polyclonal assay (23.1%) than when measured with a monoclonal assay (12.8% Core, 6.4% Immulite) (P < 0.05). LH/FSH ratios were significantly lower when monoclonal assay was used and receiver–operator characteristic curves suggest that LH/FSH ratios of 1 or lower provide the most reliable separation of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome from controls when these assays are used.Conclusions
Clinicians should be aware that the use of monoclonal LH assays will result in significantly lower measured LH levels and LH/FSH ratios in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome than previously used polyclonal assays. Account should be taken of the assay type used, when using endocrinological parameters in the diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome, or the identification of women who have LH hypersecretion.
Cleansing, dehydrating, barrier‐damaging and irritating hyperaemising effect of four detergent brands: comparative studies using standardised washing models
Authors: Gloor Max , Wasik Barbara , Gehring Wolfgang , Grieshaber Romano , Kleesz Peter , Fluhr Joachim W. 
Published: January 2004

Background and problem: It is well known that the damaging effect of surfactants on the stratum corneum varies according to the surfactant used. The present investigations aim to compare four standard commercial cleansing solutions (Esemptan® Cleansing Lotion, Stephalen® Shower Gel, Manipur® Antimicrobial Cleansing Solution and Tork® Mevon 55TM Liquid Soap) with respect to their cleansing and skin barrier‐damaging effects.Material and methods: The cleansing effect of the solutions was determined in relation to their concentrations in a first experimental series involving 15 subjects using a standardised test method. The product concentrations with the most divergent cleansing effects were tested for their dehydrating (corneometry), epidermal barrier‐damaging (TEWL) and irritating effects (laser Doppler) in a standardised washing test. In a second experimental series, the concentration used for the cleansing solutions was based on the quantity of cleansing solution obtained from dispenser actuations (six actuations/L). These concentrations were used to test the cleansing and damaging effect on the stratum corneum using the same methods as in the first experimental series.Results: There were no significant differences in the first experimental series. In the second experimental series, Stephalen® Shower Gel showed disadvantages in terms of a small cleansing effect, but without evidence of a smaller stratum corneum‐damaging effect, and Tork® Mevon 55TM Liquid Soap showed advantages in terms of a smaller stratum corneum‐damaging effect, but without evidence of a smaller cleansing effect.Conclusions: These studies showed that the relationship between the cleansing and the damaging effect on the stratum corneum can be properly assessed only by testing different concentrations. Furthermore, this experimental approach allowed to differentiate the four tested cleansing solutions.
Barrier repair in chronic plaque‐type psoriasis
Authors: Goon Anthony Teik‐Jin , Yosipovitch Gil , Chan Yiong‐Huak , Goh Chee‐Leok 
Published: January 2004

Purpose: To investigate barrier repair after mild trauma in lesional skin of psoriasis patients with chronic plaque‐type disease and to compare this with non‐involved psoriatic skin and normal controls.Methods: Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) readings were taken from involved psoriatic skin and non‐involved skin of psoriasis patients as well as the skin of normal controls. Three readings were performed at each site: the basal state, immediately after 20 tape strippings and 1 week post stripping.Results: Higher baseline, post‐stripping and 1‐week recovery TEWL readings in psoriatic‐involved skin compared to non‐involved and normal control skin. No significant difference in barrier recovery rate in psoriatic‐involved skin compared to non‐involved and normal control.Conclusion: Although there appears to be a derangement of barrier function in lesional skin of psoriasis patients compared to non‐lesional skin and the skin of healthy controls, the barrier recovery function of lesional psoriatic skin is still fully operational.
Measurement of hydration in the stratum corneum with the MoistureMeter and comparison with the Corneometer
Authors: Alanen Esko , Nuutinen Jouni , Nicklén Kirsi , Lahtinen Tapani , Mönkkönen Jukka 
Published: January 2004

Background/purpose: MoistureMeter is a novel capacitive device for measuring the hydration of stratum corneum (SC). The capacitor ‘plates’ are formed by the probe material and the well‐conducting epidermal–dermal skin layers, while the dry layer of SC acts as an ‘insulator’ of the capacitor. Due to this measurement principle, the measurement depth is not constant, but equal to the thickness of the dry layer of SC. The present study was undertaken to test the MoistureMeter SC‐2 in an experimental setup simulating the uppermost skin structure. The sensitivity of the MoistureMeter was compared with a conventional device Corneometer CM 820 in eight healthy volunteers.Methods: The experimental setup consisted of a polyethene foil simulating SC and a mixture of cellulose and saline simulating the underlying skin layers with a high water content. The hydration of SC of volar forearm was measured in eight healthy volunteers both with the MoistureMeter SC‐2 and Corneometer CM 820 after the application of three different skin formulations: base, base plus salt (2 wt% NaCl), base plus salt and glycerin (5 wt%). In the sorption–desorption test, the skin was wetted with a drop of water and the dehydration was followed with both devices for 2 min.Results: The test with the experimental setup agreed with the results predicted by the mathematical capacitance model. The hydration values of the MoistureMeter SC‐2 and Corneometer CM 820 correlated well (R=0.75), but the relative range of readings with the MoistureMeter was approximately three times larger than with Corneometer. The MoistureMeter was insensitive for the salt (2 wt% NaCl) of the formulation and differentiated the hydration effect of glycerin better than the Corneometer. In the sorption–desorption test, the MoistureMeter demonstrated the individual differences between the volunteers, whereas with the Corneometer the differences were minimal.Conclusion: The capacitive measuring principle of the MoistureMeter was demonstrated in an experimental arrangement. Although both instruments yielded equivalent data with the base formulation, the MoistureMeter was a more sensitive device than the Corneometer CM 820 and independent of added salt in the formulations.