bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distributions of Endometrial NK Cells, B Cells, T Cells, and Th2/Tc2 Cells Fail to Predict Pregnancy Outcome Following Recurrent Abortion
Authors: MICHIMATA TOSHIHIKO , OGASAWARA MAYUMI S. , TSUDA HIROSHI , SUZUMORI KAORU , AOKI KOJI , SAKAI MASATOSHI , FUJIMURA MASAKI , NAGATA KINYA , NAKAMURA MASATAKA , SAITO SIGERU 
Published: March 2003

PROBLEM: To evaluate the ability of immunophenotypes of endometrial leukocytes from patients with histories of recurrent abortion to predict outcome of subsequent pregnancy.METHODS OF STUDY: Seventeen women with two successive spontaneous abortions with normal karyotype in the conceptus and 15 women with male‐factor infertility were studied. Subsequent pregnancy outcomes in 17 recurrent abortion patients were noted; 11 had live birth, while six aborted in the first trimester. All of 15 women with male‐factor infertility became pregnant after therapy, resulting in live birth in all cases. Endometrium was sampled during the peri‐implantation period before subsequent pregnancy. We immunostained paraffin‐embedded sections for lymphocyte markers including natural killer (NK) cell markers, CD56 and CD16, a B‐cell marker CD20, T‐cell markers CD3 and CD8, and a specific T‐helper(Th)2 and T‐cytotoxic (Tc)2 marker termed `chemoattractant receptor‐homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells' (CRTH2). Immunoreactive cells for these antigens were counted and positivity ratios to CD45‐ or CD3‐positive cells were calculated. These parameter were compared between 17 patients with histories of recurrent abortion and 15 control women and also compared between 11 patients whose subsequent pregnancy was successful and six patients whose subsequent pregnancy was a failure.RESULTS: Numbers of CD45+, CD56+, CD16+, CD20+, CD3+, CD8+, and CRTH2+ cells in recurrent abortion patients resembled those in controls. No significant difference in lymphocyte subset numbers or ratios was noted between patients whose subsequent pregnancy was successful and those who again aborted.CONCLUSION: We could not predict pregnancy outcome by immunophenotypic analysis of endometrium in women with recurrent abortion.
Physiological Leukocytosis during Pregnancy is Associated with Changes in Glucose Transporter Expression of Maternal Peripheral Blood Granulocytes and Monocytes
Authors: KORGUN EMIN T. , DEMIR RAMAZAN , SEDLMAYR PETER , DESOYE GERNOT , ARIKAN GUERKAN , PUERSTNER PETER , HAEUSLER MARTIN , DOHR GOTTFRIED , SKOFITSCH GERHARD , HAHN TOM 
Published: March 2003

PROBLEM: The scarce data on glucose transporter expression of leukocytes are contradictory and nothing is known about changes accompanying physiological leukocytosis during pregnancy, which imposes acute metabolic demands on the cells.METHOD OF STUDY: Cytospin preparations of intravascular leukocytes were searched immunocytochemically for the high affinity glucose transporters GLUT1, 3 and 4. Pregnancy‐associated quantitative changes in transporter expression were assessed by flow cytometry.RESULTS: Granulocytes and monocytes stained for GLUT1, 3 and 4. Major changes in cell surface transporter expression during pregnancy were a 36% (P < 0.05) down‐regulation of granulocyte GLUT1 at term, and an increase in monocyte GLUT3 levels to 137% (P < 0.05), paralleled by a 24% (P < 0.05) decrease in GLUT4 content in second trimester. Apart from a minor subpopulation, lymphocytes were negative for these carriers.CONCLUSION: GLUT1, 3 and 4 are abundantly expressed in granulocytes and monocytes. The particular isoforms are differentially regulated during pregnancy, suggesting an individual functional significance.
Differential Effects of IL‐11 on Rat Blastocysts and Decidua during the Peri‐Implantation Period
Authors: CALUWAERTS S. , PIJNENBORG R. , LUYTEN C. , KEITH J.C. , VAN ASSCHE F.A. 
Published: March 2003

PROBLEM: To study effects of interleukin‐11 (IL‐11) on blastocyst development and decidualization.METHOD OF STUDY: Rats, injected with buffer (C) or IL‐11 [1 mg/kg/day=high dose (HD), 60 μg/kg/week=low dose (LD)‐1, 30 μg/kg twice a week=low dose (LD)‐2] were made pregnant or pseudopregnant to obtain blastocysts or deciduomata.RESULTS: As compared with C, more LD‐2 blastocysts hatched in culture, while hatching and attachment of HD blastocysts was decreased. Blastocysts from untreated rats in IL‐11 supplemented medium (4 ng/mL) demonstrated increased hatching and attachment. The weight of the decidualized uterus in HD and LD‐2 pseudopregnant rats was reduced as compared with C and LD‐1. On deciduomata sections from IL‐11 treated rats, the area inside the uterine muscle layer was reduced, and mitotic over pycnotic indices were increased in the anti‐mesometrial area and decreased in the mesometrial area.CONCLUSIONS: Low doses of IL‐11 improve hatching and attachment of blastocysts, but both high and low doses impair decidualization.
Evaluation of Serum CA 125 Concentration Before and During Hormonal Induced Cycles as Predictor of IVF/ET Outcome
Authors: Vujisić Sanja , Kupešić Sanja , Mihaljević Daria , Akšamija Alenka , Kurjak Asim 
Published: March 2003

Vujisić S, Kupešić S, Mihaljević D, Akšamija A, Kurjak A. Evaluation of serum CA 125 concentration before and during hormonal induced cycles as predictor of IVF/ET outcome. AJRI 2002; 48:355–360 © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2002PROBLEM: To evaluate the role of CA 125 in prediction of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF/ET) outcome.METHOD OF STUDY: Serum CA 125 concentrations were evaluated in the spontaneous and stimulated cycles of 33 patients. CA 125 was measured using a microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) (Abbott, Diagnostics, USA). Follicular growth, endometrial thickness and subendometrial blood flow were evaluated by transvaginal color Doppler ultrasound. Statistical analysis was performed by Wilcoxon rank‐sum test and Friedman test.RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) of CA 125 values between spontaneous and stimulated cycles, and between pregnant and non‐pregnant patients. A CA 125 rise from the late proliferative to the early secretory phase (P < 0.05) was obtained only in the stimulated cycles. There was no relationship between CA 125, follicle number, endometrial thickness and resistance index of the subendometrial vessels.CONCLUSION: CA 125 levels are not predictive of ovarian and endometrial response. Hormonal stimulation does not effect serum CA 125 concentration. There was no influence of CA 125 levels on IVF/ET outcome in stimulated cycles.
Immunosuppressive Properties of Follicular Fluid and Media Conditioned by Zygotes Correlate with Subsequent Conception in In Vitro Fertilization
Authors: Dirnfeld Martha , Lahat Nitza , Daniel‐Spiegel Etty , Wiener‐Megnazi Zofnat , Goldman Shlomit , Abramovici Haim , Shalev Eliezer 
Published: March 2003

Dirnfeld M, Lahat N, Daniel‐Spiegel E, Wiener‐Megnazi Z, Goldman S, Abramovici H, Shalev E. Immunosuppressive properties of follicular fluid and media conditioned by zygotes correlate with subsequent conception in in vitro fertilization. AJRI 2002; 48:329–333 © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2002PROBLEM:  Our objective in this study was to correlate immunosuppressive properties of follicular fluid (FF) and media conditioned by zygotes and early embryos with the occurrence of conception in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) program.METHOD OF STUDY:  Fifty‐seven IVF patients were studied. Donor lymphocytes were incubated with mitogens and FF from mature oocytes or conditioned media from zygotes and early embryos. Proliferation was assessed by radioactive thymidine incorporation. Proliferation Index (PI) was the ratio between radioactive labeling of lymphocytes incubated in the presence and absence of a mitogen.RESULTS:  The FFs and media conditioned by zygotes from conception cycles had higher immunosuppressive activity than those from non‐conception cycles.CONCLUSIONS:  Immunosuppressive activity present in FF and media conditioned by zygotes may be a major determinant of conception in IVF, and may serve as a marker for embryo quality.
Autoimmune Hepatitis Complicated with Antiphospholipid Syndrome in Pregnancy
Authors: TANAKA HIROHIKO , UMEKAWA TAKASHI , KIKUKAWA TOYO , TOYODA NAGAYASU 
Published: March 2003

PROBLEM: There are few reports on the association between autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and antiphospholipid syndrome; only five reports were found on a MEDLINE search between 1966 and 2001. Therefore, the etiology and the optimal treatment of them are not clear.METHOD OF STUDY: We encountered a case of AIH complicated by antiphospholipid syndrome in pregnancy. We present the clinical course and treatment of this case, and discuss some problems in managing such a patient.RESULTS: The patient received low‐dose prednisolone and low‐dose aspirin and delivered a live‐born infant at term without any adverse effects.CONCLUSION: In this case, there was no relation between the variation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the one of β2‐glycoprotein I (GPI)‐dependent anticardiolipin antibody. It is supposed that there was no relation between the activity of AIH and the one of antiphospholipid syndrome, and it is also supposed that one is not secondary to the other.
Vitamin A Deficiency During Rat Pregnancy Alters Placental TNF‐α Signalling and Apoptosis
Authors: ANTIPATIS CHRISTOS , ASHWORTH CHERYL J. , RILEY SIMON C. , HANNAH LISA , HOGGARD NIGEL , LEA RICHARD G. 
Published: March 2003

PROBLEM: Vitamin A is important for immune function and deficiency is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. In the rat, vitamin A deficiency reduces both foetal number and neonatal survival. The role of the placenta is uncertain. The effects of maternal vitamin A deficiency on placental cytokines and apoptosis have been investigated.METHOD OF STUDY: Pregnant rats were fed either control or vitamin A free (VAF) diets (n=4/group) from 8 weeks prior to and throughout pregnancy. Day 20 placentas from viable foetuses were examined for immunoexpression of (a) cytokines: tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), TNFR1 receptor (p55), leptin and leptin receptor, (b) apoptosis: TdT‐mediated dUTP nick end‐labelling (TUNEL) positive cells, bax and bcl‐2.RESULTS: Placentas from VAF rats, but not controls, exhibited an infiltrate of neutrophils positive for TNF‐α and leptin. The number of TNFR1 (p55) and TUNEL positive trophoblast cells was increased specifically in areas of neutrophil infiltration. Trophoblast giant cells in VAF placentas exhibited reduced bax but no change in bcl‐2.CONCLUSIONS: Maternal vitamin A deficiency is associated with abnormal placental apoptosis induced by neutrophil derived TNF‐α acting through the TNFR1 (p55) and/or a change in the bcl‐2/bax ratio in the trophoblast giant cells. These changes may underlie the effects of vitamin A deficiency on foetal development.
Modulation of the Uterine Response to Infectious Bacteria in Postpartum Ewes
Authors: SEALS RICHARD C. , WULSTER‐RADCLIFFE MEGHAN C. , LEWIS GREGORY S. 
Published: March 2003

PROBLEM: Exogenous progesterone and prostaglandin E2(PGE2) can down‐regulate uterine immune functions and render the uterus susceptible to bacterial infection.METHOD OF STUDY: Ewes were sham‐ovariectomized (SHAM) or ovariectomized (OVEX) 9 days after parturition (day 0), and their uteri were inoculated withArcanobacterium pyogenesandEscherichia colion day 15. Vena caval blood was collected on day 14 and days 16–19, and uteri were collected on day 20. Ewes began receiving either canola oil (OIL) or progesterone in oil (PROG) on day 10. Lymphocytes from each blood sample were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial array ofin vitrotreatments; 10–7 M PGE2and 10–7 M indomethacin (INDO) were main effects. [3H]Thymidine incorporation (expressed in picomoles) was used to quantify proliferation.RESULTS: Progesterone was greater (P=0.001) in PROG than in OIL ewes (3.6 versus 0.7 ng/mL), and only PROG ewes developed infections. Lymphocyte proliferation was least (P=0.02) in PROG‐OVEX ewes (4.1 versus 5.4, 5.7, and 5.8 pmol for OIL‐SHAM, PROG‐SHAM, and OIL‐OVEX, respectively). Concanavalin A (Con‐A)‐stimulated proliferation was less (P < 0.01) for PGE2‐ and PGE2 + INDO‐treated lymphocytes (7.5 and 8.3 pmol, respectively) than for control or INDO‐treated cells (12.9 and 14.7 pmol, respectively).CONCLUSIONS: Progesterone treatment of postpartum ewes suppressed uterine immunity.In vitroPGE2treatment suppressed lymphocyte proliferation, regardless of PROG, and highlights a progesterone‐independent level of regulation of uterine immune function.
Effect of immediate intracanal placement of Ledermix Paste® on healing of replanted dog teeth after extended dry times
Authors: Bryson E. C. , Levin L. , Banchs F. , Abbott P. V. , Trope M. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract
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Ledermix Paste® is a paste containing triamcinolone and demeclocycline with demonstrated anti‐inflammatory activity that may slow down resorptive processes after severe traumatic injuries to the dentition. A total of 29 premolar roots of six mongrel dogs were extracted and instrumented with rotary nickel titanium files. Fifteen of these roots were then filled with a calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) slurry and 14 roots were filled with Ledermix Paste® paste. All accesses were sealed with glass ionomer and the roots replanted after an extraoral dry time of 60 min. After 4 months, the dogs were killed and the roots prepared for histological evaluation. Five‐micrometer thick cross‐sections of the root and surrounding tissue taken every 90 µm were evaluated for healing. In addition, residual root mass was also measured to determine the extent of root structure loss for each treatment method. The Ledermix Paste®‐treated roots had statistically significantly more healing and less resorption than the roots treated with Ca(OH)2. Root filling with Ledermix Paste® also resulted in significantly less loss in root mass due to resorption compared to those roots filled with Ca(OH)2. Immediate intracanal placement of Ledermix Paste® at the emergency visit after an avulsion injury appears to decrease resorption and increase favorable healing.
Noise‐induced sleep maintenance insomnia: hypnotic and residual effects of zaleplon
Authors: Stone Barbara M. , Turner Claire , Mills Sue L. , Paty Isabelle , Patat Alain , Darwish Mona , Danjou Philippe 
Published: March 2003

Aims  The primary objective of the study was to assess the residual effects of zaleplon in the morning, 4 h after a middle‐of‐the‐night administration. The secondary objective was to investigate the effectiveness of zaleplon in promoting sleep in healthy volunteers with noise‐induced sleep maintenance insomnia.Methods  Thirteen healthy male and female volunteers (aged 20–30 years) with normal hearing, who were sensitive to the sleep‐disrupting effects of noise, participated in a double‐blind, placebo‐ and active‐drug controlled, four‐period cross‐over study. The subjects were permitted to sleep for 5 h (22.45–03.45 h) in a quiet environment before they were awoken. At 04.00 h they ingested 10 mg zaleplon, 20 mg zaleplon, 7.5 mg zopiclone (active control), or placebo before a second period of sleep (04.00–08.00 h), during which they were exposed to an 80 dB(A) 1 kHz pure tone pulse with an inter‐tone interval of 1 s and a duration of 50 ms. The sound stimulus was stopped after 10 min of persistent sleep or after 2 h if the subject had not fallen asleep. Residual effects were assessed at 08.00 h (4 h after drug administration) using the digit symbol substitution test (DSST), choice reaction time (CRT), critical flicker fusion (CFF), and immediate and delayed free recall of a 20 word list. The data were analysed by analysis of variance. A Bonferroni adjustment was made for the three active treatments compared with placebo.Results  There were no residual effects of zaleplon (10 and 20 mg) compared with placebo. Zopiclone impaired memory by delaying the free recall of words (P = 0.001) and attenuated performance on DSST (P = 0.004) and CRT (P = 0.001), compared with placebo. Zaleplon reduced the latency to persistent sleep (10 mg, P = 0.001; 20 mg, P = 0.014) and the 20 mg dose reduced stage 1 sleep (P = 0.012) compared with placebo. Zopiclone reduced stage 1 sleep (P = 0.001), increased stage 3 sleep (P = 0.0001) and increased total sleep time (P = 0.003), compared with placebo.Conclusions  Zaleplon (10 mg and 20 mg), administered in the middle of the night 4 h before arising, shortens sleep onset without impairing next‐day performance.
Evaluation in an anaesthetic simulator of a prototype of a new drug administration system designedto reduce error*
Authors: Merry A. F. , Webster C. S. , Weller J. , Henderson S. , Robinson B. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryTen anaesthetists were observed while providing anaesthesia for two simulated surgical procedures, twice using conventional methods and twice using a prototype of a new drug administration system designed to reduce error. Aspects of each method were rated by users on 10‐cm visual analogue scales (10 being best) and comments were invited. Median safety scores were 7.7 cm (range 4.3–8.9) for the new system and 4.6 cm (1.3–8.2) for conventional methods (p = 0.009). The new system was compared favourably with conventional methods in respect of safety (p = 0.005), clinical acceptability (p = 0.008), organisation and layout (p = 0.047), and acceptability for use on patients (p = 0.005). The new system saved time in the preparation of drugs both before anaesthesia (105 vs. 346 s; p < 0.001) and during anaesthesia (20 vs. 104 s; p < 0.001). Comments facilitated development of the system and the evaluation endorsed proceeding to a clinical trial.
Propofol effective concentration 50 and its relationship to bispectral index
Authors: Irwin M. G. , Hui T. W. C. , Milne S. E. , Kenny G. N. C. 
Published: March 2003

SummarySixty unpremedicated healthy adult patients were studied during induction of anaesthesia with intravenous propofol delivered by a ‘Diprifusor’ target‐controlled infusion. Bispectral index (BIS) and spectral edge frequency (SEF95) were measured concurrently with the predicted blood and effect site propofol concentrations. Logistic regression was used to calculate the predicted propofol blood and effect site concentrations required to produce unconsciousness and no response to a noxious stimulus in 50% and 95% of patients and to correlate BIS with these end‐points. The Diprifusor TCI software produces anaesthesia at consistent target concentrations. Bispectral index correlates well with clinical end‐points and may be useful during propofol anaesthesia.
Twin pregnancy outcomes for women with gestational diabetes mellitus compared with glucose tolerant women
Authors: Moses Robert G. , Webb Alison J. , Lucas Elizabeth M. , Davis Warren S. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjective: To examine pregnancy outcomes for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and a twin pregnancy compared with glucose tolerant women with a twin pregnancy.Design: Comparison of selected pregnancy outcomes.Setting: Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.Population: Women with GDM seen over a 10‐year period by an endocrinologist, and women from a selected year of an obstetric database including Wollongong and Shellharbour Hospitals.Methods: Examination of pregnancy outcome data from the two sources.Main outcome measures: Fetal birthweights and method of delivery.Results: There were 28 GDM women with a twin pregnancy from 1229 consecutive referrals (2.3%) of women with GDM for medical management. For comparison there were 29 glucose tolerant women with twin pregnancies evaluable who had delivered over a 1‐year period. For the women with GDM and a twin pregnancy there were no significant differences in demographics or outcomes except for a higher rate of elective Caesarean section.Conclusion: The higher rate of Caesarean section appeared to be related to the combination of a twin pregnancy and GDM rather than the twin pregnancy or the GDM independently.
Randomized clinical trial of screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm in women
Authors: Scott R A P , Bridgewater S G , Ashton H A 
Published: March 2003

Abstract

Background
Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is commonly restricted to men. Recent studies have indicated a possible increase in deaths due to ruptured AAA in women, and a higher rate of rupture in women than in men. The present report details results from a randomized controlled trial that assessed the effects of screening women for AAA.

Methods
Some 9342 women aged 65–80 years were entered into the trial and randomized to age-matched screen and control groups. A single ultrasonographic scan was offered to women in the screening arm of the study. Women with an AAA received follow-up scans, and were considered for elective surgery if certain criteria were met.

Results
The prevalence of AAA was six times lower in women (1·3 per cent) than in men (7·6 per cent). Over 5- and 10-year follow-up intervals, the incidence of rupture was the same in the screened and control groups of women.

Conclusion
Screening women for AAA is neither clinically indicated nor economically viable.
Surgical workload and outcome after resection for carcinoma of the oesophagus and cardia
Authors: Gillison E W , Powell J , McConkey C C , Spychal R T 
Published: March 2003

Abstract

Background
Performing cancer surgery in high-volume centres may lead to improved outcomes. This study explored the relationship between annual workload and outcome following resection for carcinoma of the oesophagus and cardia.

Methods
The study was a retrospective case-note review of 1125 patients who had surgery for cardio-oesophageal cancer in the West Midlands region of England. Outcome measures were 30-day mortality and long-term survival.

Results
The overall 30-day mortality rate was 10·0 per cent with a median survival of 14 months and a 5-year survival rate of 17·2 per cent. Increasing age, advanced stage of disease and emergency resection independently affected outcome adversely. Forty-one infrequent operators (fewer than four resections per year) performed 146 resections (13·0 per cent), 18 intermediate operators (between four and 11 resections per year) performed 488 resections (43·4 per cent) and five frequent operators (12 or more resections per year) performed 491 resections (43·6 per cent). The 30-day mortality rate was greatest in the infrequent group (15·1 per cent) compared with both the intermediate group (6·6 per cent; adjusted odds 0·40, P = 0·004) and the frequent group (11·8 per cent; odds 0·73, P = 0·28). There were no differences in survival rates between the groups, and no difference in outcome between high- and low-volume hospitals.

Conclusion
In this unselected population-based series there was little evidence of a trend of improving 30-day mortality rate with increasing workload, or between workload and long-term survival.